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Apostolov A, Naydenov M, Kalinina A, Nikolova M, Saare M, Aleksejeva E, Milova N, Milov A, Salumets A, Baev V, Yahubyan G. Endometrial Proliferative Phase-Centered View of Transcriptome Dynamics across the Menstrual Cycle. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5320. [PMID: 38791358 PMCID: PMC11121472 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105320] [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: 04/01/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The endometrium, the inner mucosal lining of the uterus, undergoes complex molecular and cellular changes across the menstrual cycle in preparation for embryo implantation. Transcriptome-wide analyses have mainly been utilized to study endometrial receptivity, the prerequisite for successful implantation, with most studies, so far, comparing the endometrial transcriptomes between (i) secretory and proliferative endometrium or (ii) mid-secretory and early secretory endometrium. In the current study, we provide a complete transcriptome description of the endometrium across the entire menstrual cycle and, for the first time, comprehensively characterize the proliferative phase of the endometrium. Our temporal transcriptome analysis includes five time points including the mid-proliferative, late proliferative (peri-ovulatory phase), early secretory, mid-secretory, and late secretory phases. Thus, we unveil exhaustively the transitions between the consecutive proliferative and secretory phases, highlighting their unique gene expression profiles and possible distinct biological functions. The transcriptome analysis reveals many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across the menstrual cycle, most of which are phase-specific. As an example of coordinated gene activity, the expression profile of histone-encoding genes within the HIST cluster on chromosome 6 shows an increase in cluster activity during the late proliferative and a decline during the mid-secretory phase. Moreover, numerous DEGs are shared among all phases. In conclusion, in the current study, we delineate the endometrial proliferative phase-centered view of transcriptome dynamics across the menstrual cycle. Our data analysis highlights significant transcriptomic and functional changes occurring during the late proliferative phase-an essential transition point from the proliferative phase to the secretory phase. Future studies should explore how the biology of the late proliferative phase endometrium impacts the achievement of mid-secretory endometrial receptivity or contributes to molecular aberrations leading to embryo implantation failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Apostol Apostolov
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (A.A.); (M.S.); (E.A.); (A.S.)
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mladen Naydenov
- Department of Human Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | | | - Maria Nikolova
- Center for Women’s Health, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (M.N.); (N.M.); (A.M.)
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Merli Saare
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (A.A.); (M.S.); (E.A.); (A.S.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Elina Aleksejeva
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (A.A.); (M.S.); (E.A.); (A.S.)
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Nadezhda Milova
- Center for Women’s Health, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (M.N.); (N.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Antoan Milov
- Center for Women’s Health, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria; (M.N.); (N.M.); (A.M.)
| | - Andres Salumets
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50411 Tartu, Estonia; (A.A.); (M.S.); (E.A.); (A.S.)
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, 17165 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50406 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vesselin Baev
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
| | - Galina Yahubyan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Plovdiv, 4000 Plovdiv, Bulgaria;
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Zhang WB, Li J, Li Q, Lu X, Chen JL, Li L, Chen H, Fu W, Chen JC, Lu BJ, Wu H, Sun XX. Endometrial transcriptome profiling of patients with recurrent implantation failure during hormone replacement therapy cycles. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 14:1292723. [PMID: 38352249 PMCID: PMC10863671 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1292723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The molecular mechanisms underlying window of implantation (WOI) displacement in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) remain unclear. This study aims to explore the transcriptomic signatures of endometrium with normal and displaced WOIs and to identify the causes of endometrial receptivity (ER) abnormalities and WOI displacement in RIF patients. Methods In this study, 40 RIF patients were recruited and underwent personalized embryo transfer (pET) guided by the predicted results of endometrial receptivity diagnosis (ERD) model. Transcriptome analysis of endometrium from patients with clinical pregnancies after pET was performed to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with WOI displacement. Gene expression data from HRT and natural cycle endometrium were compared to identify specific gene expression patterns of ER-related genes during WOI. Results The ERD results indicated that 67.5% of RIF patients (27/40) were non-receptive in the conventional WOI (P+5) of the HRT cycle. The clinical pregnancy rate in RIF patients improved to 65% (26/40) after ERD-guided pET, indicating the effectiveness of transcriptome-based WOI prediction. Among the 26 patients with clinical pregnancy, the gene expression profiles of P+5 endometrium from advanced (n=6), normal (n=10) and delayed (n=10) WOI groups were significantly different from each other. Furthermore, 10 DEGs identified among P+5 endometrium of 3 groups were involved in immunomodulation, transmembrane transport and tissue regeneration, which could accurately classify the endometrium with different WOIs. Additionally, a large number of ER-related genes showed significant correlation and similar gene expression patterns in P+3, P+5, and P+7 endometrium from HRT cycles and LH+5, LH+7, and LH+9 endometrium from natural cycles. Conclusion Our study shows that ER-related genes share similar gene expression patterns during WOI in both natural and HRT cycles, and their aberrant expression is associated with WOI displacements. The improvement of pregnancy outcomes in RIF patients by adjusting ET timing according to ERD results demonstrates the importance of transcriptome-based endometrial receptivity assessment and the clinical efficiency of ERD model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-bi Zhang
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and In vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jue Li
- Unimed Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Qing Li
- Unimed Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang Lu
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and In vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun-ling Chen
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and In vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Li
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and In vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Chen
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and In vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wei Fu
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and In vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | | | - Bing-jie Lu
- Unimed Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Han Wu
- Unimed Biotech (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-xi Sun
- Shanghai Ji Ai Genetics and In vitro Fertilization and Embryo Transfer (IVF-ET) Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Yang T, Zhao J, Liu F, Li Y. Lipid metabolism and endometrial receptivity. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:858-889. [PMID: 35639910 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity has now been recognized as a high-risk factor for reproductive health. Although remarkable advancements have been made in ART, a considerable number of infertile obese women still suffer from serial implantation failure, despite the high quality of embryos transferred. Although obesity has long been known to exert various deleterious effects on female fertility, the underlying mechanisms, especially the roles of lipid metabolism in endometrial receptivity, remain largely elusive. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review summarizes current evidence on the impacts of several major lipids and lipid-derived mediators on the embryonic implantation process. Emerging methods for evaluating endometrial receptivity, for example transcriptomic and lipidomic analysis, are also discussed. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed and Embase databases were searched using the following keywords: (lipid or fatty acid or prostaglandin or phospholipid or sphingolipid or endocannabinoid or lysophosphatidic acid or cholesterol or progesterone or estrogen or transcriptomic or lipidomic or obesity or dyslipidemia or polycystic ovary syndrome) AND (endometrial receptivity or uterine receptivity or embryo implantation or assisted reproductive technology or in vitro fertilization or embryo transfer). A comprehensive literature search was performed on the roles of lipid-related metabolic pathways in embryo implantation published between January 1970 and March 2022. Only studies with original data and reviews published in English were included in this review. Additional information was obtained from references cited in the articles resulting from the literature search. OUTCOMES Recent studies have shown that a fatty acids-related pro-inflammatory response in the embryo-endometrium boundary facilitates pregnancy via mediation of prostaglandin signaling. Phospholipid-derived mediators, for example endocannabinoids, lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine-1-phosphate, are associated with endometrial receptivity, embryo spacing and decidualization based on evidence from both animal and human studies. Progesterone and estrogen are two cholesterol-derived steroid hormones that synergistically mediate the structural and functional alterations in the uterus ready for blastocyst implantation. Variations in serum cholesterol profiles throughout the menstrual cycle imply a demand for steroidogenesis at the time of window of implantation (WOI). Since 2002, endometrial transcriptomic analysis has been serving as a diagnostic tool for WOI dating. Numerous genes that govern lipid homeostasis have been identified and, based on specific alterations of lipidomic signatures differentially expressed in WOI, lipidomic analysis of endometrial fluid provides a possibility for non-invasive diagnosis of lipids alterations during the WOI. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Given that lipid metabolic dysregulation potentially plays a role in infertility, a better understanding of lipid metabolism could have significant clinical implications for the diagnosis and treatment of female reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianli Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Feng Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, and Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Yanping Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, P.R. China
