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Hirschi KM, Tsai KYF, Davis T, Clark JC, Knowlton MN, Bikman BT, Reynolds PR, Arroyo JA. Growth arrest-specific protein-6/AXL signaling induces preeclampsia in rats†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:199-210. [PMID: 31347670 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Revised: 07/06/2019] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a complicated obstetric complication characterized by increased blood pressure, decreased trophoblast invasion, and inflammation. The growth arrest-specific 6 (Gas6) protein is known to induce dynamic cellular responses and is elevated in PE. Gas6 binds to the AXL tyrosine kinase receptor and AXL-mediated signaling is implicated in proliferation and migration observed in several tissues. Our laboratory utilized Gas6 to induce preeclamptic-like conditions in pregnant rats. Our objective was to determine the role of Gas6/AXL signaling as a possible model of PE. Briefly, pregnant rats were divided into three groups that received daily intraperitoneal injections (from gestational day 7.5 to 17.5) of phosphate buffered saline (PBS), Gas6, or Gas6 + R428 (an AXL inhibitor administered from gestational day 13.5 to 17.5). Animals dispensed Gas6 experienced elevated blood pressure, increased proteinuria, augmented caspase-3-mediated placental apoptosis, and diminished trophoblast invasion. Gas6 also enhanced expression of several PE-related genes and a number of inflammatory mediators. Gas6 further enhanced placental oxidative stress and impaired mitochondrial respiration. Each of these PE-related characteristics was ameliorated in dams and/or their placentae when AXL inhibition by R428 occurred in tandem with Gas6 treatment. We conclude that Gas6 signaling is capable of inducing PE and that inhibition of AXL prevents disease progression in pregnant rats. These results provide insight into pathways associated with PE that could be useful in the clarification of potential therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey M Hirschi
- Lung and Placenta Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Kary Y F Tsai
- Lung and Placenta Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Taylor Davis
- Lung and Placenta Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - J Christian Clark
- Lung and Placenta Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - M Nekel Knowlton
- Lung and Placenta Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Benjamin T Bikman
- Laboratory of Obesity and Metabolism, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Paul R Reynolds
- Lung and Placenta Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
| | - Juan A Arroyo
- Lung and Placenta Laboratory, Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah, USA
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Matson BC, Pierce SL, Espenschied ST, Holle E, Sweatt IH, Davis ES, Tarran R, Young SL, Kohout TA, van Duin M, Caron KM. Adrenomedullin improves fertility and promotes pinopodes and cell junctions in the peri-implantation endometrium. Biol Reprod 2018; 97:466-477. [PMID: 29025060 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Implantation is a complex event demanding contributions from both embryo and endometrium. Despite advances in assisted reproduction, endometrial receptivity defects persist as a barrier to successful implantation in women with infertility. We previously demonstrated that maternal haploinsufficiency for the endocrine peptide adrenomedullin (AM) in mice confers a subfertility phenotype characterized by defective uterine receptivity and sparse epithelial pinopode coverage. The strong link between AM and implantation suggested the compelling hypothesis that administration of AM prior to implantation may improve fertility, protect against pregnancy complications, and ultimately lead to better maternal and fetal outcomes. Here, we demonstrate that intrauterine delivery of AM prior to blastocyst transfer improves the embryo implantation rate and spacing within the uterus. We then use genetic decrease-of-function and pharmacologic gain-of-function mouse models to identify potential mechanisms by which AM confers enhanced implantation success. In epithelium, we find that AM accelerates the kinetics of pinopode formation and water transport and that, in stroma, AM promotes connexin 43 expression, gap junction communication, and barrier integrity of the primary decidual zone. Ultimately, our findings advance our understanding of the contributions of AM to uterine receptivity and suggest potential broad use for AM as therapy to encourage healthy embryo implantation, for example, in combination with in vitro fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brooke C Matson
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Stephanie L Pierce
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Scott T Espenschied
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eric Holle
- Animal Models Core Facility, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Imani H Sweatt
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Eric S Davis
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Cystic Fibrosis Center/Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Robert Tarran
