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Li Y, Wu H, Pei X, Liu S, Yan Q. Alpha 1,3 N-Acetylgalactosaminyl Transferase (GTA) Impairs Invasion Potential of Trophoblast Cells in Preeclampsia. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7287. [PMID: 39000392 PMCID: PMC11242368 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific disorder associated with shallow invasion of the trophoblast cells and insufficient remodeling of the uterine spiral artery. Protein glycosylation plays an important role in trophoblast cell invasion. However, the glycobiological mechanism of PE has not been fully elucidated. In the current study, employing the Lectin array, we found that soybean agglutinin (SBA), which recognizes the terminal N-acetylgalactosamine α1,3-galactose (GalNAc α1,3 Gal) glycotype, was significantly increased in placental trophoblast cells from PE patients compared with third-trimester pregnant controls. Upregulating the expression of the key enzyme α1,3 N-acetylgalactosaminyl transferase (GTA) promoted the biosynthesis of terminal GalNAc α1,3 Gal and inhibited the migration/invasion of HTR8/SVneo trophoblast cells. Moreover, the methylation status of GTA promoter in placental tissues from PE patients was lower than that in the third trimester by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP) analysis. Elevated GTA expression in combination with the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-azacytidine (5-AzaC) treatment increased the glycotype biosynthesis and impaired the invasion potential of trophoblast cells, leading to preeclampsia. This study suggests that elevated terminal GalNAc α1,3 Gal biosynthesis and GTA expression may be applied as the new markers for evaluating placental function and the auxiliary diagnosis of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqi Li
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Hongpan Wu
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Xiaosong Pei
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Shuai Liu
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
| | - Qiu Yan
- Liaoning Provincial Core Lab of Glycobiology and Glycoengineering, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116044, China
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2
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Auvinen P, Vehviläinen J, Marjonen H, Modhukur V, Sokka J, Wallén E, Rämö K, Ahola L, Salumets A, Otonkoski T, Skottman H, Ollikainen M, Trokovic R, Kahila H, Kaminen-Ahola N. Chromatin modifier developmental pluripotency associated factor 4 (DPPA4) is a candidate gene for alcohol-induced developmental disorders. BMC Med 2022; 20:495. [PMID: 36581877 PMCID: PMC9801659 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-022-02699-1] [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: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) affects embryonic development, causing a variable fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) phenotype with neuronal disorders and birth defects. We hypothesize that early alcohol-induced epigenetic changes disrupt the accurate developmental programming of embryo and consequently cause the complex phenotype of developmental disorders. To explore the etiology of FASD, we collected unique biological samples of 80 severely alcohol-exposed and 100 control newborns at birth. METHODS We performed genome-wide DNA methylation (DNAm) and gene expression analyses of placentas by using microarrays (EPIC, Illumina) and mRNA sequencing, respectively. To test the manifestation of observed PAE-associated DNAm changes in embryonic tissues as well as potential biomarkers for PAE, we examined if the changes can be detected also in white blood cells or buccal epithelial cells of the same newborns by EpiTYPER. To explore the early effects of alcohol on extraembryonic placental tissue, we selected 27 newborns whose mothers had consumed alcohol up to gestational week 7 at maximum to the separate analyses. Furthermore, to explore the effects of early alcohol exposure on embryonic cells, human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) as well as hESCs during differentiation into endodermal, mesodermal, and ectodermal cells were exposed to alcohol in vitro. RESULTS DPPA4, FOXP2, and TACR3 with significantly decreased DNAm were discovered-particularly the regulatory region of DPPA4 in the early alcohol-exposed placentas. When hESCs were exposed to alcohol in vitro, significantly altered regulation of DPPA2, a closely linked heterodimer of DPPA4, was observed. While the regulatory region of DPPA4 was unmethylated in both control and alcohol-exposed hESCs, alcohol-induced decreased DNAm similar to placenta was seen in in vitro differentiated mesodermal and ectodermal cells. Furthermore, common genes with alcohol-associated DNAm changes in placenta and hESCs were linked exclusively to the neurodevelopmental pathways in the enrichment analysis, which emphasizes the value of placental tissue when analyzing the effects of prenatal environment on human development. CONCLUSIONS Our study shows the effects of early alcohol exposure on human embryonic and extraembryonic cells, introduces candidate genes for alcohol-induced developmental disorders, and reveals potential biomarkers for prenatal alcohol exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Auvinen
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - J Vehviläinen
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - H Marjonen
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - V Modhukur
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - J Sokka
- Research Programs Unit, Stem cells and Metabolism and Biomedicum Stem Cell Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - E Wallén
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - K Rämö
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - L Ahola
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - A Salumets
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, S-171 76, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - T Otonkoski
- Research Programs Unit, Stem cells and Metabolism and Biomedicum Stem Cell Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
- Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - H Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, 33520, Tampere, Finland
| | - M Ollikainen
- Institute for Molecular Medicine, Finland, FIMM, HiLIFE, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - R Trokovic
- Research Programs Unit, Stem cells and Metabolism and Biomedicum Stem Cell Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, 00014, Helsinki, Finland
| | - H Kahila
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Hospital, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland
| | - N Kaminen-Ahola
- Environmental Epigenetics Laboratory, Department of Medical and Clinical Genetics, Medicum, University of Helsinki, 00290, Helsinki, Finland.
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3
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Kasoha M, Takacs Z, Fackiner L, Gerlinger C, Sklavounos P, Radosa J, Solomayer EF, Hamza A. Comparison of Maternal Serum Levels and Placental mRNA Levels of Dickkopf-1 in Preeclamptic and Normal Pregnant Women at Delivery. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2021; 81:1247-1255. [PMID: 34754274 PMCID: PMC8568501 DOI: 10.1055/a-1557-1234] [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: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background
Preeclampsia remains a major cause of perinatal and maternal mortality and morbidity worldwide. Wnt/β-catenin signaling is known to be critically involved in placenta development processes. Dickkopf-1 (DKK1) is a key regulator of this transduction pathway. The aim of this study is to compare maternal serum DKK1 levels and placental mRNA levels of
DKK1
and β-catenin in preeclamptic and normal pregnant women at delivery.
Methods
The present study included 30 women with preeclampsia and 30 women with normal pregnancy. Maternal serum DKK1 levels were measured by ELISA. Placental mRNA levels of
DKK1
and β-catenin were detected using RT-PCR.
Results
Decreased maternal serum DKK1 levels were associated with worse maternal and fetal complications including HELLP syndrome, determination of one or more pathological symptom and IUGR diagnosis. No significant difference in maternal serum DKK1 levels was reported between preeclamptic women and women with normal pregnancy. Placental mRNA
DKK1
levels were lower in preeclamptic women compared with normal pregnant women. Placental mRNA β-catenin levels showed no significant difference between two groups.
Conclusions
Our findings reported the aberrant placental mRNA
DKK1
levels in patients with preeclampsia. In addition, worse preeclampsia features were associated with decreased maternal serum DKK1 levels. Hence, aberrant Wnt/β-catenin signaling might present a plausible mechanism in preeclampsia pathogenicity. Dysregulated expression of DKK1 at gene level in the placenta but not at protein level in the maternal serum might confirm the notion that preeclampsia is a type of placenta-derived disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariz Kasoha
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University Medical School of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Zoltan Takacs
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University Medical School of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Lena Fackiner
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University Medical School of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Christoph Gerlinger
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University Medical School of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Panagiotis Sklavounos
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University Medical School of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Julia Radosa
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University Medical School of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Erich-Franz Solomayer
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University Medical School of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
| | - Amr Hamza
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University Medical School of Saarland, Homburg/Saar, Germany
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WNT3 hypomethylation counteracts low activity of the Wnt signaling pathway in the placenta of preeclampsia. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6995-7008. [PMID: 34608506 PMCID: PMC8558176 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03941-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Many studies have shown that epigenetic mechanisms may play a role in preeclampsia. Moreover, our previous study indicated that the differentially methylated genes in preeclampsia were enriched in the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This study aimed to identify differentially methylated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway genes in the preeclamptic placenta and to study the roles of these genes in trophoblast cells in vitro. Using an Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation 850 K BeadChip, we found that the Wnt signaling pathway was globally hypermethylated in the preeclamptic group compared with the term birth group, but hypomethylated in the preeclamptic group compared with the preterm birth group. Among all Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway factors, WNT3 was the most significantly differentially expressed gene and was hypomethylated in the preeclamptic group compared to the nonhypertensive groups, namely, the preterm birth group and term birth group. This result was confirmed by pyrosequencing. Through quantitative real-time PCR and western blot analysis, the WNT3 gene was found to be highly expressed in preeclamptic placental tissues, in contrast to other WNT factors, which were previously reported to be expressed at low levels in placental tissues. Additionally, in the HTR8/SVneo cell line, knockdown of WNT3 suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, consistent with the findings for other WNT factors. These results prompted us to speculate that the WNT3 gene counteracts the low activation state of the Wnt signaling pathway in the preeclamptic placenta through methylation modification.
