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Nadri P, Nadri T, Gholami D, Zahmatkesh A, Hosseini Ghaffari M, Savvulidi Vargova K, Georgijevic Savvulidi F, LaMarre J. Role of miRNAs in assisted reproductive technology. Gene 2024; 927:148703. [PMID: 38885817 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148703] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Cellular proteins and the mRNAs that encode them are key factors in oocyte and sperm development, and the mechanisms that regulate their translation and degradation play an important role during early embryogenesis. There is abundant evidence that expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is crucial for embryo development and are highly involved in regulating translation during oocyte and early embryo development. MiRNAs are a group of short (18-24 nucleotides) non-coding RNA molecules that regulate post-transcriptional gene silencing. The miRNAs are secreted outside the cell by embryos during preimplantation embryo development. Understanding regulatory mechanisms involving miRNAs during gametogenesis and embryogenesis will provide insights into molecular pathways active during gamete formation and early embryo development. This review summarizes recent findings regarding multiple roles of miRNAs in molecular signaling, plus their transport during gametogenesis and embryo preimplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Nadri
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Touba Nadri
- Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran; Department of Animal Science, College of Agriculture, Tehran University, Karaj, Iran.
| | - Dariush Gholami
- Department of Microbial Biotechniligy, Faculty of Biotechnology, Amol University of Special Modern Technologies, Amol, Iran
| | - Azadeh Zahmatkesh
- Department of Anaerobic Vaccine Research and Production, Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute (RVSRI), Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | | | - Karin Savvulidi Vargova
- Institute of Pathological Physiology, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Filipp Georgijevic Savvulidi
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agrobiology, Food and Natural Resources, Czech University, Prague, Kamýcká, Czech Republic
| | - Jonathan LaMarre
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Canada
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2
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Pasquariello R, Pennarossa G, Arcuri S, Fernandez-Fuertes B, Lonergan P, Brevini TAL, Gandolfi F. Sperm fertilizing ability in vitro influences bovine blastocyst miRNA content. Theriogenology 2024; 222:1-9. [PMID: 38581760 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.03.016] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small highly conserved non-coding RNA molecules that orchestrate a wide range of biological processes through post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. During development, miRNAs play a key role in driving embryo patterning and morphogenesis in a specific and stage-dependent manner. Here, we investigated whether sperm from bulls with different fertilizing ability in vitro influence blastocyst quality and miRNA content. Results demonstrate that blastocysts obtained using sperm from high fertility sires (H group) display significantly greater cleavage and blastocyst development as well as greater transcript abundance in blastocysts for the developmental competence markers CDX2, KRT8, NANOG, OCT4, PLAC8, PTGS2, SOX17, and SOX2, compared to blastocysts generated using sperm from low fertility sires (L group). In parallel, high throughput deep sequencing and differential expression studies revealed that H blastocysts exhibit a greater miRNA content compared to L blastocysts, with hsa-miR-4755-5p and hsa-miR-548d-3p uniquely detected in the H group, and greater abundance of hsa-miR-1225-3p in the H group. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analyses indicated that the 3 differentially expressed miRNAs identified are involved in the regulation of many biological mechanisms with a key role in aspects of early embryo development, including transcriptional regulation, cellular biosynthesis, nucleic acid metabolism, cellular differentiation, apoptosis, cytoskeleton remodeling, cell-to-cell interactions, and endocytosis. Overall, our results indicate that sperm fertilizing ability influences blastocyst developmental ability and miRNA content. In addition, we demonstrate an association between blastocyst quality and miRNA content, thus suggesting the possibility to score miRNA expression as biomarkers for improved routine embryo selection technologies to support assisted reproductive efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rolando Pasquariello
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Georgia Pennarossa
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology and Tissue Engineering, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Center for Stem Cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Sharon Arcuri
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology and Tissue Engineering, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Center for Stem Cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Beatriz Fernandez-Fuertes
- Animal Reproduction Department, National Institute for Agricultural and Food Research and Technology (INIA), Madrid, Spain
| | - Patrick Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Tiziana A L Brevini
- Laboratory of Biomedical Embryology and Tissue Engineering, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Center for Stem Cell Research, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Fulvio Gandolfi
- Department of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences - Production, Landscape, Agroenergy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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3
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Kretschmer M, Fischer V, Gapp K. When Dad's Stress Gets under Kid's Skin-Impacts of Stress on Germline Cargo and Embryonic Development. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1750. [PMID: 38136621 PMCID: PMC10742275 DOI: 10.3390/biom13121750] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple lines of evidence suggest that paternal psychological stress contributes to an increased prevalence of neuropsychiatric and metabolic diseases in the progeny. While altered paternal care certainly plays a role in such transmitted disease risk, molecular factors in the germline might additionally be at play in humans. This is supported by findings on changes to the molecular make up of germ cells and suggests an epigenetic component in transmission. Several rodent studies demonstrate the correlation between paternal stress induced changes in epigenetic modifications and offspring phenotypic alterations, yet some intriguing cases also start to show mechanistic links in between sperm and the early embryo. In this review, we summarise efforts to understand the mechanism of intergenerational transmission from sperm to the early embryo. In particular, we highlight how stress alters epigenetic modifications in sperm and discuss the potential for these modifications to propagate modified molecular trajectories in the early embryo to give rise to aberrant phenotypes in adult offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Kretschmer
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience, ETH Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; (M.K.); (V.F.)
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Vincent Fischer
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience, ETH Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; (M.K.); (V.F.)
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Katharina Gapp
- Laboratory of Epigenetics and Neuroendocrinology, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience, ETH Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland; (M.K.); (V.F.)
- Neuroscience Center Zurich, ETH Zürich and University of Zürich, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
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4
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Hawke DC, Watson AJ, Betts DH. Selecting Normalizers for MicroRNA RT-qPCR Expression Analysis in Murine Preimplantation Embryos and the Associated Conditioned Culture Media. J Dev Biol 2023; 11:jdb11020017. [PMID: 37092479 PMCID: PMC10123758 DOI: 10.3390/jdb11020017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Normalizing RT-qPCR miRNA datasets that encompass numerous preimplantation embryo stages requires the identification of miRNAs that may be used as stable reference genes. A need has also arisen for the normalization of the accompanying conditioned culture media as extracellular miRNAs may serve as biomarkers of embryo developmental competence. Here, we evaluate the stability of six commonly used miRNA normalization candidates, as well as small nuclear U6, using five different means of evaluation (BestKeeper, NormFinder, geNorm, the comparative Delta Ct method and RefFinder comprehensive analysis) to assess their stability throughout murine preimplantation embryo development from the oocyte to the late blastocyst stages, both in whole embryos and the associated conditioned culture media. In descending order of effectiveness, miR-16, miR-191 and miR-106 were identified as the most stable individual reference miRNAs for developing whole CD1 murine preimplantation embryos, while miR-16, miR-106 and miR-103 were ideal for the conditioned culture media. Notably, the widely used U6 reference was among the least appropriate for normalizing both whole embryo and conditioned media miRNA datasets. Incorporating multiple reference miRNAs into the normalization basis via a geometric mean was deemed beneficial, and combinations of each set of stable miRNAs are further recommended, pending validation on a per experiment basis.
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Affiliation(s)
- David C. Hawke
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology & Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Children’s Health Research Institute—Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
| | - Andrew J. Watson
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology & Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Children’s Health Research Institute—Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
| | - Dean H. Betts
- Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology & Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Western University, London, ON N6A 3K7, Canada
- Children’s Health Research Institute—Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON N6C 2R5, Canada
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5
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Jian O, MengXia N, Shiyu X, QingXia M, QinYan Z, Jie D, Wei W, Jiaojiao W, Hong L, Yining H. MiR-145 is upregulated in the retarded preimplantation embryos and modulates cholesterol levels in mice preimplantation embryos through targeting Abca1. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:168. [PMID: 36510317 PMCID: PMC9743540 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-01044-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preimplantation embryonic lethality is a driver of female infertility. Certain microRNAs (miRNAs) have previously been demonstrated to play important roles in the regulation of embryogenesis. METHODS Normally developing blastocysts and arrested embryos were collected from patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), and the expression of specific miRNAs therein was evaluated by qPCR. The overexpression of target molecule miR-145 in early mice embryos was achieved via oocyte microinjection, enabling the subsequent monitoring of how such overexpression impacted embryonic development. Bioinformatics approaches were utilized to identify putative miR-145 target mRNAs, and luciferase reporter assessments were implemented to confirm the ability of miR-145 to regulate Abca1 in HEK293T cells. The functional relationship between miR-145 and Abca1 in the mice's embryonic development was then confirmed through rescue assays. RESULTS Abnormally increased miR-145 expression was observed in patients' arrested embryos, and the exogenous overexpression of this miRNA significantly suppressed mural blastocyst formation. Mechanistically, miR-145 was found to bind to the 3'-untranslated area of the Abca1 mRNA in HK293T cells, thus suppressing its expression and increasing embryonic cholesterol levels. In line with the importance of these cholesterol levels to embryogenesis, the upregulation of Abca1 was sufficient to rescue the observed change in cholesterol levels and the associated retardation of mice embryonic development that occurred in response to the overexpression of miR-145. CONCLUSION The regulatory dynamics of the miR-145/Abca1 axis play an important role in shaping normal embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ou Jian
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ni MengXia
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xing Shiyu
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Meng QingXia
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zou QinYan
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ding Jie
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wang Wei
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
| | - Wan Jiaojiao
- Peking Jabrehoo Med-Tech Co., Ltd, No. 19 Tianrong Road, Daxing Bio-medicine Industry Park, Daxing District, Peking, 102629, China
| | - Li Hong
- Center for Reproduction and Genetics, Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Huang Yining
- Peking Jabrehoo Med-Tech Co., Ltd, No. 19 Tianrong Road, Daxing Bio-medicine Industry Park, Daxing District, Peking, 102629, China.
