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Oxidative Stress: Placenta Function and Dysfunction
Author(s) -
Wu Fan,
Tian FuJu,
Lin Yi,
Xu WangMing
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12454
Subject(s) - oxidative stress , placenta , reactive oxygen species , preeclampsia , pregnancy , intrauterine growth restriction , biology , oxidative phosphorylation , function (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , fetus , endocrinology , biochemistry , genetics
During pregnancy, the placenta is a site of active oxygen metabolism that continuously generates oxidative stress ( OS ). Overproduction of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species can destroy normal placental functions. Therefore, the feto‐placental unit generates abundant antioxidants to keep OS under control. Properly controlled oxidative species have been proven to serve as indispensable cellular signal messengers by regulating gene expression and downstream cellular activities. OS also plays an important immunoregulatory role during pregnancy. Oxidative disorder and immune disturbances are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. In this review, we introduce recent studies revealing basal functions and regulatory roles of placental OS in metabolism and immunity. The relationships between OS ‐ and pregnancy‐related disorders are also discussed.