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TGF-β1 in Seminal Plasma Promotes Endometrial Mesenchymal Stem Cell Growth via p42/44 and Akt Pathway in Patients With or Without Endometriosis. Reprod Sci 2022; 29:723-733. [PMID: 34981457 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00562-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2021] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
The cause of endometriosis, which is characterized by the existence of functional endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity, is poorly understood. Seminal plasma (SP) is rich in multiple cytokines that may promote endometrial tissue survival. Here, we evaluated the effect of SP on growth of endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from women with endometriosis (E-MSCs) and women without endometriosis (NE-MSCs). Proliferation, cell foci formation, cell cycle progression, and growth marker expression of E- and NE-MSCs were promoted by SP. These effects may be mediated through activation of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), Akt, and p42/44 signaling, which enhances CDK2 and CDK6 expression and accelerates cell cycle progression. Xenografts exposed to SP exhibited a three-fold increase in volume and four-fold increase in weight after 14 days. Our findings demonstrate that TGF-β1 in SP may promote endometrial tissue survival which will allow us to understand the pathogenesis and develop novel approaches for prevention and therapies of endometriosis.
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Abstract
Seminal fluid is often assumed to have just one function in mammalian reproduction, delivering sperm to fertilize oocytes. But seminal fluid also transmits signaling agents that interact with female reproductive tissues to facilitate conception and .pregnancy. Upon seminal fluid contact, female tissues initiate a controlled inflammatory response that affects several aspects of reproductive function to ultimately maximize the chances of a male producing healthy offspring. This effect is best characterized in mice, where the female response involves several steps. Initially, seminal fluid factors cause leukocytes to infiltrate the female reproductive tract, and to selectively target and eliminate excess sperm. Other signals stimulate ovulation, induce an altered transcriptional program in female tract tissues that modulates embryo developmental programming, and initiate immune adaptations to promote receptivity to implantation and placental development. A key result is expansion of the pool of regulatory T cells that assist implantation by suppressing inflammation, mediating tolerance to male transplantation antigens, and promoting uterine vascular adaptation and placental development. Principal signaling agents in seminal fluid include prostaglandins and transforming growth factor-β. The balance of male signals affects the nature of the female response, providing a mechanism of ‟cryptic female choiceˮ that influences female reproductive investment. Male-female seminal fluid signaling is evident in all mammalian species investigated including human, and effects of seminal fluid in invertebrates indicate evolutionarily conserved mechanisms. Understanding the female response to seminal fluid will shed new light on infertility and pregnancy disorders and is critical to defining how events at conception influence offspring health.
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Affiliation(s)
- John E Schjenken
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Rametse CL, Adefuye AO, Olivier AJ, Curry L, Gamieldien H, Burgers WA, Lewis DA, Williamson AL, Katz AA, Passmore JAS. Inflammatory Cytokine Profiles of Semen Influence Cytokine Responses of Cervicovaginal Epithelial Cells. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2721. [PMID: 30568652 PMCID: PMC6290331 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Genital inflammatory cytokine responses increase HIV risk. Since male partner semen is a complex mixture of immune-modulatory prostaglandins and cytokines, we hypothesized that exposure to semen may influence genital inflammation in women. Here, we investigated cytokine response kinetics of cervical cells following stimulation with seminal plasma from HIV-negative and HIV-positive men characterized as having low or high concentrations of inflammatory cytokines. Irrespective of the HIV status or semen cytokine profile, in vitro stimulation of cervical cells with seminal plasma resulted in significantly elevated concentrations of secreted IL-6, IL-8, TNF-β, MCP-1, GM-CSF, and VEGF within 8 h of stimulation, which tended to decline by 24 h, although this was only significant for TNF-β. Consistent with this, cervical cells responded to seminal plasma with increases in IL-8 and IL-1β mRNA expression of 10-fold. These findings suggest that the impact of semen on local female genital cytokines is likely transient. Although these findings suggest that the impact of semen on local female genital cytokines may not be sustained long-term, this heightened genital inflammation may have implications for HIV risk in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosnet L Rametse
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Anthonio O Adefuye
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Abraham J Olivier
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Lyle Curry
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Hoyam Gamieldien
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,NRF-DST CAPRISA Centre of Excellence in HIV Prevention, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Wendy A Burgers
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - David A Lewis
- Western Sydney Sexual Health Centre, Western Sydney Local Health District, Parramatta, NSW, Australia.,Marie Bashir Institute for Infectious Diseases and Biosecurity, Sydney Medical School-Westmead, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.,National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Anna-Lise Williamson
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,SAMRC-UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Arieh A Katz
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,SAMRC-UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jo-Ann S Passmore
