1
|
Song M, Yan Q, Liu R. Circ_0007611 modulates the miR-34c-5p/LPAR2 cascade to suppress proliferation and enhance apoptosis of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Placenta 2024; 154:145-152. [PMID: 38986295 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.06.011] [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: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The aberrant biological behaviors of trophoblast cells actively take part in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). Herein, we defined the action of the circular RNA (circRNA) circ_0007611 on trophoblast cell apoptosis and growth to understand its role in PE. METHODS Expression of circ_0007611, miR-34c-5p and lysophosphatidic acid receptor 2 (LPAR2) mRNA was analyzed by qPCR. LPAR2 protein was determined by western blotting. Cell proliferation was analyzed by EdU assay. We assessed apoptosis through flow cytometry and analysis of caspase3 activity and apoptosis-related marker proteins. The binding of miR-34c-5p and circ_0007611 or LPAR2 was verified by dual-luciferase and pull-down assays. RESULTS Circ_0007611 and LPAR2 levels were augmented, while miR-34c-5p was diminished in blood samples of PE. Circ_0007611 deficiency repressed cell apoptosis and enhanced the growth of HTR-8/SVneo cells. Circ_0007611 interacted with miR-34c-5p, and miR-34c-5p depletion reversed circ_0007611 deficiency-induced HTR-8/SVneo cell apoptotic inhibition and growth enhancement. MiR-34c-5p targeted LPAR2, and circ_0007611 affected LPAR2 expression via miR-34c-5p competition. Circ_0007611 deficiency-induced HHTR-8/SVneo cell apoptotic inhibition and growth enhancement were also counteracted by LPAR2 overexpression. DISCUSSION Circ_0007611 modulates the miR-34c-5p/LPAR2 cascade to enhance apoptosis and inhibit proliferation in HTR-8/SVneo cells, thereby contributing to the progression of PE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meiyu Song
- Department of Obstetrics, Yantai Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai City, 264003, Shandong, China
| | - Qian Yan
- Department of Obstetrics, Yantai Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai City, 264003, Shandong, China
| | - Ronghui Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, Yantai Yantaishan Hospital, Yantai City, 264003, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Lu X, Lan X, Fu X, Li J, Wu M, Xiao L, Zeng Y. Screening Preeclampsia Genes and the Effects of CITED2 on Trophoblastic Function. Int J Gen Med 2024; 17:3493-3509. [PMID: 39161403 PMCID: PMC11330746 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s475310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication of obstetrics and represents a significant challenge in terms of understanding its underlying mechanism. It has been shown that a number of disorders involve dysregulation of the CBP/p300-interacting transactivator with glutamic acid/aspartic acid-rich carboxyl-terminal domain 2 (CITED2). However, the relationship between PE and CITED2 is still mostly unclear. This work aimed to confirm the hub genes linked to PE and explore the roles of CITED2 in trophoblast using experimental and bioinformatic methods. Methods To determine the hub genes, bioinformatics research was performed on two datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) public database. Immune infiltration analysis and enrichment analysis were also used to identify the related pathways and immune cells. PCR and WB were then used to validate the mRNA and protein levels of CITED2 in the PE samples. Finally, the expression of CITED2 was knocked down using siRNA to investigate the function of CITED2 in trophoblast development in vitro. Results The study's findings showed that the NOTCH signaling pathways, glycolysis, and hypoxia were the main areas of enrichment for the six PE-related genes that were tested. The results of immune infiltration suggest that activated NK cells and regulatory T cells may play an important role in this process. CITED2 was significantly upregulated in the PE placenta. In functional tests, the knockdown of CITED2 may enhance apoptosis while suppressing migration, invasion, and proliferation of cells. Conclusion This study offers important proof that CITED2 influences trophoblast cell function and may one day be a therapeutic target for PE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiujing Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xi Lan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqian Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lu Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yachang Zeng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, 530021, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yu X, Li L, Ning A, Wang H, Guan C, Ma X, Xia H. Primary cilia abnormalities participate in the occurrence of spontaneous abortion through TGF-β/SMAD2/3 signaling pathway. J Cell Physiol 2024; 239:e31292. [PMID: 38704705 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.31292] [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: 01/08/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Spontaneous abortion is the most common complication in early pregnancy, the exact etiology of most cases cannot be determined. Emerging studies suggest that mutations in ciliary genes may be associated with progression of pregnancy loss. However, the involvement of primary cilia on spontaneous abortion and the underlying molecular mechanisms remains poorly understood. We observed the number and length of primary cilia were significantly decreased in decidua of spontaneous abortion in human and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced abortion mice model, accompanied with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. The length of primary cilia in human endometrial stromal cell (hESC) was significantly shortened after TNF-α treatment. Knocking down intraflagellar transport 88 (IFT88), involved in cilia formation and maintenance, promoted the expression of TNF-α. There was a reverse regulatory relationship between cilia shortening and TNF-α expression. Further research found that shortened cilia impair decidualization in hESC through transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/SMAD2/3 signaling. Primary cilia were impaired in decidua tissue of spontaneous abortion, which might be mainly caused by inflammatory injury. Primary cilia abnormalities resulted in dysregulation of TGF-β/SMAD2/3 signaling transduction and decidualization impairment, which led to spontaneous abortion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Yu
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Linyuan Li
- University of Michigan College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Anfeng Ning
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hu Wang
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chunyi Guan
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xu Ma
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Hongfei Xia
- Reproductive and Genetic Center & NHC Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Engineering Technology Research, National Research Institute for Family Planning (NRIFP), Beijing, China
- Graduate Schools, Peking Union Medical College & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Horvat Mercnik M, Schliefsteiner C, Sanchez-Duffhues G, Wadsack C. TGFβ signalling: a nexus between inflammation, placental health and preeclampsia throughout pregnancy. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:442-471. [PMID: 38519450 PMCID: PMC11215164 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae007] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is a unique and pivotal organ in reproduction, controlling crucial growth and cell differentiation processes that ensure a successful pregnancy. Placental development is a tightly regulated and dynamic process, in which the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily plays a central role. This family of pleiotropic growth factors is heavily involved in regulating various aspects of reproductive biology, particularly in trophoblast differentiation during the first trimester of pregnancy. TGFβ signalling precisely regulates trophoblast invasion and the cell transition from cytotrophoblasts to extravillous trophoblasts, which is an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-like process. Later in pregnancy, TGFβ signalling ensures proper vascularization and angiogenesis in placental endothelial cells. Beyond its role in trophoblasts and endothelial cells, TGFβ signalling contributes to the polarization and function of placental and decidual macrophages by promoting maternal tolerance of the semi-allogeneic foetus. Disturbances in early placental development have been associated with several pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (PE) which is one of the severe complications. Emerging evidence suggests that TGFβ is involved in the pathogenesis of PE, thereby offering a potential target for intervention in the human placenta. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This comprehensive review aims to explore and elucidate the roles of the major members of the TGFβ superfamily, including TGFβs, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), activins, inhibins, nodals, and growth differentiation factors (GDFs), in the context of placental development and function. The review focusses on their interactions within the major cell types of the placenta, namely trophoblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells, in both normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by PE throughout pregnancy. SEARCH METHODS A literature search was carried out using PubMed and Google Scholar, searching terms: 'TGF signalling preeclampsia', 'pregnancy TGF signalling', 'preeclampsia tgfβ', 'preeclampsia bmp', 'preeclampsia gdf', 'preeclampsia activin', 'endoglin preeclampsia', 'endoglin pregnancy', 'tgfβ signalling pregnancy', 'bmp signalling pregnancy', 'gdf signalling pregnancy', 'activin signalling pregnancy', 'Hofbauer cell tgfβ signalling', 'placental macrophages tgfβ', 'endothelial cells tgfβ', 'endothelium tgfβ signalling', 'trophoblast invasion tgfβ signalling', 'trophoblast invasion Smad', 'trophoblast invasion bmp', 'trophoblast invasion tgfβ', 'tgfβ preeclampsia', 'tgfβ placental development', 'TGFβ placental function', 'endothelial dysfunction preeclampsia tgfβ signalling', 'vascular remodelling placenta TGFβ', 'inflammation pregnancy tgfβ', 'immune response pregnancy tgfβ', 'immune tolerance pregnancy tgfβ', 'TGFβ pregnancy NK cells', 'bmp pregnancy NK cells', 'bmp pregnancy tregs', 'tgfβ pregnancy tregs', 'TGFβ placenta NK cells', 'TGFβ placenta tregs', 'NK cells preeclampsia', 'Tregs preeclampsia'. Only articles published in English until 2023 were used. OUTCOMES A comprehensive understanding of TGFβ signalling and its role in regulating interconnected cell functions of the main placental cell types provides valuable insights into the processes essential for successful placental development and growth of the foetus during pregnancy. By orchestrating trophoblast invasion, vascularization, immune tolerance, and tissue remodelling, TGFβ ligands contribute to the proper functioning of a healthy maternal-foetal interface. However, dysregulation of TGFβ signalling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PE, where the shallow trophoblast invasion, defective vascular remodelling, decreased uteroplacental perfusion, and endothelial cell and immune dysfunction observed in PE, are all affected by an altered TGFβ signalling. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The dysregulation of TGFβ signalling in PE has important implications for research and clinical practice. Further investigation is required to understand the underlying mechanisms, including the role of different ligands and their regulation under pathophysiological conditions, in order to discover new therapeutic targets. Distinguishing between clinically manifested subtypes of PE and studying TGFβ signalling in different placental cell types holistically is an important first step. To put this knowledge into practice, pre-clinical animal models combined with new technologies are needed. This may also lead to improved human research models and identify potential therapeutic targets, ultimately improving outcomes for affected pregnancies and reducing the burden of PE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gonzalo Sanchez-Duffhues
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Tissue-Specific BMP Signalling ISPA-HUCA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Christian Wadsack
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xie ZQ, Chen DF, He J, Zhong L, Luo G, Fang M. MiR-371-5p regulates trophoblast cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by directly targeting ZNF516. Aging (Albany NY) 2024; 16:8585-8598. [PMID: 38761180 PMCID: PMC11164490 DOI: 10.18632/aging.205826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Despite its prevalence, preeclampsia (PE) remains unclear as to its etiology. Here, we aimed to investigate the mechanisms regulating differences in the gene expression of zinc-finger protein 516 (ZNF516) in the placenta. The expression of the placental ZNF516 gene and its association with critical clinical markers were verified, and a rigorous correlation analysis was conducted. With a dual-luciferase reporter gene assay, microRNA targeting the ZNF516 gene was predicted and confirmed. Finally, the molecular processes associated with ZNF516 were explored via microarray and bioinformatic analyses. In hypoxic conditions, miR-371-5p expression was reduced, resulting in ZNF516 expression being induced. Moreover, ZNF516 was shown to hinder trophoblast cell migration and invasion while enhancing trophoblast cell death in various in vitro cellular assays, such as cell counting kit-8, colony formation, wound healing, and Transwell assays. Our findings reveal a new regulatory network facilitated by ZNF516. ZNF516 overexpression inhibits trophoblast growth, movement, and penetration, potentially causing problems with placenta formation with the help of miR-371-5p suppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Qiu Xie
- Electrocardiogram Room, Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou 511442, China
| | - De Fang Chen
- The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510317, China
| | - Jie He
- The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510317, China
| | - Linsheng Zhong
- The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510317, China
| | - Guanzheng Luo
- The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510317, China
| | - Ming Fang
- The Affiliated Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou 510317, China
- University of South China’s Teaching Hospital, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Hengyang 421000, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vidal MS, Radnaa E, Vora N, Khanipov K, Antich C, Ferrer M, Urrabaz-Garza R, Jacob JE, Menon R. Establishment and comparison of human term placenta-derived trophoblast cells†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:950-970. [PMID: 38330185 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioae026] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Research on the biology of fetal-maternal barriers has been limited by access to physiologically relevant cells, including trophoblast cells. In this study, we describe the development of a human term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line (hPTCCTB) derived from the basal plate. Human-term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line cells are comparable to their primary cells of origin in terms of morphology, marker expression, and functional responses. We demonstrate that these can transform into syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblasts. We also compared the hPTCCTB cells to immortalized chorionic trophoblasts (hFM-CTC), trophoblasts of the chorionic plate, and BeWo cells, choriocarcinoma cell lines of conventional use. Human-term placenta-derived cytotrophoblast immortalized cell line and hFM-CTCs displayed more similarity to each other than to BeWos, but these differ in syncytialization ability. Overall, this study (1) demonstrates that the immortalized hPTCCTB generated are cells of higher physiological relevance and (2) provides a look into the distinction between the spatially distinct placental and fetal barrier trophoblasts cells, hPTCCTB and hFM-CTC, respectively.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manuel S Vidal
