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Yang T, Zhao J, Liu F, Li Y. Lipid metabolism and endometrial receptivity. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:858-889. [PMID: 35639910 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity has now been recognized as a high-risk factor for reproductive health. Although remarkable advancements have been made in ART, a considerable number of infertile obese women still suffer from serial implantation failure, despite the high quality of embryos transferred. Although obesity has long been known to exert various deleterious effects on female fertility, the underlying mechanisms, especially the roles of lipid metabolism in endometrial receptivity, remain largely elusive. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review summarizes current evidence on the impacts of several major lipids and lipid-derived mediators on the embryonic implantation process. Emerging methods for evaluating endometrial receptivity, for example transcriptomic and lipidomic analysis, are also discussed. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed and Embase databases were searched using the following keywords: (lipid or fatty acid or prostaglandin or phospholipid or sphingolipid or endocannabinoid or lysophosphatidic acid or cholesterol or progesterone or estrogen or transcriptomic or lipidomic or obesity or dyslipidemia or polycystic ovary syndrome) AND (endometrial receptivity or uterine receptivity or embryo implantation or assisted reproductive technology or in vitro fertilization or embryo transfer). A comprehensive literature search was performed on the roles of lipid-related metabolic pathways in embryo implantation published between January 1970 and March 2022. Only studies with original data and reviews published in English were included in this review. Additional information was obtained from references cited in the articles resulting from the literature search. OUTCOMES Recent studies have shown that a fatty acids-related pro-inflammatory response in the embryo-endometrium boundary facilitates pregnancy via mediation of prostaglandin signaling. Phospholipid-derived mediators, for example endocannabinoids, lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine-1-phosphate, are associated with endometrial receptivity, embryo spacing and decidualization based on evidence from both animal and human studies. Progesterone and estrogen are two cholesterol-derived steroid hormones that synergistically mediate the structural and functional alterations in the uterus ready for blastocyst implantation. Variations in serum cholesterol profiles throughout the menstrual cycle imply a demand for steroidogenesis at the time of window of implantation (WOI). Since 2002, endometrial transcriptomic analysis has been serving as a diagnostic tool for WOI dating. Numerous genes that govern lipid homeostasis have been identified and, based on specific alterations of lipidomic signatures differentially expressed in WOI, lipidomic analysis of endometrial fluid provides a possibility for non-invasive diagnosis of lipids alterations during the WOI. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Given that lipid metabolic dysregulation potentially plays a role in infertility, a better understanding of lipid metabolism could have significant clinical implications for the diagnosis and treatment of female reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianli Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Feng Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, and Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Yanping Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, P.R. China
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Meta-Analysis of Two Human RNA-seq Datasets to Determine Periodontitis Diagnostic Biomarkers and Drug Target Candidates. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23105580. [PMID: 35628390 PMCID: PMC9145972 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23105580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory oral disease that affects approximately 42% of adults 30 years of age or older in the United States. In response to microbial dysbiosis within the periodontal pockets surrounding teeth, the host immune system generates an inflammatory environment in which soft tissue and alveolar bone destruction occur. The objective of this study was to identify diagnostic biomarkers and the mechanistic drivers of inflammation in periodontitis to identify drugs that may be repurposed to treat chronic inflammation. A meta-analysis comprised of two independent RNA-seq datasets was performed. RNA-seq analysis, signal pathway impact analysis, protein-protein interaction analysis, and drug target analysis were performed to identify the critical pathways and key players that initiate inflammation in periodontitis as well as to predict potential drug targets. Seventy-eight differentially expressed genes, 10 significantly impacted signaling pathways, and 10 hub proteins in periodontal gingival tissue were identified. The top 10 drugs that may be repurposed for treating periodontitis were then predicted from the gene expression and pathway data. The efficacy of these drugs in treating periodontitis has yet to be investigated. However, this analysis indicates that these drugs may serve as potential therapeutics to treat inflammation in gingival tissue affected by periodontitis.
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The role of extracellular vesicles in endometrial receptivity and their potential in reproductive therapeutics and diagnosis. Reprod Biol 2022; 22:100645. [PMID: 35594727 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2022.100645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, nanometre sized, membrane-enclosed structures released by cells and are thought to be crucial in cellular communication. The cargo of these vesicles includes lipids, proteins, RNAs and DNA, and control various biological processes in their target tissues depending on the parental and receiver cell's origin and phenotype. Recently data has accumulated in the role of EVs in embryo implantation and pregnancy, with EVs identified in the uterine cavity of women, sheep, cows, horses, and mice, in which they aid blastocyst and endometrial preparation for implantation. Herein is a critical review to decipher the role of extracellular vesicles in endometrial receptivity and their potential in reproductive therapies and diagnosis. The current knowledge of the function of embryo and endometrial derived EVs and their cargoes, with regards to their effect on implantation and receptivity are summarized and evaluated. The findings of the below review highlight that the combined knowledge on EVs deriving from the endometrium and embryo have the potential to be translated to various clinical applications including treatment, a diagnostic biomarker for diseases and a drug delivery tool to ultimately improve pregnancy rates.
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Amjadi F, Zandieh Z, Mehdizadeh M, Ajdary M, Aghamajidi A, Raoufi E, Aflatoonian R. Molecular signature of immunological mechanism behind impaired endometrial receptivity in polycystic ovarian syndrome. ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2022; 66:2359-3997000000476. [PMID: 35551681 PMCID: PMC9832857 DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective Despite the treatment of anovulation, infertility is still one of the main complications in PCOS women during reproductive age, which appears to be mainly due to impaired uterine receptivity. This study investigated the transcriptome profiles of endometrium in PCOS patients and healthy fertile individuals as the control group. Methods Total mRNA was extracted from endometrial tissues of PCOS patients (n = 12) and healthy fertile individuals (n = 10) during the luteal phase. After cDNA synthesis, PCR array was performed using Human Female Infertility RT2 Profiler PCR Array kit (Qiagen, Cat.No: PAHS-164Z) for evaluating expression of 84 genes contributing to the female infertility. Results PCR Array data analysis identified significantly greater expression of CSF, IL11, IL15, IL1r1, IL1b, TNF, LIF, TNFRSF10B, TGFβ, C3, ITGA4 (Cd49d), SPP1, and Calca in PCOS women than in controls (P < 0.05). However, the expression of LIFR, C2, CD55, CFD, CALCA, LAM1, LAMC2, MMP2, MMP7, MMP9, ESR, SELL, ITGB3, and VCAM1 was significantly lower in PCOS group than in controls (P < 0.05). The results revealed dysregulation of immune-inflammatory molecules, complement activation and downregulation of IGF-I as well as adhesion molecules in PCOS group. Conclusion The findings of this study indicated some potential causes of reduced receptivity of endometrium thus compromising the fertility in PCOS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemehsadat Amjadi
- Akbarabadi IVF clinic, Akbarabadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Zandieh
- Akbarabadi IVF clinic, Akbarabadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mehdizadeh
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Ajdary
- Endometriosis Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azin Aghamajidi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Raoufi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, Bioluence Biopharmaceutical Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran,
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Sun B, Yeh J. Non-Invasive and Mechanism-Based Molecular Assessment of Endometrial Receptivity During the Window of Implantation: Current Concepts and Future Prospective Testing Directions. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 4:863173. [PMID: 36303672 PMCID: PMC9580756 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2022.863173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Suboptimal endometrial receptivity and altered embryo-endometrial crosstalk account for approximately two-thirds of human implantation failures. Current tests of the window of implantation, such as endometrial thickness measurements and the endometrial receptivity assay, do not consistently improve clinical outcomes as measured by live birth rates. Understanding the mechanisms regulating the endometrial receptivity during the window of implantation is a critical step toward developing clinically meaningful tests. In this narrative review, the available literature is evaluated regarding mechanisms that regulate the endometrial receptivity during the window of implantation and the current tests developed. Overall, both animal and human studies point to five possible and interrelated mechanisms regulating the endometrial window of implantation: suitable synchrony between endometrial cells, adequate synchrony between the endometrium and the embryo, standard progesterone signaling and endometrial responses to progesterone, silent genetic variations, and typical morphological characteristics of the endometrial glands. The biological basis of current clinical markers or tests of window of implantation is poor. Future studies to elucidate the mechanisms shaping the window of implantation and to investigate the potential markers based on these mechanisms are required. In addition, molecular testing of the endometrium at single-cell resolution should be an initial step toward developing clinically meaningful tests for the optimal window of implantation. As understanding of the optimal window of implantation continues to evolve, one can envision the future development of non-invasive, mechanism-based testing of the window of implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bei Sun
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sackler School of Medicine, New York State/American Program of Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - John Yeh
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, UMass Memorial Medical Center, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, United States
- *Correspondence: John Yeh
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Jain V, Chodankar RR, Maybin JA, Critchley HOD. Uterine bleeding: how understanding endometrial physiology underpins menstrual health. Nat Rev Endocrinol 2022; 18:290-308. [PMID: 35136207 PMCID: PMC9098793 DOI: 10.1038/s41574-021-00629-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Menstruation is a physiological process that is typically uncomplicated. However, up to one third of women globally will be affected by abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB) at some point in their reproductive years. Menstruation (that is, endometrial shedding) is a fine balance between proliferation, decidualization, inflammation, hypoxia, apoptosis, haemostasis, vasoconstriction and, finally, repair and regeneration. An imbalance in any one of these processes can lead to the abnormal endometrial phenotype of AUB. Poor menstrual health has a negative impact on a person's physical, mental, social, emotional and financial well-being. On a global scale, iron deficiency and iron deficiency anaemia are closely linked with AUB, and are often under-reported and under-recognized. The International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics have produced standardized terminology and a classification system for the causes of AUB. This standardization will facilitate future research endeavours, diagnosis and clinical management. In a field where no new medications have been developed for over 20 years, emerging technologies are paving the way for a deeper understanding of the biology of the endometrium in health and disease, as well as opening up novel diagnostic and management avenues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varsha Jain
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Rohan R Chodankar
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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Zhang WB, Li H, Lu X, Chen JL, Li L, Chen JC, Wu H, Sun XX. The clinical efficiency of transcriptome-based endometrial receptivity assessment (Tb-ERA) in Chinese patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF): A study protocol for a prospective randomized controlled trial. Contemp Clin Trials Commun 2022; 28:100928. [PMID: 35669489 PMCID: PMC9163422 DOI: 10.1016/j.conctc.2022.100928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Today, approximately 10% of participants in assisted reproductive technology (ART) are defined as having recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Recent studies show that endometrial receptivity array can improve pregnancy and implantation rates by nearly 20% in women with RIF. However, these studies are limited, with little published data in the Chinese population. Recently, we have established a transcriptome-based endometrial receptivity assessment (Tb-ERA) method of predicting the endometrial window of implantation (WOI) using transcriptome-profiling data of different phases of the menstrual cycle from healthy fertile Chinese women by RNA-Seq. It is meaningful to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to assess the clinical efficiency of Tb-ERA in Chinese patients with RIF. Methods In this RCT, a total of 200 RIF patients will be recruited and randomized into 2 groups. Patients in the Tb-ERA group will undergo a Tb-ERA test, after which embryo transfer time will be adjusted according to Tb-ERA results and embryo transfer will be performed again in the next cycle. Patients in the control group will not receive any interventions until the next transfer cycle. We will perform statistical analysis on both groups at the primary endpoint (clinical-pregnancy rate) and at secondary endpoints (rate of WOI displacement, embryo implantation, biochemical pregnancy, early abortion, and ectopic pregnancy). Implications: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of our Tb-ERA test in Chinese RIF patients and to determine that whether Tb-ERA could improve the clinical-pregnancy rate in these RIF patients. Trial registration NCT04497558, registered August 4, 2020.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-bi Zhang
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - He Li
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Xiang Lu
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Jun-ling Chen
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | - Lu Li
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
| | | | - Han Wu
- Unimed Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-xi Sun
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, China
- Corresponding author. Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics & IVF Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, NO. 352 Da lin Road, Shanghai, 200011, China.