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6
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Esmaeilivand M, Abedelahi A, Hamdi K, Farzadi L, Goharitaban S, Fattahi A, Niknafs B. Role of miRNAs in preimplantation embryo development and their potential as embryo selection biomarkers. Reprod Fertil Dev 2022; 34:589-597. [PMID: 35440361 DOI: 10.1071/rd21274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play different roles in oocyte fertilisation, degradation of maternal transcripts, embryo development, and implantation. During in vitro fertilisation (IVF), different miRNAs are released from embryos into the spent culture media (SCM) that can potentially reflect the status of the embryo. AIMS This study is the assessment of miRNAs, which secreted in SCM during the IVF cycles can be used as noninvasive biomarkers to predict an embryo's ability to form a blastocyst, implant, and give live birth. METHODS Systematic literature search was conducted to review all recent studies about miRNAs as potential non-invasive biomarkers for selecting the best embryos in the assisted reproductive technology (ART) cycle. KEY RESULTS Studies have shown that levels of some miRNAs in the SCM have an association with the implantation potential and pregnancy outcome of the embryo. CONCLUSIONS Embryo-secreted miRNAs can be used as potential non-invasive biomarkers for selecting the best embryos in the ART cycle. Unfortunately, few human studies evaluated the association between ART outcomes and miRNAs in SCM. IMPLICATIONS This review can pave the way for further miRNAs transcriptomic studies on human embryo culture media and introducing a specific miRNA profile as a multivariable prediction model for embryo selection in IVF cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Esmaeilivand
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran; and Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Abedelahi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Kobra Hamdi
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Laya Farzadi
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sepide Goharitaban
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran; and Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Fattahi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran; and Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; and Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behrooz Niknafs
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran; and Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; and Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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7
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Global MicroRNA Expression Profiling of Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) Embryos at Different Developmental Stages Produced by Somatic Cell Nuclear Transfer and In-Vitro Fertilization Using RNA Sequencing. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13030453. [PMID: 35328007 PMCID: PMC8952793 DOI: 10.3390/genes13030453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 02/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite the success of cloning technology in the production of offspring across several species, its application on a wide scale is severely limited by the very low offspring rate obtained with cloned embryos. The expression profile of microRNAs (miRNAs) in cloned embryos throughout embryonic development is reported to deviate from regular patterns. The present study is aimed at determining the dynamics of the global expression of miRNA profile in cloned and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) pre-implantation embryos at different developmental stages, i.e., the two-cell, eight-cell, and blastocyst stages, using next-generation sequencing. The results of this study suggest that there is a profound difference in global miRNA profile between cloned and IVF embryos. These differences are manifested throughout the course of embryonic development. The cloned embryos differ from their IVF counterparts in enriched Gene Ontology (GO) terms of biological process, molecular function, cellular component, and protein class categories in terms of the targets of differentially expressed miRNAs. The major pathways related to embryonic development, such as the Wnt signaling pathway, the apoptosis signaling pathway, the FGF signaling pathway, the p53 pathway, etc., were found to be affected in cloned relative to IVF embryos. Overall, these data reveal the distinct miRNA profile of cloned relative to IVF embryos, suggesting that the molecules or pathways affected may play an important role in cloned embryo development.
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Sarwalia P, Raza M, Soni A, Dubey P, Chandel R, Kumar R, Kumaresan A, Onteru SK, Pal A, Singh K, Iquebal MA, Jaiswal S, Kumar D, Datta TK. Establishment of Repertoire of Placentome-Associated MicroRNAs and Their Appearance in Blood Plasma Could Identify Early Establishment of Pregnancy in Buffalo ( Bubalus bubalis). Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:673765. [PMID: 34513824 PMCID: PMC8427669 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.673765] [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: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 07/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Precise early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy animals is of utmost importance for an efficient dairy production system. Not detecting a dairy animal pregnant sufficiently early after the breeding results to extending the unproductive time of their milk production cycle and causes substantial economic loss for a dairy producer. At present, the most conventional and authentic pregnancy confirmation practice in cows and buffaloes is rectal palpation of the reproductive organs at Days 35–40 after insemination, which sometime leads to considering an animal as false pregnant. Other alternative methods available for early pregnancy diagnosis lack either accuracy or reproducibility or require elaborate instrumentation and laboratory setup not feasible to practice at farmers’ doorstep. The present study was aimed at establishment of the microRNA (miRNA) repertoire of the placentome in buffaloes, which could capture the event of the cross talk between a growing embryo and a dam, through fetal cotyledons and maternal caruncles, and thus could hint at the early pregnancy establishment event in ruminants. Total RNA was isolated from buffalo placentome tissues during early stages of pregnancy (at Day < 25 and Days 30–35), and global small RNA analysis was performed by using Illumina single-end read chemistry and Bubalus bubalis genome. A total of 2,199 miRNAs comprising 1,620 conserved and 579 non-conserved miRNAs were identified. Stringent functional miRNA selection criteria could predict 20 miRNAs worth evaluating for their abundance in the plasma of pregnant, non-pregnant, cyclic non-bred, and non-cyclic prepubertal animals. Eight of them (viz., miR-195-5p, miR-708-3p, miR-379-5p, miR-XX1, miR-XX2, miR-130a-3p, miR-200a-3p, and miR-27) displayed typical abundance patterns in the plasma samples of the animals on Day 19 as well as Day 25 post-insemination, thus making them ambiguous candidates for early pregnancy detection. Similarly, higher abundance of miR-200a-3p and miR130a-3p in non-pregnant animals was indicative of their utility for detecting the animals as not pregnant. Most interestingly, miR-XX1 and miR-XX2 were very characteristically abundant only in pregnant animals. In silico target prediction analysis confirmed that these two miRNAs are important regulators of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and cell adhesion molecule-2 (CADM-2), both of which play a significant role in the implantation process during feto-maternal cross talk. We interpret that circulatory miR-XX1 and miR-XX2 in blood plasma could be the potential biomarkers for early pregnancy detection in buffaloes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parul Sarwalia
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Mustafa Raza
- Centre for Agricultural Bioinformatics, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Apoorva Soni
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Pratiksha Dubey
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India.,Biological Science Laboratory, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Mohali, India
| | - Rajeev Chandel
- Animal Biochemistry Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - A Kumaresan
- Theriogenology Laboratory, SRS of National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Suneel Kumar Onteru
- Animal Biochemistry Division, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Ankit Pal
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Kalpana Singh
- Centre for Agricultural Bioinformatics, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Mir Asif Iquebal
- Centre for Agricultural Bioinformatics, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Sarika Jaiswal
- Centre for Agricultural Bioinformatics, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - Dinesh Kumar
- Centre for Agricultural Bioinformatics, Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi, India
| | - T K Datta
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
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Building Pluripotency Identity in the Early Embryo and Derived Stem Cells. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082049. [PMID: 34440818 PMCID: PMC8391114 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The fusion of two highly differentiated cells, an oocyte with a spermatozoon, gives rise to the zygote, a single totipotent cell, which has the capability to develop into a complete, fully functional organism. Then, as development proceeds, a series of programmed cell divisions occur whereby the arising cells progressively acquire their own cellular and molecular identity, and totipotency narrows until when pluripotency is achieved. The path towards pluripotency involves transcriptome modulation, remodeling of the chromatin epigenetic landscape to which external modulators contribute. Both human and mouse embryos are a source of different types of pluripotent stem cells whose characteristics can be captured and maintained in vitro. The main aim of this review is to address the cellular properties and the molecular signature of the emerging cells during mouse and human early development, highlighting similarities and differences between the two species and between the embryos and their cognate stem cells.
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10
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Hawke DC, Watson AJ, Betts DH. Extracellular vesicles, microRNA and the preimplantation embryo: non-invasive clues of embryo well-being. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 42:39-54. [PMID: 33303367 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.11.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Revised: 11/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Elective single embryo transfer is rapidly becoming the standard of care in assisted reproductive technology for patients under the age of 35 years with a good prognosis. Clinical pregnancy rates have become increasingly dependent on the selection of a single viable embryo for transfer, and diagnostic techniques facilitating this selection continue to develop. Current progress in elucidating the extracellular vesicle and microRNA components of the embryonic secretome is reviewed, and the potential for these findings to improve clinical embryo selection discussed. Key results have shown that extracellular vesicles and microRNAs are rapidly detectable constituents of the embryonic secretome. Evidence suggests that the vesicular population is largely exosomal in nature, secreted at all stages of preimplantation development and capable of traversing the zona pellucida. Both extracellular vesicle and microRNA concentrations within the secretome are elevated for blastocysts with diminished developmental competence, as indicated either by degeneracy or implantation failure, whereas studies have yet to firmly correlate individual microRNA sequences with pregnancy outcome. These emerging correlations support the viability of extracellular vesicles and microRNAs as the basis for a new diagnostic test to supplement or replace morphokinetic assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Connor Hawke
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute; Lawson Health Research Institute, London Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew John Watson
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute; Lawson Health Research Institute, London Ontario, Canada
| | - Dean Harvey Betts
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada; Children's Health Research Institute; Lawson Health Research Institute, London Ontario, Canada.