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, University of the Philippines Manila, Manila, Philippines
| | - Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Natasha Vora
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Kamil Khanipov
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Cristina Antich
- 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Marc Ferrer
- 3D Tissue Bioprinting Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institute of Sciences, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Rheanna Urrabaz-Garza
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Jeena E Jacob
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Tossetta G. Special Issue "Physiology and Pathophysiology of Placenta 2.0". Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4586. [PMID: 38731805 PMCID: PMC11083717 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25094586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
We are pleased to present this Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, entitled "Physiology and Pathophysiology of Placenta 2 [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tossetta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Wei D, Su Y, Leung PCK, Li Y, Chen ZJ. Roles of bone morphogenetic proteins in endometrial remodeling during the human menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:215-237. [PMID: 38037193 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmad031] [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: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the human menstrual cycle and pregnancy, the endometrium undergoes a series of dynamic remodeling processes to adapt to physiological changes. Insufficient endometrial remodeling, characterized by inadequate endometrial proliferation, decidualization and spiral artery remodeling, is associated with infertility, endometriosis, dysfunctional uterine bleeding, and pregnancy-related complications such as preeclampsia and miscarriage. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), a subset of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, are multifunctional cytokines that regulate diverse cellular activities, such as differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and extracellular matrix synthesis, are now understood as integral to multiple reproductive processes in women. Investigations using human biological samples have shown that BMPs are essential for regulating human endometrial remodeling processes, including endometrial proliferation and decidualization. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review summarizes our current knowledge on the known pathophysiological roles of BMPs and their underlying molecular mechanisms in regulating human endometrial proliferation and decidualization, with the goal of promoting the development of innovative strategies for diagnosing, treating and preventing infertility and adverse pregnancy complications associated with dysregulated human endometrial remodeling. SEARCH METHODS A literature search for original articles published up to June 2023 was conducted in the PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases, identifying studies on the roles of BMPs in endometrial remodeling during the human menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Articles identified were restricted to English language full-text papers. OUTCOMES BMP ligands and receptors and their transduction molecules are expressed in the endometrium and at the maternal-fetal interface. Along with emerging technologies such as tissue microarrays, 3D organoid cultures and advanced single-cell transcriptomics, and given the clinical availability of recombinant human proteins and ongoing pharmaceutical development, it is now clear that BMPs exert multiple roles in regulating human endometrial remodeling and that these biomolecules (and their receptors) can be targeted for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Moreover, dysregulation of these ligands, their receptors, or signaling determinants can impact endometrial remodeling, contributing to infertility or pregnancy-related complications (e.g. preeclampsia and miscarriage). WIDER IMPLICATIONS Although further clinical trials are needed, recent advancements in the development of recombinant BMP ligands, synthetic BMP inhibitors, receptor antagonists, BMP ligand sequestration tools, and gene therapies have underscored the BMPs as candidate diagnostic biomarkers and positioned the BMP signaling pathway as a promising therapeutic target for addressing infertility and pregnancy complications related to dysregulated human endometrial remodeling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daimin Wei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yaxin Su
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Yan Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
- Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No.2021RU001), Jinan, Shandong, China
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Song G, Zhang D, Zhu J, Wang A, Zhou X, Han TL, Zhang H. The metabolic role of the CD73/adenosine signaling pathway in HTR-8/SVneo cells: A Double-Edged Sword? Heliyon 2024; 10:e25252. [PMID: 38322906 PMCID: PMC10845923 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e25252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/08/2024] Open
Abstract
The ecto-5'-nucleotidase (CD73)/adenosine signaling pathway has been reported to regulate tumor epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), migration and proliferation. However, little is known about the metabolic mechanisms underlying its role in trophoblast proliferation and migration. In this study, we aimed to investigate the metabolic role of the CD73/adenosine signaling pathway on the proliferation and migration of trophoblast. We found that CD73 levels were upregulated in preeclamptic placentas compared with the placentas of normotensive pregnant women. EMT and migration of HTR-8/SVneo cells were enhanced when treated with a CD73 inhibitor (100 μM) in vitro. Conversely, excessive adenosine (25 or 50 μM) suppressed trophoblast cell EMT, migration and proliferation. RNA-seq, metabolomics and seahorse findings showed that adenosine treatment resulted in increased expression of PDK1, suppression of aerobic respiration, glycolysis and amino acids synthesis, as well as increased utilization of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Furthermore, the 13C-adenosine isotope tracking experiment demonstrated that adenosine served as a carbon source for the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. Our results reveal the role of adenosine in regulating trophoblast energy metabolism is like a double-edged sword - either inhibiting aerobic respiration or supplementing carbon sources into metabolic flux. CD73/adenosine signaling regulated trophoblast EMT, migration, and proliferation by modulating energy metabolism. This study indicates that CD73/adenosine signaling potentially plays a role in the occurrence of placenta-derived diseases, including preeclampsia.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guangmin Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Canada-China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Major Metabolic Diseases, 1 Youyi Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Canada-China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Major Metabolic Diseases, 1 Youyi Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Jianan Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Canada-China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- The Chongqing Key Laboratory of Translational Medicine in Major Metabolic Diseases, 1 Youyi Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Andi Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Xiaobo Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Canada-China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| | - Ting-Li Han
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 74 Linjiang Rd, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, 1 Youyi Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
- Canada-China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Yuzhong District, Chongqing, 400016, China
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Kim M, Jang YJ, Lee M, Guo Q, Son AJ, Kakkad NA, Roland AB, Lee BK, Kim J. The transcriptional regulatory network modulating human trophoblast stem cells to extravillous trophoblast differentiation. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1285. [PMID: 38346993 PMCID: PMC10861538 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45669-2] [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: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
During human pregnancy, extravillous trophoblasts play crucial roles in placental invasion into the maternal decidua and spiral artery remodeling. However, regulatory factors and their action mechanisms modulating human extravillous trophoblast specification have been unknown. By analyzing dynamic changes in transcriptome and enhancer profile during human trophoblast stem cell to extravillous trophoblast differentiation, we define stage-specific regulators, including an early-stage transcription factor, TFAP2C, and multiple late-stage transcription factors. Loss-of-function studies confirm the requirement of all transcription factors identified for adequate differentiation, and we reveal that the dynamic changes in the levels of TFAP2C are essential. Notably, TFAP2C pre-occupies the regulatory elements of the inactive extravillous trophoblast-active genes during the early stage of differentiation, and the late-stage transcription factors directly activate extravillous trophoblast-active genes, including themselves as differentiation further progresses, suggesting sequential actions of transcription factors assuring differentiation. Our results reveal stage-specific transcription factors and their inter-connected regulatory mechanisms modulating extravillous trophoblast differentiation, providing a framework for understanding early human placentation and placenta-related complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mijeong Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Yu Jin Jang
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Muyoung Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Qingqing Guo
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Albert J Son
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Nikita A Kakkad
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Abigail B Roland
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Bum-Kyu Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Research Center, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Jonghwan Kim
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Xu Y, Liu X, Zeng W, Zhu Y, Dong J, Wu F, Chen C, Sharma S, Lin Y. DOCK1 insufficiency disrupts trophoblast function and pregnancy outcomes via DUSP4-ERK pathway. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302247. [PMID: 37967942 PMCID: PMC10651491 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Abnormal trophoblast function is associated with diseases such as recurrent spontaneous abortion, pre-eclampsia, and preterm birth, and endangers maternal and fetal health. However, the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we found DOCK1 expression is decreased in the placental villi of patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion, and that its expression determined the invasive properties of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), highlighting a previously unknown role of DOCK1 in regulating EVT function. Furthermore, DOCK1 deficiency disturbed the ubiquitinated degradation of DUSP4, leading to its accumulation. This caused inactivation of the ERK signaling pathway, resulting in inadequate EVT migration and invasion. DOCK1 was implicated in regulating the ubiquitin levels of DUSP4, possibly by modulating the E3 ligase enzyme HUWE1. The results of our in vivo experiments confirmed that the DOCK1 inhibitor TBOPP caused miscarriage in mice by inactivating the DUSP4/ERK pathway. Collectively, our results revealed the crucial role of DOCK1 in the regulation of EVT function via the DUSP4-ERK pathway and a basis for the development of novel treatments for adverse pregnancy outcomes caused by trophoblast dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yichi Xu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaorui Liu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Weihong Zeng
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yueyue Zhu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Junpeng Dong
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Fan Wu
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, China
- Institute of Birth Defects and Rare Diseases, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Cailian Chen
- Department of Automation, School of Electronic Information and Electrical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Key Laboratory of System Control and Information Processing, Ministry of Education of China, Shanghai, China
| | - Surendra Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Yi Lin
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Zhou W, Li X, Li X, Liu Y, Song W, Yang Q. The role of circular RNA in preeclampsia: From pathophysiological mechanism to clinical application. Life Sci 2024; 338:122407. [PMID: 38184270 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.122407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/08/2024]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a common pregnancy-induced hypertension disorder that poses a significant threat to the health of pregnant women and fetuses, and has become a leading cause of maternal, fetal, and neonatal mortality. Currently, the therapy strategy for PE is mainly prevention management and symptomatic treatment, and only delivery can completely terminate PE. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of PE is needed to make treatment and prevention more effective and targeted. With the deepening of molecular etiology research, circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to be widely involved in various processes of PE pathogenesis. As a kind of RNA with a special "head to tail" loop structure, the characteristics of circRNAs enable them to play diverse roles in the pathophysiology of PE, and can also serve as ideal biomarkers for early prediction and monitoring progression of PE. In this review, we summarized the latest research on PE-related circRNAs, trying to elucidate the unique or shared roles of circRNAs in various pathophysiological mechanisms of PE, aiming to provide a whole picture of current research on PE-related circRNAs, and extend a new perspective for the precise screening and targeted therapy of PE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Zhou
- Medical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China; Department of Cancer Epidemiology, National Cancer Center/National Clinical Research Center for Cancer/Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiuying Li
- Medical Research Center, China-Japan Union Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Xin Li
- Medical College, Jilin Engineering Vocational College, Siping, Jilin, China.
| | - Yaojia Liu
- Medical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Wenling Song
- Department of Obstetrics, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| | - Qiwei Yang
- Medical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun, Jilin, China.
