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Visser N, Silva AV, Tarvainen I, Damdimopoulos A, Davey E, Roos K, Björvang RD, Kallak TK, Lager S, Lavogina D, Laws M, Piltonen T, Salumets A, Flaws JA, Öberg M, Velthut-Meikas A, Damdimopoulou P, Olovsson M. Epidemiologically relevant phthalates affect human endometrial cells in vitro through cell specific gene expression changes related to the cytoskeleton and mitochondria. Reprod Toxicol 2024; 128:108660. [PMID: 38992643 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2024.108660] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/13/2024]
Abstract
Phthalates are endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) found in common consumer products such as soft plastics and cosmetics. Although the knowledge regarding the adverse effects of phthalates on female fertility are accumulating, information on the hormone sensitive endometrium is still scarce. Here, we studied the effects of phthalates on endometrial cell proliferation and gene expression. Human endometrial primary epithelial and stromal cells were isolated from healthy fertile-aged women (n=3), and were compared to endometrial cell lines T-HESC and Ishikawa. Three different epidemiologically relevant phthalate mixtures were used, defined by urine samples in the Midlife Women Health Study (MWHS) cohort. Mono (2-ethyl-5-hydroxyhexyl) phthalate (MEHHP) was used as a single phthalate control. Cells were harvested for proliferation testing and transcriptomic analyses after 24 h exposure. Even though all cell models responded differently to the phthalate exposures, many overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs, FDR<0.1), related to cell adhesion, cytoskeleton and mitochondria were found in all cell types. The qPCR analysis confirmed that MEHHP significantly affected cell adhesion gene vinculin (VCL) and NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit B7 (NDUFB7), important for oxidative phosphorylation. Benchmark dose modelling showed that MEHHP had significant concentration-dependent effects on cytoskeleton gene actin-beta (ACTB). In conclusion, short 24 h phthalate exposures significantly altered gene expression cell-specifically in human endometrial cells, with six shared DEGs. The mixture effects were similar to those of MEHHP, suggesting MEHHP could be the main driver in the mixture. Impact of phthalate exposures on endometrial functions including receptivity should be addressed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Visser
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Antero Vieira Silva
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ilari Tarvainen
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Haartmaninkatu 8, Helsinki 00029 HUS, Finland
| | - Anastasios Damdimopoulos
- Bioinformatics and Expression Analysis Core Facility, Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Davey
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Kristine Roos
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia; Nova Vita Clinic, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Richelle D Björvang
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden; Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
| | | | - Susanne Lager
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Darja Lavogina
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia; Institute of Chemistry, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Mary Laws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Terhi Piltonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine, Medical Research Centre, Oulu University Hospital, University of Oulu, Oulu, Finland
| | - Andres Salumets
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jodi A Flaws
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Mattias Öberg
- Unit of Integrative Toxicology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Agne Velthut-Meikas
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Pauliina Damdimopoulou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17177, Sweden; Department of Gynaecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm 17177, Sweden
| | - Matts Olovsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Green ES, Chan HY, Frost E, Griffiths M, Hutchison J, Martin JH, Mihalas BP, Newman T, Dunleavy JEM. Recent advances in reproductive research in Australia and New Zealand: highlights from the Annual Meeting of the Society for Reproductive Biology, 2022. Reprod Fertil Dev 2024; 36:RD23213. [PMID: 38346692 DOI: 10.1071/rd23213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
In 2022, the Society for Reproductive Biology came together in Christchurch New Zealand (NZ), for its first face-to-face meeting since the global COVID-19 pandemic. The meeting showcased recent advancements in reproductive research across a diverse range of themes relevant to human health and fertility, exotic species conservation, and agricultural breeding practices. Here, we highlight the key advances presented across the main themes of the meeting, including advances in addressing opportunities and challenges in reproductive health related to First Nations people in Australia and NZ; increasing conservation success of exotic species, including ethical management of invasive species; improvements in our understanding of developmental biology, specifically seminal fluid signalling, ovarian development and effects of environmental impacts such as endocrine-disrupting chemicals; and leveraging scientific breakthroughs in reproductive engineering to drive solutions for fertility, including in assisted reproductive technologies in humans and agricultural industries, and for regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ella S Green
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Hon Y Chan
- Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Emily Frost
- Fertility & Research Centre, Discipline of Women's Health, School of Clinical Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Meaghan Griffiths
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia; and Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women's Hospital, Parkville, Vic., Australia
| | - Jennifer Hutchison
