Mitochondrial and Oxidative Unbalance in Placentas from Mothers with SARS-CoV-2 Infection

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 oxida...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Antioxidants 2021-09, Vol.10 (10), p.1517
Main Authors: Mandò, Chiara, Savasi, Valeria M., Anelli, Gaia M., Corti, Silvia, Serati, Anaïs, Lisso, Fabrizia, Tasca, Chiara, Novielli, Chiara, Cetin, Irene
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antioxidants
Biopsy
Birth weight
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Cytochrome
Disease transmission
DNA damage
Electron transport
Fetuses
Gene expression
Genetic testing
Gestational age
Homeostasis
Infections
Intrauterine exposure
Long-term effects
Mitochondria
Mitochondrial DNA
Mothers
Oxidative stress
Placenta
Pregnancy
RNA polymerase
SARS-CoV-2
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
Standard deviation
Viral infections
Womens health
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Summary: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.
ISSN:2076-3921
2076-3921
DOI:10.3390/antiox10101517