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McDonald B, Schmidt MHH. Structure, function, and recombinant production of EGFL7. Biol Chem 2024; 0:hsz-2023-0358. [PMID: 38805373 DOI: 10.1515/hsz-2023-0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024]
Abstract
The secreted factor Epidermal growth factor-like protein 7 (EGFL7) is involved in angiogenesis, vasculogenesis, as well as neurogenesis. Importantly, EGFL7 is also implicated in various pathological conditions, including tumor angiogenesis in human cancers. Thus, understanding the mechanisms through which EGFL7 regulates and promotes blood vessel formation is of clear practical importance. One principle means by which EGFL7's function is investigated is via the expression and purification of the recombinant protein. This mini-review describes three methods used to produce recombinant EGFL7 protein. First, a brief overview of EGFL7's genetics, structure, and function is provided. This is followed by an examination of the advantages and disadvantages of three common expression systems used in the production of recombinant EGFL7; (i) Escherichia coli (E. coli), (ii) human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells or other mammalian cells, and (iii) a baculovirus-based Sf9 insect cell expression system. Based on the available evidence, we conclude that the baculovirus-based Sf9 insect cell expression currently has the advantages of producing active recombinant EGFL7 in the native conformation with the presence of acceptable posttranslational modifications, while providing sufficient yield and stability for experimental purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brennan McDonald
- 9169 Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden School of Medicine, Fetscherstr. 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Mirko H H Schmidt
- 9169 Institute of Anatomy, Medical Faculty Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden School of Medicine, Fetscherstr. 74, D-01307 Dresden, Germany
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2
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Paul M, Chakraborty S, Islam S, Ain R. Trans-differentiation of trophoblast stem cells: implications in placental biology. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:6/3/e202201583. [PMID: 36574992 PMCID: PMC9797987 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophoblast invasion is a hallmark of hemochorial placentation. Invasive trophoblast cells replace the endothelial cells of uterine spiral arteries. The mechanism by which the invasive trophoblast cells acquire this phenotype is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that, during differentiation, a small population of trophoblast stem (TS) cells trans-differentiate into a hybrid cell type expressing markers of both trophoblast (TC) and endothelial (EC) cells. In addition, a compendium of EC-specific genes was found to be associated with TS cell differentiation. Using functional annotation, these genes were categorized into angiogenesis, cell adhesion molecules, and apoptosis-related genes. HES1 repressed transcription of EC genes in TS cells. Interestingly, differentiated TCs secrete TRAIL, but its receptor DR4 is expressed only in ECs and not in TCs. TRAIL induced apoptosis in EC but not in TC. Co-culture of ECs with TC induced apoptosis in ECs via extrinsic apoptotic pathway. These results highlight that (a) TS cells possess the potential to trans-differentiate into "trophendothelial" phenotype, regulated by HES1 and (b) trophoblast differentiation-induced TRAIL secretion directs preferential demise of ECs located in their vicinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhurima Paul
- Division of Cell Biology and Physiology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
| | - Shreeta Chakraborty
- Division of Cell Biology and Physiology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India.,National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Safirul Islam
- Division of Cell Biology and Physiology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India.,School of Biotechnology, Presidency University, Kolkata, India
| | - Rupasri Ain
- Division of Cell Biology and Physiology, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Kolkata, India
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3
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Salah NM, Hussein NM, Aboazma SM, Shalaby HA, Seleem AK. Evaluation Of Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Domain (EGFL7) mRNA Expression and its Protein Level in Preeclampsia. J Obstet Gynaecol India 2023; 73:21-27. [PMID: 36879940 PMCID: PMC9984659 DOI: 10.1007/s13224-022-01697-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To evaluate the mRNA expression of epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) in maternal blood and its protein level in sera of pregnant women complicated with preeclampsia (PE). Method Case-control study involving 25 pregnant women diagnosed with PE (cases) and 25 gestational age-matched normal pregnant women (controls). EGFL7 mRNA expression in normal and PE patients was quantified by (qRT-PCR), and EGFL7 protein level was estimated using ELISA. Results The RQ values of EGFL7 in the PE group were significantly higher than in the NC group (P < 0.001). Pregnancies affected with PE showed higher serum EGFL7 protein compared with matched controls (P < 0.001). EGFL7 serum level cutoff value ≥ 38.25 µg/ml could be used in the diagnosis of PE with sensitivity = 92%, and specificity = 88%. Conclusion EGFL7 mRNA is overexpressed in maternal blood of pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia. Serum EGFL7 protein is elevated in PE cases and can be used as a diagnostic marker for preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noha M. Salah
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, El Gomhouria St, Mansoura, 35516 Dakahlia Governorate Egypt
| | - Nora M. Hussein
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, El Gomhouria St, Mansoura, 35516 Dakahlia Governorate Egypt
| | - Souad M. Aboazma
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, El Gomhouria St, Mansoura, 35516 Dakahlia Governorate Egypt
| | - Hend A. Shalaby
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Amal K. Seleem
- Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University, El Gomhouria St, Mansoura, 35516 Dakahlia Governorate Egypt
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4
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Placental Dysfunction in Assisted Reproductive Pregnancies: Perinatal, Neonatal and Adult Life Outcomes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23020659. [PMID: 35054845 PMCID: PMC8775397 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23020659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Obstetric and newborn outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART) pregnancies are associated with significative prevalence of maternal and neonatal adverse health conditions, such as cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. These data are interpreted as anomalies in placentation involving a dysregulation of several molecular factors and pathways. It is not clear which extent of the observed placental alterations are the result of ART and which originate from infertility itself. These two aspects probably act synergically for the final obstetric risk. Data show that mechanisms of inappropriate trophoblast invasion and consequent altered vascular remodeling sustain several clinical conditions, leading to obstetric and perinatal risks often found in ART pregnancies, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction and placenta previa or accreta. The roles of factors such as VEGF, GATA3, PIGF, sFLT-1, sEndoglin, EGFL7, melatonin and of ART conditions, such as short or long embryo cultures, trophectoderm biopsy, embryo cryopreservation, and supraphysiologic endometrium preparation, are discussed. Inflammatory local conditions and epigenetic influence on embryos of ART procedures are important research topics since they may have important consequences on obstetric risk. Prevention and treatment of these conditions represent new frontiers for clinicians and biologists involved in ART, and synergic actions with researchers at molecular levels are advocated.