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Brown RM, Wang L, Fu A, Kannan A, Mussar M, Bagchi IC, Jorgensen JS. Irx3 promotes gap junction communication between uterine stromal cells to regulate vascularization during embryo implantation†. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:1000-1010. [PMID: 35138358 PMCID: PMC9113487 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac015] [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: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Appropriate embryo-uterine interactions are essential for implantation. Besides oocyte abnormalities, implantation failure is a major contributor to early pregnancy loss. Previously, we demonstrated that two members of the Iroquois homeobox transcription factor family, IRX3 and IRX5, exhibited distinct and dynamic expression profiles in the developing ovary to promote oocyte and follicle survival. Elimination of each gene independently caused subfertility, but with different breeding pattern outcomes. Irx3 KO (Irx3LacZ/LacZ) females produced fewer pups throughout their reproductive lifespan which could only be partially explained by poor oocyte quality. Thus, we hypothesized that IRX3 is also expressed in the uterus where it acts to support pregnancy. To test this hypothesis, we harvested pregnant uteri from control and Irx3 KO females to evaluate IRX3 expression profiles and the integrity of embryo implantation sites. Our results indicate that IRX3 is expressed in the endometrial stromal cells at day 4 of pregnancy (D4) with peak expression at D5-D6, and then greatly diminishes by D7. Further, studies showed that while embryos were able to attach to the uterus, implantation sites in Irx3 KO pregnant mice exhibited impaired vascularization and abnormal expression of decidualization markers. Finally, we also observed an impaired response of the Irx3 KO uteri to an artificial deciduogenic stimulus, indicating a critical role of this factor in regulating the decidualization program. Together, these data established that IRX3 promotes female fertility via at least two different mechanisms: (1) promoting competent oocytes and (2) facilitating functional embryo-uterine interactions during implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Brown
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Linda Wang
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Anqi Fu
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Athilakshmi Kannan
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Michael Mussar
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Indrani C Bagchi
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA
| | - Joan S Jorgensen
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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Amjadi F, Zandieh Z, Mehdizadeh M, Ajdary M, Aghamajidi A, Raoufi E, Aflatoonian R. Molecular signature of immunological mechanism behind impaired endometrial receptivity in polycystic ovarian syndrome. ARCHIVES OF ENDOCRINOLOGY AND METABOLISM 2022; 66:2359-3997000000476. [PMID: 35551681 PMCID: PMC9832857 DOI: 10.20945/2359-3997000000476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Objective Despite the treatment of anovulation, infertility is still one of the main complications in PCOS women during reproductive age, which appears to be mainly due to impaired uterine receptivity. This study investigated the transcriptome profiles of endometrium in PCOS patients and healthy fertile individuals as the control group. Methods Total mRNA was extracted from endometrial tissues of PCOS patients (n = 12) and healthy fertile individuals (n = 10) during the luteal phase. After cDNA synthesis, PCR array was performed using Human Female Infertility RT2 Profiler PCR Array kit (Qiagen, Cat.No: PAHS-164Z) for evaluating expression of 84 genes contributing to the female infertility. Results PCR Array data analysis identified significantly greater expression of CSF, IL11, IL15, IL1r1, IL1b, TNF, LIF, TNFRSF10B, TGFβ, C3, ITGA4 (Cd49d), SPP1, and Calca in PCOS women than in controls (P < 0.05). However, the expression of LIFR, C2, CD55, CFD, CALCA, LAM1, LAMC2, MMP2, MMP7, MMP9, ESR, SELL, ITGB3, and VCAM1 was significantly lower in PCOS group than in controls (P < 0.05). The results revealed dysregulation of immune-inflammatory molecules, complement activation and downregulation of IGF-I as well as adhesion molecules in PCOS group. Conclusion The findings of this study indicated some potential causes of reduced receptivity of endometrium thus compromising the fertility in PCOS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemehsadat Amjadi
- Akbarabadi IVF clinic, Akbarabadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Zandieh
- Akbarabadi IVF clinic, Akbarabadi Hospital, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mehdizadeh
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marziyeh Ajdary
- Endometriosis Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azin Aghamajidi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Raoufi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Vaccines and Immunotherapeutics, Bioluence Biopharmaceutical Company, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility at Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran,
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Gurung S, Greening DW, Rai A, Poh QH, Evans J, Salamonsen LA. The proteomes of endometrial stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles following a decidualizing stimulus define the cells' potential for decidualization success. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:6370708. [PMID: 34524461 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaab057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adequate endometrial stromal cell (ESC) decidualization is vital for endometrial health. Given the importance of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in intercellular communication, we investigated how their protein landscape is reprogrammed and dysregulated during decidual response. Small EVs (sEVs) from human ESC-conditioned media at Day-2 and -14 following decidual stimuli were grouped as well- (WD) or poorly decidualized (PD) based on their prolactin secretion and subjected to mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics. On Day 2, in PD- versus WD-ESC-sEVs, 17 sEV- proteins were down-regulated (C5, C6; complement/coagulation cascades, and SERPING1, HRG; platelet degranulation and fibrinolysis) and 39 up-regulated (FLNA, COL1A1; focal adhesion, ENO1, PKM; glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and RAP1B, MSN; leukocyte transendothelial migration). On Day 14, in PD- versus WD-ESC-sEVs, FLNA was down-regulated while 21 proteins were up-regulated involved in complement/coagulation cascades (C3, C6), platelet degranulation (SERPINA4, ITIH4), B-cell receptor signalling and innate immune response (immunoglobulins). Changes from Days 2 to 14 suggested a subsequent response in PD-ESC-sEVs with 89 differentially expressed proteins mostly involved in complement and coagulation cascades (C3, C6, C5), but no change in WD-ESC-sEVs ESC. Poor decidualization was also associated with loss of crucial sEV-proteins for cell adhesion and invasion (ITGA5, PFN1), glycolysis (ALDOA, PGK1) and cytoskeletal reorganization (VCL, RAC1). Overall, this study indicates varied ESC response even prior to decidualization and provides insight into sEVs-proteomes as a benchmark of well-decidualized ESC. It shows distinct variation in sEV-protein composition depending on the ESC decidual response that is critical for embryo implantation, enabling and limiting trophoblast invasion during placentation and sensing a healthy embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanti Gurung
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash Health, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
| | - David W Greening
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faulty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alin Rai
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Faulty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Qi Hui Poh
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, La Trobe Institute for Molecular Science, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia
| | - Jemma Evans
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Physiology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lois A Salamonsen
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Pathare ADS, Hinduja I. Endometrial Expression of Cell Adhesion Genes in Recurrent Implantation Failure Patients in Ongoing IVF Cycle. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:513-523. [PMID: 34410653 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00708-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is one of the major obstacles in IVF. Transcriptomic literature has revealed the various biological processes involved in endometrial receptivity (ER) under different physiological circumstances, especially in natural cycle. We intended to determine the function-specific ER profile under controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) cycle. This can help to back trace the genomic impairment in RIF patients during the IVF cycle and to validate the genes involved in enriched pathways. In our study, retrospective gene expression microarray dataset was reanalysed after the follow-up, in classic non pregnant RIF (cases) vs fertile women (controls) under COS (n = 5/group). Reanalysis of microarray revealed significant downregulation of cell adhesion function (P:3.11E-05) with the maximum gene count. For validation purpose, downregulation of eight genes (COMP, HABP2, ITGAD, CDH3, COL22A1, MFAP4, THBS1and CD300A) involved in enriched cell adhesion pathway having fold change > 3 were assessed by real-time PCR in independent cohorts of cases and controls (n = 24, each). Downregulation of six out of eight genes (COMP, HABP2, ITGAD, CDH3, MFAP4 and THBS1) were confirmed by real-time PCR (P < 0.05) with fold change > 2. This indicates the importance of analysed genes in the ER mechanism under COS, thus mimicking the fresh embryo transfer. The further analysis in larger cohorts would substantiate the study findings in RIF patients undergoing IVF cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amruta D S Pathare
- Department of IVF and Research, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, 400016, Maharashtra, India
| | - Indira Hinduja
- Department of IVF and Research, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and Medical Research Centre, Mumbai, 400016, Maharashtra, India.