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Lan X, Guo L, Hu C, Zhang Q, Deng J, Wang Y, Chen ZJ, Yan J, Li Y. Fibronectin mediates activin A-promoted human trophoblast migration and acquisition of endothelial-like phenotype. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:61. [PMID: 38263146 PMCID: PMC10807102 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01463-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During human early placentation, a proportion of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) migrate to the maternal decidua, differentiating into endovascular EVTs to remodel spiral arteries and ensure the establishment of blood circulation at the maternal-fetal interface. Inadequate EVT migration and endovascular differentiation are closely associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage. Activin A and fibronectin are both secretory molecules abundantly expressed at the maternal-fetal interface. Activin A has been reported to regulate EVT biological functions. However, whether fibronectin mediates activin A-promoted EVT migration and acquisition of endothelial-like phenotype as well as the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown. Additionally, the role of fibronectin in pregnancy establishment and maintenance warrants further investigation. METHODS Primary and immortalized (HTR8/SVneo) human EVTs were used as in vitro study models. Cultured human first-trimester chorionic villous explants were utilized for ex vivo validation. A local fibronectin knockdown model in ICR mouse uteri, achieved by nonviral in vivo transfection with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting fibronectin 1 (si-Fn1), was employed to explore the roles of fibronectin in the establishment and maintenance of early pregnancy. RESULTS Our results showed that activin A treatment significantly induced fibronectin 1 (FN1) mRNA expression and fibronectin protein production, which is essential for human trophoblast migration and endothelial-like tube formation. Both basal and activin A-upregulated fibronectin expression were abolished by the TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor SB431542 or siRNA-mediated knockdown of activin receptor-like kinase (ALK4) or SMAD4. Moreover, activin A-increased trophoblast migration and endothelial-like tube formation were attenuated following the depletion of fibronectin. Fibronectin knockdown via intrauterine siRNA administration reduced CD31 and cytokeratin 8 (CK8) expression at the maternal-fetal interface, resulting in a decrease in the number of implantation sites and embryos. CONCLUSIONS Our study demonstrates that activin A promotes trophoblast cell migration and acquisition of endothelial-like phenotype via ALK4-SMAD2/3-SMAD4-mediated fibronectin upregulation. Furthermore, through a local fibronectin knockdown model in mouse uteri, we found that the absence of fibronectin at the maternal-fetal interface impedes endovascular migration of trophoblasts and decidual vascularization, thereby interfering with early embryo implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy. These findings provide novel insights into placental development during early pregnancy establishment and contribute to the advancement of therapeutic approaches for managing pregnancy complications related to trophoblast dysfunction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiangxin Lan
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Ling Guo
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Cuiping Hu
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Jianye Deng
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yufeng Wang
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2021RU001), Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Junhao Yan
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| | - Yan Li
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Wang W, Liu Y, He Z, Li L, Liu S, Jiang M, Zhao B, Deng M, Wang W, Mi X, Sun Z, Ge X. Breakthrough of solid tumor treatment: CAR-NK immunotherapy. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:40. [PMID: 38245520 PMCID: PMC10799930 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01815-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
As the latest and most anticipated method of tumor immunotherapy, CAR-NK therapy has received increasing attention in recent years, and its safety and high efficiency have irreplaceable advantages over CAR-T. Current research focuses on the application of CAR-NK in hematological tumors, while there are fewer studies on solid tumor. This article reviews the process of constructing CAR-NK, the effects of hypoxia and metabolic factors, NK cell surface receptors, cytokines, and exosomes on the efficacy of CAR-NK in solid tumor, and the role of CAR-NK in various solid tumor. The mechanism of action and the research status of the potential of CAR-NK in the treatment of solid tumor in clinical practice, and put forward the advantages, limitations and future problems of CAR-NK in the treatment of solid tumor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wenkang Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Radiotherapy, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhen He
- Department of Internal Medicine, Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Cancer Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Lifeng Li
- Biotherapy Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Senbo Liu
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Mingqiang Jiang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Bing Zhao
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Meng Deng
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Wendong Wang
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xuefang Mi
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhenqiang Sun
- Department of Colorectal Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Xin Ge
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Hu C, Deng J, Liu M, Ni T, Chen ZJ, Yan J, Li Y. Endometrial BMP2 Deficiency Impairs ITGB3-Mediated Trophoblast Invasion in Women With Repeated Implantation Failure. Endocrinology 2024; 165:bqae002. [PMID: 38195194 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqae002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Repeated implantation failure (RIF) leads to a waste of high-quality embryos and remains a challenge in assisted reproductive technology. During early human placentation, the invasion of trophoblast cells into the decidua is an essential step for the establishment of maternal-fetal interactions and subsequent successful pregnancy. Bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) has been reported to regulate endometrial receptivity and promote trophoblast invasion. However, whether there is dysregulation of endometrial BMP2 expression in patients with RIF remains unknown. Additionally, the molecular mechanisms underlying the effects of BMP2 on human trophoblast invasion and early placentation remain to be further elucidated. METHODS Midluteal phase endometrial samples were biopsied from patients with RIF and from routine control in vitro fertilization followed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting analyses. Human trophoblast organoids, primary human trophoblast cells, and an immortalized trophoblast cell line (HTR8/SVneo) were used as study models. RESULTS We found that BMP2 was aberrantly low in midluteal phase endometrial tissues from patients with RIF. Recombinant human BMP2 treatment upregulated integrin β3 (ITGB3) in a SMAD2/3-SMAD4 signaling-dependent manner in both HTR8/SVneo cells and primary trophoblast cells. siRNA-mediated integrin β3 downregulation reduced both basal and BMP2-upregulated trophoblast invasion and vascular mimicry in HTR8/SVneo cells. Importantly, shRNA-mediated ITGB3 knockdown significantly decreased the formation ability of human trophoblast organoids. CONCLUSION Our results demonstrate endometrial BMP2 deficiency in patients with RIF. ITGB3 mediates both basal and BMP2-promoted human trophoblast invasion and is essential for early placentation. These findings broaden our knowledge regarding the regulation of early placentation and provide candidate diagnostic and therapeutic targets for RIF clinical management.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Cuiping Hu
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Jianye Deng
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Mingxi Liu
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Tianxiang Ni
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (No. 2021RU001), Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Junhao Yan
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Yan Li
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology (Shandong University), Ministry of Education, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Cao J, Zhang Z, Zhou L, Luo M, Li L, Li B, Nice EC, He W, Zheng S, Huang C. Oncofetal reprogramming in tumor development and progression: novel insights into cancer therapy. MedComm (Beijing) 2023; 4:e427. [PMID: 38045829 PMCID: PMC10693315 DOI: 10.1002/mco2.427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence indicates that cancer cells can mimic characteristics of embryonic development, promoting their development and progression. Cancer cells share features with embryonic development, characterized by robust proliferation and differentiation regulated by signaling pathways such as Wnt, Notch, hedgehog, and Hippo signaling. In certain phase, these cells also mimic embryonic diapause and fertilized egg implantation to evade treatments or immune elimination and promote metastasis. Additionally, the upregulation of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, including multidrug resistance protein 1 (MDR1), multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1), and breast cancer-resistant protein (BCRP), in drug-resistant cancer cells, analogous to their role in placental development, may facilitate chemotherapy efflux, further resulting in treatment resistance. In this review, we concentrate on the underlying mechanisms that contribute to tumor development and progression from the perspective of embryonic development, encompassing the dysregulation of developmental signaling pathways, the emergence of dormant cancer cells, immune microenvironment remodeling, and the hyperactivation of ABC transporters. Furthermore, we synthesize and emphasize the connections between cancer hallmarks and embryonic development, offering novel insights for the development of innovative cancer treatment strategies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiangjun Cao
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, and Department of Biotherapy Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Diseasethe First Affiliated HospitalSchool of MedicineZhejiang UniversityZhejiangChina
| | - Li Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases (Ministry of Education)Department of Infectious Diseasesthe Second Affiliated HospitalInstitute for Viral Hepatitis, Chongqing Medical UniversityChongqingChina
| | - Maochao Luo
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, and Department of Biotherapy Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Lei Li
- Department of anorectal surgeryHospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese MedicineChengduChina
| | - Bowen Li
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, and Department of Biotherapy Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| | - Edouard C. Nice
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyMonash UniversityClaytonVICAustralia
| | - Weifeng He
- State Key Laboratory of TraumaBurn and Combined InjuryInstitute of Burn Research, Southwest Hospital, Third Military Medical University (Army Medical University)ChongqingChina
| | - Shaojiang Zheng
- Hainan Cancer Medical Center of The First Affiliated Hospital, the Hainan Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Hainan Engineering Research Center for Biological Sample Resources of Major DiseasesHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Cardiovascular Diseases Research of Hainan Province, Hainan Women and Children's Medical Center, Key Laboratory of Emergency and Trauma of Ministry of EducationHainan Medical UniversityHaikouChina
| | - Canhua Huang
- West China School of Basic Medical Sciences and Forensic Medicine, and Department of Biotherapy Cancer Center and State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China HospitalSichuan UniversityChengduChina
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Lyu C, Ni T, Guo Y, Zhou T, Chen Z, Yan J, Li Y. Insufficient GDF15 expression predisposes women to unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss by impairing extravillous trophoblast invasion. Cell Prolif 2023; 56:e13514. [PMID: 37272232 PMCID: PMC10693185 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Insufficient extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion during early placentation has been shown to contribute to recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). However, the regulatory factors involved and their involvement in RPL pathogenesis remain unknown. Here, we found aberrantly decreased growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) levels in both first-trimester villous and serum samples of unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (URPL) patients as compared with normal pregnancies. Moreover, GDF15 knockdown significantly reduced the invasiveness of both HTR-8/SVneo cells and primary human EVT cells and suppressed the Jagged-1 (JAG1)/NOTCH3/HES1 pathway activity, and JAG1 overexpression rescued the invasion phenotype of the GDF15 knockdown cells. Induction of a lipopolysaccharide-induced abortion model in mice resulted in significantly reduced GDF15 level in the placenta and serum, as well as increased rates of embryonic resorption, and these effects were reversed by administration of recombinant GDF15. Our study thus demonstrates that insufficient GDF15 level at the first-trimester maternal-foetal interface contribute to the pathogenesis of URPL by impairing EVT invasion and suppressing JAG1/NOTCH3/HES1 pathway activity, and suggests that supplementation with GDF15 could benefit early pregnancy maintenance and reduce the risk of early pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chunzi Lyu
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Tianxiang Ni
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Yaqiu Guo
- Department of AnesthesiologyJinan Maternal and Child Health HospitalJinanShandongChina
| | - Tingting Zhou
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Zi‐Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Junhao Yan
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
| | - Yan Li
- Center for Reproductive MedicineShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of EducationShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Medical Integration and Practice CenterShandong UniversityJinanShandongChina
- Lead Contact
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Lackner AI, Pollheimer J, Latos P, Knöfler M, Haider S. Gene-network based analysis of human placental trophoblast subtypes identifies critical genes as potential targets of therapeutic drugs. J Integr Bioinform 2023; 20:jib-2023-0011. [PMID: 38127662 PMCID: PMC10777358 DOI: 10.1515/jib-2023-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
During early pregnancy, extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) play a crucial role in modifying the maternal uterine environment. Failures in EVT lineage formation and differentiation can lead to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and pregnancy loss. Despite recent advances, our knowledge on molecular and external factors that control and affect EVT development remains incomplete. Using trophoblast organoid in vitro models, we recently discovered that coordinated manipulation of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling is essential for EVT development. To further investigate gene networks involved in EVT function and development, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on our RNA-Seq data. We identified 10 modules with a median module membership of over 0.8 and sizes ranging from 1005 (M1) to 72 (M27) network genes associated with TGFβ activation status or in vitro culturing, the latter being indicative for yet undiscovered factors that shape the EVT phenotypes. Lastly, we hypothesized that certain therapeutic drugs might unintentionally interfere with placentation by affecting EVT-specific gene expression. We used the STRING database to map correlations and the Drug-Gene Interaction database to identify drug targets. Our comprehensive dataset of drug-gene interactions provides insights into potential risks associated with certain drugs in early gestation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Ian Lackner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Immunology Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Pollheimer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Immunology Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulina Latos
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Knöfler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Haider
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Wen B, Liao H, Lin W, Li Z, Ma X, Xu Q, Yu F. The Role of TGF-β during Pregnancy and Pregnancy Complications. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16882. [PMID: 38069201 PMCID: PMC10706464 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/03/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), a multifunctional cytokine, is one of the most important inflammatory cytokines closely related to pregnancy. It plays significant roles in hormone secretion, placental development, and embryonic growth during pregnancy. TGF-β is implicated in embryo implantation and inhibits the invasion of extraepithelial trophoblast cells. It also moderates the mother-fetus interaction by adjusting the secretion pattern of immunomodulatory factors in the placenta, consequently influencing the mother's immune cells. The TGF-β family regulates the development of the nervous, respiratory, and cardiovascular systems by regulating gene expression. Furthermore, TGF-β has been associated with various pregnancy complications. An increase in TGF-β levels can induce the occurrences of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes mellitus, while a decrease can lead to recurrent miscarriage due to the interference of the immune tolerance environment. This review focuses on the role of TGF-β in embryo implantation and development, providing new insights for the clinical prevention and treatment of pregnancy complications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Baohong Wen
- Basic Medical Experiment Teaching Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (B.W.); (H.L.); (W.L.); (Z.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Huixin Liao
- Basic Medical Experiment Teaching Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (B.W.); (H.L.); (W.L.); (Z.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Weilin Lin
- Basic Medical Experiment Teaching Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (B.W.); (H.L.); (W.L.); (Z.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Zhikai Li
- Basic Medical Experiment Teaching Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (B.W.); (H.L.); (W.L.); (Z.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Xiaoqing Ma
- Basic Medical Experiment Teaching Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (B.W.); (H.L.); (W.L.); (Z.L.); (X.M.)
| | - Qian Xu
- Laboratory of Molecular Pathology, Department of Pathology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| | - Feiyuan Yu
- Basic Medical Experiment Teaching Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (B.W.); (H.L.); (W.L.); (Z.L.); (X.M.)
