1
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Alippe Y, Wang L, Coskun R, Muraro SP, Zhao FR, Elam-Noll M, White JM, Vota DM, Hauk VC, Gordon JI, Handley SA, Diamond MS. Fetal MAVS and type I IFN signaling pathways control ZIKV infection in the placenta and maternal decidua. J Exp Med 2024; 221:e20240694. [PMID: 39042188 PMCID: PMC11270594 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20240694] [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: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024] Open
Abstract
The contribution of placental immune responses to congenital Zika virus (ZIKV) syndrome remains poorly understood. Here, we leveraged a mouse model of ZIKV infection to identify mechanisms of innate immune restriction exclusively in the fetal compartment of the placenta. ZIKV principally infected mononuclear trophoblasts in the junctional zone, which was limited by mitochondrial antiviral-signaling protein (MAVS) and type I interferon (IFN) signaling mechanisms. Single nuclear RNA sequencing revealed MAVS-dependent expression of IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) in spongiotrophoblasts but not in other placental cells that use alternate pathways to induce ISGs. ZIKV infection of Ifnar1-/- or Mavs-/- placentas was associated with greater infection of the adjacent immunocompetent decidua, and heterozygous Mavs+/- or Ifnar1+/- dams carrying immunodeficient fetuses sustained greater maternal viremia and tissue infection than dams carrying wild-type fetuses. Thus, MAVS-IFN signaling in the fetus restricts ZIKV infection in junctional zone trophoblasts, which modulates dissemination and outcome for both the fetus and the pregnant mother.
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MESH Headings
- Female
- Animals
- Pregnancy
- Interferon Type I/metabolism
- Interferon Type I/immunology
- Signal Transduction/immunology
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/metabolism
- Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing/genetics
- Placenta/immunology
- Placenta/virology
- Placenta/metabolism
- Zika Virus Infection/immunology
- Zika Virus Infection/virology
- Zika Virus/immunology
- Zika Virus/physiology
- Mice
- Decidua/immunology
- Decidua/virology
- Decidua/metabolism
- Fetus/immunology
- Fetus/virology
- Trophoblasts/immunology
- Trophoblasts/virology
- Trophoblasts/metabolism
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/genetics
- Receptor, Interferon alpha-beta/metabolism
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Knockout
- Immunity, Innate
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/immunology
- Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/virology
- Disease Models, Animal
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Alippe
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Leran Wang
- Department of Pathology and Immunology and Center for Genome Sciences, Lab and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Reyan Coskun
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Stéfanie P Muraro
- Campinas State University, Laboratory of Emerging Viruses , Campinas, Brazil
| | - Fang R Zhao
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michelle Elam-Noll
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - J Michael White
- Center for Gut Microbiome and Nutrition Research, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Daiana M Vota
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanesa C Hauk
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Química Biológica de la Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales , Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Jeffrey I Gordon
- Department of Pathology and Immunology and Center for Genome Sciences, Lab and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- The Edison Family Center for Genome Sciences and Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Gut Microbiome and Nutrition Research, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Scott A Handley
- Department of Pathology and Immunology and Center for Genome Sciences, Lab and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Michael S Diamond
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Pathology and Immunology and Center for Genome Sciences, Lab and Genomic Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
- Andrew M. and Jane M. Bursky the Center for Human Immunology and Immunotherapy Programs, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
- Center for Vaccines and Immunity to Microbial Pathogens, Washington University School of Medicine , St. Louis, MO, USA
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2
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Van Buren E, Azzara D, Rangel-Moreno J, Garcia-Hernandez MDLL, Murphy SP, Cohen ED, Lewis E, Lin X, Park HR. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals placental response under environmental stress. Nat Commun 2024; 15:6549. [PMID: 39095385 PMCID: PMC11297347 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-50914-9] [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: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024] Open
Abstract
The placenta is crucial for fetal development, yet the impact of environmental stressors such as arsenic exposure remains poorly understood. We apply single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the response of the mouse placenta to arsenic, revealing cell-type-specific gene expression, function, and pathological changes. Notably, the Prap1 gene, which encodes proline-rich acidic protein 1 (PRAP1), is significantly upregulated in 26 placental cell types including various trophoblast cells. Our study shows a female-biased increase in PRAP1 in response to arsenic and localizes it in the placenta. In vitro and ex vivo experiments confirm PRAP1 upregulation following arsenic treatment and demonstrate that recombinant PRAP1 protein reduces arsenic-induced cytotoxicity and downregulates cell cycle pathways in human trophoblast cells. Moreover, PRAP1 knockdown differentially affects cell cycle processes, proliferation, and cell death depending on the presence of arsenic. Our findings provide insights into the placental response to environmental stress, offering potential preventative and therapeutic approaches for environment-related adverse outcomes in mothers and children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Van Buren
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - David Azzara
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Javier Rangel-Moreno
- Division of Allergy, Immunology and Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | | | - Shawn P Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Ethan D Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Ethan Lewis
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - Xihong Lin
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Statistics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hae-Ryung Park
- Department of Environmental Medicine, School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.
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3
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Shu C, Street K, Breton CV, Bastain TM, Wilson ML. A review of single-cell transcriptomics and epigenomics studies in maternal and child health. Epigenomics 2024; 16:775-793. [PMID: 38709139 PMCID: PMC11318716 DOI: 10.1080/17501911.2024.2343276] [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: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Single-cell sequencing technologies enhance our understanding of cellular dynamics throughout pregnancy. We outlined the workflow of single-cell sequencing techniques and reviewed single-cell studies in maternal and child health. We conducted a literature review of single cell studies on maternal and child health using PubMed. We summarized the findings from 16 single-cell atlases of the human and mammalian placenta across gestational stages and 31 single-cell studies on maternal exposures and complications including infection, obesity, diet, gestational diabetes, pre-eclampsia, environmental exposure and preterm birth. Single-cell studies provides insights on novel cell types in placenta and cell type-specific marks associated with maternal exposures and complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Shu
- Center for Genetic Epidemiology, Division of Epidemiology & Genetics, Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Kelly Street
- Division of Biostatistics, Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Carrie V Breton
- Division of Environmental Health, Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Theresa M Bastain
- Division of Environmental Health, Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Melissa L Wilson
- Division of Disease Prevention, Policy, & Global Health, Department of Population & Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles,CA USA
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4
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Lea G, Hanna CW. Loss of DNA methylation disrupts syncytiotrophoblast development: Proposed consequences of aberrant germline gene activation. Bioessays 2024; 46:e2300140. [PMID: 37994176 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300140] [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: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/24/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
DNA methylation is a repressive epigenetic modification that is essential for development and its disruption is widely implicated in disease. Yet, remarkably, ablation of DNA methylation in transgenic mouse models has limited impact on transcriptional states. Across multiple tissues and developmental contexts, the predominant transcriptional signature upon loss of DNA methylation is the de-repression of a subset of germline genes, normally expressed in gametogenesis. We recently reported loss of de novo DNA methyltransferase DNMT3B resulted in up-regulation of germline genes and impaired syncytiotrophoblast formation in the murine placenta. This defect led to embryonic lethality. We hypothesize that de-repression of germline genes in the Dnmt3b knockout underpins aspects of the placental phenotype by interfering with normal developmental processes. Specifically, we discuss molecular mechanisms by which aberrant expression of the piRNA pathway, meiotic proteins or germline transcriptional regulators may disrupt syncytiotrophoblast development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Lea
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Courtney W Hanna
- Department of Physiology Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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5
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Mao Q, Ye Q, Xu Y, Jiang J, Fan Y, Zhuang L, Liu G, Wang T, Zhang Z, Feng T, Kong S, Lu J, Zhang H, Wang H, Lin CP. Murine trophoblast organoids as a model for trophoblast development and CRISPR-Cas9 screening. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2992-3008.e7. [PMID: 38056451 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.11.007] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The placenta becomes one of the most diversified organs during placental mammal radiation. The main in vitro model for studying mouse trophoblast development is the 2D differentiation model of trophoblast stem cells, which is highly skewed to certain lineages and thus hampers systematic screens. Here, we established culture conditions for the establishment, maintenance, and differentiation of murine trophoblast organoids. Murine trophoblast organoids under the maintenance condition contain stem cell-like populations, whereas differentiated organoids possess various trophoblasts resembling placental ones in vivo. Ablation of Nubpl or Gcm1 in trophoblast organoids recapitulated their deficiency phenotypes in vivo, suggesting that those organoids are valid in vitro models for trophoblast development. Importantly, we performed an efficient CRISPR-Cas9 screening in mouse trophoblast organoids using a focused sgRNA (single guide RNA) library targeting G protein-coupled receptors. Together, our results establish an organoid model to investigate mouse trophoblast development and a practicable approach to performing forward screening in trophoblast lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Mao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Qinying Ye
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yiwen Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yunhao Fan
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lili Zhuang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Guohui Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Tengfei Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhenwu Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Teng Feng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Shuangbo Kong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jinhua Lu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Haopeng Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Chao-Po Lin
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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6
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Owen DM, Kwon M, Huang X, Nagari A, Nandu T, Kraus WL. Genome-wide identification of transcriptional enhancers during human placental development and association with function, differentiation, and disease†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:965-981. [PMID: 37694817 PMCID: PMC10724456 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad119] [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: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a dynamic organ that must perform a remarkable variety of functions during its relatively short existence in order to support a developing fetus. These functions include nutrient delivery, gas exchange, waste removal, hormone production, and immune barrier protection. Proper placenta development and function are critical for healthy pregnancy outcomes, but the underlying genomic regulatory events that control this process remain largely unknown. We hypothesized that mapping sites of transcriptional enhancer activity and associated changes in gene expression across gestation in human placenta tissue would identify genomic loci and predicted transcription factor activity related to critical placenta functions. We used a suite of genomic assays [i.e., RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq), Precision run-on-sequencing (PRO-seq), and Chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq)] and computational pipelines to identify a set of >20 000 enhancers that are active at various time points in gestation. Changes in the activity of these enhancers correlate with changes in gene expression. In addition, some of these enhancers encode risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes. We further show that integrating enhancer activity, transcription factor motif analysis, and transcription factor expression can identify distinct sets of transcription factors predicted to be more active either in early pregnancy or at term. Knockdown of selected identified transcription factors in a trophoblast stem cell culture model altered the expression of key placental marker genes. These observations provide a framework for future mechanistic studies of individual enhancer-transcription factor-target gene interactions and have the potential to inform genetic risk prediction for adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David M Owen
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of General Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Minjung Kwon
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Xuan Huang
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Anusha Nagari
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Tulip Nandu
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - W Lee Kraus
- Laboratory of Signaling and Gene Regulation, Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
- Division of Basic Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
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7
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Elkin ER, Campbell KA, Lapehn S, Harris SM, Padmanabhan V, Bakulski KM, Paquette AG. Placental single cell transcriptomics: Opportunities for endocrine disrupting chemical toxicology. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 578:112066. [PMID: 37690473 PMCID: PMC10591899 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112066] [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: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The placenta performs essential biologic functions for fetal development throughout pregnancy. Placental dysfunction is at the root of multiple adverse birth outcomes such as intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, and preterm birth. Exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals during pregnancy can cause placental dysfunction, and many prior human studies have examined molecular changes in bulk placental tissues. Placenta-specific cell types, including cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, extravillous trophoblasts, and placental resident macrophage Hofbauer cells play unique roles in placental development, structure, and function. Toxicant-induced changes in relative abundance and/or impairment of these cell types likely contribute to placental pathogenesis. Although gene expression insights gained from bulk placental tissue RNA-sequencing data are useful, their interpretation is limited because bulk analysis can mask the effects of a chemical on individual populations of placental cells. Cutting-edge single cell RNA-sequencing technologies are enabling the investigation of placental cell-type specific responses to endocrine disrupting chemicals. Moreover, in situ bioinformatic cell deconvolution enables the estimation of cell type proportions in bulk placental tissue gene expression data. These emerging technologies have tremendous potential to provide novel mechanistic insights in a complex heterogeneous tissue with implications for toxicant contributions to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elana R Elkin
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, USA.