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Peng P, Song H, Xie C, Zheng W, Ma H, Xin D, Zhan J, Yuan X, Chen A, Tao J, Qin J. miR-146a-5p-mediated suppression on trophoblast cell progression and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in preeclampsia. Biol Res 2021; 54:30. [PMID: 34517910 PMCID: PMC8438983 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-021-00351-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective This study aims to identify the effect of miR-146a-5p on trophoblast cell invasion as well as the mechanism in preeclampsia (PE). Methods Expression levels of miR-146a-5p and Wnt2 in preeclamptic and normal placentae were quantified. Trophoblast cells (HTR-8) were separately transfected with miR-146a-5p mimic, miR-146a-5p inhibitor, pcDNA3.1-Wnt2 or sh-Wnt2, and then the expression levels of miR-146a-5p, Wnt2, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins (Vimentin, N-cadherin and E-cadherin) were measured. Moreover, the proliferative, migratory and invasive capacities of trophoblast cells were detected, respectively. Dual luciferase reporter assay determined the binding of miR-146a-5p and Wnt2. Results Compared with normal placental tissues, the placentae from PE patients showed higher miR-146a-5p expression and lower Wnt2 expression. Transfection of miR-146a-5p inhibitor or pcDNA3.1-Wnt2 exerted pro-migratory and pro-invasive effects on HTR-8 cells and encouraged EMT in HTR-8 cells; transfection with miR-146a-5p mimic or sh-Wnt2 weakened the proliferative, migratory and invasive capacities as well as reduced EMT process of HTR-8 cells. Moreover, Wnt2 overexpression could partially counteract the suppressive effects of miR-146a-5p overexpression on the progression and EMT of HTR-8 cells. Conclusion miR-146a-5p mediates trophoblast cell proliferation and invasion through regulating Wnt2 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pingping Peng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Huamei Song
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Chenghong Xie
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfei Zheng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Huigai Ma
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Dandan Xin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingqiong Zhan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Yuan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Aihua Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Tao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China
| | - Jufang Qin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China. .,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, the First People's Hospital of Yichang, the People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, No. 4, Hudi Street, Xiling District, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, People's Republic of China.
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6
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Oxidative stress caused by a dysregulated Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway is involved in abnormal placenta formation in pregnant mice with chronic fatigue syndrome. ZYGOTE 2020; 29:122-129. [PMID: 33054899 DOI: 10.1017/s096719942000057x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by extreme fatigue and disabling symptoms. Women with CFS often have a high risk of gynaecological problems such as irregular menstruation, endometriosis and pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction. Our previous results have shown that, in pregnant mice, CFS significantly decreased the progestational hormone level in serum, as well as learning and memory, and the function of the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis. In addition, the F1 generation also suffered from congenital hypothyroidism. At present, there has been no report about placenta formation and embryonic development in pregnant mice with CFS. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of CFS on the morphology, oxidative stress and Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway during placenta formation. In this study, we found that CFS decreased the number of implantation sites for blastocysts, and increased the number of absorbed, stillborn and malformed fetuses. The morphology and structure of the placenta were abnormal in pregnant mice with CFS. Further study found that the oxidative stress in serum, uterus and placenta was increased in pregnant mice with CFS, while the levels of antioxidase were decreased. CFS also inhibited the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway in the placenta. These results suggested that inhibition of the Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway and enhanced oxidative stress play an important role in abnormal placentation in pregnant mice with CFS.
