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Peng D, Zhong W, Wang Y, Fu Y, Shang W. The Causal Relationship Between Immune Cells and Infertility: A Mendelian Randomisation Study. Am J Reprod Immunol 2024; 92:e13932. [PMID: 39320012 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13932] [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: 04/06/2024] [Revised: 07/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/26/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Infertility has emerged as a significant global public health concern, with a multitude of complex underlying causes. Epidemiological evidence indicates that immunological factors are significant contributors to the aetiology of infertility. However, previous studies on the relationship between immune inflammation and infertility have yielded inconclusive results. METHODS Mendelian randomisation (MR) is an emerging statistical method that employs exposure-related genetic variation as an instrumental variable (IV) to infer causal relationships between immune cells and infertility by modelling the principle of random assignment in Mendelian genetics. In this study, MR was employed to assess the causal relationship between 731 immune cell signatures and infertility. The data utilized in this study were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and validated IVs, which were employed to fulfil the essential assumptions of MR analysis. RESULTS The Mendelian randomisation analysis revealed a total of 27 statistically significant immune cell phenotypes out of 731. The risk factor with the largest odds ratio (OR) was CD28- CD25++ CD8+ %T cell [OR, 1.21; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-1.42], while the protective factor with the largest OR was activated and resting Treg AC (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82-0.97). CONCLUSION The present study has demonstrated a correlation between certain characteristics of immune cells and female infertility. These results provide clues for further research into the immune mechanisms of infertility and may inform the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dingchuan Peng
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhong
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiran Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiyao Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Shang
- School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Sixth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Seventh Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, China
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Ebrahimi F, Omidvar-Mehrabadi A, Shahbazi M, Mohammadnia-Afrouzi M. Innate and adaptive immune dysregulation in women with recurrent implantation failure. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 164:104262. [PMID: 38823361 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104262] [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: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a condition where a woman fails to obtain pregnancy after multiple embryo transfer cycles, even with superior-quality blastocysts. There are various factors that can contribute to RIF, including immunologic disturbances. The immune system is extremely important during pregnancy. Immune cells such as T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and macrophages (MQ) are present in the female reproductive tract and are accountable for regulating the immune response to invading pathogens and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of these immune cells can lead to inflammation, which can impair fertility. One of the most common immunological disturbances observed in RIF is an altered Th1/Th2 ratio, along with changes in NK cell and macrophage numbers. In addition, the presence of some antibodies, such as anti-ovarian antibodies, can also contribute to RIF. Interleukins have been implicated in the development of an inflammatory response that can interfere with successful embryo implantation. As a result, a comprehensive understanding of immunological compartments in RIF women could assist us in determining the immunological origins of this disease. We will discuss immunological factors that might contribute to RIF etiology, including cellular and molecular components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fateme Ebrahimi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran
| | | | - Mehdi Shahbazi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.