| | - Kyle A Campbell
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Samantha Lapehn
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sean M Harris
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Vasantha Padmanabhan
- Department of Pediatrics, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan Medicine, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Kelly M Bakulski
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Alison G Paquette
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
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8
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Hu M, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Zhang X, Huang X, Lu Y, Li Y, Brännström M, Sferruzzi-Perri AN, Shao LR, Billig H. Defective Uterine Spiral Artery Remodeling and Placental Senescence in a Pregnant Rat Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:1916-1935. [PMID: 37689383 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.08.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Pregnancy-related problems have been linked to impairments in maternal uterine spiral artery (SpA) remodeling. The mechanisms underlying this association are still unclear. It is also unclear whether hyperandrogenism and insulin resistance, the two common manifestations of polycystic ovary syndrome, affect uterine SpA remodeling. We verified previous work in which exposure to 5-dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and insulin (INS) in rats during pregnancy resulted in hyperandrogenism, insulin intolerance, and higher fetal mortality. Exposure to DHT and INS dysregulated the expression of angiogenesis-related genes in the uterus and placenta and also decreased expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and matrix metallopeptidases 2 and 9, increased fibrotic collagen deposits in the uterus, and reduced expression of marker genes for SpA-associated trophoblast giant cells. These changes were related to a greater proportion of unremodeled uterine SpAs and a smaller proportion of highly remodeled arteries in DHT + INS-exposed rats. Placentas from DHT + INS-exposed rats exhibited decreased basal and labyrinth zone regions, reduced maternal blood spaces, diminished labyrinth vascularity, and an imbalance in the abundance of vascular and smooth muscle proteins. Furthermore, placentas from DHT + INS-exposed rats showed expression of placental insufficiency markers and a significant increase in cell senescence-associated protein levels. Altogether, this work demonstrates that increased pregnancy complications in polycystic ovary syndrome may be mediated by problems with uterine SpA remodeling, placental functionality, and placental senescence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Hu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Yuehui Zhang
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - XiuYing Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory and Unit of Infertility in Chinese Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin, China
| | - Xinyue Huang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yaxing Lu
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yijia Li
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China; Institute of Integrated Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mats Brännström
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Linus R Shao
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Håkan Billig
- Department of Physiology/Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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9
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Presicce P, Cappelletti M, Morselli M, Ma F, Senthamaraikannan P, Protti G, Nadel BB, Aryan L, Eghbali M, Salwinski L, Pithia N, De Franco E, Miller LA, Pellegrini M, Jobe AH, Chougnet CA, Kallapur SG. Amnion responses to intrauterine inflammation and effects of inhibition of TNF signaling in preterm Rhesus macaque. iScience 2023; 26:108118. [PMID: 37953944 PMCID: PMC10637919 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.108118] [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: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine infection/inflammation (IUI) is a frequent complication of pregnancy leading to preterm labor and fetal inflammation. How inflammation is modulated at the maternal-fetal interface is unresolved. We compared transcriptomics of amnion (a fetal tissue in contact with amniotic fluid) in a preterm Rhesus macaque model of IUI induced by lipopolysaccharide with human cohorts of chorioamnionitis. Bulk RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) amnion transcriptomic profiles were remarkably similar in both Rhesus and human subjects and revealed that induction of key labor-mediating genes such as IL1 and IL6 was dependent on nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling and reversed by the anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF) antibody Adalimumab. Inhibition of collagen biosynthesis by IUI was partially restored by Adalimumab. Interestingly, single-cell transcriptomics, flow cytometry, and immunohistology demonstrated that a subset of amnion mesenchymal cells (AMCs) increase CD14 and other myeloid cell markers during IUI both in the human and Rhesus macaque. Our data suggest that CD14+ AMCs represent activated AMCs at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pietro Presicce
- Divisions of Neonatology and Developmental Biology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Monica Cappelletti
- Divisions of Neonatology and Developmental Biology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Marco Morselli
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences – Collaboratory at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Feiyang Ma
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences – Collaboratory at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Paranthaman Senthamaraikannan
- Division of Neonatology/Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Giulia Protti
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences – Collaboratory at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Biotechnology and Biosciences, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - Brian B. Nadel
- Department of Molecular Cellular and Developmental Biology, and Institute for Genomics and Proteomics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- California National Primate Research Center, University of California Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Laila Aryan
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Mansoureh Eghbali
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Lukasz Salwinski
- UCLA-DOE Institute of Genomics and Proteomics, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Neema Pithia
- Divisions of Neonatology and Developmental Biology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Emily De Franco
- Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lisa A. Miller
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology, and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California Davis, CA, USA
| | - Matteo Pellegrini
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences – Collaboratory at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alan H. Jobe
- Division of Neonatology/Pulmonary Biology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, The University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Claire A. Chougnet
- Division of Immunobiology, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Research Foundation, and the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Suhas G. Kallapur
- Divisions of Neonatology and Developmental Biology, David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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10
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Vu HTH, Scott RL, Iqbal K, Soares MJ, Tuteja G. Core conserved transcriptional regulatory networks define the invasive trophoblast cell lineage. Development 2023; 150:dev201826. [PMID: 37417811 PMCID: PMC10445752 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201826] [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: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The invasive trophoblast cell lineages in rat and human share crucial responsibilities in establishing the uterine-placental interface of the hemochorial placenta. These observations have led to the rat becoming an especially useful animal model for studying hemochorial placentation. However, our understanding of similarities or differences between regulatory mechanisms governing rat and human invasive trophoblast cell populations is limited. In this study, we generated single-nucleus ATAC-seq data from gestation day 15.5 and 19.5 rat uterine-placental interface tissues, and integrated the data with single-cell RNA-seq data generated at the same stages. We determined the chromatin accessibility profiles of invasive trophoblast, natural killer, macrophage, endothelial and smooth muscle cells, and compared invasive trophoblast chromatin accessibility with extravillous trophoblast cell accessibility. In comparing chromatin accessibility profiles between species, we found similarities in patterns of gene regulation and groups of motifs enriched in accessible regions. Finally, we identified a conserved gene regulatory network in invasive trophoblast cells. Our data, findings and analysis will facilitate future studies investigating regulatory mechanisms essential for the invasive trophoblast cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha T. H. Vu
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Regan L. Scott
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy, Kansas City, MO 64108, USA
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
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11
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Mou HZ, Pan J, Zhao CL, Xing L, Mo Y, Kang B, Chen HY, Xu JJ. Nanometer Resolution Mass Spectro-Microtomography for In-Depth Anatomical Profiling of Single Cells. ACS NANO 2023. [PMID: 37184339 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c01449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Visually identifying the molecular changes in single cells is of great importance for unraveling fundamental cellular functions as well as disease mechanisms. Herein, we demonstrated a mass spectro-microtomography with an optimal voxel resolution of ∼300 × 300 × 25 nm3, which enables three-dimensional tomography of chemical substances in single cells. This mass imaging method allows for the distinguishment of abundant endogenous and exogenous molecules in subcellular structures. Combined with statistical analysis, we demonstrated this method for spatial metabolomics analysis of drug distribution and subsequent molecular damages caused by intracellular drug action. More interestingly, thanks to the nanoprecision ablation depth (∼12 nm), we realized metabolomics profiling of cell membrane without the interference of cytoplasm and improved the distinction of cancer cells from normal cells. Our current method holds great potential to be a powerful tool for spatially resolved single-cell metabolomics analysis of chemical components during complex biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han-Zhang Mou
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jianbin Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Cong-Lin Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Lei Xing
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuxiang Mo
- State Key Laboratory of Low-Dimensional Quantum Physics, Department of Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Bin Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hong-Yuan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jing-Juan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
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12
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Lackner A, Müller M, Gamperl M, Stoeva D, Langmann O, Papuchova H, Roitinger E, Dürnberger G, Imre R, Mechtler K, Latos PA. The Fgf/Erf/NCoR1/2 repressive axis controls trophoblast cell fate. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2559. [PMID: 37137875 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38101-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Placental development relies on coordinated cell fate decisions governed by signalling inputs. However, little is known about how signalling cues are transformed into repressive mechanisms triggering lineage-specific transcriptional signatures. Here, we demonstrate that upon inhibition of the Fgf/Erk pathway in mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), the Ets2 repressor factor (Erf) interacts with the Nuclear Receptor Co-Repressor Complex 1 and 2 (NCoR1/2) and recruits it to key trophoblast genes. Genetic ablation of Erf or Tbl1x (a component of the NCoR1/2 complex) abrogates the Erf/NCoR1/2 interaction. This leads to mis-expression of Erf/NCoR1/2 target genes, resulting in a TSC differentiation defect. Mechanistically, Erf regulates expression of these genes by recruiting the NCoR1/2 complex and decommissioning their H3K27ac-dependent enhancers. Our findings uncover how the Fgf/Erf/NCoR1/2 repressive axis governs cell fate and placental development, providing a paradigm for Fgf-mediated transcriptional control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Lackner
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Michael Müller
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Magdalena Gamperl
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Delyana Stoeva
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Olivia Langmann
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | - Henrieta Papuchova
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria
| | | | | | - Richard Imre
- Institute of Molecular Pathology, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Karl Mechtler
- Institute of Molecular Pathology, A-1030, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulina A Latos
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090, Vienna, Austria.
