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Li Y, Yu X, Shi J, Zhao J, Li L. The role of aryl hydrocarbon receptors in nutrient metabolism and immune regulation at the maternal-fetal interface. Placenta 2024; 154:9-17. [PMID: 38830294 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.05.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The maternal-fetal interface is composed of the placenta, which is affiliated with the fetus, and the maternal decidua. During pregnancy, the placenta is mainly responsible for nutrient transport and immune tolerance maintenance, which plays a key role in fetal growth and development and pregnancy maintenance. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that exists in various cell types at the maternal-fetal interface and is involved in multiple cellular processes. Recent studies have highlighted the role of AhR in regulating various physiological processes, including glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as tryptophan metabolism and immune responses, within non-pregnant tissues. This review shifts focus towards understanding how AhR modulation impacts metabolism and immune regulation at the maternal-fetal interface. This may implicate the development of pregnancy-related complications and the potential target of the AhR pathway for therapeutic strategies against poor pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchen Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China; The Laboratory of Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center (Institute of Translational Medicine), Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences) of China, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Xiaojun Yu
- School of Public Health Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650500, China
| | - Jing Shi
- Department of Pharmacy, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100083, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100083, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100083, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China.
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Wang Y, Zhao X, Li Z, Wang W, Jiang Y, Zhang H, Liu X, Ren Y, Xu X, Hu X. Decidual natural killer cells dysfunction is caused by IDO downregulation in dMDSCs with Toxoplasma gondii infection. Commun Biol 2024; 7:669. [PMID: 38822095 PMCID: PMC11143278 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06365-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) play a crucial role in maintaining maternal-fetal tolerance by expressing some immune-suppressive molecules, such as indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection can break the immune microenvironment of maternal-fetal interface, resulting in adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, whether T. gondii affects IDO expression in dMDSCs and the molecular mechanism of its effect are still unclear. Here we show, the mRNA level of IDO is increased but the protein level decreased in infected dMDSCs. Mechanistically, the upregulation of transcriptional levels of IDO in dMDSCs is regulated through STAT3/p52-RelB pathway and the decrease of IDO expression is due to its degradation caused by increased SOCS3 after T. gondii infection. In vivo, the adverse pregnancy outcomes of IDO-/- infected mice are more severe than those of wide-type infected mice and obviously improved after exogenous kynurenine treatment. Also, the reduction of IDO in dMDSCs induced by T. gondii infection results in the downregulation of TGF-β and IL-10 expression in dNK cells regulated through Kyn/AhR/SP1 signal pathway, eventually leading to the dysfunction of dNK cells and contributing the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study reveals a novel molecular mechanism in adverse pregnancy outcome induced by T. gondii infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xiaoyue Zhao
- Department of Clinical Psychology, Yantai Affiliated hospital of Binzhou Medial University, Yantai, 264100, Shandong, PR China
| | - Zhidan Li
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, PR China
| | - Wenxiao Wang
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, PR China
| | - Yuzhu Jiang
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, PR China
| | - Haixia Zhang
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xianbing Liu
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, PR China
| | - Yushan Ren
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Xu
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, PR China
| | - Xuemei Hu
- Department of Immunology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, Shandong, PR China.
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Lv C, Li D, Zhang Z, Han Y, Li Y, Song H, Cheng Q, Yang S, Lu Y, Zhao F. Association between urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion from a case-control study. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 272:116093. [PMID: 38364758 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/18/2024]
Abstract
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been reported to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, there is limited knowledge regarding the effects of single or mixed PAHs exposure on unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). This study aimed to investigate the association between monohydroxylated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (OH-PAHs) and URSA in a case-control study. The results showed that 1-NAP, 2-NAP, 9-FLU, and 1-PYR were detected in 100% of the subjects among measured all sixteen OH-PAHs. Compared with those in the lowest quartiles, participants in the highest quartiles of 3-BAA were associated with a higher risk of URSA (OR (95%CI) = 3.56(1.28-9.85)). With each one-unit increase of ln-transformed 3-BAA, the odds of URSA increased by 41% (OR (95%CI) = 1.41(1.05-1.89)). Other OH-PAHs showed negative or non-significant associations with URSA. Weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR), and quantile-based g-computation (qgcomp) analyses consistently identified 3-BAA as the major contributor to the mixture effect of OH-PAHs on URSA. Our findings suggest that exposure to 3-BAA may be a potential risk factor for URSA. However, further prospective studies are needed to validate our findings in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxian Lv
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Dandan Li
- Fengtai District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Yingying Han
- Fengtai District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yawei Li
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Haocan Song
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Qianxi Cheng
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China
| | - Siyu Yang
- Institute of Public Health, Henan Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Zhengzhou, Henan 450016, China
| | - Yifu Lu
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China; Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Feng Zhao
- China CDC Key Laboratory of Environment and Population Health, National Institute of Environmental Health, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing 100021, China.