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Nie SC, Jing YH, Lu L, Ren SS, Ji G, Xu HC. Mechanisms of myeloid-derived suppressor cell-mediated immunosuppression in colorectal cancer and related therapies. World J Gastrointest Oncol 2024; 16:1690-1704. [PMID: 38764816 PMCID: PMC11099432 DOI: 10.4251/wjgo.v16.i5.1690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Severe immunosuppression is a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC). Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), one of the most abundant components of the tumor stroma, play an important role in the invasion, metastasis, and immune escape of CRC. MDSCs create an immunosuppressive microenvironment by inhibiting the proliferation and activation of immunoreactive cells, including T and natural killer cells, as well as by inducing the proliferation of immunosuppressive cells, such as regulatory T cells and tumor-associated macrophages, which, in turn, promote the growth of cancer cells. Thus, MDSCs are key contributors to the emergence of an immunosuppressive microenvironment in CRC and play an important role in the breakdown of antitumor immunity. In this narrative review, we explore the mechanisms through which MDSCs contribute to the immunosuppressive microenvironment, the current therapeutic approaches and technologies targeting MDSCs, and the therapeutic potential of modulating MDSCs in CRC treatment. This study provides ideas and methods to enhance survival rates in patients with CRC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Chang Nie
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Yan-Hua Jing
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Lu Lu
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Disease and Syndrome Biology of Inflammatory Cancer Transformation, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Si-Si Ren
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Guang Ji
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Disease and Syndrome Biology of Inflammatory Cancer Transformation, Shanghai 200032, China
- State Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine (Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Shanghai 200032, China
| | - Han-Chen Xu
- Institute of Digestive Diseases, Longhua Hospital, China-Canada Center of Research for Digestive Diseases, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 200032, China
- Shanghai Frontiers Science Center of Disease and Syndrome Biology of Inflammatory Cancer Transformation, Shanghai 200032, China
- State Key Laboratory of Integration and Innovation of Classic Formula and Modern Chinese Medicine (Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine), Shanghai 200032, China
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Shah NK, Xu P, Shan Y, Chen C, Xie M, Li Y, Meng Y, Shu C, Dong S, He J. MDSCs in pregnancy and pregnancy-related complications: an update†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:382-392. [PMID: 36504233 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Maternal-fetal immune tolerance is a process that involves complex interactions of the immune system, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells have emerged as one of the novel immunomodulator in the maintenance of maternal-fetal immune tolerance. Myeloid-derived suppressor cells are myeloid progenitor cells with immunosuppressive activities on both innate and adaptive cells through various mechanisms. Emerging evidence demonstrates the accumulation of myeloid-derived suppressor cells during healthy pregnancy to establish maternal-fetal immune tolerance, placentation, and fetal-growth process. By contrast, the absence or decreased myeloid-derived suppressor cells in pregnancy complications like preeclampsia, preterm birth, stillbirth, and recurrent spontaneous abortion have been reported. Here, we have summarized the origin, mechanisms, and functions of myeloid-derived suppressor cells during pregnancy along with the recent advancements in this dynamic field. We also shed light on the immunomodulatory activity of myeloid-derived suppressor cells, which can be a foundation for potential therapeutic manipulation in immunological pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neelam Kumari Shah
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Peng Xu
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yanhong Shan
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Min Xie
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Yizi Meng
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Chang Shu
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Shuai Dong
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of Ministry of Education, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jin He
- Department of Obstetrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Center, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration & Transplantation of Ministry of Education, National-Local Joint Engineering Laboratory of Animal Models for Human Diseases, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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Duan Y, Liu Y, Xu Y, Zhou C. Bioinformatics Analysis Identifies Key Genes in Recurrent Implantation Failure Based on Immune Infiltration. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:952-965. [PMID: 36045247 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01060-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a thorny problem often encountered in the field of assisted reproduction. Existing evidences suggest that immune dysregulation may be involved in the pathogenesis of RIF. The purpose of this study is to explore immune-related genes contributing to RIF through data mining. The endometrial expression profiles of 24 RIF and 24 controls were obtained from the GEO database. The immune infiltration in bulk tissue was estimated by single sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) method based on marker gene sets for immune cells generated from endometrial single-cell RNA sequencing data. The results showed that the infiltration levels of B cells and regulatory T cells (Tregs) were significantly reduced in the RIF group. Four hub genes (GJA1, PRKAG2, CPT1A, and ICA1) were identified by integrated analysis of weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), random forest and LASSO regression. Moreover, these hub genes were significantly correlated with certain immune-related factors, especially CXCL12, CEACAM1, and XCR1. Single-gene GSEA indicated that the pathways associated with hub genes included the regulation of cell cycle, the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and transplant rejection, etc. A predictive model for RIF was constructed based on hub genes and performed well in the training dataset and the other two external datasets. Thus, this study identified immune-related key genes in RIF and provided new biomarkers for early diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuwei Duan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Yongxiang Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, 510405, Guangdong, China