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Giacomini E, Scotti GM, Vanni VS, Lazarevic D, Makieva S, Privitera L, Signorelli S, Cantone L, Bollati V, Murdica V, Tonon G, Papaleo E, Candiani M, Viganò P. Global transcriptomic changes occur in uterine fluid-derived extracellular vesicles during the endometrial window for embryo implantation. Hum Reprod 2021; 36:2249-2274. [PMID: 34190319 PMCID: PMC8289330 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Are uterine fluid-derived extracellular vesicles (UF-EVs) a 'liquid biopsy' reservoir of biomarkers for real-time monitoring of endometrial status? SUMMARY ANSWER The transcriptomic cargo of UF-EVs reflects the RNA profile of the endometrial tissue as well as changes between the non-receptive and the receptive phase, possibly supporting its use for a novel endometrial receptivity test. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY EVs have been previously isolated from uterine fluid, where they likely contribute to the embryo-endometrium crosstalk during implantation. Based on a meta-analysis of studies on endometrial tissue implantation-associated genes and the human exosomes database, 28 of the 57 transcripts considered as receptivity markers refer to proteins present in human exosomes. However, the specific transcriptomic content of receptive phase UF-EVs has yet to be defined. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Two experimental series were set up. First, we simultaneously sequenced RNA species derived from paired UF-EVs and endometrial tissue samples collected from physiologically cycling women. Second, we analyzed RNA species of UF-EVs collected during the non-receptive (LH + 2) and receptive (LH + 7) phase of proven fertile women and from the receptive (LH + 7) phase of a population of women undergoing ART and transfer of euploid blastocysts. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS For paired UF-endometrial tissue sampling, endometrial tissue biopsies were obtained with the use of a Pipelle immediately after UF collection performed by lavage of the endometrial cavity. Overall, n = 87 UF samples were collected and fresh-processed for EV isolation and total RNA extraction, while western blotting was used to confirm the expression of EV protein markers of the isolated vesicles. Physical characterization of UF-EVs was performed by Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis. To define the transcriptomic cargo of UF-EV samples, RNA-seq libraries were successfully prepared from n = 83 UF-EVs samples and analyzed by RNA-seq analysis. Differential gene expression (DGE) analysis was used to compare RNA-seq results between different groups of samples. Functional enrichment analysis was performed by gene set enrichment analysis with g:Profiler. Pre-ranked gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) with WebGestalt was used to compare RNA-seq results with the gene-set evaluated in a commercially available endometrial receptivity array. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE A highly significant correlation was found between transcriptional profiles of endometrial biopsies and pairwise UF-EV samples (Pearson's r = 0.70 P < 0.0001; Spearman's ρ = 0.65 P < 0.0001). In UF-EVs from fertile controls, 942 gene transcripts were more abundant and 1305 transcripts less abundant in the LH + 7 receptive versus the LH + 2 non-receptive phase. GSEA performed to evaluate concordance in transcriptional profile between the n = 238 genes included in the commercially available endometrial receptivity array and the LH + 7 versus LH + 2 UF-EV comparison demonstrated an extremely significant and consistent enrichment, with a normalized enrichment score (NES)=9.38 (P < 0.001) for transcripts up-regulated in LH + 7 in the commercial array and enriched in LH + 7 UF-EVs, and a NES = -5.40 (P < 0.001) for transcripts down-regulated in LH + 7 in the commercial array and depleted in LH + 7 UF-EVs. When analyzing LH + 7 UF-EVs of patients with successful versus failed implantation after transfer of one euploid blastocyst in the following cycle, we found 97 genes whose transcript levels were increased and 64 genes whose transcript levels were decreased in the group of women who achieved a pregnancy. GSEA performed to evaluate concordance in transcriptional profile between the commercially available endometrial receptivity array genes and the comparison of LH + 7 UF-EVs of women with successful versus failed implantation, demonstrated a significant enrichment with a NES = 2.14 (P = 0.001) for transcripts up-regulated in the commercial array in the receptive phase and enriched in UF-EVs of women who conceived, and a not significant NES = -1.18 (P = 0.3) for transcripts down-regulated in the commercial array and depleted in UF-EVs. In terms of physical features, UF-EVs showed a homogeneity among the different groups analyzed except for a slight but significant difference in EV size, being smaller in women with a successful implantation compared to patients who failed to conceive after euploid blastocyst transfer (mean diameter ± SD 205.5± 22.97 nm vs 221.5 ± 20.57 nm, respectively, P = 0.014). LARGE SCALE DATA Transcriptomic data were deposited in NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) and can be retrieved using GEO series accession number: GSE158958. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Separation of RNA species associated with EV membranes might have been incomplete, and membrane-bound RNA species-rather than the internal RNA content of EVs-might have contributed to our RNA-seq results. Also, we cannot definitely distinguish the relative contribution of exosomes, microvesicles and apoptotic bodies to our findings. When considering patients undergoing ART, we did not collect UFs in the same cycle of the euploid embryo transfer but in the one immediately preceding. We considered this approach as the most appropriate in relation to the novel, explorative nature of our study. Based on our results, a validation of UF-EV RNA-seq analyses in the same cycle in which embryo transfer is performed could be hypothesized. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS On the largest sample size of human EVs ever analyzed with RNA-seq, this study establishes a gene signature to use for less-invasive endometrial receptivity tests. This report is indeed the first to show that the transcriptome of UF-EVs correlates with the endometrial tissue transcriptome, that RNA signatures in UF-EVs change with endometrial status, and that UF-EVs could serve as a reservoir for potential less-invasive collection of receptivity markers. This article thus represents a step forward in the design of less-invasive approaches for real-time monitoring of endometrial status, necessary for advancing the field of reproductive medicine. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was funded by a competitive grant from European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE Research Grant 2016-1). The authors have no financial or non-financial competing interests to disclose. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NA.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Giacomini
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
| | - G M Scotti
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - V S Vanni
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
| | - D Lazarevic
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - S Makieva
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
| | - L Privitera
- Centro Scienze Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - S Signorelli
- Centro Scienze Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - L Cantone
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - V Bollati
- EPIGET Lab, Department of Clinical Sciences and Community Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - V Murdica
- Urological Research Institute, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - G Tonon
- Center for Omics Sciences, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - E Papaleo
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
- Centro Scienze Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - M Candiani
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
- Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
- Centro Scienze Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - P Viganò
- Reproductive Sciences Laboratory, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Ital, Milan, Italy
- Centro Scienze Natalità, Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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9
