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Zhao Y, Wang J, Qin W, Hu Q, Li J, Qin R, Ma N, Zheng F, Tian W, Jiang J, Huang J, Qin A. Dehydroepiandrosterone promotes ovarian angiogenesis and improves ovarian function in a rat model of premature ovarian insufficiency by up-regulating HIF-1α/VEGF signalling. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 49:103914. [PMID: 38917774 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2024.103914] [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: 10/08/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION What impact does dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) have on ovarian angiogenesis and function in a rat model of with premature ovarian insufficiency (POI), and what are the potential mechanisms of action? DESIGN DHEA was added to a culture of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) to investigate its effects on cell proliferation, migration and tube formation. A rat model of POI was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide, followed by continuous oral administration of DHEA or vehicle for 28 days. Ovarian angiogenesis, follicular growth and granulosa cell survival in ovarian tissues were assessed through haematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemistry and TdT (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase)-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL). The effect of DHEA on the fertility of rats with POI was evaluated in pregnant animals. The expression levels of characteristic genes and proteins in the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway was determined using quantitative reverse transcription PCR and western blotting. RESULTS In-vitro experiments revealed that DHEA stimulated the proliferation, migration and tube formation of HMEC-1. In in-vivo studies, DHEA treatment improved the disruption of the oestrous cycle and hormone imbalances in POI rats. Key genes in the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway exhibited up-regulated expression, promoting ovarian angiogenesis in POI rats, and enhancing follicular development and granulosa cell survival, thereby restoring fertility in rats. CONCLUSIONS DHEA can potentially restore ovarian function in rats with cyclophosphamide-induced POI by up-regulating HIF-1α/VEGF signalling, which promotes the growth of blood vessels in the ovaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunxiao Zhao
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, Nanning, China; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Guangxi, Guangxi, Nanning, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Weili Qin
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, Nanning, China
| | - Qianwen Hu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, Nanning, China
| | - Jiaxu Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, Nanning, China
| | - Rongyan Qin
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, Nanning, China
| | - Nana Ma
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, Nanning, China
| | - Fengque Zheng
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, Nanning, China
| | - Wencai Tian
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, Nanning, China
| | - Jinghang Jiang
- The Reproductive Medicine Center, Jingmen People's Hospital, JingChu University of Technology Affiliated Central Hospital, Jingmen, China.
| | - Jialv Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China.
| | - Aiping Qin
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, Nanning, China.
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Yang S, Jia Y, Wu Z, Fu B, Zhou S, Pires LV, Cheng JC, Fang L. Activation of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor stimulates placental human chorionic gonadotropin expression through PKA-CREB signaling. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 577:112033. [PMID: 37506871 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 07/22/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The placenta-secreted human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a hormone that plays a critical role in inducing ovarian progesterone production, which is required for maintaining normal pregnancy. The bioavailability of hCG depends on the expression of the beta-subunit of hCG (hCG-β) which is encoded by the chorionic gonadotropin beta (CGB) gene. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is a membrane estrogen receptor involved in non-genomic estrogen signaling. Estradiol (E2) has been shown to stimulate hCG production. However, the role of the GPER in regulating CGB expression remains unknown. In the present study, our results revealed that treatment with G1 upregulated CGB expression in two human choriocarcinoma cell lines, BeWo and JEG-3, and primary human cytotrophoblast cells. In addition, G1 treatment activated the cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB). Using a pharmacological inhibitor and siRNA-mediated knockdown approach, we showed that the stimulatory effect of G1 on CGB expression is mediated by the protein kinase A (PKA)-CREB signaling pathway. This study increases the understanding of the role of GPER in the human placenta. In addition, our results provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms that mediate hCG expression, which may lead to the development of alternative therapeutic approaches for treating placental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sizhu Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuanyuan Jia
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ze Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bingxin Fu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shenghui Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Leticia Vicosa Pires