- Institute of Infectious Diseases and Molecular Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa.,National Health Laboratory Services, Johannesburg, South Africa.,SAMRC-UCT Gynaecological Cancer Research Centre, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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Seminal plasma (SP) induces a rapid transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1)—independent up-regulation of epithelial–mesenchymal transdifferentiation (EMT) and myofibroblastic metaplasia-markers in endometriotic (EM) and endometrial cells. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2018; 299:173-183. [DOI: 10.1007/s00404-018-4965-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/08/2018] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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Robertson SA, Sharkey DJ. Seminal fluid and fertility in women. Fertil Steril 2016; 106:511-9. [PMID: 27485480 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2016.07.1101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 130] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Revised: 07/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Seminal fluid is often viewed as simply a vehicle to carry sperm to fertilize the oocyte, but a more complex function in influencing female reproductive physiology is now evident. Remarkably, seminal fluid contains soluble and exosome-born signaling agents that interact with the female reproductive tract to prime the immune response, with consequences for fertility and pregnancy outcome. Experiments in rodent models demonstrate a key role for seminal fluid in enabling robust embryo implantation and optimal placental development. In particular, seminal fluid promotes leukocyte recruitment and generation of regulatory T cells, which facilitate embryo implantation by suppressing inflammation, assisting uterine vascular adaptation, and sustaining tolerance of fetal antigens. There is emerging evidence of comparable effects in women, where seminal fluid provokes an adaptive immune response in the cervical tissues after contact at intercourse, and spermatozoa accessing the higher tract potentially affect the endometrium directly. These biological responses may have clinical significance, explaining why [1] intercourse in IVF ET cycles improves the likelihood of pregnancy, [2] inflammatory disorders of gestation are more common in women who conceive after limited exposure to seminal fluid of the prospective father, and [3] preeclampsia incidence is elevated after use of donor oocytes or donor sperm where prior contact with conceptus alloantigens has not occurred. It will be important to define the mechanisms through which seminal fluid interacts with female reproductive tissues, to provide knowledge that may assist in preconception planning and infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Robertson
- Robinson Research Institute and School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
| | - David J Sharkey
- Robinson Research Institute and School of Medicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Seminal Plasma Promotes Lesion Development in a Xenograft Model of Endometriosis. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2016; 185:1409-22. [PMID: 25907757 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2015.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2014] [Revised: 12/24/2014] [Accepted: 01/20/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The factors that predispose one-tenth of reproductive-aged women to endometriosis are poorly understood. We determined that genetic deficiency in transforming growth factor β1 impairs endometriosis-like lesion growth in mice. Given that seminal plasma is an abundant source of transforming growth factor β, we evaluated the effect of exposure to seminal plasma on the growth of endometrial lesions. Human endometrial explants were exposed to seminal plasma or to control medium before transfer to Prkdc(scid)-mutant (severe combined immunodeficient) mice. Xenografts exposed to seminal plasma showed an eightfold increase in volume and a 4.3-fold increase in weight after 14 days. These increases were associated with increased proliferation of endometrial epithelial cells and enhanced survival and proliferation of human stromal cells compared with those in control lesions, in which human stromal cell persistence was negligible. Although the distribution of macrophages was altered, their number and activation status did not change in response to seminal plasma. Seminal plasma stimulated the production of a variety of cytokines in endometrial tissue, including growth-regulated oncogene, granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor, and IL-1β. These data suggest that seminal plasma enhances the formation of endometriosis-like lesion via a direct effect on endometrial cell survival and proliferation, rather than via macrophage-mediated mechanisms. These findings raise the possibility that endometrial exposure to seminal plasma could contribute to endometriotic disease progression in women.
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Rametse CL, Olivier AJ, Masson L, Barnabas S, McKinnon LR, Ngcapu S, Liebenberg LJ, Jaumdally SZ, Gray CM, Jaspan HB, Passmore JAS. Role of semen in altering the balance between inflammation and tolerance in the female genital tract: does it contribute to HIV risk? Viral Immunol 2014; 27:200-6. [PMID: 24821528 DOI: 10.1089/vim.2013.0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
While the main reproduction aim of semen is the transport of spermatozoa to the female genital tract, seminal plasma is a complex fluid that also carries a broad array of immunologically active molecules. Seminal plasma has been shown to contain a diverse array of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory soluble mediators that regulate immune responses within the female reproductive tract than can facilitate fertilization. Since the natural inflammatory response to semen deposition in the female genital tract may result in recruitment of activated HIV target cells into the female genital mucosa, we discuss the constituents of semen that may increase the risk for HIV infection in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cosnet L Rametse
- 1 Division of Medical Virology, Institute of Infectious Disease and Molecular Medicine (IDM), University of Cape Town , Cape Town, South Africa
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Rennemeier C, Schwab M, Lermann U, Albert C, Kammerer U, Frambach T, Morschhauser J, Dietl J, Staib P. Seminal plasma protects human spermatozoa and pathogenic yeasts from capture by dendritic cells. Hum Reprod 2011; 26:987-99. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/der038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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