Expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα in the retained placenta of mares

MiRNA-seq and mRNA-seq revealed the mechanism of fluoride-induced cauda epididymal injury

The widespread presence of fluoride in water, food, and the environment continues to exacerbate the impact of fluoride on the male reproductive health. However, as a critical component of the male reproductive system, the intrinsic mechanism of fluoride-induced cauda epididymis damage and the role of miRNAs in this process are still unclear. This study established a mouse fluorosis model and employed miRNA and mRNA sequencing; Evans blue staining, Oil Red O staining, TEM, immunofluorescence, western blotting, and other technologies to investigate the mechanism of miRNA in fluoride-induced cauda epididymal damage. The results showed that fluoride exposure increased the fluoride concentration in the hard tissue and cauda epididymis, altered the morphology and ultrastructure of the cauda epididymis, and reduced the motility rate, normal morphology rate, and hypo-osmotic swelling index of the sperm in the cauda epididymis. Furthermore, sequencing results revealed that fluoride exposure resulted in differential expression of 17 miRNAs and 4725 mRNAs, which were primarily enriched in the biological processes of tight junctions, inflammatory response, and lipid metabolism, with miR-742-3p, miR-141-5p, miR-878-3p, and miR-143-5p serving as key regulators. Further verification found that fluoride damaged tight junctions, raised oxidative stress, induced an inflammatory response, increased lipid synthesis, and reduced lipid decomposition and transport in the cauda epididymis. This study provided a theoretical basis for developing miRNA as potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic target drugs for this injury.

Maternal supplementation with n-3 fatty acids affects placental lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, the endocannabinoid system, and the neonate cytokine concentrations in dairy cows

BACKGROUND

The placenta plays a crucial role in supporting and influencing fetal development. We compared the effects of prepartum supplementation with omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid (FA) sources, flaxseed oil (FLX) and fish oil (FO), on the expression of genes and proteins related to lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the expelled placenta, as well as on FA profile and inflammatory response of neonates. Late-pregnant Holstein dairy cows were supplemented with saturated fat (CTL), FLX, or FO. Placental cotyledons (n = 5) were collected immediately after expulsion, and extracted RNA and proteins were analyzed by RT-PCR and proteomic analysis. Neonatal blood was assessed for FA composition and concentrations of inflammatory markers.

RESULTS

FO increased the gene expression of fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), interleukin 10 (IL-10), catalase (CAT), cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1), and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CNR2) compared with CTL placenta. Gene expression of ECS-enzyme FA-amide hydrolase (FAAH) was lower in FLX and FO than in CTL. Proteomic analysis identified 3,974 proteins; of these, 51-59 were differentially abundant between treatments (P ≤ 0.05, |fold change| ≥ 1.5). Top canonical pathways enriched in FLX vs. CTL and in FO vs. CTL were triglyceride metabolism and inflammatory processes. Both n-3 FA increased the placental abundance of FA binding proteins (FABPs) 3 and 7. The abundance of CNR1 cannabinoid-receptor-interacting-protein-1 (CNRIP1) was reduced in FO vs. FLX. In silico modeling affirmed that bovine FABPs bind to endocannabinoids. The FLX increased the abundance of inflammatory CD44-antigen and secreted-phosphoprotein-1, whereas prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 was decreased in FO vs. CTL placenta. Maternal FO enriched neonatal plasma with n-3 FAs, and both FLX and FO reduced interleukin-6 concentrations compared with CTL.

CONCLUSION

Maternal n-3 FA from FLX and FO differentially affected the bovine placenta; both enhanced lipid metabolism and modulated oxidative stress, however, FO increased some transcriptional ECS components, possibly related to the increased FABPs. Maternal FO induced a unique balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory components in the placenta. Taken together, different sources of n-3 FA during late pregnancy enhanced placental immune and metabolic processes, which may affect the neonatal immune system.