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Vargas E, García-Moreno E, Aghajanova L, Salumets A, Horcajadas JA, Esteban FJ, Altmäe S. The mid-secretory endometrial transcriptomic landscape in endometriosis: a meta-analysis. Hum Reprod Open 2022; 2022:hoac016. [PMID: 35464885 PMCID: PMC9022214 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoac016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do women with endometriosis have a different endometrial gene expression profile at the time of embryo implantation than women without endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER The endometrial gene expression profile of women with endometriosis differs from that of women without endometriosis at the mid-secretory phase, although the differences are small. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY About 50% of women with endometriosis suffer infertility. Several molecular studies have suggested impaired endometrial receptivity in women with endometriosis, while others have detected no dysregulation of endometrial receptivity. Nevertheless, the previous endometrial transcriptome studies comparing women with and without endometriosis have been performed in small sample size with limited statistical power. We set out to systematically search and compile data of endometrial gene expression signatures at the receptive phase in women with endometriosis versus control women. Based on the obtained data, we conducted a meta-analysis of differentially expressed genes in order to raise the power of the analysis for identifying the molecular profiles of receptive phase endometria in endometriosis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A systematic literature search was conducted up to February 2022 following PRISMA criteria and included PubMed, Cochrane and Web of Science databases. For the systematic search, the term ‘endometriosis’ was paired with the terms ‘transcriptomics’, ‘transcriptome’, ‘gene expression’, ‘RNA-seq’, ‘sequencing’ and ‘array’, by using the Boolean operator ‘AND’ to connect them. Articles written in English were screened and interrogated for data extraction. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS A meta-analysis was performed on the selected studies to extract the differentially expressed genes described at the mid-secretory phase in women with endometriosis versus women without endometriosis in natural cycles, using the robust rank aggregation method. In total, transcriptome data of 125 women (78 patients and 47 controls) were meta-analysed, with a special focus on endometrial receptivity-specific genes based on commercial endometrial receptivity tests. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In total, 8 studies were eligible for the quantitative meta-analysis, gathering transcriptome data from the mid-secretory phase endometria of 125 women. A total of 7779 differentially expressed transcripts between the study groups were retrieved (3496 up-regulated and 4283 down-regulated) and were meta-analysed. After stringent multiple correction, there was no differential expression of any single molecule in the endometrium of women with endometriosis versus controls, while enrichment analysis detected that the pathways of chemotaxis and locomotion are dysregulated in endometriosis. Further analysis of endometrial receptivity-specific genes highlighted dysregulation of C4BPA, MAOA and PAEP and enrichment of immune and defence pathways in women with endometriosis. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Most of the studies included into the meta-analysis were relatively small and had different study designs, which might have contributed to a bias. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The current meta-analysis supports the hypothesis that endometrial receptivity is altered in women with endometriosis, although the changes are small. The molecules and pathways identified could serve as future biomarkers and therapeutical targets in detecting and treating endometriosis-associated infertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The authors declare no competing interests. This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport [grant FPU15/01193] and the Margarita Salas program for the Requalification of the Spanish University system [grant UJAR01MS]; Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO) and European Regional Development Fund (FEDER): grants RYC-2016-21199 and ENDORE SAF2017-87526-R; Programa Operativo FEDER Andalucía (B-CTS-500-UGR18; A-CTS-614-UGR20); the Junta de Andalucía [BIO-302; and PAIDI P20_00158]; the University of Jaén [PAIUJA-EI_CTS02_2017]; the University of Granada, Plan Propio de Investigación 2016, Excellence actions: Units of Excellence; Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES), and by the Junta de Andalucía, Consejería de Conocimiento, Investigación y Universidades and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), ref. SOMM17/6107/UGR; the Estonian Research Council (grant PRG1076); Horizon 2020 innovation (ERIN, grant no. EU952516) of the European Commission and Enterprise Estonia (grant EU48695). TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER The systematic review was registered at PROSPERO (identifier: CRD42020122054).
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Affiliation(s)
- E Vargas
- Systems Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Jaén, Jaén, 23003, Spain
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, 18071, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Granada, 18014, Spain
| | - E García-Moreno
- Immunology Unit,Hospital Universitario Puerta del Mar, Cádiz, Cádiz, 11009, Spain
| | - L Aghajanova
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford School of Medicine, Sunnyvale, CA, 94305, USA
| | - A Salumets
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, 50410, Estonia
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, 17177, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gyneaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, 50406, Estonia
| | - J A Horcajadas
- University Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Sevilla, 41013, Spain
| | - F J Esteban
- Systems Biology Unit, Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Experimental Sciences, University of Jaén, Jaén, 23003, Spain
| | - S Altmäe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, 18071, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs. GRANADA, Granada, 18014, Spain
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford School of Medicine, Sunnyvale, CA, 94305, USA
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Davis SR, Ward HE, Kelly V, Palmer D, Ankersmit-Udy AE, Lopdell TJ, Berry SD, Littlejohn MD, Tiplady K, Adams LF, Carnie K, Burrett A, Thomas N, Snell RG, Spelman RJ, Lehnert K. Screening for phenotypic outliers identifies an unusually low concentration of a β-lactoglobulin B protein isoform in bovine milk caused by a synonymous SNP. Genet Sel Evol 2022; 54:22. [PMID: 35296234 PMCID: PMC8925192 DOI: 10.1186/s12711-022-00711-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Milk samples from 10,641 dairy cattle were screened by a mass spectrometry method for extreme concentrations of the A or B isoforms of the whey protein, β-lactoglobulin (BLG), to identify causative genetic variation driving changes in BLG concentration. Results A cohort of cows, from a single sire family, was identified that produced milk containing a low concentration of the BLG B protein isoform. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of BLG B protein isoform concentration in milk from AB heterozygous cows, detected a group of highly significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within or close to the BLG gene. Among these was a synonymous G/A variation at position + 78 bp in exon 1 of the BLG gene (chr11:103256256G > A). The effect of the A allele of this SNP (which we named B’) on BLG expression was evaluated in a luciferase reporter assay in transfected CHO-K1 and MCF-7 cells. In both cell types, the presence of the B’ allele in a plasmid containing the bovine BLG gene from -922 to + 898 bp (relative to the transcription initiation site) resulted in a 60% relative reduction in mRNA expression, compared to the plasmid containing the wild-type B sequence allele. Examination of a mammary RNAseq dataset (n = 391) identified 14 heterozygous carriers of the B’ allele which were homozygous for the BLG B protein isoform (BB’). The level of expression of the BLG B’ allele was 41.9 ± 1.0% of that of the wild-type BLG B allele. Milk samples from three cows, homozygous for the A allele at chr11:103,256,256 (B’B’), were analysed (HPLC) and showed BLG concentrations of 1.04, 1.26 and 1.83 g/L relative to a mean of 4.84 g/L in milk from 16 herd contemporaries of mixed (A and B) BLG genotypes. The mechanism by which B’ downregulates milk BLG concentration remains to be determined. Conclusions High-throughput screening and identification of outliers, enabled the discovery of a synonymous G > A mutation in exon 1 of the B allele of the BLG gene (B’), which reduced the milk concentration of β-lactoglobulin B protein isoform, by more than 50%. Milk from cows carrying the B’ allele is expected to have improved processing characteristics, particularly for cheese-making. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12711-022-00711-z.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen R Davis
- Research & Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Ruakura Road, Hamilton, New Zealand. .,ViaLactia Biosciences Ltd., a subsidiary (now closed) of Fonterra Co-Operative Ltd., Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Hamish E Ward
- ViaLactia Biosciences Ltd., a subsidiary (now closed) of Fonterra Co-Operative Ltd., Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Van Kelly
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David Palmer
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Alexandra E Ankersmit-Udy
- ViaLactia Biosciences Ltd., a subsidiary (now closed) of Fonterra Co-Operative Ltd., Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thomas J Lopdell
- Research & Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Ruakura Road, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Sarah D Berry
- ViaLactia Biosciences Ltd., a subsidiary (now closed) of Fonterra Co-Operative Ltd., Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Mathew D Littlejohn
- Research & Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Ruakura Road, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Kathryn Tiplady
- Research & Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Ruakura Road, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Linda F Adams
- ViaLactia Biosciences Ltd., a subsidiary (now closed) of Fonterra Co-Operative Ltd., Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Katie Carnie
- Research & Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Ruakura Road, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Alayna Burrett
- ViaLactia Biosciences Ltd., a subsidiary (now closed) of Fonterra Co-Operative Ltd., Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Natalie Thomas
- ViaLactia Biosciences Ltd., a subsidiary (now closed) of Fonterra Co-Operative Ltd., Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Russell G Snell
- ViaLactia Biosciences Ltd., a subsidiary (now closed) of Fonterra Co-Operative Ltd., Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Richard J Spelman
- Research & Development, Livestock Improvement Corporation, Ruakura Road, Hamilton, New Zealand
| | - Klaus Lehnert
- ViaLactia Biosciences Ltd., a subsidiary (now closed) of Fonterra Co-Operative Ltd., Fanshawe Street, Auckland, New Zealand
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Xi S, Li W, Li Z, Lin W, Chen L, Tian C, Yang Y, Ma L. Novel Hub genes co-expression network mediates dysfunction in a model of polycystic ovary syndrome. Am J Transl Res 2022; 14:1979-1990. [PMID: 35422941 PMCID: PMC8991170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to integrate DNA methylation, miRNA, and mRNA microarray data to construct a gene co-expression network for polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). METHODS The weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to construct a PCOS-related co-expression network by using the GEO public datasets. We performed Gene Ontology and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses for a further exploration of gene function in networks. Finally, the dysfunction module consisting of a co-expression network was mapped to the PCOS patients and tried to provide guidance to the PCOS phenotyping. RESULTS Three modules (Midnightbule, Pink, and Red) were identified to be PCOS-related by WGCNA analysis. These module-related genes were enriched in cell response to stimulus, PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, insulin biological process, signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction biological processes. The multiple-factor network, including miRNA-lncRNA and DNA methylation-mRNA interaction, was closely associated with PCOS dysfunction. CONCLUSION Our study render a novel insight into the mechanisms and might provide candidate biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the classification of PCOS dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujuan Xi
- The Reproductive Medical Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Weihao Li
- The Reproductive Medical Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Zaiyi Li
- The Reproductive Medical Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Wenjing Lin
- The Reproductive Medical Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Chen
- The Reproductive Medical Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Chengzi Tian
- The Reproductive Medical Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Yazhu Yang
- The Reproductive Medical Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
| | - Lin Ma
- The Reproductive Medical Center, The Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen 518107, Guangdong, China
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Hou Z, He A, Zhang Q, Liu N, Liu D, Li Y, Xu B, Wang Y, Li S, Tian F, Liao T, Zhang Y, Cao J, Cao E, Li Y. Endometrial fluid aspiration immediately prior to embryo transfer does not affect IVF/vitrified-warmed embryo transfer outcomes - a prospective matched cohort study. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 44:486-493. [PMID: 35177340 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Does the endometrial aspiration of ultrasound-invisible fluid immediately preceding embryo transfer affect IVF/vitrified-warmed embryo transfer outcomes? DESIGN A prospective matched cohort study was conducted in 96 women and 96 control participants to assess the effect on pregnancy outcomes of endometrial aspiration performed immediately before embryo transfer. This study was carried out at a university-affiliated assisted reproductive medical centre between January 2019 and December 2019. Patients were divided into two groups. The EA group had cycles with endometrial aspiration of ultrasound-invisible fluid performed before embryo transfer and the non-EA group featured cycles without endometrial aspiration. The EA group was matched by propensity score with the non-EA group in a 1:1 ratio. The EA group consisted of 99 participants before and 96 participants after propensity score matching. There were 203 and 96 participants in the non-EA group before and after propensity score matching. RESULTS No significant differences were detected in the baseline characteristics and cycle characteristics of the EA and non-EA groups. No significant between-group differences were found in reproductive outcomes in the overall population. Subgroup analysis of blastocyst transfer cycles showed the implantation rate was significantly higher in the EA group (61 women per group, 57.1% versus 40.8%, relative risk 1.40, 95% confidence interval 1.04-1.88; P = 0.022). Live birth rate, clinical pregnancy rate, ongoing pregnancy rate and multiple pregnancy rate were not different among the groups. CONCLUSIONS Endometrial aspiration immediately preceding embryo transfer does not affect IVF/vitrified-warmed embryo transfer outcomes. Interestingly, it might improve the vitrified-warmed blastocyst implantation rate. Randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm this result.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaojuan Hou
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Aihua He
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Nenghui Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Donge Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Yumei Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Bin Xu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Yonggang Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Shuyi Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Fen Tian
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Tingting Liao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Yeqing Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Jianyun Cao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Exiang Cao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China
| | - Yanping Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China; Clinical Research Center For Women's Reproductive Health In Hunan Province, Changsha City Hunan Province, P.R. China.