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13
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Vu HTH, Scott RL, Iqbal K, Soares MJ, Tuteja G. CORE CONSERVED TRANSCRIPTIONAL REGULATORY NETWORKS DEFINE THE INVASIVE TROPHOBLAST CELL LINEAGE. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.03.30.534962. [PMID: 37066272 PMCID: PMC10103937 DOI: 10.1101/2023.03.30.534962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
The invasive trophoblast cell lineage in rat and human share crucial responsibilities in establishing the uterine-placental interface of the hemochorial placenta. These observations have led to the rat becoming an especially useful animal model to study hemochorial placentation. However, our understanding of similarities or differences between regulatory mechanisms governing rat and human invasive trophoblast cell populations is limited. In this study, we generated single-nucleus (sn) ATAC-seq data from gestation day (gd) 15.5 and 19.5 rat uterine-placental interface tissues and integrated the data with single-cell RNA-seq data generated at the same stages. We determined the chromatin accessibility profiles of invasive trophoblast, natural killer, macrophage, endothelial, and smooth muscle cells, and compared invasive trophoblast chromatin accessibility to extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell accessibility. In comparing chromatin accessibility profiles between species, we found similarities in patterns of gene regulation and groups of motifs enriched in accessible regions. Finally, we identified a conserved gene regulatory network in invasive trophoblast cells. Our data, findings and analysis will facilitate future studies investigating regulatory mechanisms essential for the invasive trophoblast cell lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha T. H. Vu
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
| | - Regan L. Scott
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences and Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, 66160
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children’s Mercy Research Institute, Children’s Mercy, Kansas City, MO, 64108
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Department of Genetics, Development, and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, 50011
- Bioinformatics and Computational Biology Interdepartmental Graduate Program, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011
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14
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Weigert R, Hetzel S, Bailly N, Haggerty C, Ilik IA, Yung PYK, Navarro C, Bolondi A, Kumar AS, Anania C, Brändl B, Meierhofer D, Lupiáñez DG, Müller FJ, Aktas T, Elsässer SJ, Kretzmer H, Smith ZD, Meissner A. Dynamic antagonism between key repressive pathways maintains the placental epigenome. Nat Cell Biol 2023; 25:579-591. [PMID: 37024684 PMCID: PMC10104784 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-023-01114-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
DNA and Histone 3 Lysine 27 methylation typically function as repressive modifications and operate within distinct genomic compartments. In mammals, the majority of the genome is kept in a DNA methylated state, whereas the Polycomb repressive complexes regulate the unmethylated CpG-rich promoters of developmental genes. In contrast to this general framework, the extra-embryonic lineages display non-canonical, globally intermediate DNA methylation levels, including disruption of local Polycomb domains. Here, to better understand this unusual landscape's molecular properties, we genetically and chemically perturbed major epigenetic pathways in mouse trophoblast stem cells. We find that the extra-embryonic epigenome reflects ongoing and dynamic de novo methyltransferase recruitment, which is continuously antagonized by Polycomb to maintain intermediate, locally disordered methylation. Despite its disorganized molecular appearance, our data point to a highly controlled equilibrium between counteracting repressors within extra-embryonic cells, one that can seemingly persist indefinitely without bistable features typically seen for embryonic forms of epigenetic regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raha Weigert
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Sara Hetzel
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nina Bailly
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chuck Haggerty
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Ibrahim A Ilik
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philip Yuk Kwong Yung
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Stockholm node, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Carmen Navarro
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Stockholm node, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Adriano Bolondi
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Abhishek Sampath Kumar
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Chiara Anania
- Epigenetics and Sex Development Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Björn Brändl
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Zentrum für Integrative Psychiatrie gGmbH, Kiel, Germany
| | - David Meierhofer
- Mass Spectrometry Joint Facilities Scientific Service, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Darío G Lupiáñez
- Epigenetics and Sex Development Group, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin-Buch, Germany
| | - Franz-Josef Müller
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
- Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein Campus Kiel, Zentrum für Integrative Psychiatrie gGmbH, Kiel, Germany
| | - Tugce Aktas
- Otto Warburg Laboratories, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Simon J Elsässer
- Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Ming Wai Lau Centre for Reparative Medicine, Stockholm node, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Helene Kretzmer
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Zachary D Smith
- Department of Genetics, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
| | - Alexander Meissner
- Department of Genome Regulation, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Biology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, US.
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15
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A differentiation roadmap of murine placentation at single-cell resolution. Cell Discov 2023; 9:30. [PMID: 36928215 PMCID: PMC10020559 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00513-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is one of the most important yet least understood organs. Due to the limitations of conventional research approaches, we are still far from a comprehensive understanding of mouse placentation, especially regarding the differentiation of trophoblast lineages at the early developmental stage. To decipher cell compositions and developmental processes, we systematically profile the single-cell transcriptomes of trophoblast cells from extraembryonic tissues (embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5) and E8.5) and placentae (E9.5-E14.5) at one-day intervals. We identify distinct trophoblast cell types during mouse placentation, including unreported progenitor cells and intermediate precursor cells. An updated differentiation roadmap of mouse trophoblast lineages is presented following systematic transcriptome analyses. Based on transcriptomic regulatory network inference, we specify transcription factors responsible for the regulation of dynamic developmental processes during lineage diversification. We map lineage differentiation trajectories and find that sinusoid trophoblast giant cells arise from the subpopulation of ectoplacental cone cells. We provide a comprehensive single-cell data resource to shed light on future mechanistic studies of the gene regulatory networks governing hemochorial placentation.
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16
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Garcia-Flores V, Romero R, Peyvandipour A, Galaz J, Pusod E, Panaitescu B, Miller D, Xu Y, Tao L, Liu Z, Tarca AL, Pique-Regi R, Gomez-Lopez N. A single-cell atlas of murine reproductive tissues during preterm labor. Cell Rep 2023; 42:111846. [PMID: 36599348 PMCID: PMC9946687 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.111846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth, the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, frequently results from the syndrome of preterm labor. The best-established causal link to preterm labor is intra-amniotic infection, which involves premature activation of the parturition cascade in the reproductive tissues. Herein, we utilize single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to generate a single-cell atlas of the murine uterus, decidua, and cervix in a model of infection-induced preterm labor. We show that preterm labor affects the transcriptomic profiles of specific immune and non-immune cell subsets. Shared and tissue-specific gene expression signatures are identified among affected cells. Determination of intercellular communications implicates specific cell types in preterm labor-associated signaling pathways across tissues. In silico comparison of murine and human uterine cell-cell interactions reveals conserved signaling pathways implicated in labor. Thus, our scRNA-seq data provide insights into the preterm labor-driven cellular landscape and communications in reproductive tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA; Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | - Azam Peyvandipour
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8330024, Chile
| | - Errile Pusod
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Bogdan Panaitescu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Li Tao
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Zhenjie Liu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Adi L. Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA,Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, MI 48202, USA
| | - Roger Pique-Regi
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
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17
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Possible transfer of lncRNA H19-derived miRNA miR-675-3p to adjacent H19-non-expressing trophoblast cells in near-term mouse placenta. Histochem Cell Biol 2022; 159:363-375. [PMID: 36484822 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02169-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
LncRNA H19 serves as a regulatory RNA in mouse placental development. However, there is little information available on the in situ expression of H19 in the late-gestation mouse placenta. In this study, we performed quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and in situ hybridization (ISH) analyses of lncRNA H19 and its exon 1-derived miRNA miR-675-3p to identify cell types expressing these non-coding RNAs in the mouse placenta during mid-to-late gestation. By qPCR analysis, we confirmed that H19 was highly expressed during mid-to-late gestation (E10.5-E18.5) and that H19-derived miRNA miR-675-3p was remarkably upregulated in the E18.5 placenta. ISH analysis revealed trophoblast cell type-specific expression of lncRNA H19 and miR-675-3p during later stages of gestation. In the junctional zone and decidua of late-gestation placenta, H19 was expressed in trophoblast giant cells and glycogen trophoblast cells; however, H19 was absent in spongiotrophoblast cells. In the labyrinth and chorionic plate, H19 was present in sinusoidal mononuclear trophoblast giant cells, fetal vascular endothelial cells, and basal chorionic trophoblast cells, but not in syncytiotrophoblasts. As expected, these lncRNA H19-expressing cells exhibited miR-675-3p in the E18.5 placenta. Intriguingly, miR-675-3p was also present in H19-negative spongiotrophoblast cells and syncytiotrophoblasts, implying the possible transfer of miR-675-3p from H19-exprssing cells to adjacent H19-non-expressing trophoblast cells. These findings suggest that the mouse placenta expresses lncRNA H19 in a trophoblast cell type-specific fashion during later stages of gestation.