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Johnston AN, Batts TL, Langohr IM, Moeller C, Liu CC, Sones JL. The BPH/5 Mouse Model of Superimposed Preeclampsia Is Not a Model of HELLP Syndrome. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10111179. [PMID: 34827172 PMCID: PMC8615032 DOI: 10.3390/biology10111179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystemic disease of pregnancy affecting 2-8% of women worldwide. PE-induced liver disease is a rare but important complication of pregnancy. The pathogenesis of liver dysfunction in PE is poorly understood, but is correlated with dysregulated angiogenic, inflammatory, and hypoxic events in the early phase of placental development. Because BPH/5 mice develop the maternal and fetal hallmarks of PE during pregnancy, we hypothesized that they may also share the clinicopathologic findings of the human PE-associated hemolysis elevated liver transaminases low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. Using this model, we determined that microangiopathic hemolysis, thrombocytopenia, and elevated liver enzymes do not occur in mid to late gestation. Pregnant BPH/5 mice do not develop histologic evidence of hepatic inflammation, but they do have increased microsteatosis scores at preconception and in mid to late gestation that progress to macrosteatosis in a subset of mice in late gestation. The transcriptional upregulation of TNF-α, CXCL-10, and TLR-2 occurs in mid gestation prior to the onset of macrosteatosis. The BPH/5 female mouse is not a model of HELLP syndrome, but may be a model of fatty liver disease associated with pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea N. Johnston
- Departments of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (T.L.B.); (C.M.); (C.-C.L.); (J.L.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tifini L. Batts
- Departments of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (T.L.B.); (C.M.); (C.-C.L.); (J.L.S.)
| | - Ingeborg M. Langohr
- Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA;
| | - Cambri Moeller
- Departments of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (T.L.B.); (C.M.); (C.-C.L.); (J.L.S.)
| | - Chin-Chi Liu
- Departments of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (T.L.B.); (C.M.); (C.-C.L.); (J.L.S.)
| | - Jennifer L. Sones
- Departments of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803, USA; (T.L.B.); (C.M.); (C.-C.L.); (J.L.S.)
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Circulating EGFL7 distinguishes between IUGR and PE: an observational case-control study. Sci Rep 2021; 11:17919. [PMID: 34504270 PMCID: PMC8429426 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-97482-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Isolated intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and preeclampsia (PE) share common placental pathogenesis. Differently from IUGR, PE is a systemic disorder which may also affect liver and brain. Early diagnosis of these conditions may optimize maternal and fetal management. Aim of this study was to assess whether Epidermal Growth Factor-Like domain 7 (EGFL7) dosage in maternal blood discriminates between isolated IUGR and PE. A total of 116 women were enrolled in this case–control study: 12 non-pregnant women, 34 healthy pregnant women, 34 women presenting with isolated IUGR and 36 presenting with PE. Levels of circulating EGFL7 and other known pro- and anti-angiogenic factors were measured by ELISA at different gestational ages (GA). Between 22–25 weeks of gestation, EGFL7 levels in early-onset PE (e-PE) plasma samples were significantly higher than those measured in controls or isolated IUGR samples (69.86 ± 6.17 vs. 19.8 ± 2.5 or 18.8 ± 2.8 µg/ml, respectively). Between 26–34 weeks, EGFL7 levels remained significantly higher in e-PE compared to IUGR. At term, circulating and placental EGFL7 levels were comparable between IUGR and late-onset PE (l-PE). In contrast, circulating levels of PlGF were decreased in both IUGR- and PE- complicated pregnancies, while levels of both sFLT-1 and sENDOGLIN were increased in both conditions. In conclusion, EGFL7 significantly discriminates between isolated IUGR and PE.
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Ortega MA, Asúnsolo Á, Fraile-Martínez O, Sainz F, Saez MA, Bravo C, De León-Luis JA, Alvarez-Mon MA, Coca S, Álvarez-Mon M, Buján J, García-Honduvilla N. An increase in elastogenic components in the placental villi of women with chronic venous disease during pregnancy is associated with decreased EGFL7 expression level. Mol Med Rep 2021; 24:556. [PMID: 34080027 PMCID: PMC8188638 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2021.12195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic venous disease (CVD) is the response to a series of hemodynamic changes in the venous system and the onset of this disease is often triggered by pregnancy. Placental tissue is particularly sensitive to the characteristic changes which occurs in venous hypertension. In this regard, changes in the extracellular matrix (ECM), that occur to adapt to this situation, are fundamental to controlling elastogenesis. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to analyze the changes that occur in the mRNA and protein expression level of proteins related to elastogenesis in the placental villi of women diagnosed with CVD, in the third trimester of pregnancy. An observational, analytical and prospective cohort study was conducted, in which the placenta from 62 women with CVD were compared with that in placenta from 52 women without a diagnosis of CVD. Gene and protein expression levels were analyzed using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. The results showed a significant decrease in the gene and protein expression level of EGFL7 in the placental villi of women with CVD. By contrast, significant increases in the gene and protein expression level of ECM-related proteins, such as tropoelastin, fibulin 4, fibrillin 1 and members of the lysyl oxidase family (LOX and LOXL-1) were also found in the placental villi of women with CVD. To the best of our knowledge, the results from the present study showed for the first time that CVD during pregnancy was associated with changes in the mRNA and protein expression level in essential components of the EGFL7-modulated elastogenesis process in placental villi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel A Ortega
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Asúnsolo
- Ramón y Cajal Institute of Healthcare Research, 28034 Madrid, Spain
| | - Oscar Fraile-Martínez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain
| | - Felipe Sainz
- University Center for The Defense of Madrid, 28047 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Saez
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain
| | - Coral Bravo
- University Center for The Defense of Madrid, 28047 Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan A De León-Luis
- Service of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Section of Fetal Maternal Medicine, Central University Hospital of Defence‑University of Alcalá, 28047 Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel A Alvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain
| | - Santiago Coca
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain
| | - Melchor Álvarez-Mon
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain
| | - Julia Buján
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain
| | - Natalio García-Honduvilla
- Department of Medicine and Medical Specialties, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, 28801 Madrid, Spain
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Perlman BE, Merriam AA, Lemenze A, Zhao Q, Begum S, Nair M, Wu T, Wapner RJ, Kitajewski JK, Shawber CJ, Douglas NC. Implications for preeclampsia: hypoxia-induced Notch promotes trophoblast migration. Reproduction 2021; 161:681-696. [PMID: 33784241 PMCID: PMC8403268 DOI: 10.1530/rep-20-0483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
In the first trimester of human pregnancy, low oxygen tension or hypoxia is essential for proper placentation and placenta function. Low oxygen levels and activation of signaling pathways have been implicated as critical mediators in the promotion of trophoblast differentiation, migration, and invasion with inappropriate changes in oxygen tension and aberrant Notch signaling both individually reported as causative to abnormal placentation. Despite crosstalk between hypoxia and Notch signaling in multiple cell types, the relationship between hypoxia and Notch in first trimester trophoblast function is not understood. To determine how a low oxygen environment impacts Notch signaling and cellular motility, we utilized the human first trimester trophoblast cell line, HTR-8/SVneo. Gene set enrichment and ontology analyses identified pathways involved in angiogenesis, Notch and cellular migration as upregulated in HTR-8/SVneo cells exposed to hypoxic conditions. DAPT, a γ-secretase inhibitor that inhibits Notch activation, was used to interrogate the crosstalk between Notch and hypoxia pathways in HTR-8/SVneo cells. We found that hypoxia requires Notch activation to mediate HTR-8/SVneo cell migration, but not invasion. To determine if our in vitro findings were associated with preeclampsia, we analyzed the second trimester chorionic villous sampling (CVS) samples and third trimester placentas. We found a significant decrease in expression of migration and invasion genes in CVS from preeclamptic pregnancies and significantly lower levels of JAG1 in placentas from pregnancies with early-onset preeclampsia with severe features. Our data support a role for Notch in mediating hypoxia-induced trophoblast migration, which may contribute to preeclampsia development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry E Perlman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Audrey A. Merriam