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Aplin JD, Stevens A. Use of 'omics for endometrial timing: the cycle moves on. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:644-650. [PMID: 35147196 PMCID: PMC8971645 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
For some years, the prospect of precise and personalized timing of the endometrial cycle for optimal embryo replacement has been held out as a potential solution to low implantation rates. It is envisaged that a receptive state can be defined and reached at a predictable time, and embryo replacement performed in synchrony. In the last century, morphological changes characteristic of the mid secretory phase were defined in precisely timed cycles in women of proven fertility, but when deviations from this standardized schedule occur, their significance for implantation has remained uncertain. ‘Omics technologies have been widely advocated for staging the endometrial cycle and defining a set of biochemical requirements for implantation, but after two decades of research, improvements to pregnancy rates have not followed, and there is a striking lack of agreement regarding the molecular characterization of the receptive state. Some of the rationale underlying these problems is now emerging with the application of higher-level computational and biological methodology. Here, we consider the challenges of defining an endometrial phenotype that can support implantation and continuing pregnancy. Receptivity may be an emergent trait depending on contributions from multiple proteins that have low pathway connectivity. We recommend that authors choose language which rigorously avoids the implication that protocols for molecular staging of the mid secretory phase inherently identify a state of receptivity to the implanting blastocyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- John D Aplin
- Maternal and Fetal Health Centre, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Adam Stevens
- Maternal and Fetal Health Centre, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
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Diaz-Gimeno P, Sebastian-Leon P, Sanchez-Reyes JM, Spath K, Aleman A, Vidal C, Devesa-Peiro A, Labarta E, Sánchez-Ribas I, Ferrando M, Kohls G, García-Velasco JA, Seli E, Wells D, Pellicer A. Identifying and optimizing human endometrial gene expression signatures for endometrial dating. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:284-296. [PMID: 34875061 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What are the key considerations for developing an enhanced transcriptomic method for secretory endometrial tissue dating? SUMMARY ANSWER Multiple gene expression signature combinations can serve as biomarkers for endometrial dating, but their predictive performance is variable and depends on the number and identity of the genes included in the prediction model, the dataset characteristics and the technology employed for measuring gene expression. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Among the new generation of transcriptomic endometrial dating (TED) tools developed in the last decade, there exists variation in the technology used for measuring gene expression, the gene makeup and the prediction model design. A detailed study, comparing prediction performance across signatures for understanding signature behaviour and discrepancies in gene content between them, is lacking. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A multicentre prospective study was performed between July 2018 and October 2020 at five different centres from the same group of clinics (Spain). This study recruited 281 patients and finally included in the gene expression analysis 225 Caucasian patients who underwent IVF treatment. After preprocessing and batch effect filtering, gene expression measurements from 217 patients were combined with artificial intelligence algorithms (support vector machine, random forest and k-nearest neighbours) allowing evaluation of different prediction models. In addition, secretory-phase endometrial transcriptomes from gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets were analysed for 137 women, to study the endometrial dating capacity of genes independently and grouped by signatures. This provided data on the consistency of prediction across different gene expression technologies and datasets. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Endometrial biopsies were analysed using a targeted TruSeq (Illumina) custom RNA expression panel called the endometrial dating panel (ED panel). This panel included 301 genes previously considered relevant for endometrial dating as well as new genes selected for their anticipated value in detecting the secretory phase. Final samples (n = 217) were divided into a training set for signature discovery and an independent testing set for evaluation of predictive performance of the new signature. In addition, secretory-phase endometrial transcriptomes from GEO were analysed for 137 women to study endometrial dating capacity of genes independently and grouped by signatures. Predictive performance among these signatures was compared according to signature gene set size. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Testing of the ED panel allowed development of a model based on a new signature of 73 genes, which we termed 'TED' and delivers an enhanced tool for the consistent dating of the secretory phase progression, especially during the mid-secretory endometrium (3-8 days after progesterone (P) administration (P + 3-P + 8) in a hormone replacement therapy cycle). This new model showed the best predictive capacity in an independent test set for staging the endometrial tissue in the secretory phase, especially in the expected window of implantation (average of 114.5 ± 7.2 h of progesterone administered; range in our patient population of 82-172 h). Published sets of genes, in current use for endometrial dating and the new TED genes, were evaluated in parallel in whole-transcriptome datasets and in the ED panel dataset. TED signature performance was consistently excellent for all datasets assessed, frequently outperforming previously published sets of genes with a smaller number of genes for dating the endometrium in the secretory phase. Thus, this optimized set exhibited prediction consistency across datasets. LARGE SCALE DATA The data used in this study is partially available at GEO database. GEO identifiers GSE4888, GSE29981, GSE58144, GSE98386. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Although dating the endometrial biopsy is crucial for investigating endometrial progression and the receptivity process, further studies are needed to confirm whether or not endometrial dating methods in general are clinically useful and to guide the specific use of TED in the clinical setting. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Multiple gene signature combinations provide adequate endometrial dating, but their predictive performance depends on the identity of the genes included, the gene expression platform, the algorithms used and dataset characteristics. TED is a next-generation endometrial assessment tool based on gene expression for accurate endometrial progression dating especially during the mid-secretory. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Research funded by IVI Foundation (1810-FIVI-066-PD). P.D.-G. visiting scientist fellowship at Oxford University (BEFPI/2010/032) and Josefa Maria Sanchez-Reyes' predoctoral fellowship (ACIF/2018/072) were supported by a program from the Generalitat Valenciana funded by the Spanish government. A.D.-P. is supported by the FPU/15/01398 predoctoral fellowship from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (Spanish Government). D.W. received support from the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre. The authors do not have any competing interests to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Diaz-Gimeno
- Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI Foundation/Instituto de investigación sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women's Centre John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - P Sebastian-Leon
- Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI Foundation/Instituto de investigación sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - J M Sanchez-Reyes
- Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI Foundation/Instituto de investigación sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - K Spath
- Research Department, JUNO Genetics, Oxford, UK
| | - A Aleman
- Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI Foundation/Instituto de investigación sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
| | - C Vidal
- Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI Foundation/Instituto de investigación sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
- Reproductive medicine, IVI RMA Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Devesa-Peiro
- Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI Foundation/Instituto de investigación sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - E Labarta
- Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI Foundation/Instituto de investigación sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
- Reproductive medicine, IVI RMA Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - I Sánchez-Ribas
- Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI Foundation/Instituto de investigación sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
- Reproductive medicine, IVI RMA Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Ferrando
- Reproductive medicine, IVI RMA Bilbao, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - G Kohls
- Reproductive medicine, IVI RMA Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - J A García-Velasco
- Reproductive medicine, IVI RMA Madrid, Madrid, Spain
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - E Seli
- Research Department, IVI RMA New Jersey, Basking Ridge, NJ, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Science, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - D Wells
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Level 3, Women's Centre John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Research Department, JUNO Genetics, Oxford, UK
| | - A Pellicer
- Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI Foundation/Instituto de investigación sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Research Department, JUNO Genetics, Oxford, UK
- Reproductive medicine, IVI RMA Rome, Roma, Italy
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Zhang Q, Zhang Y, Guo Y, Tang H, Li M, Liu L. A novel machine learning derived RNA-binding protein gene-based score system predicts prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients. PeerJ 2022; 9:e12572. [PMID: 35036125 PMCID: PMC8697767 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although the expression of RNA-binding protein (RBP) genes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) varies and is associated with tumor progression, there has been no overview study with multiple cohorts and large samples. The HCC-associated RBP genes need to be more accurately identified, and their clinical application value needs to be further explored. Methods First, we used the robust rank aggregation (RRA) algorithm to extract HCC-associated RBP genes from nine HCC microarray datasets and verified them in The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (TCGA-LIHC) cohort and International Cancer Genome Consortium (ICGC) Japanese liver cancer (ICGC-LIRI-JP) cohort. In addition, the copy number variation (CNV), single-nucleotide variant (SNV), and promoter-region methylation data of HCC-associated RBP genes were analyzed. Using the random forest algorithm, we constructed an RBP gene–based prognostic score system (RBP-score). We then evaluated the ability of RBP-score to predict the prognosis of patients. The relationships between RBP-score and other clinical characteristics of patients were analyzed. Results The RRA algorithm identified 30 RBP mRNAs with consistent expression patterns across the nine HCC microarray datasets. These 30 RBP genes were defined as HCC-associated RBP genes. Their mRNA expression patterns were further verified in the TCGA-LIHC and ICGC-LIRI-JP cohorts. Among these 30 RBP genes, some showed significant copy number gain or loss, while others showed differences in the methylation levels of their promoter regions. Some RBP genes were risk factors or protective factors for the prognosis of patients. We extracted 10 key HCC-associated RBP genes using the random forest algorithm and constructed an RBP-score system. RBP-score effectively predicted the overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) of HCC patients and was associated with the tumor, node, metastasis (TNM) stage, α-fetoprotein (AFP), and metastasis risk. The clinical value of RBP-score was validated in datasets from different platforms. Cox analysis suggested that a high RBP-score was an independent risk factor for poor prognosis in HCC patients. We also successfully established a combined RBP-score+TNM LASSO-Cox model that more accurately predicted the prognosis. Conclusion The RBP-score system constructed based on HCC-associated RBP genes is a simple and highly effective prognostic evaluation tool. It is suitable for different subgroups of HCC patients and has cross-platform characteristics. Combining RBP-score with the TNM staging system or other clinical parameters can lead to an even greater clinical benefit. In addition, the identified HCC-associated RBP genes may serve as novel targets for HCC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangnu Zhang
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital).,Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine Postdoctoral Research Station, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | | | | | | | - Mingyue Li
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital).,Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liping Liu
- The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University (Shenzhen People's Hospital).,Shenzhen People's Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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Aleksejeva E, Zarovni N, Dissanayake K, Godakumara K, Vigano P, Fazeli A, Jaakma Ü, Salumets A. Extracellular vesicle research in reproductive science- Paving the way for clinical achievements. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:408-424. [PMID: 34982163 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian conception involves a multitude of reciprocal interactions via a molecular dialogue between mother and conceptus. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted membrane-encapsulated particles that mediate cell-to-cell communication in various contexts. EVs, which are present in seminal, follicular, oviductal, and endometrial fluids, as well as in embryo secretions, carry molecular constituents that impact gamete maturation, fertilization, early embryo development, and embryo-maternal communication. The distribution, concentration, and molecular cargo of EVs are regulated by steroid hormones and the health status of the tissue of origin, and thus are influenced by menstrual phase, stage of conception, and the presence of infertility-associated diseases. EVs have been recognized as a novel source of biomarkers and potential reproductive medicine therapeutics, particularly for assisted reproductive technology (ART). There are still many technological and scientific hindrances to be overcome before EVs can be used in clinical diagnostic and therapeutic ART applications. Issues to be resolved include the lack of standardized measurement protocols and an absence of absolute EV quantification technologies. Additionally, clinically suitable and robust EV isolation methods have yet to be developed. In this review, we provide an overview of EV-mediated interactions during the early stages of reproduction from gamete maturation to embryo implantation and then outline the technological progress that must be made for EV applications to be translated to clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elina Aleksejeva
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia.,Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Keerthie Dissanayake
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, 20400 Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.,Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kasun Godakumara
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Paola Vigano
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Gynecology/Obstetrics Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Alireza Fazeli
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, 20400 Peradeniya, Sri Lanka.,Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, S10 2TN Sheffield, UK
| | - Ülle Jaakma
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Andres Salumets
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51014 Tartu, Estonia.,Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50411 Tartu, Estonia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406 Tartu, Estonia.,Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, 14186 Stockholm, Sweden
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Prašnikar E, Kunej T, Gorenjak M, Potočnik U, Kovačič B, Knez J. Transcriptomics of receptive endometrium in women with sonographic features of adenomyosis. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:2. [PMID: 34980152 PMCID: PMC8722101 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00871-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women with uterine adenomyosis seeking assisted reproduction have been associated with compromised endometrial receptivity to embryo implantation. To understand the mechanisms involved in this process, we aimed to compare endometrial transcriptome profiles during the window of implantation (WOI) between women with and without adenomyosis. METHODS We obtained endometrial biopsies LH-timed to the WOI from women with sonographic features of adenomyosis (n=10) and controls (n=10). Isolated RNA samples were subjected to RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) by the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform and endometrial receptivity classification with a molecular tool for menstrual cycle phase dating (beREADY®, CCHT). The program language R and Bioconductor packages were applied to analyse RNA-seq data in the setting of the result of accurate endometrial dating. To suggest robust candidate pathways, the identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with the adenomyosis group in the receptive phase were further integrated with 151, 173 and 42 extracted genes from published studies that were related to endometrial receptivity in healthy uterus, endometriosis and adenomyosis, respectively. Enrichment analyses were performed using Cytoscape ClueGO and CluePedia apps. RESULTS Out of 20 endometrial samples, 2 were dated to the early receptive phase, 13 to the receptive phase and 5 to the late receptive phase. Comparison of the transcriptomics data from all 20 samples provided 909 DEGs (p<0.05; nonsignificant after adjusted p value) in the adenomyosis group but only 4 enriched pathways (Bonferroni p value < 0.05). The analysis of 13 samples only dated to the receptive phase provided suggestive 382 DEGs (p<0.05; nonsignificant after adjusted p value) in the adenomyosis group, leading to 33 enriched pathways (Bonferroni p value < 0.05). These included pathways were already associated with endometrial biology, such as "Expression of interferon (IFN)-induced genes" and "Response to IFN-alpha". Data integration revealed pathways indicating a unique effect of adenomyosis on endometrial molecular organization (e.g., "Expression of IFN-induced genes") and its interference with endometrial receptivity establishment (e.g., "Extracellular matrix organization" and "Tumour necrosis factor production"). CONCLUSIONS Accurate endometrial dating and RNA-seq analysis resulted in the identification of altered response to IFN signalling as the most promising candidate of impaired uterine receptivity in adenomyosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Prašnikar
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Tanja Kunej
- Department of Animal Science, Biotechnical Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1230 Domžale, Slovenia
| | - Mario Gorenjak
- Centre for Human Molecular Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Uroš Potočnik
- Centre for Human Molecular Genetics and Pharmacogenomics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
- Laboratory for Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Genomics, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Borut Kovačič
- Department of Reproductive Medicine and Gynaecological Endocrinology, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
| | - Jure Knez
- Department of Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Maribor, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia
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Mortlock S, McKinnon B, Montgomery GW. Genetic Regulation of Transcription in the Endometrium in Health and Disease. FRONTIERS IN REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH 2022; 3:795464. [PMID: 36304015 PMCID: PMC9580733 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2021.795464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The endometrium is a complex and dynamic tissue essential for fertility and implicated in many reproductive disorders. The tissue consists of glandular epithelium and vascularised stroma and is unique because it is constantly shed and regrown with each menstrual cycle, generating up to 10 mm of new mucosa. Consequently, there are marked changes in cell composition and gene expression across the menstrual cycle. Recent evidence shows expression of many genes is influenced by genetic variation between individuals. We and others have reported evidence for genetic effects on hundreds of genes in endometrium. The genetic factors influencing endometrial gene expression are highly correlated with the genetic effects on expression in other reproductive (e.g., in uterus and ovary) and digestive tissues (e.g., salivary gland and stomach), supporting a shared genetic regulation of gene expression in biologically similar tissues. There is also increasing evidence for cell specific genetic effects for some genes. Sample size for studies in endometrium are modest and results from the larger studies of gene expression in blood report genetic effects for a much higher proportion of genes than currently reported for endometrium. There is also emerging evidence for the importance of genetic variation on RNA splicing. Gene mapping studies for common disease, including diseases associated with endometrium, show most variation maps to intergenic regulatory regions. It is likely that genetic risk factors for disease function through modifying the program of cell specific gene expression. The emerging evidence from our gene mapping studies coupled with tissue specific studies, and the GTEx, eQTLGen and EpiMap projects, show we need to expand our understanding of the complex regulation of gene expression. These data also help to link disease genetic risk factors to specific target genes. Combining our data on genetic regulation of gene expression in endometrium, and cell types within the endometrium with gene mapping data for endometriosis and related diseases is beginning to uncover the specific genes and pathways responsible for increased risk of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Grant W. Montgomery
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Emerging in vitro platforms and omics technologies for studying the endometrium and early embryo-maternal interface in humans. Placenta 2022; 125:36-46. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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71
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Han D, Sun P, Hu Y, Wang J, Hua G, Chen J, Shao C, Tian F, Darwish HYA, Tai Y, Yang X, Chang J, Ma Y. The Immune Barrier of Porcine Uterine Mucosa Differs Dramatically at Proliferative and Secretory Phases and Could Be Positively Modulated by Colonizing Microbiota. Front Immunol 2021; 12:750808. [PMID: 34917075 PMCID: PMC8670328 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.750808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial immune response is highly associated with the homeostatic balance of the uterus and embryo development; however, the underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms are not fully elucidated. Herein, the porcine endometrium showed significant variation in mucosal immunity in proliferative and secretory phases by single-cell RNA sequencing. The loose arrangement and high motility of the uterine epithelium in the proliferative phase gave opportunities for epithelial cells and dendritic cells to cross talk with colonizing microbial community, guiding lymphocyte migration into the mucosal and glandular epithelium. The migrating lymphocytes were primarily NK and CD8+ T cells, which were robustly modulated by the chemokine signaling. In the secretory phase, the significantly strengthened mechanical mucosal barrier and increased immunoglobulin A alleviated the migration of lymphocytes into the epithelium when the neuro-modulation, mineral uptake, and amino acid metabolism were strongly upregulated. The noticeably increased intraepithelial lymphocytes were positively modulated by the bacteria in the uterine cavity. Our findings illustrated that significant mucosal immunity variation in the endometrium in the proliferative and secretory phases was closely related to intraepithelial lymphocyte migration, which could be modulated by the colonizing bacteria after cross talk with epithelial cells with higher expressions of chemokine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deping Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Sun
- Research and Development Department for Breeding Poultry Feed, Shandong Hekangyuan Biological Breeding Co., Ltd, Jinan, China
| | - Yanxin Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Guoying Hua
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianfei Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Chuyun Shao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China
| | - Fan Tian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, China
| | - Hesham Y A Darwish
- Department of Applied Biotechnology, Molecular Biology Researches & Studies Institute, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Yurong Tai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Xue Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jianyu Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Yunfei Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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72
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Coupling miR/isomiR and mRNA Expression Signatures Unveils New Molecular Layers of Endometrial Receptivity. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11121391. [PMID: 34947922 PMCID: PMC8705090 DOI: 10.3390/life11121391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryo implantation depends on endometrial receptivity (ER). To achieve ER, the preparation of the uterine lining requires controlled priming by ovarian hormones and the expression of numerous genes in the endometrial tissue. microRNAs (miRs) have emerged as critical genetic regulators of ER in fertility and of the diseases that are associated with infertility. With the rapid development of next-generation sequencing technologies, it has become clear that miR genes can produce canonical miRs and variants—isomiRs. Here, we describe miR/isomiR expression dynamics across the four time points of natural chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)-administered cycles. Sequencing of the small RNAs (sRNA-seq) revealed that the most significant expression changes during the transition from the pre-receptive to the receptive phase occurred in the isomiR families of miR-125a, miR-125b, miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-449c, miR-92a, miR-92b, and miR-99a. Pairing the analysis of the differentially expressed (DE) miRs/isomiRs and their predicted DE mRNA targets uncovered 280 negatively correlating pairs. In the receptive endometrium, the 5′3′-isomiRs of miR-449c, which were among the most highly up-regulated isomiRs, showed a negative correlation with their target, transcription factor (TF) MYCN, which was down-regulated. Joint analysis of the miR/isomiR and TF expression identified several regulatory interactions. Based on these data, a regulatory TF-miR/isomiR gene-target circuit including let7g-5p and miR-345; the isomiR families of miR-10a, miR-10b, miR-92a, and miR-449c; and MYCN and TWIST1 was proposed to play a key role in the establishment of ER. Our work uncovers the complexity and dynamics of the endometrial isomiRs that can act cooperatively with miRs to control the functionally important genes that are critical to ER. Further studies of miR/isomiR expression patterns that are paired with those of their target mRNAs may provide a more in-depth picture of the endometrial pathologies that are associated with implantation failure.
