LIF upregulates poFUT1 expression and promotes trophoblast cell migration and invasion at the fetal-maternal interface

Potential role of POFUT1 as a prognostic predictor in low-grade gliomas: Immune microenvironment insights from a pan-cancer analysis

The POFUT1 gene, known to be up-regulated in various tumor tissues and associated with tumor biology, has yet to be explored for its potential role in immune response regulation and tumor immune microenvironment. The normalized pan-cancer dataset (TCGA Pan-Cancer) was downloaded from the UCSC database, followed by analysis of POFUT1 expression in various tumors and functional enrichment analysis. The correlation between POFUT1 expression levels and patient prognosis was assessed. GSEA of POFUT1 based on low-grade glioma (LGG) samples and immune infiltration analyses of LGG and glioblastoma (GBM) were conducted. The correlation between POFUT1 expression levels and infiltration levels of 22 immune cells in LGG and GBM was examined, as well as the correlation between immune cell infiltration levels and LGG patient prognosis. Additionally, the relationship between POFUT1 expression levels and characteristic gene expression of identified immune cells was evaluated. Lastly, external dataset validation was performed using the integrated CGGA dataset. Significant differences were observed in POFUT1 expression levels across 20 tumor types. High POFUT1 expression correlated with poor prognosis in GBMLGG, and LGG patients. Enrichment analysis and GSEA of POFUT1 in LGG demonstrated involvement in tumor-related and immune-related pathways. A positive correlation was identified between POFUT1 expression levels and infiltration levels of resting memory CD4+ T cells, as well as M2 macrophages or M2-like TAMs in the LGG immune microenvironment, potentially contributing to poor prognosis. External dataset validation revealed a positive correlation between M2 macrophages or M2-like TAMs and POFUT1 expression levels in LGG, and a negative correlation with LGG patient prognosis. POFUT1's negative impact on LGG prognosis may result from its influence on M2 macrophage and M2-like TAM infiltration levels within the immune microenvironment. This suggests its potential as a prognostic predictor and therapeutic target for LGG.

Endometrial BMP2 Deficiency Impairs ITGB3-Mediated Trophoblast Invasion in Women With Repeated Implantation Failure

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.

The functional roles of protein glycosylation in human maternal-fetal crosstalk

BACKGROUND

The establishment of maternal-fetal crosstalk is vital to a successful pregnancy. Glycosylation is a post-translational modification in which glycans (monosaccharide chains) are attached to an organic molecule. Glycans are involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Human endometrial epithelium, endometrial gland secretions, decidual immune cells, and trophoblasts are highly enriched with glycoconjugates and glycan-binding molecules important for a healthy pregnancy. Aberrant glycosylation in the placenta and uterus has been linked to repeated implantation failure and various pregnancy complications, but there is no recent review summarizing the functional roles of glycosylation at the maternal-fetal interface and their associations with pathological processes.

OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE

This review aims to summarize recent findings on glycosylation, glycosyltransferases, and glycan-binding receptors at the maternal-fetal interface, and their involvement in regulating the biology and pathological conditions associated with endometrial receptivity, placentation and maternal-fetal immunotolerance. Current knowledge limitations and future insights into the study of glycobiology in reproduction are discussed.

SEARCH METHODS

A comprehensive PubMed search was conducted using the following keywords: glycosylation, glycosyltransferases, glycan-binding proteins, endometrium, trophoblasts, maternal-fetal immunotolerance, siglec, selectin, galectin, repeated implantation failure, early pregnancy loss, recurrent pregnancy loss, preeclampsia, and fetal growth restriction. Relevant reports published between 1980 and 2023 and studies related to these reports were retrieved and reviewed. Only publications written in English were included.