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Alexander Lemenze
- Department of Pathology, Immunology and Laboratory Medicine, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Qingshi Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Salma Begum
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Mohan Nair
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Tracy Wu
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Ronald J. Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jan K. Kitajewski
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Carrie J. Shawber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA
| | - Nataki C. Douglas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Health, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
- Center for Immunity and Inflammation, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ, USA
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Liu B, Liu L, Cui S, Qi Y, Wang T. Expression and significance of microRNA-126 and VCAM-1 in placental tissues of women with early-onset preeclampsia. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2021; 47:2042-2050. [PMID: 33694224 PMCID: PMC8251619 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective To investigate the expression of microRNA‐126 (miR‐126) and vascular endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) in the placental tissues of women with early‐onset preeclampsia (EOPE) and their effects on trophoblast invasion. Materials and Methods The placental tissues of 30 pregnant women with EOPE who delivered in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from November 2019 to May 2020 were selected as the preeclampsia (PE) group, and the placental tissues of 30 healthy pregnant women with normal prenatal examination were selected as the normal group. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize VCAM‐1 in placental tissues,the expression of miR‐126 and VCAM‐1 in placenta tissues of two groups and HTR‐8/SVneo cells transfected with miR‐126 were detected by real‐time polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and Western blot, and the correlation between them was analyzed. The invasion ability of cells transfected with miR‐126 was observed by Transwell invasion test. Results Compared with the normal group, the expression of miR‐126 was higher and VCAM‐1 was lower in the placental tissues of the PE group, and the difference were statistically significant (p < 0.01). Moreover, VCAM‐1 was negatively correlated with the expression of miR‐126 (r = −0.391, p < 0.05). In vitro experiment, the expression level of VCAM‐1 in miR‐126 mimics transfection group was decreased, and the expression level of VCAM‐1 in miR‐126 inhibitor transfection group was increased; the invasion ability of HTR‐8/SVneo cells transfected with miR‐126 mimics was decreased, and the invasion ability of HTR‐8/SVneo cells transfected with miR‐126 inhibitor was enhanced. Conclusion There was a negative correlation between the expression of miR‐126 and VCAM‐1 in EOPE.MiR‐126 and VCAM‐1 may participate in the occurrence and development of EOPE by affecting the invasion ability of trophoblast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beibei Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ling Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Shihong Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yue Qi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Tiantian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
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Massimiani M, Tiralongo GM, Salvi S, Fruci S, Lacconi V, La Civita F, Mancini M, Stuhlmann H, Valensise H, Campagnolo L. Treatment of pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction with nitric oxide donors increases placental expression of Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Domain 7 and improves fetal growth: A pilot study. Transl Res 2021; 228:28-41. [PMID: 32784003 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2020.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is a pathological condition of pregnancy with high perinatal mortality and morbidity, characterized by inadequate fetal growth associated to altered maternal hemodynamics with impaired uteroplacental blood flow and placental insufficiency. To date, iatrogenic premature delivery remains the elective therapeutic strategy. However, in recent years the possibility of a therapeutic approach with vasodilators and myorelaxants, such as nitric oxide (NO) donors, has gained interest. NO controls many endothelial cell functions, including angiogenesis and vascular permeability, by regulating the expression of angiogenic factors, such as Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor. In the present study, we investigated if treatment of pregnancies complicated by IUGR with NO donors affects the expression of Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Domain 7 (EGFL7), a secreted endothelial factor, previously demonstrated to be expressed by both endothelial and trophoblast cells and involved in proper placental development. NO donor treatment induced placental levels of EGFL7 and, in association with oral fluids, significantly improved fetal growth. Ex vivo experiments confirmed that NO donors increased expression and secretion of EGFL7 by villous explants. To specifically investigate the potential response of trophoblast cells to NO, we treated HTR8-sVneo cells with NO donors and observed induction of EGFL7 expression. Altogether, our findings indicate that NO induces endothelial and trophoblast expression of EGFL7 in the placenta and improves fetal growth, suggesting a correlation between placental levels of EGFL7 and pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micol Massimiani
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
| | - Grazia M Tiralongo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Casilino General Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Salvi
- Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, UOC di Patologia Ostetrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Valentina Lacconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabio La Civita
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Marta Mancini
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Casilino General Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Heidi Stuhlmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Herbert Valensise
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Casilino General Hospital, Rome, Italy; Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
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11
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Chu X, Gu Y, Sheng W, Sun J, Morgan JA, Lewis DF, Cooper DB, McCathran CE, Wang Y. Downregulation of miR-126-3p expression contributes to increased inflammatory response in placental trophoblasts in preeclampsia. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 144:103281. [PMID: 33549904 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