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18
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Chen X, Tang AT, Tober J, Yang J, Leu NA, Sterling S, Chen M, Yang Y, Mericko-Ishizuka P, Speck NA, Kahn ML. Mouse placenta fetal macrophages arise from endothelial cells outside the placenta. Dev Cell 2022; 57:2652-2660.e3. [PMID: 36473461 PMCID: PMC9752200 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Placental fetal macrophages (fMacs) are the only immune cells on the fetal side of the placental barrier. Mouse models have not been used to test their function because they have previously been found to have distinct cellular origins and functions in mice and humans. Here, we test the ontogeny of mouse placental fMacs. Using a new Hoxa13Cre allele that labels all placental endothelial cells (ECs), we demonstrate that mouse placenta fMacs do not arise from placental endothelium. Instead, lineage tracing studies using Tie2-Cre and Cx3cr1CreERT2 alleles demonstrate that mouse placental fMacs arise from yolk sac endothelium. Administration of blocking antibodies against CSF1R at E6.5 and E7.5 results in depletion of placental fMacs throughout pregnancy, and this suggests a yolk sac origin, similar to that in human fMacs. This Matters Arising paper is in response to Liang et al., published in Developmental Cell. A response by Liang and Liu is published in this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowen Chen
- Cardiovascular Institute and Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Alan T Tang
- Cardiovascular Institute and Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Joanna Tober
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Jisheng Yang
- Cardiovascular Institute and Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - N Adrian Leu
- Transgenic Mouse Core, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Stephanie Sterling
- Transgenic Mouse Core, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mei Chen
- Cardiovascular Institute and Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yiqing Yang
- Cardiovascular Institute and Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Patricia Mericko-Ishizuka
- Cardiovascular Institute and Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nancy A Speck
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Mark L Kahn
- Cardiovascular Institute and Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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19
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Wang WS, Lin YK, Zhang F, Lei WJ, Pan F, Zhu YN, Lu JW, Zhang CY, Zhou Q, Ying H, Sun K. Single cell transcriptomic analysis of human amnion identifies cell-specific signatures associated with membrane rupture and parturition. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:64. [PMID: 35585644 PMCID: PMC9118831 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00797-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The human amnion is an intrauterine tissue which is involved in the initiation of parturition. In-depth understanding of gene expression signatures of individual cell types in the amnion with respect to membrane rupture at parturition may help identify crucial initiators of parturition for the development of specific strategies to prevent preterm birth, a leading cause of perinatal mortality. Results Six major cell types were revealed in human amnion including epithelial cells, fibroblasts and immunocytes as well as three other cell types expressing dual cell markers including epithelial/fibroblast, immune/epithelial and immune/fibroblast markers. The existence of cell types expressing these dual cell markers indicates the presence of epithelial-mesenchymal (EMT), epithelial-immune (EIT) and mesenchymal-immune (MIT) transitions in amnion at parturition. We found that the rupture zone of amnion exhibited some specific increases in subcluster proportions of immune and EMT cells related to extracellular matrix remodeling and inflammation in labor. The non-rupture zone exhibited some common changes in subcluster compositions of epithelial and fibroblast cells with the rupture zone in labor, particularly those related to oxidative stress and apoptosis in epithelial cells and zinc ion transport in fibroblasts. Moreover, we identified that C–C motif chemokine ligand 20 (CCL20) was among the top up-regulated genes in amnion epithelial cells, fibroblasts and immunocytes in the rupture zone at parturition. Studies in pregnant mice showed that administration of CCL20 induced immunocytes infiltration to tissues at the maternal–fetal interface and led to preterm birth. Conclusions Apart from the conventional epithelial, fibroblast and immunocytes, human amnion cells may undergo EMT, EIT and FIT in preparation for parturition. Intense inflammation and ECM remodeling are present in the rupture zone, while enhanced apoptosis and oxidative stress in epithelial cells and zinc ion transport in fibroblasts are present in amnion regardless of the rupture zones at parturition. CCL20 derived from the major cell types of the amnion participates in labor onset. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00797-4.
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20
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Hu J, Guo Q, Liu C, Yu Q, Ren Y, Wu Y, Li Q, Li Y, Liu J. Immune cell profiling of preeclamptic pregnant and postpartum women by single-cell RNA sequencing. Int Rev Immunol 2022; 43:1-12. [PMID: 36369864 DOI: 10.1080/08830185.2022.2144291] [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: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE), a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality, is closely related to the immune system alterations. However, little is known about the landscape and heterogeneity of maternal immune system at single-cell level among PE patients. In this study, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from three early-onset preeclamptic pregnant women and two healthy control, respectively. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 10× genomics platform and single-cell transcriptomes were obtained to characterize immune cell subgroups at the pregnant and postpartum stages. In total, 80,429 single-cell transcriptomes were obtained. 19 cellular compositions were identified, which were categorized into six cell types including T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, B cells, monocytes, plasmacytoid dendritic cells and conventional dendritic cells. There were excessive activation of B cells, monocytes and NK cells in PE patients at the pregnant stage based on comparative analysis. Lower immune response activation was noticed in CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in PE patients, especially the low-activation of memory T cells at the pregnant and postpartum stages. PE patients showed high activation of B cells in pregnancy persisted postpartum and lower activation of memory T cells, indicating their persistent effects on the pathogenesis and recurrence risk of PE. This study provide a broad characterization of the single-cell transcriptome of PBMCs in PE, which contributes to identification of immune imbalance for its monitoring and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Hu
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qi Guo
- Berry Genomics Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Congcong Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Yu
- Berry Genomics Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Yuan Ren
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yueni Wu
- Berry Genomics Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Qin Li
- Berry Genomics Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Yuezhen Li
- Berry Genomics Corporation, Beijing, China
| | - Juntao Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetric & Gynecologic Diseases, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Complex Severe and Rare Diseases, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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21
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Miller D, Garcia-Flores V, Romero R, Galaz J, Pique-Regi R, Gomez-Lopez N. Single-Cell Immunobiology of the Maternal-Fetal Interface. JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY (BALTIMORE, MD. : 1950) 2022; 209:1450-1464. [PMID: 36192116 PMCID: PMC9536179 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2200433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Pregnancy success requires constant dialogue between the mother and developing conceptus. Such crosstalk is facilitated through complex interactions between maternal and fetal cells at distinct tissue sites, collectively termed the "maternal-fetal interface." The emergence of single-cell technologies has enabled a deeper understanding of the unique processes taking place at the maternal-fetal interface as well as the discovery of novel pathways and immune and nonimmune cell types. Single-cell approaches have also been applied to decipher the cellular dynamics throughout pregnancy, in parturition, and in obstetrical syndromes such as recurrent spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, and preterm labor. Furthermore, single-cell technologies have been used during the recent COVID-19 pandemic to evaluate placental viral cell entry and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on maternal and fetal immunity. In this brief review, we summarize the current knowledge of cellular immunobiology in pregnancy and its complications that has been generated through single-cell investigations of the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; and
| | - Roger Pique-Regi
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, MI;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI
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22
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Rusidzé M, Faure MC, Sicard P, Raymond-Letron I, Giton F, Vessieres E, Prevot V, Henrion D, Arnal JF, Cornil CA, Lenfant F. Loss of function of the maternal membrane oestrogen receptor ERα alters expansion of trophoblast cells and impacts mouse fertility. Development 2022; 149:dev200683. [PMID: 36239412 PMCID: PMC9720743 DOI: 10.1242/dev.200683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 03/31/2024]
Abstract
The binding of 17β-oestradiol to oestrogen receptor alpha (ERα) plays a crucial role in the control of reproduction, acting through both nuclear and membrane-initiated signalling. To study the physiological role of membrane ERα in the reproductive system, we used the C451A-ERα mouse model with selective loss of function of membrane ERα. Despite C451A-ERα mice being described as sterile, daily weighing and ultrasound imaging revealed that homozygous females do become pregnant, allowing the investigation of the role of ERα during pregnancy for the first time. All neonatal deaths of the mutant offspring mice resulted from delayed parturition associated with failure in pre-term progesterone withdrawal. Moreover, pregnant C451A-ERα females exhibited partial intrauterine embryo arrest at about E9.5. The observed embryonic lethality resulted from altered expansion of Tpbpa-positive spiral artery-associated trophoblast giant cells into the utero-placental unit, which is associated with an imbalance in expression of angiogenic factors. Together, these processes control the trophoblast-mediated spiral arterial remodelling. Hence, loss of membrane ERα within maternal tissues clearly alters the activity of invasive trophoblast cells during placentogenesis. This previously unreported function of membrane ERα could open new avenues towards a better understanding of human pregnancy-associated pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam Rusidzé
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC) Equipe 4, Inserm U1297-UPS, CHU, Toulouse 31432, France
| | | | - Pierre Sicard
- IPAM, BioCampus Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier 34295, France
| | - Isabelle Raymond-Letron
- Institut Restore, Université de Toulouse, CNRS U-5070, EFS, ENVT, Inserm U1031, Toulouse 31076, France
| | - Frank Giton
- APHP H.Mondor - IMRB - INSERM U955, Créteil 94010, France
| | - Emilie Vessieres
- Angers University, MITOVASC, CarMe team, CNRS UMR 6015, INSERM U1083, Angers 49055, France
| | - Vincent Prevot
- University of Lille, Inserm, CHU Lille, Laboratory of Development and Plasticity of the Neuroendocrine Brain, Lille Neuroscience and Cognition, UMR-S 1172, FHU 1000 Days for Health, Lille 59000, France
| | - Daniel Henrion
- Angers University, MITOVASC, CarMe team, CNRS UMR 6015, INSERM U1083, Angers 49055, France
| | | | | | - Françoise Lenfant
- Institute of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Diseases (I2MC) Equipe 4, Inserm U1297-UPS, CHU, Toulouse 31432, France
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23
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Zhang B, Zhang F, Lu F, Wang J, Zhou W, Wang H, Yu B. Reduced cell invasion may be a characteristic of placental defects in pregnant women of advanced maternal age at single-cell level. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2022; 23:747-759. [PMID: 36111571 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2101024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying pregnancy complications caused by advanced maternal age (AMA) remain unclear. We analyzed the cellular signature and transcriptomes of human placentas in AMA women to elucidate these mechanisms. Placental tissues from two AMA women and two controls were used for single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq). Controls consisted of AMA women who did not experience any pregnancy complications and pregnant women below the age of 35 years without pregnancy complications. Trophoblast cells were obtained from the placentas of another six pregnant women (three AMA women and three controls), and in-vitro transwell assays were conducted to observe the cell invasion ability. Thirty additional samples (from 15 AMA women and 15 controls) were analyzed to verify the specific expression of serine protease inhibitor clade E member 1 (SERPINE1). Preliminary study of the role of SERPINE1 in cell invasion was carried out with HTR8-S/Vneo cells. High-quality transcriptomes of 27 607 cells were detected. Three types of trophoblast cells were detected, which were further classified into eight subtypes according to differences in gene expression and Gene Ontology (GO) function. We identified 110 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in trophoblast cells between the AMA and control groups, and the DEGs were enriched in multiple pathways related to cell invasion. In-vitro transwell assays suggested that the invading trophoblast cells in AMA women were reduced. SERPINE1 was specifically expressed in the trophoblast, and its expression was higher in AMA women (P<0.05). Transfection of human SERPINE1 (hSERPINE1) into HTR8-S/Vneo trophoblast cells showed fewer invading cells in the hSERPINE1 group. Impaired cell invasion may underlie the increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in AMA women. Abnormal expression of SERPINE1 in extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells appears to play an important role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Fengying Lu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Wenbai Zhou
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China.
