Do neurotrophins regulate the feto-placental development?

Numerous data highlight the importance of a fine regulation of the fetal growth for the individual’s subsequent susceptibility to diseases. Recent evidence suggests that neurotrophins may have important functions during pregnancy and that they could modulate fetal growth. We hypothesize that neurotrophins may participate in fetal growth by different pathways: (1) these molecules may participate in the development and the maturation of both central and peripheral fetal organs, including the placenta; (2) neurotrophins may constitute a link between the maternal nutrition and the fetal nutrients demand and thus could act as a nutrient sensor for the development and efficiency of the placenta; (3) maternal and placental neurotrophins may control the fetal development directly but also by activating the production and release of others growth factors. In conclusion, neurotrophins may participate to a new pathway controlling fetal growth and may be implicated, at least in part, under physiopathological conditions in disturbances of the fetal growth trajectory.