Equine Placentitis in Mares Induces the Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine eIL-1β and the Active Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-9

Equine placentitis is characterized by infection and inflammation of the placenta. Different biomarkers associated with this inflammatory response have been evaluated in experimentally induced equine placentitis, but not in pregnant mares with spontaneous placentitis. The aim of the current study was to determine the concentration of eIL-1β and the activity of proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 in the serum of healthy mares and mares with placentitis on days 240 and 320 of gestation to explore whether these biomarkers are associated with equine maternal placentitis and/or with the birth of an infected or inviable foals. Serum samples were collected from sixteen pregnant English Thoroughbred mares, retrospectively classified as follows: (1) healthy mares with full-term gestation; and (2) mares with ultrasonographic signs of placentitis. The health of each foal was examined at birth, and it was decided to classify the cases into four groups: (1) healthy mares delivering a healthy foals (HM-HF, n = 6); (2) mares with USP delivering a healthy foal (USP-HF, n = 3); (3) mares with USP delivering a live septic foal (USP-LSeF, n = 4); and (4) mares with USP delivering a dead foal (USP-DF, n = 3). eIL-1β was quantified by ELISA, and proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity by gelatin zymography electrophoresis. In healthy mares, the serum concentrations of eIL-1β underwent a significant 16.5-fold increase from day 240 to day 320 of gestation. Although similar results were found in the mares with ultrasonographic signs of placentitis that delivered a healthy foal, those delivering a live septic or nonviable foal exhibited much higher concentrations of eIL-1β. proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity was not associated with maternal placentitis, foal infection, or death. Hence, the presence of placentitis severe enough to affect the health of the foal can be confirmed or discarded by determining the eIL-1β concentration in mares that have shown ultrasonographic signs of placentitis.

Development of the genomic inflammatory index (GII) to assess key maternal antecedents associated with placental inflammation

INTRODUCTION

Placental inflammation is associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes, including poor pregnancy outcomes as well as later in life health. The current clinical methodologies for evaluating placental histology for inflammation are limited in their sensitivity. The objective of this study was to develop a genomic inflammatory index (GII) that can be utilized as a biomarker to effectively quantify and evaluate placental inflammation.

METHODS

RNA-sequencing of n = 386 placentas from the Extremely Low Gestational Age Newborn (ELGAN) cohort was conducted. Transcriptional data for a biologically-targeted set of 14 genes, selected for their established role in pro-inflammatory signaling pathways, were aggregated to construct the GII. Multiple linear regression models were used to examine relationships between 47 perinatal factors and the GII.

RESULTS

The GII demonstrated a nine-fold difference across subjects and displayed positive trends with other indicators of placental inflammation. Significant differences in the GII were observed for race where women who self-identified as Black displayed higher levels of placental inflammation than those who self-identified as White women (p < 0.001). Additionally, married Black women showed reduced placental inflammation compared to those who were unmarried (beta value: 0.828, p-value: 0.032). Placentas from women who were treated with steroids during the delivery of the infant displayed higher GII levels than those who were not (p = 0.023).

DISCUSSION

Overall, the GII demonstrated an association between various perinatal factors and placental inflammation. It is anticipated that the GII will provide a novel genomics tool for quantifying placental inflammation, allowing for further investigation of causes, and ultimately the prevention, of inflammation in the placenta.

Effect of Regiosacralis Counterpressure Treatment on the Pain and Interleukin-6 Levels Among Primigravid Mothers During the First Stage Labor

BACKGROUND

Severe pain experienced by mother during the labor can cause fear and anxiety which can interfere with the overall labor process. Controlling pain during the labor process is important. Regiosacralis counterpressure pain management without altering the interleukin-6 (IL-6) level is expected to reduce the pain.

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed to investigate the effects of regiosacralis counterpressure on the pain and IL-6 levels during the first stage of labor among primigravid mothers.

METHOD

A quasiexperiment method with pretest–posttest control group design was applied. Regiosacralis counter-pressure pain management was applied to all study participants who non-randomly recruited by consecutive sampling methods. A total of 52 primigravid mothers were selected and divided into both the intervention group (n = 26) and the control group (n = 26).

RESULT

The statistical analysis of the intervention on the pain and IL-6 level revealed a significant difference between the pretest and posttest in the intervention group (p < .001; M pretest pain = 8.96 ± .528; M posttest pain = 6.96 ± .774; M pretest IL-6 = 175.539 ± 92.281; M posttest IL-6 = 170,764 ± 70,026).

CONCLUSION

Regiosacralis counterpressure treatment is effective in controlling and reducing the pain level during the first stage labor.