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia; and Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton Vic., Australia; and Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, Vic., Australia
| | - Jacinta H Martin
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia; and Infertility and Reproduction Program, Hunter Medical Research Institute, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Bettina P Mihalas
- The Oocyte Biology Research Unit, Discipline of Women's Health, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health, The University of NSW Sydney, Randwick, NSW, Australia
| | - Trent Newman
- School of BioSciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | - Jessica E M Dunleavy
- School of BioSciences and Bio21 Institute, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
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Fonseca BM, Cruz R, Pinto B, Costa L, Felgueira E, Oliveira P, Casal S, Rebelo I. Retinoic acid ( all-trans) presents antioxidant properties within human ovary and reduces progesterone production by human granulosa cells. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2022; 69:129-141. [PMID: 36409621 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2022.2120439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Both vitamin A and E support female reproduction and embryonic development. These vitamins have been associated with decreased fertility or failure to end the pregnancy in animals. An observational study was conducted on follicular fluid (FF) samples to determine the concentrations of fat-soluble vitamins of women undergoing in vitro fertilization and its correlation with assisted reproductive technology characteristics and pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, the effects of all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) and alpha-tocopherol on granulosa cell viability, apoptosis, autophagy and hormonal production were evaluated. No association was identified between fat-soluble vitamin concentrations in FF and infertility aetiology, body mass index or woman's age. There were differences in follicular antioxidant profiles and ovarian response stimulation. In vitro evaluation of atRA and alpha-tocopherol reveals that, at physiological concentrations, both compounds may affect the viability of granulosa cells. In addition, these compounds are able to protect granulosa cells from oxidative stress, as well as to affect estradiol and progesterone production. Our data suggest that atRA and alpha-tocopherol levels should be well controlled as they may have implications in the function and viability of granulosa cells and highlights retinol as a marker of the oxidative defenses within ovary environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno M. Fonseca
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bioquímica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Laboratório de Bioquímica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Rebeca Cruz
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bromatologia, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Beatriz Pinto
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bioquímica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Laboratório de Bioquímica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Lia Costa
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bioquímica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Laboratório de Bioquímica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Unidade de Medicina da Reprodução Dra. Ingeborg Chaves, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Eduarda Felgueira
- Unidade de Medicina da Reprodução Dra. Ingeborg Chaves, Centro Hospitalar de Vila Nova de Gaia/Espinho, Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Pedro Oliveira
- EPIUnit – Departamento de Estudo de Populações, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Susana Casal
- LAQV, REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bromatologia, Departamento de Ciências Químicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Irene Rebelo
- UCIBIO, REQUIMTE, Laboratório de Bioquímica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB - Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Laboratório de Bioquímica, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Svingen T. Editorial: New mechanistic insight into perinatal origins of reproductive disorders caused by chemical exposures. Curr Res Toxicol 2022; 3:100089. [PMID: 36248613 PMCID: PMC9563613 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2022.100089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Introducing a Special Issue on mechanism of reproductive disorders in mammals originating from exposure to environmental chemicals during perinatal life.
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AOP key event relationship report: Linking decreased androgen receptor activation with decreased granulosa cell proliferation of gonadotropin-independent follicles. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 112:136-147. [PMID: 35868514 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
We recently proposed to formally recognize Key Event Relationships (KERs) as building blocks of Adverse Outcome Pathways (AOPs) that can be independently developed and peer-reviewed. Here, we follow this approach and provide an independent KER from AOP345, which describes androgen receptor (AR) antagonism leading to decreased female fertility. This KER connects AR antagonism to reduced granulosa cell proliferation of gonadotropin-independent follicles (KER2273). We have developed both the KER and the two adjacent Key Events (KEs). A systematic approach was used to ensure that all relevant supporting evidence for KER2273 was retrieved. Supporting evidence for the KER highlights the importance of AR action during the early stages of follicular development. Both biological plausibility and empirical evidence are presented, with the latter also assessed for quality. We believe that tackling isolated KERs instead of whole AOPs will accelerate the AOP development. Faster AOP development will lead to the development of simple test methods that will aid screening of chemicals, endocrine disruptor identification, risk assessment, and subsequent regulation.
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