OUTCOMES

The application of ultrasensitive mass spectrometry tools and lectin-based glycan profiling has enabled characterization of glycans present at the maternal-fetal interface and in maternal serum. The endometrial luminal epithelium is covered with highly glycosylated mucin that regulates blastocyst adhesion during implantation. In the placenta, fucose and sialic acid residues are abundantly presented on the villous membrane and are essential for proper placentation and establishment of maternal-fetal immunotolerance. Glycan-binding receptors, including selectins, sialic-acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (siglecs) and galectins, also modulate implantation, trophoblast functions and maternal-fetal immunotolerance. Aberrant glycosylation is associated with repeated implantation failure, early pregnancy loss and various pregnancy complications. The current limitation in the field is that most glycobiological research relies on association studies, with few studies revealing the specific functions of glycans. Technological advancements in analytic, synthetic and functional glycobiology have laid the groundwork for further exploration of glycans in reproductive biology under both physiological and pathological conditions.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS

A deep understanding of the functions of glycan structures would provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying their involvement in the physiological and pathological regulation of early pregnancy. Glycans may also potentially serve as novel early predictive markers and therapeutic targets for repeated implantation failure, pregnancy loss, and other pregnancy complications.

Overexpression of POFUT1 promotes malignant phenotype and mediates perineural invasion in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most aggressive neoplasms, which requires more effective prevention and treatment modalities. Previous studies found that protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (POFUT1) upregulation promotes carcinogenesis, although the potential roles, underlying molecular mechanisms, and biological implications of POFUT1 in HNSCC were not investigated. In this study, in silico analyses referred POFUT1 as a potential oncogene in HNSCC. Further analysis of tumor and normal tissue samples as well as HNSCC cells with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and immunohistochemistry showed significant overexpression of POFUT1 in HNSCC clinical tumor tissue specimens and cell lines compared to corresponding controls. In vitro investigations revealed that overexpression of POFUT1 promoted phenotypes associated with cancer aggressiveness and its knockdown in HNSCC cells suppressed those phenotypes. Further xenograft experiments demonstrated that POFUT1 is an oncogene in vivo for HNSCC. Immunohistochemical analysis with human clinical samples and cancer cell-dorsal root ganglion ex-vivo coculture model showed that deregulation of POFUT1 is involved in the perineural invasion of HNSCC cells. These results suggest POFUT1 expression as a potential prognostic marker for patients with head and neck cancer and highlight its potential as a target for HNSCC therapy, although more molecular clues are needed to better define the functions of POFUT1 related to HNSCC carcinogenesis.

Inhibiting HNF4A suppresses inflammation whilst promoting trophoblast invasion and migration: A promising target for the treatment of preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex disease of pregnancy, and an important cause of this disease is insufficient trophoblast invasion and migration. However, the underlying mechanism of PE remains largely unknown. Here, transcriptome sequencing analysis found the high expression of hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4A) in PE placentas. Meanwhile, we found that HNF4A expression was up-regulated in the placentas of PE patients. Thus, we assumed that HNF4A might be involved in PE progression. To validate our hypothesis, l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated rats were used to mimic the pathological status of PE in vivo. Consistently, HTR8/SVneo cells were treated with hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) or LPS to simulate PE progression in vitro. The results observed an increase in elevated urine protein levels, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP), which indicated that the PE-like rat model was successfully established. Meanwhile, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β was increased in PE placentas. HTR8/SVneo cells were used to further explore the underlying mechanism of PE in vitro. H/R conditions up-regulated the acetylation level of HNF4A. Further analysis showed that HNF4A overexpression inhibited trophoblast invasion and migration, while HNF4A knockdown promoted the progression. Additionally, inhibiting HNF4A was found to reduce the levels of IL-6 and IL-1β secretion in HTR8/SVneo cells following H/R or LPS exposure. Conclusively, these findings suggest that inhibiting HNF4A suppresses inflammation whilst promoting trophoblast invasion and migration in PE, providing a promising target for the treatment of PE.