Transcriptome Profiling of the Retained Fetal Membranes-An Insight in the Possible Pathogenesis of the Disease

Simple Summary

Retained fetal membranes (RFM) in mares is a disease of a multifactorial etiology with not fully understood pathogenesis. Profound analysis of genes expressed in the placenta may reveal pathways and processes which might be comprised in mares with this disease and hence help to explain the pathogenesis of RFM. This work employed RNA sequencing to identify and compare genes differentially expressed (DEGs) in the placenta of mares that retained fetal membranes and those that released them physiologically. Results showed that within DEGs genes important for apoptosis, inflammatory-related processes, and metabolism of extracellular matrix were identified.

Abstract

Retained fetal membranes (RFM) is one of the most common post-partum diseases of a complex etiology. Moreover, its pathogenesis is still not elucidated. Detailed transcriptomic analysis of physiological and retained placenta may bring profound insight in the pathogenesis of the disease. The aim of the study was to compare the transcriptome of the retained and physiologically released placenta as well as biological pathways and processes in order to determine the possible pathogenesis of the disease. Samples of the endometrium and the allantochorion were taken within 2 h after parturition from control mares (n = 3) and mares with RFM (n = 3). RNA sequencing was performed with the use of all samples and mRNA expression of chosen genes was validated with Real Time PCR. Analysis of RNA-seq identified 487 differentially expressed genes in the allantochorion and 261 in the endometrium of control and RFM mares (p < 0.0001). Within genes that may be important in the release of fetal membranes and were differentially expressed, our report pinpointed BGN, TIMP1, DRB, CD3E, C3, FCN3, CASP3, BCL2L1. Gene ontology analysis showed possible processes which were altered in RFM that are apoptosis, inflammatory-related processes, and extracellular matrix metabolism and might be involved in the pathogenesis of RFM. This is the first report on the transcriptome of RFM and physiologically released placenta in mares.

Expression profile of proinflammatory mediators in the placenta of mares during physiological detachment and retention of fetal membranes

Physiological parturition is characterized by sterile, inflammatory-like processes. During parturition, the placenta expresses various proinflammatory mediators, such as chemokines and IL-17. Nevertheless, inflammatory processes present in the parturient mare are poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of selected chemokines and IL-17 in the allantochorion and the endometrium of mares that retained fetal membranes (RFM) and expelled them physiologically. We hypothesized that the expression of these mediators may be altered in the placenta of mares with RFM and result in RFM occurrence. Differences in mRNA expression in the placenta of investigated groups of mares were detected for CCL2, CCL3, CCL4, CCL8, CXCL1, CXCL8, CXCL10, CX3CL1 and IL-17. There were no differences in mRNA expression of CCL5 and CXCL6. Gene ontology network analysis showed enrichment in genes related to leukocyte migration, cell chemotaxis and response to chemokine in tissues of RFM mares. Analysis of association network suggested denotations between CXCL6, CXCL8, CXCL1, CCL5, CCL4, CX3CL1 and CXCL10. Moreover, possible inhibition of CXCL10 by IL-17A and prostaglandin peroxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) by CXCL1 was detected. Our results suggest that, based on differences in chemokines and IL-17 expression, recruited subsets of leukocytes might differ between the analyzed groups of mares, which in turn may impair the separation of fetal membranes in the group of RFM mares. In addition, the results of the expression analysis suggest that macrophages might be one of the most abundant cells infiltrating the equine placenta during the expulsion of fetal membranes. Furthermore, we suspect that the synthesis of PTGS2 might be inhibited in mares with RFM.

Structure identification, antitumor activity and mechanisms of a novel polysaccharide from Ramaria flaccida (Fr.) Quél

It is an important aspect of current cancer research to search for effective and low-toxicity anticancer drugs and adjuvants. Polysaccharides, as immunomodulators, can improve the immune function of the body, kill tumor cells directly and prevent tumor development by increasing the resistance of the body to carcinogenic factors. The aim of the present study was to identify natural polysaccharide compounds with novel structure and antitumor activity via the separation and analysis of polysaccharide components from Ramaria flaccida (Fr.) Quél. (RF-1). In the present study, high-performance gel permeation chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance were used to identify the structure of polysaccharides from RF-1. Subsequently, the antitumor activity and mechanism of RF-1 were studied by establishing an in vivo S180 tumor model, and by using Illumina sequencing technology and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The present results revealed that the average molecular weight of RF-1 was 17,093 Da and that RF-1 was composed of the monosaccharides glucose and galactose, with a 2:1 ratio. The main chain of RF-1 consisted of (1→6, 2)-α-D-galactopyranose and (1→6, 4)- α-D-glucopyranose. One of the branched chains was linked to 4-O of the main glucose chain by (1→6)-α-D-glucopyranose and next linked by one (→4)-β-D-glucopyranose. The other two branched chains were both linked to 2-O of the main glucose chain by one (→4)-β-D-glucopyranose. In addition, RF-1 inhibited the growth of S180 tumors in vivo. When the concentration of RF-1 was 20 mg/kg, the inhibition rate of S180 tumors in mice was 48.4%. Compared with the blank control group, 1,971 differentially expressed genes were identified, of which 818 were upregulated and 1,153 were downregulated in the RF-1 group. A Gene Ontology enrichment analysis generated 47,091 assignments to biological processes, 5,250 assignments to cellular components, and 6,466 assignments to molecular functions. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis revealed that the Wnt and MAPK signaling pathways were significantly enriched. The number of differentially annotated genes in these two pathways was 19 and 33, respectively. Additionally, ELISA results revealed that the protein levels of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor in the RF-1 group were significantly downregulated compared with the S180 blank control group (P<0.01).