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73
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Endometrial factor testing is a useful tool in clinical infertility management. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 44:953-960. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.12.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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You Y, Stelzl P, Joseph DN, Aldo PB, Maxwell AJ, Dekel N, Liao A, Whirledge S, Mor G. TNF-α Regulated Endometrial Stroma Secretome Promotes Trophoblast Invasion. Front Immunol 2021; 12:737401. [PMID: 34790194 PMCID: PMC8591203 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.737401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful implantation requires the coordinated migration and invasion of trophoblast cells from out of the blastocyst and into the endometrium. This process relies on signals produced by cells in the maternal endometrium. However, the relative contribution of stroma cells remains unclear. The study of human implantation has major technical limitations, therefore the need of in vitro models to elucidate the molecular mechanisms. Using a recently described 3D in vitro models we evaluated the interaction between trophoblasts and human endometrial stroma cells (hESC), we assessed the process of trophoblast migration and invasion in the presence of stroma derived factors. We demonstrate that hESC promotes trophoblast invasion through the generation of an inflammatory environment modulated by TNF-α. We also show the role of stromal derived IL-17 as a promoter of trophoblast migration through the induction of essential genes that confer invasive capacity to cells of the trophectoderm. In conclusion, we describe the characterization of a cellular inflammatory network that may be important for blastocyst implantation. Our findings provide a new insight into the complexity of the implantation process and reveal the importance of inflammation for embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan You
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Patrick Stelzl
- Department for Gynecology, Obstetrics and Gynecological Endocrinology, Kepler University Hospital Linz, Johannes Kepler University Linz, Linz, Austria
| | - Dana N Joseph
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Paulomi B Aldo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Anthony J Maxwell
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Nava Dekel
- Department of Biological Regulation, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Aihua Liao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shannon Whirledge
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Gil Mor
- C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, United States
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Bahmyari S, Jamali Z, Khatami SH, Vakili O, Roozitalab M, Savardashtaki A, Solati A, Mousavi P, Shabaninejad Z, Vakili S, Behrouj H, Ghasemi H, Movahedpour A. microRNAs in female infertility: An overview. Cell Biochem Funct 2021; 39:955-969. [PMID: 34708430 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.3671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Infertility impacts a considerable number of women worldwide, and it affects different aspects of family life and society. Although female infertility is known as a multifactorial disorder, there are strong genetic and epigenetic bases. Studies revealed that miRNAs play critical roles in initiation and development of female infertility related disorders. Early diagnosis and control of these diseases is an essential key for improving disease prognosis and reducing the possibility of infertility and other side effects. Investigating the possible use of miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic options is valuable, and it merits attention. Thus, in this article, we reviewed research associated with female diseases and highlighted microRNAs that are related to the polycystic ovary syndrome (up to 30 miRNAs), premature ovarian failure (10 miRNAs), endometriosis (up to 15 miRNAs), uterine fibroids (up to 15 miRNAs), endometrial polyp (3 miRNAs), and pelvic inflammatory (6 miRNAs), which are involved in one or more ovarian or uterine disease-causing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sedigheh Bahmyari
- Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Zeinab Jamali
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyyed Hossein Khatami
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Omid Vakili
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Mahin Roozitalab
- Department of Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Amir Savardashtaki
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Arezoo Solati
- Department of Reproductive Biology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Pegah Mousavi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran
| | - Zahra Shabaninejad
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.,Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sina Vakili
- Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Hamid Behrouj
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Behbahan Faculty of Medical Sciences, Behbahan, Iran
| | - Hassan Ghasemi
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran
| | - Ahmad Movahedpour
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Klein C, Bruce P, Hammermueller J, Hayes T, Lillie B, Betteridge K. Transcriptional profiling of equine endometrium before, during and after capsule disintegration during normal pregnancy and after oxytocin-induced luteostasis in non-pregnant mares. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257161. [PMID: 34614002 PMCID: PMC8494348 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The current study used RNA sequencing to determine transcriptional profiles of equine endometrium collected 14, 22, and 28 days after ovulation from pregnant mares. In addition, the transcriptomes of endometrial samples obtained 20 days after ovulation from pregnant mares, and from non-pregnant mares which displayed and failed to display extended luteal function following the administration of oxytocin, were determined and compared in order to delineate genes whose expressions depend on the presence of the conceptus as opposed to elevated progesterone alone. A mere fifty-five transcripts were differentially expressed between samples collected from mares at Day 22 and Day 28 of pregnancy. This likely reflects the longer-term exposure to a relatively constant, progesterone-dominated environment with little change in factors secreted by the conceptus that would affect endometrial gene expression. The complement system was amongst the canonical pathways significantly enriched in transcripts differentially expressed between Day 14 and Day 22/28 of pregnancy. The expression of complement components 7 and 8 was confirmed using in situ hybridization. The expression of SERPING1, an inhibitor of the complement system, was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In line with the resumed capacity of the endometrium to produce prostaglandin, prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 was expressed at higher levels at Days 22 and 28 than at Day 14 of pregnancy. Our data suggest that this up-regulation is enhanced by the presence of the conceptus; samples obtained from mares at Day 20 of pregnancy had significantly higher levels of prostaglandin G/H synthase 1 transcript than mares with extended luteal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Klein
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Institute of Farm Animal Genetics, Mariensee, Germany
| | - Phoebe Bruce
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jutta Hammermueller
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tony Hayes
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brandon Lillie
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Keith Betteridge
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
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Sagrillo-Fagundes L, Casagrande Paim T, Pretto L, Bertaco I, Zanatelli C, Vaillancourt C, Wink MR. The implications of the purinergic signaling throughout pregnancy. J Cell Physiol 2021; 237:507-522. [PMID: 34596240 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Purinergic signaling is a necessary mechanism to trigger or even amplify cell communication. Its ligands, notably adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and adenosine, modulate specific membrane-bound receptors in virtually all human cells. Regardless of the stage of the pregnancy, cellular communication between maternal, placental, and fetal cells is the paramount mechanism to sustain its optimal status. In this review, we describe the crucial role of purinergic signaling on the regulation of the maternal-fetal trophic exchanges, immune control, and endocrine exchanges throughout pregnancy. The nature of the modulation of both ATP and adenosine on the embryo-maternal interface, going through placental invasion until birth delivery depends on the general maternal-fetal health state and consequently on the selective activation of their specific receptors. In addition, an increasing number of studies have been demonstrating the pivotal role of ATP and adenosine in modulating deleterious effects of suboptimal conditions of pregnancy. Here, we discuss the role of purinergic signaling on the balance that coordinates the embryo-maternal exchanges and a promising therapeutic venue in the context of pregnancy disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Sagrillo-Fagundes
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Thaís Casagrande Paim
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luiza Pretto
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Isadora Bertaco
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carla Zanatelli
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, INRS, Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - Márcia R Wink
- Departamento de Ciências Básicas da Saúde e Laboratório de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal de Ciências da Saúde de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Gurung S, Greening DW, Rai A, Poh QH, Evans J, Salamonsen LA. The proteomes of endometrial stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles following a decidualizing stimulus define the cells' potential for decidualization success. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6370708. [PMID: 34524461 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adequate endometrial stromal cell (ESC) decidualization is vital for endometrial health. Given the importance of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in intercellular communication, we investigated how their protein landscape is reprogrammed and dysregulated during decidual response. Small EVs (sEVs) from human ESC-conditioned media at Day-2 and -14 following decidual stimuli were grouped as well- (WD) or poorly decidualized (PD) based on their prolactin secretion and subjected to mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics. On Day 2, in PD- versus WD-ESC-sEVs, 17 sEV- proteins were down-regulated (C5, C6; complement/coagulation cascades, and SERPING1, HRG; platelet degranulation and fibrinolysis) and 39 up-regulated (FLNA, COL1A1; focal adhesion, ENO1, PKM; glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and RAP1B, MSN; leukocyte transendothelial migration). On Day 14, in PD- versus WD-ESC-sEVs, FLNA was down-regulated while 21 proteins were up-regulated involved in complement/coagulation cascades (C3, C6), platelet degranulation (SERPINA4, ITIH4), B-cell receptor signalling and innate immune response (immunoglobulins). Changes from Days 2 to 14 suggested a subsequent response in PD-ESC-sEVs with 89 differentially expressed proteins mostly involved in complement and coagulation cascades (C3, C6, C5), but no change in WD-ESC-sEVs ESC. Poor decidualization was also associated with loss of crucial sEV-proteins for cell adhesion and invasion (ITGA5, PFN1), glycolysis (ALDOA, PGK1) and cytoskeletal reorganization (VCL, RAC1). Overall, this study indicates varied ESC response even prior to decidualization and provides insight into sEVs-proteomes as a benchmark of well-decidualized ESC. It shows distinct variation in sEV-protein composition depending on the ESC decidual response that is critical for embryo implantation, enabling and limiting trophoblast invasion during placentation and sensing a healthy embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanti Gurung
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash Health, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - David W Greening
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faulty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alin Rai
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faulty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Qi Hui Poh
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Jemma Evans
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lois A Salamonsen
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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79
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Jiménez Guerrero M, Fava M, Baccaro LF, Caille AM, Cuasnicú PS, Horcajadas JA, Cohen DJ, Bahamondes L, Cotán D, Munuce MJ. Effect of ulipristal acetate on gene expression profile in endometrial cells in culture and in vivo upon post-ovulatory administration in fertile women. EUR J CONTRACEP REPR 2021; 27:199-207. [PMID: 34486904 DOI: 10.1080/13625187.2021.1975270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To analyse the effect of ulipristal acetate (UPA) as emergency contraception (EC) on the gene expression of human endometrial cell line (HEC-1A) and endometrium from fertile women treated with UPA after ovulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS HEC-1A cells were treated with UPA, and endometrial tissue from four healthy women was collected in cycles before, during and 2 months after post-ovulation pill intake. Ovulation and luteal phase were monitored, and endometrial biopsies were obtained at day LH + 7 in each cycle. In all cases, we analysed the expression profile of 192 genes associated to endometrial receptivity. RESULTS We observed a significant change in total transcriptomic activity of UPA-treated HEC-1A cells compared to controls. In vivo, we also observed a trend to down-regulation of genes in the UPA-treated cycle that was partially restored in the post-treatment cycle. Altogether, our results supported a partially reversible effect of UPA in gene expression associated with uterine receptivity. CONCLUSIONS When UPA was administered after ovulation, it seems to induce a down-regulation of the main genes involved in conditioning the endometrium for implantation. This effect is partially restored two months after pill intake. The action of UPA on the endometrium for users of EC should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mariana Fava
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Luiz F Baccaro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Adriana M Caille
- Laboratorio de Medicina Reproductiva, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
| | - Patricia S Cuasnicú
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Débora J Cohen
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luis Bahamondes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | | | - María José Munuce
- Laboratorio de Medicina Reproductiva, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Rosario, Argentina
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80
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Pathare ADS, Hinduja I. Endometrial Expression of Cell Adhesion Genes in Recurrent Implantation Failure Patients in Ongoing IVF Cycle. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:513-523. [PMID: 34410653 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00708-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is one of the major obstacles in IVF. Transcriptomic literature has revealed the various biological processes involved in endometrial receptivity (ER) under different physiological circumstances, especially in natural cycle. We intended to determine the function-specific ER profile under controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycle. This can help to back trace the genomic impairment in RIF patients during the IVF cycle and to validate the genes involved in enriched pathways. In our study, retrospective gene expression microarray dataset was reanalysed after the follow-up, in classic non pregnant RIF (cases) vs fertile women (controls) under COS (n = 5/group). Reanalysis of microarray revealed significant downregulation of cell adhesion function (P:3.11E-05) with the maximum gene count. For validation purpose, downregulation of eight genes (COMP, HABP2, ITGAD, CDH3, COL22A1, MFAP4, THBS1and CD300A) involved in enriched cell adhesion pathway having fold change > 3 were assessed by real-time PCR in independent cohorts of cases and controls (n = 24, each). Downregulation of six out of eight genes (COMP, HABP2, ITGAD, CDH3, MFAP4 and THBS1) were confirmed by real-time PCR (P < 0.05) with fold change > 2. This indicates the importance of analysed genes in the ER mechanism under COS, thus mimicking the fresh embryo transfer. The further analysis in larger cohorts would substantiate the study findings in RIF patients undergoing IVF cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amruta D S Pathare
- Department of IVF and Research, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, 400016, Maharashtra, India
| | - Indira Hinduja
- Department of IVF and Research, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, 400016, Maharashtra, India.
