Materno-fetal communication represents a vital and complex process that spans the entire duration of pregnancy (even playing roles before this process begins) and facilitates the crucial exchange of nutrients, oxygen, hormones, and other compounds between the mother and the developing fetus. This phenomenon occurs through various adaptive systems, including the secretion of molecules into the endometrial fluid, placenta, and umbilical cord, and the function of various maternal and fetal hormones.
This relationship is characterized by the provision of essential resources by the mother for the growth and development of the fetus; however, the fetus also exerts an influence on maternal physiology, demonstrating a fascinating level of cooperation and adaptation between two biologically distinct but interdependent individuals.
Crucially, research in our laboratory has shown that the mother can transmit genetic information to the embryo before pregnancy begins, which may prompt modifications to gene expression profiles and physiology.
How does materno-fetal communication take place?
The mother and the developing embryo communicate through freely traveling small molecules and those transported within extracellular vesicles. The mother secretes extracellular vesicles into the endometrial fluid (where the embryo is located before pregnancy begins), where they can enter the cells of the embryo. These extracellular vesicle-entrapped molecules, which include microRNAs, can modify the developing embryo transcriptomic and epigenetic profiles just before pregnancy begins.
What molecules and mechanisms are involved in materno-fetal communication?
Our laboratory has demonstrated that the cells of the endometrium, the inner lining of the uterus, secrete a variety of molecules that cells of the embryo receive [1]. These molecules include:
- MicroRNAs: Small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. Maternal microRNAs modify gene expression profiles in the embryo to influence development and long-term health [1].
- Proteins: Molecules that play various roles in cell development, including as structural elements or in the regulation of biochemical processes. Certain proteins can activate or deactivate genes in the embryo, while others can directly regulate growth and development [2].
- Extracellular vesicles: Small structures that transport different molecules between cells to establish communication; they can contain proteins, RNA, and DNA. Extracellular vesicles can transport genetic and molecular information from the maternal endometrium to the developing embryo [2].
What impact does materno-fetal communication have?
Several recent scientific studies have described how the uterine environment (molecules secreted by the mother) can influence the risk of diseases in adulthood, such as:
- Diabetes: Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes have an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes in adulthood [3].
- Obesity: Children of obese mothers have an increased risk of being obese in childhood and adulthood [4].
- Cardiovascular diseases: Exposure to high levels of stress during pregnancy can increase the risk of the child developing cardiovascular diseases in adulthood [5].
How can we take advantage of this knowledge?
By better understanding materno-fetal communication, we can develop new strategies to improve reproductive health. We can develop novel techniques that optimize fertility and pregnancy success and prevent diseases by identifying the factors that influence the uterine environment and its impact on the future health of the baby.
A new concept of preconception care
The Maternal-Embryo Communication group of the Carlos Simon Foundation, led by Dr. Felipe Vilella, works to better understand communication between the mother and the embryo during the preconceptional period. We aim to transform health and well-being from the very beginning of life.
For more information, please visit the following page: https://carlossimonfoundation.com/research/maternal-embryonic-crosstalk/
References:
1. Vilella F, Moreno-Moya JM, Balaguer N, Grasso A, Herrero M, Martínez S, Marcilla A, Simon C. Hsa-miR-30d, secreted by the human endometrium, is taken up by the pre-implantation embryo and might modify its transcriptome. Development 142: 3210–3221, 2015. doi:10.1242/dev.124289.
2. Grasso A, Navarro R, Balaguer N, Moreno I, Alama P, Jimenez J, Simón C, Vilella F. Endometrial Liquid Biopsy Provides a miRNA Roadmap of the Secretory Phase of the Human Endometrium. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2020 Mar 1;105(3):dgz146. doi: 10.1210/clinem/dgz146. PMID: 31665361.
3. Simon C, Greening DW, Bolumar D, Balaguer N, Salamonsen LA, Vilella F. Extracellular vesicles in human reproduction in health and disease. Endocr Rev 39: 292–332, 2018. doi:10.1210/er.2017-00229.
4. Dabelea D, Knowler WC, Pettitt DJ. Effect of diabetes in pregnancy on offspring: follow-up research in the Pima Indians. J Matern Fetal Med 9: 83–88, 2000. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1520-6661(200001/02)9:1<83::AID-MFM17>3.0.CO;2-O.
5. Dabelea D, Hanson RL, Lindsay RS, Pettitt DJ, Imperatore G, Gabir MM, Roumain J, Bennett PH, Knowler WC. Intrauterine exposure to diabetes conveys risks for type 2 diabetes and obesity: a study of discordant sibships. Diabetes 49: 2208–2211, 2000. doi:10.2337/diabetes.49.12.2208.
6. Barker DJ. The fetal and infant origins of adult disease. BMJ 301:1111, 1990. doi:10.1136/bmj.301.6761.1111