Other Types of Glycosylation

O-Linked glycosylation such as O-fucose, O-glucose, and O-N-acetylglucosamine are considered to be unusual. As suggested by the high levels of evolutional conservation, these O-glycans are fundamentally important for life. In the last two decades, our understanding of the importance of these glycans has greatly advanced. In particular, identification of the glycosyltransferases responsible for the biosynthesis of these glycans has accelerated basic research on the functional significance and molecular mechanisms by which these O-glycans regulate protein functions as well as clinical research on human diseases due to changes in these types of O-glycosylation. Notably, Notch receptor signaling is modified with and regulated by these types of O-glycans. Here, we summarize the current view of the structures and the significance of these O-glycans mainly in the context of Notch signaling regulation and human diseases.

Molecules and Prostaglandins Related to Embryo Tolerance

It is generally understood that the entry of semen into the female reproductive tract provokes molecular and cellular changes facilitating conception and pregnancy. We show a broader picture of the participation of prostaglandins in the fertilization, implantation and maintenance of the embryo. A large number of cells and molecules are related to signaling networks, which regulate tolerance to implantation and maintenance of the embryo and fetus. In this work, many of those cells and molecules are analyzed. We focus on platelets, polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and group 2 innate lymphoid cells involved in embryo tolerance in order to have a wider view of how prostaglandins participate. The combination of platelets and neutrophil extracellular traps (Nets), uterine innate lymphoid cells (uILC), Treg cells, NK cells, and sex hormones have an important function in immunological tolerance. In both animals and humans, the functions of these cells can be regulated by prostaglandins and soluble factors in seminal plasma to achieve an immunological balance, which maintains fetal-maternal tolerance. Prostaglandins, such as PGI2 and PGE2, play an important role in the suppression of the previously mentioned cells. PGI2 inhibits platelet aggregation, in addition to IL-5 and IL-13 expression in ILC2, and PGE2 inhibits some neutrophil functions, such as chemotaxis and migration processes, leukotriene B4 (LTB4) biosynthesis, ROS production, and the formation of extracellular traps, which could help prevent trophoblast injury and fetal loss. The implications are related to fertility in female when seminal fluid is deposited in the vagina or uterus.

Anti-phospholipid antibody may reduce endometrial receptivity during the window of embryo implantation

BACKGROUND

Anti-phospholipid antibodies (aPL) have been reported to be associated with repeated implantation failure (RIF), but the mechanism remains controversial. Endometrial receptivity is well known to be crucial for embryo implantation. This study aims to investigate the effect of aPL on endometrial receptivity in RIF women with positive aPL.

METHODS

Sixty-four infertile women with normal menstrual cycles were enrolled. The control group comprised 32 pregnant women with negative aPL who conceived successfully after their first in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) cycle, and the RIF group comprised 32 women with positive aPL. Endometrial biopsy samples were collected seven days after the luteinizing hormone surge (LH + 7). The expression of LIF and HOXA10 was evaluated by immunohistochemistry, qRT-PCR and Western blot. Endometrial pinopode development was examined by scanning electron microscopy.

RESULTS

The mRNA expression of LIF and HOXA10 in the RIF group was significantly decreased compared with that in the control group during the implantation window. The immunohistochemistry and Western blot results confirmed these findings. Then, ultrastructural analyses of endometrial cells showed fewer pinopode processes, a more atypical morphology and increased atrophy in the RIF group compared with the control group, and these results were statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

aPL positivity may inhibit the expression of LIF and HOXA10 in the endometrium and influence pinopode development. Our findings suggest that positivity for aPL is associated with impaired endometrial receptivity, which results in the development of RIF.

poFUT1 promotes uterine angiogenesis and vascular remodeling via enhancing the O-fucosylation on uPA