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7
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Chu T, Shaw P, McClain L, Simhan H, Peters D. High-resolution epigenomic liquid biopsy for noninvasive phenotyping in pregnancy. Prenat Diagn 2020; 41:61-69. [PMID: 33002217 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2020] [Revised: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We explored the potential of genome-wide epigenomic liquid biopsy for the comprehensive analysis of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) methylation signatures in maternal plasma in early gestation. METHOD We used solution phase hybridization for targeted region capture of bisulfite-converted DNA obtained from plasma of pregnant women in early gestation and nonpregnant female controls. RESULTS Targeted sequencing of ~80.5 Mb of the plasma methylome generated an average read depth across all 17 plasma samples of ~42x. We used these data to explore the pregnancy-specific characteristics of cfDNA methylation in plasma and found that pregnancy resulted in clearly detectable global alterations in DNA methylation patterns that were influenced by genomic location. We analyzed similar, previously published, data from first-trimester maternal leukocyte populations and gestational age-matched chorionic villus (CV) and confirmed that tissue-specific DNA methylation signatures in these samples had a significant influence on global and gene-specific methylation in the plasma of pregnant women. CONCLUSION We describe an approach for targeted epigenomic liquid biopsy in pregnancy and discuss our findings in the context of noninvasive prenatal testing with respect to phenotypic pregnancy monitoring and the early detection of complex gestational phenotypes such as preeclampsia and preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianjiao Chu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Patricia Shaw
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Lora McClain
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hyagriv Simhan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - David Peters
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Magee-Womens Research Institute, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.,Department of Human Genetics, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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8
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Liu Y, Huang J, Yu N, Wei S, Liu Z. Involvement of WNT2 in trophoblast cell behavior in preeclampsia development. Cell Cycle 2020; 19:2207-2215. [PMID: 32779546 PMCID: PMC7513852 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2020.1802913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Revised: 06/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the WNT2 expression in patients with severe preeclampsia and to explore the function of WNT2 dysregulation on the biological behaviors of trophoblast cells. The WNT2 and β-catenin expression in the patients with early-onset and late-onset severe preeclampsia and normal controls was determined. Subsequently, WNT2 was overexpressed and knocked down in HTR8 cells and WNT2 signaling pathway in regulating trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were evaluated in vitro. The mRNA and protein expression levels of WNT2 and β-catenin were decreased in patients with preeclampsia, especially early-onset severe preeclampsia. Overexpression of WNT2 promoted trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and inhibited apoptosis in vitro, whereas knockdown of WNT2 had opposite effects. The findings of this study reveal that WNT2 and β-catenin were decreased expressed in patients with preeclampsia. Decreased expression of WNT2 may inhibit trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, and invasion but induced apoptosis. WNT2 may serve as a promising biomarker for early detection of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yufang Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Junzhi Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Ning Yu
- Department of Pathology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Shuangyan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China
| | - Zhiqiang Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Binzhou Medical University Hospital, Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China
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9
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Cirkovic A, Garovic V, Milin Lazovic J, Milicevic O, Savic M, Rajovic N, Aleksic N, Weissgerber T, Stefanovic A, Stanisavljevic D, Milic N. Systematic review supports the role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia: a call for analytical and methodological standardization. Biol Sex Differ 2020; 11:36. [PMID: 32631423 PMCID: PMC7336649 DOI: 10.1186/s13293-020-00313-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have recently examined the role of epigenetic mechanisms in preeclampsia pathophysiology. One commonly examined epigenetic process is DNA methylation. This heritable epigenetic marker is involved in many important cellular functions. The aim of this study was to establish the association between DNA methylation and preeclampsia and to critically appraise the roles of major study characteristics that can significantly impact the association between DNA methylation and preeclampsia. MAIN BODY A systematic review was performed by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE for original research articles published over time, until May 31, 2019 in English. Eligible