1
|
Günther V, Allahqoli L, Deenadayal-Mettler A, Maass N, Mettler L, Gitas G, Andresen K, Schubert M, Ackermann J, von Otte S, Alkatout I. Molecular Determinants of Uterine Receptivity: Comparison of Successful Implantation, Recurrent Miscarriage, and Recurrent Implantation Failure. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:17616. [PMID: 38139443 PMCID: PMC10743587 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242417616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryo implantation is one of the most remarkable phenomena in human reproduction and is not yet fully understood. Proper endometrial function as well as a dynamic interaction between the endometrium itself and the blastocyst-the so-called embryo-maternal dialog-are necessary for successful implantation. Several physiological and molecular processes are involved in the success of implantation. This review describes estrogen, progesterone and their receptors, as well as the role of the cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), IL-11, IL-1, and the glycoprotein glycodelin in successful implantation, in cases of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and in cases of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Are there differences at the molecular level underlying RIF or RPL? Since implantation has already taken place in the case of RPL, it is conceivable that different molecular biological baseline situations underlie the respective problems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Veronika Günther
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (V.G.)
- University Fertility Center, Ambulanzzentrum of University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Leila Allahqoli
- School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), Tehran 14535, Iran
| | - Anupama Deenadayal-Mettler
- University Fertility Center, Ambulanzzentrum of University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Nicolai Maass
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (V.G.)
| | - Liselotte Mettler
- University Fertility Center, Ambulanzzentrum of University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Georgios Gitas
- Private Gynecologic Practice, Chrisostomou Smirnis 11Β, 54622 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kristin Andresen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (V.G.)
| | - Melanie Schubert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (V.G.)
| | - Johannes Ackermann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (V.G.)
| | - Sören von Otte
- University Fertility Center, Ambulanzzentrum of University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Ibrahim Alkatout
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller-Strasse 3 (House C), 24105 Kiel, Germany; (V.G.)
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Zhuang B, Shang J, Yao Y. HLA-G: An Important Mediator of Maternal-Fetal Immune-Tolerance. Front Immunol 2021; 12:744324. [PMID: 34777357 PMCID: PMC8586502 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.744324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Maternal-fetal immune-tolerance occurs throughout the whole gestational trimester, thus a mother can accept a genetically distinct fetus without immunological aggressive behavior. HLA-G, one of the non-classical HLA class I molecules, is restricted-expression at extravillous trophoblast. It can concordantly interact with various kinds of receptors mounted on maternally immune cells residing in the uterus (e.g. CD4+ T cells, CD8+ T cells, natural killer cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells) for maintaining immune homeostasis of the maternal-fetus interface. HLA-G is widely regarded as the pivotal protective factor for successful pregnancies. In the past 20 years, researches associated with HLA-G have been continually published. Indeed, HLA-G plays a mysterious role in the mechanism of maternal-fetal immune-tolerance. It can also be ectopically expressed on tumor cells, infected sites and other pathologic microenvironments to confer a significant local tolerance. Understanding the characteristics of HLA-G in immunologic tolerance is not only beneficial for pathological pregnancy, but also helpful to the therapy of other immune-related diseases, such as organ transplant rejection, tumor migration, and autoimmune disease. In this review, we describe the biological properties of HLA-G, then summarize our understanding of the mechanisms of fetomaternal immunologic tolerance and the difference from transplant tolerance. Furthermore, we will discuss how HLA-G contributes to the tolerogenic microenvironment during pregnancy. Finally, we hope to find some new aspects of HLA-G in fundamental research or clinical application for the future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baimei Zhuang
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jin Shang
- Medical School of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yuanqing Yao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Medical Centre, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Biomolecular Markers of Recurrent Implantation Failure-A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221810082. [PMID: 34576245 PMCID: PMC8472752 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221810082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Currently, infertility affects 8–12% of reproductive age couples worldwide, a problem that also affects women suffering from recurrent implantation failure (RIF). RIF is a complex condition resulting from many physiological and molecular mechanisms involving dynamic endometrium–blastocyst interaction. The most important are the endometrial receptivity process, decidualization, trophoblast invasion, and blastocyst nesting. Although the exact multifactorial pathogenesis of RIF remains unclear, many studies have suggested the association between hormone level imbalance, disturbances of angiogenic and immunomodulatory factors, certain genetic polymorphisms, and occurrence of RIF. These studies were performed in quite small groups. Additionally, the results are inconsistent between ethnicities. The present review briefly summarizes the importance of factors involved in RIF development that could also serve as diagnostic determinants. Moreover, our review could constitute part of a new platform for discovery of novel diagnostic and therapeutic solutions for RIF.