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Ntostis P, Swanson G, Kokkali G, Iles D, Huntriss J, Pantou A, Tzetis M, Pantos K, Picton HM, Krawetz SA, Miller D. The effects of aging on molecular modulators of human embryo implantation. iScience 2021; 24:102751. [PMID: 34278260 PMCID: PMC8271113 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancing age has a negative impact on female fertility. As implantation rates decline during the normal maternal life course, age-related, embryonic factors are altered and our inability to monitor these factors in an unbiased genome-wide manner in vivo has severely limited our understanding of early human embryo development and implantation. Our high-throughput methodology uses trophectoderm samples representing the full spectrum of maternal reproductive ages with embryo implantation potential examined in relation to trophectoderm transcriptome dynamics and reproductive maternal age. Potential embryo-endometrial interactions were tested using trophectoderm sampled from young women, with the receptive uterine environment representing the most 'fertile' environment for successful embryo implantation. Potential roles for extracellular exosomes, embryonic metabolism and regulation of apoptosis were revealed. These biomarkers are consistent with embryo-endometrial crosstalk/developmental competency, serving as a mediator for successful implantation. Our data opens the door to developing a diagnostic test for predicting implantation success in women undergoing fertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Ntostis
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- Genetics Department, Medical school, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Grace Swanson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Georgia Kokkali
- Genesis Athens Clinic, Reproductive Medicine Unit, Athens, 152 32, Greece
| | - David Iles
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - John Huntriss
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Agni Pantou
- Genesis Athens Clinic, Reproductive Medicine Unit, Athens, 152 32, Greece
| | - Maria Tzetis
- Genetics Department, Medical school, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | | | - Helen M. Picton
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Stephen A. Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - David Miller
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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Giacomini E, Scotti GM, Vanni VS, Lazarevic D, Makieva S, Privitera L, Signorelli S, Cantone L, Bollati V, Murdica V, Tonon G, Papaleo E, Candiani M, Viganò P. Global transcriptomic changes occur in uterine fluid-derived extracellular vesicles during the endometrial window for embryo implantation. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2249-2274. [PMID: 34190319 PMCID: PMC8289330 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are uterine fluid-derived extracellular vesicles (UF-EVs) a 'liquid biopsy' reservoir of biomarkers for real-time monitoring of endometrial status? SUMMARY ANSWER The transcriptomic cargo of UF-EVs reflects the RNA profile of the endometrial tissue as well as changes between the non-receptive and the receptive phase, possibly supporting its use for a novel endometrial receptivity test. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY EVs have been previously isolated from uterine fluid, where they likely contribute to the embryo-endometrium crosstalk during implantation. Based on a meta-analysis of studies on endometrial tissue implantation-associated genes and the human exosomes database, 28 of the 57 transcripts considered as receptivity markers refer to proteins present in human exosomes. However, the specific transcriptomic content of receptive phase UF-EVs has yet to be defined. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Two experimental series were set up. First, we simultaneously sequenced RNA species derived from paired UF-EVs and endometrial tissue samples collected from physiologically cycling women. Second, we analyzed RNA species of UF-EVs collected during the non-receptive (LH + 2) and receptive (LH + 7) phase of proven fertile women and from the receptive (LH + 7) phase of a population of women undergoing ART and transfer of euploid blastocysts. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS For paired UF-endometrial tissue sampling, endometrial tissue biopsies were obtained with the use of a Pipelle immediately after UF collection performed by lavage of the endometrial cavity. Overall, n = 87 UF samples were collected and fresh-processed for EV isolation and total RNA extraction, while western blotting was used to confirm the expression of EV protein markers of the isolated vesicles. Physical characterization of UF-EVs was performed by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis. To define the transcriptomic cargo of UF-EV samples, RNA-seq libraries were successfully prepared from n = 83 UF-EVs samples and analyzed by RNA-seq analysis. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis was used to compare RNA-seq results between different groups of samples. Functional enrichment analysis was performed by gene set enrichment analysis with g:Profiler. Pre-ranked gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) with WebGestalt was used to compare RNA-seq results with the gene-set evaluated in a commercially available endometrial receptivity array. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A highly significant correlation was found between transcriptional profiles of endometrial biopsies and pairwise UF-EV samples (Pearson's r = 0.70 P < 0.0001; Spearman's ρ = 0.65 P < 0.0001). In UF-EVs from fertile controls, 942 gene transcripts were more abundant and 1305 transcripts less abundant in the LH + 7 receptive versus the LH + 2 non-receptive phase. GSEA performed to evaluate concordance in transcriptional profile between the n = 238 genes included in the commercially available endometrial receptivity array and the LH + 7 versus LH + 2 UF-EV comparison demonstrated an extremely significant and consistent enrichment, with a normalized enrichment score (NES)=9.38 (P < 0.001) for transcripts up-regulated in LH + 7 in the commercial array and enriched in LH + 7 UF-EVs, and a NES = -5.40 (P < 0.001) for transcripts down-regulated in LH + 7 in the commercial array and depleted in LH + 7 UF-EVs. When analyzing LH + 7 UF-EVs of patients with successful versus failed implantation after transfer of one euploid blastocyst in the following cycle, we found 97 genes whose transcript levels were increased and 64 genes whose transcript levels were decreased in the group of women who achieved a pregnancy. GSEA performed to evaluate concordance in transcriptional profile between the commercially available endometrial receptivity array genes and the comparison of LH + 7 UF-EVs of women with successful versus failed implantation, demonstrated a significant enrichment with a NES = 2.14 (P = 0.001) for transcripts up-regulated in the commercial array in the receptive phase and enriched in UF-EVs of women who conceived, and a not significant NES = -1.18 (P = 0.3) for transcripts down-regulated in the commercial array and depleted in UF-EVs. In terms of physical features, UF-EVs showed a homogeneity among the different groups analyzed except for a slight but significant difference in EV size, being smaller in women with a successful implantation compared to patients who failed to conceive after euploid blastocyst transfer (mean diameter ± SD 205.5± 22.97 nm vs 221.5 ± 20.57 nm, respectively, P = 0.014). LARGE SCALE DATA Transcriptomic data were deposited in NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and can be retrieved using GEO series accession number: GSE158958. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Separation of RNA species associated with EV membranes might have been incomplete, and membrane-bound RNA species-rather than the internal RNA content of EVs-might have contributed to our RNA-seq results. Also, we cannot definitely distinguish the relative contribution of exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies to our findings. When considering patients undergoing ART, we did not collect UFs in the same cycle of the euploid embryo transfer but in the one immediately preceding. We considered this approach as the most appropriate in relation to the novel, explorative nature of our study. Based on our results, a validation of UF-EV RNA-seq analyses in the same cycle in which embryo transfer is performed could be hypothesized. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS On the largest sample size of human EVs ever analyzed with RNA-seq, this study establishes a gene signature to use for less-invasive endometrial receptivity tests. This report is indeed the first to show that the transcriptome of UF-EVs correlates with the endometrial tissue transcriptome, that RNA signatures in UF-EVs change with endometrial status, and that UF-EVs could serve as a reservoir for potential less-invasive collection of receptivity markers. This article thus represents a step forward in the design of less-invasive approaches for real-time monitoring of endometrial status, necessary for advancing the field of reproductive medicine. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was funded by a competitive grant from European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE Research Grant 2016-1). The authors have no financial or non-financial competing interests to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NA.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Giacomini
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
| | - G M Scotti
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - V S Vanni
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - D Lazarevic
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - S Makieva
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
| | - L Privitera
- Centro Scienze Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - S Signorelli
- Centro Scienze Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - L Cantone
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - V Bollati
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - V Murdica
- Urological Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - G Tonon
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - E Papaleo
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
- Centro Scienze Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - M Candiani
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Centro Scienze Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - P Viganò
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
- Centro Scienze Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Heng S, Samarajeewa N, Aberkane A, Essahib W, Van de Velde H, Scelwyn M, Hull ML, Vollenhoven B, Rombauts LJ, Nie G. Podocalyxin inhibits human embryo implantation in vitro and luminal podocalyxin in putative receptive endometrium is associated with implantation failure in fertility treatment. Fertil Steril 2021; 116:1391-1401. [PMID: 34272065 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2021.06.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study whether endometrial epithelial podocalyxin (PCX) inhibits implantation of human embryos in vitro and in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). DESIGN We have recently identified PCX as a key negative regulator of endometrial epithelial receptivity. Podocalyxin is expressed in all epithelial cells in the nonreceptive endometrium, but is selectively downregulated in the luminal epithelium (LE) for receptivity. In the current study, we first investigated whether high levels of PCX in Ishikawa monolayer inhibit attachment and/or penetration of human blastocysts in in vitro models. We then examined PCX by immunohistochemistry in putative receptive endometrial tissues biopsied from 81 IVF patients who underwent frozen embryo transfer in the next natural cycle and retrospectively analyzed the association between PCX staining in LE and clinical pregnancy as a proxy of successful implantation. SETTING RMIT University, Australia; Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Belgium. PATIENT(S) In vitro fertilization patients undergoing frozen/thawed embryo transfer. INTERVENTION(S) N/A. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Endometrial epithelial PCX inhibits implantation of human embryos in vitro and in IVF patients. RESULT(S) High levels of PCX in Ishikawa monolayer significantly inhibited blastocyst attachment and penetration. Among the 81 putative receptive tissues, 73% were negative, but 27% were heterogeneously positive for PCX in LE. The clinical pregnancy rate was 53% in those with a PCX-negative LE but only 18% in those with a PCX-positive LE. If LE was positive for PCX, the odds ratio of no clinical pregnancy was 4.95 (95% Confidence interval, 1.48-14.63). CONCLUSION(S) Podocalyxin inhibits embryo implantation. Assessment of PCX may aid the evaluation and optimization of endometrial receptivity in fertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophea Heng
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nirukshi Samarajeewa
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Victoria, Australia
| | - Asma Aberkane
- Research Group of Reproduction and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Wafaa Essahib
- Research Group of Reproduction and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hilde Van de Velde
- Research Group of Reproduction and Immunology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | | | - M Louise Hull
- Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Beverley Vollenhoven
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Womens and Newborn Programme, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Luk J Rombauts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia; Womens and Newborn Programme, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Guiying Nie
- School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University, Victoria, Australia; Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
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84
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Li T, Greenblatt EM, Shin ME, Brown TJ, Chan C. Endometrial laminin subunit beta-3 expression associates with reproductive outcome in patients with repeated implantation failure. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:1835-1842. [PMID: 33715134 PMCID: PMC8324716 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02135-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Endometrial laminin subunit beta-3 (LAMB3) is a candidate gene whose expression distinguishes the endometrial window of receptivity (WOR) in human. This study aims to examine endometrial LAMB3 levels in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF), in order to assess the ability of LAMB3 to predict pregnancy outcome. METHODS Endometrial biopsies were taken during the WOR from 21 healthy volunteers in natural menstrual cycles and from 50 RIF patients in mock cycles prior to frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining of LAMB3 was performed, and the H-score was correlated with the pregnancy outcome in subsequent FETs. RESULTS In healthy volunteers, endometrial LAMB3 was demonstrated to be highly expressed during the WOR with the staining exclusively in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells. In a discovery set of RIF patients, the LAMB3 expression level was found to be significantly higher in those who conceived compared to those who did not in subsequent FETs. A receiving operator characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.7818 (95% confidence interval 59.92-96.44%) with an H-score cutoff of 4.129 to differentiate cases with positive or negative pregnancy outcomes. This cutoff achieved an accuracy of 75% in pregnancy prediction in a following validation set of RIF patients, in which the pregnancy rate in subsequent FETs was three-fold higher when the mock cycle LAMB3 H-score was ≥ 4.129 compared to < 4.129. CONCLUSIONS IHC measurement of endometrial LAMB3 expression could be a promising prognostic method to predict pregnancy outcome for RIF patients undergoing FETs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Li
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ellen M Greenblatt
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Mount Sinai Fertility (MSF), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Crystal Chan
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute (LTRI), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Mount Sinai Fertility (MSF), Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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85
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Ticconi C, Di Simone N, Campagnolo L, Fazleabas A. Clinical consequences of defective decidualization. Tissue Cell 2021; 72:101586. [PMID: 34217128 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2021.101586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Decidualization is characterized by a series of genetic, metabolic, morphological, biochemical, vascular and immune changes occurring in the endometrial stroma in response to the implanting embryo or even before conception and involves the stromal cells of the endometrium. It is a fundamental reproductive event occurring in mammalian species with hemochorial placentation. A growing body of experimental and clinical evidence strongly suggests that defective or disrupted decidualization contributes to the establishment of an inappropriate maternal-fetal interface. This has relevant clinical consequences, ranging from recurrent implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss in early pregnancy to several significant complications of advanced gestation. Moreover, recent evidence indicates that selected diseases of the endometrium, such as chronic endometritis and endometriosis, can have a detrimental impact on the decidualization response in the endometrium and may help explain some aspects of the reduced reproductive outcome associated with these conditions. Further research efforts are needed to fully understand the biomolecular mechanisms ans events underlying an abnormal decidualization response. This will permit the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies aimed to improve the likelihood of achieveing a successful pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Ticconi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Nicoletta Di Simone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20072, Pieve Emanuele, Milan, Italy; IRCCS, Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy.
| | - Asgerally Fazleabas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, 49503, USA.
