Identification of stathmin 1 during peri-implantation period in mouse endometrium by a proteomics-based analysis

Effect of 3D and 2D cell culture systems on trophoblast extracellular vesicle physico-chemical characteristics and potency

The growing understanding of the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in embryo-maternal communication has sparked considerable interest in their therapeutic potential within assisted reproductive technology, particularly in enhancing implantation success. However, the major obstacle remains the large-scale production of EVs, and there is still a gap in understanding how different culture systems affect the characteristics of the EVs. In the current study, trophoblast analogue human chorionic carcinoma cell line was cultivated in both conventional monolayer culture (2D) and as spheroids in suspension culture (3D) and how the cell growth environment affects the physical, biochemical and cellular signalling properties of EVs produced by them was studied. Interestingly, the 3D system was more active in secreting EVs compared to the 2D system, while no significant differences were observed in terms of morphology, size, and classical EV protein marker expression between EVs derived from the two culture systems. There were substantial differences in the proteomic cargo profile and cellular signalling potency of EVs derived from the two culture systems. Notably, 2D EVs were more potent in inducing a cellular response in endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) compared to 3D EVs. Therefore, it is essential to recognize that the biological activity of EVs depends not only on the cell of origin but also on the cellular microenvironment of the parent cell. In conclusion, caution is warranted when selecting an EV production platform, especially for assessing the functional and therapeutic potential of EVs through in vitro studies.

Boar seminal plasma: current insights on its potential role for assisted reproductive technologies in swine

Seminal plasma (SP) supports not only sperm function but also the ability of spermatozoa to withstand biotechnological procedures as artificial insemination, freezing or sex sorting. Moreover, evidence has been provided that SP contains identifiable molecules which can act as fertility biomarkers, and even improve the output of assisted reproductive technologies by acting as modulators of endometrial and embryonic changes of gene expression, thus affecting embryo development and fertility beyond the sperm horizon. In this overview, we discuss current knowledge of the composition of SP, mainly proteins and cytokines, and their influence on semen basic procedures, such as liquid storage or cryopreservation. The role of SP as modulator of endometrial and embryonic molecular changes that lead to successful pregnancy will also be discussed.

Seminal Plasma Induces Overexpression of Genes Associated with Embryo Development and Implantation in Day-6 Porcine Blastocysts

The infusion of boar seminal plasma (SP) before artificial insemination (AI) positively alters the expression of endometrial genes and pathways involved in embryo development. This study aimed to determine which transcriptome changes occur in preimplantation embryos in response to SP infusions during estrus. Postweaning estrus sows received 40-mL intrauterine infusions of either SP (N = 6) or BTS extender (control group; N = 6) 30 min before each of two post-cervical AIs. On Day 6, embryos were surgically collected and analyzed for differential gene expression. Microarray analysis of embryos revealed 210 annotated genes, differentially expressed (p-value < 0.05 and fold change </> 2) in SP-blastocysts, compared to controls. Most of these genes were associated with biological, cellular, metabolic and developmental processes. The pathways enriched among the upregulated genes related to signal transduction, cellular processes and the endocrine system. Among altered genes involved in these pathways, the SP-group showed a conspicuous overexpression of ApoA-I, CDK1, MAPK1, SMAD2, PRKAA1 and RICTOR, with reported key roles in embryo development, implantation, or progression of pregnancy. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that SP infusions prior to AI upregulates the expression of embryo development related genes in Day 6 pig embryos.

Role of epithelial–mesenchymal transition regulated by twist basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 2 (Twist2) in embryo implantation in mice