MiR-126-3p is a prototype of an endothelial miRNA and has protective effects on endothelial cells. However, little is known about the effects of miR-126-3p on placental trophoblasts. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that aberrant miR-126-3p expression is present in preeclamptic placenta which contributes to increased inflammatory response in trophoblasts. Placentas were obtained immediately after delivery from normotensive and preeclamptic pregnancies. Villous tissue was either fixed with formalin or used for trophoblast isolation. Trophoblast miR-126-3p expression was assessed by in situ hybridization of formalin-fixed tissue sections and by RT-PCR in cultured syncytiotrophoblasts. Culture medium was collected for measurement of IL-6, TNFα, and 8-Isoprostane production by ELISA and total cellular protein was collected for evaluation of HIF1α expression by Western blot. Effects of overexpression of miR-126-3p in trophoblasts on cytokine production were tested by transfection of pre-mir-126, a precursor of miR-126, into primary isolated trophoblasts. We found that downregulation of miR-126-3p expression was associated with increased IL-6 and TNFα production in trophoblasts from preeclamptic placentas vs. normal placentas. Moreover, transient overexpression of miR-126-3p significantly reduced IL-6 and TNFα production in trophoblasts from both normal and preeclamptic placentas. We further found that increase in miR-126-3p expression not only suppressed hypoxia-induced increases in IL-6 and TNFα production, but also attenuated hypoxia-induced increases in HIF1α expression and 8-Isoprostane production in trophoblasts cultured under hypoxic condition. These results provide plausible evidence that downregulation of miR-126-3p expression reduces anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress activities in placental trophoblasts in preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Chu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, LA, 71103, United States; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150086, China
| | - Yang Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, LA, 71103, United States
| | - Wenji Sheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, LA, 71103, United States; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - Jingxia Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, LA, 71103, United States; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, 150001, China
| | - John A Morgan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, LA, 71103, United States
| | - David F Lewis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, LA, 71103, United States
| | - Danielle B Cooper
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, LA, 71103, United States
| | - Charles E McCathran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, LA, 71103, United States
| | - Yuping Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center - Shreveport, LA, 71103, United States.
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Shrestha D, Ouidir M, Workalemahu T, Zeng X, Tekola-Ayele F. Placental DNA methylation changes associated with maternal prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain. Int J Obes (Lond) 2020; 44:1406-1416. [PMID: 32071425 PMCID: PMC7261634 DOI: 10.1038/s41366-020-0546-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Revised: 01/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Maternal obesity prior to or during pregnancy influences fetal growth, predisposing the offspring to increased risk for obesity across the life course. Placental epigenetic mechanisms may underlie these associations. We conducted an epigenome-wide association study to identify placental DNA methylation changes associated with maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and rate of gestational weight gain at first (GWG1), second (GWG2), and third trimester (GWG3). METHOD Participants of the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies with genome-wide placental DNA methylation (n = 301) and gene expression (n = 75) data were included. Multivariable-adjusted regression models were used to test the associations of 1 kg/m2 increase in prepregnancy BMI or 1 kg/week increase in GWG with DNA methylation levels. Genes harboring top differentially methylated CpGs (FDR P < 0.05) were evaluated for placental gene expression. We assessed whether DNA methylation sites known to be associated with BMI in child or adult tissues, were also associated with maternal prepregnancy BMI in placenta. RESULTS Prepregnancy BMI was associated with DNA methylation at cg14568196[EGFL7], cg15339142[VETZ], and cg02301019[AC092377.1] (FDR P < 0.05, P ranging from 1.4 × 10-10 to 1.7 × 10-9). GWG1 or GWG2 was associated with DNA methylation at cg17918270[MYT1L], cg20735365[DLX5], and cg17451688[SLC35F3] (FDR P < 0.05, P ranging from 6.4 × 10-10 to 1.2 × 10-8). Both prepregnancy BMI and DNA methylation at cg1456819 [EGFL7] were negatively correlated with EGFL7 expression in placenta (P < 0.05). Several CpGs previously implicated in obesity traits in children and adults were associated with prepregnancy BMI in placenta. Functional annotations revealed that EGFL7 is highly expressed in placenta and the differentially methylated CpG sites near EGFL7 and VEZT were cis-meQTL targets in blood. CONCLUSIONS We identified placental DNA methylation changes at novel loci associated with prepregnancy BMI and GWG. The overlap between CpGs associated with obesity traits in placenta and other tissues in children and adults suggests that epigenetic mechanisms in placenta may give insights to early origins of obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Shrestha
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marion Ouidir
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Tsegaselassie Workalemahu
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Xuehuo Zeng
- Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Fasil Tekola-Ayele
- Epidemiology Branch, Division of Intramural Population Health Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
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Chuva de Sousa Lopes SM, Alexdottir MS, Valdimarsdottir G. The TGFβ Family in Human Placental Development at the Fetal-Maternal Interface. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10030453. [PMID: 32183218 PMCID: PMC7175362 DOI: 10.3390/biom10030453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging data suggest that a trophoblast stem cell (TSC) population exists in the early human placenta. However, in vitro stem cell culture models are still in development and it remains under debate how well they reflect primary trophoblast (TB) cells. The absence of robust protocols to generate TSCs from humans has resulted in limited knowledge of the molecular mechanisms that regulate human placental development and TB lineage specification when compared to other human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). As placentation in mouse and human differ considerably, it is only with the development of human-based disease models using TSCs that we will be able to understand the various diseases caused by abnormal placentation in humans, such as preeclampsia. In this review, we summarize the knowledge on normal human placental development, the placental disease preeclampsia, and current stem cell model systems used to mimic TB differentiation. A special focus is given to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) family as it has been shown that the TGFβ family has an important role in human placental development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes
- Dept. Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2300 Leiden, The Netherlands;
- Dept. Reproductive Medicine Anatomy and Embryology, Ghent University Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marta S. Alexdottir
- Department of Anatomy, BioMedical Center, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland;
| | - Gudrun Valdimarsdottir
- Department of Anatomy, BioMedical Center, University of Iceland, Sturlugata 8, 101 Reykjavik, Iceland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +354-5254797
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Massimiani M, Lacconi V, La Civita F, Ticconi C, Rago R, Campagnolo L. Molecular Signaling Regulating Endometrium-Blastocyst Crosstalk. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:E23. [PMID: 31861484 PMCID: PMC6981505 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Implantation of the embryo into the uterine endometrium is one of the most finely-regulated processes that leads to the establishment of a successful pregnancy. A plethora of factors are released in a time-specific fashion to synchronize the differentiation program of both the embryo and the endometrium. Indeed, blastocyst implantation in the uterus occurs in a limited time frame called the "window of implantation" (WOI), during which the maternal endometrium undergoes dramatic changes, collectively called "decidualization". Decidualization is guided not just by maternal factors (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormone), but also by molecules secreted by the embryo, such as chorionic gonadotropin (CG) and interleukin-1β (IL-1 β), just to cite few. Once reached the uterine cavity, the embryo orients correctly toward the uterine epithelium, interacts with specialized structures, called pinopodes, and begins the process of adhesion and invasion. All these events are guided by factors secreted by both the endometrium and the embryo, such as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), integrins and their ligands, adhesion molecules, Notch family members, and metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the factors and mechanisms regulating implantation, with a focus on those involved in the complex crosstalk between the blastocyst and the endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micol Massimiani
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (V.L.); (F.L.C.)
- Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant’Alessandro, 8, 00131 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Lacconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (V.L.); (F.L.C.)
| | - Fabio La Civita
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (V.L.); (F.L.C.)
| | - Carlo Ticconi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rocco Rago
- Physiopathology of Reproduction and Andrology Unit, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Via dei Monti Tiburtini 385/389, 00157 Rome, Italy;
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (V.L.); (F.L.C.)
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15
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Outhwaite JE, Patel J, Simmons DG. Secondary Placental Defects in Cxadr Mutant Mice. Front Physiol 2019; 10:622. [PMID: 31338035 PMCID: PMC6628872 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The Coxsackie virus and adenovirus receptor (CXADR) is an adhesion molecule known for its role in virus-cell interactions, epithelial integrity, and organogenesis. Loss of Cxadr causes numerous embryonic defects in mice, notably abnormal development of the cardiovascular system, and embryonic lethality. While CXADR expression has been reported in the placenta, the precise cellular localization and function within this tissue are unknown. Since impairments in placental development and function can cause secondary cardiovascular abnormalities, a phenomenon referred to as the placenta-heart axis, it is possible placental phenotypes in Cxadr mutant embryos may underlie the reported cardiovascular defects and embryonic lethality. In the current study, we determine the cellular localization of placental Cxadr expression and whether there are placental abnormalities in the absence of Cxadr. In the placenta, CXADR is expressed specifically by trophoblast labyrinth progenitors as well as cells of the visceral yolk sac (YS). In the absence of Cxadr, we observed altered expression of angiogenic factors coupled with poor expansion of trophoblast and fetal endothelial cell subpopulations, plus diminished placental transport. Unexpectedly, preserving endogenous trophoblast Cxadr expression revealed the placental defects to be secondary to primary embryonic and/or YS phenotypes. Moreover, further tissue-restricted deletions of Cxadr suggest that the secondary placental defects are likely influenced by embryonic lineages such as the fetal endothelium or those within the extraembryonic YS vascular plexus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer E Outhwaite
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - Jatin Patel
- Translational Research Institute, UQ Diamantina Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - David G Simmons
- Faculty of Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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Massimiani M, Lacko LA, Burke Swanson CS, Salvi S, Argueta LB, Moresi S, Ferrazzani S, Gelber SE, Baergen RN, Toschi N, Campagnolo L, Stuhlmann H. Increased circulating levels of Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 in pregnant women affected by preeclampsia. Transl Res 2019; 207:19-29. [PMID: 30620888 PMCID: PMC6486846 DOI: 10.1016/j.trsl.2018.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2018] [Revised: 11/30/2018] [Accepted: 12/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Proper placental development is crucial to establish a successful pregnancy. Defective placentation is the major cause of several pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (PE). We have previously demonstrated that the secreted factor Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 (EGFL7) is expressed in trophoblast cells of the human placenta and that it regulates trophoblast migration and invasion, suggesting a role in placental development. In the present study, we demonstrate that circulating levels of EGFL7 are undetectable in nonpregnant women, increase during pregnancy and decline toward term. Close to term, circulating levels of EGFL7 are significantly higher in patients affected by PE when compared to normal pregnancies. Consistent with these results, villus explant cultures obtained from placentas affected by PE display increased release of EGFL7 in the culture medium when compared to those from normal placentas. Our results suggest that increased release of placenta-derived EGFL7 and increased circulating levels of EGFL7 are associated with the clinical manifestation of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micol Massimiani
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Lauretta A Lacko
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Clare S Burke Swanson
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Silvia Salvi
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Lissenya B Argueta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Sascia Moresi
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Ferrazzani
- Fondazione Policlinico A. Gemelli IRCCS, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Shari E Gelber
- Department of ObGyn, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Rebecca N Baergen
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
| | - Nicola Toschi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy; Department of Radiology, "Athinoula A. Martinos" Center for Biomedical Imaging, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - Heidi Stuhlmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York.
