3D Visualisation of trans-syncytial nanopores provides a pathway for paracellular diffusion across the human placental syncytiotrophoblast
3D Visualisation of trans-syncytial nanopores provides a pathway for paracellular diffusion across the human placental syncytiotrophoblast
The placental syncytiotrophoblast, a syncytium without cell-cell junctions, is the primary barrier between the mother and the fetus. Despite no apparent anatomical pathway for paracellular diffusion of solutes across the syncytiotrophoblast size-dependent paracellular diffusion is observed. Here we report data demonstrating that the syncytiotrophoblast is punctuated by trans-syncytial nanopores (TSNs). These membrane-bound TSNs directly connect the maternal and fetal facing sides of the syncytiotrophoblast, providing a pathway for paracellular diffusion between the mother and fetus. Mathematical modelling of TSN permeability based on their 3D geometry suggests that 10-37 million TSNs per cm3 of placental tissue could explain experimentally observed placental paracellular diffusion. TSNs may mediate physiological hydrostatic and osmotic pressure homeostasis between the maternal and fetal circulations but also expose the fetus to pharmaceuticals, environmental pollutants and nanoparticles.
Lewis, Rohan
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Baskaran, Harikesan
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Green, Jools
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Tashev, Stanimir A.
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Palaiologou, Eleni
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Lofthouse, Emma
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Cleal, Jane
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Page, Anthony
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Chatelet, David
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Goggin, Patricia
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Sengers, Bram
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2 September 2022
Lewis, Rohan
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Baskaran, Harikesan
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Green, Jools
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Tashev, Stanimir A.
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Palaiologou, Eleni
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Lofthouse, Emma
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Cleal, Jane
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Page, Anthony
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Chatelet, David
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Goggin, Patricia
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Sengers, Bram
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Lewis, Rohan, Baskaran, Harikesan, Green, Jools, Tashev, Stanimir A., Palaiologou, Eleni, Lofthouse, Emma, Cleal, Jane, Page, Anthony, Chatelet, David, Goggin, Patricia and Sengers, Bram
(2022)
3D Visualisation of trans-syncytial nanopores provides a pathway for paracellular diffusion across the human placental syncytiotrophoblast.
iScience, 25 (12).
(doi:10.1101/2022.01.26.477815).
Abstract
The placental syncytiotrophoblast, a syncytium without cell-cell junctions, is the primary barrier between the mother and the fetus. Despite no apparent anatomical pathway for paracellular diffusion of solutes across the syncytiotrophoblast size-dependent paracellular diffusion is observed. Here we report data demonstrating that the syncytiotrophoblast is punctuated by trans-syncytial nanopores (TSNs). These membrane-bound TSNs directly connect the maternal and fetal facing sides of the syncytiotrophoblast, providing a pathway for paracellular diffusion between the mother and fetus. Mathematical modelling of TSN permeability based on their 3D geometry suggests that 10-37 million TSNs per cm3 of placental tissue could explain experimentally observed placental paracellular diffusion. TSNs may mediate physiological hydrostatic and osmotic pressure homeostasis between the maternal and fetal circulations but also expose the fetus to pharmaceuticals, environmental pollutants and nanoparticles.
Text
2022.01.26.477815v4.full
- Author's Original
Text
Nanopores paper iScience FINALwith figs for pure
- Accepted Manuscript
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e-pub ahead of print date: 2 September 2022
Published date: 2 September 2022
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 471729
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/471729
ISSN: 2589-0042
PURE UUID: 9effe978-f1dd-4a1b-89fa-2a3efc011f6c
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Date deposited: 17 Nov 2022 17:37
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 03:30
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Contributors
Author:
Harikesan Baskaran
Author:
Jools Green
Author:
Stanimir A. Tashev
Author:
Eleni Palaiologou
Author:
Emma Lofthouse
Author:
Anthony Page
Author:
David Chatelet
Author:
Patricia Goggin
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