SARS-CoV-2 infection has been related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. A placental role in protecting the fetus from SARS-CoV-2 infection has been documented. Nevertheless, it is still unclear how the placenta is affected in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we assessed placental mitochondrial (mt) and oxidative features in COVID-19 and healthy mothers. mtDNA levels, DNA oxidative damage, expression levels of genes involved in antioxidant defenses, mitochondrial dynamics and respiratory chain subunits were investigated in placentas from singleton pregnancies of 30 women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the third trimester (12 asymptomatic, 18 symptomatic) and 16 controls. mtDNA levels decreased in COVID-19 placentas vs. controls and inversely correlated with DNA oxidative damage, which increased in the symptomatic group. Antioxidant gene expressions decreased in SARS-CoV-2 mothers (CAT, GSS). Symptomatic cases also showed a lower expression of respiratory chain (NDUFA9, SDHA, COX4I1) and mt dynamics (DNM1L, FIS1) genes. Alterations in placental mitochondrial features and oxidative balance in COVID-19-affected mothers might be due to the impaired intrauterine environment, generated by systemic viral effects, leading to a negative vicious circle that worsens placental oxidative stress and mitochondrial efficiency. This likely causes cell homeostasis dysregulations, raising the potential of possible long-term effects.

Mitochondrial and oxidative unbalance in placentas from mothers with sars-cov-2 infection / C. Mandò, V.M. Savasi, G.M. Anelli, S. Corti, A. Serati, F. Lisso, C. Tasca, C. Novielli, I. Cetin. - In: ANTIOXIDANTS. - ISSN 2076-3921. - 10:10(2021 Sep 24), pp. 1517.1-1517.14. [10.3390/antiox10101517]

Mitochondrial and oxidative unbalance in placentas from mothers with sars-cov-2 infection

C. Mandò
Primo
Conceptualization
;
V.M. Savasi
Secondo
Resources
;
G.M. Anelli
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
S. Corti
Investigation
;
A. Serati
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
F. Lisso
Investigation
;
C. Tasca
Investigation
;
C. Novielli
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
I. Cetin
Writing – Review & Editing
2021

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 infection has been related to adverse pregnancy outcomes. A placental role in protecting the fetus from SARS-CoV-2 infection has been documented. Nevertheless, it is still unclear how the placenta is affected in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Here we assessed placental mitochondrial (mt) and oxidative features in COVID-19 and healthy mothers. mtDNA levels, DNA oxidative damage, expression levels of genes involved in antioxidant defenses, mitochondrial dynamics and respiratory chain subunits were investigated in placentas from singleton pregnancies of 30 women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during the third trimester (12 asymptomatic, 18 symptomatic) and 16 controls. mtDNA levels decreased in COVID-19 placentas vs. controls and inversely correlated with DNA oxidative damage, which increased in the symptomatic group. Antioxidant gene expressions decreased in SARS-CoV-2 mothers (CAT, GSS). Symptomatic cases also showed a lower expression of respiratory chain (NDUFA9, SDHA, COX4I1) and mt dynamics (DNM1L, FIS1) genes. Alterations in placental mitochondrial features and oxidative balance in COVID-19-affected mothers might be due to the impaired intrauterine environment, generated by systemic viral effects, leading to a negative vicious circle that worsens placental oxidative stress and mitochondrial efficiency. This likely causes cell homeostasis dysregulations, raising the potential of possible long-term effects.
COVID-19; Mitochondria; Oxidative stress; Placenta; Pregnancy; SARS-CoV-2
Settore MED/40 - Ginecologia e Ostetricia
Settore MED/49 - Scienze Tecniche Dietetiche Applicate
Settore BIO/11 - Biologia Molecolare
Settore BIO/13 - Biologia Applicata
Settore BIO/12 - Biochimica Clinica e Biologia Molecolare Clinica
Settore MED/17 - Malattie Infettive
24-set-2021
Article (author)
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/875163
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