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86
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Extracellular vesicles as a potential diagnostic tool in assisted reproduction. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2021; 32:179-184. [PMID: 32205524 DOI: 10.1097/gco.0000000000000621] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Extracellular vesicles have emerged as a promising field of research for their potential to serve as biomarkers. In the pathophysiology of reproduction, they have attracted significant attention because of their diverse roles in gametogenesis and embryo-endometrial cross-talk. Advances in extracellular vesicle translational potential are herein reviewed with a particular focus in oocyte competence, semen quality diagnostics, embryo selection and detection of endometrial receptivity. RECENT FINDINGS Specific miRNAs present in follicular fluid-derived extracellular vesicles have been associated with follicle development and oocyte maturation. Some proteins known to regulate sperm function and capacitation such as glycodelin, and CRISP1 have been found as overrepresented in semen exosomes isolated from severe asthenozoospermic compared to normozoospermic men. In vitro developed human embryos can secrete extracellular vesicles whose propitiousness for preimplantation genetic testing is being increasingly investigated. Endometrial cell-derived extracellular vesicles recovered from uterine flushings might represent a reservoir of molecular markers potentially exploited for monitoring the endometrial status. SUMMARY Accumulated knowledge on extracellular vesicles deriving from endometrium, follicular fluid, embryos or male reproductive system may be translated to clinical practice to inform diagnostics in assisted reproduction technology (ART). Validation studies and technology developments are required to implement the profiling of extracellular vesicles as diagnostic tests in ART.
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87
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Barrenetxea G, Romero I, Celis R, Abio A, Bilbao M, Barrenetxea J. Correlation between plasmatic progesterone, endometrial receptivity genetic assay and implantation rates in frozen-thawed transferred euploid embryos. A multivariate analysis. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2021; 263:192-197. [PMID: 34229182 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2021.05.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Revised: 02/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To ascertain the predictive value of different parameters to determine endometrial receptivity among assisted reproduction treatments in which single embryo transfer of frozen-thawed euploid blastocysts are performed. STUDY DESIGN Observational study involving 104 patients recruited between September.2018 and June.2019 at a University associated assisted reproduction center. The relationship of different parameters (age, body mass index (BMI), duration of hormonal preparation, plasmatic progesterone levels, endometrial parameters at ultrasound assessment and endometrial receptivity determined by endometrial receptivity assay (ERA) was evaluated by a multivariable logistic (binomial) analysis after hormonal preparation. According to the ERA test results a personalized endometrial transfer (pET) was scheduled and live birth rate was assessed. Only single transfers of frozen euploid blastocysts were performed. RESULTS ERA test report predicted receptive endometrium (RE) in 54,64% patients and non-receptive (NR) in 45,31% patients. Among NR endometrial samples, 20,62% were classified as pre-receptive or early receptive, whereas 24,74% as post-receptive or late-receptive. The univariate analysis showed a relationship between BMI, doses of progesterone administered before biopsy and the receptivity of endometrium. There was no relationship between age of women, duration of hormonal supplementation, and the results of ERA test. In our series, endometrial receptivity was not related neither to endometrial thickness nor plasmatic progesterone levels. The multivariate analysis showed that both, BMI and cumulative progesterone administered prior to the test are independent predictive factors of endometrial receptivity (p = 0,047 and p = 0,034 respectively). The overall live birth rate after FET of euploid embryos was 62,35%. The odd of pregnancy was higher when ERA test was performed prior to the first embryo transfer (93,10% vs. 46,43%; OR = 15,58;95%CI 3,38-71,89). Overall, ongoing pregnancy rates showed a favorable trend after "non-receptive" endometria had been diagnosed and, thus, a modified (pET) preparation was performed (70,00% vs. 55,56%; OR = 1,87; 95% CI 0,76-4,57). CONCLUSION Regarding implantation potential of genetically screened blastocysts, the traditional tools used for assessing endometrial receptivity such as transvaginal evaluation of endometrial thickness and pattern or progesterone levels determination were not useful among our patients for predicting a receptive endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Barrenetxea
- Reproducción Bilbao, Spain; Universidad del País Vasco/Euskal Herriko Univertsitatea/University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Spain.
| | | | | | - A Abio
- Reproducción Bilbao, Spain
| | | | - J Barrenetxea
- Reproducción Bilbao, Spain; Osakidetza, Servicio Vasco de Salud, Basque Health Service, Spain
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88
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Yu SL, Kim TH, Han YH, Kang Y, Jeong DU, Lee DC, Kang J, Park SR. Transcriptomic analysis and competing endogenous RNA network in the human endometrium between proliferative and mid-secretory phases. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:660. [PMID: 33968190 PMCID: PMC8097233 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful embryo implantation is the first step for establishing natural pregnancy and is dependent on the crosstalk between the embryo and a receptive endometrium. However, the molecular signaling events for successful embryo implantation are not entirely understood. To identify differentially expressed transcripts [long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs] and competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) networks associated with endometrial receptivity, the current study analyzed gene expression profiles between proliferative and mid-secretory endometria in fertile women. A total of 247 lncRNAs, 67 miRNAs and 2,154 mRNAs were identified as differentially expressed between proliferative and mid-secretory endometria. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis indicated that these differentially expressed genes were significantly enriched for 'cell adhesion molecules.' Additionally, 98 common mRNAs were significantly involved in tryptophan metabolism, metabolic pathways and FoxO signaling. From the differentially expressed lncRNA/miRNA/mRNA ceRNA network, hub RNAs that formed three axes were identified: The DLX6-AS1/miR-141 or miR-200a/OLFM1 axis, the WDFY3-AS2/miR-135a or miR-183/STC1 axis, and the LINC00240/miR-182/NDRG1 axis. These may serve important roles in the regulation of endometrial receptivity. The hub network of the current study may be developed as a candidate marker for endometrial receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong-Lan Yu
- Priority Research Center, Myunggok Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Hyun Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Konyang University Hospital, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Hyun Han
- Priority Research Center, Myunggok Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Yujin Kang
- Priority Research Center, Myunggok Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Da-Un Jeong
- Priority Research Center, Myunggok Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Chul Lee
- Personalized Genomic Medicine Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaeku Kang
- Priority Research Center, Myunggok Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
- Department of Pharmacology, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
| | - Seok-Rae Park
- Priority Research Center, Myunggok Medical Research Institute, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon 35365, Republic of Korea
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, Konyang University, Daejeon, 35365, Republic of Korea
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89
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Paule SG, Heng S, Samarajeewa N, Li Y, Mansilla M, Webb AI, Nebl T, Young SL, Lessey BA, Hull ML, Scelwyn M, Lim R, Vollenhoven B, Rombauts LJ, Nie G. Podocalyxin is a key negative regulator of human endometrial epithelial receptivity for embryo implantation. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:1353-1366. [PMID: 33822049 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION How is endometrial epithelial receptivity, particularly adhesiveness, regulated at the luminal epithelial surface for embryo implantation in the human? SUMMARY ANSWER Podocalyxin (PCX), a transmembrane protein, was identified as a key negative regulator of endometrial epithelial receptivity; specific downregulation of PCX in the luminal epithelium in the mid-secretory phase, likely mediated by progesterone, may act as a critical step in converting endometrial surface from a non-receptive to an implantation-permitting state. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY The human endometrium must undergo major molecular and cellular changes to transform from a non-receptive to a receptive state to accommodate embryo implantation. However, the fundamental mechanisms governing receptivity, particularly at the luminal surface where the embryo first interacts with, are not well understood. A widely held view is that upregulation of adhesion-promoting molecules is important, but the details are not well characterized. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This study first aimed to identify novel adhesion-related membrane proteins with potential roles in receptivity in primary human endometrial epithelial cells (HEECs). Further experiments were then conducted to determine candidates' in vivo expression pattern in the human endometrium across the menstrual cycle, regulation by progesterone using cell culture, and functional importance in receptivity using in vitro human embryo attachment and invasion models. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Primary HEECs (n = 9) were isolated from the proliferative phase endometrial tissue, combined into three pools, subjected to plasma membrane protein enrichment by ultracentrifugation followed by proteomics analysis, which led to the discovery of PCX as a novel candidate of interest. Immunohistochemical analysis determined the in vivo expression pattern and cellular localization of PCX in the human endometrium across the menstrual cycle (n = 23). To investigate whether PCX is regulated by progesterone, the master driver of endometrial differentiation, primary HEECs were treated in culture with estradiol and progesterone and analyzed by RT-PCR (n = 5) and western blot (n = 4). To demonstrate that PCX acts as a negative regulator of receptivity, PCX was overexpressed in Ishikawa cells (a receptive line) and the impact on receptivity was determined using in vitro attachment (n = 3-5) and invasion models (n = 4-6), in which an Ishikawa monolayer mimicked the endometrial surface and primary human trophoblast spheroids mimicked embryos. Mann-Whitney U-test and ANOVA analyses established statistical significance at *P ≤ 0.05 and **P ≤ 0.01. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE PCX was expressed on the apical surface of all epithelial and endothelial cells in the non-receptive endometrium, but selectively downregulated in the luminal epithelium from the mid-secretory phase coinciding with the establishment of receptivity. Progesterone was confirmed to be able to suppress PCX in primary HEECs, suggesting this hormone likely mediates the downregulation of luminal PCX in vivo for receptivity. Overexpression of PCX in Ishikawa monolayer inhibited not only the attachment but also the penetration of human embryo surrogates, demonstrating that PCX acts as an important negative regulator of epithelial receptivity for implantation. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Primary HEECs isolated from the human endometrial tissue contained a mixture of luminal and glandular epithelial cells, as further purification into subtypes was not possible due to the lack of specific markers. Future study would need to investigate how progesterone differentially regulates PCX in endometrial epithelial subtypes. In addition, this study used primary human trophoblast spheroids as human embryo mimics and Ishikawa as endometrial epithelial cells in functional models, future studies with human blastocysts and primary epithelial cells would further validate the findings. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The findings of this study add important new knowledge to the understanding of human endometrial remodeling for receptivity. The identification of PCX as a negative regulator of epithelial receptivity and the knowledge that its specific downregulation in the luminal epithelium coincides with receptivity development may provide new avenues to assess endometrial receptivity and individualize endometrial preparation protocols in assisted reproductive technology (ART). The study also discovered PCX as progesterone target in HEECs, identifying a potentially useful functional biomarker to monitor progesterone action, such as in the optimization of progesterone type/dose/route of administration for luteal support. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Study funding was obtained from ESHRE, Monash IVF and NHMRC. LR reports potential conflict of interests (received grants from Ferring Australia; personal fees from Monash IVF Group and Ferring Australia; and non-financial support from Merck Serono, MSD, and Guerbet outside the submitted work. LR is also a minority shareholder and the Group Medical Director for Monash IVF Group, a provider of fertility preservation services). The remaining authors have no potential conflict of interest to declare. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah G Paule
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Sophea Heng
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, VIC, Australia
| | - Nirukshi Samarajeewa
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, VIC, Australia
| | - Ying Li
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, VIC, Australia
| | - Mary Mansilla
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, VIC, Australia
| | - Andrew I Webb
- Advance Technology and Biology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Thomas Nebl
- Advance Technology and Biology Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Steven L Young
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Bruce A Lessey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Greenville Health System, Greenville, SC, USA
| | - M Louise Hull
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | | | - Rebecca Lim
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Beverley Vollenhoven
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Womens and Newborn Programme, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Luk J Rombauts
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Womens and Newborn Programme, Monash Health, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Guiying Nie
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, VIC, Australia
