Physiology and Pathophysiology of Placenta, volume II

Given the success of the first edition, we are please to announce the second volume of the Research Topic "Physiology and Pathophysiology of Placenta". Please find the first edition here.

Placentation is a tightly regulated process that ensures the development of a normal and functional placenta, which is essential for a correct fetal development. The placenta is a transitory but essential organ with fundamental functions during pregnancy. Placental development is regulated by several factors such as growth factors, hormones, and many other types of molecules that modulate placental cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and invasion.

These factors influence (either activating or inhibiting) many signaling pathways involved in the expression of specific genes necessary for a successful pregnancy. The importance of a normal placental development becomes evident when this process is impaired, causing severe pregnancy complications including preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR), gestational trophoblastic diseases (GTD), preterm delivery , and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Placental development can also be impaired by exogenous agents such as bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and natural compounds that can alter the normal placental functions worsening pregnancy outcome.

Many of the pregnancy complications previously mentioned are associated with an increase in maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity, and can cause life-long health complications for both mother and child. Important signaling pathways such as TGFß/SMAD, PI3K/AKT/mTOR, and JAK/STAT have been reported to be impaired in a number of pregnancy complications such as PE, GDM, and FGR. Moreover, all pregnancy complications mentioned are characterized by systemic inflammation, a known process involved in endothelial dysfunction.

Since an early diagnosis of pregnancy complications can significantly improve pregnancy outcome, research is always looking for new specific biomarkers able to allow an early diagnosis of these pregnancy complications. Furthermore, an in-depth understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying these pathologies can significantly improve the therapeutic approach in order to avoid/improve the outcome of pregnancies complicated by these pathologies.

It is interesting to note that several natural and synthetic compounds showed beneficial effects in treating pregnancy complications, suggesting a possible use of these compounds for the treatment/prevention of these diseases. Thus, a better knowledge of the mechanisms involved in the regulation of human placenta development under both normal and pathological conditions may bring new perspectives in the treatment of these pregnancy complications.

The aim of this Research Topic is to provide an overview of the physiology and Pathophysiology of the placenta in order to better understand its development under normal and pathological conditions.

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Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review
• Technology and Code

Keywords: Placenta, Placentation, Preeclampsia, Fetal growth restriction, Gestational diabetes mellitus, Trophoblast, Signaling pathways

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