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Ruiz-Alonso M, Valbuena D, Gomez C, Cuzzi J, Simon C. Endometrial Receptivity Analysis (ERA): data versus opinions. Hum Reprod Open 2021; 2021:hoab011. [PMID: 33880420 PMCID: PMC8045472 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This article summarises and contextualises the accumulated basic and clinical data on the ERA test and addresses specific comments and opinions presented by the opponent as part of an invited debate. Progress in medicine depends on new technologies and concepts that translate to practice to solve long-standing problems. In a key example, combining RNA sequencing data (transcriptomics) with artificial intelligence (AI) led to a clinical revolution in personalising disease diagnosis and fostered the concept of precision medicine. The reproductive field is no exception. Translation of endometrial transcriptomics to the clinic yielded an objective definition of the limited time period during which the maternal endometrium is receptive to an embryo, known as the window of implantation (WOI). The WOI is induced by the presence of exogenous and/or endogenous progesterone (P) after proper oestradiol (E2) priming. The window lasts 30-36 hours and, depending on the patient, occurs between LH + 6 and LH + 9 in natural cycles or between P + 4 and P + 7 in hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) cycles. In approximately 30% of IVF cycles in which embryo transfer is performed blindly, the WOI is displaced and embryo-endometrial synchrony is not achieved. Extending this application of endometrial transcriptomics, the endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA) test couples next-generation sequencing (NGS) to a computational predictor to identify transcriptomic signatures for each endometrial stage: proliferative (PRO), pre-receptive (PRE), receptive (R) and post-receptive (POST). In this way, personalised embryo transfer (pET) may be possible by synchronising embryo transfer with each patient's WOI. Data are the only way to confront arguments sustained in opinions and/or misleading concepts; it is up to the reader to make their own conclusions regarding its clinical utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ruiz-Alonso
- Igenomix Foundation-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Igenomix SL, Valencia, Spain
| | - Diana Valbuena
- Igenomix Foundation-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Igenomix SL, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Carlos Simon
- Igenomix Foundation-INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of
Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, BIMDC, Harvard
University, Boston, MA, USA
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10
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Transcriptomic analysis of endometrial receptivity for a genomic diagnostics model of Chinese women. Fertil Steril 2021; 116:157-164. [PMID: 33589135 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 10/24/2020] [Accepted: 11/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To define the transcriptomic signature with respect to human endometrial receptivity in Chinese women by next-generation sequencing and to develop a more refined and customized bioinformatic predictive method for endometrial dating in Chinese women. DESIGN Randomized. SETTING A tertiary hospital-based reproductive medicine center. PATIENT(S) Ninety healthy, fertile Chinese women. INTERVENTION(S) Human endometrial biopsies. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Gene expression of endometrial biopsies. RESULT(S) Ninety endometrial samples from healthy Chinese women during their menstrual cycles-including prereceptive (luteinizing hormone [LH] + 3 days/LH + 5 days), receptive (LH + 7 days), and post-receptive (LH + 9 days) phases-were subjected to transcriptomic analysis using messenger RNA (mRNA)-enriched RNA-Seq. Feature genes were obtained and used to train the predictor for endometrial dating, with 63 samples for the training set and 27 samples for the validation set. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by comparing samples from different phases of the menstrual cycle. Based on the transcriptomic feature genes, we constructed a bioinformatic predictor for endometrial dating. The accuracy on assessment of the endometrium on days LH + 3, LH + 5, LH + 7, and LH + 9 was 100% in the training set and 85.19% in the validation set. CONCLUSION(S) Our transcriptomic profiling method can be used to monitor the window of implantation with regard to the endometrium in the Chinese population. This method potentially provides an evaluation of endometrial status, and can be used to predict a personal window of implantation by reproductive medicine clinicians.
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11
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Hernández-Vargas P, Muñoz M, Domínguez F. Identifying biomarkers for predicting successful embryo implantation: applying single to multi-OMICs to improve reproductive outcomes. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:264-301. [PMID: 32096829 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful embryo implantation is a complex process that requires the coordination of a series of events, involving both the embryo and the maternal endometrium. Key to this process is the intricate cascade of molecular mechanisms regulated by endocrine, paracrine and autocrine modulators of embryonic and maternal origin. Despite significant progress in ART, implantation failure still affects numerous infertile couples worldwide and fewer than 10% of embryos successfully implant. Improved selection of both the viable embryos and the optimal endometrial phenotype for transfer remains crucial to enhancing implantation chances. However, both classical morphological embryo selection and new strategies incorporated into clinical practice, such as embryonic genetic analysis, morphokinetics or ultrasound endometrial dating, remain insufficient to predict successful implantation. Additionally, no techniques are widely applied to analyse molecular signals involved in the embryo-uterine interaction. More reliable biological markers to predict embryo and uterine reproductive competence are needed to improve pregnancy outcomes. Recent years have seen a trend towards 'omics' methods, which enable the assessment of complete endometrial and embryonic molecular profiles during implantation. Omics have advanced our knowledge of the implantation process, identifying potential but rarely implemented biomarkers of successful implantation. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Differences between the findings of published omics studies, and perhaps because embryonic and endometrial molecular signatures were often not investigated jointly, have prevented firm conclusions being reached. A timely review summarizing omics studies on the molecular determinants of human implantation in both the embryo and the endometrium will help facilitate integrative and reliable omics approaches to enhance ART outcomes. SEARCH METHODS In order to provide a comprehensive review of the literature published up to September 2019, Medline databases were searched using keywords pertaining to omics, including 'transcriptome', 'proteome', 'secretome', 'metabolome' and 'expression profiles', combined with terms related to implantation, such as 'endometrial receptivity', 'embryo viability' and 'embryo implantation'. No language restrictions were imposed. References from articles were also used for additional literature. OUTCOMES Here we provide a complete summary of the major achievements in human implantation research supplied by omics approaches, highlighting their potential to improve reproductive outcomes while fully elucidating the implantation mechanism. The review highlights the existence of discrepancies among the postulated biomarkers from studies on embryo viability or endometrial receptivity, even using the same omic analysis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Despite the huge amount of biomarker information provided by omics, we still do not have enough evidence to link data from all omics with an implantation outcome. However, in the foreseeable future, application of minimally or non-invasive omics tools, together with a more integrative interpretation of uniformly collected data, will help to overcome the difficulties for clinical implementation of omics tools. Omics assays of the embryo and endometrium are being proposed or already being used as diagnostic tools for personalised single-embryo transfer in the most favourable endometrial environment, avoiding the risk of multiple pregnancies and ensuring better pregnancy rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purificación Hernández-Vargas
- IVI-RMA Alicante, Innovation. Avda. de Denia 111, 03015 Alicante, Spain.,Fundación IVI, Innovation-IIS La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Torre A, 1° 1.23, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Muñoz
- IVI-RMA Alicante, Innovation. Avda. de Denia 111, 03015 Alicante, Spain.,Fundación IVI, Innovation-IIS La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Torre A, 1° 1.23, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Domínguez
- Fundación IVI, Innovation-IIS La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Torre A, 1° 1.23, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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12