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24
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Kaur G, Porter CBM, Ashenberg O, Lee J, Riesenfeld SJ, Hofree M, Aggelakopoulou M, Subramanian A, Kuttikkatte SB, Attfield KE, Desel CAE, Davies JL, Evans HG, Avraham-Davidi I, Nguyen LT, Dionne DA, Neumann AE, Jensen LT, Barber TR, Soilleux E, Carrington M, McVean G, Rozenblatt-Rosen O, Regev A, Fugger L. Mouse fetal growth restriction through parental and fetal immune gene variation and intercellular communications cascade. Nat Commun 2022; 13:4398. [PMID: 35906236 PMCID: PMC9338297 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32171-w] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) affects 5-10% of pregnancies, and can have serious consequences for both mother and child. Prevention and treatment are limited because FGR pathogenesis is poorly understood. Genetic studies implicate KIR and HLA genes in FGR, however, linkage disequilibrium, genetic influence from both parents, and challenges with investigating human pregnancies make the risk alleles and their functional effects difficult to map. Here, we demonstrate that the interaction between the maternal KIR2DL1, expressed on uterine natural killer (NK) cells, and the paternally inherited HLA-C*0501, expressed on fetal trophoblast cells, leads to FGR in a humanized mouse model. We show that the KIR2DL1 and C*0501 interaction leads to pathogenic uterine arterial remodeling and modulation of uterine NK cell function. This initial effect cascades to altered transcriptional expression and intercellular communication at the maternal-fetal interface. These findings provide mechanistic insight into specific FGR risk alleles, and provide avenues of prevention and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gurman Kaur
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Caroline B M Porter
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Orr Ashenberg
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Jack Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Samantha J Riesenfeld
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Matan Hofree
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Maria Aggelakopoulou
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Subita Balaram Kuttikkatte
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Kathrine E Attfield
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Christiane A E Desel
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- University Department of Neurology, University Hospital Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Jessica L Davies
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Hayley G Evans
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Inbal Avraham-Davidi
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Lan T Nguyen
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Danielle A Dionne
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Lise Torp Jensen
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Thomas R Barber
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Elizabeth Soilleux
- Department of Pathology, Tennis Court Rd, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England
| | - Mary Carrington
- Basic Science Program, Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research in the Laboratory of Integrative Cancer Immunology, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Gil McVean
- Big Data Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre for Health Information and Discovery, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Orit Rozenblatt-Rosen
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Aviv Regev
- Klarman Cell Observatory, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Department of Biology, Cambridge, MA, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, MD, USA.
- Genentech, 1 DNA Way, South San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Lars Fugger
- MRC Human Immunology Unit, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Oxford Centre for Neuroinflammation, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
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25
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Ma W, Cao M, Bi S, Du L, Chen J, Wang H, Jiang Y, Wu Y, Liao Y, Kong S, Liu J. MAX deficiency impairs human endometrial decidualization through down-regulating OSR2 in women with recurrent spontaneous abortion. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 388:453-469. [PMID: 35146559 PMCID: PMC9035420 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03579-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Human uterine stromal cell undergoes decidualization for pregnancy establishment and maintenance, which involved extensive proliferation and differentiation. Increasing studies have suggested that recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) may result from defective endometrial stromal decidualization. However, the critical molecular mechanisms underlying impaired decidualization during RSA are still elusive. By using our recently published single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) atlas, we found that MYC-associated factor X (MAX) was significantly downregulated in the stromal cells derived from decidual tissues of women with RSA, followed by verification with immunohistochemistry (IHC) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). MAX knockdown significantly impairs human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) proliferation as determined by MTS assay and Ki67 immunostaining, and decidualization determined by F-actin, and decidualization markers. RNA-seq together with chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and cleavage under targets and release using nuclease sequencing (CUT&RUN-seq) analysis were applied to explore the molecular mechanisms of MAX in regulation of decidualization, followed by dual-luciferase reporter assay to verify that MAX targets to (odd-skipped related transcription factor 2) OSR2 directly. Reduced expression of OSR2 was also confirmed in decidual tissues in women with RSA by IHC and qRT-PCR. OSR2 knockdown also significantly impairs HESCs decidualization. OSR2-overexpression could at least partly rescue the downregulated insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) expression level in response to MAX knockdown. Collectively, MAX deficiency observed in RSA stromal cells not only attenuates HESCs proliferation but also impairs HESCs decidualization by downregulating OSR2 expression at transcriptional level directly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixu Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Mingzhu Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shilei Bi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lili Du
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingsi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics of Guangdong Higher Education Institutes, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yufei Jiang
- Xiamen Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Department of Reproductive Medicine, Women and Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Yixuan Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yixin Liao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuangbo Kong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
| | - Jianqiao Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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26
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Sung DC, Chen X, Chen M, Yang J, Schultz S, Babu A, Xu Y, Gao S, Keller TCS, Mericko-Ishizuka P, Lee M, Yang Y, Scallan JP, Kahn ML. VE-cadherin enables trophoblast endovascular invasion and spiral artery remodeling during placental development. eLife 2022; 11:e77241. [PMID: 35486098 PMCID: PMC9106330 DOI: 10.7554/elife.77241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During formation of the mammalian placenta, trophoblasts invade the maternal decidua and remodel spiral arteries to bring maternal blood into the placenta. This process, known as endovascular invasion, is thought to involve the adoption of functional characteristics of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) by trophoblasts. The genetic and molecular basis of endovascular invasion remains poorly defined, however, and whether trophoblasts utilize specialized endothelial proteins in an analogous manner to create vascular channels remains untested. Vascular endothelial (VE-)cadherin is a homotypic adhesion protein that is expressed selectively by ECs in which it enables formation of tight vessels and regulation of EC junctions. VE-cadherin is also expressed in invasive trophoblasts and is a prime candidate for a molecular mechanism of endovascular invasion by those cells. Here, we show that VE-cadherin is required for trophoblast migration and endovascular invasion into the maternal decidua in the mouse. VE-cadherin deficiency results in loss of spiral artery remodeling that leads to decreased flow of maternal blood into the placenta, fetal growth restriction, and death. These studies identify a non-endothelial role for VE-cadherin in trophoblasts during placental development and suggest that endothelial proteins may play functionally unique roles in trophoblasts that do not simply mimic those in ECs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derek C Sung
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Xiaowen Chen
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Mei Chen
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Jisheng Yang
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Susan Schultz
- Department of Radiology, Hospital of the University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Apoorva Babu
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Yitian Xu
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Siqi Gao
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - TC Stevenson Keller
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Patricia Mericko-Ishizuka
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Michelle Lee
- University Laboratory Animal Resources, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South FloridaTampaUnited States
| | - Joshua P Scallan
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South FloridaTampaUnited States
| | - Mark L Kahn
- Cardiovascular Institute, Department of Medicine, University of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaUnited States
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27
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Lapehn S, Paquette AG. The Placental Epigenome as a Molecular Link Between Prenatal Exposures and Fetal Health Outcomes Through the DOHaD Hypothesis. Curr Environ Health Rep 2022; 9:490-501. [PMID: 35488174 PMCID: PMC9363315 DOI: 10.1007/s40572-022-00354-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Purpose of Review The developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis posits that the perinatal environment can impact fetal and later life health. The placenta is uniquely situated to assess prenatal exposures in the context of DOHaD because it is an essential ephemeral fetal organ that manages the transport of oxygen, nutrients, waste, and endocrine signals between the mother and fetus. The purpose of this review is to summarize recent studies that evaluated the DOHaD hypothesis in human placentas using epigenomics, including DNA methylation and transcriptomic studies of mRNA, lncRNA, and microRNAs. Recent Findings Between 2016 and 2021, 28 articles evaluated associations between prenatal exposures and placental epigenomics across broad exposure categories including maternal smoking, psychosocial stressors, chemicals, air pollution, and metals. Sixteen of these studies connected exposures to health outcome such as birth weight, fetal growth, or infant neurobehavior through mediation analysis, identification of shared associations between exposure and outcome, or network analysis. These aspects of infant and childhood health serve as a foundation for future studies that aim to use placental epigenetics to understand relationships between the prenatal environment and perinatal complications (such as preterm birth or fetal growth restriction) or later life childhood health. Summary Placental DNA methylation and RNA expression have been linked to numerous prenatal exposures, such as PM2.5 air pollution, metals, and maternal smoking, as well as infant and childhood health outcomes, including fetal growth and birth weight. Placental epigenomics provides a unique opportunity to expand the DOHaD premise, particularly if research applies novel methodologies such as multi-omics analysis, sequencing of non-coding RNAs, mixtures analysis, and assessment of health outcomes beyond early childhood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Lapehn
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA
| | - Alison G Paquette
- Center for Developmental Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Seattle Children's Research Institute, 1900 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA, 98101, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
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28
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Ahn SH, Nguyen SL, Kim TH, Jeong JW, Arora R, Lydon JP, Petroff MG. Nuclear Progesterone Receptor Expressed by the Cortical Thymic Epithelial Cells Dictates Thymus Involution in Murine Pregnancy. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:846226. [PMID: 35498436 PMCID: PMC9046655 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.846226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Progesterone is a gonadal pro-gestational hormone that is absolutely necessary for the success of pregnancy. Most notable actions of progesterone are observed in the female reproductive organs, the uterus and the ovary. Acting through the nuclear progesterone receptor (PGR), progesterone prepares the endometrium for implantation of the embryo. Interestingly, the maternal thymus also is a known expressor of Pgr; its absence is associated with murine pregnancy complications. However, the localization of its expression and its functional importance were not known. Here, we used a transgenic dual fluorescent reporter mouse model and genetic deletion of Pgr in Foxn1+ thymic epithelial cells (TEC) to demonstrate TEC-specific Pgr expression in pregnancy, especially in the cortex where thymocyte maturation occurs. Using our TEC-specific Pgr deletion mouse model, we demonstrate that TEC-specific Pgr is necessary for pregnancy-induced thymic involution in pregnancy. Our investigation reveals that PGR expression is upregulated in the cortical thymic epithelial cells during pregnancy, and that PGR expression is important for thymic involution during murine pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soo Hyun Ahn
- Department of Pathobiology Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Sean L. Nguyen
- Institute for Integrative Toxicology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Tae Hoon Kim
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Jae-Wook Jeong
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, United States
| | - Ripla Arora
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology, Institute for Quantitative Health Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - John P. Lydon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Margaret G. Petroff
- Department of Pathobiology Diagnostic Investigation, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Cell and Molecular Biology Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