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jung-Chien Cheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Lanlan Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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Zhang Z, Wu C, Yang J, Liu J, Yi Li, Liu L, Kong M, Zhang J, Jiang X. Hypoxic preconditioning promotes galvanotaxis of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells through NF-κB pathway. Heliyon 2022; 8:e12421. [PMID: 36643317 PMCID: PMC9834769 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e12421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Angiogenesis plays an important role in wound healing, especially in chronic wound. The directional migration of the human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) is the key regulation of angiogenesis. The wound healing can be regulated by numerous microenvironment factors including the electric fields, hypoxia and chemotaxis. During wound repair, the electric fields mediates the directional migration of cells and the hypoxia, which occurs immediately after injury, acts as an early stimulus to initiate the healing process. However, the mechanism of hypoxia and the endogenous electric fields coordinating to promote angiogenesis remain elusive. In this study, we observed the effect of hypoxia on the directional migration of HDMECs under electric fields. The galvanotaxis of HDMECs under the electric fields (200 mV/mm) was significantly improved, and the expression of VEGF/VEGFR2 was up-regulated after 4h of hypoxic preconditioning. In addition, the knockdown of VEGFR2 reversed the directivity of HDMECs promoted by hypoxia in the electric fields. Moreover, knockdown of VEGFR2 inhibited the migration directionality of HDMECs in the electric field after hypoxic preconditioning. Hypoxia decreased the activation of NF-κB in HDMECs. Activated NF-κB by fusicoccin decreased the expression of VEGFR2/VEGF and negatively regulated the migration direction of HDMECs in the electric fields. Enhancing the galvanotaxis response of cells might therefore be a clinically attractive approach to induce improved angiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Chao Wu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jinrui Yang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jie Liu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Yi Li
- Department of Plastic Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou, 730030, China
| | - Luojia Liu
- Department of Plastic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Meng Kong
- Department of Plastic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China
| | - Jiaping Zhang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China,Corresponding author.
| | - Xupin Jiang
- Department of Plastic Surgery, State Key Laboratory of Trauma, Burn and Combined Injury, Southwest Hospital, Army Medical University (Third Military Medical University), Chongqing 400038, China,Corresponding author.
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Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Early Embryogenesis: Review. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23031380. [PMID: 35163303 PMCID: PMC8835849 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23031380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) has four major isoforms: classical hCG, hyperglycosylated hCG, free β subunit, and sulphated hCG. Classical hCG is the first molecule synthesized by the embryo. Its RNA is transcribed as early as the eight-cell stage and the blastocyst produces the protein before its implantation. This review synthetizes everything currently known on this multi-effect hormone: hCG levels, angiogenetic activity, immunological actions, and effects on miscarriages and thyroid function.
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Korbecki J, Simińska D, Gąssowska-Dobrowolska M, Listos J, Gutowska I, Chlubek D, Baranowska-Bosiacka I. Chronic and Cycling Hypoxia: Drivers of Cancer Chronic Inflammation through HIF-1 and NF-κB Activation: A Review of the Molecular Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910701. [PMID: 34639040 PMCID: PMC8509318 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910701] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic (continuous, non-interrupted) hypoxia and cycling (intermittent, transient) hypoxia are two types of hypoxia occurring in malignant tumors. They are both associated with the activation of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), which induce changes in gene expression. This paper discusses in detail the mechanisms of activation of these two transcription factors in chronic and cycling hypoxia and the crosstalk between both signaling pathways. In particular, it focuses on the importance of reactive oxygen species (ROS), reactive nitrogen species (RNS) together with nitric oxide synthase, acetylation of HIF-1, and the action of MAPK cascades. The paper also discusses the importance of hypoxia in the formation of chronic low-grade inflammation in cancerous tumors. Finally, we discuss the effects of cycling hypoxia on the tumor microenvironment, in particular on the expression of VEGF-A, CCL2/MCP-1, CXCL1/GRO-α, CXCL8/IL-8, and COX-2 together with PGE2. These factors induce angiogenesis and recruit various cells into the tumor niche, including neutrophils and monocytes which, in the tumor, are transformed into tumor-associated neutrophils (TAN) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) that participate in tumorigenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Korbecki
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 Av., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (J.K.); (D.S.); (I.G.); (D.C.)