(E)-2-Cyano-3-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-N-Phenylacrylamide, a Hybrid Compound Derived from Indomethacin and Paracetamol: Design, Synthesis and Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Potential

The compound (E)-2-cyano-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-N-phenylacrylamide (ICMD-01) was designed and developed based on the structures of clinically relevant drugs indomethacin and paracetamol through the molecular hybridization strategy. This derivative was obtained by an amidation reaction between substituted anilines and ethyl 2-cyanoacetate followed by a Knoevenagel-type condensation reaction with indole aldehyde that resulted in both a viable synthesis and satisfactory yield. In order to assess the immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory activity, in vitro assays were performed in J774 macrophages, and significant inhibitions (p < 0.05) of the production of nitrite and the production of cytokines (IL-1β and TNFα) in noncytotoxic concentrations were observed. The anti-inflammatory effect was also studied via CFA-induced paw edema in vivo tests and zymosan-induced peritonitis. In the paw edema assay, ICMD01 (50 mg kg-1) showed satisfactory activity, as did the group treated with dexamethasone, reducing edema in 2-6 h. In addition, there was no significant inhibition of PGE2, IL-1β or TNFα in vivo. Moreover, in the peritonitis assay that assesses leukocyte migration, ICMD-01 exhibited promising results. Therefore, these preliminary studies demonstrate this compound to be a strong candidate for an anti-inflammatory drug together with an improved gastrointestinal safety profile when compared to the conventional anti-inflammatory drugs.

Inter- and intrabreed diversity of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in primitive and draft horse breeds

Background

Polymorphism of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes ensures effective immune responses against a wide array of pathogens. However, artificial selection, as performed in the case of domestic animals, may influence MHC diversity. Here, we investigate and compare the MHC diversity of three populations of horses, for which different breeding policies were applied, to evaluate the impact of artificial selection and the environment on MHC polymorphism.

Methods

Samples of DNA were taken from 100 Polish draft horses, 38 stabled Konik Polski horses and 32 semiferal Konik Polski horses. MHC alleles and haplotype diversity within and between these populations of horses was estimated from 11 MHC microsatellite loci.

Results

MHC diversity measured based on allelic richness, observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity and polymorphism content was similar across the MHC microsatellite loci in all three populations. The highest expected heterozygosity was detected in semiferal primitive horses (He = 0.74), while the lowest was calculated for draft horses (He = 0.65). In total, 203 haplotypes were determined (111 in Polish draft horses, 43 in semiferal Konik Polski horses and 49 in stabled Konik Polski horses), and four haplotypes were shared between the two populations of Koniks. None of these haplotypes were present in any of the previously investigated horse breeds. Intra-MHC recombination events were detected in all three populations. However, the population of semiferal Konik horses showed the highest recombination frequency among the three horse populations. In addition, three recombination events were detected.

Conclusions

These results showed that despite the different breeding policies, the MHC allele and haplotype diversity was similarly high in all three horse populations. Nevertheless, the proportion of new haplotypes in the offspring was the highest in semiferal Konik Polski horses, which indicates the influence of the environment on MHC diversity in horses. Thus, we speculate that the genetic makeup of the domestic horse MHC might be more strongly influenced by the environment than by artificial selection. Moreover, intra-MHC conversion, insertion, and deletion and intra-MHC recombination may be proposed as mechanisms underlying the generation of new MHC haplotypes in horses.