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29
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Pique-Regi R, Romero R, Garcia-Flores V, Peyvandipour A, Tarca AL, Pusod E, Galaz J, Miller D, Bhatti G, Para R, Kanninen T, Hadaya O, Paredes C, Motomura K, Johnson JR, Jung E, Hsu CD, Berry SM, Gomez-Lopez N. A single-cell atlas of the myometrium in human parturition. JCI Insight 2022; 7:153921. [PMID: 35260533 PMCID: PMC8983148 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.153921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Parturition is a well-orchestrated process characterized by increased uterine contractility, cervical ripening, and activation of the chorioamniotic membranes; yet, the transition from a quiescent to a contractile myometrium heralds the onset of labor. However, the cellular underpinnings of human parturition in the uterine tissues are still poorly understood. Herein, we performed a comprehensive study of the human myometrium during spontaneous term labor using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq). First, we established a single-cell atlas of the human myometrium and unraveled the cell type–specific transcriptomic activity modulated during labor. Major cell types included distinct subsets of smooth muscle cells, monocytes/macrophages, stromal cells, and endothelial cells, all of which communicated and participated in immune (e.g., inflammation) and nonimmune (e.g., contraction) processes associated with labor. Furthermore, integrating scRNA-Seq and microarray data with deconvolution of bulk gene expression highlighted the contribution of smooth muscle cells to labor-associated contractility and inflammatory processes. Last, myometrium-derived single-cell signatures can be quantified in the maternal whole-blood transcriptome throughout pregnancy and are enriched in women in labor, providing a potential means of noninvasively monitoring pregnancy and its complications. Together, our findings provide insights into the contributions of specific myometrial cell types to the biological processes that take place during term parturition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Pique-Regi
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.,Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Azam Peyvandipour
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Adi L Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.,Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Errile Pusod
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Gaurav Bhatti
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Robert Para
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Tomi Kanninen
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Ola Hadaya
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Carmen Paredes
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Kenichiro Motomura
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | | | - Eunjung Jung
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Chaur-Dong Hsu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.,Department of Physiology and
| | - Stanley M Berry
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
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30
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Kalisch-Smith JI, Morris EC, Strevens MAA, Redpath AN, Klaourakis K, Szumska D, Outhwaite JE, Sun X, Vieira JM, Smart N, De Val S, Riley PR, Sparrow DB. Analysis of Placental Arteriovenous Formation Reveals New Insights Into Embryos With Congenital Heart Defects. Front Genet 2022; 12:806136. [PMID: 35126469 PMCID: PMC8809359 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.806136] [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: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 12/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The placental vasculature provides the developing embryo with a circulation to deliver nutrients and dispose of waste products. However, in the mouse, the vascular components of the chorio-allantoic placenta have been largely unexplored due to a lack of well-validated molecular markers. This is required to study how these blood vessels form in development and how they are impacted by embryonic or maternal defects. Here, we employed marker analysis to characterize the arterial/arteriole and venous/venule endothelial cells (ECs) during normal mouse placental development. We reveal that placental ECs are potentially unique compared with their embryonic counterparts. We assessed embryonic markers of arterial ECs, venous ECs, and their capillary counterparts-arteriole and venule ECs. Major findings were that the arterial tree exclusively expressed Dll4, and venous vascular tree could be distinguished from the arterial tree by Endomucin (EMCN) expression levels. The relationship between the placenta and developing heart is particularly interesting. These two organs form at the same stages of embryogenesis and are well known to affect each other's growth trajectories. However, although there are many mouse models of heart defects, these are not routinely assessed for placental defects. Using these new placental vascular markers, we reveal that mouse embryos from one model of heart defects, caused by maternal iron deficiency, also have defects in the formation of the placental arterial, but not the venous, vascular tree. Defects to the embryonic cardiovascular system can therefore have a significant impact on blood flow delivery and expansion of the placental arterial tree.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta I. Kalisch-Smith
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Emily C. Morris
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mary A. A. Strevens
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Andia N. Redpath
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Kostantinos Klaourakis
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Dorota Szumska
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Ludvig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | | | - Xin Sun
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Joaquim Miguel Vieira
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola Smart
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah De Val
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- Nuffield Department of Medicine, Ludvig Institute for Cancer Research Ltd., University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Paul R. Riley
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Duncan B. Sparrow
- BHF Centre for Research Excellence, Department of Physiology, Anatomy, and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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31
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Effects of Maternal Diabetes and Diet on Gene Expression in the Murine Placenta. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13010130. [PMID: 35052470 PMCID: PMC8775503 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 01/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adverse exposures during pregnancy have been shown to contribute to susceptibility for chronic diseases in offspring. Maternal diabetes during pregnancy is associated with higher risk of pregnancy complications, structural birth defects, and cardiometabolic health impairments later in life. We showed previously in a mouse model that the placenta is smaller in diabetic pregnancies, with reduced size of the junctional zone and labyrinth. In addition, cell migration is impaired, resulting in ectopic accumulation of spongiotrophoblasts within the labyrinth. The present study had the goal to identify the mechanisms underlying the growth defects and trophoblast migration abnormalities. Based upon gene expression assays of 47 candidate genes, we were able to attribute the reduced growth of diabetic placenta to alterations in the Insulin growth factor and Serotonin signaling pathways, and provide evidence for Prostaglandin signaling deficiencies as the possible cause for abnormal trophoblast migration. Furthermore, our results reinforce the notion that the exposure to maternal diabetes has particularly pronounced effects on gene expression at midgestation time points. An implication of these findings is that mechanisms underlying developmental programming act early in pregnancy, during placenta morphogenesis, and before the conceptus switches from histiotrophic to hemotrophic nutrition.
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32
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Deng L, Lu Y, Yang D, Yang F, Ruan H, Wei C, Lai K, Pang L. Placental transcriptome sequencing combined with bioinformatics predicts potential genes and circular RNAs associated with hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2021; 48:313-327. [PMID: 34935248 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
AIM Hemoglobin Bart's hydrops fetalis syndrome (BHFS) is the most severe form of α-thalassemia. Histological alternations can be observed in placenta, but placental transcriptome profile and circular RNAs have not been studied in this disease. The aim of this study was to define the placental transcriptional changes and find relevant circular RNAs in BHFS. METHODS We performed high-throughput RNA sequencing to detect placental samples from fetuses affected by BHFS (n = 5) and normal fetuses (NF, n = 5), quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), and Sanger sequencing to validate the differentially expressed circRNAs and their potentially related miRNAs (BHFS, n = 22; NF, n = 11). Bioinformatics methods were performed for further analysis. RESULTS Our results showed 152 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 112 circRNAs, and 45 microRNAs that were differentially expressed. DEGs were found to be involved in Gene Ontology terms related to gas transport, cell adhesion, oxidative stress, organ development, hemopoiesis, and others. RT-qPCR results showed that hsa_circ_0003961 and hsa_circ_0006687 were upregulated (p < 0.05). The competing endogenous RNA and co-expression networks showed that hsa_circ_0003961 and hsa_circ_0006687 were connected with 3 miRNAs and some DEGs, including cell adhesion genes (e.g., CLDN19), hemoglobin related genes (e.g., SOX6 and HBZ) and angiogenesis related genes (e.g., EPHB2). Downregulations of hsa-miR-1299 and hsa-miR-625-5p in ceRNA network were also validated by RT-qPCR. Gene set enrichment analysis results for the two circRNAs showed that some gene sets associated with cell adhesion, hematopoietic system and apoptosis were significantly enriched. CONCLUSIONS Our study characterized the placental transcriptome of BHFS. The circRNAs hsa_circ_0003961 and hsa_circ_0006687 in placenta may be relevant to BHFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingjie Deng
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Yebin Lu
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China.,Key Laboratory of Early Prevention and Treatment for Regional High Frequency Tumor (Gaungxi Medical University), Ministry of Education, Nanning, China
| | - Dongmei Yang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Fang Yang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Heyun Ruan
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | | | - Ketong Lai
- Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
| | - Lihong Pang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis and Genetic Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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33
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Mao J, Kinkade JA, Bivens NJ, Rosenfeld CS. miRNA changes in the mouse placenta due to bisphenol A exposure. Epigenomics 2021; 13:1909-1919. [PMID: 34841895 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2021-0339] [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] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Aim: To determine small RNA expression changes in mouse placenta induced by bisphenol A (BPA) exposure. Methods: Exposing female mice to BPA two weeks prior to conception through gestational day 12.5; whereupon fetal placentas were collected, frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80°C. Small RNAs were isolated and used for small RNA-sequencing. Results: 43 small RNAs were differentially expressed. Target mRNAs were closely aligned to those expressed by thymus and brain, and pathway enrichment analyses indicated that such target mRNAs regulate neurogenesis and associated neurodevelopment processes. Conclusions: BPA induces several small RNAs in mouse placenta that might provide biomarkers for BPA exposure. Further, the placenta might affect fetal brain development through the secretion of miRNAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiude Mao
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Jessica A Kinkade
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Nathan J Bivens
- Genomics Technology Core Facility, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Cheryl S Rosenfeld
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,MU Institute for Data Science & Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Thompson Center for Autism & Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
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34
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Zhou X, Xu Y, Ren S, Liu D, Yang N, Han Q, Kong S, Wang H, Deng W, Qi H, Lu J. Single-cell RNA-seq revealed diverse cell types in the mouse placenta at mid-gestation. Exp Cell Res 2021; 405:112715. [PMID: 34217714 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The mammalian placenta consists of a set of cells to ensure normal placental functions throughout gestation. Dysfunctional placentae are considered as the origin of a series of pregnancy complications. Therefore, it is urgent for detailed information about the molecular recipes of the cell types within the normal placenta. In the past years, gene expression analysis via single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) offers opportunities to identify new cell types in a variety of organs and tissues. In this study, scRNA-seq was used to explore the cell heterogeneity within the E10.5 mouse placenta and unravel their discrepancies in cell composition and communications. We identified sixteen cell clusters, including some cell clusters that originated from the maternal tissue. Moreover, we traced the developmental trajectories of trophoblasts and Hofbauer-like cells. Further analysis revealed cell connections between the endothelial cells and pericytes, syncytiotrophoblasts, as well as decidual cells. Besides, we highlighted several signaling pathways, such as the EGF, FGF, canonical, and non-canonical WNT signaling pathways, which mediated the potential crosstalk between different cell types within placenta. Our research provides an in-depth understanding of placental development, cellular composition, and communications at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobo Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Yingchun Xu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Shengnan Ren
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Dong Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Ningjie Yang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Qian Han
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
| | - Shuangbo Kong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Wenbo Deng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Hongbo Qi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.
| | - Jinhua Lu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China.