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11
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Tan Q, Shi S, Liang J, Cao D, Wang S, Wang Z. Endometrial cell-derived small extracellular vesicle miR-100-5p promotes functions of trophoblast during embryo implantation. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 23:217-231. [PMID: 33376629 PMCID: PMC7758458 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.10.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Communication between maternal uterus and blastocyst occurs in the early stages of pregnancy, and the interaction influences the success of embryo implantation. Whereas small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) play an essential role in mediating intercellular communication in numerous biological processes, their role in embryo implantation during the window of implantation (WOI) remains poorly defined. Here, we report that endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) secrete sEVs during early pregnancy, which affects the trophoblast behaviors (migration, invasion, and proliferation), thus influencing embryo implantation. We show that microRNA (miR)-100-5p, sEVs containing microRNA (miRNA), activates both focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), as well as contributes to trophoblast migration and invasion. Furthermore, our findings indicate that the sEV miR-100-5p promotes angiogenesis during the implantation process. In conclusion, this study reveals a novel mechanism by which EEC-derived sEV miR-100-5p crosstalks with trophoblasts, leading to an enhanced ability for implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Tan
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Shuang Shi
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Jingjie Liang
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Dingren Cao
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Shaoyu Wang
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China
| | - Zhengguang Wang
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, PR China.,Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University, Sanya 572000, PR China
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12
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Salazar‐Roa M, Trakala M, Álvarez‐Fernández M, Valdés‐Mora F, Zhong C, Muñoz J, Yu Y, Peters TJ, Graña‐Castro O, Serrano R, Zapatero‐Solana E, Abad M, Bueno MJ, de Cedrón MG, Fernández‐Piqueras J, Serrano M, Blasco MA, Wang D, Clark SJ, Izpisua‐Belmonte JC, Ortega S, Malumbres M. Transient exposure to miR-203 enhances the differentiation capacity of established pluripotent stem cells. EMBO J 2020; 39:e104324. [PMID: 32614092 PMCID: PMC7429746 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2019104324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Full differentiation potential along with self-renewal capacity is a major property of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs). However, the differentiation capacity frequently decreases during expansion of PSCs in vitro. We show here that transient exposure to a single microRNA, expressed at early stages during normal development, improves the differentiation capacity of already-established murine and human PSCs. Short exposure to miR-203 in PSCs (miPSCs) induces a transient expression of 2C markers that later results in expanded differentiation potency to multiple lineages, as well as improved efficiency in tetraploid complementation and human-mouse interspecies chimerism assays. Mechanistically, these effects are at least partially mediated by direct repression of de novo DNA methyltransferases Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b, leading to transient and reversible erasure of DNA methylation. These data support the use of transient exposure to miR-203 as a versatile method to reset the epigenetic memory in PSCs, and improve their effectiveness in regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Salazar‐Roa
- Cell Division and Cancer GroupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Marianna Trakala
- Cell Division and Cancer GroupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | | | - Fátima Valdés‐Mora
- Epigenetics Research Program, Genomics and Epigenetics DivisionGarvan Institute of Medical ResearchSydneyNSWAustralia
- St. Vincent's Clinical SchoolUNSW, SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | - Cuiqing Zhong
- Gene Expression LaboratoryThe Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaCAUSA
| | | | - Yang Yu
- Gene Expression LaboratoryThe Salk Institute for Biological StudiesLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Timothy J Peters
- Epigenetics Research Program, Genomics and Epigenetics DivisionGarvan Institute of Medical ResearchSydneyNSWAustralia
| | | | | | | | | | - María José Bueno
- Cell Division and Cancer GroupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - Marta Gómez de Cedrón
- Cell Division and Cancer GroupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
| | - José Fernández‐Piqueras
- Centro de Biología Molecular Severo Ochoa (CBMSO)Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas‐Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CSIC‐UAM)MadridSpain
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red para Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER)Instituto de Salud Carlos IIIMadridSpain
- Instituto de Investigación BiosanitariaFundación Jimenez DíazMadridSpain
| | - Manuel Serrano
- Tumor Suppression GroupCNIOMadridSpain
- Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona)The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)BarcelonaSpain
- Catalan Institution for Research and Advanced Studies (ICREA)BarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Da‐Zhi Wang
- Cardiovascular Research DivisionBoston Children′s HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMAUSA
| | - Susan J Clark
- Epigenetics Research Program, Genomics and Epigenetics DivisionGarvan Institute of Medical ResearchSydneyNSWAustralia
- St. Vincent's Clinical SchoolUNSW, SydneySydneyNSWAustralia
| | | | | | - Marcos Malumbres
- Cell Division and Cancer GroupSpanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO)MadridSpain
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13
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Dehghan Z, Mohammadi-Yeganeh S, Salehi M. MiRNA-155 regulates cumulus cells function, oocyte maturation, and blastocyst formation. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:548-559. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Numerous oocytes are retrieved during in vitro fertilization from patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The poor quality of these oocytes leads to lower fertilization and decreases in cleavage and implantation. MiR-155 is one of the microRNA (miRNA) that is increased in serum and granulosa cells of PCOS patients. In this study, we investigate the effects of miR-155 expression and its target genes on oocyte maturation and embryo development. We used the calcium phosphate protocol to transfect vectors that contained miR-155 or miR-off 155 and alone eGFP into cumulus oophorus complex (COCs) of B6D2F1 female mice for in vitro maturation. Cumulus expansion, nuclear, and cytoplasmic maturation, as well as cleavage rates were determined in groups transfected and compared with the control groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze expression levels of miR-155 and the target genes in the cumulus cells, oocytes, and blastocysts. MiR-155 overexpression in COCs suppressed cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation, and inhibition of endogenous miR-155 by miR-off 155 improved cumulus expansion and oocyte maturation by downregulation and expression increase of the Smad2 and Bcl2 genes. On the other hand, overexpression and downregulation of miR-155 in the COCs led to increase and decrease in cleavage rates by changes in expressions of the Mecp2, Jarid2, and Notch1 genes, respectively (P < 0.05). These results suggested that miR-155 overexpression in granulosa cells of PCOS patients can negatively affect nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, but this miRNA expression has a positive impact on embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Dehghan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samira Mohammadi-Yeganeh
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Salehi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Urogenital Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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14
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Tan Q, Shi S, Liang J, Zhang X, Cao D, Wang Z. MicroRNAs in Small Extracellular Vesicles Indicate Successful Embryo Implantation during Early Pregnancy. Cells 2020; 9:cells9030645. [PMID: 32155950 PMCID: PMC7140406 DOI: 10.3390/cells9030645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 03/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Synchronous communication between the developing embryo and the receptive endometrium is crucial for embryo implantation. Thus, uterine receptivity evaluation is vital in managing recurrent implantation failure (RIF). The potential roles of small extracellular vesicle (sEV) miRNAs in pregnancy have been widely studied. However, the systematic study of sEVs derived from endometrium and its cargos during the implantation stage have not yet been reported. In this study, we isolated endometrium-derived sEVs from the mouse endometrium on D2 (pre-receptive phase), D4 (receptive phase), and D5 (implantation) of pregnancy. Herein, we reveal that multivesicular bodies (MVBs) in the endometrium increase in number during the window of implantation (WOI). Moreover, our findings indicate that CD63, a well-known sEV marker, is expressed in the luminal and glandular epithelium of mouse endometrium. The sEV miRNA expression profiles indicated that miR-34c-5p, miR-210, miR-369-5p, miR-30b, and miR-582-5p are enriched during WOI. Further, we integrated the RIF’s database analysis results and found out that miR-34c-5p regulates growth arrest specific 1 (GAS1) for normal embryo implantation. Notably, miR-34c-5p is downregulated during implantation but upregulated in sEVs. An implication of this is the possibility that sEVs miR-34c-5p could be used to evaluate uterine states. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the endometrium derived-sEV miRNAs are potential biomarkers in determining the appropriate period for embryo implantation. This study also has several important implications for future practice, including therapy of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Tan
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Q.T.); (S.S.); (J.L.); (D.C.)
| | - Shuang Shi
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Q.T.); (S.S.); (J.L.); (D.C.)
| | - Jingjie Liang
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Q.T.); (S.S.); (J.L.); (D.C.)
| | - Xiaowei Zhang
- Zhejiang Animal Husbandry Techniques Extension Station, Hangzhou 310020, China;
| | - Dingren Cao
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Q.T.); (S.S.); (J.L.); (D.C.)
| | - Zhengguang Wang
- College of Animal Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; (Q.T.); (S.S.); (J.L.); (D.C.)
- Correspondence:
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15
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Kamalidehghan B, Habibi M, Afjeh SS, Shoai M, Alidoost S, Almasi Ghale R, Eshghifar N, Pouresmaeili F. The Importance of Small Non-Coding RNAs in Human Reproduction: A Review Article. APPLICATION OF CLINICAL GENETICS 2020; 13:1-11. [PMID: 32021379 PMCID: PMC6956659 DOI: 10.2147/tacg.s207491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Background MicroRNAs (miRNA) play a key role in the regulation of gene expression through the translational suppression and control of post-transcriptional modifications. Aim Previous studies demonstrated that miRNAs conduct the pathways involved in human reproduction including maintenance of primordial germ cells (PGCs), spermatogenesis, oocyte maturation, folliculogenesis and corpus luteum function. The association of miRNA expression with infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), premature ovarian failure (POF), and repeated implantation failure (RIF) was previously revealed. Furthermore, there are evidences of the importance of miRNAs in embryonic development and implantation. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and miRNAs play an important role in the post-transcriptional regulatory processes of germ cells. Indeed, the investigation of small RNAs including miRNAs and piRNAs increase our understanding of the mechanisms involved in fertility. In this review, the current knowledge of microRNAs in embryogenesis and fertility is discussed. Conclusion Further research is necessary to provide new insights into the application of small RNAs in the diagnosis and therapeutic approaches to infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnam Kamalidehghan
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Habibi
- Central Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara S Afjeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Shoai
- Department of Molecular Neuroscience, UCL Institute of Neurology, London, UK
| | - Saeideh Alidoost
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Rouzbeh Almasi Ghale
- Department of Biology, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahal Eshghifar
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Advanced Science and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran and Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Farkhondeh Pouresmaeili
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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16
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Roles of MicroRNAs in Establishing and Modulating Stem Cell Potential. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20153643. [PMID: 31349654 PMCID: PMC6696000 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20153643] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 07/18/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Early embryonic development in mammals, from fertilization to implantation, can be viewed as a process in which stem cells alternate between self-renewal and differentiation. During this process, the fates of stem cells in embryos are gradually specified, from the totipotent state, through the segregation of embryonic and extraembryonic lineages, to the molecular and cellular defined progenitors. Most of those stem cells with different potencies in vivo can be propagated in vitro and recapitulate their differentiation abilities. Complex and coordinated regulations, such as epigenetic reprogramming, maternal RNA clearance, transcriptional and translational landscape changes, as well as the signal transduction, are required for the proper development of early embryos. Accumulated studies suggest that Dicer-dependent noncoding RNAs, including microRNAs (miRNAs) and endogenous small-interfering RNAs (endo-siRNAs), are involved in those regulations and therefore modulate biological properties of stem cells in vitro and in vivo. Elucidating roles of these noncoding RNAs will give us a more comprehensive picture of mammalian embryonic development and enable us to modulate stem cell potencies. In this review, we will discuss roles of miRNAs in regulating the maintenance and cell fate potential of stem cells in/from mouse and human early embryos.