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Kou J, Yuan E, Yan G. Association between HIF-1α, BNIP3, and autophagy in the chorionic villi of missed abortion. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2023. [PMID: 37150840 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
AIM To investigate the expression of autophagy mediated by the hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α)/BNIP3 signaling pathway in villus tissues of missed abortion and HTR-8/SVneo cells and to elucidate the association of HIF-1α and BNIP3 in autophagy of missed abortion. METHODS Villus tissues from 30 healthy women with induced abortion and 35 patients with missed abortion were collected, and HTR-8/SVneo cells were cultured under hypoxia and transfected with HIF-1α-siRNA. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was utilized to measure the mRNA levels of HIF-1α and BNIP3; Western blotting was performed to determine the protein levels of HIF-1α, BNIP3, LC3 II/I, and Beclin 1 in villus tissues and HTR-8/SVneo cells. Cellular invasion activity was detected by transwell matrigel assay. The level of autophagy was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy of autophagosome formation. RESULTS The mRNA levels of HIF-1α and BNIP3 were significantly lower in the missed abortion villi than in the induced abortion samples. The protein levels of HIF-1α, BNIP3, Beclin 1, and LC3II/I were significantly decreased in villus tissues from missed abortion, and autophagosomes were significantly decreased in villus tissues from missed abortion. Under hypoxia, the mRNA expression of HIF-1α and BNIP3 was inhibited after silencing HIF-1α by RNAi, while the protein expression of HIF-1α, BNIP3, Beclin1, and LC3II/I was significantly downregulated. The number of invading cells was significantly decreased, and autophagosomes were significantly decreased after silencing HIF-1α by RNAi in HTR-8/SVneo cells. CONCLUSIONS Autophagy mediated by the HIF-1α/BNIP3 signaling pathway in villous trophoblast cells may be associated with the progression and development of missed abortion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junna Kou
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Enwu Yuan
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Guangwei Yan
- Department of Pathology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
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Toutounchi NS, Braber S, Land BV, Thijssen S, Garssen J, Folkerts G, Hogenkamp A. Deoxynivalenol exposure during pregnancy has adverse effects on placental structure and immunity in mice model. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 112:109-118. [PMID: 35840118 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON), a highly prevalent food contaminant, is known to induce reproductive and immunotoxicity in humans upon exposure. The present study focused on the consequences of exposure to DON during pregnancy for placental barrier and immune function, as well as fetal survival. Female mice received diets contaminated with DON (6.25 and 12.5 mg/kg of diet), starting immediately after mating until the end of the experiment. On day 17 of pregnancy the animals were killed, and maternal and fetal samples were collected for further analysis. Feeding on DON-contaminated diets decreased fetal survival, and DON was detected at significant levels in the fetus. Placentae from DON-exposed mice revealed a reduction in expression of junctional proteins, ZO-1, E-cadherin and claudins, upregulation of AHR mRNA expressions, and increase in IFN-ꝩ, IL-6 and IL-4 production. In conclusion, results of this study demonstrate harmful effects of DON on the course of pregnancy and fetal survival, which might be due to immunological changes in maternal immune organs and placenta. Altogether, these data underline the importance of the quality of maternal diet during pregnancy as they clearly demonstrate the potential harmful effects of a commonly present food-contaminant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Negisa Seyed Toutounchi
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Saskia Braber
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Belinda Van't Land
- Department of Immunology, Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Laboratory of Translational Immunology, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Suzan Thijssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Johan Garssen
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands; Department of Immunology, Danone Nutricia Research, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Gert Folkerts
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Astrid Hogenkamp
- Division of Pharmacology, Utrecht Institute for Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