| | - Donata Simińska
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 Av., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (J.K.); (D.S.); (I.G.); (D.C.)
| | - Magdalena Gąssowska-Dobrowolska
- Department of Cellular Signalling, Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, Pawińskiego 5, 02-106 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Joanna Listos
- Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacodynamics, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 4a St., 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Izabela Gutowska
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 Av., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (J.K.); (D.S.); (I.G.); (D.C.)
| | - Dariusz Chlubek
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 Av., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (J.K.); (D.S.); (I.G.); (D.C.)
| | - Irena Baranowska-Bosiacka
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 Av., 70-111 Szczecin, Poland; (J.K.); (D.S.); (I.G.); (D.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-(91)-466-1515
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Kurowska P, Mlyczyńska E, Dawid M, Dupont J, Rak A. Role of vaspin in porcine ovary: effect on signaling pathways and steroid synthesis via GRP78 receptor and protein kinase A†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:1290-1305. [PMID: 32149334 PMCID: PMC7703729 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Vaspin, visceral-adipose-tissue-derived serine protease inhibitor, is involved in the development of obesity, insulin resistance, inflammation, and energy metabolism. Our previous study showed vaspin expression and its regulation in the ovary; however, the role of this adipokine in ovarian cells has never been studied. Here, we studied the in vitro effect of vaspin on various kinase-signaling pathways: mitogen-activated kinase (MAP3/1), serine/threonine kinase (AKT), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) protein kinase AMP (PRKAA1), protein kinase A (PKA), and on expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB2) as well as on steroid synthesis by porcine ovarian cells. By using western blot, we found that vaspin (1 ng/ml), in a time-dependent manner, increased phosphorylation of MAP3/1, AKT, STAT3, PRKAA1, and PKA, while it decreased the expression of NFKB2. We observed that vaspin, in a dose-dependent manner, increased the basal steroid hormone secretion (progesterone and estradiol), mRNA and protein expression of steroid enzymes using real-time PCR and western blot, respectively, and the mRNA of gonadotropins (FSHR, LHCGR) and steroids (PGR, ESR2) receptors. The stimulatory effect of vaspin on basal steroidogenesis was reversed when ovarian cells were cultured in the presence of a PKA pharmacological inhibitor (KT5720) and when GRP78 receptor was knocked down (siRNA). However, in the presence of insulin-like growth factor type 1 and gonadotropins, vaspin reduced steroidogenesis. Thus, vaspin, by activation of various signaling pathways and stimulation of basal steroid production via GRP78 receptor and PKA, could be a new regulator of porcine ovarian function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrycja Kurowska
- Department of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Ewa Mlyczyńska
- Department of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Monika Dawid
- Department of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
| | - Joelle Dupont
- Department of Animal Physiology and Livestock Systems, French National Institute for Agricultural Research-INRA, Nouzilly, France
| | - Agnieszka Rak
- Department of Physiology and Toxicology of Reproduction, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Krakow, Poland
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Fang L, Wang S, Han X, Gao Y, Li Y, Cheng JC, Sun YP. Amphiregulin stimulates human chorionic gonadotropin expression by inducing ERK1/2-mediated ID3 expression in trophoblast cells. Placenta 2021; 112:73-80. [PMID: 34329970 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.07.292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a dimer consisting of an α subunit and a β subunit which is encoded by the CGB gene and is unique to hCG. hCG is a hormone mainly synthesized by syncytiotrophoblast cells in the placenta, plays a critical role in stimulating progesterone production that is necessary for maintaining normal pregnancy in the early stage. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) belongs to the receptor tyrosine kinase family which has been shown to regulate various physiological and pathological events. In human chorionic villi and amniotic fluid, amphiregulin (AREG) is reported to be the most abundant EGFR ligand and can stimulate hCG expression. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. METHODS We use BeWo cells, the commonly used cell model for the hCG production of trophoblast cells, as an in vitro model. The effects of AREG on CGB expression and hCG secretion as well as the underlying mechanisms were explored by a series of in vitro experiments. RESULTS We show that treatment with AREG stimulates CGB expression and hCG secretion. Using pharmacological inhibitors, we show that the stimulatory effects of AREG on CGB expression and hCG secretion are mediated by the EGFR-activated ERK1/2 signaling pathways. In addition, the expression of inhibitor of DNA-binding protein 3 (ID3) is upregulated by AREG. Knockdown of ID3 attenuates the AREG-induced upregulation of CGB expression and hCG secretion. DISCUSSION This study provides important insights into the molecular mechanisms that mediate AREG-induced upregulation of hCG production in human trophoblast cells which may lead to the development of alternative therapeutic approaches for the treatment of placental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sijia Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China; Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiaoyu Han
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yibo Gao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuxi Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Jung-Chien Cheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Ying-Pu Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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Al-Rashed F, Sindhu S, Al Madhoun A, Ahmad Z, AlMekhled D, Azim R, Al-Kandari S, Wahid MAA, Al-Mulla F, Ahmad R. Elevated resting heart rate as a predictor of inflammation and cardiovascular risk in healthy obese individuals. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13883. [PMID: 34230580 PMCID: PMC8260607 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-93449-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The role of leukocyte inflammatory markers and toll like receptors (TLRs)2/4 in pathologies associated with elevated resting heart rate (RHR) levels in healthy obese (HO) individuals is not well elucidated. Herein, we investigated the relationship of RHR with expression of leukocyte-inflammatory markers and TLRs in HO individuals. 58-obese and 57-lean participants with no history of a major medical condition, were recruited in this study. In HO individuals, the elevated-RHR correlated positively with diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, pro-inflammatory monocytes CD11b+CD11c+CD206− phenotype (r = 0.52, P = 0.0003) as well as with activated T cells CD8+HLA-DR+ phenotype (r = 0.27, P = 0.039). No association was found between RHR and the percentage of CD16+CD11b+ neutrophils. Interestingly, elevated RHR positively correlated with cells expressing TLR4 and TLR2 (CD14+TLR4+, r = 0.51, P ≤ 0.0001; and CD14+TLR2+, r = 0.42, P = 0.001). TLR4+ expressing cells also associated positively with the plasma concentrations of proinflammatory or vascular permeability/matrix modulatory markers including TNF-α (r = 0.36, P = 0.005), VEGF (r = 0.47, P = 0.0002), and MMP-9 (r = 0.53, P ≤ 0.0001). Multiple regression revealed that RHR is independently associated with CD14+TLR4+ monocytes and VEGF. We conclude that in HO individuals, increased CD14+TLR4+ monocytes and circulatory VEGF levels associated independently with RHR, implying that RHR monitoring could be used as a non-invasive clinical indicator to identify healthy obese individuals at an increased risk of developing inflammation and cardiovascular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatema Al-Rashed
- Immunology and Microbiology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Al-Soor Street, P.O. Box 1180, 15462, Dasman, Kuwait
| | - Sardar Sindhu
- Animal and Imaging Core Facility, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait
| | - Ashraf Al Madhoun
- Animal and Imaging Core Facility, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait
| | - Zunair Ahmad
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Busaiteen, Bahrain
| | - Dawood AlMekhled
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Rafaat Azim
- Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Busaiteen, Bahrain
| | - Sarah Al-Kandari
- Immunology and Microbiology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Al-Soor Street, P.O. Box 1180, 15462, Dasman, Kuwait
| | | | - Fahd Al-Mulla
- Genetics and Bioinformatics Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Dasman, Kuwait
| | - Rasheed Ahmad
- Immunology and Microbiology Department, Dasman Diabetes Institute, Al-Soor Street, P.O. Box 1180, 15462, Dasman, Kuwait.