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17
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Lin X, Beckers E, Mc Cafferty S, Gansemans Y, Joanna Szymańska K, Chaitanya Pavani K, Catani JP, Van Nieuwerburgh F, Deforce D, De Sutter P, Van Soom A, Peelman L. Bovine Embryo-Secreted microRNA-30c Is a Potential Non-invasive Biomarker for Hampered Preimplantation Developmental Competence. Front Genet 2019; 10:315. [PMID: 31024625 PMCID: PMC6459987 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, secreted microRNAs (miRNAs) have received a lot of attention since they may act as autocrine factors. However, how secreted miRNAs influence embryonic development is still poorly understood. We identified 294 miRNAs, 114 known, and 180 novel, in the conditioned medium of individually cultured bovine embryos. Of these miRNAs, miR-30c and miR-10b were much more abundant in conditioned medium of slow cleaving embryos compared to intermediate cleaving ones. MiR-10b, miR-novel-44, and miR-novel-45 were higher expressed in the conditioned medium of degenerate embryos compared to blastocysts, while the reverse was observed for miR-novel-113 and miR-novel-139. Supplementation of miR-30c mimics into the culture medium confirmed the uptake of miR-30c mimics by embryos and resulted in increased cell apoptosis, as also shown after delivery of miR-30c mimics in Madin-Darby bovine kidney cells (MDBKs). We also demonstrated that miR-30c directly targets Cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) through its 3′ untranslated region (3′-UTR) and inhibits its expression. Overexpression and downregulation of CDK12 revealed the opposite results of the delivery of miRNA-30c mimics and inhibitor. The significant down-regulation of several tested DNA damage response (DDR) genes, after increasing miR-30c or reducing CDK12 expression, suggests a possible role for miR-30c in regulating embryo development through DDR pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyuan Lin
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Evy Beckers
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Séan Mc Cafferty
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Yannick Gansemans
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | - João Portela Catani
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Petra De Sutter
- Department of Uro-Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Luc Peelman
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
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18
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Lu L, Wang X, Zhao H, Jiang F, Li Y, Yao Y, Shi C, Yang Y. MiR-291a/b-5p inhibits autophagy by targeting Atg5 and Becn1 during mouse preimplantation embryo development. RSC Adv 2019; 9:9331-9341. [PMID: 35517663 PMCID: PMC9062091 DOI: 10.1039/c9ra00017h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
microRNA-290 (miR-290) clusters are highly expressed in mouse preimplantation embryos, but their specific role and regulatory mechanisms in the development of mouse preimplantation embryos remain unclear. Here, we found that miR-291a-5p and miR-291b-5p, as mature microRNA molecules of miR-290 clusters, were dynamically expressed in mouse preimplantation embryos. The expression of miR-291a-5p and miR-291b-5p in mouse embryos increased during the 2–4-cell stages and was accompanied by the decreasing expression of the autophagy-related genes Atg5 and Becn1 in mRNA. Immunofluorescence studies showed that the formation of autophagosomes and autophagic lysosomes increased in the 1-cell stage, decreased in the 2-cell stage, and rapidly decreased during the 4–8-cell stage. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) also demonstrated that there were autophagosomes in the cytoplasm of fertilized eggs with a double-layer membrane structure, whereas this structure was not observed in the unfertilized oocyte cytoplasm. Moreover, miR-291a/b-5p inhibited the protein and mRNA expression of Atg5 and Becn1 in NIH/3T3 cells. A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that miR-291a/b-5p directly targeted the Atg5 and Becn1 genes. MiR-291a/b-5p repressed rapamycin-induced autophagy-related LC3-I to LC3-II conversion, ultimately inhibiting the formation of autophagosomes. Furthermore, the microinjection of mouse zygote cytoplasm with miR-291a-5p inhibitors increased the mRNA expression of Atg5 and Becn1 in mouse embryos and facilitated the first cleavage of mouse embryos and blastocyst formation. Our results suggest the important role of miR-291a/b-5p during mouse preimplantation embryo development. MiR-291a-5p and MiR-291b-5p, was dynamically expressed and inhibited autophagy by targeting Atg5 and Becn 1 during mouse preimplantation embryo development.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Linshan Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an Shaanxi China
| | - Xiaohong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an Shaanxi China
| | - Hongxi Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an Shaanxi China
| | - Feng Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an Shaanxi China
| | - Yanhong Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an Shaanxi China
| | - Yuanqing Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital Beijing China
| | - Changhong Shi
- Laboratory Animals Center, The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an Shaanxi China
| | - Yanhong Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tangdu Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University Xi'an Shaanxi China
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19
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Wang JL, Zhang C, Liu B, Huang XM, Dai JG, Tian JH, Gao JM. Function of berberine on porcine in vitro fertilization embryo development and differential expression analysis of microRNAs. Reprod Domest Anim 2019; 54:520-530. [PMID: 30578596 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2018] [Accepted: 12/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The effect of berberine (Ber) on in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo development in pigs and the associated differential expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the embryo were investigated. NCSU-23 embryonic culture medium was used for a control group, while NCSU-23 embryonic culture medium added with Ber was used for a Ber group. The embryo development rates in these groups were determined, and the zygotes, 4- and 8-cell embryos, and blastocysts were collected for cDNA microarray analysis. The development rates of 2-, 4-, 8-cell embryos and blastocysts were significantly higher in the Ber group than those in the control group (p < 0.01). The differentially expressed miRNAs in the 8-cell versus the 4-cell stage in control group as well as in the 8-cell Ber group versus the 8-cell control group overlapped, and it was found that nine miRNAs were commonly upregulated and two of them were downregulated, while there was no overlap among the other groups. The target genes of Ber-regulated miRNAs at the 8-cell stage were mainly associated with the molecular pathway of nucleic acid and protein synthesis. These findings suggest that Ber may regulate the expression of miRNAs at the 8-cell stage, which is beneficial to provide material reserves for the maternal to zygote transition of porcine embryos, thereby increasing the porcine IVF embryo development rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Li Wang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Bing Liu
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao-Meng Huang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Jia-Ge Dai
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Hui Tian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Jian-Ming Gao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, China
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20
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Pendzialek SM, Knelangen JM, Schindler M, Gürke J, Grybel KJ, Gocza E, Fischer B, Navarrete Santos A. Trophoblastic microRNAs are downregulated in a diabetic pregnancy through an inhibition of Drosha. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 480:167-179. [PMID: 30447248 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 11/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs are promising biological markers for prenatal diagnosis. They regulate placental development and are present in maternal plasma. Maternal metabolic diseases are major risk factors for placental deterioration. We analysed the influence of a maternal insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus on microRNA expression in maternal plasma and in blastocysts employing an in vivo rabbit diabetic pregnancy model and an in vitro embryo culture in hyperglycaemic and hypoinsulinaemic medium. Maternal diabetes led to a marked downregulation of Dicer protein in embryoblast cells and Drosha protein in trophoblast cells. MiR-27b, miR-141 and miR-191 were decreased in trophoblast cells and in maternal plasma of diabetic rabbits. In vitro studies indicate, that maternal hyperglycaemia and hypoinsulinaemia partially contribute to the downregulation of trophoblastic microRNAs. As the altered microRNA expression was detectable in maternal plasma, too, the plasma microRNA signature could serve as an early biological marker for the prediction of trophoblast function during a diabetic pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mareike Pendzialek
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06097, Halle (Saale), Germany.
| | - Julia M Knelangen
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06097, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Maria Schindler
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06097, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Jacqueline Gürke
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06097, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Katarzyna J Grybel
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06097, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Elen Gocza
- Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (ABC), National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre (NARIC), Szent-Györgyi Albert u. 4, 2100, Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Bernd Fischer
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06097, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Anne Navarrete Santos
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Martin Luther University Faculty of Medicine, Grosse Steinstrasse 52, 06097, Halle (Saale), Germany
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21
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Pasquariello R, Fernandez-Fuertes B, Strozzi F, Pizzi F, Mazza R, Lonergan P, Gandolfi F, Williams JL. Profiling bovine blastocyst microRNAs using deep sequencing. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 29:1545-1555. [PMID: 27623773 DOI: 10.1071/rd16110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2016] [Accepted: 06/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to control several reproductive functions, including oocyte maturation, implantation and early embryonic development. Recent advances in deep sequencing have allowed the analysis of all miRNAs of a sample. However, when working with embryos, due to the low RNA content, miRNA profiling is challenging because of the relatively large amount of total RNA required for library preparation protocols. In the present study we compared three different procedures for RNA extraction and prepared libraries using pools of 30 bovine blastocysts. In total, 14 of the 15 most abundantly expressed miRNAs were common to all three procedures. Furthermore, using miRDeep discovery and annotation software (Max Delbrück Center), we identified 1363 miRNA sequences, of which bta-miR-10b and bta-miR-378 were the most abundant. Most of the 179 genes identified as experimentally validated (86.6%) or predicted targets (13.4%) were associated with cancer canonical pathways. We conclude that reliable analysis of bovine blastocyst miRNAs can be achieved using the procedures described herein. The repeatability of the results across different procedures and independent replicates, as well as their consistency with results obtained in other species, support the biological relevance of these miRNAs and of the gene pathways they modulate in early embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Pasquariello
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territori, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - B Fernandez-Fuertes
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - F Strozzi
- Parco Tecnologico Padano, Via Einstein Albert, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - F Pizzi
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Via Einstein Albert, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - R Mazza
- Associazione Italiana Allevatori, Via Bergamo 292, 26100, Cremona, Italy
| | - P Lonergan
- School of Agriculture and Food Science, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Dublin, Ireland
| | - F Gandolfi
- Dipartimento di Scienze Agrarie e Ambientali - Produzione, Territori, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 2, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - J L Williams
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia
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The "evolutionary field" hypothesis. Non-Mendelian transgenerational inheritance mediates diversification and evolution. PROGRESS IN BIOPHYSICS AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2017; 134:27-37. [PMID: 29223657 DOI: 10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2017.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2017] [Revised: 11/17/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Epigenetics is increasingly regarded as a potential contributing factor to evolution. Building on apparently unrelated results, here I propose that RNA-containing nanovesicles, predominantly small regulatory RNAs, are released from somatic tissues in the bloodstream, cross the Weismann barrier, reach the epididymis, and are eventually taken up by spermatozoa; henceforth the information is delivered to oocytes at fertilization. In the model, a LINE-1-encoded reverse transcriptase activity, present in spermatozoa and early embryos, plays a key role in amplifying and propagating these RNAs as extrachromosomal structures. It may be conceived that, over generations, the cumulative effects of sperm-delivered RNAs would cross a critical threshold and overcome the buffering capacity of embryos. As a whole, the process can promote the generation of an information-containing platform that drives the reshaping of the embryonic epigenetic landscape with the potential to generate ontogenic changes and redirect the evolutionary trajectory. Over time, evolutionary significant, stably acquired variations could be generated through the process. The interplay between these elements defines the concept of "evolutionary field", a self-consistent, comprehensive information-containing platform and a source of discontinuous evolutionary novelty.