Uterine angiogenesis and vascular remodeling play critical roles in determing the normal menstrual cycle and successful pregnancy. Poor uterine angiogenesis usually results in pregnancy failure. Protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (poFUT1) is the key enzyme responsible for O-fucosylated glycan biosynthesis on glycoproteins. However, the dynamic expression and regulation of poFUT1 on the uterine angiogenesis and vascular remodeling remain unknown. Here, we showed that the enlargement of the vascular lumen in the secretory phase was greater than that in the proliferative phase of the uterine endometrium during menstrual cycle; whereas there was a narrower vessel lumen and fewer blood vessels in the decidua from miscarriage patients than in that from healthy pregnancy women. Additionally, the expression of poFUT1 was increased in the uterine endometrium during the secretory phase compared with that in the proliferation phase, and its expression was decreased in the uterus of miscarriage patients compared with that of the healthy pregnancy women. Using hESCs and a mouse model, we demonstrated that poFUT1 increased the O-fucosylation on uPA, and activated of the RhoA signaling pathway, thus facilitating uterine angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. We also provide evidence that poFUT1 promotes hESCs angiogenesis by the decreased stemness of hESCs. These findings reveal a new insight into the uterine angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. The study suggests that poFUT1 could be seen as a novel potential diagnostic and therapeutic target for miscarriage.

poFUT1 promotes endometrial decidualization by enhancing the O-fucosylation of Notch1

BACKGROUND

Endometrial stromal cell decidualization is critical for embryo implantation. Dysfunctional decidualization leads to implantation failure, miscarriage and even pregnancy associated disorders in subsequent pregnancy trimesters. Protein glycosylation is involved in many physiological and pathological processes. Protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (poFUT1) is the key enzyme for the O-fucosylation of proteins. However, the role and mechanism of poFUT1 in human endometrial stromal cell decidualization remain elusive.

METHODS

We employed immunohistochemistry to detect the level of poFUT1 in the uterine endometrium from those of the proliferative phase, secretory phase, early pregnancy women and miscarriage patients. Using human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) and a mouse model, the underlying mechanisms of poFUT1 in decidualization was investigated.

FINDINGS

The level of poFUT1 was increased in the stromal cells of the secretory phase relative to those in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, and decreased in the stromal cells of miscarriage patients compared to women with healthy early pregnancies. Furthermore, we found that poFUT1 promoted hESCs decidualization. The results also demonstrated that poFUT1 increased O-fucosylation on Notch1 in hESCs, which activated Notch1 signaling pathway. Activated Notch1 (NICD), as a specific trans-factor of PRL and IGFBP1 promoters, enhanced PRL and IGFBP1 transcriptional activity, thus inducing hESCs decidualization.

INTERPRETATION

Level of poFUT1 is lower in the uterine endometrium from miscarriage patients than early pregnancy women. poFUT1 is critical in endometrial decidualization by controlling the O-fucosylation on Notch1. Our findings provide a new mechanism perspective on poFUT1 in uterine decidualization that may be a useful diagnostic and therapeutic target for miscarriage. FUND: National Natural Science Foundation of China (31770857, 31670810 and 31870794). Liaoning Provincial Program for Top Discipline of Basic Medical Sciences.

FUT8 drives the proliferation and invasion of trophoblastic cells via IGF-1/IGF-1R signaling pathway

INTRODUCTION

Trophoblast proliferation and invasion are essential for embryo implantation and placentation. Protein glycosylation is one of the most common and vital post-translational modifications, regulates protein physical and biochemical properties. FUT8 is the only known fucosyltransferase responsible for catalyzing α1,6-fucosylation in mammals, and α1,6-fucosylated glycoproteins are found to participate in various physiopathological processes. However, whether FUT8/α1,6-fucosylation modulates the functions of trophoblastic cells remains elusive.

