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Köhne M, Diel E, Packeiser EM, Böttcher D, Tönissen A, Unruh C, Goericke-Pesch S, Ulrich R, Sieme H. Analysis of gene and protein expression in the endometrium for validation of an ex vivo model of the equine uterus using PCR, digital and visual histopathology. Theriogenology 2024; 221:38-46. [PMID: 38537320 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2024.03.015] [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: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
In the past, most research in equine reproduction has been performed in vivo but the use of in vitro and ex vivo models has recently increased. This study aimed to evaluate the functional stability of an ex vivo hemoperfused model for equine uteri with molecular characterization of marker genes and their proteins. In addition, the study validated the respective protein expression and the aptness of the software QuPath for identifying and scoring immunohistochemically stained equine endometrium. After collection, uteri (n = 12) were flushed with preservation solution, transported to the laboratory on ice, and perfused with autologous blood for 6 h. Cycle stage was determined by examination of the ovaries for presence of Graafian follicles or corpora lutea and analysis of plasma progesterone concentration (estrus: n = 4; diestrus: n = 4; anestrus: n = 4). Samples were obtained directly after slaughter, after transportation, and during perfusion (240, 300, 360 min). mRNA expression levels of progesterone (PGR), estrogen (ESR1) and oxytocin (OXTR) receptor as well as of MKI67 (marker of cell growth) and CASP3 (marker of apoptosis) were analyzed by RT-qPCR, and correlation to protein abundance was validated by immunohistochemical staining. Endometrial samples were analyzed by visual and computer-assisted evaluation of stained antigens via QuPath. For PGR, effects of the perfusion and cycle stage on expression were found (P < 0.05), while ESR1 was affected only by cycle stage (P < 0.05) and OXTR was unaffected by perfusion and cycle stage. MKI67 was lower after 360 min of perfusion as compared to samples collected before perfusion (P < 0.05). For CASP3, differences in gene expression were found after transport and samples taken after 240 min (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed effects of perfusion on stromal and glandular cells for steroid hormone receptors, but not for Ki-67 and active Caspase 3. OXTR was visualized in all layers of the endometrium and was unaffected by perfusion. Comparison of QuPath and visual analysis resulted in similar results. For most cell types and stained antigens, the correlation coefficient was r > 0.5. In conclusion, the isolated hemoperfused model of the equine uterus was successfully validated at the molecular level, demonstrating stability of key marker gene expression. The utility of computer-assisted immunohistochemical analysis of equine endometrial samples was also confirmed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Köhne
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany.
| | - Emilia Diel
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Eva-Maria Packeiser
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Denny Böttcher
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Anna Tönissen
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christin Unruh
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sandra Goericke-Pesch
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Small Animals, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Reiner Ulrich
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Leipzig University, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Harald Sieme
- Unit for Reproductive Medicine, Clinic for Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine, Foundation, 30559, Hannover, Germany
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Santiviparat S, Swangchan-Uthai T, Stout TAE, Buranapraditkun S, Setthawong P, Taephatthanasagon T, Rodprasert W, Sawangmake C, Tharasanit T. De novo reconstruction of a functional in vivo-like equine endometrium using collagen-based tissue engineering. Sci Rep 2024; 14:9012. [PMID: 38641671 PMCID: PMC11031578 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-59471-z] [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: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
To better understand molecular aspects of equine endometrial function, there is a need for advanced in vitro culture systems that more closely imitate the intricate 3-dimensional (3D) in vivo endometrial structure than current techniques. However, development of a 3D in vitro model of this complex tissue is challenging. This study aimed to develop an in vitro 3D endometrial tissue (3D-ET) with an epithelial cell phenotype optimized by treatment with a Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor. Equine endometrial epithelial (eECs) and mesenchymal stromal (eMSCs) cells were isolated separately, and eECs cultured in various concentrations of Rock inhibitor (0, 5, 10 µmol) in epithelial medium (EC-medium) containing 10% knock-out serum replacement (KSR). The optimal concentration of Rock inhibitor for enhancing eEC proliferation and viability was 10 µM. However, 10 µM Rock inhibitor in the 10% KSR EC-medium was able to maintain mucin1 (Muc1) gene expression for only a short period. In contrast, fetal bovine serum (FBS) was able to maintain Muc1 gene expression for longer culture durations. An in vitro 3D-ET was successfully constructed using a collagen-based scaffold to support the eECs and eMSCs. The 3D-ET closely mimicked in vivo endometrium by displaying gland-like eEC-derived structures positive for the endometrial gland marker, Fork headbox A2 (FOXA2), and by mimicking the 3D morphology of the stromal compartment. In addition, the 3D-ET expressed the secretory protein MUC1 on its glandular epithelial surface and responded to LPS challenge by upregulating the expression of the interleukin-6 (IL6) and prostaglandin F synthase (PGFS) genes (P < 0.01), along with an increase in their secretory products, IL-6 (P < 0.01) and prostaglandin F2alpha (PGF2α) (P < 0.001) respectively. In the future, this culture system can be used to study both normal physiology and pathological processes of the equine endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawita Santiviparat
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- CU-Animal Fertility Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Veterinary Clinical Stem Cells and Bioengineering Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Theerawat Swangchan-Uthai
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- CU-Animal Fertility Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Tom A E Stout
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Supranee Buranapraditkun
- Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Faculty of Medicine, Center of Excellence in Vaccine Research and Development (Chula Vaccine Research Center-Chula VRC), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