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Abstract
Failure of embryo implantation is a major limiting factor in early pregnancy and assisted reproduction. Determinants of implantation include the embryo viability, the endometrial receptivity, and embryo-maternal interactions. Multiple molecules are involved in the regulation of implantation, but their specific regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. MicroRNA (miRNA), functioning as the transcriptional regulator of gene expression, has been widely reported to be involved in embryo implantation. Recent studies reveal that miRNAs not only act inside the cells, but also can be released by cells into the extracellular environment through multiple packaging forms, facilitating intercellular communication and providing indicative information associated with physiological and pathological conditions. The discovery of extracellular miRNAs shed new light on implantation studies. MiRNAs provide new mechanisms for embryo-maternal communication. Moreover, they may serve as non-invasive biomarkers for embryo selection and assessment of endometrial receptivity in assisted reproduction, which improves the accuracy of evaluation while reducing the mechanical damage to the tissue. In this review, we discuss the involvement of miRNAs in embryo implantation from several aspects, focusing on the role of extracellular miRNAs and their potential applications in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) to promote fertility efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjie Liang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058 People’s Republic of China
| | - Shaoyu Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhengguang Wang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Road, Hangzhou, 310058 People’s Republic of China
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Rhee C, Kim J, Tucker HO. Transcriptional Regulation of the First Cell Fate Decision. JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY & REGENERATIVE MEDICINE 2017; 1:102. [PMID: 29658952 PMCID: PMC5897107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Understanding how the first cell fate decision has chosen is a fascinating biological question that was received consider attention over the last decade. Numerous transcription factors are required, and many have been shown to have essential roles in this process. Here we reexamine the function that transcription factors play primarily in the mouse-the model system most thoroughly examined in this process. We address how the first embryonic lineage is established and maintained, with a particular emphasis on subsequent trophectoderm development and the role of the recently established Arid3a transcription factor in this process. In addition, we review relevant aspects of embryonic stem cell reprogramming into trophoblast stem cells -the equivalent of the epiblast (inner cell mass) and the establishment of induced trophoblast stem cells-the in vitro equivalent of the trophectoderm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Rhee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - Jonghwan Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Haley O. Tucker
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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25
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Epigenetic Influences During the Periconception Period and Assisted Reproduction. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1014:15-39. [PMID: 28864983 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-62414-3_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The periconception period starts 6 months before conception and lasts until the tenth week of gestation. In this chapter, we will focus on epigenetic modifications to DNA and gene expression within this period and during assisted reproduction. There are two critical times during the periconception window when significant epigenetic 'reprogramming' occur: one during gametogenesis and another during the pre-implantation embryonic stage. Furthermore, assisted conception treatments, laboratory protocols and culture media can affect the embryo development and birth weights in laboratory animals. There is, however, an ongoing debate as to whether epigenetic changes in humans, causing embryo mal-development, placenta dysfunction and birth defects, result from assisted reproductive technologies or are consequences of pre-existing medical and/or genetic conditions in the parents. The periconception period starts from ovarian folliculogenesis, through resumption of oogenesis, fertilisation, peri-implantation embryo development, embryogenesis until the end of organogenesis. In men, it is the period from spermatogenesis to epididymal sperm storage and fertilisation. Gametes and developing embryos are sensitive to environmental factors during this period, and epigenetic modifications can occur in response to adverse lifestyles and environmental factors. We now know that lifestyle factors such as advanced parentage age, obesity or undernutrition, smoking, excessive alcohol and caffeine intake and recreational drugs used during gamete production and embryogenesis could induce epigenetic alterations, which could impact adversely on pregnancy outcomes and health of the offspring. Furthermore, these can also result in a permanent and irreversible effect in a dose-dependent manner, which can be passed on to the future generations.
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26
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Borges E, Setti AS, Braga DPAF, Geraldo MV, Figueira RDCS, Iaconelli A. miR-142-3p as a biomarker of blastocyst implantation failure - A pilot study. JBRA Assist Reprod 2016; 20:200-205. [PMID: 28050953 PMCID: PMC5265617 DOI: 10.5935/1518-0557.20160039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to find whether microRNAs (miRNAs) detected in the culture medium of embryos produced in vitro could be potential biomarkers of embryo implantation. METHODS Culture media samples from 36 embryos, derived from patients undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) in a private university-affiliated IVF center, were collected between January/2015 and November/2015. Samples were collected on day three and embryo transfers were performed on day five and all embryos reached the blastocyst stage. Samples were split into groups according to the embryo implantation result: Positive-Implantation-Group (n=18) or Negative-Implantation-Group (n=18). For the first analysis, samples were pooled in three sets for each group (6-7 spent media per pool). MicroRNAs were extracted from spent media and cDNA was synthesized. C. elegans miR-39 was used as RNA spike-in to normalize the gene expression analysis. The expression of microRNAs into the spent media from the Positive-Implantation-Group was compared with those from the Negative-Implantation-Group. A set of seven miRNAs (miR-21, miR-142-3p, miR-19b, miR-92a, miR-20b, miR-125a and miR148a) selected according with the literature, was tested. To check whether miRNAs could be detected in individual samples of culture media, in a second analysis, ten more samples were tested for miR-21 and miR-142-3p. RESULTS From the sevens tested miRNAs, a significant increased expression of miR-142-3p could be noted in the Negative-Implantation-Group (P<0.001). For other three miRNAs (miR-21, miR-19b and miR-92a) a difference in expression was observed, however it did not reach a statistical significance. In addition, when ten non-redundant samples were tested to check if miRNAs could be detected in individual samples of culture media, the highly specific amplification of mature miRNAs, including miR-142-3p, could be noted. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that miR-142-3p, previously described as a tumor suppressor and cell cycle inhibitor, may be a potential biomarker of blastocyst implantation failure. The identification of miRNAs on individual culture medium samples offers unique opportunities for non-invasive early diagnosis of blastocyst implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edson Borges
- Fertility Medical Group - São Paulo/SP - Brazil.,Instituto Sapientiae - Centro de Estudos e Pesquisa em Reprodução Assistida - São Paulo/SP - Brazil
| | - Amanda Souza Setti
- Fertility Medical Group - São Paulo/SP - Brazil.,Instituto Sapientiae - Centro de Estudos e Pesquisa em Reprodução Assistida - São Paulo/SP - Brazil
| | - Daniela P A F Braga
- Fertility Medical Group - São Paulo/SP - Brazil.,Instituto Sapientiae - Centro de Estudos e Pesquisa em Reprodução Assistida - São Paulo/SP - Brazil.,Disciplina de Urologia, Área de Reprodução Humana, Departamento de Cirurgia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo/SP - Brazil
| | - Murilo V Geraldo
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP/SP - Brazil
| | | | - Assumpto Iaconelli
- Fertility Medical Group - São Paulo/SP - Brazil.,Instituto Sapientiae - Centro de Estudos e Pesquisa em Reprodução Assistida - São Paulo/SP - Brazil
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Noli L, Capalbo A, Dajani Y, Cimadomo D, Bvumbe J, Rienzi L, Ubaldi FM, Ogilvie C, Khalaf Y, Ilic D. Human Embryos Created by Embryo Splitting Secrete Significantly Lower Levels of miRNA-30c. Stem Cells Dev 2016; 25:1853-1862. [PMID: 27612589 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2016.0212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies reporting term pregnancy and the production of genetically identical offspring from isolated blastomeres of early stage embryos have been carried out in small and large animals. However, very little is known about the effects of embryo splitting on the development and reproductive competency of human embryos. In this study, we investigated the effects of embryo splitting on profile of microRNAs (miRNAs) detected in their spent blastocyst medium (SBM) by comparative analysis of miRNA profiles in SBM of human twin embryos created by blastomere biopsy and SBM of blastocysts that resulted in a healthy pregnancy and live birth following embryo transfer. The profile of miRNA secretion in in vitro culture media consistently distinguishes twin from control embryos. We found that six miRNAs are significantly more abundant in SBM from twin embryos, while nine are significantly more abundant in SBM from euploid implanted blastocysts. These nine include miRNA-30c, a previously reported marker of blastocyst implantation potential. Furthermore, 22.9% of miRNAs secreted by twin embryos were never detected in SBM from normal reproductively competent blastocysts, or from trophectoderm (TE) samples from normal blastocysts donated for the research. The miRNA profile, unique to twin blastocysts, might be a result of differential lineage commitment in these embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laila Noli
- 1 Division of Women's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London and Assisted Conception Unit, Guys' Hospital , London, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Capalbo
- 2 GENERA, Centre for Reproductive Medicine , Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy .,3 GENETYX, Molecular Genetics Laboratory , Vicenza, Italy
| | - Yaser Dajani
- 1 Division of Women's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London and Assisted Conception Unit, Guys' Hospital , London, United Kingdom
| | - Danilo Cimadomo
- 2 GENERA, Centre for Reproductive Medicine , Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy .,3 GENETYX, Molecular Genetics Laboratory , Vicenza, Italy
| | - Jean Bvumbe
- 1 Division of Women's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London and Assisted Conception Unit, Guys' Hospital , London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Rienzi
- 2 GENERA, Centre for Reproductive Medicine , Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy .,3 GENETYX, Molecular Genetics Laboratory , Vicenza, Italy
| | - Filippo Maria Ubaldi
- 2 GENERA, Centre for Reproductive Medicine , Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy .,3 GENETYX, Molecular Genetics Laboratory , Vicenza, Italy
| | - Caroline Ogilvie
- 4 Genetics Laboratories, Guy's Hospital , London, United Kingdom
| | - Yacoub Khalaf
- 1 Division of Women's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London and Assisted Conception Unit, Guys' Hospital , London, United Kingdom
| | - Dusko Ilic
- 1 Division of Women's Health, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, King's College London and Assisted Conception Unit, Guys' Hospital , London, United Kingdom
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Yang Q, Lin J, Liu M, Li R, Tian B, Zhang X, Xu B, Liu M, Zhang X, Li Y, Shi H, Wu L. Highly sensitive sequencing reveals dynamic modifications and activities of small RNAs in mouse oocytes and early embryos. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2016; 2:e1501482. [PMID: 27500274 PMCID: PMC4974095 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1501482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Small RNAs play important roles in early embryonic development. However, their expression dynamics and modifications are poorly understood because of the scarcity of RNA that is obtainable for sequencing analysis. Using an improved deep sequencing method that requires as little as 10 ng of total RNA or 50 oocytes, we profile small RNAs in mouse oocytes and early embryos. We find that microRNA (miRNA) expression starts soon after fertilization, and the mature miRNAs carried into the zygote by sperm during fertilization are relatively rare compared to the oocyte miRNAs. Intriguingly, the zygotic miRNAs display a marked increase in 3' mono- and oligoadenylation in one- to two-cell embryos, which may protect the miRNAs from the massive degradation taking place during that time. Moreover, bioinformatics analyses show that the function of miRNA is suppressed from the oocyte to the two-cell stage and appears to be reactivated after the two-cell stage to regulate genes important in embryonic development. Our study thus provides a highly sensitive profiling method and valuable data sets for further examination of small RNAs in early embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiyuan Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Science Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Jimin Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Science Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Miao Liu
- China National Population and Family Planning Key Laboratory of Contraceptive Drugs and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Ronghong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Science Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Bin Tian
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Xue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Science Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Beiying Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Science Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Mofang Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- China National Population and Family Planning Key Laboratory of Contraceptive Drugs and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yiping Li
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Huijuan Shi
- China National Population and Family Planning Key Laboratory of Contraceptive Drugs and Devices, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, China
- Corresponding author. (H.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Ligang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Center for Protein Science Shanghai, Shanghai Science Research Center, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
- Corresponding author. (H.S.); (L.W.)