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Sola-Leyva A, Andrés-León E, Molina NM, Terron-Camero LC, Plaza-Díaz J, Sáez-Lara MJ, Gonzalvo MC, Sánchez R, Ruíz S, Martínez L, Altmäe S. Mapping the entire functionally active endometrial microbiota. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:1021-1031. [PMID: 33598714 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does endometrium harbour functionally active microorganisms and whether the microbial composition differs between proliferative and mid-secretory phases? SUMMARY ANSWER Endometrium harbours functionally alive microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, archaea and fungi whose composition and metabolic functions change along the menstrual cycle. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Resident microbes in the endometrium have been detected, where microbial dysfunction has been associated with reproductive health and disease. Nevertheless, the core microorganismal composition in healthy endometrium is not determined and whether the identified bacterial DNA sequences refer to alive/functionally active microbes is not clear. Furthermore, whether there are cyclical changes in the microbial composition remains an open issue. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION RNA sequencing (RNAseq) data from 14 endometrial paired samples from healthy women, 7 samples from the mid-secretory phase and 7 samples from the consecutive proliferative phase were analysed for the microbial RNA sequences. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The raw RNAseq data were converted into FASTQ format using SRA Toolkit. The unmapped reads to human sequences were aligned to the reference database Kraken2 and visualised with Krona software. Menstrual phase taxonomic differences were performed by R package metagenomeSeq. The functional analysis of endometrial microbiota was obtained with HUMANn2 and the comparison between menstrual phases was conducted by one-way ANOVA. Human RNAseq analysis was performed using miARma-Seq and the functional enrichment analysis was carried out using gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA; HumanCyc). The integration of metabolic pathways between host and microbes was investigated. The developed method of active microbiota mapping was validated in independent sample set. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE With the novel metatranscriptomic approach, we mapped the entire alive microbiota composing of >5300 microorganisms within the endometrium of healthy women. Microbes such as bacteria, fungi, viruses and archaea were identified. The validation of three independent endometrial samples from different ethnicity confirmed the findings. Significant differences in the microbial abundances in the mid-secretory vs. proliferative phases were detected with possible metabolic activity in the host-microbiota crosstalk in receptive phase endometrium, specifically in the prostanoid biosynthesis pathway and L-tryptophan metabolism. LARGE SCALE DATA The raw RNAseq data used in the current study are available at GEO GSE86491 and at BioProject PRJNA379542. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION These pioneering results should be confirmed in a bigger sample size. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our study confirms the presence of active microbes, bacteria, fungi, viruses and archaea in the healthy human endometrium with implications in receptive phase endometrial functions, meaning that microbial dysfunction could impair the metabolic pathways important for endometrial receptivity. The results of this study contribute to the better understanding of endometrial microbiota composition in healthy women and its possible role in endometrial functions. In addition, our novel methodological pipeline for analysing alive microbes with transcriptional and metabolic activities could serve to inspire new analysis approaches in reproductive medicine. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work is supported by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness (MINECO) and European Regional Development Fund (FEDER): grants RYC-2016-21199 and ENDORE SAF2017-87526-R; FEDER/Junta de Andalucía-Consejería de Economía y Conocimiento: MENDO (B-CTS-500-UGR18) and by the University of Granada Plan Propio de Investigación 2016 - Excellence actions: Unit of Excellence on Exercise and Health (UCEES) (SOMM17/6107/UGR). A.S.-L. and N.M.M. are funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (PRE2018-0854409 and FPU19/01638). S.A. has received honoraria for lectures from Merck. The funder had no role in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Sola-Leyva
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain
| | - Eduardo Andrés-León
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", CSIC (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada 18016, Spain
| | - Nerea M Molina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain
| | - Laura Carmen Terron-Camero
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Instituto de Parasitología y Biomedicina "López-Neyra", CSIC (IPBLN-CSIC), Granada 18016, Spain
| | - Julio Plaza-Díaz
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.,Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON K1H 8L1, Canada
| | - María José Sáez-Lara
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain.,Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology (INYTA), "José Mataix Verdú" Biomedical Research Centre (CIBM), University of Granada, Armilla, Granada 18016, Spain
| | - María Carmen Gonzalvo
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain.,Unidad Reproducción, UGC Laboratorio clínico y UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología. Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada 18014, Spain
| | - Rocío Sánchez
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain.,Unidad Reproducción, UGC Laboratorio clínico y UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología. Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada 18014, Spain
| | - Susana Ruíz
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain.,Unidad Reproducción, UGC Laboratorio clínico y UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología. Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada 18014, Spain
| | - Luís Martínez
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain.,Unidad Reproducción, UGC Laboratorio clínico y UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología. Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada 18014, Spain
| | - Signe Altmäe
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada 18071, Spain.,Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Granada 18014, Spain.,Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu 50411, Estonia
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91
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Retis-Resendiz AM, González-García IN, León-Juárez M, Camacho-Arroyo I, Cerbón M, Vázquez-Martínez ER. The role of epigenetic mechanisms in the regulation of gene expression in the cyclical endometrium. Clin Epigenetics 2021; 13:116. [PMID: 34034824 PMCID: PMC8146649 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-021-01103-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human endometrium is a highly dynamic tissue whose function is mainly regulated by the ovarian steroid hormones estradiol and progesterone. The serum levels of these and other hormones are associated with three specific phases that compose the endometrial cycle: menstrual, proliferative, and secretory. Throughout this cycle, the endometrium exhibits different transcriptional networks according to the genes expressed in each phase. Epigenetic mechanisms are crucial in the fine-tuning of gene expression to generate such transcriptional networks. The present review aims to provide an overview of current research focused on the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression in the cyclical endometrium and discuss the technical and clinical perspectives regarding this topic. MAIN BODY The main epigenetic mechanisms reported are DNA methylation, histone post-translational modifications, and non-coding RNAs. These epigenetic mechanisms induce the expression of genes associated with transcriptional regulation, endometrial epithelial growth, angiogenesis, and stromal cell proliferation during the proliferative phase. During the secretory phase, epigenetic mechanisms promote the expression of genes associated with hormone response, insulin signaling, decidualization, and embryo implantation. Furthermore, the global content of specific epigenetic modifications and the gene expression of non-coding RNAs and epigenetic modifiers vary according to the menstrual cycle phase. In vitro and cell type-specific studies have demonstrated that epithelial and stromal cells undergo particular epigenetic changes that modulate their transcriptional networks to accomplish their function during decidualization and implantation. CONCLUSION AND PERSPECTIVES Epigenetic mechanisms are emerging as key players in regulating transcriptional networks associated with key processes and functions of the cyclical endometrium. Further studies using next-generation sequencing and single-cell technology are warranted to explore the role of other epigenetic mechanisms in each cell type that composes the endometrium throughout the menstrual cycle. The application of this knowledge will definitively provide essential information to understand the pathological mechanisms of endometrial diseases, such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer, and to identify potential therapeutic targets and improve women's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandra Monserrat Retis-Resendiz
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ixchel Nayeli González-García
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Moisés León-Juárez
- Departamento de Inmunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Ignacio Camacho-Arroyo
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Marco Cerbón
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Edgar Ricardo Vázquez-Martínez
- Unidad de Investigación en Reproducción Humana, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología-Facultad de Química, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Montes Urales 800, Lomas Virreyes, Miguel Hidalgo, 11000, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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92
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Zhao F, Guo Y, Shi Z, Wu M, Lv Y, Song W. hsa_circ_001946 elevates HOXA10 expression and promotes the development of endometrial receptivity via sponging miR-135b. Diagn Pathol 2021; 16:44. [PMID: 33993878 PMCID: PMC8127197 DOI: 10.1186/s13000-021-01104-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Impaired endometrial receptivity is a major reason for embryo implantation failure. There’s a paucity of information regarding the role of circRNAs on endometrial receptivity. Here, we investigated the function of hsa_circ_001946 on endometrial receptivity and its mechanisms. Methods A total of 50 women composing 25 with recurrent implantation failure and 25 who conceived after their implantation were recruited in this study. Expression of hsa_circ_001946, miR-135b, and HOXA10 was evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) in biopsied endometrial tissue samples. The levels of HOXA10, and cell cycle markers (CCNB1, CDK1, and CCND1) were determined by IHC and western blotting assays. Binding relationship among miR-135b, hsa_circ_001946 and HOXA10 were confirmed by dual luciferase reporter assays and western blotting. MTT assays and cell cycle assays by FACS were employed to evaluate the proliferation and cell cycle of cells. T-HESCs were cultured with 1 µM medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) and 0.5 mM 8-bromoadenosine 3’:5’-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) to induce decidualization. The mechanisms and functions of hsa_circ_001946 on decidualization were further assessed by qRT-PCR evaluating the expression of hsa_circ_001946, miR-135b, HOXA10 and decidual markers (PRL and IGFBP1) in T-HESCs. Results Endometrial tissues from patients with recurrent implantation failure had lower hsa_circ_001946 expression, higher miR-135b expression, and lower HOXA10 expression. Hsa_circ_001946 promoted HOXA10 expression by sponging miR-135b in T-HESCs. Overexpression of hsa_circ_001946 restored cell proliferation and cell cycle that were disrupted by miR-135b overexpression in T-HESCs. Decidualized T-HESCs had higher hsa_circ_001946 expression, lower miR-135b expression, and higher HOXA10 expression. Overexpression of hsa_circ_001946 reversed the expression of decidual markers (PRL and IGFBP1) that were suppressed by miR-135b overexpression in T-HESCs. Conclusions In conclusion, our findings suggest that hsa_circ_001946 promotes cell proliferation and cell cycle process and increases expression of decidualization markers to enhance endometrial receptivity progression via sponging miR-135b and elevating HOXA10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medical Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Νo. 1 Jianshe East Road, Henan, 450000, Zhengzhou, PR China
| | - Yihong Guo
- Department of Reproductive Medical Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Νo. 1 Jianshe East Road, Henan, 450000, Zhengzhou, PR China.
| | - Zhanrong Shi
- Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Jiaozuo Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Menglan Wu
- Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Jiaozuo Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Yuzhen Lv
- Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Jiaozuo Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Jiaozuo, China
| | - Wenyue Song
- Department of Reproductive Medical Center, Jiaozuo Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Jiaozuo, China
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93
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He A, Zou Y, Wan C, Zhao J, Zhang Q, Yao Z, Tian F, Wu H, Huang X, Fu J, Hu C, Sun Y, Xiao L, Yang T, Hou Z, Dong X, Lu S, Li Y. The role of transcriptomic biomarkers of endometrial receptivity in personalized embryo transfer for patients with repeated implantation failure. J Transl Med 2021; 19:176. [PMID: 33910562 PMCID: PMC8082865 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-021-02837-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Window of implantation (WOI) displacement is one of the endometrial origins of embryo implantation failure, especially repeated implantation failure (RIF). An accurate prediction tool for endometrial receptivity (ER) is extraordinarily needed to precisely guide successful embryo implantation. We aimed to establish an RNA-Seq-based endometrial receptivity test (rsERT) tool using transcriptomic biomarkers and to evaluate the benefit of personalized embryo transfer (pET) guided by this tool in patients with RIF. Methods This was a two-phase strategy comprising tool establishment with retrospective data and benefit evaluation with a prospective, nonrandomized controlled trial. In the first phase, rsERT was established by sequencing and analyzing the RNA of endometrial tissues from 50 IVF patients with normal WOI timing. In the second phase, 142 patients with RIF were recruited and grouped by patient self-selection (experimental group, n = 56; control group, n = 86). pET guided by rsERT was performed in the experimental group and conventional ET in the control group. Results The rsERT, comprising 175 biomarker genes, showed an average accuracy of 98.4% by using tenfold cross-validation. The intrauterine pregnancy rate (IPR) of the experimental group (50.0%) was significantly improved compared to that (23.7%) of the control group (RR, 2.107; 95% CI 1.159 to 3.830; P = 0.017) when transferring day-3 embryos. Although not significantly different, the IPR of the experimental group (63.6%) was still 20 percentage points higher than that (40.7%) of the control group (RR, 1.562; 95% CI 0.898 to 2.718; P = 0.111) when transferring blastocysts. Conclusions The rsERT was developed to accurately predict the WOI period and significantly improve the pregnancy outcomes of patients with RIF, indicating the clinical potential of rsERT-guided pET. Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-DDD-17013375. Registered 14 November 2017, http://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12967-021-02837-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aihua He
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Yangyun Zou
- Department of Clinical Research, Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd., #301, Building A3, No. 218, Xinghu Street, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Cheng Wan
- Department of Clinical Research, Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd., #301, Building A3, No. 218, Xinghu Street, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Qiong Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Zhongyuan Yao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Fen Tian
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Hong Wu
- Department of ENT, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Key Laboratory of Otolaryngology in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Xi Huang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Jing Fu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Chunxu Hu
- Department of Clinical Research, Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd., #301, Building A3, No. 218, Xinghu Street, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yue Sun
- Department of Clinical Research, Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd., #301, Building A3, No. 218, Xinghu Street, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Lan Xiao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Tianli Yang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Zhaojuan Hou
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China
| | - Xin Dong
- Department of Clinical Research, Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd., #301, Building A3, No. 218, Xinghu Street, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Sijia Lu
- Department of Clinical Research, Yikon Genomics Company, Ltd., #301, Building A3, No. 218, Xinghu Street, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Yanping Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Road, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China. .,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, 410000, Hunan, China.