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Shawber CJ, Brown-Grant DA, Wu T, Kitajewski JK, Douglas NC. Dominant-negative inhibition of canonical Notch signaling in trophoblast cells does not disrupt placenta formation. Biol Open 2019; 8:bio.037721. [PMID: 30971411 PMCID: PMC6504009 DOI: 10.1242/bio.037721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Proper development and function of the mammalian placenta requires interactions between embryo-derived trophoblasts and uterine endothelial cells to form mosaic vessels that facilitate blood flow to a developing conceptus. Notch signaling utilizes a cell–cell contact dependent mechanism to drive cell behaviors, such as differentiation and invasion. In mice, Notch2 is needed for proper placentation and embryo survival. We used transgenic mice with a dominant-negative form of Mastermind-like1 and Cyp19-Cre and Tpbpa-Cre drivers to inhibit canonical Notch signaling in trophoblasts. Both Cre drivers resulted in robust placental expression of dominant-negative Mastermind-like1. All pregnancies progressed beyond mid-gestation and morphological analyses of placentas revealed no differences between mutants and controls. Our data suggest that mouse placentation occurs normally despite dominant negative inhibition of trophoblast canonical Notch signaling and that Notch2 signaling via the canonical pathway is not necessary for placentation. Summary: Using transgenic mice with a dominant-negative form of Mastermind-like1 and Cyp19-Cre and Tpbpa-Cre drivers, we found that dominant negative inhibition of canonical Notch signaling in trophoblast cells does not disrupt placenta formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie J Shawber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Dex-Ann Brown-Grant
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Tracy Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jan K Kitajewski
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, University of Illinois Chicago, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Nataki C Douglas
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
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Sharma A, Lacko LA, Argueta LB, Glendinning MD, Stuhlmann H. miR-126 regulates glycogen trophoblast proliferation and DNA methylation in the murine placenta. Dev Biol 2019; 449:21-34. [PMID: 30771304 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2019.01.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Revised: 01/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/18/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
A functional placenta develops through a delicate interplay of its vascular and trophoblast compartments. We have identified a previously unknown expression domain for the endothelial-specific microRNA miR-126 in trophoblasts of murine and human placentas. Here, we determine the role of miR-126 in placental development using a mouse model with a targeted deletion of miR-126. In addition to vascular defects observed only in the embryo, loss of miR-126 function in the placenta leads to junctional zone hyperplasia at E15.5 at the expense of the labyrinth, reduced placental volume for nutrient exchange and intra-uterine growth restriction of the embryos. Junctional zone hyperplasia results from increased numbers of proliferating glycogen trophoblast (GlyT) progenitors at E13.5 that give rise to an expanded glycogen trophoblast population at E15.5. Transcriptomic profile of miR-126-/- placentas revealed dysregulation of a large number of GlyT (Prl6a1, Prl7c1, Pcdh12) and trophoblast-specific genes (Tpbpa, Tpbpb, Prld1) and genes with known roles in placental development. We show that miR-126-/- placentas, but not miR-126-/- embryos, display aberrant expression of imprinted genes with important roles in glycogen trophoblasts and junctional zone development, including Igf2, H19, Cdkn1c and Phlda2, during mid-gestation. We also show that miR126-/- placentas display global hypermethylation, including at several imprint control centers. Our findings uncover a novel role for miR-126 in regulating extra-embryonic energy stores, expression of imprinted genes and DNA methylation in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhijeet Sharma
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Lauretta A Lacko
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States; Department of Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Lissenya B Argueta
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Michael D Glendinning
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Heidi Stuhlmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, United States.
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EGFL7 gene expression is regulated by hypoxia in trophoblast and altered in the plasma of patients with early preeclampsia. Pregnancy Hypertens 2018; 14:115-120. [PMID: 30527097 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2018.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2018] [Revised: 08/08/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preeclampsia is a severe complication of pregnancy, and likely arises from abnormal placental development in early pregnancy. Persistent placental hypoxia is thought to trigger the release of anti-angiogenic factors into the maternal circulation leading to widespread endothelial dysfunction. Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (EGFL7) is a secreted angiogenic factor that may play a key role in the disrupted angiogenesis seen in response to placental hypoxia that characterizes preeclampsia. METHODS Primary trophoblasts were isolated and cultured in both normoxic and hypoxic conditions. Under hypoxia HIF1α was silenced and EGFL7 mRNA expression was assessed. EGFL7 mRNA expression was measured in placentas obtained from women with early (<34 weeks) and late onset preeclampsia; and in peripheral whole blood maternal samples from women with preeclampsia and gestation matched controls. EGFL7 plasma levels were assessed in plasma from women with preeclampsia, compared to gestation-matched controls. RESULTS EGFL7 expression was significantly upregulated in primary human trophoblasts cultured in hypoxia (>2-fold, p < 0.0001), however this was not regulated via a HIF1α dependent manner. EGFL7 mRNA expression was not altered in placenta from women with early or late onset preeclampsia. Circulating EGFL7 protein levels were not different in women with severe preeclampsia. In contrast, EGFL7 mRNA expression was increased in maternal blood in women with early onset preeclampsia (∼1.6-fold, p < 0.05). DISCUSSION EGFL7 mRNA expression is increased with hypoxia in human trophoblast and is increased in the maternal circulation in women with preeclampsia. Further studies aimed at understanding the role and regulation of EGLF7 in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia are required.
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Sones JL, Merriam AA, Seffens A, Brown-Grant DA, Butler SD, Zhao AM, Xu X, Shawber CJ, Grenier JK, Douglas NC. Angiogenic factor imbalance precedes complement deposition in placentae of the BPH/5 model of preeclampsia. FASEB J 2018; 32:2574-2586. [PMID: 29279353 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201701008r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE), a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although the etiology is unknown, PE is thought to be caused by defective implantation and decidualization in pregnancy. Pregnant blood pressure high (BPH)/5 mice spontaneously develop placentopathies and maternal features of human PE. We hypothesized that BPH/5 implantation sites have transcriptomic alterations. Next-generation RNA sequencing of implantation sites at peak decidualization, embryonic day (E)7.5, revealed complement gene up-regulation in BPH/5 vs. controls. In BPH/5, expression of complement factor 3 was increased around the decidual vasculature of E7.5 implantation sites and in the trophoblast giant cell layer of E10.5 placentae. Altered expression of VEGF pathway genes in E5.5 BPH/5 implantation sites preceded complement dysregulation, which correlated with abnormal vasculature and increased placental growth factor mRNA and VEGF164 expression at E7.5. By E10.5, proangiogenic genes were down-regulated, whereas antiangiogenic sFlt-1 was up-regulated in BPH/5 placentae. We found that early local misexpression of VEGF genes and abnormal decidual vasculature preceded sFlt-1 overexpression and increased complement deposition in BPH/5 placentae. Our findings suggest that abnormal decidual angiogenesis precedes complement activation, which in turn contributes to the aberrant trophoblast invasion and poor placentation that underlie PE.-Sones, J. L., Merriam, A. A., Seffens, A., Brown-Grant, D.-A., Butler, S. D., Zhao, A. M., Xu, X., Shawber, C. J., Grenier, J. K., Douglas, N. C. Angiogenic factor imbalance precedes complement deposition in placentae of the BPH/5 model of preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Sones
- Veterinary Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Audrey A Merriam
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Angelina Seffens
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dex-Ann Brown-Grant