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Tang Z, Xu R, Zhang Z, Shi C, Zhang Y, Yang H, Lin Q, Liu Y, Lin F, Geng B, Wang Z. HIF-1α Protects Granulosa Cells From Hypoxia-Induced Apoptosis During Follicular Development by Inducing Autophagy. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:631016. [PMID: 33553188 PMCID: PMC7862574 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.631016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to the avascular structure of the ovarian follicle, proliferation of granulosa cells (GCs) and development of follicles occur under hypoxia, which is obviously different from the cell survival requirements of most mammalian cells. We hypothesized that autophagy may exert an inhibitory effect on GC apoptosis. To decipher the underlying mechanism, we constructed a rat follicular development model using pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and a cell culture experiment in hypoxic conditions (3% O2). The present results showed that the autophagy level was obviously increased and was accompanied by the concomitant elevation of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α and BNIP3 (Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B 19kDa-interacting protein 3) in GCs during follicular development. The levels of Bax (Bcl2-associated X) and Bcl-2 (B-cell lymphoma-2) were increased, while the activation of caspase-3 exhibited no obvious changes during follicular development. However, inhibition of HIF-1α attenuated the increase in Bcl-2 and promoted the increase in Bax and cleaved caspase-3. Furthermore, we observed the downregulation of BNIP3 and the decrease in autophagy after treatment with a specific HIF-1α activity inhibitor (echinomycin), indicating that HIF-1α/BNIP3 was involved in autophagy regulation in GCs in vivo. In an in vitro study, we also found that hypoxia did not obviously promote GC apoptosis, while it significantly enhanced the activation of HIF-1α/BNIP3 and the induction of autophagy. Expectedly, this effect could be reversed by 3-methyladenine (3-MA) treatment. Taken together, these findings demonstrated that hypoxia drives the activation of HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling, which induces an increase in autophagy, protecting GC from apoptosis during follicular development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghao Tang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Renfeng Xu
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhenghong Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Congjian Shi
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongqin Yang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qingqiang Lin
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yiping Liu
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Fengping Lin
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Baorong Geng
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhengchao Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
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10
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Tang Z, Zhang Z, Lin Q, Xu R, Chen J, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Tang Y, Shi C, Liu Y, Yang H, Wang Z. HIF-1α/BNIP3-Mediated Autophagy Contributes to the Luteinization of Granulosa Cells During the Formation of Corpus Luteum. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 8:619924. [PMID: 33537309 PMCID: PMC7848109 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.619924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During the luteinization after ovulation in mammalian ovary, the containing cells undergo an energy consuming function re-determination process to differentiate into luteal cells under avascular environment. Previous evidences have delineated the contribution of autophagy to the cell differentiation and the catabolic homeostasis in various types of mammalian cells, whereas few interest had been focused on the involvement of autophagy in the luteinization of granulosa cells during the formation of early corpus luteum. Herein, the present study investigated that expression and contribution of autophagy during granulosa cell luteinization and early luteal development through in vivo and in vitro experiments. The results clearly demonstrated that HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated autophagy plays a vital role in the luteinization of granulosa cells during the early luteal formation in vivo and in vitro. In the neonatal corpus luteum, HIF-1α up-regulated BNIP3 expressions, which contributed to the autophagic initiation by disrupting beclin1 from Bcl-2/beclin1 complex and protected cells from apoptosis by curbing the skew of mitochondria balance under avascular niche. Notably, Inhibition of HIF-1α activity by echinomycin enhanced the levels of cytoplasmic cytochrome c and cell apoptosis in the nascent corpus luteum. These findings revealed that HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated autophagy enabled the process of granulosa cell luteinization and protected the granulosa-lutein cells from further apoptosis under hypoxia niche. To our knowledge, the present study firstly clarified that HIF-1α/BNIP3-mediated autophagy contributes to the luteinization of granulosa cells during the formation of pregnant corpus luteum, which will help us further understanding the luteal biology and provide us new clues for the treatment of luteal insufficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zonghao Tang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.,Key Laboratory of Medical Electrophysiology of Ministry of Education and Sichuan Province, Drug Discovery Research Center, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Zhenghong Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Qingqiang Lin
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Renfeng Xu
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jiajie Chen
