The biological functions of maternal-derived extracellular vesicles during pregnancy and lactation and its impact on offspring health

During pregnancy and lactation, mothers provide not only nutrients, but also many bioactive components for their offspring through placenta and breast milk, which are essential for offspring development. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanovesicles containing a variety of biologically active molecules and participate in the intercellular communication. In the past decade, an increasing number of studies have reported that maternal-derived EVs play a crucial role in offspring growth, development, and immune system establishment. Hereby, we summarized the characteristics of EVs; biological functions of maternal-derived EVs during pregnancy, including implantation, decidualization, placentation, embryo development and birth of offspring; biological function of breast milk-derived EVs (BMEs) on infant oral and intestinal diseases, immune system, neurodevelopment, and metabolism. In summary, emerging studies have revealed that maternal-derived EVs play a pivotal role in offspring health. As such, maternal-derived EVs may be used as promising biomarkers in offspring disease diagnosis and treatment. However, existing research on maternal-derived EVs and offspring health is largely limited to animal and cellular studies. Evidence from human studies is needed

Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma- clinical features, complications and risk factors for Kasabach–Merritt phenomenon_bjd0457.pdf

Background Few studies have reported the clinical features, complications and predictors of Kasabach–Merritt phenomenon (KMP) associated with Kaposiform haemangioendothelioma (KHE). Objectives To determine the clinical characteristics present at diagnosis and to identify features that may aid clinicians in managing KHE. Methods We conducted a cohort study of 146 patients diagnosed with KHE. Results KHE precursors or lesions were present at birth in 521% of patients. In 918% of patients, lesions developed within the first year of life. The median age at diagnosis of KHE was 23 months (interquartile range 10–60). The extremities were the dominant location, representing 507% of all KHEs. Among KHEs in the cohort, 630% were mixed lesions (cutaneous lesions with deep infiltration). Approximately 70% of patients showed KMP. A KHE diagnosis was delayed by ≥ 1 month in 657% of patients with KMP. Patients with KMP were more likely to have major complications than patients without KMP ( P=0023). Young age ( 6 months), trunk location, large lesion size (> 50 cm) and mixed lesion type were associated with KMP in a univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, only age [odds ratio (OR) 119, 95% confidence interval (CI) 407–348; P large lesion size (OR 508, 95% CI 224–115; P (OR 296, 95% CI 123–713; P=0016) were associated with KMP. Conclusions Most KHEs appeared before 12 months of age. KHEs are associated with various major complications, which can occur in combination and develop early in the disease process. Young age, large lesion size and mixed lesion type are important predictors of KMP.</p