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Scott D Butler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA; and
| | - Anna M Zhao
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Xinjing Xu
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Carrie J Shawber
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer K Grenier
- RNA Sequencing Core, Center for Reproductive Genomics, Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Nataki C Douglas
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, New York, USA
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Wang X, Luo W, Tan D, Liang H, Zhang Q, Tian N, Cao K, Tan Y, Ma J, Han R. Positive regulation of placentation by L-amino acid transporter-1 (lat1) in pregnant mice. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2017; 10:9551-9558. [PMID: 31966831 PMCID: PMC6965931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Placenta plays multi-functions in embryo-uterine dialogue through facilitating gas and nutrient exchange, providing an immunological barrier between the fetus and mother and secreting hormones and growth factors to regulate pregnancy. The successful formation and development of placenta requires invasion and differentiation of trophoblast cells, and any defects would result pregnancy related diseases such as intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), preeclampsia (PE). Lat1 (L-type amino acids transporter 1) is a major Na+ independent transporter of large neutral amino acids, including several essential amino acids. It has been showed that amino acid was fundamental regulator on cell function and energy metabolism in early embryonic development. It has been reported that Lat1 mRNA expressed in zygote, blastocyst during the pre-implantation stages and trophoblast giant cells (TGCs) in post-implantation placenta in mouse. Little is known the role of lat1 on placentation. Our research was to explore the effects of lat1 on the placentation in mouse. The expression of lat1 was detected from day 9 to 18 of pregnancy in placenta. The effects of lat1 on placentation were assessed with inhibitor of leucine transport 2-aminobicyclo-(2, 2, 1)-haptane-2-carboxylic acid (BCH) treatment by uterine horns injection on day 8 (D8) of pregnancy. The protein of lat1 was mainly localized in the cytoplasm of maternal decidual cell, spongiotro-phoblast cell (Sp) and labyrinth (Lab). Inhibition of lat1 transportation activity by uterine horns injection with BCH in vivo results in disorder of placental anatomical structure in mid-late pregnancy. These results suggest that lat1 might play an important role in mouse placentation progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaojie Wang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Wenping Luo
- Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing, China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases and Biomedical SciencesChongqing, China
- Chongqing Municipal Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Engineering of Higher EducationChongqing, China
| | - Dongmei Tan
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Hao Liang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Na Tian
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Ke Cao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Yi Tan
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqing, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Health Birth, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Hebei Research Institute for Family PlanningShijiazhuang, China
| | - Ruiyu Han
- Key Laboratory of Family Planning and Health Birth, National Health and Family Planning Commission, Hebei Research Institute for Family PlanningShijiazhuang, China
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22
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Dai X, Cai Y. Down-regulation of microRNA let-7d inhibits the proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells in preeclampsia. J Cell Biochem 2017; 119:1141-1151. [PMID: 28703916 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2017] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious pregnancy complication that continues to adverse effects on mother and the fetus. The study investigated the effect of microRNA let-7d (miR-let-7d) on the proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells (TC) in PE. In situ hybridization techniques were employed to evaluate the miR-let-7d expressions in the placental tissues from 63 PE patients as well as 65 normal placental tissues. Transfection of pre-let-7d, anti-let-7d, and their corresponding control sequences was performed in TCs obtained from PE. The blank group was composed of TCs no transfection and normal group consisted of normal TCs. Expressions of proliferation and invasion markers in TCs were detected by qRT-PCR. Proliferation, apoptosis, and the invasion ability of the TCs were determined using a CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and Transwell assay. In comparison to the normal placental tissues, PE placental tissues exhibited increased levels of let-7d expression. Following transfection of anti-let-7d, when compared with the blank group, the anti-let-7d group displayed increased levels of proliferation ability, expression of proliferation labeling proteins PCNA and Ki67, number of TCs as well as expressions of the invasion related proteins MMP-2, MMP-9, and TIMP-1. In contrast declines in cell apoptosis rate were observed. Compared with the blank group, the changes of the indexes were reversed in the pre-let-7d group. The study provided evidence suggesting that low expression levels of miR-let-7d plays a central role in suppressing apoptosis in addition to promoting the proliferation and invasion of PE TCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Dai
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P.R. China
| | - Yan Cai
- Department of, Obstetrics, The Fourth Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, P.R. China
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23
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Levin HI, Sullivan-Pyke CS, Papaioannou VE, Wapner RJ, Kitajewski JK, Shawber CJ, Douglas NC. Dynamic maternal and fetal Notch activity and expression in placentation. Placenta 2017; 55:5-12. [PMID: 28623973 PMCID: PMC5754215 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2017.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2016] [Revised: 03/25/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Murine placentation requires trophoblast Notch2, while the Notch ligand, JAGGED1, is reduced in invasive trophoblasts from women with preeclampsia. However, the placental cells with active Notch signaling and expression of other Notch proteins and ligands in placentation have yet to be defined. We sought to identify endothelial cell and trophoblast subtypes with canonical Notch signaling in the decidua and placenta and correlate this to expression of Notch proteins and ligands. METHODS Notch reporter transgenic mice were used to define canonical Notch activity and immunofluorescence staining performed to characterize expression of Notch1, 2, 3, 4 and ligands, Delta-like 4 (Dll4) and Jagged1 (Jag1) during early placentation and in the mature placenta. RESULTS Notch signaling is active in maternal and fetal endothelial cells and trophoblasts during early placentation and in the mature placenta. Dll4, Jag1, Notch1, and Notch4 are expressed in maternal vasculature in the decidua. Dll4, Jag1 and Notch1 are expressed in fetal vasculature in the labyrinth. Dll4, Notch2 and Notch4 are co-expressed in the ectoplacental cone. Notch2 and Notch4 are expressed in parietal-trophoblast giant cells and junctional zone trophoblasts with active canonical Notch signaling and in labyrinthine syncytiotrophoblasts and sinusoidal-trophoblast giant cells. DISCUSSION Canonical Notch activity and distinct expression patterns for Notch proteins and ligands was evident in endothelium and trophoblasts, suggesting Notch1, Notch2, Notch4, Dll4, and Jag1 have distinct and overlapping functions in placentation. Characterization of Notch signaling defects in existing mouse models of preeclampsia may shed light on the role of Notch in developing the preeclampsia phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather I Levin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Chantae S Sullivan-Pyke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Virginia E Papaioannou
- Department of Genetics and Development, Columbia University Medical Center, 701 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Ronald J Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Jan K Kitajewski
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois, 835 S. Wolcott Avenue, Room E202, Chicago, IL 60612, USA
| | - Carrie J Shawber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Surgery, College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Nataki C Douglas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Sciences, Columbia University Medical Center, 630 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Columbia University Medical Center, 622 West 168th St., New York, NY 10032, USA.