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Tulay P, Sengupta SB. MicroRNA expression and its association with DNA repair in preimplantation embryos. J Reprod Dev 2016; 62:225-34. [PMID: 26853522 PMCID: PMC4919285 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2015-167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Active DNA repair pathways are crucial for preserving genomic integrity and are likely among the complex
mechanisms involved in the normal development of preimplantation embryos. MicroRNAs (miRNA), short non-coding
RNAs, are key regulators of gene expression through the post-transcriptional and post-translational
modification of mRNA. The association of miRNA expression with infertility or polycystic ovarian syndrome has
been widely investigated; however, there are limited data regarding the importance of miRNA regulation in DNA
repair during preimplantation embryo development. In this article, we review normal miRNA biogenesis and
consequences of aberrant miRNA expression in the regulation of DNA repair in gametes and preimplantation
embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pinar Tulay
- Near East University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
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30
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Yuan S, Schuster A, Tang C, Yu T, Ortogero N, Bao J, Zheng H, Yan W. Sperm-borne miRNAs and endo-siRNAs are important for fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development. Development 2015; 143:635-47. [PMID: 26718009 DOI: 10.1242/dev.131755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2015] [Accepted: 12/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Although it is believed that mammalian sperm carry small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) into oocytes during fertilization, it remains unknown whether these sperm-borne sncRNAs truly have any function during fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development. Germline-specific Dicer and Drosha conditional knockout (cKO) mice produce gametes (i.e. sperm and oocytes) partially deficient in miRNAs and/or endo-siRNAs, thus providing a unique opportunity for testing whether normal sperm (paternal) or oocyte (maternal) miRNA and endo-siRNA contents are required for fertilization and preimplantation development. Using the outcome of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) as a readout, we found that sperm with altered miRNA and endo-siRNA profiles could fertilize wild-type (WT) eggs, but embryos derived from these partially sncRNA-deficient sperm displayed a significant reduction in developmental potential, which could be rescued by injecting WT sperm-derived total or small RNAs into ICSI embryos. Disrupted maternal transcript turnover and failure in early zygotic gene activation appeared to associate with the aberrant miRNA profiles in Dicer and Drosha cKO spermatozoa. Overall, our data support a crucial function of paternal miRNAs and/or endo-siRNAs in the control of the transcriptomic homeostasis in fertilized eggs, zygotes and two-cell embryos. Given that supplementation of sperm RNAs enhances both the developmental potential of preimplantation embryos and the live birth rate, it might represent a novel means to improve the success rate of assisted reproductive technologies in fertility clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuiqiao Yuan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Andrew Schuster
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Chong Tang
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Tian Yu
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Nicole Ortogero
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Jianqiang Bao
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Huili Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell Biology, University of Nevada School of Medicine, 1664 North Virginia Street, MS 0575, Reno, NV 89557, USA
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31
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Liu W, Niu Z, Li Q, Pang RTK, Chiu PCN, Yeung WSB. MicroRNA and Embryo Implantation. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 75:263-71. [PMID: 26707514 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Accepted: 11/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM In mammals, implantation involves interactions between an activated blastocyst and a receptive endometrium. There are controversies on the role of microRNAs in preimplantation embryo development. The actions of endometrial microRNAs on implantation are beginning to be understood. METHOD OF STUDY Review of literature on microRNAs in preimplantation embryos and endometrium. RESULTS Emerging evidence suggests a role of microRNAs in blastocyst activation and implantation. Differential expression of microRNAs is found between receptive and non-receptive endometria. Members of the let-7, miR-200, miR-30 families, and the miR-17-92 clusters are more commonly found to be associated with endometrial receptivity. Experimental studies show that the targets of the differentially expressed microRNAs affect endometrial receptivity, decidualization, and embryo implantation. Free and exosome/microvesicle containing microRNAs have been detected in human and ovine uterine luminal fluid (ULF). They may serve as mediators of embryo-endometrium dialog. Some observations suggest that the microRNAs in ULF may be used as biomarkers in infertility treatment. CONCLUSION MicroRNAs in endometrium and blastocysts are involved in the implantation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ziru Niu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qian Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Ronald T K Pang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Philip C N Chiu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.,ShenZhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
| | - William Shu-Biu Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, China.,Shenzhen Institute of Research and Innovation, University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China.,ShenZhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Shenzhen Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
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32
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Wydooghe E, Vandaele L, Heras S, De Sutter P, Deforce D, Peelman L, De Schauwer C, Van Soom A. Autocrine embryotropins revisited: how do embryos communicate with each other in vitro when cultured in groups? Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2015; 92:505-520. [PMID: 26608222 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 10/15/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In the absence of the maternal genital tract, preimplantation embryos can develop in vitro in culture medium where all communication with the oviduct or uterus is absent. In several mammalian species, it has been observed that embryos cultured in groups thrive better than those cultured singly. Here we argue that group-cultured embryos are able to promote their own development in vitro by the production of autocrine embryotropins that putatively serve as a communication tool. The concept of effective communication implies an origin, a signalling agent, and finally a recipient that is able to decode the message. We illustrate this concept by demonstrating that preimplantation embryos are able to secrete autocrine factors in several ways, including active secretion, passive outflow, or as messengers bound to a molecular vehicle or transported within extracellular vesicles. Likewise, we broaden the traditional view that inter-embryo communication is dictated mainly by growth factors, by discussing a wide range of other biochemical messengers including proteins, lipids, neurotransmitters, saccharides, and microRNAs, all of which can be exchanged among embryos cultured in a group. Finally, we describe how different classes of messenger molecules are decoded by the embryo and influence embryo development by triggering different pathways. When autocrine embryotropins such as insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) or platelet activating factor (PAF) bind to their appropriate receptor, the phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway will be activated which is important for embryo survival. On the other hand, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway is activated when compounds such as hyaluronic acid and serotonin bind to their respective receptors, thereby acting as growth factors. By activating the peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor family (PPAR) pathway, lipophilic autocrine factors such as prostaglandins or fatty acids have both survival and anti-apoptotic functions. In conclusion, considering different types of messenger molecules simultaneously will be crucial to understanding more comprehensively how embryos communicate with each other in group-culture systems. This approach will assist in the development of novel media for single-embryo culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eline Wydooghe
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Leen Vandaele
- Animal Sciences Unit, Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO), B-9090, Melle, Belgium
| | - Sonia Heras
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Petra De Sutter
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, Ghent University, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- Laboratory for Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Peelman
- Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Catharina De Schauwer
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics, and Herd Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, B-9820, Merelbeke, Belgium
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Tulay P, Naja RP, Cascales-Roman O, Doshi A, Serhal P, SenGupta SB. Investigation of microRNA expression and DNA repair gene transcripts in human oocytes and blastocysts. J Assist Reprod Genet 2015; 32:1757-64. [PMID: 26438643 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-015-0585-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the study is to investigate the regulation of DNA repair genes by microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that regulate transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene silencing. Several miRNAs that are expressed during preimplantation embryo development have been shown or are predicted to target genes that regulate cell cycle checkpoints and DNA repair in response to DNA damage. METHODS This study compares the expression level of 20 miRNAs and 9 target transcripts involved in DNA repair. The statistical significance of differential miRNA expression between oocytes and blastocysts was determined by t test analysis using the GraphPad Prism v6 software. The possible regulatory roles of miRNAs on their target messenger RNAs (mRNAs) were analysed using a Pearson correlation test. RESULTS This study shows for the first time that several miRNAs are expressed in human oocytes and blastocysts that target key genes involved in DNA repair and cell cycle checkpoints. Blastocysts exhibited statistically significant lower expression levels for the majority of miRNAs compared to oocytes (p < 0.05). Correlation analyses showed that there was both inverse and direct association between miRNAs and their target mRNAs. CONCLUSIONS miRNAs target many mRNAs including ones involved in DNA repair mechanisms. This study suggests that miRNAs and their target mRNAs involved in DNA repair are expressed in preimplantation embryos. Similar to the miRNAs expressed in adult tissues, these miRNAs seem to have regulatory roles on their target DNA repair mRNAs during preimplantation embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Tulay
- Faculty of Medicine, Medical Genetics Department, Near East University, Yakin Dogu Bulvari, Nicosia, Cyprus. .,UCL Centre for PGD, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - R P Naja
- UCL Centre for PGD, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - O Cascales-Roman
- UCL Centre for PGD, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - A Doshi
- The Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health, University College Hospital, The New Wing Eastman Dental Hospital, London, UK
| | - P Serhal
- The Centre for Reproductive and Genetic Health, University College Hospital, The New Wing Eastman Dental Hospital, London, UK
| | - S B SenGupta
- UCL Centre for PGD, Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
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Pernaute B, Spruce T, Smith KM, Sánchez-Nieto JM, Manzanares M, Cobb B, Rodríguez TA. MicroRNAs control the apoptotic threshold in primed pluripotent stem cells through regulation of BIM. Genes Dev 2014; 28:1873-8. [PMID: 25184675 PMCID: PMC4197944 DOI: 10.1101/gad.245621.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Pernaute et al. identify miRNA-mediated regulation as a key mechanism controlling apoptosis in the post-implantation epiblast. Three miRNA families, miR-20, miR-92, and miR-302, control the mitochondrial apoptotic machinery by fine-tuning the levels of expression of the proapoptotic protein BIM. These miRNA families are needed to maintain cell survival in stem cells that are primed for not only differentiation but also cell death. Mammalian primed pluripotent stem cells have been shown to be highly susceptible to cell death stimuli due to their low apoptotic threshold, but how this threshold is regulated remains largely unknown. Here we identify microRNA (miRNA)-mediated regulation as a key mechanism controlling apoptosis in the post-implantation epiblast. Moreover, we found that three miRNA families, miR-20, miR-92, and miR-302, control the mitochondrial apoptotic machinery by fine-tuning the levels of expression of the proapoptotic protein BIM. These families therefore represent an essential buffer needed to maintain cell survival in stem cells that are primed for not only differentiation but also cell death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Pernaute
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Spruce
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | | | - Juan Miguel Sánchez-Nieto
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom
| | - Miguel Manzanares
- Department of Cardiovascular Developmental and Repair, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares-CNIC, 28029 Madrid, Spain
| | - Bradley Cobb
- Royal Veterinary College, London NW1 0TU, United Kingdom
| | - Tristan A Rodríguez
- British Heart Foundation Centre for Research Excellence, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial Centre for Translational and Experimental Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, United Kingdom;
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Zhang K, Huang K, Luo Y, Li S. Identification and functional analysis of long non-coding RNAs in mouse cleavage stage embryonic development based on single cell transcriptome data. BMC Genomics 2014; 15:845. [PMID: 25277336 PMCID: PMC4200203 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2164-15-845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate embryonic development and cell fate decision in various ways, such as modulation of chromatin modification and post-transcription regulation of gene expression. However, the profiles and roles of lncRNAs in early mammalian development have not yet been demonstrated. Here, we reported a comprehensive analysis of mouse cleavage stage embryonic lncRNA profiles based on public single-cell RNA-seq data. Results We reconstructed 50,006 high-confidence transcripts in 22,827 loci, and identified 5563 novel lncRNAs from 3492 loci expressed in mouse cleavage stage embryos. These lncRNAs share similar characteristics with previously reported vertebrate lncRNAs, such as relatively short length, low exon number, low expression level and low sequence conservation. Expression profile analysis revealed that the profiles of lncRNA vary considerably at different stages of cleavage stage embryos, suggesting that many lncRNAs in cleavage stage embryos are stage-specifically expressed. Co-expression network analysis suggested many lncRNAs in cleavage stage embryos are associated with cell cycle regulation, transcription, translation and oxidative phosphorylation to regulate the process of cleavage stage embryonic development. Conclusions This study provides the first catalog of lncRNAs expressed in mouse cleavage stage embryos and gives a revealing insight into the molecular mechanism responsible for early embryonic development. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2164-15-845) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Yuping Luo
- Stem Cell Translational Research Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Abstract
We provide a review of microRNA (miRNA) related to human implantation which shows the potential diagnostic role of miRNAs in impaired endometrial receptivity, altered embryo development, implantation failure after assisted reproduction technology, and in ectopic pregnancy and pregnancies of unknown location. MicroRNAs may be emerging diagnostic markers and potential therapeutic tools for understanding implantation disorders. However, further research is needed before miRNAs can be used in clinical practice for identifying and treating implantation failure.