| | - Yanwen Xu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Canquan Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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Mukherjee N, Sharma R, Modi D. Immune alterations in recurrent implantation failure. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13563. [PMID: 35587052 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A failure to achieve pregnancy after three or more embryo transfer cycles with high-quality blastocysts is referred to as recurrent implantation failure (RIF). RIF can be due to altered uterine factors or male factors or embryo factors. Disrupted endometrial receptivity, altered expression of genes in several pathways, immunologic disturbances in the peripheral blood and/or the endometrium, and epigenetic alterations are associated with RIF. Amongst the immunologic disturbances, altered Th1/Th2 ratio, altered NK cell and macrophage numbers are observed in women with RIF. However, not all women with RIF have the same kind of immune dysfunction suggesting that RIF is a heterogeneous condition associated with varied immune responses and one size may not fit all. Thus, personalized therapies based on the immune status of the patient are being tested in women with RIF. In general, women with a high Th1/Th2 ratio are offered Tacrolimus, while intravenous IgG is recommended in women with high NK cell numbers/HLA mismatch. Women with hyperactivated immune status in the uterus are offered progesterone support, prednisolone, vitamin E, and intralipid treatment to suppress inflammation and oxidative stress, while endometrial scratching and intrauterine hCG administration are offered to women with hypo-active immune status. There is a need for standardized tests for evaluation of immune status in patients and sufficiently powered randomized controlled trials for personalized therapies to determine which of these will be beneficial in women with RIF. Till then, the ART community should limit the use of such add-on interventions in women with RIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nupur Mukherjee
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Richa Sharma
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Deepak Modi
- Molecular and Cellular Biology Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute for Research in Reproductive and Child Health, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Parel, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
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Qiu Y, Cao Y, Tu G, Li J, Su Y, Fang F, Zhang X, Cang J, Rong R, Luo Z. Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Alleviate Renal Fibrosis Progression via Regulation of CCL5-CCR5 Axis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:698894. [PMID: 34566958 PMCID: PMC8460909 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.698894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Renal fibrosis is inevitable in all progressive chronic kidney diseases (CKDs) and represents a serious public health problem. Immune factors contribute to the progression of renal fibrosis. Thus, it is very possible that immunosuppression cells, such as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), could bring benefits to renal fibrosis. Herein, this study investigated the antifibrotic and reno-protective effect of MDSCs and the possible mechanisms. METHODS Murine and cell models of unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO) renal fibrosis were used. Bone marrow-induced MDSCs and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were pretreated before surgery. Kidney weight, pathological injury, extracellular matrix deposition, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition progression were examined. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1)/Smad/Snail signaling pathway involvement was investigated through Western blotting and quantitative PCR (qPCR). Accumulation of MDSC, CD4+ T cell, regulatory T (Treg), and T helper 1 (TH1) cell accumulation, and CCL5 and CCR5 expression level in MDSCs and non-MDSCs were evaluated using flow cytometry. RESULTS In vitro- and in vivo-induced MDSCs significantly ameliorated UUO-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis, inhibited the TGF-β1/Smad/Snail signaling pathway, and enhanced MDSC and Treg infiltration in the kidney while downregulating the TH1 cells. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments confirmed CCL5 elevation in the two MDSC-treated groups. CONCLUSION In vitro- and in vivo-induced MDSCs alleviated renal fibrosis similarly through promoting the CCL5-CCR5 axis interaction and TGF-β1/Smad/Snail signaling pathway inhibition. Our results indicate an alternative treatment for renal fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Qiu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yirui Cao
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Guowei Tu
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiawei Li
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Su
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuepeng Zhang
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Cang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Cang, ; Ruiming Rong, ; Zhe Luo,
| | - Ruiming Rong
- Department of Urology, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Organ Transplantation, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Cang, ; Ruiming Rong, ; Zhe Luo,
| | - Zhe Luo
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Critical Care Medicine, Xiamen Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Xiamen, China
- *Correspondence: Jing Cang, ; Ruiming Rong, ; Zhe Luo,
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