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Chi RPA, Wang T, Adams N, Wu SP, Young SL, Spencer TE, DeMayo F. Human Endometrial Transcriptome and Progesterone Receptor Cistrome Reveal Important Pathways and Epithelial Regulators. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:dgz117. [PMID: 31665330 PMCID: PMC7105253 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Poor uterine receptivity is one major factor leading to pregnancy loss and infertility. Understanding the molecular events governing successful implantation is hence critical in combating infertility. OBJECTIVE To define Progesterone Receptor (PGR)-regulated molecular mechanisms and epithelial roles in receptivity. DESIGN RNA-sequencing and PGR-ChIP-seq were conducted in parallel to identify PGR-regulated pathways during the Window of implantation (WOI) in endometrium of fertile women. SETTING Endometrial biopsies from the proliferative and mid-secretory phases were analyzed. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Participants were fertile, reproductive aged (18-37 years) women with normal cycle length, and without any history of dysmenorrhea, infertility, or irregular cycles. In total, 42 endometrial biopsies obtained from 42 women were analyzed in this study. INTERVENTIONS There were no interventions during this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Here we measured the alterations in gene expression and PGR occupancy in the genome during the WOI, based on the hypothesis that PGR binds uterine chromatin cycle dependently to regulate genes involved in uterine cell differentiation and function. RESULTS 653 genes were identified with regulated PGR binding and differential expression during the WOI. These were involved in regulating inflammatory response, xenobiotic metabolism, epithelial mesenchymal transition, cell death, interleukin/Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription (STAT) signaling, estrogen response, and Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (MTORC1) response. Transcriptome of the epithelium identified 3052 differentially expressed genes, of which 658 were uniquely regulated. Transcription factors Interferon Regulatory Factor 8 (IRF8) and Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2C (MEF2C) were found to be regulated in the epithelium during the WOI at the protein level, suggesting potentially important functions that are previously unrecognized. CONCLUSION PGR binds the genomic regions of genes regulating critical processes in uterine receptivity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru-pin Alicia Chi
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Tianyuan Wang
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Nyssa Adams
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - San-pin Wu
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Steven L Young
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Francesco DeMayo
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
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13
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Li B, Zhang Q, Sun J, Lai D. Human amniotic epithelial cells improve fertility in an intrauterine adhesion mouse model. Stem Cell Res Ther 2019; 10:257. [PMID: 31412924 PMCID: PMC6694540 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-019-1368-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is an adhesion of the uterine cavity or cervical canal resulting from damage to the basal layer of the endometrium; this condition is usually accompanied by fibrosis of the endometrium. Previous studies have demonstrated that human amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs) have stem cell characteristics; however, it is unclear whether hAECs have the therapeutic potential to restore fertility after IUA. METHODS A murine IUA model was established by mechanical injury to the uterus. Then, 106 hAECs were transplanted by intraperitoneal injection. The endometrium thickness, number of glands, and fibrosis area were measured by hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and Masson staining. Molecules (including vWF, VEGF, PCNA, ER, PR, LC3, and p62) related to endometrial angiogenesis, cell proliferation, and autophagy were assayed by IHC staining. Pregnancy outcomes were also evaluated. Finally, hAECs were cocultured with human endometrial mesenchymal stem cells (hEnSCs) damaged by H2O2 to verify the paracrine effect on endometrial stromal cells in vitro. RESULTS The IUA uterine cavity presented with adhesion and even atresia, accompanied by a thinner endometrium, fewer glands, increased fibrosis area, and fewer microvessels. However, hAECs significantly improved the uterine structure after IUA. After hAEC treatment, the endometrium was thicker, the number of endometrial glands was increased, fibrosis was reduced, and more microvessels were generated. The expression levels of VEGF, PCNA, and ER were increased in the hAEC-treated endometrium, indicating improvements in angiogenesis and stromal cell proliferation. hAECs also increased pregnancy outcomes in IUA mice, and the pregnancy rate and fetus number increased. Furthermore, we observed altered autophagy in the IUA uterine model, and hAEC transplantation upregulated autophagy. An in vitro study showed that hAECs activated autophagy in (hEnSCs) treated with H2O2 in a paracrine manner. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that hAECs have the potential to repair the uterus after injury, providing a new strategy for the prevention and treatment of Asherman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boning Li
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Qiuwan Zhang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Junyan Sun
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Dongmei Lai
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China.
- Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Speciality, Shanghai, 20030, China.
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14
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Messaoudi S, El Kasmi I, Bourdiec A, Crespo K, Bissonnette L, Le Saint C, Bissonnette F, Kadoch IJ. 15 years of transcriptomic analysis on endometrial receptivity: what have we learnt? FERTILITY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2019; 5:9. [PMID: 31396393 PMCID: PMC6681490 DOI: 10.1186/s40738-019-0059-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - François Bissonnette
- Ovo r&d, Montreal, Quebec Canada.,2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Montreal, Quebec Canada
| | - Isaac-Jacques Kadoch
- Ovo r&d, Montreal, Quebec Canada.,2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Montreal Hospital Centre, Montreal, Quebec Canada
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15
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Suhorutshenko M, Kukushkina V, Velthut-Meikas A, Altmäe S, Peters M, Mägi R, Krjutškov K, Koel M, Codoñer FM, Martinez-Blanch JF, Vilella F, Simón C, Salumets A, Laisk T. Endometrial receptivity revisited: endometrial transcriptome adjusted for tissue cellular heterogeneity. Hum Reprod 2018; 33:2074-2086. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Suhorutshenko
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Viktorija Kukushkina
- Estonian Genome Center, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Agne Velthut-Meikas
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Signe Altmäe
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Maire Peters
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Reedik Mägi
- Estonian Genome Center, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kaarel Krjutškov
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Research Program of Molecular Neurology, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mariann Koel
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | | | | | - Carlos Simón
- Igenomix Foundation/INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Research Department, Igenomix SL, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Valencia University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andres Salumets
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Triin Laisk
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Estonian Genome Center, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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16
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Altmäe S, Koel M, Võsa U, Adler P, Suhorutšenko M, Laisk-Podar T, Kukushkina V, Saare M, Velthut-Meikas A, Krjutškov K, Aghajanova L, Lalitkumar PG, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Giudice L, Simón C, Salumets A. Meta-signature of human endometrial receptivity: a meta-analysis and validation study of transcriptomic biomarkers. Sci Rep 2017; 7:10077. [PMID: 28855728 PMCID: PMC5577343 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-10098-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 149] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous transcriptome studies of the human endometrium have revealed hundreds of simultaneously up- and down-regulated genes that are involved in endometrial receptivity. However, the overlap between the studies is relatively small, and we are still searching for potential diagnostic biomarkers. Here we perform a meta-analysis of endometrial-receptivity associated genes on 164 endometrial samples (76 from 'pre-receptive' and 88 from mid-secretory, 'receptive' phase endometria) using a robust rank aggregation (RRA) method, followed by enrichment analysis, and regulatory microRNA prediction. We identify a meta-signature of endometrial receptivity involving 57 mRNA genes as putative receptivity markers, where 39 of these we confirm experimentally using RNA-sequencing method in two separate datasets. The meta-signature genes highlight the importance of immune responses, the complement cascade pathway and the involvement of exosomes in mid-secretory endometrial functions. Bioinformatic prediction identifies 348 microRNAs that could regulate 30 endometrial-receptivity associated genes, and we confirm experimentally the decreased expression of 19 microRNAs with 11 corresponding up-regulated meta-signature genes in our validation experiments. The 57 identified meta-signature genes and involved pathways, together with their regulatory microRNAs could serve as promising and sought-after biomarkers of endometrial receptivity, fertility and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Signe Altmäe
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50410, Tartu, Estonia.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18016, Granada, Spain.