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Traver S, Assou S, Scalici E, Haouzi D, Al-Edani T, Belloc S, Hamamah S. Cell-free nucleic acids as non-invasive biomarkers of gynecological cancers, ovarian, endometrial and obstetric disorders and fetal aneuploidy. Hum Reprod Update 2014; 20:905-23. [PMID: 24973359 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmu031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proper folliculogenesis is fundamental to obtain a competent oocyte that, once fertilized, can support the acquisition of embryo developmental competence and pregnancy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of folliculogenesis, which are expressed in the cumulus-oocyte complex and in granulosa cells and some can also be found in the bloodstream. These circulating miRNAs are intensively studied and used as diagnostic/prognostic markers of many diseases, including gynecological and pregnancy disorders. In addition, serum contains small amounts of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), presumably resulting from the release of genetic material from apoptotic/necrotic cells. The quantification of nucleic acids in serum samples could be used as a diagnostic tool for female infertility. METHODS An overview of the published literature on miRNAs, and particularly on the use of circulating miRNAs and cfDNA as non-invasive biomarkers of gynecological diseases, was performed (up to January 2014). RESULTS In the past decade, cell-free nucleic acids have been studied for potential use as biomarkers in many diseases, particularly in gynecological cancers, ovarian and endometrial disorders, as well as in pregnancy-related pathologies and fetal aneuploidy. The data strongly suggest that the concentration of cell-free nucleic acids in serum from IVF patients or in embryo culture medium could be related to the ovarian hormone status and embryo quality, respectively, and be used as a non-invasive biomarker of IVF outcome. CONCLUSIONS The profiling of circulating nucleic acids, such as miRNAs and cfDNA, opens new perspectives for the diagnosis/prognosis of ovarian disorders and for the prediction of IVF outcomes, namely (embryo quality and pregnancy).
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Affiliation(s)
- S Traver
- CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France
| | - S Assou
- CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France
| | - E Scalici
- CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France
| | - D Haouzi
- CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France
| | - T Al-Edani
- CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France
| | - S Belloc
- Eylau-Unilabs Laboratory, Paris, France
| | - S Hamamah
- CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France ART-PGD Department, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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Zhou C, Dobrinsky J, Tsoi S, Foxcroft GR, Dixon WT, Stothard P, Verstegen J, Dyck MK. Characterization of the altered gene expression profile in early porcine embryos generated from parthenogenesis and somatic cell chromatin transfer. PLoS One 2014; 9:e91728. [PMID: 24633136 PMCID: PMC3954727 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0091728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2013] [Accepted: 02/13/2014] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The in vitro production of early porcine embryos is of particular scientific and economic interest. In general, embryos produced from in vitro Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) manipulations, such as somatic cell chromatin transfer (CT) and parthenogenetic activation (PA), are less developmentally competent than in vivo–derived embryos. The mechanisms underlying the deficiencies of embryos generated from PA and CT have not been completely understood. To characterize the altered genes and gene networks in embryos generated from CT and PA, comparative transcriptomic analyses of in vivo (IVV) expanded blastocysts (XB), IVV hatched blastocyst (HB), PA XB, PA HB, and CT HB were performed using a custom microarray platform enriched for genes expressed during early embryonic development. Differential expressions of 1492 and 103 genes were identified in PA and CT HB, respectively, in comparison with IVV HB. The “eIF2 signalling”, “mitochondrial dysfunction”, “regulation of eIF4 and p70S6K signalling”, “protein ubiquitination”, and “mTOR signalling” pathways were down-regulated in PA HB. Dysregulation of notch signalling–associated genes were observed in both PA and CT HB. TP53 was predicted to be activated in both PA and CT HB, as 136 and 23 regulation targets of TP53 showed significant differential expression in PA and CT HB, respectively, in comparison with IVV HB. In addition, dysregulations of several critical pluripotency, trophoblast development, and implantation-associated genes (NANOG, GATA2, KRT8, LGMN, and DPP4) were observed in PA HB during the blastocyst hatching process. The critical genes that were observed to be dysregulated in CT and PA embryos could be indicative of underlying developmental deficiencies of embryos produced from these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi Zhou
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - John Dobrinsky
- International Center for Biotechnology, Minitube of America, Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Stephen Tsoi
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - George R. Foxcroft
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Walter T. Dixon
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Paul Stothard
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - John Verstegen
- International Center for Biotechnology, Minitube of America, Mount Horeb, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Michael K. Dyck
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- * E-mail:
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Kim YJ, Ku SY, Kim YY, Liu HC, Chi SW, Kim SH, Choi YM, Kim JG, Moon SY. MicroRNAs transfected into granulosa cells may regulate oocyte meiotic competence during in vitro maturation of mouse follicles. Hum Reprod 2013; 28:3050-61. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/det338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
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McGraw S, Shojaei Saadi HA, Robert C. Meeting the methodological challenges in molecular mapping of the embryonic epigenome. Mol Hum Reprod 2013; 19:809-27. [PMID: 23783346 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gat046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The past decade of life sciences research has been driven by progress in genomics. Many voices are already proclaiming the post-genomics era, in which phenomena other than sequence polymorphism influence gene expression and also explain complex phenotypes. One of these burgeoning fields is the study of the epigenome. Although the mechanisms by which chromatin structure and reorganization as well as cytosine methylation influence gene expression are not fully understood, they are being invoked to explain the now-accepted long-term impact of the environment on gene expression, which appears to be a factor in the development of numerous diseases. Such studies are particularly relevant in early embryonic development, during which waves of epigenetic reprogramming are known to have profound impacts. Since gametes and zygotes are in the process of resetting the genome in order to create embryonic stem cells that will each differentiate to create one of many specific tissue types, this phase of life is now viewed as a window of susceptibility to epigenetic reprogramming errors. Epigenetics could explain the influence of factors such as the nutritional/metabolic status of the mother or the artificial environment of assisted reproductive technologies. However, the peculiar nature of early embryos in addition to their scarcity poses numerous technological challenges that are slowly being overcome. The principal subject of this article is to review the suitability of various current and emerging technological platforms to study oocytes and early embryonic epigenome with more emphasis on studying DNA methylation. Furthermore, the constraint of samples size, inherent to the study of preimplantation embryo development, was put in perspective with the various molecular platforms described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serge McGraw
- Department of Human Genetics, Montreal Children's Hospital Research Institute, McGill University, Montréal, QC H3Z 2Z3, Canada
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41
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Goossens K, Mestdagh P, Lefever S, Van Poucke M, Van Zeveren A, Van Soom A, Vandesompele J, Peelman L. Regulatory microRNA network identification in bovine blastocyst development. Stem Cells Dev 2013; 22:1907-20. [PMID: 23398486 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2012.0708] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian blastocyst formation is characterized by two lineage segregations resulting in the formation of the trophectoderm, the hypoblast, and the epiblast cell lineages. Cell fate determination during these early lineage segregations is associated with changes in the expression of specific transcription factors. In addition to the transcription factor-based control, it has become clear that also microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in the post-transcriptional regulation of pluripotency and differentiation. To elucidate the role of miRNAs in early lineage segregation, we compared the miRNA expression in early bovine blastocysts with the more advanced stage of hatched blastocysts. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR-based miRNA expression profiling revealed eight upregulated miRNAs (miR-127, miR-130a, miR-155, miR-196a, miR-203, miR-28, miR-29c, and miR-376a) and four downregulated miRNAs (miR-135a, miR-218, miR-335, and miR-449b) in hatched blastocysts. Through an integrative analysis of matching miRNA and mRNA expression data, candidate miRNA-mRNA interaction pairs were prioritized for validation. Using an in vitro luciferase reporter assay, we confirmed a direct interaction between miR-218 and CDH2, miR-218 and NANOG, and miR-449b and NOTCH1. By interfering with the FGF signaling pathway, we found functional evidence that miR-218, mainly expressed in the inner cell mass, regulates the NANOG expression in the bovine blastocyst in response to FGF signaling. The results of this study expand our knowledge about the miRNA signature of the bovine blastocyst and of the interactions between miRNAs and cell fate regulating transcription factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karen Goossens
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
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42
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Embryology in the era of proteomics. Fertil Steril 2013; 99:1073-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.12.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2012] [Revised: 12/19/2012] [Accepted: 12/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Abstract
Since the early twentieth century, inheritance was seen as the inheritance of genes. Concurrent with the acceptance of the genetic theory of inheritance was the rejection of the idea that the cytoplasm of the oocyte could also play a role in inheritance and a corresponding devaluation of embryology as a discipline critical for understanding human development. Development, and variation in development, came to be viewed solely as matters of genetic inheritance and genetic variation. We now know that inheritance is a matter of both genetic and cytoplasmic inheritance. A growing awareness of the centrality of the cytoplasm in explaining both human development and phenotypic variation has been promoted by two contemporaneous developments: the continuing elaboration of the molecular mechanisms of epigenetics and the global rise of artificial reproductive technologies. I review recent developments in the ongoing elaboration of the role of the cytoplasm in human inheritance and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Charney
- Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
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44
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Hossain MM, Salilew-Wondim D, Schellander K, Tesfaye D. The role of microRNAs in mammalian oocytes and embryos. Anim Reprod Sci 2012; 134:36-44. [PMID: 22921265 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2012.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Advanced genomic analysis has revealed an enormous inventory of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), which are functionally important at transcriptional and post-transcriptional level for different cellular processes. Among the ncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) have recently been highlighted extensively for their pivotal role in disease, fertility and development through post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. The presence and spatio-temporal expression of miRNAs and miRNA processing machinery genes in oocytes and preimplantation embryos has evidenced the involvement of miRNAs for growth and maturation of mammalian oocytes, early embryonic development, stem cell lineage differentiation and implantation. Therefore, this article aims to highlight primary evidences on the importance of miRNAs and their mediated translational reprogramming in the physiology and development of mammalian oocytes and embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- M M Hossain
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
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Abstract
Preimplantation development in mammals encompasses a period from fertilization to implantation and results in formation of a blastocyst composed of three distinct cell lineages: epiblast, trophectoderm and primitive endoderm. The epiblast gives rise to the organism, while the trophectoderm and the primitive endoderm contribute to extraembryonic tissues that support embryo development after implantation. In many vertebrates, such as frog or fish, maternally supplied lineage determinants are partitioned within the egg. Cell cleavage that follows fertilization results in polarization of these factors between the individual blastomeres, which become restricted in their developmental fate. In contrast, the mouse oocyte and zygote lack clear polarity and, until the eight-cell stage, individual blastomeres retain the potential to form all lineages. How are cell lineages specified in the absence of a maternally supplied blueprint? This is a fundamental question in the field of developmental biology. The answer to this question lies in understanding the cell-cell interactions and gene networks involved in embryonic development prior to implantation and using this knowledge to create testable models of the developmental processes that govern cell fates. We provide an overview of classic and contemporary models of early lineage development in the mouse and discuss the emerging body of work that highlights similarities and differences between blastocyst development in the mouse and other mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Oron
- Yale Stem Cell Center, Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.