METHODS

FUT8 in human placenta villi during 6-8 gestational weeks and trophoblastic cells were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescent staining. α1,6-fucosylation in tissues or cells were measured by Lectin LCA (Lens culinaris) fluorescent staining and Lectin blot. FUT8 expression was down-regulated by siRNA transfection in JAR and JEG-3 cells, and cell viability, motility and invasiveness ability were detected by the functional experiments. α1,6-fucosylation of insulin-like growth factor receptor (IGF-1R) was examined by immunoprecipitation, and the amount of phosphorylated IGF-1R was detected in FUT8 down-regulated JAR cells.

RESULTS

Human placenta villi and trophoblastic cells expressed FUT8/α1,6-fucosylation. Knockdown FUT8 by siRNA transfection suppressed the proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration and invasion of JAR and JEG-3 cells. Furthermore, we found that FUT8 modified the α1,6-fucosylation of IGF-1R, and regulated IGF-1 dependent activation of IGF-1R, MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways in JAR cells.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results implicate a critical role for FUT8 in maintaining the normal functions of trophoblastic cells, suggesting manipulating FUT8 may be an effective approach in pregnancy.

FUT4 is involved in PD-1-related immunosuppression and leads to worse survival in patients with operable lung adenocarcinoma

PURPOSE

As an important glycosyltransferase, fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) is abnormally upregulated in different types of cancers, but its clinical role remains inexplicit. This work aimed to determine the predictive ability of FUT4 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) after curative resection, as well as to explore the role of a possible FUT4 molecular mechanism on LUAD malignant behavior.

METHODS

A total of 273 LUAD patients after curative resection with complete clinicopathological and RNAseq data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cohort were collected. Correlation of FUT4 with overall survival (OS) was analyzed based on TCGA and further validated by online "Kaplan-Meier Plotter" database and IHC in 70 LUAD patients recruited in the First Hospital of China Medical University cohort. Multivariate Cox regression analysis and 1000 bootstrapping were performed to verify the predictive value of FUT4. Gene set enrichment assay (GSEA) was performed to investigate the biological characteristics. Correlation between PD-1 and FUT4 was analyzed based on TCGA cohort and validated by IHC on cohort from our hospital.

RESULTS

Increased FUT4 expression led to reduced overall survival (OS) of LUAD patients based on TCGA (p = 0.006 and 0.001 for dichotomous and trichotomous modeling, respectively) and externally validated in KMPLOTTER (p = 0.01) and by IHC based on cohort from our hospital (p = 0.005 and p = 0.019 for dichotomous and trichotomous modeling, respectively). FUT4 overexpression was an independent high risk factor for OS along with advanced pT stage and pTNM stage (p = 0.001, p = 0.037, and p < 0.001, respectively). GSEA revealed that FUT4 overexpression might correlate with shortened survival of LUAD patients by promoting cell proliferation via ERBB signaling, and suppressing immune response-related pathways. FUT4 expression positively correlated with PD-1 in TCGA (p = 0.026) and validated by IHC on cohort from our hospital (p = 0.029).

CONCLUSIONS

Increased FUT4 expression led to reduced OS in operable LUAD. FUT4 showed significant correlation with immune response and PD-1 expression.

POFUT1 promotes colorectal cancer development through the activation of Notch1 signaling

Copy number variations (CNVs) are key drivers of colorectal cancer (CRC). Our previous studies revealed that protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (POFUT1) overexpression is driven by CNVs during CRC development. The potential role and underlying mechanisms of POFUT1 in CRC were not investigated. In this study, we analyzed the expression of POFUT1 in CRC from cosmic and TCGA databases and confirmed that POFUT1 is highly expressed in CRC. We used well characterized CRC cell lines, including SW620 and HCT116 to establish a model POFUT1 knockdown cell line. Using these cells, we investigated the role of POFUT1 in CRC. Our data revealed that silencing POFUT1 in CRC cells inhibits cell proliferation, decreases cell invasion and migration, arrests cell cycle progression, and stimulates CRC cell apoptosis in vitro. We further demonstrate that POFUT1 silencing dramatically suppresses CRC tumor growth and transplantation in vivo. We additionally reveal new mechanistic insights into the role of POFUT1 during CRC, through demonstrating that POFUT1 silencing inhibits Notch1 signaling. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that POFUT1 is a tumor activating gene during CRC development, which positively regulates CRC tumor progression through activating Notch1.

