Severe damage to the placental fetal capillary network causes mid ‐ to late fetal lethality and reduction in placental size in Peg11/Rtl1 KO mice

In this study, we re‐examined KO fetuses and placentas and confirmed that the severe clogging of fetal capillaries was associated with KO fetuses showing mid‐fetal lethality with internal bleeding. Importantly, the basal region of the fetal capillary network was specifically damaged, also leading to poor expansion of the labyrinth layer and placental size reduction in the later stage. An apparent down‐regulation of transmembrane protein 100 (Tmem100), mesenchyme homeobox 2 (Meox2) and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (Lyve1) expression were observed in earlier stage placentas even before apparent size reduction became, suggesting that these genes are involved in the maintenance of fetal capillaries associated with Peg11/Rtl1 during development. Peg11/Rtl1 KO mice showed mid‐ to late fetal lethality and late fetal growth retardation. Severe damage to the fetal capillaries of the labyrinth layer in the placentas is the cause of these phenotypes. Graphical abstract Text: Peg11/Rtl1 KO mice showed mid‐ to late fetal lethality and late fetal growth retardation. Severe damage to the fetal capillaries of the labyrinth layer in the placentas is the cause of these phenotypes.
Source: Genes to Cells - Category: Genetics & Stem Cells Authors: Tags: Original Article Source Type: research