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Ning H, Tao H. Small RNA sequencing of exosomal microRNAs reveals differential expression of microRNAs in preeclampsia. Medicine (Baltimore) 2023; 102:e35597. [PMID: 37861520 PMCID: PMC10589583 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000035597] [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: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is one of the most common hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. It is a dangerous condition with a high mortality rate in mothers and fetuses and is associated with a lack of early diagnosis and effective treatment. While the etiology of the disease is complex and obscure, it is now clear that the placenta is central to disease progression. Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are possible mediators that regulate placenta-related physiological and pathological processes. Placental mesenchymal stem cells have considerable potential to help us understand the pathogenesis and treatment of pregnancy-related diseases. Here, we investigate the exosomal miRNA profiles of human placenta-derived mesenchymal stem cells between healthy pregnant women and those with PE. We performed small RNA sequencing to obtain miRNA profiles, and conducted enrichment analysis of the miRNA target genes to identify differentially expressed miRNAs associated with PE. Overall, we detected 1795 miRNAs; among them, 206 were differentially expressed in women with PE, including 35 upregulated and 171 downregulated miRNAs, when compared with healthy pregnant women. Moreover, we identified possible functions and pathways associated with PE, including angiogenesis, cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and the coagulation-fibrinolysis balance. Eventually, we proposed hsa-miR-675-5p, hsa-miR-3614-5p, and hsa-miR-615-5p as potential regulators of the pathogenesis of PE, and constructed a miRNA-target gene network. Our study identifies possible candidate biomarkers for the diagnosis of PE, and introduces a new direction for further understanding the pathogenesis of PE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Ning
- Department of Obstetrics, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| | - Hong Tao
- Department of Obstetrics, Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Zeng YT, Liu WF, Zheng PS, Li S. GDF15 deficiency hinders human trophoblast invasion to mediate pregnancy loss through downregulating Smad1/5 phosphorylation. iScience 2023; 26:107902. [PMID: 37766993 PMCID: PMC10520888 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) belongs to the Transforming growth factor β(TGF-β) superfamily. The decrease of GDF15 in the serum of pregnant women was associated with miscarriage. Both IHC and ELISA assays showed that GDF15 in trophoblast tissue and serum of pregnant women who miscarried was significantly lower than in those who had a live birth. GDF15 deficiency was associated with embryo resorption in GDF15 knockout mice through CRIPSR editing. In addition, the migration and invasion ability of HTR-8/SVneo and JEG-3 cells were promoted by GDF15. Mechanistically, GDF15 increased Smad1/5 phosphorylation, resulting in upregulating SNAI1/2, VIMENTIN and downregulating E-CADHERIN. A dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that Smad-binding elements (SBE) and/or GC-rich motifs were activated and target genes such as SNAI1/2, SERPINE1, and TIMP3 were transcriptionally regulated by GDF15/Smad5 signaling. Therefore, our data revealed a crucial role of GDF15 on invasion of trophoblast by upregulating the activity of TGF-β/Smad1/5 pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ting Zeng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wen-Fang Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng-Sheng Zheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shan Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
AbdelHafez FF, Klausen C, Zhu H, Yi Y, Leung PCK. Growth differentiation factor myostatin regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes and enhances invasion by increasing serine protease inhibitors E1 and E2 in human trophoblast cells. FASEB J 2023; 37:e23204. [PMID: 37738042 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202300740r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
Placental insufficiency disorders, including preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction, are major obstetric complications that can have devastating effects on both the mother and the fetus. These syndromes have underlying poor placental trophoblast cell invasion into uterine tissues. Placental invasion is controlled by many hormones and growth factors. Myostatin (MSTN) is a transforming growth factor-β superfamily member recognized for its important role in muscle growth control. MSTN has also been shown to be secreted and functioning in the placenta, and its serum and/or placental levels were found to be upregulated in preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Considering that the mechanistic role of MSTN in placentation remains poorly understood, we hypothesized that MSTN uses ALK4/5-SMAD2/3/4 signaling to increase human trophoblast invasion through a group of epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes including SERPINE2, PAI-1, and SOX4. mRNA sequencing of control and MSTN-treated primary human trophoblast cells (n = 5) yielded a total of 610 differentially expressed genes (false discovery rate <0.05) of which 380 genes were upregulated and 230 were downregulated. These differentially expressed genes were highly enriched in epithelial-mesenchymal transition genes, and a subset including SERPINE2, PAI-1, and SOX4 was investigated for its role in MSTN-induced trophoblast cell invasion. We found that MSTN induced upregulation of SERPINE2 via ALK4/5-SMAD2/3/4 signaling; however, SMAD2 was not involved in MSTN-induced PAI-1 upregulation. SOX4 was involved in MSTN-induced upregulation of SERPINE2, but not PAI-1. Collectively, this study discovers novel molecular mechanisms of MSTN-induced human trophoblast cell invasion and provides insight into the functional consequences of its dysregulation in placental insufficiency disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Faten F AbdelHafez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Assiut School of Medicine, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Christian Klausen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Hua Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Yuyin Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, BC Children's Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Vrzić Petronijević S, Vilotić A, Bojić-Trbojević Ž, Kostić S, Petronijević M, Vićovac L, Jovanović Krivokuća M. Trophoblast Cell Function in the Antiphospholipid Syndrome. Biomedicines 2023; 11:2681. [PMID: 37893055 PMCID: PMC10604227 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11102681] [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: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a complex thrombo-inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Women with APS are at high risk of recurrent early pregnancy loss as well as late obstetrical complications-premature birth due to placental insufficiency or severe preeclampsia. Accumulating evidence implies that vascular thrombosis is not the only pathogenic mechanism in obstetric APS, and that the direct negative effect of aPL on the placental cells, trophoblast, plays a major role. In this review, we summarize the current findings regarding the potential mechanisms involved in aPL-induced trophoblast dysfunction. Introduction on the APS and aPL is followed by an overview of the effects of aPL on trophoblast-survival, cell function and aPL internalization. Finally, the implication of several non-coding RNAs in pathogenesis of obstetric APS is discussed, with special emphasis of their possible role in trophoblast dysfunction and the associated mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Svetlana Vrzić Petronijević
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University Clinical Center of Serbia Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koste Todorovića 26, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Aleksandra Vilotić
- University of Belgrade, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, Department for Biology of Reproduction, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Žanka Bojić-Trbojević
- University of Belgrade, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, Department for Biology of Reproduction, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Sanja Kostić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University Clinical Center of Serbia Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koste Todorovića 26, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Miloš Petronijević
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Medicine, University Clinical Center of Serbia Clinic for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Koste Todorovića 26, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Ljiljana Vićovac
- University of Belgrade, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, Department for Biology of Reproduction, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Milica Jovanović Krivokuća
- University of Belgrade, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, Department for Biology of Reproduction, Banatska 31b, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Liu M, Niu Y, Ma K, Leung PCK, Chen ZJ, Wei D, Li Y. Identification of novel first-trimester serum biomarkers for early prediction of preeclampsia. J Transl Med 2023; 21:634. [PMID: 37718445 PMCID: PMC10506221 DOI: 10.1186/s12967-023-04472-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preeclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, but effective early prediction remains a challenge due to the lack of reliable biomarkers. METHODS Based on the extensive human biobank of our large-scale assisted reproductive cohort platform, the first-trimester serum levels of 48 cytokines, total immunoglobulins (Igs), anti-phosphatidylserine (aPS) antibodies, and several previously reported PE biomarkers [including placental growth factor (PlGF), soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), and activin A] were measured in 34 women diagnosed with PE and 34 matched normotensive controls. RESULTS The PE group has significantly higher first-trimester serum levels of interleukin (IL)-2Rα, IL-9, tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β), RANTES, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), total IgM, and total IgG, and aPS IgG optical density (OD) value, as well as lower first-trimester serum levels of PlGF and total IgA and aPS-IgG immune complexes (IC) OD value than the control group. Combining top five first-trimester serum biomarkers (total IgM, total IgG, PlGF, aPS IgG, and total IgA) achieved superior predictive value [area under the curve (AUC) and 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.983 (0.952-1.000), with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 94.1%] for PE development compared to PlGF and PlGF/sFlt-1 independently [AUC and 95% CI 0.825 (0.726-0.924) and 0.670 (0.539-0.800), respectively]. CONCLUSION We identified novel first-trimester serum biomarkers and developed an effective first-trimester prediction model using immune-related factors and PlGF for PE, which could facilitate the development of early diagnostic strategies and provide immunological insight into the further mechanistic exploration of PE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mingxi Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Yue Niu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Kongyang Ma
- Centre for Infection and Immunity Studies, School of Medicine, The Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Peter C K Leung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4H4, Canada
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China
| | - Daimin Wei
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| | - Yan Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
- Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, 250012, Shandong, China.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Song YP, Lv JW, Zhang ZC, Qian QH, Fan YJ, Chen DZ, Zhang H, Xu FX, Zhang C, Huang Y, Wang H, Wei W, Xu DX. Effects of Gestational Arsenic Exposures on Placental and Fetal Development in Mice: The Role of Cyr61 m6A. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2023; 131:97004. [PMID: 37682722 PMCID: PMC10489955 DOI: 10.1289/ehp12207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several epidemiological investigations demonstrated that maternal arsenic (As) exposure elevated risk of fetal growth restriction (FGR), but the mechanism remains unclear. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the effects of gestational As exposure on placental and fetal development and its underlying mechanism. METHODS Dams were exposed to 0.15, 1.5, and 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 throughout pregnancy via drinking water. Sizes of fetuses and placentas, placental histopathology, and glycogen content were measured. Placental RNA sequencing was conducted. Human trophoblasts were exposed to NaAsO 2 (2 μ M ) to establish an in vitro model of As exposure. The mRNA stability and protein level of genes identified through RNA sequencing were measured. N 6 -Methyladenosine (m 6 A ) modification was detected by methylated RNA immunoprecipitation-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reason (qPCR). The binding ability of insulin-like growth factor 2 binding protein 2 to the gene of interest was detected by RNA-binding protein immunoprecipitation-qPCR. Intracellular S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and methyltransferase activity were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and colorimetry, respectively. In vitro As + 3 methyltransferase (As3MT) knockdown or SAM supplementation and in vivo folic acid (FA) supplementation were used to evaluate the protective effect. A case-control study verified the findings. RESULTS Sizes of fetuses (exposed to 1.5 and 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 ) and placentas (exposed to 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 ) were lower in As-exposed mice. More glycogen + trophoblasts accumulated and the expression of markers of interstitial invasion was lower in the 15 mg / L NaAsO 2 -exposed mouse group in comparison with control. Placental RNA sequencing identified cysteine-rich angiogenic inducer 61 (Cyr61) as a candidate gene of interest. Mechanistically, mice and cells exposed to As had lower protein expression of CYR61, and this was attributed to a lower incidence of Cyr61 m 6 A . Furthermore, cells exposed to As had lower methyltransferase activity, suggesting that this could be the mechanism by which Cyr61 m 6 A was affected. Depletion of intracellular SAM, a cofactor for m 6 A methyltransferase catalytic domain, partially contributed to As-induced methyltransferase activity reduction. Either As3MT knockdown or SAM supplementation attenuated As-induced Cyr61 m 6 A down-regulation. In mice, FA supplementation rescued As-induced defective trophoblastic invasion and FGR. In humans, a negative correlation between maternal urinary As and plasma CYR61 was observed in infants who were small for gestational age. DISCUSSION Using in vitro and in vivo models, we found that intracellular SAM depletion-mediated Cyr61 m 6 A down-regulation partially contributed to As-induced defective trophoblastic invasion and FGR. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12207.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Ping Song