ANGPTL4 mediates the protective role of PPARγ activators in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) has been shown to be a therapeutic target for preeclampsia (PE). Angiopoietin-like protein 4 (ANGPTL4) is a multifunctional secretory protein involved in regulating lipid metabolism and angiogenesis in various tissues. However, the expression of PPARγ and ANGPTL4 and their interaction in PE remain elusive. Here we showed that PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone upregulated the expression and secretion of ANGPTL4 in a dose-dependent manner in HTR8/SVneo cells, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and placental explants. More importantly, we confirmed that the PPARγ/retinoid X receptor α heterodimer specifically binds to the ANGPTL4 promoter region and enhances its transcriptional activity. In addition, the levels of ANGPTL4 and PPARγ activators in the serum and their expression in placental tissues were significantly reduced in preeclamptic patients compared with normal pregnant subjects. Furthermore, functional studies demonstrated that ANGPTL4 mediates the facilitative effects of the PPARγ agonist on the survival, proliferation, migration and invasion of HTR8/SVneo cells, placental explants outgrowth and angiogenesis in HUVECs. Taken together, our results suggest that ANGPTL4 is a potential target gene for PPARγ and mediates the protective role of PPARγ activators in the pathogenesis of PE.

MicroRNA-200c impairs uterine receptivity formation by targeting FUT4 and α1,3-fucosylation

Successful embryo implantation requires the establishment of a receptive endometrium. Poor endometrial receptivity has generally been considered as a major cause of infertility. Protein glycosylation is associated with many physiological and pathological processes. The fucosylation is catalyzed by the specific fucosyltransferases. Fucosyltransferase IV (FUT4) is the key enzyme for the biosynthesis of α1,3-fucosylated glycans carried by glycoproteins, and the previous studies showed FUT4 expression changed dynamically during perimplantation. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are known to regulate specific gene expression. However, the relationship between specific miRNA and FUT4, as well as the role of miRNA/FUT4 in the establishment of uterine receptivity remains elusive. In the current study, we reported that the levels of miR-200 family members were significantly increased in serum from infertility and abortion patients relative to healthy non-pregnancy and early-pregnancy women. Among these, miR-200c was the most sensitive diagnostic criterion for infertility by receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. FUT4 was lower in the serum from infertility and abortion patients compared with the healthy non-pregnancy and early-pregnancy women. Using endometrial cell lines and a mouse model, we demonstrated that miR-200c targeted and inhibited FUT4 expression, leading to the dysfunction of uterine receptivity. Our results also revealed that miR-200c decreased α1.3-fucosylation on glycoprotein CD44, which further inactivated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Taken together, miR-200c hampers uterine receptivity formation by targeting FUT4 and α1.3-fucosylation on CD44. miR-200c and FUT4 may be applied together as the potential markers for endometrial receptivity, and useful diagnostic and therapeutic targets for infertility.

MicroRNA-1825 induces proliferation of adult cardiomyocytes and promotes cardiac regeneration post ischemic injury

