From Molecules to Imaging: Assessment of Placental Hypoxia Biomarkers in Placental Insufficiency Syndromes
Fatimah M. Al Darwish,
Lotte Meijerink,
Bram F. Coolen,
Gustav J. Strijkers,
Mireille Bekker,
Titia Lely,
Fieke Terstappen
Affiliations
Fatimah M. Al Darwish
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Lotte Meijerink
Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
Bram F. Coolen
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Gustav J. Strijkers
Department of Biomedical Engineering and Physics, Amsterdam Cardiovascular Sciences, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Mireille Bekker
Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
Titia Lely
Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
Fieke Terstappen
Department of Obstetrics, Wilhelmina Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 EA Utrecht, The Netherlands
Placental hypoxia poses significant risks to both the developing fetus and the mother during pregnancy, underscoring the importance of early detection and monitoring. Effectively identifying placental hypoxia and evaluating the deterioration in placental function requires reliable biomarkers. Molecular biomarkers in placental tissue can only be determined post-delivery and while maternal blood biomarkers can be measured over time, they can merely serve as proxies for placental function. Therefore, there is an increasing demand for non-invasive imaging techniques capable of directly assessing the placental condition over time. Recent advancements in imaging technologies, including photoacoustic and magnetic resonance imaging, offer promising tools for detecting and monitoring placental hypoxia. Integrating molecular and imaging biomarkers may revolutionize the detection and monitoring of placental hypoxia, improving pregnancy outcomes and reducing long-term health complications. This review describes current research on molecular and imaging biomarkers of placental hypoxia both in human and animal studies and aims to explore the benefits of an integrated approach throughout gestation.