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Cystic Fibrosis Center/Marsico Lung Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Steven L Young
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Trudy A Kohout
- Ferring Research Institute Inc., San Diego, California, USA
| | | | - Kathleen M Caron
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Genetics, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Yallampalli C, Chauhan M, Endsley J, Sathishkumar K. Calcitonin gene related family peptides: importance in normal placental and fetal development. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2014; 814:229-40. [PMID: 25015815 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-1031-1_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Synchronized molecular and cellular events occur between the uterus and the implanting embryo to facilitate successful pregnancy outcome. Nevertheless, the molecular signaling network that coordinates strategies for successful decidualization, placentation and fetal growth are not well understood. The discovery of calcitonin/calcitonin gene-related peptides (CT/CGRP) highlighted new signaling mediators in various physiological processes, including reproduction. It is known that CGRP family peptides including CGRP, adrenomedulin and intermedin play regulatory functions during implantation, trophoblast proliferation and invasion, and fetal organogenesis. In addition, all the CGRP family peptides and their receptor components are found to be expressed in decidual, placental and fetal tissues. Additionally, plasma levels of peptides of the CGRP family were found to fluctuate during normal gestation and to induce placental cellular differentiation, proliferation, and critical hormone signaling. Moreover, aberrant signaling of these CGRP family peptides during gestation has been associated with pregnancy disorders. It indicates the existence of a possible regulatory role for these molecules during decidualization and placentation processes, which are known to be particularly vulnerable. In this review, the influence of the CGRP family peptides in these critical processes is explored and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandra Yallampalli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA,
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Wong CW, O WS, Tang F. Intermedin in rat uterus: changes in gene expression and peptide levels across the estrous cycle and its effects on uterine contraction. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2013; 11:13. [PMID: 23442365 PMCID: PMC3598482 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-11-13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2012] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study demonstrates the expression of intermedin (IMD) and its receptor components in the uterus of the female rat during the estrous cycle and its effect on uterine contraction. METHODS The gene expression level of intermedin and its receptor components and the peptide level of intermedin were studied by real-time RT-PCR and enzyme immunoassay (EIA) respectively. The separation of precursor and mature IMD was studied by gel filtration chromatography and EIA. The localization of IMD in the uterus was investigated by immunohistochemistry. The effect of IMD on in vitro uterine contraction was studied by organ bath technique. RESULTS Uterine mRNAs of Imd and its receptor components and IMD levels displayed cyclic changes across the estrous cycle. Imd mRNA level was the highest at proestrus while the IMD level was the highest at diestrus. IMD was found in the luminal and glandular epithelia and IMD treatment significantly reduced the amplitude and frequency of uterine contraction but not the basal tone. Both calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist hCGRP8-37 and adrenomedullin (ADM) receptor antagonist hADM22-52 partially abolished the inhibitory effect of IMD on uterine contraction while the specific IMD receptor antagonist hIMD17-47 completely blocked the actions. The enzyme inhibitors of NO (L-NAME) and PI3K (Wortmannin) pathways diminished the IMD effects on uterine contraction while the cAMP/PKA blocker, KT5720, had no effect, indicating an involvement of NO and PI3K/Akt but not PKA. CONCLUSIONS IMD and the gene expression of its receptor components are differentially regulated in the uterus during the estrous cycle and IMD inhibits uterine contraction by decreasing the amplitude and frequency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chi-Wai Wong
- Departments of Physiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Pokfulam, China
| | - Wai-Sum O
- Department of Anatomy, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Pokfulam, China
- Center of Growth, Reproduction and Development, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Pokfulam, China
| | - Fai Tang
- Departments of Physiology, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Pokfulam, China
- Center of Heart, Brain, Hormone and Healthy Aging, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, Pokfulam, China
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