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Jenkins TG, Carrell DT. Dynamic alterations in the paternal epigenetic landscape following fertilization. Front Genet 2012; 3:143. [PMID: 23024648 PMCID: PMC3442791 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2012.00143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2012] [Accepted: 07/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryonic development is a complex and dynamic process with frequent changes in gene expression, ultimately leading to cellular differentiation and commitment of various cell lines. These changes are likely preceded by changes to signaling cascades and/or alterations to the epigenetic program in specific cells. The process of epigenetic remodeling begins early in development. In fact, soon after the union of sperm and egg massive epigenetic changes occur across the paternal and maternal epigenetic landscape. The epigenome of these cells includes modifications to the DNA itself, in the form of DNA methylation, as well as nuclear protein content and modification, such as modifications to histones. Sperm chromatin is predominantly packaged by protamines, but following fertilization the sperm pronucleus undergoes remodeling in which maternally derived histones replace protamines, resulting in the relaxation of chromatin and ultimately decondensation of the paternal pronucleus. In addition, active DNA demethylation occurs across the paternal genome prior to the first cell division, effectively erasing many spermatogenesis derived methylation marks. This complex interplay begins the dynamic process by which two haploid cells unite to form a diploid organism. The biology of these events is central to the understanding of sexual reproduction, yet our knowledge regarding the mechanisms involved is extremely limited. This review will explore what is known regarding the post-fertilization epigenetic alterations of the paternal chromatin and the implications suggested by the available literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy G Jenkins
- Andrology and IVF Laboratories, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
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47
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Liu T, Cheng W, Gao Y, Wang H, Liu Z. Microarray analysis of microRNA expression patterns in the semen of infertile men with semen abnormalities. Mol Med Rep 2012; 6:535-42. [PMID: 22735917 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2012.967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/18/2012] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in tissue development and the pathology of many diseases, however, the effects and roles of miRNAs in the development of semen abnormalities in infertile males have not yet been investigated. In this study, we analyzed and compared the miRNA expression profiles of abnormal semen from 86 infertile males with normal semen from 86 healthy males using an miRNA microarray. In total, 52 miRNAs were differentially expressed between the abnormal semen of infertile males and the normal semen of healthy males. The differential expression of selected miRNAs was validated by real time qRT-PCR and northern blotting: miR-574-5p, miR-297, miR-122, miR-1275, miR-373, miR-185 and miR-193b were upregulated (fold change>1.5, p<0.001) and miR-100, miR-512-3p, miR-16, miR-19b, miR-23b and miR-26a were downregulated (fold change<0.667, p<0.001) in the semen of infertile males with semen abnormalities. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into specific miRNAs that are associated with semen abnormalities in infertile males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Te Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, and International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai 201620, PR China.
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CFTR mediates bicarbonate-dependent activation of miR-125b in preimplantation embryo development. Cell Res 2012; 22:1453-66. [PMID: 22664907 DOI: 10.1038/cr.2012.88] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Although HCO(3)(-) is known to be required for early embryo development, its exact role remains elusive. Here we report that HCO(3)(-) acts as an environmental cue in regulating miR-125b expression through CFTR-mediated influx during preimplantation embryo development. The results show that the effect of HCO(3)(-) on preimplantation embryo development can be suppressed by interfering the function of a HCO(3)(-)-conducting channel, CFTR, by a specific inhibitor or gene knockout. Removal of extracellular HCO(3)(-) or inhibition of CFTR reduces miR-125b expression in 2 cell-stage mouse embryos. Knockdown of miR-125b mimics the effect of HCO(3)(-) removal and CFTR inhibition, while injection of miR-125b precursor reverses it. Downregulation of miR-125b upregulates p53 cascade in both human and mouse embryos. The activation of miR-125b is shown to be mediated by sAC/PKA-dependent nuclear shuttling of NF-κB. These results have revealed a critical role of CFTR in signal transduction linking the environmental HCO(3)(-) to activation of miR-125b during preimplantation embryo development and indicated the importance of ion channels in regulation of miRNAs.
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49
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Liu WM, Pang RTK, Cheong AWY, Ng EHY, Lao K, Lee KF, Yeung WSB. Involvement of microRNA lethal-7a in the regulation of embryo implantation in mice. PLoS One 2012; 7:e37039. [PMID: 22623977 PMCID: PMC3356405 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0037039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2012] [Accepted: 04/12/2012] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs interact with multiple mRNAs resulting in their degradation and/or translational repression. This report used the delayed implantation model to determine the role of miRNAs in blastocysts. Dormant blastocysts in delayed implanting mice were activated by estradiol. Differential expression of 45 out of 238 miRNAs examined was found between the dormant and the activated blastocysts. Five of the nine members of the microRNA lethal-7 (let-7) family were down-regulated after activation. Human blastocysts also had a low expression of let-7 family. Forced-expression of a family member, let-7a in mouse blastocysts decreased the number of implantation sites (let-7a: 1.1±0.4; control: 3.8±0.4) in vivo, and reduced the percentages of blastocyst that attached (let-7a: 42.0±8.3%; control: 79.0±5.1%) and spreaded (let-7a: 33.5±2.9%; control: 67.3±3.8%) on fibronectin in vitro. Integrin-β3, a known implantation-related molecule, was demonstrated to be a target of let-7a by 3′-untranslated region reporter assay in cervical cancer cells HeLa, and Western blotting in mouse blastocysts. The inhibitory effect of forced-expression of let-7a on blastocyst attachment and outgrowth was partially nullified in vitro and in vivo by forced-expression of integrin-β3. This study provides the first direct evidence that let-7a is involved in regulating the implantation process partly via modulation of the expression of integrin-β3. (200 words).
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Min Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ronald T. K. Pang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
- Centre for Reproduction, Development and Growth, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ana W. Y. Cheong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Ernest H. Y. Ng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kaiqin Lao
- Applied Biosystems, Foster City, California, United States of America
| | - Kai-Fai Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
- Centre for Reproduction, Development and Growth, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - William S. B. Yeung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
- Centre for Reproduction, Development and Growth, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
- * E-mail:
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Sperm-borne microRNA-34c is required for the first cleavage division in mouse. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2011; 109:490-4. [PMID: 22203953 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1110368109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 301] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
In mammals, the sperm deliver mRNA of unknown function into the oocytes during fertilization. The role of sperm microRNAs (miRNAs) in preimplantation development is unknown. miRNA profiling identified six miRNAs expressed in the sperm and the zygotes but not in the oocytes or preimplantation embryos. Sperm contained both the precursor and the mature form of one of these miRNAs, miR-34c. The absence of an increased level of miR-34c in zygotes derived from α-amanitin-treated oocytes and in parthenogenetic oocytes supported a sperm origin of zygotic miR-34c. Injection of miR-34c inhibitor into zygotes inhibited DNA synthesis and significantly suppressed first cleavage division. A 3' UTR luciferase assay and Western blotting demonstrated that miR-34c regulates B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) expression in the zygotes. Coinjection of anti-Bcl-2 antibody in zygotes partially reversed but injection of Bcl-2 protein mimicked the effect of miR-34c inhibition. Oocyte activation is essential for the miR-34c action in zygotes, as demonstrated by a decrease in 3'UTR luciferase reporter activity and Bcl-2 expression after injection of precursor miR-34c into parthenogenetic oocytes. Our findings provide evidence that sperm-borne miR-34c is important for the first cell division via modulation of Bcl-2 expression.
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