| | - Mariann Koel
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50410, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14183, Huddinge, Sweden
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Urmo Võsa
- Estonian Genome Center, University of Tartu, 51010, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Priit Adler
- Institute of Computer Science, University of Tartu, Tartu, 50409, Estonia
| | - Marina Suhorutšenko
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50410, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Triin Laisk-Podar
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50410, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Merli Saare
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50410, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Kaarel Krjutškov
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50410, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, and Center for Innovative Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, 14183, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lusine Aghajanova
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, 94143-0132, CA, USA
| | - Parameswaran G Lalitkumar
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, 17176, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Linda Giudice
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, 94143-0132, CA, USA
| | - Carlos Simón
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Valencia University & INCLIVA, Igenomix & Fundación IVI, 46021, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andres Salumets
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, 50410, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 51014, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, FI-00029, HUS, Finland
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17
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Pathare ADS, Zaveri K, Hinduja I. Downregulation of genes related to immune and inflammatory response in IVF implantation failure cases under controlled ovarian stimulation. Am J Reprod Immunol 2017; 78. [PMID: 28370781 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 02/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Implantation failure (IF) even after the good-quality embryo transfer (ET) is main obstacle in in vitro fertilization (IVF). We aim to study the genomics of endometrial receptivity in IF patients under controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) during which ET is generally practised in IVF. METHOD OF STUDY Endometrial gene expression profiling in IF patients (n=10) and oocyte donors (n=8) were compared during window of implantation under COS by microarray. Enrichment analysis of microarray data was performed to determine dysregulated pathways. Microarray results were validated by real-time PCR. Localization of genes related to immune response (progestagen-associated endometrial protein (PAEP), leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), interleukin-6 signal transducer (IL6ST) was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS The gene ontology, pathway analysis and enrichment mapping revealed significant downregulation in activation and regulation of immune and inflammation response in IF patients under COS. The lower expression of PAEP, LIF and IL6ST in cases compared to controls by real time and immunohistochemistry suggests the functional importance of these genes. CONCLUSION Importance of immune and inflammatory response in endometrial receptivity adds on to the current knowledge of gene expression profile in IF under COS. The panel of genes involved in these pathways would be useful in determining further line of treatment for IF during IVF.
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Sumarac-Dumanovic M, Apostolovic M, Janjetovic K, Jeremic D, Popadic D, Ljubic A, Micic J, Dukanac-Stamenkovic J, Tubic A, Stevanovic D, Micic D, Trajkovic V. Downregulation of autophagy gene expression in endometria from women with polycystic ovary syndrome. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 440:116-124. [PMID: 27845161 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.11.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/10/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy, a process of controlled cellular self-digestion, could be involved in cyclic remodeling of the human endometrium. We investigated endometrial mRNA expression of 23 autophagy-related (ATG) genes and transcription factors in healthy controls (n = 12) and anovulatory polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients (n = 24), as well as in their subgroup (n = 12) before and after metformin treatment. The mRNA levels of transcription factor forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) and several molecules involved in autophagosome formation (ATG13, RB1-inducible coiled-coil 1), autophagosome nucleation (ATG14, beclin 1, SH3-domain GRB2-like endophilin B1), autophagosome elongation (ATG3, ATG5, γ-aminobutyric acid receptor-associated protein - GABARAP), and delivery of ubiquitinated proteins to autophagosomes (sequestosome 1), were significantly reduced in anovulatory PCOS compared to healthy endometrium. Free androgen index, but not free estrogen index, insulin levels, or body mass index, negatively correlated with the endometrial expression of ATG3, ATG14, and GABARAP in PCOS patients. Treatment of PCOS patients with metformin (2 g/day for 3 months) significantly increased the endometrial mRNA levels of FOXO1, ATG3, and UV radiation resistance-associated gene. These data suggest that increased androgen availability in PCOS is associated with metformin-sensitive transcriptional downregulation of endometrial autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirjana Sumarac-Dumanovic
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Diseases of Metabolism, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia; School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Kristina Janjetovic
- Institute for Biological Research "Sinisa Stankovic", University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Danka Jeremic
- Clinic for Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Diseases of Metabolism, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Dusan Popadic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Jelena Micic
- School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jelena Dukanac-Stamenkovic
- School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia; Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Serbia, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Tubic
- Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics, Clinical Center of Nis, Nis, Serbia
| | - Darko Stevanovic
- Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Dragan Micic
- School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Vladimir Trajkovic
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
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Compartmentalized gene expression profiling of receptive endometrium reveals progesterone regulated ENPP3 is differentially expressed and secreted in glycosylated form. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33811. [PMID: 27665743 PMCID: PMC5036034 DOI: 10.1038/srep33811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The complexity of endometrial receptivity at the molecular level needs to be explored in detail to improve the management of infertility. Here, differential expression of transcriptomes in receptive endometrial glands and stroma revealed Ectonucleotide Pyrophosphatase/Phosphodiesterase 3 (ENPP3) as a progesterone regulated factor and confirmed by various methods, both at mRNA and protein level. The involvement of ENPP3 in embryo attachment was tested in an in vitro model for human embryo implantation. Interestingly, there was high expression of ENPP3 mRNA in stroma but not protein. Presence of N-glycosylated ENPP3 in receptive phase uterine fluid in women confirms its regulation by progesterone and makes it possible to use in a non-invasive test of endometrial receptivity.
