Placental Nutrient Transport and Signaling in a Guinea Pig Model of Fetal Growth Restriction with Repeated Placental Nanoparticle-mediated IGF1 Treatment

Roughly 10% of all pregnancies are affected by fetal growth restriction (FGR). The primary etiology of FGR is placental insufficiency: the placenta not providing the appropriate amount of nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. There is currently no treatment for FGR or placental insufficiency. Because of the placentas pivotal role in FGR and supplying nutrients to the fetus, it offers an excellent target for therapeutic intervention. Using a guinea pig maternal nutrient restriction model and a repeated placental nanoparticle-mediated IGF1 treatment, placental IGF1 signaling and nutrient transport pathways were characterized to understand changes with FGR and treatment. This study elucidates the signaling mechanisms in which repeated placental nanoparticle-mediated IGF1 treatment leads to correct fetal growth. Overall, this study resulted in sex-specific kinase signaling and nutrient transporter changes within the placenta in both FGR and treatment groups. Combined with our previous studies using this treatment, we demonstrate the basic molecular signaling of this treatment and recapitulate the plausibility of this therapy for future human translation.