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jin-Wei Lv
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Zhi-Cheng Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Qing-Hua Qian
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yi-Jun Fan
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Second Affiliated Hospital, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Dao-Zhen Chen
- Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Heng Zhang
- Wuxi Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Wuxi, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei-Xiang Xu
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yichao Huang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Anti-Inflammatory and Immune Medicine, Education Ministry of China, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - De-Xiang Xu
- Department of Toxicology, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Taskin II, Gurbuz S, Icen MS, Derin DC, Findik FM. Expression of sirtuin 2 and 7 in placenta accreta spectrum. REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA (1992) 2023; 69:e20230360. [PMID: 37585995 PMCID: PMC10427185 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20230360] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the expression levels of sirtuin 2 and sirtuin 7 in the placenta accreta spectrum to reveal their role in its pathogenesis. METHODS A total of 30 placenta accreta spectrum, 20 placenta previa, and 30 controls were experienced. The sirtuin 2 and sirtuin 7 expression levels in the placentas of these groups were determined by Western blot. sirtuin 2 and sirtuin 7 serum levels in the maternal and fetal cord blood were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS It was found that sirtuin 7 in placenta accreta spectrum was significantly lower in the placenta compared to the control and placenta previa groups (p<0.05). However, a significant difference was not observed between the sirtuin 2 and sirtuin 7 levels in the maternal and fetal cord serum samples of those three groups (p>0.05). CONCLUSION Sirtuin 7 may play an important role in the formation of placenta accreta spectrum. The effect of decreased expression of sirtuin 7 might be tissue-dependent in the placenta accreta spectrum and needs to be investigated further.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Irmak Icen Taskin
- İnönü University, Faculty of Science and Art, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics – Malatya, Turkey
| | - Sevim Gurbuz
- İnönü University, Faculty of Science and Art, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics – Malatya, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Sait Icen
- Dicle University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology – Diyarbakir, Turkey
| | - Dilek Cam Derin
- İnönü University, Faculty of Science and Art, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics – Malatya, Turkey
| | - Fatih Mehmet Findik
- Dicle University, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology – Diyarbakir, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Li T, Wang X, Niu M, Wang M, Zhou J, Wu K, Yi M. Bispecific antibody targeting TGF-β and PD-L1 for synergistic cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1196970. [PMID: 37520520 PMCID: PMC10373067 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1196970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The PD-1/PD-L1 signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cancer immune evasion, and the use of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 antibodies represents a significant milestone in cancer immunotherapy. However, the low response rate observed in unselected patients and the development of therapeutic resistance remain major obstacles to their clinical application. Accumulating studies showed that overexpressed TGF-β is another immunosuppressive factor apart from traditional immune checkpoints. Actually, the effects of PD-1 and TGF-β pathways are independent and interactive, which work together contributing to the immune evasion of cancer cell. It has been verified that blocking TGF-β and PD-L1 simultaneously could enhance the efficacy of PD-L1 monoclonal antibody and overcome its treatment resistance. Based on the bispecific antibody or fusion protein technology, multiple bispecific and bifunctional antibodies have been developed. In the preclinical and clinical studies, these updated antibodies exhibited potent anti-tumor activity, superior to anti-PD-1/PD-L1 monotherapies. In the review, we summarized the advances of bispecific antibodies targeting TGF-β and PD-L1 in cancer immunotherapy. We believe these next-generation immune checkpoint inhibitors would substantially alter the cancer treatment paradigm, especially in anti-PD-1/PD-L1-resistant patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tianye Li
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Xinrun Wang
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengke Niu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Mingli Wang
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianwei Zhou
- Department of Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kongming Wu
- Cancer Center, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Science, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Ming Yi
- Department of Breast Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Kennedy EM, Hermetz K, Burt A, Pei D, Koestler DC, Hao K, Chen J, Gilbert-Diamond D, Ramakrishnan U, Karagas MR, Marsit CJ. Placental microRNAs relate to early childhood growth trajectories. Pediatr Res 2023; 94:341-348. [PMID: 36380070 PMCID: PMC10183479 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-022-02386-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Poor placental function is a common cause of intrauterine growth restriction, which in turn is associated with increased risks of adverse health outcomes. Our prior work suggests that birthweight and childhood obesity-associated genetic variants functionally impact placental function and that placental microRNA are associated with birthweight. To address the influence of the placenta beyond birth, we assessed the relationship between placental microRNAs and early childhood growth. METHODS Using the SITAR package, we generated two parameters that describe individual weight trajectories of children (0-5 years) in the New Hampshire Birth Cohort Study (NHBCS, n = 238). Using negative binomial generalized linear models, we identified placental microRNAs that relate to growth parameters (FDR < 0.1), while accounting for sex, gestational age at birth, and maternal parity. RESULTS Genes targeted by the six growth trajectory-associated microRNAs are enriched (FDR < 0.05) in growth factor signaling (TGF/beta: miR-876; EGF/R: miR-155, Let-7c; FGF/R: miR-155; IGF/R: Let-7c, miR-155), calmodulin signaling (miR-216a), and NOTCH signaling (miR-629). CONCLUSIONS Growth-trajectory microRNAs target pathways affecting placental proliferation, differentiation and function. Our results suggest a role for microRNAs in regulating placental cellular dynamics and supports the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease hypothesis that fetal environment can have impacts beyond birth. IMPACT We found that growth trajectory associated placenta microRNAs target genes involved in signaling pathways central to the formation, maintenance and function of placenta; suggesting that placental cellular dynamics remain critical to infant growth to term and are under the control of microRNAs. Our results contribute to the existing body of research suggesting that the placenta plays a key role in programming health in the offspring. This is the first study to relate molecular patterns in placenta, specifically microRNAs, to early childhood growth trajectory.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Kennedy
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Karen Hermetz
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amber Burt
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Dong Pei
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Devin C Koestler
- Department of Biostatistics & Data Science, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ke Hao
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jia Chen
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Diane Gilbert-Diamond
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Usha Ramakrishnan
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Margaret R Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, Hanover, NH, USA
- Children's Environmental Health and Disease Prevention Research Center at Dartmouth, Dartmouth College, Lebanon, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Carmen J Marsit
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Deng J, Zhao HJ, Zhong Y, Hu C, Meng J, Wang C, Lan X, Wang X, Chen ZJ, Yan J, Wang W, Li Y. H3K27me3-modulated Hofbauer cell BMP2 signalling enhancement compensates for shallow trophoblast invasion in preeclampsia. EBioMedicine 2023; 93:104664. [PMID: 37331163 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Preeclampsia (PE) is a common hypertensive pregnancy disorder associated with shallow trophoblast invasion. Although bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) has been shown to promote trophoblast invasion in vitro, its cellular origin and molecular regulation in placenta, as well as its potential role in PE, has yet to be established. Additionally, whether BMP2 and/or its downstream molecules could serve as potential diagnostic or therapeutic targets for PE has not been explored. METHODS Placentas and sera from PE and healthy pregnant women were subjected to multi-omics analyses, immunoblots, qPCR, and ELISA assays. Immortalized trophoblast cells, primary cultures of human trophoblasts, and first-trimester villous explants were used for in vitro experiments. Adenovirus expressing sFlt-1 (Ad Flt1)-induced PE rat model was used for in vivo studies. FINDINGS We find globally decreased H3K27me3 modifications and increased BMP2 signalling in preeclamptic placentas, which is negatively correlated with clinical manifestations. BMP2 is derived from Hofbauer cells and epigenetically regulated by H3K27me3 modification. BMP2 promotes trophoblast invasion and vascular mimicry by upregulating BMP6 via BMPR1A-SMAD2/3-SMAD4 signalling. BMP2 supplementation alleviates high blood pressure and fetal growth restriction phenotypes in Ad Flt1-induced rat PE model. INTERPRETATION Our findings demonstrate that epigenetically regulated Hofbauer cell-derived BMP2 signalling enhancement in late gestation could serve as a compensatory response for shallow trophoblast invasion in PE, suggesting opportunities for diagnostic marker and therapeutic target applications in PE clinical management. FUNDING National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFC2702400), National Natural Science Foundation of China (82101784, 82171648, 31988101), and Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province (ZR2020QH051, ZR2020MH039).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jianye Deng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Hong-Jin Zhao
- Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China; Department of Cardiology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Ying Zhong
- Cardiovascular Research Center of the General Medical Services, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02129, USA
| | - Cuiping Hu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Jinlai Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250021, China
| | - Chunling Wang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Xiangxin Lan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Xiyao Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Junhao Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Yan Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Barrero JA, Villamil-Camargo LM, Imaz JN, Arciniegas-Villa K, Rubio-Romero JA. Maternal Serum Activin A, Inhibin A and Follistatin-Related Proteins across Preeclampsia: Insights into Their Role in Pathogenesis and Prediction. JOURNAL OF MOTHER AND CHILD 2023; 27:119-133. [PMID: 37595293 PMCID: PMC10438925 DOI: 10.34763/jmotherandchild.20232701.d-23-00002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Within the endocrine-paracrine signalling network at the maternal-foetal interface, the activin-inhibin-follistatin system modulates extravillous trophoblast invasion, suggesting a potential role in preeclampsia pathogenesis. This study aimed to compile the evidence published in the last decade regarding the variation in maternal serum activins, inhibin- and follistatin-related proteins in preeclamptic pregnancies compared to healthy pregnancies, and to discuss their role in predicting and understanding the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS A scoping review was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and LILACS databases to identify studies published within the last ten years (2012-2022). RESULTS Thirty studies were included. None of the studies addressed maternal serum changes of isoforms different from activin A, inhibin A, follistatin, and follistatin-like 3. Sixteen studies evaluated the potential of these isoforms in predicting preeclampsia through the area under the curve from a receiver operating characteristic curve. CONCLUSIONS In preeclampsia, inhibin A is upregulated in all trimesters, whereas activin A increases exclusively in the late second and third trimesters. Serum follistatin levels are reduced in women with preeclampsia during the late second and third trimesters. However, changes in follistatin-like 3 remain inconclusive. Inhibin A and activin A can potentially serve as biomarkers of early-onset preeclampsia based on the outcomes of the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Further investigations are encouraged to explore the feasibility of quantifying maternal serum levels of activin A and inhibin A as a clinical tool in early preeclampsia prediction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jorge A. Barrero
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá Campus, Faculty of Medicine, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Jose N. Imaz
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá Campus, Faculty of Medicine, Bogotá, Colombia
| | | | - Jorge A. Rubio-Romero
- Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá Campus, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bogotá, Colombia
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Tossetta G. Physiology and Pathophysiology of the Placenta. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24109066. [PMID: 37240411 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24109066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
We are pleased to present this Special Issue of the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, entitled "Physiology and Pathophysiology of Placenta" [...].
