Is there a definite relationship between placental mTOR signaling and fetal growth?

Is there a definite relationship between placental mTOR signaling and fetal growth? Biol Reprod. 2020 May 13;: Authors: Dong J, Shin N, Chen S, Lei J, Burd I, Wang X Abstract Fetal growth restriction and overgrowth are common obstetrical complications that result in adverse perinatal outcomes and long-term health risks later in life, including neurodevelopmental dysfunction and adult metabolic syndrome. Placenta plays a critical role in the nutrition transfer from mother to fetus and even exert adaptive mechanism when the fetus is under poor developmental conditions. The mammalian/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling serves as a critical hub of cell growth, survival, and metabolism in response to nutrients, growth factors, energy, and stress signals. Placental mTOR signaling regulates placental function, including oxygen and nutrient transport. Therefore, placental mTOR signaling is hypothesized to have a positive relationship with fetal growth. In this review, we summarize that most studies support the current evidence that there is connection between placental mTOR signaling and abnormal fetal growth, but more studies should be performed following vigorous assessing methods on determining placental mTOR activity. PMID: 32401303 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Biology of Reproduction - Category: Reproduction Medicine Authors: Tags: Biol Reprod Source Type: research