Publications by authors named "M Lappas"
Differential response of placental cells to high D-glucose and its impact on extracellular vesicle biogenesis and trafficking via small GTPase Ras-related protein RAB-7A.
J Extracell Biol
January 2024
Placental extracellular vesicles (EVs) can be found in the maternal circulation throughout gestation, and their concentration, content and bioactivity are associated with pregnancy outcomes, including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). However, the effect of changes in the maternal microenvironment on the mechanisms associated with the secretion of EVs from placental cells remains to be fully established. Here, we evaluated the effect of high glucose on proteins associated with the trafficking and release of different populations of EVs from placental cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Previous studies have reported that neonates less than the 25th BWC especially if they were male, were more likely to be associated with birth complications suggesting small neonates often identified as appropriately grown are at risk of adverse outcomes. We have questioned whether smaller neonates not typically categorized as "small for gestational age" may not reach their genetically determined growth due to placental insufficiency.
Methods: RNA-Seq was performed on the Illumina NovaSeq 600 using term placentae from neonates that were less than the 10th birthweight centile (BWC) (n = 39), between the 10th and the 30th BWC (n = 15) or greater than the 30th BWC (n = 23).
Article Synopsis
- Birthweight centile (BWC) below the 25th percentile is linked to higher risks of negative pregnancy outcomes, with males being particularly affected.
- The study utilized RNA sequencing to analyze gene expression in male placentae at term, categorizing them by BWC (<10th, 10th-30th, >30th percentiles).
- Findings revealed that lower BWC correlates with increased expression of androgen response elements and related gene sets, suggesting impaired placental function that may hinder fetal growth.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanosized biomolecular packages involved in intercellular communication. EVs are released by all cells, making them broadly applicable as therapeutic, diagnostic, and mechanistic components in (patho)physiology. Sample purity is critical for correctly attributing observed effects to EVs and for maximizing therapeutic and diagnostic performance.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - CD8 T cells are crucial for fighting viral infections, but their development and effectiveness across different age groups remain uncertain.
- - The study examines how CD8 T cells targeting a specific influenza epitope evolve from newborns to older adults, revealing a clear progression and a reset in older adults with gene profiles similar to younger groups.
- - Findings indicate that the ability of T cells to effectively respond to viruses is influenced by age, with optimal T cell functionality observed in children and adults, while older adults show reduced performance despite not being exhausted.