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Ma Y, Deng X, Shen R, Zhang H, Qian Y. Unveiling immune tolerance pathways in preeclampsia placenta: implications for molecular targets and discovery of potential biomarkers. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1385154. [PMID: 38894741 PMCID: PMC11182985 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1385154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, there is a link between disruption of maternal immune tolerance and preeclampsia, but the molecular mechanisms that regulate maternal and fetal immune tolerance remain unclear. This study employs bioinformatics to identify new markers related to placental immune tolerance and explore their potential role in predicting preeclampsia. Analyzing preeclampsia-related gene expression profiles in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) dataset reveals 211 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the placenta, mainly influencing immune cell differentiation and response pathways. Employing weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and lasso regression, four potential target genes (ANKRD37, CRH, LEP, SIGLEC6) are identified for potential prediction of preeclampsia. Validation using the GSE4707 dataset confirmed the diagnostic and predictive potential of these candidate genes. RT-qPCR verified up-regulation in the placenta, while ELISA showed their correlation with immune tolerance factors associated with placental immune tolerance. As a result of this study, identifies potential biomarkers associated with placental immunity and contributes to understanding the molecular mechanism of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yantuanjin Ma
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Xingli Deng
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Ru Shen
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Hongqing Zhang
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Yunnan Joint Key Laboratory), Kunming City of Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Kunming City of Women and Children, Kunming, China
| | - Yuan Qian
- Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
- Clinical Medical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Yunnan Joint Key Laboratory), Kunming City of Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Kunming City of Women and Children, Kunming, China
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Yan X, Fang Y, Yuan Y, Ding Y, Yu H, Li Y, Shi Q, Gao Y, Zhou X, Zhang D, Yuan E, Zhou H, Zhao X, Zhang L. Combined analysis of the effects of hypoxia and oxidative stress on DNA methylation and the transcriptome in HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells. J Cell Mol Med 2024; 28:e18469. [PMID: 38899809 PMCID: PMC11187809 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.18469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The alterations in DNA methylation and transcriptome in trophoblast cells under conditions of low oxygen and oxidative stress have major implications for pregnancy-related disorders. However, the exact mechanism is still not fully understood. In this study, we established models of hypoxia (H group) and oxidative stress (HR group) using HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast cells and performed combined analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation changes using reduced representation bisulphite sequencing and transcriptome expression changes using RNA sequencing. Our findings revealed that the H group exhibited a higher number of differentially methylated genes and differentially expressed genes than the HR group. In the H group, only 0.90% of all differentially expressed genes displayed simultaneous changes in DNA methylation and transcriptome expression. After the threshold was expanded, this number increased to 6.29% in the HR group. Notably, both the H group and HR group exhibited concurrent alterations in DNA methylation and transcriptome expression within Axon guidance and MAPK signalling pathway. Among the top 25 differentially methylated KEGG pathways in the promoter region, 11 pathways were commonly enriched in H group and HR group, accounting for 44.00%. Among the top 25 KEGG pathways in transcriptome with significant differences between the H group and HR group, 10 pathways were consistent, accounting for 40.00%. By integrating our previous data on DNA methylation from preeclamptic placental tissues, we identified that the ANKRD37 and PFKFB3 genes may contribute to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia through DNA methylation-mediated transcriptome expression under hypoxic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjing Yan
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Yang Fang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Yujie Yuan
- Judicial Appraisal InstitutionThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Yangnan Ding
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Haiyang Yu
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Yina Li
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Qianqian Shi
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Yongrui Gao
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
| | - Xinyuan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
| | - Dongxin Zhang
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory MedicineZhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Enwu Yuan
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
- Tianjian Advanced Biomedical LaboratoryZhengzhouChina
| | - Hongwei Zhou
- Microbiome Medicine Center, Department of Laboratory MedicineZhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Xin Zhao
- Tianjian Advanced Biomedical LaboratoryZhengzhouChina
| | - Linlin Zhang
- Department of Laboratory MedicineThird Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou UniversityZhengzhouChina
- Zhengzhou Key Laboratory for In Vitro Diagnosis of Hypertensive Disorders of PregnancyZhengzhouChina
- Tianjian Advanced Biomedical LaboratoryZhengzhouChina
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Li Y, Zhu Q, He R, Du J, Qin X, Li Y, Liang X, Wang J. The NFκB Signaling Pathway Is Involved in the Pathophysiological Process of Preeclampsia. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2024; 84:334-345. [PMID: 38618576 PMCID: PMC11006561 DOI: 10.1055/a-2273-6318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
The high prevalence of preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal and fetal mortality and affects the long-term prognosis of both mother and baby. Termination of pregnancy is currently the only effective treatment for PE, so there is an urgent need for research into its pathogenesis and the development of new therapeutic approaches. The NFκB family of transcription factors has an essential role in inflammation and innate immunity. In this review, we summarize the role of NFκB in normal and preeclampsia pregnancies, the role of NFκB in existing treatment strategies, and potential NFκB treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaxi Li
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Qinying Zhu
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Ruifen He
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Junhong Du
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xue Qin
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yi Li
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaolei Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory for Gynecologic Oncology Gansu Province, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
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Luan X, Zhai J, Li S, Du Y. Downregulation of FHL2 suppressed trophoblast migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in recurrent miscarriage. Reprod Biomed Online 2024; 48:103342. [PMID: 37945432 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103342] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Is four and a half LIM domain 2 (FHL2) involved in trophoblast migration, invasion and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in recurrent miscarriage? DESIGN Villus tissue was collected from 24 patients who had experienced recurrent miscarriage and 24 healthy controls. FHL2 mRNA and protein expression in villus specimens were observed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Small interfering RNA and overexpression plasmid were used to change the FHL2 expression. JAR and HTR8/SVneo cell lines were used to conduct scratch-wound assay and transwell assay to detect trophoblast migration and invasion of FHL2. Downstream molecule expression of mRNA and protein and EMT markers were verified by qRT-PCR and Western blot. RESULTS Significantly lower FHL2 mRNA (P = 0.019) and protein (P = 0.0014) expression was found in trophoblasts from the recurrent miscarriage group compared with healthy controls. FHL2 knockdown repressed migration (P = 0.0046), invasion (P < 0.001) and EMT, as shown by significant differences in mRNA and protein expression of the EMT markers N-cadherin, E-cadherin, Vimentin and Snail (all P < 0.05) of extravillus trophoblasts. FHL2 overexpression enhanced migration (P = 0.025), invasion (P < 0.001) and EMT of extravillus trophoblasts (all EMT markers P < 0.05). The positive upstream factor FHL2 in the extracellular signal-related kinase pathway induced JunD expression, thereby promoting trophoblast migration and invasion via matrix metalloproteinase 2. CONCLUSIONS FHL2 is involved in a regulatory pathway of trophoblast migration, invasion and EMT during early pregnancy, and may have a role in recurrent miscarriage pathogenesis, which can serve as a possible target for novel therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorui Luan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China
| | - Junyu Zhai
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China
| | - Shang Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China
| | - Yanzhi Du
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200135, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai 200135, China.