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Holme JA, Valen H, Brinchmann BC, Vist GE, Grimsrud TK, Becher R, Holme AM, Øvrevik J, Alexander J. Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) may explain the paradoxical effects of cigarette use on preeclampsia (PE). Toxicology 2022; 473:153206. [PMID: 35550401 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Tobacco smoking and use of snus (smokeless tobacco) are associated with adverse effects on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. Nicotine is considered a key toxicant involved in effects caused by both smoking and snus, while pyrolysis products including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in cigarette smoke represents the constituents most unequally divided between these two groups of tobacco products. The aim of this review was: i) to compare the impact, in terms of relative effect estimates, of cigarette smoking and use of Swedish snus on pregnancy outcomes using similar non-tobacco user controls, and ii) to examine whether exposure to PAHs from smoking could explain possible differences in impact on pregnancy outcomes. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to October 2021 and identified studies reporting risks for adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes associated with snus use and with smoking relative to pregnant women with no use of tobacco. Both snus use and smoking were associated with increased risk of stillbirth, preterm birth, and oral cleft malformation, with comparable point estimates. These effects were likely due to comparable nicotine exposure. We also found striking differences. While both smoking and snus increased the risk of having small for gestational age (SGA) infants, risk from maternal smoking was markedly higher as was the reduction in birthweight. In contrast, the risk of preeclampsia (PE) was markedly lower in smokers than in controls, while snus use was associated with a slightly increased risk. We suggest that PAHs acting via AhR may explain the stronger effects of tobacco smoking on SGA and also to the apparent protective effect of cigarette smoking on PE. Possible mechanisms involved include: i) disrupted endocrine control of fetal development as well as placental development and function, and ii) stress adaption and immune suppression in placenta and mother.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jørn A Holme
- Division of Climate and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Håkon Valen
- Division of Climate and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Bendik C Brinchmann
- Division of Climate and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Department of Occupational Medicine and Epidemiology, National Institute of Occupational Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Gunn E Vist
- Division for Health Services, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Tom K Grimsrud
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Rune Becher
- Division of Climate and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Ane M Holme
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Johan Øvrevik
- Division of Climate and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway; Department of Biosciences, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Jan Alexander
- Division of Climate and Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
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Ding J, Zhang Y, Cai X, Diao L, Yang C, Yang J. Crosstalk Between Trophoblast and Macrophage at the Maternal-Fetal Interface: Current Status and Future Perspectives. Front Immunol 2021; 12:758281. [PMID: 34745133 PMCID: PMC8566971 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.758281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The immune tolerance microenvironment is crucial for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy at the maternal-fetal interface. The maternal-fetal interface is a complex system containing various cells, including lymphocytes, decidual stromal cells, and trophoblasts. Macrophages are the second-largest leukocytes at the maternal-fetal interface, which has been demonstrated to play essential roles in remodeling spiral arteries, maintaining maternal-fetal immune tolerance, and regulating trophoblast's biological behaviors. Many researchers, including us, have conducted a series of studies on the crosstalk between macrophages and trophoblasts at the maternal-fetal interface: on the one hand, macrophages can affect the invasion and migration of trophoblasts; on the other hand, trophoblasts can regulate macrophage polarization and influence the state of the maternal-fetal immune microenvironment. In this review, we systemically introduce the functions of macrophages and trophoblasts and the cell-cell interaction between them for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Advances in this area will further accelerate the basic research and clinical translation of reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinli Ding
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaopeng Cai
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Clinical Medical Research Center of Peritoneal Cancer of Wuhan, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Lianghui Diao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Periimplantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Chaogang Yang
- Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, The Clinical Medical Research Center of Peritoneal Cancer of Wuhan, Hubei Key Laboratory of Tumor Biological Behaviors, Hubei Cancer Clinical Study Center, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Yang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
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Yang SL, Tan HX, Niu TT, Li DJ, Wang HY, Li MQ. Kynurenine promotes the cytotoxicity of NK cells through aryl hydrocarbon receptor in early pregnancy. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 143:103270. [PMID: 33421663 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