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giovanni Tossetta
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche, 60126 Ancona, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Huang CC, Hsueh YW, Chang CW, Hsu HC, Yang TC, Lin WC, Chang HM. Establishment of the fetal-maternal interface: developmental events in human implantation and placentation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1200330. [PMID: 37266451 PMCID: PMC10230101 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1200330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Early pregnancy is a complex and well-orchestrated differentiation process that involves all the cellular elements of the fetal-maternal interface. Aberrant trophoblast-decidual interactions can lead to miscarriage and disorders that occur later in pregnancy, including preeclampsia, intrauterine fetal growth restriction, and preterm labor. A great deal of research on the regulation of implantation and placentation has been performed in a wide range of species. However, there is significant species variation regarding trophoblast differentiation as well as decidual-specific gene expression and regulation. Most of the relevant information has been obtained from studies using mouse models. A comprehensive understanding of the physiology and pathology of human implantation and placentation has only recently been obtained because of emerging advanced technologies. With the derivation of human trophoblast stem cells, 3D-organoid cultures, and single-cell analyses of differentiated cells, cell type-specific transcript profiles and functions were generated, and each exhibited a unique signature. Additionally, through integrative transcriptomic information, researchers can uncover the cellular dysfunction of embryonic and placental cells in peri-implantation embryos and the early pathological placenta. In fact, the clinical utility of fetal-maternal cellular trafficking has been applied for the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidies and the prediction of pregnancy complications. Furthermore, recent studies have proposed a viable path toward the development of therapeutic strategies targeting placenta-enriched molecules for placental dysfunction and diseases.
Collapse
|
33
|
Qin M, Chen W, Hua L, Meng Y, Wang J, Li H, Yang R, Yan L, Qiao J. DNA methylation abnormalities induced by advanced maternal age in villi prime a high-risk state for spontaneous abortion. Clin Epigenetics 2023; 15:44. [PMID: 36945044 PMCID: PMC10029192 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-023-01432-w] [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: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Advanced maternal age (AMA) has increased in many high-income countries in recent decades. AMA is generally associated with a higher risk of various pregnancy complications, and the underlying molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. In the current study, we profiled the DNA methylome of 24 human chorionic villi samples (CVSs) from early pregnancies in AMA and young maternal age (YMA), 11 CVSs from early spontaneous abortion (SA) cases using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS), and the transcriptome of 10 CVSs from AMA and YMA pregnancies with mRNA sequencing(mRNA-seq). Single-cell villous transcriptional atlas presented expression patterns of targeted AMA-/SA-related genes. Trophoblast cellular impairment was investigated through the knockdown of GNE expression in HTR8-S/Vneo cells. RESULTS AMA-induced local DNA methylation changes, defined as AMA-related differentially methylated regions (DMRs), may be derived from the abnormal expression of genes involved in DNA demethylation, such as GADD45B. These DNA methylation changes were significantly enriched in the processes involved in NOTCH signaling and extracellular matrix organization and were reflected in the transcriptional alterations in the corresponding biological processes and specific genes. Furthermore, the DNA methylation level of special AMA-related DMRs not only significantly changed in AMA but also showed more excessive defects in CVS from spontaneous abortion (SA), including four AMA-related DMRs whose nearby genes overlapped with AMA-related differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (CDK11A, C19orf71, COL5A1, and GNE). The decreased DNA methylation level of DMR near GNE was positively correlated with the downregulated expression of GNE in AMA. Single-cell atlas further revealed comparatively high expression of GNE in the trophoblast lineage, and knockdown of GNE in HTR8-S/Vneo cells significantly impaired cellular proliferation and migration. CONCLUSION Our study provides valuable resources for investigating AMA-induced epigenetic abnormalities and provides new insights for explaining the increased risks of pregnancy complications in AMA pregnancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng Qin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Lingyue Hua
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Yan Meng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100096, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Hanna Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Rui Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Liying Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China.
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China.
- National Center for Healthcare Quality Management in Obstetrics, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology (Peking University Third Hospital), Beijing, 100191, China.
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Beijing, 100871, China.
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
- Research Units of Comprehensive Diagnosis and Treatment of Oocyte Maturation Arrest, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Sokolov D, Gorshkova A, Markova K, Milyutina Y, Pyatygina K, Zementova M, Korenevsky A, Mikhailova V, Selkov S. Natural Killer Cell Derived Microvesicles Affect the Function of Trophoblast Cells. MEMBRANES 2023; 13:213. [PMID: 36837716 PMCID: PMC9963951 DOI: 10.3390/membranes13020213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 02/02/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The interaction of natural killer (NK) and trophoblast cells underlies the formation of immune tolerance in the mother-fetus system and the maintenance of the physiological course of pregnancy. In addition, NK cells affect the function of trophoblast cells, interacting with them via the receptor apparatus and through the production of cytokines. Microvesicles (MVs) derived from NK cells are able to change the function of target cells. However, in the overall pattern of interactions between NK cells and trophoblasts, the possibility that both can transmit signals to each other via MVs has not been taken into account. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effect of NK cell-derived MVs on the phenotype, proliferation, and migration of trophoblast cells and their expression of intracellular messengers. We carried out assays for the detection of content transferred from MV to trophoblasts. We found that NK cell-derived MVs did not affect the expression of CD54, CD105, CD126, CD130, CD181, CD119, and CD120a receptors in trophoblast cells or lead to the appearance of CD45 and CD56 receptors in the trophoblast membrane. Further, the MVs reduced the proliferation but increased the migration of trophoblasts with no changes to their viability. Incubation of trophoblast cells in the presence of MVs resulted in the activation of STAT3 via pSTAT3(Ser727) but not via pSTAT3(Tyr705). The treatment of trophoblasts with MVs did not result in the phosphorylation of STAT1 and ERK1/2. The obtained data indicate that NK cell-derived MVs influence the function of trophoblast cells, which is accompanied by the activation of STAT3 signaling.
Collapse
|
35
|
Yang Z, Jia X, Deng Q, Luo M, Hou Y, Yue J, Mei J, Shan N, Wu Z. Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles loaded with TFCP2 activate Wnt/β-catenin signaling to alleviate preeclampsia. Int Immunopharmacol 2023; 115:109732. [PMID: 37724958 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2023.109732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Failures in invasive extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) migration into the maternal uterus have been noticed in preeclampsia (PE). Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell (hUCMSC)-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been highlighted for the role as a potential therapeutic method in PE. This study intends to investigate the mechanistic basis of hUCMSCs-derived EVs loaded with bioinformatically identified TFCP2 in the activities of EVTs of PE. METHODS Primary human EVTs were exposed to hypoxic/reoxygenation (H/R) to mimic the environment encountered in PE. The in vivo PE-like phenotypes were induced in mice by reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) surgery. CCK-8, Transwell and flow cytometry assays were performed to detect proliferation, migration, invasion and apoptosis of H/R-exposed EVTs. More importantly, EVs were extracted from hUCMSCs and transduced with ectopically expressed TFCP2, followed by co-culture with EVTs. RESULTS TFCP2 was found to be down-regulated in the preeclamptic placental tissues and in H/R-exposed EVTs. hUCMSCs-EVs loaded with TFCP2 activated the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, thereby promoting the proliferative, migratory, and invasive potential of EVTs. Furthermore, overexpression of TFCP2 alleviated PE-like phenotypes in mice, which was associated with activated Wnt/β-catenin pathway. CONCLUSION From our data we conclude that hUCMSCs-EVs overexpressing TFCP2 may be instrumental for the therapeutic targeting and clinical management of PE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhongmei Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine UESTC, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China; Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyan Jia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China
| | - Qinyin Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine UESTC, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China; Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China
| | - Mengdie Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chengdu Second People's Hospital, Chengdu 610021, PR China
| | - Yan Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine UESTC, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China; Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China
| | - Jun Yue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine UESTC, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China; Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China
| | - Jie Mei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine UESTC, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China; Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China
| | - Nan Shan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, P. R. China.
| | - Zhao Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine UESTC, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China; Sichuan Translational Medicine Research Hospital, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610072, P. R. China.
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Fasoulakis Z, Koutras A, Ntounis T, Antsaklis P, Theodora M, Valsamaki A, Daskalakis G, Kontomanolis EN. Inflammatory Molecules Responsible for Length Shortening and Preterm Birth. Cells 2023; 12:cells12020209. [PMID: 36672145 PMCID: PMC9856720 DOI: 10.3390/cells12020209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
It is estimated that inflammation at the placental-maternal interface is directly responsible for or contributes to the development of 50% of all premature deliveries. Chorioamnionitis, also known as the premature rupture of the amniotic membrane in the mother, is the root cause of persistent inflammation that preterm newborns experience. Beyond contributing to the onset of early labor, inflammation is a critical element in advancing several conditions in neonates, including necrotizing enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intraventricular hemorrhage, retinopathy of prematurity and periventricular leukomalacia. Notably, the immune systems of preterm infants are not fully developed; immune defense mechanisms and immunosuppression (tolerance) have a delicate balance that is easily upset in this patient category. As a result, premature infants are exposed to different antigens from elements such as hospital-specific microbes, artificial devices, medications, food antigens and hypoxia/hyperoxia. This has detrimental implications for preterm deliveries of less than 28 weeks because they have not yet evolved the mechanisms to tolerate maternal and self-antigens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zacharias Fasoulakis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Antonios Koutras
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Ntounis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Panos Antsaklis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Marianna Theodora
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Asimina Valsamaki
- Department of Internal Medicine, Koutlimbaneio and Triantafylleio General Hospital of Larissa, 41221 Larissa, Greece
| | - George Daskalakis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, General Hospital Alexandra, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Emmanuel N. Kontomanolis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Liang L, Chen Y, Wu C, Cao Z, Xia L, Meng J, He L, Yang C, Wang Z. MicroRNAs: key regulators of the trophoblast function in pregnancy disorders. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:3-17. [PMID: 36508034 PMCID: PMC9742672 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02677-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is essential for a successful pregnancy and healthy intrauterine development in mammals. During human pregnancy, the growth and development of the placenta are inseparable from the rapid proliferation, invasion, and migration of trophoblast cells. Previous reports have shown that the occurrence of many pregnancy disorders may be closely related to the dysfunction of trophoblasts. However, the function regulation of human trophoblast cells in the placenta is poorly understood. Therefore, studying the factors that regulate the function of trophoblast cells is necessary. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding, single-stranded RNA molecules. Increasing evidence suggests that miRNAs play a crucial role in regulating trophoblast functions. This review outlines the role of miRNAs in regulating the function of trophoblast cells and several common signaling pathways related to miRNA regulation in pregnancy disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingli Liang
- grid.412017.10000 0001 0266 8918Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 China
| | - Yanjun Chen
- grid.412017.10000 0001 0266 8918Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 China
| | - Chunyan Wu
- grid.412017.10000 0001 0266 8918Department of Cardiovascular, The Third Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 China
| | - Zitong Cao
- grid.412017.10000 0001 0266 8918Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 China
| | - Linzhen Xia
- grid.412017.10000 0001 0266 8918Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 China
| | - Jun Meng
- grid.461579.8Department of Function, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 China
| | - Lu He
- grid.461579.8Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 China
| | - Chunfen Yang
- grid.461579.8Department of Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 China
| | - Zuo Wang
- grid.412017.10000 0001 0266 8918Institute of Cardiovascular Disease, Key Laboratory for Arteriosclerology of Hunan Province, Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Arteriosclerotic Disease, Hengyang Medical College, University of South China, Hengyang, 421001 China