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Zhu Q, Zhao X, Zhang D, Xia W, Zhang J. Abnormal expression of SLIT3 induces intravillous vascularization dysplasia in ectopic pregnancy. PeerJ 2023; 11:e14850. [PMID: 36793891 PMCID: PMC9924138 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To investigate whether the morphology, capillary number, and transcriptome expression profiles of ectopic pregnancy (EP) villi differ from those of normal pregnancy (NP) villi. Methods Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining for CD31 were conducted to compare differences in morphology and capillary number between EP and NP villi. Differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and mRNAs were determined from transcriptome sequencing of both types of villi and used to construct a miRNA-mRNA network, from which hub genes were identified. Candidate DE-miRNAs and DE-mRNAs were validated by quantitative reverse transcription (qRT)-PCR. Correlations were identified between the number of capillaries and serum beta human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) levels and between the expression levels of hub genes associated with angiogenesis and β-HCG levels. Results The mean and total cross-sectional areas of placental villi were significantly increased in EP compared with NP villi. Capillary density was greatly reduced in EP villi and was positively correlated with β-HCG levels. A total of 49 DE-miRNAs and 625 DE-mRNAs were identified from the sequencing data. An integrated analysis established a miRNA-mRNA network containing 32 DE-miRNAs and 103 DE-mRNAs. Based on the validation of hub mRNAs and miRNAs in the network, a regulatory pathway involving miR-491-5p-SLIT3 was discovered, which may have a role in the development of villous capillaries. Conclusion Villus morphology, capillary number, and miRNA/mRNA expression profiles in villous tissues were aberrant in EP placentas. Specifically, SLIT3, which is regulated by miR-491-5p, may contribute to the regulation of villous angiogenesis and was established as a putative predictor of chorionic villus development, providing a basis for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoya Zhao
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Duo Zhang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Xia
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian Zhang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China,Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
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Arnan C, Ullrich S, Pulido-Quetglas C, Nurtdinov R, Esteban A, Blanco-Fernandez J, Aparicio-Prat E, Johnson R, Pérez-Lluch S, Guigó R. Paired guide RNA CRISPR-Cas9 screening for protein-coding genes and lncRNAs involved in transdifferentiation of human B-cells to macrophages. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:402. [PMID: 35619054 PMCID: PMC9137126 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08612-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 screening libraries have arisen as a powerful tool to identify protein-coding (pc) and non-coding genes playing a role along different processes. In particular, the usage of a nuclease active Cas9 coupled to a single gRNA has proven to efficiently impair the expression of pc-genes by generating deleterious frameshifts. Here, we first demonstrate that targeting the same gene simultaneously with two guide RNAs (paired guide RNAs, pgRNAs) synergistically enhances the capacity of the CRISPR-Cas9 system to knock out pc-genes. We next design a library to target, in parallel, pc-genes and lncRNAs known to change expression during the transdifferentiation from pre-B cells to macrophages. We show that this system is able to identify known players in this process, and also predicts 26 potential novel ones, of which we select four (two pc-genes and two lncRNAs) for deeper characterization. Our results suggest that in the case of the candidate lncRNAs, their impact in transdifferentiation may be actually mediated by enhancer regions at the targeted loci, rather than by the lncRNA transcripts themselves. The CRISPR-Cas9 coupled to a pgRNAs system is, therefore, a suitable tool to simultaneously target pc-genes and lncRNAs for genomic perturbation assays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carme Arnan
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Sebastian Ullrich
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Carlos Pulido-Quetglas
- Department of Medical Oncology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Inselspital, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Ramil Nurtdinov
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Alexandre Esteban
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Present address: Department of Research and Innovation, "la Caixa" Foundation, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Joan Blanco-Fernandez
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
- Present address: Department of Immunobiology, University of Lausanne, Epalinges, Switzerland
| | - Estel Aparicio-Prat
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Rory Johnson
- Department of Medical Oncology, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Inselspital, Switzerland
- Department for BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- School of Biology and Environmental Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- Conway Institute for Biomolecular and Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sílvia Pérez-Lluch
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
| | - Roderic Guigó
- Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), The Barcelona Institute for Science and Technology, Barcelona (BIST), Dr. Aiguader 88, 08003, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
- Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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