During early pregnancy, decidual NK (dNK) cells play indispensable roles in many processes including the decidualization, the implantation, and the maintenance of immune tolerance. Abnormal cytotoxic activity of NK cells can cause recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), while the regulatory mechanism of NK cytotoxicity remains to be unclear. In this study, we found that kynurenine in decidua and villus was in a comparable level between patients with RSA and normal pregnancy women. However, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) in decidual NK cells was significantly increased in RSA. Compared with AhR- NK cells, cytotoxic activity-related molecules (NKP30, NKP46, NKG2D, perforin, granzyme B and IFN-γ) was highly expressed in both AhR+ peripheral and decidual NK cells, and kynurenine stimulation promoted the expression of killer receptors and the cytoplasmic granules in an AhR-dependent manner. Stimulation with TNF-α, IL-β and LPS upregulated the AhR expression in dNK cells in vitro. These results indicate that kyn/AhR signal enhances the cytotoxicity of NK cells, and increased expression of AhR may be an induction factor of RSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shao-Liang Yang
- Department of Gynecology of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China; Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Xia Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhangye People's Hospital of HeXi College, Zhangye, Gansu, 734000, People's Republic of China
| | - Tian-Tian Niu
- Department of Gynecology of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China
| | - Da-Jin Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai-Yan Wang
- Department of Gynecology of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ming-Qing Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China; Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, People's Republic of China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.
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El-Dairi R, Huuskonen P, Pasanen M, Rysä J. Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonist β-naphthoflavone regulated gene networks in human primary trophoblasts. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 96:370-379. [PMID: 32858204 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Revised: 08/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that is highly expressed in placenta. AhR belongs to a class of transcriptional regulators that control many developmental and physiological events (e.g. xenobiotic metabolism). Our study describes AhR regulated transcriptional responses in human primary trophoblast by using the AhR agonist, β-naphthoflavone (BNF). Human primary trophoblast cells were isolated from full term placenta after delivery. The trophoblasts were exposed to 25 μM of AhR agonist, BNF, for 72 hours. Gene expression profiling was conducted with Illumina HT-12 expression beadchips. Expression of selected genes was confirmed with RT-qPCR. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was used to predict functional pathways and upstream regulators of differentially expressed genes in order to identify regulatory networks associated with AhR. In response to BNF exposure, 64 genes were upregulated, and 257 genes were downregulated compared to control trophoblasts (±1.5-fold, p < 0.05). BNF regulated genes included placental hormones and genes implicated in immune- and inflammatory responses in addition to their well-known effects on xenobiotic metabolism, oxidative stress, antioxidant defense. In conclusion, these results show that BNF has wide-ranging effects on placental gene expression beyond xenobiotic metabolism e.g. disruption of inflammatory processes and hormones in the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rami El-Dairi
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Pasi Huuskonen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Markku Pasanen
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
| | - Jaana Rysä
- School of Pharmacy, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland.
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Expression, Localization, and Activity of the Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor in the Human Placenta. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19123762. [PMID: 30486367 PMCID: PMC6321474 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19123762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 11/23/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta is an organ between the blood of the mother and the fetus, which is essential for fetal development. It also plays a role as a selective barrier against environmental pollutants that may bypass epithelial barriers and reach the placenta, with implications for the outcome of pregnancy. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is one of the most important environmental-sensor transcription factors and mediates the metabolism of a wide variety of xenobiotics. Nevertheless, the identification of dietary and endogenous ligands of AhR suggest that it may also fulfil physiological functions with which pollutants may interfere. Placental AhR expression and activity is largely unknown. We established the cartography of AhR expression at transcript and protein levels, its cellular distribution, and its transcriptional activity toward the expression of its main target genes. We studied the profile of AhR expression and activity during different pregnancy periods, during trophoblasts differentiation in vitro, and in a trophoblast cell line. Using diverse methods, such as cell fractionation and immunofluorescence microscopy, we found a constitutive nuclear localization of AhR in every placental model, in the absence of any voluntarily-added exogenous activator. Our data suggest an intrinsic activation of AhR due to the presence of endogenous placental ligands.
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