In a previous study we found the expression of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) biomarkers, including E-cadherin and N-cadherin, was significantly altered in uterine endometrium during embryo implantation via regulation by microRNA (miRNA)-429 and protocadherin-8 (Pcdh8). As a natural continuation of the previous study, the aim of the present study was to explore the role of EMT during embryo implantation and the potential activity of twist basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 2 (Twist2) in regulating embryo implantation. A pregnancy model was established by naturally mating adult female ICR mice with fertile males. A pseudopregnancy model was established by mating fertile female ICR mice with vasectomised males. An invitro model of embryo implantation was established by the coculture of Ishikawa and JAR spheroids. Endometrial tissue during the peri-implantation period was collected, as were Ishikawa cells, JAR cells and cocultured cells. The expression of EMT markers (E-cadherin, N-cadherin, vimentin and cytokeratin) and Twist2 was detected invivo and invitro using the western blot analysis during embryo implantation. The expression of N-cadherin and vimentin (mesenchymal markers) was upregulated in the invitro implantation model, with downregulation of E-cadherin and cytokeratin (epithelial markers) expression. The expression of N-cadherin, vimentin and Twist2 increased significantly at the implantation sites at the time of implantation (Day 5), whereas the expression of E-cadherin and cytokeratin decreased. Location of Twist2 during embryo implantation was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), which revealed that it was extensively expressed in endometrial glandular epithelium and luminal epithelium at implantation sites on Day 5. The effect of the expression of Twist2 on embryo implantation was evaluated by suppressing Twist2 using Twist2-short interference (si) RNA in invivo and invitro models. The numbers of implanted embryos and the implantation rate were compared invivo and invitro. Western blot analysis showed that suppression of Twist2 led to upregulation of E-cadherin and cytokeratin, accompanied by downregulation of N-cadherin and vimentin (P&lt;0.05). The number of implanted embryos after Twist2-siRNA interference was lower than in normal pregnancy (mean (±s.d.) 2.4±0.5 vs 6.8±1.3 respectively; P&lt;0.05). These findings suggest the involvement of EMT in embryo implantation. The suppression of Twist2 could suppress embryo implantation by regulating EMT.

Stathmin 1 plays a role in endometrial decidualisation by regulating hypoxia inducible factor-1α and vascular endothelial growth factor during embryo implantation

The aim of the present study was to explore the potential mechanism underlying stathmin 1 (Stmn1) regulation of embryo implantation, as a continuation of previous proteomic research. Adult healthy female mice were mated naturally with fertile males. Murine uterine tissue was collected during the peri-implantation period. Local expression of Stmn1 during embryo implantation was detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), which showed that Stmn1 was extensively expressed in endometrial glandular epithelium, vascular endothelium, luminal epithelium and the underlying stromal cells at the implantation site on Day 5. The role of Stmn1 during embryo implantation was evaluated by transient knockdown of Stmn1 in vivo using short interference (si) RNA, and some associated factors including Akt, phosphorylated (p-) Akt, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, prolactin (PRL), insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP) 1 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were examined by western blotting analysis and ELISA. The number of embryos implanted after Stmn1-siRNA infusion into the lumen of one uterine horn was lower than that with normal pregnancies (2.2 ± 1.5 vs 8.6 ± 0.5 respectively; P < 0.05). The expression of VEGF, HIF-1α, p-Akt and the decidualisation biomarkers PRL and IGFBP 1 was upregulated at the implantation site on Day 5, but downregulated after Stmn1-siRNA infusion. These findings suggest that during embryo implantation, knockdown of Stmn1 suppresses decidualisation by inhibiting the expression of p-Akt, HIF-1α and VEGF, thus leading to impaired embryo implantation. These findings provide clues for understanding the complicated process of embryo implantation and the potential role of Stmn1 during embryo implantation.

Decreased stathmin-1 expression inhibits trophoblast proliferation and invasion and is associated with recurrent miscarriage

Fetal trophoblasts invade endometrium and establish a complex interaction with the maternal microenvironment during early pregnancy. However, the molecular mechanisms regulating trophoblast migration and invasion at the maternal-fetal interface remain poorly understood. Immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting have shown that stathmin-1 (STMN1) was down-regulated significantly in placental villi tissue and trophoblasts from patients with recurrent miscarriage. In vitro, overexpression of STMN1 promoted human trophoblast proliferation, migration, and invasion, whereas knockdown of STMN1 inhibited these processes. In addition, knockdown of STMN1 down-regulated N-cadherin and up-regulated E-cadherin in trophoblasts, whereas E-cadherin was up-regulated and N-cadherin was down-regulated in recurrent miscarriage villi tissue. Knockdown of STMN1 attenuated cytoplasmic-nuclear translocation of β-catenin and in turn down-regulated trophoblast matrix metalloproteases. Furthermore, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) down-regulated STMN1 expression, and serum TNF-α expression correlated inversely with trophoblast STMN1 levels. Interestingly, M1 macrophage-derived TNF-α reduced trophoblast migration and invasion, and an anti-TNF-α antibody reversed this effect. Collectively, this study indicated that STMN1 may play a key role in regulating trophoblast invasion, and that impaired STMN1 expression may lead to abnormal trophoblast invasion and result in recurrent miscarriage.