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.,Department of Pharmacological and Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, University of Houston, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Yuhua Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yedong Tang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China.,Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Congjian Shi
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yiping Liu
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Hongqin Yang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zhengchao Wang
- Provincial Key Laboratory for Developmental Biology and Neurosciences, Provincial University Key Laboratory of Sport and Health Science, Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Science and Technology for Medicine of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Fujian Normal University, Fuzhou, China
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11
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Gridelet V, Perrier d'Hauterive S, Polese B, Foidart JM, Nisolle M, Geenen V. Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin: New Pleiotropic Functions for an "Old" Hormone During Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2020; 11:343. [PMID: 32231662 PMCID: PMC7083149 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) is the first specific molecule synthesized by the embryo. hCG RNA is transcribed as early as the eight-cell stage, and the blastocyst produces the protein before its implantation. hCG in the uterine microenvironment binds with its cognate receptor, luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR), on the endometrial surface. This binding stimulates leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) production and inhibits interleukin-6 (IL-6) production by epithelial cells of the endometrium. These effects ensure essential help in the preparation of the endometrium for initial embryo implantation. hCG also effects angiogenic and immunomodulatory actions as reported in many articles by our laboratories and other ones. By stimulating angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, hCG provides the placenta with an adequate maternal blood supply and optimal embryo nutrition during the invasion of the uterine endometrium. The immunomodulatory properties of hCG are numerous and important for programming maternal immune tolerance toward the embryo. The reported effects of hCG on uterine NK, Treg, and B cells, three major cell populations for the maintenance of pregnancy, demonstrate the role of this embryonic signal as a crucial immune regulator in the course of pregnancy. Human embryo rejection for hCG-related immunological reasons has been studied in different ways, and a sufficient dose of hCG seems to be necessary to maintain maternal tolerance. Different teams have studied the addition of hCG in patients suffering from recurrent miscarriages or implantation failures. hCG could also have a beneficial or a negative impact on autoimmune diseases during pregnancy. In this review, we will discuss the immunological impacts of hCG during pregnancy and if this hormone might be used therapeutically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginie Gridelet
- GIGA-I3 Center of Immunoendocrinology GIGA Research Institute, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
- Center for Assisted Medical Procreation, University of Liège, CHR Citadelle, Liège, Belgium
| | - Sophie Perrier d'Hauterive
- GIGA-I3 Center of Immunoendocrinology GIGA Research Institute, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
- Center for Assisted Medical Procreation, University of Liège, CHR Citadelle, Liège, Belgium
| | - Barbara Polese
- GIGA-I3 Center of Immunoendocrinology GIGA Research Institute, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
| | - Jean-Michel Foidart
- Laboratory of Tumor and Development Biology, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Michelle Nisolle
- Center for Assisted Medical Procreation, University of Liège, CHR Citadelle, Liège, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHR Citadelle, University of Liège, Liège, Belgium
| | - Vincent Geenen
- GIGA-I3 Center of Immunoendocrinology GIGA Research Institute, University of Liege, Liege, Belgium
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12
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Lu E, Li C, Wang J, Zhang C. Inflammation and angiogenesis in the corpus luteum. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2019; 45:1967-1974. [PMID: 31373134 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Angiogenesis is a very important process that helps establish and maintain the normal structure and function of the corpus luteum (CL). Early luteal development can be considered a kind of physiological injury with an inflammatory response; therefore, the inflammatory response may play an important role in the luteal angiogenesis. The inflammatory response is companied by activated leukocytes and their mediators. For luteal tissue, numerous activated leukocytes such as macrophages, neutrophils and eosinophils are present in the early luteal phase and are widely involved in neovascularization. The objective of this review is to describe the role of the inflammatory factors in the angiogenesis and to discuss their mechanism. Knowledge of action and mechanism of these inflammatory factors on angiogenic activity will be beneficial for the understanding of luteal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enhang Lu
- Joint Programme of Nanchang University and Queen Mary University of London, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chunjie Li
- Forth Clinical College, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Chunping Zhang
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
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