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Shi JW, Lai ZZ, Yang HL, Zhou WJ, Zhao XY, Xie F, Liu SP, Chen WD, Zhang T, Ye JF, Zhou XY, Li MQ. An IGF1-expressing endometrial stromal cell population is associated with human decidualization. BMC Biol 2022; 20:276. [PMID: 36482461 PMCID: PMC9733393 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01483-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Decidualization refers to the process of transformation of endometrial stromal fibroblast cells into specialized decidual stromal cells that provide a nutritive and immunoprivileged matrix essential for blastocyst implantation and placental development. Deficiencies in decidualization are associated with a variety of pregnancy disorders, including female infertility, recurrent implantation failure (RIF), and miscarriages. Despite the increasing number of genes reportedly associated with endometrial receptivity and decidualization, the cellular and molecular mechanisms triggering and underlying decidualization remain largely unknown. Here, we analyze single-cell transcriptional profiles of endometrial cells during the window of implantation and decidual cells of early pregnancy, to gains insights on the process of decidualization. RESULTS We observed a unique IGF1+ stromal cell that may initiate decidualization by single-cell RNA sequencing. We found the IL1B+ stromal cells promote gland degeneration and decidua hemostasis. We defined a subset of NK cells for accelerating decidualization and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) invasion by AREG-IGF1 and AREG-CSF1 regulatory axe. Further analysis indicates that EVT promote decidualization possibly by multiply pathways. Additionally, a systematic repository of cell-cell communication for decidualization was developed. An aberrant ratio conversion of IGF1+ stromal cells to IGF1R+ stromal cells is observed in unexplained RIF patients. CONCLUSIONS Overall, a unique subpopulation of IGF1+ stromal cell is involved in initiating decidualization. Our observations provide deeper insights into the molecular and cellular characterizations of decidualization, and a platform for further development of evaluation of decidualization degree and treatment for decidualization disorder-related diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Wei Shi
- grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080 China
| | - Zhen-Zhen Lai
- grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080 China
| | - Hui-Li Yang
- grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080 China
| | - Wen-Jie Zhou
- grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Center of Reproductive Medicine of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025 China
| | - Xiao-Ya Zhao
- grid.452587.9Department of Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030 China
| | - Feng Xie
- grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical and Uterine Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200011 China
| | - Song-Ping Liu
- grid.508387.10000 0005 0231 8677Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508 China
| | - Wei-Dong Chen
- NovelBio Bio-Pharm Technology Co., Ltd, Shanghai, 201112 China
| | - Tao Zhang
- grid.10784.3a0000 0004 1937 0482Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jiang-Feng Ye
- grid.418812.60000 0004 0620 9243Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore, 138632 Singapore
| | - Xiang-Yu Zhou
- grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200433 People’s Republic of China
| | - Ming-Qing Li
- grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080 China ,grid.8547.e0000 0001 0125 2443Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080 China ,grid.508387.10000 0005 0231 8677Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201508 China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Sun F, Cheng L, Guo L, Su S, Li Y, Yan J. Activin A promotes human trophoblast invasion by upregulating integrin β3 via ALK4-SMAD4 signaling. Placenta 2022; 129:62-69. [PMID: 36244196 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Activin A has been widely regarded as an important promoter of trophoblast invasion during the first trimester of pregnancy. However, whether integrin β3 is involved in activin A-upregulated trophoblast invasion and the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. METHODS We utilized immortalized (HTR8/SVneo) and primary human extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells, as well as first-trimester chorionic villous explants as study models to investigate the function and underlying molecular mechanisms of integrin β3 in activin A-promoted human trophoblast invasion. RESULTS We found that activin A increased integrin β3 mRNA and protein levels in both HTR8/SVneo and primary EVT cells, and knockdown of integrin β3 significantly decreased basal and activin A-upregulated trophoblast invasion. Moreover, SB431542 (a specific inhibitor of TGF-β type Ι receptor kinase) abolished activin A-upregulated integrin β3 expression and SMAD2/3 phosphorylation. In addition, siRNA-mediated knockdown of ALK4 or SMAD4 both abolished activin A-upregulated integrin β3 expression in HTR8/SVneo cells, while knockdown of ALK4 or SMAD4 attenuated activin A-upregulated integrin β3 expression in primary EVTs. DISCUSSION Our findings reveal the mediation role of integrin β3 in activin A-upregulated human trophoblast invasion and that activin An upregulates integrin β3 expression in an ALK4-SMAD4 signaling-dependent manner.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fengxuan Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Lei Cheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Ling Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Shizhen Su
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
| | - Yan Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Medical Integration and Practice Center, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Suzhou Research Institute, Shandong University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215123, China.
| | - Junhao Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China.
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Pham TXA, Panda A, Kagawa H, To SK, Ertekin C, Georgolopoulos G, van Knippenberg SSFA, Allsop RN, Bruneau A, Chui JSH, Vanheer L, Janiszewski A, Chappell J, Oberhuemer M, Tchinda RS, Talon I, Khodeer S, Rossant J, Lluis F, David L, Rivron N, Balaton BP, Pasque V. Modeling human extraembryonic mesoderm cells using naive pluripotent stem cells. Cell Stem Cell 2022; 29:1346-1365.e10. [PMID: 36055191 PMCID: PMC9438972 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2022.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
A hallmark of primate postimplantation embryogenesis is the specification of extraembryonic mesoderm (EXM) before gastrulation, in contrast to rodents where this tissue is formed only after gastrulation. Here, we discover that naive human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) are competent to differentiate into EXM cells (EXMCs). EXMCs are specified by inhibition of Nodal signaling and GSK3B, are maintained by mTOR and BMP4 signaling activity, and their transcriptome and epigenome closely resemble that of human and monkey embryo EXM. EXMCs are mesenchymal, can arise from an epiblast intermediate, and are capable of self-renewal. Thus, EXMCs arising via primate-specific specification between implantation and gastrulation can be modeled in vitro. We also find that most of the rare off-target cells within human blastoids formed by triple inhibition (Kagawa et al., 2021) correspond to EXMCs. Our study impacts our ability to model and study the molecular mechanisms of early human embryogenesis and related defects.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Thi Xuan Ai Pham
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Amitesh Panda
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Harunobu Kagawa
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - San Kit To
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Cankat Ertekin
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Grigorios Georgolopoulos
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sam S F A van Knippenberg
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Ryan Nicolaas Allsop
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Alexandre Bruneau
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, UMR 1064, F-44000, Nantes, France
| | - Jonathan Sai-Hong Chui
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lotte Vanheer
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Adrian Janiszewski
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joel Chappell
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Michael Oberhuemer
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Raissa Songwa Tchinda
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Irene Talon
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sherif Khodeer
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Janet Rossant
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5V 0B1, Canada
| | - Frederic Lluis
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laurent David
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, UMR 1064, F-44000, Nantes, France; Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, F-44000 Nantes, France
| | - Nicolas Rivron
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (IMBA), Vienna BioCenter (VBC), 1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bradley Philip Balaton
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Vincent Pasque
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Leuven Institute for Single-cell Omics (LISCO), KU Leuven-University of Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
Sufriyana H, Salim HM, Muhammad AR, Wu YW, Su ECY. Blood biomarkers representing maternal-fetal interface tissues used to predict early-and late-onset preeclampsia but not COVID-19 infection. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2022; 20:4206-4224. [PMID: 35966044 PMCID: PMC9359600 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2022.08.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Endothelial dysfunction misleads blood marker discovery by differential expression. Blood-derived surrogate transcriptome of target-tissue avoids the false discovery. ITGA5 implies polymicrobial infection of maternal-fetal interface in preeclampsia. ITGA5 and IRF6 implies viral co-infection in early-onset preeclampsia. ITGA5, IRF6, and P2RX7 differ imminent preeclampsia from COVID-19 infection.
Background A well-known blood biomarker (soluble fms-like tyrosinase-1 [sFLT-1]) for preeclampsia, i.e., a pregnancy disorder, was found to predict severe COVID-19, including in males. True biomarker may be masked by more-abrupt changes related to endothelial instead of placental dysfunction. This study aimed to identify blood biomarkers that represent maternal-fetal interface tissues for predicting preeclampsia but not COVID-19 infection. Methods The surrogate transcriptome of tissues was determined by that in maternal blood, utilizing four datasets (n = 1354) which were collected before the COVID-19 pandemic. Applying machine learning, a preeclampsia prediction model was chosen between those using blood transcriptome (differentially expressed genes [DEGs]) and the blood-derived surrogate for tissues. We selected the best predictive model by the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) using a dataset for developing the model, and well-replicated in datasets both with and without an intervention. To identify eligible blood biomarkers that predicted any-onset preeclampsia from the datasets but that were not positive in the COVID-19 dataset (n = 47), we compared several methods of predictor discovery: (1) the best prediction model; (2) gene sets of standard pipelines; and (3) a validated gene set for predicting any-onset preeclampsia during the pandemic (n = 404). We chose the most predictive biomarkers from the best method with the significantly largest number of discoveries by a permutation test. The biological relevance was justified by exploring and reanalyzing low- and high-level, multiomics information. Results A prediction model using the surrogates developed for predicting any-onset preeclampsia (AUROC of 0.85, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 0.77 to 0.93) was the only that was well-replicated in an independent dataset with no intervention. No model was well-replicated in datasets with a vitamin D intervention. None of the blood biomarkers with high weights in the best model overlapped with blood DEGs. Blood biomarkers were transcripts of integrin-α5 (ITGA5), interferon regulatory factor-6 (IRF6), and P2X purinoreceptor-7 (P2RX7) from the prediction model, which was the only method that significantly discovered eligible blood biomarkers (n = 3/100 combinations, 3.0 %; P =.036). Most of the predicted events (73.70 %) among any-onset preeclampsia were cluster A as defined by ITGA5 (Z-score ≥ 1.1), but were only a minority (6.34 %) among positives in the COVID-19 dataset. The remaining were predicted events (26.30 %) among any-onset preeclampsia or those among COVID-19 infection (93.66 %) if IRF6 Z-score was ≥-0.73 (clusters B and C), in which none was the predicted events among either late-onset preeclampsia (LOPE) or COVID-19 infection if P2RX7 Z-score was <0.13 (cluster C). Greater proportions of predicted events among LOPE were cluster A (82.85 % vs 70.53 %) compared to early-onset preeclampsia (EOPE). The biological relevance by multiomics information explained the biomarker mechanism, polymicrobial infection in any-onset preeclampsia by ITGA5, viral co-infection in EOPE by ITGA5-IRF6, a shared prediction with COVID-19 infection by ITGA5-IRF6-P2RX7, and non-replicability in datasets with a vitamin D intervention by ITGA5. Conclusions In a model that predicts preeclampsia but not COVID-19 infection, the important predictors were genes in maternal blood that were not extremely expressed, including the proposed blood biomarkers. The predictive performance and biological relevance should be validated in future experiments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Herdiantri Sufriyana
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,Department of Medical Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya, 57 Raya Jemursari Road, Surabaya 60237, Indonesia
| | - Hotimah Masdan Salim
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya, 57 Raya Jemursari Road, Surabaya 60237, Indonesia
| | - Akbar Reza Muhammad
- Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Surabaya, 57 Raya Jemursari Road, Surabaya 60237, Indonesia
| | - Yu-Wei Wu
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,Clinical Big Data Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, 250 Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| | - Emily Chia-Yu Su
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Informatics, College of Medical Science and Technology, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,Clinical Big Data Research Center, Taipei Medical University Hospital, 250 Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan.,Research Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine, Taipei Medical University, 250 Wu-Xing Street, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Transforming growth factor-β signaling governs the differentiation program of extravillous trophoblasts in the developing human placenta. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2120667119. [PMID: 35867736 PMCID: PMC9282384 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2120667119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Abnormal placentation has been noticed in a variety of pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, early-onset preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. Defects in the developmental program of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), migrating from placental anchoring villi into the maternal decidua and its vessels, is thought to be an underlying cause. Yet, key regulatory mechanisms controlling commitment and differentiation of the invasive trophoblast lineage remain largely elusive. Herein, comparative gene expression analyses of HLA-G-purified EVTs, isolated from donor-matched placenta, decidua, and trophoblast organoids (TB-ORGs), revealed biological processes and signaling pathways governing EVT development. In particular, bioinformatics analyses and manipulations in different versatile trophoblast cell models unraveled transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling as a crucial pathway driving differentiation of placental EVTs into decidual EVTs, the latter showing enrichment of a secretory gene signature. Removal of Wingless signaling and subsequent activation of the TGF-β pathway were required for the formation of human leukocyte antigen-G+ (HLA-G+) EVTs in TB-ORGs that resemble in situ EVTs at the level of global gene expression. Accordingly, TGF-β-treated EVTs secreted enzymes, such as DAO and PAPPA2, which were predominantly expressed by decidual EVTs. Their genes were controlled by EVT-specific induction and genomic binding of the TGF-β downstream effector SMAD3. In summary, TGF-β signaling plays a key role in human placental development governing the differentiation program of EVTs.