In mammals, proliferative capacity of cardiomyocytes is lost soon after birth, while zebrafish and other lower organisms like newts are known to regenerate injured hearts even at an adult age. Here, we show that miR-1825 can induce robust proliferation of adult rat cardiomyocytes and can improve cardiac function in-vivo post myocardial infarction. Rat adult cardiomyocytes transfected with miR-1825 showed a significant increase in DNA synthesis, mitosis, cytokinesis, and an increase in cell number when compared to cel-miR-67 transfected control. We also observed a reduction in mitochondrial number and a decrease in ROS and DNA-damage. RNA-sequencing data identified NDUFA10, a key gene involved in the mitochondrial electron transport chain to be a direct target of miR-1825. SiRNA mediated silencing of NDUFA10 showed a significant increase in cardiomyocyte proliferation indicating its role downstream of miRNA-1825. In addition, microRNA microarray results identified miR-1825 to regulate expression of a known proliferation inducing miRNA, miR-199a. We also identified the direct targets of miR-199a, namely p16, Rb1, and Meis2 to be downregulated following miR-1825 transfection. However, miR-199a alone did not have similar proliferation inducing effects as miR-1825, indicating that miR-1825 works through multiple pathways and is a master regulator of cardiomyocyte proliferation. In addition, our in-vivo analysis in animal models of LAD ligation and intra-cardiac miRNA delivery showed proliferation of endogenous cardiomyocytes in the peri-infarcted region and an improvement in heart function. These findings establish miR-1825 as a potential therapeutic agent for induction of cardiomyocyte proliferation and cardiac regeneration, with a significant translational potential.

Protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 promotes trophoblast cell proliferation through activation of MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways

Protein O-fucosylation is an important glycosylation modification and plays an important role in embryonic development. Protein O-fucosyltransferase 1 (poFUT1) is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of protein O-fucosylation. Our previous studies showed that poFUT1 promoted trophoblast cell migration and invasion at the fetal-maternal interface, but the role of poFUT1 in trophoblast cells proliferation remains unclear. Here, immunohistochemistry data showed that poFUT1 and PCNA levels were decreased in abortion patient's trophoblasts compared with women with normal pregnancies. Our results also showed that poFUT1 promoted trophoblast cell proliferation by CCK-8 assay and cell cycle analysis. PoFUT1 increased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and PI3K/Akt, while inhibitors of ERK1/2(PD98059), p38 MAPK(SB203580), and PI3K (LY294002) prevented ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and Akt phosphorylation. Moreover, poFUT1 stimulation of trophoblast cells proliferation correlated with increased cell cycle progression by promoting cells into S-phase. The underlying mechanism involved increased cyclin D1, cyclin E, CDK 2, CDK 4, and pRb expression and decreased levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors p21 and p27, which were blocked by inhibitors of the upstream signaling molecules MAPK and PI3K/Akt. In conclusion, poFUT1 promotes trophoblast cell proliferation by activating MAPK and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways.

Intrauterine trophoblast migration: A comparative view of humans and rodents

Trophoblast migration and invasion through the decidua and maternal uterine spiral arteries are crucial events in placentation. During this process, invasive trophoblast replace vascular endothelial cells as the uterine arteries are remodeled to form more permissive vessels that facilitate adequate blood flow to the growing fetus. Placentation failures resulting from either extensive or shallow trophoblastic invasion can cause pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, placenta creta, gestational trophoblastic disease and even maternal or fetal death. Consequently, the use of experimental animal models such as rats and mice has led to great progress in recent years with regards to the identification of mechanisms and factors that control trophoblast migration kinetics. This review aims to perform a comparative analysis of placentation and the mechanisms and factors that coordinate intrauterine trophoblast migration in humans, rats and mice under physiological and pathological conditions.

Expression of uPAR in human trophoblast and its role in trophoblast invasion

Placental trophoblast cells differentiate into invasive trophoblasts or syncytiotrophoblasts. Abnormal trophoblast invasion results in pregnancy-associated disease and abortion. uPAR is a cell membrane-bound glycosylated protein, involved in physiological and pathological processes. However, uPAR expression in villi during threatened abortion and its role in trophoblast differentiation are unclear. We determined that, uPAR expression in the villi was reduced in threatened abortion patients than that in normal pregnancy. uPARsiRNA inhibited the potential for trophoblast migration and invasion in explants culture and HTR8/SVneo cells. It also enhanced forskolin-induced fusion of HTR8/SVneo cells. Overall, this study provides a possible reason for abortion.