- Thai Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Immunology (TPGHAI) Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, King Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital, Chulalongkorn University, The Thai Red Cross Society, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Piyathip Setthawong
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Teeanutree Taephatthanasagon
- Veterinary Pharmacology and Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Veterinary Stem Cell and Bioengineering Innovation Center (VSCBIC), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Veterinary Systems Pharmacology Center (VSPC), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Watchareewan Rodprasert
- Veterinary Pharmacology and Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Veterinary Stem Cell and Bioengineering Innovation Center (VSCBIC), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Veterinary Systems Pharmacology Center (VSPC), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Chenphop Sawangmake
- Veterinary Pharmacology and Stem Cell Research Laboratory, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Veterinary Stem Cell and Bioengineering Innovation Center (VSCBIC), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, Veterinary Systems Pharmacology Center (VSPC), Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
- Faculty of Dentistry, Center of Excellence in Regenerative Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Theerawat Tharasanit
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- CU-Animal Fertility Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
- Veterinary Clinical Stem Cells and Bioengineering Research Unit, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
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Wang X, Wu J, Xie Y, Liu Y, Feng W, Zhang L, Zhao J, Meng H, Chen B, Zhao Q, Guo R. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles facilitate endometrial injury repair by carrying the E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP1. Biochem Cell Biol 2022; 100:357-369. [PMID: 36043683 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2021-0543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells-derived extracellular vesicles (BMSC-EVs) relieve endometrial injury. This study aimed to elucidate the BMSC-EV mechanism in alleviating endometrial injury. Endometrial injury model in vivo was induced using 95% ethanol, and endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) treated with mifepristone were applied as an endometrial injury model in vitro. After BMSCs and BMSC-EVs were isolated and identified, the BMSC-EV function was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin and Masson staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR, Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, flow cytometry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and Transwell and tubule formation assays. The BMSC-EV mechanism was assessed using Western blot, ubiquitination, and cycloheximide-chase assays. After isolation and identification, BMSC-EVs were effective in endometrial injury repair in vivo and facilitated EEC proliferation and repressed cell apoptosis in vitro; the EEC supernatants accelerated human umbilical vein endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and facilitated angiogenesis after endometrial injury in vitro. For the BMSC-EV mechanism, E3 ubiquitin ligase WWP1 in BMSC-EVs mediated the ubiquitination of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), thus relieving the PPARγ inhibition on vascular endothelial growth factor expression. Furthermore, the WWP1 in BMSC-EVs alleviated endometrial injury in vitro and in vivo. BMSC-EVs facilitated endometrial injury repair by carrying WWP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Wang
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Hua County People's Hospital, Anyang, Henan, China
| | - Junwei Wu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Hua County People's Hospital, Anyang, Henan, China.,Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ya Xie
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yanjie Liu
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Wei Feng
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lirong Zhang
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Hua County People's Hospital, Anyang, Henan, China
| | - Hongyu Meng
- Hua County People's Hospital, Anyang, Henan, China
| | - Baohong Chen
- Hua County People's Hospital, Anyang, Henan, China
| | - Qian Zhao
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ruixia Guo
- Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Köhne M, Unruh C, Böttcher D, Tönissen A, Ulrich R, Sieme H. Evaluation of an ex vivo model of the blood-perfused equine uterus. Theriogenology 2022; 184:82-91. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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D’Agostino A, Di Palma T, Cecchini Gualandi S, Boni R. Fluorescence Spectroscopy for the Diagnosis of Endometritis in the Mare. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091157. [PMID: 35565583 PMCID: PMC9101999 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
By exploiting the PMN property to produce high quantities of oxygen peroxide to neutralize pathogens, the oxygen peroxide content of uterine cells was measured to diagnose endometritis. After preliminary in vitro studies in which endometrial cells from slaughtered mares were mixed with leukocytes from peripheral blood, endometrial samples were collected by uterine flushing from mares before insemination. Staining endometrial cells with H2DCF-DA was combined with hydroethidine to normalize the fluorescence intensity with the cellular content of the sample. Stained cell smears were assumed as the gold standard of endometritis, and based on this assay, the samples were considered positive (C+) and negative (C−) for endometritis. The amount and the turbidity of fluid recovered by uterine flushing were significantly (p < 0.01) higher in C+ than in C−. Moreover, the oxygen peroxide content of the endometrial cells was significantly higher in the C+ than in the C− group (6.31 ± 1.92 vs. 3.12 ± 1.26, p = 0.001). Using the value of 4.4 as the cutoff level of this fluorescence cytology assay, it was found that only one C− sample exceeded the cutoff level (false positives = 7.7%) while three C+ samples showed values below the cutoff level (false negative = 11.5%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea D’Agostino
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Campus Macchia Romana, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (A.D.); (S.C.G.)
| | | | - Stefano Cecchini Gualandi
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Campus Macchia Romana, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (A.D.); (S.C.G.)
| | - Raffaele Boni
- Department of Sciences, University of Basilicata, Campus Macchia Romana, 85100 Potenza, Italy; (A.D.); (S.C.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0971-205017
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