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Siristatidis C, Stavros S, Drakeley A, Bettocchi S, Pouliakis A, Drakakis P, Papapanou M, Vlahos N. Omics and Artificial Intelligence to Improve In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) Success: A Proposed Protocol. Diagnostics (Basel) 2021; 11:diagnostics11050743. [PMID: 33919350 PMCID: PMC8143333 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics11050743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2021] [Revised: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The prediction of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcome is an imperative achievement in assisted reproduction, substantially aiding infertile couples, health systems and communities. To date, the assessment of infertile couples depends on medical/reproductive history, biochemical indications and investigations of the reproductive tract, along with data obtained from previous IVF cycles, if any. Our project aims to develop a novel tool, integrating omics and artificial intelligence, to propose optimal treatment options and enhance treatment success rates. For this purpose, we will proceed with the following: (1) recording subfertile couples’ lifestyle and demographic parameters and previous IVF cycle characteristics; (2) measurement and evaluation of metabolomics, transcriptomics and biomarkers, and deep machine learning assessment of the oocyte, sperm and embryo; (3) creation of artificial neural network models to increase objectivity and accuracy in comparison to traditional techniques for the improvement of the success rates of IVF cycles following an IVF failure. Therefore, “omics” data are a valuable parameter for embryo selection optimization and promoting personalized IVF treatment. “Omics” combined with predictive models will substantially promote health management individualization; contribute to the successful treatment of infertile couples, particularly those with unexplained infertility or repeated implantation failures; and reduce multiple gestation rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charalampos Siristatidis
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Aretaieion Hospital”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Vas. Sofias 76, 11528 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (N.V.)
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Aretaieion Hospital”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Vas. Sofias 76, 11528 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-69-3229-4994
| | - Sofoklis Stavros
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 80 Vas. Sofias Av. and Lourou str., 11528 Athens, Greece; (S.S.); (P.D.)
| | - Andrew Drakeley
- Hewitt Fertility Centre, Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust, Crown Street, Liverpool L8 7SS, UK;
| | - Stefano Bettocchi
- Second Unit of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Biomedical and Human Oncologic Science, Policlinico University of Bari, 70124 Bari, Italy;
| | - Abraham Pouliakis
- Second Department of Pathology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Attikon” University Hospital, Rimini 1, Chaidari, 12642 Athens, Greece;
| | - Peter Drakakis
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Alexandra Hospital, 80 Vas. Sofias Av. and Lourou str., 11528 Athens, Greece; (S.S.); (P.D.)
| | - Michail Papapanou
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Aretaieion Hospital”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Vas. Sofias 76, 11528 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (N.V.)
| | - Nikolaos Vlahos
- Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Aretaieion Hospital”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Vas. Sofias 76, 11528 Athens, Greece; (M.P.); (N.V.)
- Assisted Reproduction Unit, Second Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, “Aretaieion Hospital”, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Vas. Sofias 76, 11528 Athens, Greece
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95
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Ruiz-Alonso M, Valbuena D, Gomez C, Cuzzi J, Simon C. Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA): data versus opinions. Hum Reprod Open 2021; 2021:hoab011. [PMID: 33880420 PMCID: PMC8045472 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This article summarises and contextualises the accumulated basic and clinical data on the ERA test and addresses specific comments and opinions presented by the opponent as part of an invited debate. Progress in medicine depends on new technologies and concepts that translate to practice to solve long-standing problems. In a key example, combining RNA sequencing data (transcriptomics) with artificial intelligence (AI) led to a clinical revolution in personalising disease diagnosis and fostered the concept of precision medicine. The reproductive field is no exception. Translation of endometrial transcriptomics to the clinic yielded an objective definition of the limited time period during which the maternal endometrium is receptive to an embryo, known as the window of implantation (WOI). The WOI is induced by the presence of exogenous and/or endogenous progesterone (P) after proper oestradiol (E2) priming. The window lasts 30-36 hours and, depending on the patient, occurs between LH + 6 and LH + 9 in natural cycles or between P + 4 and P + 7 in hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) cycles. In approximately 30% of IVF cycles in which embryo transfer is performed blindly, the WOI is displaced and embryo-endometrial synchrony is not achieved. Extending this application of endometrial transcriptomics, the endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) test couples next-generation sequencing (NGS) to a computational predictor to identify transcriptomic signatures for each endometrial stage: proliferative (PRO), pre-receptive (PRE), receptive (R) and post-receptive (POST). In this way, personalised embryo transfer (pET) may be possible by synchronising embryo transfer with each patient's WOI. Data are the only way to confront arguments sustained in opinions and/or misleading concepts; it is up to the reader to make their own conclusions regarding its clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ruiz-Alonso
- Igenomix Foundation-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Igenomix SL, Valencia, Spain
| | - Diana Valbuena
- Igenomix Foundation-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Igenomix SL, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Carlos Simon
- Igenomix Foundation-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, BIMDC, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
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96
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Sebastian-Leon P, Devesa-Peiro A, Aleman A, Parraga-Leo A, Arnau V, Pellicer A, Diaz-Gimeno P. Transcriptional changes through menstrual cycle reveal a global transcriptional derepression underlying the molecular mechanism involved in the window of implantation. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6217366. [PMID: 33830236 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The human endometrium is a dynamic tissue that only is receptive to host the embryo during a brief time in the middle secretory phase, called the window of implantation (WOI). Despite its importance, regulation of the menstrual cycle remains incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to characterize the gene cooperation and regulation of menstrual cycle progression, to dissect the molecular complexity underlying acquisition of endometrial receptivity for a successful pregnancy, and to provide the scientific community with detailed gene co-expression information throughout the menstrual cycle on a user-friendly web-tool database. A retrospective gene co-expression analysis was performed based on the endometrial receptivity array (ERarray) gene signature from 523 human endometrial samples collected across the menstrual cycle, including during the WOI. Gene co-expression analysis revealed the WOI as having the significantly smallest proportion of negative correlations for transcriptional profiles associated with successful pregnancies compared to other cycle stages, pointing to a global transcriptional derepression being involved in acquisition of endometrial receptivity. Regulation was greatest during the transition between proliferative and secretory endometrial phases. Further, we prioritized nuclear hormone receptors as major regulators of this derepression and proved that some genes and transcription factors involved in this process were dysregulated in patients with recurrent implantation failure. We also compiled the wealth of gene co-expression data to stimulate hypothesis-driven single-molecule endometrial studies in a user-friendly database: Menstrual Cycle Gene Co-expression Network (www.menstrualcyclegcn.com). This study revealed a global transcriptional repression across the menstrual cycle, which relaxes when the WOI opens for transcriptional profiles associated with successful pregnancies. These findings suggest that a global transcriptional derepression is needed for embryo implantation and early development.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sebastian-Leon
- Department of Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Foundation-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Devesa-Peiro
- Department of Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Foundation-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Aleman
- Department of Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Foundation-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - A Parraga-Leo
- Department of Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Foundation-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - V Arnau
- Bioinformatics, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universidad de Valencia, Burjassot, Spain.,Institute for Integrative Systems Biology (I2SysBio), Universidad de Valencia-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), C/Catedrático Agustín Escardino Benlloch, Paterna, Spain
| | - A Pellicer
- Department of Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Foundation-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.,Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - P Diaz-Gimeno
- Department of Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Foundation-Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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97
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Zafir S, Zhou W, Menkhorst E, Santos L, Dimitriadis E. MAML1: a coregulator that alters endometrial epithelial cell adhesive capacity. FERTILITY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2021; 7:8. [PMID: 33773601 PMCID: PMC8004388 DOI: 10.1186/s40738-021-00100-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormalities in endometrial receptivity has been identified as a major barrier to successful embryo implantation. Endometrial receptivity refers to the conformational and biochemical changes occurring in the endometrial epithelial layer which make it adhesive and receptive to blastocyst attachment. This takes place during the mid-secretory phase of woman's menstrual cycle and is a result of a delicate interplay between numerous hormones, cytokines and other factors. Outside of this window, the endometrium is refractory to an implanting blastocyst. It has been shown that Notch ligands and receptors are dysregulated in the endometrium of infertile women. Mastermind Like Transcriptional Coactivator 1 (MAML1) is a known coactivator of the Notch signaling pathway. This study aimed to determine the role of MAML1 in regulating endometrial receptivity. METHODS The expression and localization of MAML1 in the fertile human endometrium (non-receptive proliferative phase versus receptive mid-secretory phase) were determined by immunohistochemistry. Ishikawa cells were used as an endometrial epithelial model to investigate the functional consequences of MAML1 knockdown on endometrial adhesive capacity to HTR8/SVneo (trophoblast cell line) spheroids. After MAML1 knockdown in Ishikawa cells, the expression of endometrial receptivity markers and Notch dependent and independent pathway members were assessed by qPCR. Two-tailed unpaired or paired student's t-test were used for statistical analysis with a significance threshold of P < 0.05. RESULTS MAML1 was localized in the luminal epithelium, glandular epithelium and stroma of human endometrium and the increased expression identified in the mid-secretory phase was restricted only to the luminal epithelium (P < 0.05). Functional analysis using Ishikawa cells demonstrated that knockdown of MAML1 significantly reduced epithelial adhesive capacity (P < 0.01) to HTR8/SVneo (trophoblast cell line) spheroids compared to control. MAML1 knockdown significantly affected the expression of classical receptivity markers (SPP1, DPP4) and this response was not directly via hormone receptors. The expression level of Hippo pathway target Ankyrin repeat domain-containing protein 1 (ANKRD1) was also affected after MAML1 knockdown in Ishikawa cells. CONCLUSION Our data strongly suggest that MAML1 is involved in regulating the endometrial adhesive capacity and may facilitate embryo attachment, either directly or indirectly through the Notch signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sadaf Zafir
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, The Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, The Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Ellen Menkhorst
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, The Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Leilani Santos
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia.,Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, The Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia. .,Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Level 7, The Royal Women's Hospital, 20 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
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98
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Devesa-Peiro A, Sebastian-Leon P, Pellicer A, Diaz-Gimeno P. Guidelines for biomarker discovery in endometrium: correcting for menstrual cycle bias reveals new genes associated with uterine disorders. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:gaab011. [PMID: 33576824 PMCID: PMC8063681 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcriptomic approaches are increasingly used in reproductive medicine to identify candidate endometrial biomarkers. However, it is known that endometrial progression in the molecular biology of the menstrual cycle is a main factor that could affect the discovery of disorder-related genes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically review current practices for considering the menstrual cycle effect and to demonstrate its bias in the identification of potential biomarkers. From the 35 studies meeting the criteria, 31.43% did not register the menstrual cycle phase. We analysed the menstrual cycle effect in 11 papers (including 12 studies) from Gene Expression Omnibus: three evaluating endometriosis, two evaluating recurrent implantation failure, one evaluating recurrent pregnancy loss, one evaluating uterine fibroids and five control studies, which collected endometrial samples throughout menstrual cycle. An average of 44.2% more genes were identified after removing menstrual cycle bias using linear models. This effect was observed even if studies were balanced in the proportion of samples collected at different endometrial stages or only in the mid-secretory phase. Our bias correction method increased the statistical power by retrieving more candidate genes than per-phase independent analyses. Thanks to this practice, we discovered 544 novel candidate genes for eutopic endometriosis, 158 genes for ectopic ovarian endometriosis and 27 genes for recurrent implantation failure. In conclusion, we demonstrate that menstrual cycle progression masks molecular biomarkers, provides new guidelines to unmask them and proposes a new classification that distinguishes between biomarkers of disorder or/and menstrual cycle progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Almudena Devesa-Peiro
- Department of Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Foundation, Valencia, Spain—Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia 46026, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia 46010, Spain
| | - Patricia Sebastian-Leon
- Department of Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Foundation, Valencia, Spain—Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia 46026, Spain
| | - Antonio Pellicer
- Department of Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Foundation, Valencia, Spain—Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia 46026, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Universidad de Valencia, Valencia 46010, Spain
- IVI-RMA IVI Rome, Reproductive medicine clinic, Largo Ildebrando Pizzetti, 1, Rome 00197, Italy
| | - Patricia Diaz-Gimeno
- Department of Genomic & Systems Reproductive Medicine, IVI-RMA IVI Foundation, Valencia, Spain—Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia 46026, Spain
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99
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Rai A, Poh QH, Fatmous M, Fang H, Gurung S, Vollenhoven B, Salamonsen LA, Greening DW. Proteomic profiling of human uterine extracellular vesicles reveal dynamic regulation of key players of embryo implantation and fertility during menstrual cycle. Proteomics 2021; 21:e2000211. [PMID: 33634576 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202000211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Endometrial extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as important players in reproductive biology. However, how their proteome is regulated throughout the menstrual cycle is not known. Such information can provide novel insights into biological processes critical for embryo development, implantation, and successful pregnancy. Using mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics, we show that small EVs (sEVs) isolated from uterine lavage of fertile women (UL-sEV), compared to infertile women, are laden with proteins implicated in antioxidant activity (SOD1, GSTO1, MPO, CAT). Functionally, sEVs derived from endometrial cells enhance antioxidant function in trophectoderm cells. Moreover, there was striking enrichment of invasion-related proteins (LGALS1/3, S100A4/11) in fertile UL-sEVs in the secretory (estrogen plus progesterone-driven, EP) versus proliferative (estrogen-driven, E) phase, with several players downregulated in infertile UL-sEVs. Consistent with this, sEVs from EP- versus E-primed endometrial epithelial cells promote invasion of trophectoderm cells. Interestingly, UL-sEVs from fertile versus infertile women carry known players/predictors of embryo implantation (PRDX2, IDHC), endometrial receptivity (S100A4, FGB, SERPING1, CLU, ANXA2), and implantation success (CAT, YWHAE, PPIA), highlighting their potential to inform regarding endometrial status/pregnancy outcomes. Thus, this study provides novel insights into proteome reprograming of sEVs and soluble secretome in uterine fluid, with potential to enhance embryo implantation and hence fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alin Rai
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Molecular Proteomics, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Qi Hui Poh
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Molecular Proteomics, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Monique Fatmous
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Molecular Proteomics, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
| | - Haoyun Fang
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Molecular Proteomics, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shanti Gurung
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Beverley Vollenhoven
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Monash IVF, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Women's and Newborn Program, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lois A Salamonsen
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - David W Greening
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Molecular Proteomics, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
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100
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RNA Sequencing of Decidua Reveals Differentially Expressed Genes in Recurrent Pregnancy Loss. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:2261-2269. [DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00482-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
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