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20
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Gómez E, Ruíz-Alonso M, Miravet J, Simón C. Human Endometrial Transcriptomics: Implications for Embryonic Implantation. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2015; 5:a022996. [PMID: 25818663 PMCID: PMC4484960 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a022996] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Human endometrium has been extensively investigated in the search for markers capable of predicting its receptive status. The completion of the Human Genome Project has triggered a rapid development of new fields in molecular biology, the "transcriptomics" being a major turning point in the knowledge acquisition of endometrial receptivity. Based on this, a customized Endometrial Receptivity Array (ERA) has been developed, which is capable of identifying the genomic signature of receptivity. This diagnostic tool showed that the window of implantation (WOI) is displaced in one out of four patients with implantation failure, allowing the identification of their personalized WOI. This strategy allows performing a personalized embryo transfer (pET) on the day in which the endometrium is receptive. The combination of a systems biology approach and next-generation sequencing will overcome the limitations of microarrays, and will, in the future, allow elucidation of the mechanisms involved in embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Gómez
- IGENOMIX, Parc Cientific Valencia University, Paterna, 46980 Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria Ruíz-Alonso
- IGENOMIX, Parc Cientific Valencia University, Paterna, 46980 Valencia, Spain
| | - Jose Miravet
- IGENOMIX, Parc Cientific Valencia University, Paterna, 46980 Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Simón
- IGENOMIX, Parc Cientific Valencia University, Paterna, 46980 Valencia, Spain Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (FIVI), Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Valencia University and Instituto Universitario IVI/INCLIVA, 46010 Valencia, Spain Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305
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21
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Moreno-Moya JM, Vilella F, Martínez S, Pellicer A, Simón C. The transcriptomic and proteomic effects of ectopic overexpression of miR-30d in human endometrial epithelial cells. Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 20:550-66. [PMID: 24489115 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
miR-30d is known to be up-regulated during the acquisition of receptivity in the endometrium. In order to determine the transcriptomic and proteomic changes which occur after transient overexpression of miR-30d in primary endometrial epithelial cells, in vitro cultured human endometrial epithelial cells (hEECs) were studied experimentally. Two different miRNAs (scramble versus mimic; n = 15) were transiently transfected into primary hEECs from four different patients and were evaluated for mRNA and protein expression using Agilent's gene expression microarray and iTRAQ analysis techniques, respectively. A set of differentially expressed mRNAs were validated by qPCR and several differentially expressed proteins were validated by western blot. Finally, methylation differential immunoprecipitation (MeDIP) was used to validate the epigenetic changes in the H19 gene. The results showed that transient transfection with miR-30d miRNA induced the differential mRNA-expression of 176 genes (75 up-regulated and 101 down-regulated). Several of them have been associated with reproductive and endocrine system disorders, tissue development, and are implicated in epithelial cell proliferation. Also, the down-regulation of some genes such as H19 and N-methyltransferase (NNMT) may suggest that epigenetic alterations are induced. Furthermore, upstream effects of genes regulated by the estrogen receptor alpha 1 (ESR1) transcription factor have been predicted. Proteomic analysis identified 2290 proteins, of which 108 were differentially expressed (47 up-regulated and 61 down-regulated). Among these differentially expressed proteins DNA methyl transferase (DNMT)1 was found to be up-regulated; this protein participates in the maintenance of DNA methylation, supporting an epigenetic role for miR-30d. Finally MeDIP showed an increase in methylation in the H19 DMR region. In conclusion transient in vitro overexpression of the receptivity-up-regulated miRNA miR-30d in hEECs seems to activate genes which are associated with hormonal response and the epigenetic status of these cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Manuel Moreno-Moya
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (FIVI) and Instituto Universitario IVI/INCLIVA, Valencia University, Paterna, Spain
| | - Felipe Vilella
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (FIVI) and Instituto Universitario IVI/INCLIVA, Valencia University, Paterna, Spain
| | - Sebastián Martínez
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (FIVI) and Instituto Universitario IVI/INCLIVA, Valencia University, Paterna, Spain
| | - Antonio Pellicer
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (FIVI) and Instituto Universitario IVI/INCLIVA, Valencia University, Paterna, Spain
| | - Carlos Simón
- Fundación Instituto Valenciano de Infertilidad (FIVI) and Instituto Universitario IVI/INCLIVA, Valencia University, Paterna, Spain Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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22
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Edgell TA, Rombauts LJF, Salamonsen LA. Assessing receptivity in the endometrium: the need for a rapid, non-invasive test. Reprod Biomed Online 2013; 27:486-96. [PMID: 23933033 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2013.05.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2012] [Revised: 04/30/2013] [Accepted: 05/30/2013] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Successful implantation of an embryo into the uterus requires synchrony between the blastocyst and the endometrium. Endometrial preparedness, or receptivity, occurs only for a very short time during the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle in fertile women. Failure to achieve receptivity results in infertility and is a rate-limiting step for IVF success. Frozen embryo transfer in non-stimulation cycles is already improving live birth rates. However, an important tool that is missing in the armoury of reproductive specialists is a means to rapidly assess endometrial receptivity, either during initial assessment or immediately prior to embryo transfer. The development of a wealth of omics technologies now opens the way for identifying potential receptivity markers, although validation of these is still a major issue. This review assesses the current state of the field and the requirements to proceed to a valid clinical test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracey A Edgell
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 5152, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
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23
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Profiling the gene signature of endometrial receptivity: clinical results. Fertil Steril 2013; 99:1078-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2012] [Revised: 10/31/2012] [Accepted: 12/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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24
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Zhang D, Sun C, Ma C, Dai H, Zhang W. Data mining of spatial-temporal expression of genes in the human endometrium during the window of implantation. Reprod Sci 2012; 19:1085-98. [PMID: 22915151 DOI: 10.1177/1933719112442248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies of microarrays have produced mass data that are far from fully applied. To make full use of the available mass data and to avoid redundancy and unnecessary waste, we employed bioinformatics tools GeneSifter and Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) to mine and annotate 45 microarrays related to endometrium receptivity from GEO (Gene Expression Omnibus) database. In total, 1543 gene sets were found to express differentially, of which 148 highly regulated genes were listed as potential biomarkers of the receptive endometrium. The function and pathway analysis identified the differentially expressed genes primarily involved in immune response and cell cycle. Two networks related to the cardiovascular system and cancers were generated within the genes which changed more than 10-fold. Nine genes were validated by real-time polymerase chain reaction. It was a meaningful exploration of the existing data to acquire useful and reliable information, and our results undoubtedly provided valuable clues for further studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dan Zhang
- Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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25
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Allegra A, Marino A, Peregrin PC, Lama A, García-Segovia A, Forte GI, Núñez-Calonge R, Agueli C, Mazzola S, Volpes A. Endometrial expression of selected genes in patients achieving pregnancy spontaneously or after ICSI and patients failing at least two ICSI cycles. Reprod Biomed Online 2012; 25:481-91. [PMID: 22999554 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2012.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2012] [Revised: 07/23/2012] [Accepted: 07/24/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the endometrial gene expression profile in receptive phase, which could represent a useful prognostic tool for selecting IVF patients. Endometrial expression of 47 selected genes biopsied during the window of implantation in natural cycles was compared between patients who achieved a successful pregnancy spontaneously or after subsequent intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles and patients who did not achieve a pregnancy after at least two failed ICSI cycles. The comparative analysis showed significantly different levels of expression in 19 genes, five implicated in apoptosis (CASP8, FADD, CASP10, APAF1, ANXA4), three in immunity (LIF, SPP1, C4BPA), five in transcriptional activity (MSX1, HOXA10, MSX2, HOXA11, GATA2), two in lipid metabolism (LEPR, APOD) and four in oxidative metabolism (AOX1, ALDH1A3, GPX3, NNMT). The evidence for these genes being differently expressed could represent the starting point of identifying the ideal receptive endometrial gene expression profile, which could be used in the future as a prognostic tool for IVF patients. Gene expression analysis technology has opened new important perspectives on the study of the physiological processes of different tissues and organs. Specifically for the endometrium, it would be really interesting to find out an endometrial gene expression profile of receptive phase, which could be used in future as a useful prognostic tool for selecting IVF patients. To achieve this aim, the objective of the present paper was the comparison of endometrial expression in natural cycles of 47 selected genes between the biopsies of patients who achieved a successful pregnancy, either spontaneously or after subsequent ICSI cycles, and those of patients who did not achieve a pregnancy after at least two failed ICSI cycles. The comparative analysis showed a significant different expression in 19 genes: five implicated in programmed cell death, known as apoptosis (CASP8, FADD, CASP10, APAF1, ANXA4), three in immunity (LIF, SPP1, C4BPA), five in transcriptional activity (MSX1, HOXA10, MSX2, HOXA11, GATA2), two in lipid metabolism (LEPR, APOD) and four in oxidative metabolism (AOX1, ALDH1A3, GPX3, NNMT). The evidence of these genes being differently expressed could represent the starting point of identifying the ideal receptive endometrial gene expression profile which could be used in the future as a prognostic tool for IVF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adolfo Allegra
- Andros Day Surgery, Reproductive Medicine Unit, 90144 Palermo, Italy.