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35
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The amniotic fluid cell-free transcriptome in spontaneous preterm labor. Sci Rep 2021; 11:13481. [PMID: 34188072 PMCID: PMC8242007 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-92439-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
The amniotic fluid (AF) cell-free RNA was shown to reflect physiological and pathological processes in pregnancy, but its value in the prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery is unknown. Herein we profiled cell-free RNA in AF samples collected from women who underwent transabdominal amniocentesis after an episode of spontaneous preterm labor and subsequently delivered within 24 h (n = 10) or later (n = 28) in gestation. Expression of known placental single-cell RNA-Seq signatures was quantified in AF cell-free RNA and compared between the groups. Random forest models were applied to predict time-to-delivery after amniocentesis. There were 2385 genes differentially expressed in AF samples of women who delivered within 24 h of amniocentesis compared to gestational age-matched samples from women who delivered after 24 h of amniocentesis. Genes with cell-free RNA changes were associated with immune and inflammatory processes related to the onset of labor, and the expression of placental single-cell RNA-Seq signatures of immune cells was increased with imminent delivery. AF transcriptomic prediction models captured these effects and predicted delivery within 24 h of amniocentesis (AUROC = 0.81). These results may inform the development of biomarkers for spontaneous preterm birth.
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36
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Maurya VK, DeMayo FJ, Lydon JP. Illuminating the "Black Box" of Progesterone-Dependent Embryo Implantation Using Engineered Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:640907. [PMID: 33898429 PMCID: PMC8058370 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.640907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Synchrony between progesterone-driven endometrial receptivity and the arrival of a euploid blastocyst is essential for embryo implantation, a prerequisite event in the establishment of a successful pregnancy. Advancement of embryo implantation within the uterus also requires stromal fibroblasts of the endometrium to transform into epithelioid decidual cells, a progesterone-dependent cellular transformation process termed decidualization. Although progesterone is indispensable for these cellular processes, the molecular underpinnings are not fully understood. Because human studies are restricted, much of our fundamental understanding of progesterone signaling in endometrial periimplantation biology comes from in vitro and in vivo experimental systems. In this review, we focus on the tremendous progress attained with the use of engineered mouse models together with high throughput genome-scale analysis in disclosing key signals, pathways and networks that are required for normal endometrial responses to progesterone during the periimplantation period. Many molecular mediators and modifiers of the progesterone response are implicated in cross talk signaling between epithelial and stromal cells of the endometrium, an intercellular communication system that is critical for the ordered spatiotemporal control of embryo invasion within the maternal compartment. Accordingly, derailment of these signaling systems is causally linked with infertility, early embryo miscarriage and gestational complications that symptomatically manifest later in pregnancy. Such aberrant progesterone molecular responses also contribute to endometrial pathologies such as endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia and cancer. Therefore, our review makes the case that further identification and functional analysis of key molecular mediators and modifiers of the endometrial response to progesterone will not only provide much-needed molecular insight into the early endometrial cellular changes that promote pregnancy establishment but lend credible hope for the development of more effective mechanism-based molecular diagnostics and precision therapies in the clinical management of female infertility, subfertility and a subset of gynecological morbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vineet K Maurya
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Francesco J DeMayo
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, NC, United States
| | - John P Lydon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, United States
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37
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Li L, Lenahan C, Liao Z, Ke J, Li X, Xue F, Zhang JH. Novel Technologies in Studying Brain Immune Response. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2021; 2021:6694566. [PMID: 33791073 PMCID: PMC7997736 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6694566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Over the past few decades, the immune system, including both the adaptive and innate immune systems, proved to be essential and critical to brain damage and recovery in the pathogenesis of several diseases, opening a new avenue for developing new immunomodulatory therapies and novel treatments for many neurological diseases. However, due to the specificity and structural complexity of the central nervous system (CNS), and the limit of the related technologies, the biology of the immune response in the brain is still poorly understood. Here, we discuss the application of novel technologies in studying the brain immune response, including single-cell RNA analysis, cytometry by time-of-flight, and whole-genome transcriptomic and proteomic analysis. We believe that advancements in technology related to immune research will provide an optimistic future for brain repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Cameron Lenahan
- Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM 88003, USA
- Center for Neuroscience Research, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92324, USA
| | - Zhihui Liao
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Jingdong Ke
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Xiuliang Li
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - Fushan Xue
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100053, China
| | - John H. Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Neurosurgery and Neurology, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92324, USA
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA 92324, USA
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38
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Parchem JG, Kanasaki K, Lee SB, Kanasaki M, Yang JL, Xu Y, Earl KM, Keuls RA, Gattone VH, Kalluri R. STOX1 deficiency is associated with renin-mediated gestational hypertension and placental defects. JCI Insight 2021; 6:141588. [PMID: 33301424 PMCID: PMC7934881 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.141588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The pathogenesis of preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders of pregnancy remains poorly defined despite the substantial burden of maternal and neonatal morbidity associated with these conditions. In particular, the role of genetic variants as determinants of disease susceptibility is understudied. Storkhead-box protein 1 (STOX1) was first identified as a preeclampsia risk gene through family-based genetic linkage studies in which loss-of-function variants were proposed to underlie increased preeclampsia susceptibility. We generated a genetic Stox1 loss-of-function mouse model (Stox1 KO) to evaluate whether STOX1 regulates blood pressure in pregnancy. Pregnant Stox1-KO mice developed gestational hypertension evidenced by a significant increase in blood pressure compared with WT by E17.5. While severe renal, placental, or fetal growth abnormalities were not observed, the Stox1-KO phenotype was associated with placental vascular and extracellular matrix abnormalities. Mechanistically, we found that gestational hypertension in Stox1-KO mice resulted from activation of the uteroplacental renin-angiotensin system. This mechanism was supported by showing that treatment of pregnant Stox1-KO mice with an angiotensin II receptor blocker rescued the phenotype. Our study demonstrates the utility of genetic mouse models for uncovering links between genetic variants and effector pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacqueline G Parchem
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Keizo Kanasaki
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Soo Bong Lee
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Megumi Kanasaki
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joyce L Yang
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Yong Xu
- Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Kadeshia M Earl
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Rachel A Keuls
- Development, Disease Models & Therapeutics Graduate Program, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, and Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Vincent H Gattone
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Raghu Kalluri
- Department of Cancer Biology, Metastasis Research Center, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA.,Division of Matrix Biology, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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39
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Guo C, Cai P, Jin L, Sha Q, Yu Q, Zhang W, Jiang C, Liu Q, Zong D, Li K, Fang J, Lu F, Wang Y, Li D, Lin J, Li L, Zeng Z, Tong X, Wei H, Qu K. Single-cell profiling of the human decidual immune microenvironment in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss. Cell Discov 2021; 7:1. [PMID: 33390590 PMCID: PMC7779601 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-020-00236-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining homeostasis of the decidual immune microenvironment at the maternal–fetal interface is essential for placentation and reproductive success. Although distinct decidual immune cell subpopulations have been identified under normal conditions, systematic understanding of the spectrum and heterogeneity of leukocytes under recurrent miscarriage in human deciduas remains unclear. To address this, we profiled the respective transcriptomes of 18,646 primary human decidual immune cells isolated from patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and healthy controls at single-cell resolution. We discovered dramatic differential distributions of immune cell subsets in RPL patients compared with the normal decidual immune microenvironment. Furthermore, we found a subset of decidual natural killer (NK) cells that support embryo growth were diminished in proportion due to abnormal NK cell development in RPL patients. We also elucidated the altered cellular interactions between the decidual immune cell subsets in the microenvironment and those of the immune cells with stromal cells and extravillous trophoblast under disease state. These results provided deeper insights into the RPL decidual immune microenvironment disorder that are potentially applicable to improve the diagnosis and therapeutics of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuang Guo
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Pengfei Cai
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Liying Jin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Qing Sha
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Qiaoni Yu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Wen Zhang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Chen Jiang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Dandan Zong
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Kun Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Jingwen Fang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.,HanGene Biotech, Xiaoshan Innovation Polis, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 311200, China
| | - Fangting Lu
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230021, China
| | - Yanshi Wang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230021, China
| | - Daojing Li
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230021, China
| | - Jun Lin
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Lu Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Zhutian Zeng
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Xianhong Tong
- The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230021, China
| | - Haiming Wei
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China
| | - Kun Qu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Molecular Medicine, Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at Microscale, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China. .,CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Sciences, The CAS Key Laboratory of Innate Immunity and Chronic Disease, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China. .,School of Data Science, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230027, China.
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40
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Marsh B, Blelloch R. Single nuclei RNA-seq of mouse placental labyrinth development. eLife 2020; 9:e60266. [PMID: 33141023 PMCID: PMC7669270 DOI: 10.7554/elife.60266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is the interface between mother and fetus in all eutherian species. However, our understanding of this essential organ remains incomplete. A substantial challenge has been the syncytial cells of the placenta, which have made dissociation and independent evaluation of the different cell types of this organ difficult. Here, we address questions concerning the ontogeny, specification, and function of the cell types of a representative hemochorial placenta by performing single nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) at multiple stages of mouse embryonic development focusing on the exchange interface, the labyrinth. Timepoints extended from progenitor-driven expansion through terminal differentiation. Analysis by snRNA-seq identified transcript profiles and inferred functions, cell trajectories, signaling interactions, and transcriptional drivers of all but the most highly polyploid cell types of the placenta. These data profile placental development at an unprecedented resolution, provide insights into differentiation and function across time, and provide a resource for future study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryan Marsh
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Department of Urology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
| | - Robert Blelloch
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
- Department of Urology, University of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoUnited States
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41
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Huang W, Lu W, Li Q, Zhang Y, Xie B, Luo S, Wei Y, Ma Y, Huang Y. Effects of cyclosporine A on proliferation, invasion and migration of HTR-8/SVneo human extravillous trophoblasts. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 533:645-650. [PMID: 33032826 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.09.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
As shown in our previous study, cyclosporine A (CsA) promotes the proliferation, invasion and migration of villous trophoblasts, thus improving embryo implantation. In addition, the incidence of preeclampsia (PE) is decreased in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and repeated implantation failure (RIF) treated with CsA during the first trimester. Abnormal function of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) in early pregnancy is recognized as the pathogenetic mechanism of PE. EVTs share homology and function with pre-villous trophoblasts and villous trophoblasts; thus, we hypothesized that CsA may have the same regulatory effect on EVTs. In this study, we investigated the effects of CsA on HTR-8/SVneo trophoblasts in the extravillous layer and explored the underlying mechanisms. QPCR and Western blot (WB) analyses were performed to detect expression alterations in relevant proliferation and invasion proteins in response to different concentrations of CsA. We used an Affymetrix IVT expression microarray to examine the target genes of CsA in preeclamptic placentas versus normal placentas. Our results showed that certain concentrations of CsA could promote the proliferation, invasion and migration of HTR8/SVneo cells. CsA was also found to promote the expression of titin, MMP9, EGFR, and PRR15. TRAIL may be a target gene for CsA-mediated regulation of EVTs. CONCLUSIONS: By promoting the expression of related proteins and regulating the functions of HTR8/SVneo cells, CsA can promote vascular recasting and placental function, which may affect the pathogenesis of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China.
| | - Weiying Lu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China.
| | - Qi Li
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China.
| | - Yu Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China.
| | - Baoguo Xie
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China.
| | - Shu Luo
- Department of Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China.
| | - Yunjian Wei
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China.
| | - Yanlin Ma
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Hainan Provincial Clinical Research Center for Thalassemia, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China; Haikou Key Laboratory for Preservation of Human Genetic Resource, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China.
| | - Yuanhua Huang
- The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Hainan, China.