Collapse
|
4
|
A Brief Analysis of Tissue-Resident NK Cells in Pregnancy and Endometrial Diseases: The Importance of Pharmacologic Modulation. IMMUNO 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/immuno1030011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
NK cells are lymphocytes involved in the innate and adaptative immune response. These cells are located in peripheral blood and tissues with ample functions, from immune vigilant to tolerogenic reactions. In the endometrium, NK cell populations vary depending on age, hormones, and inflammation. When pregnancy occurs, tissue-resident NK cells and conventional NK cells are recruited to protect the fetus, a tolerogenic response. On the contrary, in the inflamed endometrium, various inflammatory cells down-regulate NK tolerance and impair embryo implantation. Therefore, NK cells’ pharmacological modulation is difficult to achieve. Several strategies have been used, from progesterone, lipid emulsions to steroids; the success has not been as expected. However, new therapeutic approaches have been proposed to decrease the endometrial inflammatory burden and increase pregnancy success based on understanding NK cell physiology.
Collapse
|
5
|
Sawyer L. β-Lactoglobulin and Glycodelin: Two Sides of the Same Coin? Front Physiol 2021; 12:678080. [PMID: 34093238 PMCID: PMC8173191 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.678080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The two lipocalins, β-lactoglobulin (βLg) and glycodelin (Gd), are possibly the most closely related members of the large and widely distributed lipocalin family, yet their functions appear to be substantially different. Indeed, the function of β-lactoglobulin, a major component of ruminant milk, is still unclear although neonatal nutrition is clearly important. On the other hand, glycodelin has several specific functions in reproduction conferred through distinct, tissue specific glycosylation of the polypeptide backbone. It is also associated with some cancer outcomes. The glycodelin gene, PAEP, reflecting one of its names, progestagen-associated endometrial protein, is expressed in many though not all primates, but the name has now also been adopted for the β-lactoglobulin gene (HGNC, www.genenames.org). After a general overview of the two proteins in the context of the lipocalin family, this review considers the properties of each in the light of their physiological functional significance, supplementing earlier reviews to include studies from the past decade. While the biological function of glycodelin is reasonably well defined, that of β-lactoglobulin remains elusive.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lindsay Sawyer
- School of Biological Sciences, IQB3, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Löb S, Vattai A, Kuhn C, Schmoeckel E, Mahner S, Wöckel A, Kolben T, Keil C, Jeschke U, Vilsmaier T. Pregnancy Zone Protein (PZP) is significantly upregulated in the decidua of recurrent and spontaneous miscarriage and negatively correlated to Glycodelin A (GdA). J Reprod Immunol 2020; 143:103267. [PMID: 33388716 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy Zone Protein (PZP) is an immunosuppressive protein that is expressed by the placenta and has also been identified in immune cells. When PZP and Glycodelin A (GdA) are combined, they act synergistically to inhibit Th-1 immune response. Little is known about its combined expression and role in normal and disturbed first trimester pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS We investigated the expression of PZP and GdA in placental tissue obtained from spontaneous miscarriage (SM) (n = 19) and recurrent miscarriage (RM) (n = 17) at gestational weeks 6-13 by immunohistochemistry and on mRNA-level by either TaqMan PCR or in situ hybridization. Placental tissue from legal terminations of healthy pregnancies (n = 15) served as control group. Immunofluorescence double staining was used to analyse the combined expression of PZP and GdA in decidual tissue. RESULTS The protein level of PZP was significantly increased in decidual stroma of SM samples compared to the decidua of control specimens and also significantly upregulated in the decidual stroma cells in the RM group. Concerning GdA, the decidual stroma revealed a significantly decreased protein level in the group with spontaneous abortions than in the group with healthy pregnancies. There was also a significant downregulation of GdA in the decidual stroma of RM samples compared to the control group. We observed a significant negative correlation of PZP and GdA in decidual stromal tissue of recurrent abortion. We could confirm the staining results for PZP as well as for GdA on mRNA level. Both proteins are co-localized in decidual stroma as analysed by immunofluorescence double staining. CONCLUSION A balanced expression of GdA and its carrier protein PZP in the decidua seems crucial for a successful ongoing pregnancy. According to our data, these immunosuppressive proteins are co-localized in the decidual tissue and show a negative correlation only in patients suffering from recurrent abortion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Löb
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 4, 97080, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Aurelia Vattai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Kuhn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337, Munich, Germany; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Elisa Schmoeckel
- Department of Pathology, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 27, 81377, Munich, Germany
| | - Sven Mahner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Achim Wöckel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 4, 97080, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kolben
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337, Munich, Germany
| | - Christiane Keil
- Department of Orthodontics, Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Udo Jeschke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337, Munich, Germany; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156, Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Theresa Vilsmaier
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337, Munich, Germany
| |
Collapse
|