studies compared DNA methylation levels in pregnant women with vs. without preeclampsia. Ninety articles were included. Epigenome-wide studies identified hundreds of differentially methylated places/regions in preeclamptic patients. Hypomethylation was the predominant finding in studies analyzing placental tissue (14/19), while hypermethylation was detected in three studies that analyzed maternal white blood cells (3/3). In candidate gene studies, methylation alterations for a number of genes were found to be associated with preeclampsia. A greater number of differentially methylated genes was found when analyzing more severe preeclampsia (70/82), compared to studies analyzing less severe preeclampsia vs. controls (13/27). A high degree of heterogeneity existed among the studies in terms of methodological study characteristics including design (study design, definition of preeclampsia, control group, sample size, confounders), implementation (biological sample, DNA methylation method, purification of DNA extraction, and validation of methylation), analysis (analytical method, batch effect, genotyping, and gene expression), and data presentation (methylation quantification measure, measure of variability, reporting). Based on the results of this review, we provide recommendations for study design and analytical approach for further studies. CONCLUSIONS The findings from this review support the role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Establishing field-wide methodological and analytical standards may increase value and reduce waste, allowing researchers to gain additional insights into the role of DNA methylation in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Cirkovic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - V Garovic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - J Milin Lazovic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - O Milicevic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - M Savic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - N Rajovic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - N Aleksic
- Center for Molecular Biology, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - T Weissgerber
- Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.,Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin Institute of Health, QUEST Center, Berlin, Germany
| | - A Stefanovic
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - D Stanisavljevic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - N Milic
- Institute for Medical Statistics and Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. .,Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
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Zhao S, Lv N, Li Y, Liu T, Sun Y, Chu X. Identification and characterization of methylation-mediated transcriptional dysregulation dictate methylation roles in preeclampsia. Hum Genomics 2020; 14:5. [PMID: 32000849 PMCID: PMC6993410 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-020-0256-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preeclampsia (PE) is a heterogeneous, hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, with no robust biomarkers or effective treatments. PE increases the risk of poor outcomes for both the mother and the baby. Methylation-mediated transcriptional dysregulation motifs (methTDMs) could contribute the PE development. However, precise functional roles of methTDMs in PE have not been globally described. Methods Here, we develop a comprehensive and computational pipeline to identify PE-specific methTDMs following TF, gene, methylation expression profile, and experimentally verified TF-gene interactions. Results The regulation patterns of methTDMs are multiple and complex in PE and contain relax inhibition, intensify inhibition, relax activation, intensify activation, reverse activation, and reverse inhibition. A core module is extracted from global methTDM network to further depict the mechanism of methTDMs in PE. The common and specific features of any two kinds of regulation pattern are also analyzed in PE. Some key methylation sites, TFs, and genes such as IL2RG are identified in PE. Functional analysis shows that methTDMs are associated with immune-, insulin-, and NK cell-related functions. Drug-related network identifies some key drug repurposing candidates such as NADH. Conclusion Collectively, the study highlighted the effect of methylation on the transcription process in PE. MethTDMs could contribute to identify specific biomarkers and drug repurposing candidates for PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyu Zhao
- Third Ward of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 246 XueFu Road, Harbin, 150006, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Nan Lv
- Third Ward of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 246 XueFu Road, Harbin, 150006, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yan Li
- Third Ward of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 246 XueFu Road, Harbin, 150006, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Tianyi Liu
- Third Ward of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 246 XueFu Road, Harbin, 150006, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhong Sun
- Third Ward of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 246 XueFu Road, Harbin, 150006, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodan Chu
- Third Ward of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, 246 XueFu Road, Harbin, 150006, Heilongjiang, People's Republic of China
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