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26
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Ding YB, He JL, Liu XQ, Chen XM, Long CL, Wang YX. Expression of DNA methyltransferases in the mouse uterus during early pregnancy and susceptibility to dietary folate deficiency. Reproduction 2012; 144:91-100. [PMID: 22580371 DOI: 10.1530/rep-12-0006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2023]
Abstract
We have characterized the uterine expression of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) during early pregnancy in mice and determined whether a folate-deficient diet (FDD) can affect DNMTs in this context. Within endometrial cells, expressions of DNMT (cytosine-5) 1 (Dnmt1), Dnmt3a, and Dnmt3b were significantly elevated during the prereceptive phase of pregnancy but generally returned to baseline levels during receptive and postimplantation periods. As such, the transcription of DNMT genes is temporally regulated during early pregnancy. When comparisons were made between implantation sites (IS) and inter-IS on day 5 of pregnancy, lower levels of Dnmt3a were detected at IS. Comparisons between IS and inter-IS did not reveal significant expression differences for other DNMT genes. When tissue sections were examined, DNMT3A was specifically lower in the stroma of IS. Reduced DNMT1 and DNMT3B levels were also observed in the luminal and glandular epithelia of IS, whereas no obvious differences in the stroma were detected. In pseudo-pregnant mice subjected to a FDD, levels of Dnmt1 and Dnmt3a (but not Dnmt3b) were significantly upregulated in endometrial tissues, as compared with controls. When tissues from these folate-deficient mice were examined, DNMT1 levels were elevated in both the luminal and glandular epithelia, whereas DNMT3A was upregulated in the luminal epithelium and the stroma. A slight increase in DNMT3B levels was detected in the glandular epithelium. These results indicate that DNMTs may regulate the transcription of endometrial genes associated with embryo implantation and that levels of DNMTs are affected by dietary folate in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y B Ding
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Chongqing Medical University, Box 197, No. 1 Yixueyuan Road, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China
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27
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Ruiz-Alonso M, Blesa D, Simón C. The genomics of the human endometrium. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2012; 1822:1931-42. [PMID: 22634130 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2012.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2011] [Revised: 04/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/06/2012] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The endometrium is a complex tissue that lines the inside of the endometrial cavity. The gene expression of the different endometrial cell types is regulated by ovarian steroids and paracrine-secreted molecules from neighbouring cells. Due to this regulation, the endometrium goes through cyclic modifications which can be divided simply into the proliferative phase, the secretory phase and the menstrual phase. Successful embryo implantation depends on three factors: embryo quality, the endometrium's state of receptivity, and a synchronised dialogue between the maternal tissue and the blastocyst. There is a need to characterise the endometrium's state of receptivity in order to prevent reproductive failure. No single molecular or histological marker for this status has yet been found. Here, we review the global transcriptomic analyses performed in the last decade on a normal human endometrium. These studies provide us with a clue about what global gene expression can be expected for a non-pathological endometrium. These studies have shown endometrial phase-specific transcriptomic profiles and common temporal gene expression patterns. We summarise the biological processes and genes regulated in the different phases of natural cycles and present other works on different conditions as well as a receptivity diagnostic tool based on a specific gene set profile. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Molecular Genetics of Human Reproductive Failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Ruiz-Alonso
- Parc Cientific Universitat de Valencia, Calle Catedrático Agustín Escardino, Valencia, Spain.
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28
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Vincent ZL, Farquhar CM, Mitchell MD, Ponnampalam AP. Expression and regulation of DNA methyltransferases in human endometrium. Fertil Steril 2011; 95:1522-5.e1. [PMID: 20970125 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.09.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2010] [Revised: 08/09/2010] [Accepted: 09/16/2010] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
The messenger RNA of the DNA methyltransferases DNMT3a and DNMT3b are expressed temporally in the endometrium across the menstrual cycle, as is the steroid hormone regulation of DNMT1, DNMT3a, and DNMT3b. This suggests that DNA methylation in endometrium is changeable during the menstrual cycle and potentially alters gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoë L Vincent
- The Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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29
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Tseng LH, Chen I, Wang CN, Lin YH, Lloyd LK, Lee CL. Genome-based expression profiling study of Hunner's ulcer type interstitial cystitis: an array of 40-gene model. Int Urogynecol J 2010; 21:911-8. [PMID: 20204322 DOI: 10.1007/s00192-010-1129-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2009] [Accepted: 02/07/2010] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS The aim of this study was to explore potential molecular mechanisms contributing to the pathogenesis of Hunner's ulcer type interstitial cystitis (IC). METHODS Dataset acquisitions from Gene Expression Omnibus under platform accession no GSE 11783. We compared global gene expression profiles in bladder epithelial cells from IC patients with Hunner's ulcer corresponding to normal controls. We re-sampling and exploit the correlation structure presented in the dataset through the transcriptional response. For each patient, two bladder biopsies were studied, one from an ulcer area and one from a non-ulcer area. RNA was extracted, and all labeled samples were hybridized to Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array (Affymetrix, CA, USA). RESULTS The Mahalanobis distance in hierarchical cluster analysis revealed a model of 40 genes expression which is increased in IC and ulcerated IC. Our results can be summarized as follows: First, the expressions of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class IF and II molecules, leukocyte immunoglobulin-like receptors, hepatitis A virus cellular receptor 2, and interleukin 32 were increased in bladder epithelial from IC and ulcerative IC area. Next, there is an indication of antigen-mediated aggregation of the high-affinity Fc epsilon and gamma RI leading to allergic inflammation through the disease status. Third, the high-affinity Fc gamma RI subunit facilitated T-cell-mediated immune response through the disease status. Such changes, jointly termed "bladder remodeling," can constitute an important long-term consequence of Hunner's ulcer type IC. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that genome-based expression profiling can be used for the diagnostic tests of Hunner's ulcer type IC in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Hong Tseng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University, School of Medicine, Kwei-Shan, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan
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30
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Bazer FW, Wu G, Spencer TE, Johnson GA, Burghardt RC, Bayless K. Novel pathways for implantation and establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in mammals. Mol Hum Reprod 2009; 16:135-52. [PMID: 19880575 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gap095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 258] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine receptivity to implantation varies among species, and involves changes in expression of genes that are coordinate with attachment of trophectoderm to uterine lumenal and superficial glandular epithelia, modification of phenotype of uterine stromal cells, silencing of receptors for progesterone and estrogen, suppression of genes for immune recognition, alterations in membrane permeability to enhance conceptus-maternal exchange of factors, angiogenesis and vasculogenesis, increased vascularity of the endometrium, activation of genes for transport of nutrients into the uterine lumen, and enhanced signaling for pregnancy recognition. Differential expression of genes by uterine epithelial and stromal cells in response to progesterone, glucocorticoids, prostaglandins and interferons may influence uterine receptivity to implantation in mammals. Uterine receptivity to implantation is progesterone-dependent; however, implantation is preceded by loss of expression of receptors for progesterone (PGR) so that progesterone most likely acts via PGR-positive stromal cells throughout pregnancy. Endogenous retroviruses expressed by the uterus and/or blastocyst also affect implantation and placentation in various species. Understanding the roles of the variety of hormones, growth factors and endogenous retroviral proteins in uterine receptivity for implantation is essential to enhancing reproductive health and fertility in humans and domestic animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuller W Bazer
- Departments of Animal Science, Texas A&M Health Sciences Center, College Station, TX 77843, USA.
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31
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Genome-based expression profiles study for the pathogenesis of pelvic organ prolapse: an array of 33 genes model. Int Urogynecol J 2009; 21:79-84. [DOI: 10.1007/s00192-009-0990-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2009] [Accepted: 08/21/2009] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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