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Lacko LA, Hurtado R, Hinds S, Poulos MG, Butler JM, Stuhlmann H. Altered feto-placental vascularization, feto-placental malperfusion and fetal growth restriction in mice with Egfl7 loss of function. Development 2017; 144:2469-2479. [PMID: 28526753 DOI: 10.1242/dev.147025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
EGFL7 is a secreted angiogenic factor produced by embryonic endothelial cells. To understand its role in placental development, we established a novel Egfl7 knockout mouse. The mutant mice have gross defects in chorioallantoic branching morphogenesis and placental vascular patterning. Microangiography and 3D imaging revealed patchy perfusion of Egfl7-/- placentas marked by impeded blood conductance through sites of narrowed vessels. Consistent with poor feto-placental perfusion, Egfl7 knockout resulted in reduced placental weight and fetal growth restriction. The placentas also showed abnormal fetal vessel patterning and over 50% reduction in fetal blood space. In vitro, placental endothelial cells were deficient in migration, cord formation and sprouting. Expression of genes involved in branching morphogenesis, Gcm1, Syna and Synb, and in patterning of the extracellular matrix, Mmrn1, were temporally dysregulated in the placentas. Egfl7 knockout did not affect expression of the microRNA embedded within intron 7. Collectively, these data reveal that Egfl7 is crucial for placental vascularization and embryonic growth, and may provide insight into etiological factors underlying placental pathologies associated with intrauterine growth restriction, which is a significant cause of infant morbidity and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauretta A Lacko
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Romulo Hurtado
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Samantha Hinds
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Michael G Poulos
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Jason M Butler
- Department of Medicine, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Heidi Stuhlmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, USA
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25
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LaFoya B, Munroe JA, Mia MM, Detweiler MA, Crow JJ, Wood T, Roth S, Sharma B, Albig AR. Notch: A multi-functional integrating system of microenvironmental signals. Dev Biol 2016; 418:227-41. [PMID: 27565024 PMCID: PMC5144577 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.08.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Revised: 08/15/2016] [Accepted: 08/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The Notch signaling cascade is an evolutionarily ancient system that allows cells to interact with their microenvironmental neighbors through direct cell-cell interactions, thereby directing a variety of developmental processes. Recent research is discovering that Notch signaling is also responsive to a broad variety of stimuli beyond cell-cell interactions, including: ECM composition, crosstalk with other signaling systems, shear stress, hypoxia, and hyperglycemia. Given this emerging understanding of Notch responsiveness to microenvironmental conditions, it appears that the classical view of Notch as a mechanism enabling cell-cell interactions, is only a part of a broader function to integrate microenvironmental cues. In this review, we summarize and discuss published data supporting the idea that the full function of Notch signaling is to serve as an integrator of microenvironmental signals thus allowing cells to sense and respond to a multitude of conditions around them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce LaFoya
- Biomolecular Sciences PhD Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Jordan A Munroe
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Masum M Mia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Michael A Detweiler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Jacob J Crow
- Biomolecular Sciences PhD Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Travis Wood
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Steven Roth
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA
| | - Bikram Sharma
- Department of Biological Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - Allan R Albig
- Department of Biological Sciences, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA; Biomolecular Sciences PhD Program, Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725, USA.
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26
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Lu TM, Lu W, Zhao LJ. MicroRNA-137 Affects Proliferation and Migration of Placenta Trophoblast Cells in Preeclampsia by Targeting ERRα. Reprod Sci 2016; 24:85-96. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719116650754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tan-Min Lu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, China
| | - Wei Lu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, China
| | - Long-Jun Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Liaocheng People’s Hospital, Liaocheng, China
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27
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Massimiani M, Vecchione L, Piccirilli D, Spitalieri P, Amati F, Salvi S, Ferrazzani S, Stuhlmann H, Campagnolo L. Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 promotes migration and invasion of human trophoblast cells through activation of MAPK, PI3K and NOTCH signaling pathways. Mol Hum Reprod 2015; 21:435-51. [PMID: 25667199 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gav006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2014] [Accepted: 02/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Epidermal growth factor-like domain 7 (Egfl7) is a gene that encodes a partially secreted protein and whose expression is largely restricted to the endothelia. We recently reported that EGFL7 is also expressed by trophoblast cells in mouse and human placentas. Here, we investigated the molecular pathways that are regulated by EGFL7 in trophoblast cells. Stable EGFL7 overexpression in a Jeg3 human choriocarcinoma cell line resulted in significantly increased cell migration and invasiveness, while cell proliferation was unaffected. Analysis of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways showed that EGFL7 promotes Jeg3 cell motility by activating both pathways. We show that EGFL7 activates the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in Jeg3 cells, resulting in downstream activation of extracellular regulated kinases (ERKs). In addition, we provide evidence that EGFL7-triggered migration of Jeg3 cells involves activation of NOTCH signaling. EGFL7 and NOTCH1 are co-expressed in Jeg3 cells, and blocking of NOTCH activation abrogates enhanced migration of Jeg3 cells overexpressing EGFL7. We also demonstrate that signaling through EGFR and NOTCH converged to mediate EGFL7 effects. Reduction of endogenous EGFL7 expression in Jeg3 cells significantly decreased cell migration. We further confirmed that EGFL7 stimulates cell migration by using primary human first trimester trophoblast (PTB) cells overexpressing EGFL7. In conclusion, our data suggest that in trophoblast cells, EGFL7 regulates cell migration and invasion by activating multiple signaling pathways. Our results provide a possible explanation for the correlation between reduced expression of EGFL7 and inadequate trophoblast invasion observed in placentopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Massimiani
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - L Vecchione
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - D Piccirilli
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - P Spitalieri
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - F Amati
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - S Salvi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - S Ferrazzani
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - H Stuhlmann
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 60, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - L Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
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