Collapse
|
43
|
A dynamic peripheral immune landscape during human pregnancy. FUNDAMENTAL RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fmre.2022.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
|
44
|
Hu H, Ma J, Li Z, Ding Z, Chen W, Peng Y, Tao Z, Chen L, Luo M, Wang C, Wang X, Li J, Zhong M. CyPA interacts with SERPINH1 to promote extracellular matrix production and inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition of trophoblast via enhancing TGF-β/Smad3 pathway in preeclampsia. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 548:111614. [PMID: 35304192 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111614] [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: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported that cyclophilin A (CyPA) production is upregulated in preeclampsia (PE). Moreover, CyPA is known to induce PE-like features in pregnant mice and impair trophoblast invasiveness. In this study, we further illustrated the role of CyPA in PE. RNA-seq analysis, RT-qPCR, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and western blotting of mouse placentae revealed that CyPA increased the levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as collagen I and fibronectin, and activated the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway. Additionally, CyPA inhibited the expression of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (e.g., E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin) in mouse placentae. We then constructed stable overexpressing and knock-down CyPA cell models (using HTR8/SVneo cells) to clarify the molecular mechanism. We found that CyPA regulated the levels of ECM-related proteins and the EMT process through the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway. We also identified SERPINH1 as a putative CyPA-binding protein, using liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS. SERPINH1 was found to be upregulated in the placentae of PE. Silencing SERPINH1 expression reversed the upregulation of ECM proteins and inhibition of the EMT process induced by the overexpression of CyPA. These findings revealed the functions of CyPA in the impaired invasiveness of trophoblasts in PE and indicated that CyPA and SERPINH1 may represent promising targets for the treatment of PE.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiju Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziling Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqian Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - You Peng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zixin Tao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manling Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chichiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xuefei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Mei Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Signaling Pathways in Pregnancy. Cells 2022; 11:cells11091385. [PMID: 35563691 PMCID: PMC9101431 DOI: 10.3390/cells11091385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
|
46
|
Zhu RH, Dai FF, Yang DY, Liu SY, Zheng YJ, Wu ML, Deng ZM, Wang ZT, Zhang YW, Tan W, Li ZD, He J, Yang X, Hu M, Cheng YX. The Mechanism of Insulin-Like Growth Factor II mRNA-Binging Protein 3 Induce Decidualization and Maternal-Fetal Interface Cross Talk by TGF-β1 in Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:862180. [PMID: 35465321 PMCID: PMC9023862 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.862180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is defined as the loss of two or more consecutive intrauterine pregnancies that are clinically established early in pregnancy. To date, the etiology and underlying mechanisms of RSA remain unclear. It is widely thought that the impairment of decidualization is inclined to induce subsequent pregnancy failure and leads to the dysregulation of extra-villous trophoblast invasion and proliferation through maternal–fetal cross talk. However, the mechanism of decidualization in RSA has yet to be understood. In our study, we demonstrate that decidual samples from RSA patients have significantly higher insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA-binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3) and lower TGF-β1 levels compared to healthy controls. In addition, the overexpression of IGF2BP3 in human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) can lead to the impairment of decidualization in vitro-induced model and the abnormal cell cycle regulation. Furthermore, TGF-β1 and MMP9 levels were greatly increased after decidualization, whereas IGF2BP3 overexpression inhibited endometrial mesenchymal decidualization by downregulating TGF-β1, impeding maternal–fetal interface cytokine cross talk, and limiting the ability of trophoblast invasion. In conclusion, our investigation first demonstrates that abnormal elevation of IGF2BP3 in the pregnant endometrium leads to the impairment of decidualization and abnormal trophoblast invasion, thereby predisposing individuals to RSA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rong-hui Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fang-fang Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Dong-yong Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shi-yi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ya-jing Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ma-li Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-min Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zi-tao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu-wei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhi-dian Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Juan He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao Yang, ; Min Hu, ; Yan-xiang Cheng,
| | - Min Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao Yang, ; Min Hu, ; Yan-xiang Cheng,
| | - Yan-xiang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Xiao Yang, ; Min Hu, ; Yan-xiang Cheng,
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Sheng YR, Hu WT, Shen HH, Wei CY, Liu YK, Ma XQ, Li MQ, Zhu XY. An imbalance of the IL-33/ST2-AXL-efferocytosis axis induces pregnancy loss through metabolic reprogramming of decidual macrophages. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:173. [PMID: 35244789 PMCID: PMC11073329 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04197-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During embryo implantation, apoptosis is inevitable. These apoptotic cells (ACs) are removed by efferocytosis, in which macrophages are filled with a metabolite load nearly equal to the phagocyte itself. A timely question pertains to the relationship between efferocytosis-related metabolism and the immune behavior of decidual macrophages (dMΦs) and its effect on pregnancy outcome. Here, we report positive feedback of IL-33/ST2-AXL-efferocytosis leading to pregnancy failure through metabolic reprogramming of dMΦs. We compared the serum levels of IL-33 and sST2, along with IL-33 and ST2, efferocytosis and metabolism of dMΦs, from patients with normal pregnancies and unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). We revealed disruption of the IL-33/ST2 axis, increased apoptotic cells and elevated efferocytosis of dMΦs from patients with RPL. The dMΦs that engulfed many apoptotic cells secreted more sST2 and less TGF-β, which polarized dMΦs toward the M1 phenotype. Moreover, the elevated sST2 biased the efferocytosis-related metabolism of RPL dMΦs toward oxidative phosphorylation and exacerbated the disruption of the IL-33/ST2 signaling pathway. Metabolic disorders also lead to dysfunction of efferocytosis, resulting in more uncleared apoptotic cells and secondary necrosis. We also screened the efferocytotic molecule AXL regulated by IL-33/ST2. This positive feedback axis of IL-33/ST2-AXL-efferocytosis led to pregnancy failure. IL-33 knockout mice demonstrated poor pregnancy outcomes, and exogenous supplementation with mouse IL-33 reduced the embryo losses. These findings highlight a new etiological mechanism whereby dMΦs leverage immunometabolism for homeostasis of the microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ran Sheng
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Wen-Ting Hu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Hui-Hui Shen
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Chun-Yan Wei
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Yu-Kai Liu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Xiao-Qian Ma
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Ming-Qing Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, 200090, China.
| | - Xiao-Yong Zhu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200080, China.
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, 200090, China.
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Zhou W, Menkhorst E, Dimitriadis E. Characterization of chloride intracellular channel 4 in the regulation of human trophoblast function. Placenta 2022; 119:24-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Revised: 12/20/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
49
|
Shan Y, Chen Y, Brkić J, Fournier L, Ma H, Peng C. miR-218-5p Induces Interleukin-1β and Endovascular Trophoblast Differentiation by Targeting the Transforming Growth Factor β-SMAD2 Pathway. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:842587. [PMID: 35299960 PMCID: PMC8920978 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.842587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The acquisition of an endovascular trophoblast (enEVT) phenotype is essential for normal placental development and healthy pregnancy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play critical roles in regulating gene expression. We have recently reported that miR-218-5p promotes enEVT differentiation and spiral artery remodeling in part by targeting transforming growth factor β2 (TGFβ2). We also identified IL1B, which encodes interleukin 1β (IL1β), as one of the most highly upregulated genes by miR-218-5p. In this study, we investigated how miR-218-5p regulates IL1B expression and IL1β secretion and the potential role of IL1β in enEVT differentiation. Using two cell lines derived from extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), HTR-8/SVneo and Swan 71, we found that stable overexpression of miR-218-5p precursor, mir-218-1, or transient transfection of miR-218-5p mimic, significantly increased IL1B mRNA and IL1β protein levels in cells and conditioned media. We also showed that miR-218-5p directly interacted with SMAD2 3'UTR and reduced SMAD2 at mRNA and protein levels. Knockdown of SMAD2 induced IL1B expression and attenuated the inhibitory effect of TGFβ2 on IL1B expression. On the other hand, overexpression of SMAD2 reduced IL1β levels and blocked the stimulatory effects of miR-218-5p on IL1B expression, trophoblast migration and endothelial-like network formation. In addition, treatment of trophoblasts with IL1β induced the formation of endothelial-like networks and the expression of enEVT markers in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that miR-218-5p inhibits the TGFβ/SMAD2 pathway to induce IL1β and enEVT differentiation. Finally, low doses of IL1β also inhibited the expression of miR-218-5p, suggesting the existence of a negative feedback regulatory loop. Taken together, our findings suggest a novel interactive miR-218-5p/TGFβ/SMAD2/IL1β signaling nexus that regulates enEVT differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yanan Shan
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jelena Brkić
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Haiying Ma
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chun Peng
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Research on Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Chun Peng,
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Up-regulation of TGFBI and TGFB2 in the plasma of gestational diabetes mellitus patients and its clinical significance. Ir J Med Sci 2021; 191:2029-2033. [PMID: 34792732 DOI: 10.1007/s11845-021-02838-2] [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: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) reflects a deficiency in the relative need for insulin during pregnancy, as well as temporary metabolic stress in the placenta and fetus. Our study aimed to research the potential diagnostic value of transforming growth factor-beta-induced protein ig-h3 (TGFBI) and transforming growth factor beta-2 proprotein (TGFB2) for GDM patients. METHODS Online database Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) was used to screen for different expressed genes (DEGs) associated with GDM. Meanwhile, KEGG and GO were used to analyze the molecular functions as well as pathways of enriched DEGs. One hundred ten pregnant women diagnosed with GDM and 110 healthy controls were enrolled, of whose placenta and fasting venous blood samples were collected. mRNA expression levels were determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured by the clinical lab of hospital. Furthermore, receiver operating characteristics curve (ROC) analysis was performed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of detection indexed in the placenta and plasma of GDM patients. Finally, Pearson and Spearman analysis was used for the correlation analysis. RESULTS After GEO data analysis, TGFBI and TGFB2 were identified as the most significantly up-regulated genes of GDM. TGFBI and TGFB2 expressions in placenta and plasma samples of GDM patients were in line with bioinformatic analysis. Meanwhile, the area under the curve (AUC) of TGFBI in the placenta and plasma for the diagnosis of GDM were 0.8783 (95% CI, 0.8281 to 0.9284) and 0.7832 (95% CI, 0.7215 to 0.8449) while for TGFB2 were 0.9225 (95% CI, 0.8829 to 0.9621) and 0.8961 (95% CI, 0.8526 to 0.9396). Besides, levels of TGFBI along with TGFB2 in the placenta were positively correlated with that in the plasma of GDM patients. Furthermore, both TGFBI and TGFB2 expressions in the plasma were positively correlated with FBG levels of the GDM patients. CONCLUSIONS TGFBI and TGFB2 were up-regulated in the placenta and plasma of GDM patients, and TGFBI and TGFB2 in the plasma are potent to be diagnostic markers for the GDM.
Collapse
|