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42
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Li Z, Zhao S, Nelakanti RV, Lin K, Wu TP, Alderman MH, Guo C, Wang P, Zhang M, Min W, Jiang Z, Wang Y, Li H, Xiao AZ. N 6-methyladenine in DNA antagonizes SATB1 in early development. Nature 2020; 583:625-630. [PMID: 32669713 PMCID: PMC8596487 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-020-2500-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The recent discovery of N6-mA in mammalian genomes suggests that it may serve as an epigenetic regulatory mechanism1. However, the biological role of N6-mA and molecular pathways exerting its function remain elusive. Herein, we demonstrate that N6-mA plays a critical role in changing the epigenetic landscape during cell fate transitions in early development. We found that N6-mA is upregulated during trophoblast stem cell development, specifically at Stress Induced DNA Double Helix Destabilization (SIDD) regions2-4. It is well-known that SIDD regions are conducive to topological stress-induced double helix unpairing and play critical roles in organizing large-scale chromatin structures3,5,6. We demonstrated that the presence of N6-mA abolishes (>500-fold) the in vitro interactions between SIDD and SATB1, a critical chromatin organizer interacting with SIDD regions; N6-mA deposition also effectively antagonizes SATB1 function in vivo by preventing its binding to chromatin. Concordantly, N6-mA functions at the boundaries between eu-/hetero- chromatin to restrict the spreading of euchromatin. N6-mA mediated repression is critical for gene regulation during trophoblast development in cell culture models and in vivo. Overall, our study discovers an unexpected molecular mechanism for N6-mA function via SATB1, and reveals surprising connections between DNA modification, DNA secondary structures and large chromatin domains in early embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Li
- Department of Genetics and Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Shuai Zhao
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Raman V Nelakanti
- Department of Genetics and Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Kaixuan Lin
- Department of Genetics and Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tao P Wu
- Department of Genetics and Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Myles H Alderman
- Department of Genetics and Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Cheng Guo
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA.,Cancer Institute, Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Intervention, China National Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Pengcheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Min Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Wang Min
- Interdepartmental Program in Vascular Biology and Therapeutics, Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Zongliang Jiang
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Yinsheng Wang
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, CA, USA
| | - Haitao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Protein Sciences, Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Structural Biology, Beijing Frontier Research Center for Biological Structure, Tsinghua-Peking Joint Center for Life Sciences, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Andrew Z Xiao
- Department of Genetics and Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
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43
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The transcriptional repressor Blimp1/PRDM1 regulates the maternal decidual response in mice. Nat Commun 2020; 11:2782. [PMID: 32493987 PMCID: PMC7270082 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16603-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcriptional repressor Blimp1 controls cell fate decisions in the developing embryo and adult tissues. Here we describe Blimp1 expression and functional requirements within maternal uterine tissues during pregnancy. Expression is robustly up-regulated at early post-implantation stages in the primary decidual zone (PDZ) surrounding the embryo. Conditional inactivation results in defective formation of the PDZ barrier and abnormal trophectoderm invasion. RNA-Seq analysis demonstrates down-regulated expression of genes involved in cell adhesion and markers of decidualisation. In contrast, genes controlling immune responses including IFNγ are up-regulated. ChIP-Seq experiments identify candidate targets unique to the decidua as well as those shared across diverse cell types including a highly conserved peak at the Csf-1 gene promoter. Interestingly Blimp1 inactivation results in up-regulated Csf1 expression and macrophage recruitment into maternal decidual tissues. These results identify Blimp1 as a critical regulator of tissue remodelling and maternal tolerance during early stages of pregnancy.
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44
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Wilbrey-Clark A, Roberts K, Teichmann SA. Cell Atlas technologies and insights into tissue architecture. Biochem J 2020; 477:1427-1442. [PMID: 32339226 PMCID: PMC7200628 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20190341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Since Robert Hooke first described the existence of 'cells' in 1665, scientists have sought to identify and further characterise these fundamental units of life. While our understanding of cell location, morphology and function has expanded greatly; our understanding of cell types and states at the molecular level, and how these function within tissue architecture, is still limited. A greater understanding of our cells could revolutionise basic biology and medicine. Atlasing initiatives like the Human Cell Atlas aim to identify all cell types at the molecular level, including their physical locations, and to make this reference data openly available to the scientific community. This is made possible by a recent technology revolution: both in single-cell molecular profiling, particularly single-cell RNA sequencing, and in spatially resolved methods for assessing gene and protein expression. Here, we review available and upcoming atlasing technologies, the biological insights gained to date and the promise of this field for the future.
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45
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Li M, Chen L, Zhang J, Xiong C, Li X. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 expression of maternal-fetal interface and fetal organs by single-cell transcriptome study. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230295. [PMID: 32298273 PMCID: PMC7161957 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230295] [Citation(s) in RCA: 248] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2020] [Accepted: 03/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The new type of pneumonia caused by the SARS-CoV-2 (Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) has been declared as a global public health concern by WHO. As of April 3, 2020, more than 1,000,000 human infections have been diagnosed around the world, which exhibited apparent person-to-person transmission characteristics of this virus. The capacity of vertical transmission in SARS-CoV-2 remains controversial recently. Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is now confirmed as the receptor of SARS-CoV-2 and plays essential roles in human infection and transmission. In present study, we collected the online available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data to evaluate the cell specific expression of ACE2 in maternal-fetal interface as well as in multiple fetal organs. Our results revealed that ACE2 was highly expressed in maternal-fetal interface cells including stromal cells and perivascular cells of decidua, and cytotrophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast in placenta. Meanwhile, ACE2 was also expressed in specific cell types of human fetal heart, liver and lung, but not in kidney. And in a study containing series fetal and post-natal mouse lung, we observed ACE2 was dynamically changed over the time, and ACE2 was extremely high in neonatal mice at post-natal day 1~3. In summary, this study revealed that the SARS-CoV-2 receptor was widely spread in specific cell types of maternal-fetal interface and fetal organs. And thus, both the vertical transmission and the placenta dysfunction/abortion caused by SARS-CoV-2 need to be further carefully investigated in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingxiao Zhang
- Center for Applied Statistics, School of Statistics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
| | - Chenglong Xiong
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Public Health Safety, Ministry of Education, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (CX); (XL)
| | - Xiangjie Li
- Center for Applied Statistics, School of Statistics, Renmin University of China, Beijing, China
- * E-mail: (CX); (XL)
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46
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Seiler C, Bayless NL, Vergara R, Pintye J, Kinuthia J, Osborn L, Matemo D, Richardson BA, John-Stewart G, Holmes S, Blish CA. Influenza-Induced Interferon Lambda Response Is Associated With Longer Time to Delivery Among Pregnant Kenyan Women. Front Immunol 2020; 11:452. [PMID: 32256497 PMCID: PMC7089959 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Specific causes of preterm birth remain unclear. Several recent studies have suggested that immune changes during pregnancy are associated with the timing of delivery, yet few studies have been performed in low-income country settings where the rates of preterm birth are the highest. We conducted a retrospective nested case-control evaluation within a longitudinal study among HIV-uninfected pregnant Kenyan women. To characterize immune function in these women, we evaluated unstimulated and stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells in vitro with the A/California/2009 strain of influenza to understand the influenza-induced immune response. We then evaluated transcript expression profiles using the Affymetrix Human GeneChip Transcriptome Array 2.0. Transcriptional profiles of sufficient quality for analysis were obtained from 54 women; 19 of these women delivered <34 weeks and were defined as preterm cases and 35 controls delivered >37 weeks. The median time to birth from sample collection was 13 weeks. No transcripts were significantly associated with preterm birth in a case-control study of matched term and preterm birth (n = 42 women). In the influenza-stimulated samples, expression of IFNL1 was associated with longer time to delivery-the amount of time between sample collection and delivery (n = 54 women). A qPCR analysis confirmed that influenza-induced IFNL expression was associated with longer time to delivery. These data indicate that during pregnancy, ex vivo influenza stimulation results in altered transcriptional response and is associated with time to delivery in cohort of women residing in an area with high preterm birth prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christof Seiler
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Data Science and Knowledge Engineering, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Nicholas L. Bayless
- Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Rosemary Vergara
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Jillian Pintye
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | | | | | | | - Barbra A. Richardson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
- Department of Biostatistics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Susan Holmes
- Department of Statistics, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Catherine A. Blish
- Immunology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
- Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, San Francisco, CA, United States
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47
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Wang H, Wang P, Liang X, Li W, Yang M, Ma J, Yue W, Fan S. Down-regulation of endothelial protein C receptor promotes preeclampsia by affecting actin polymerization. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 24:3370-3383. [PMID: 32003123 PMCID: PMC7131931 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.15011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Revised: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a severe pregnancy-related disease that is found in 3%-5% of pregnancies worldwide and is primarily related to the decreased proliferation and invasion of trophoblast cells and abnormal uterine spiral artery remodelling. However, studies on the pathogenesis of placental trophoblasts are insufficient, and the aetiology of PE remains unclear. Here, we report that endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), a transmembrane glycoprotein, was down-regulated in placentas from preeclamptic patients. Moreover, lack of EPCR significantly reduced the trophoblast cell proliferation, invasion and tube formation capabilities. Microscale thermophoresis analysis showed that EPCR directly bound to protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR-1), a G protein-coupled receptor. This change resulted in a substantial reduction in active Rac1 and caused excessive actin rearrangement. Our findings reveal a previously unidentified role of EPCR in the regulation of trophoblast proliferation, invasion and tube formation through promotion of actin polymerization, which is required for normal placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Diseases, Shenzhen, China
| | - Pan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoling Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wenjing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Mo Yang
- Medical Center for Human Reproduction, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Jihong Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Yue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Shangrong Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecological Diseases, Shenzhen, China
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48
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Pique-Regi R, Romero R, Tarca AL, Sendler ED, Xu Y, Garcia-Flores V, Leng Y, Luca F, Hassan SS, Gomez-Lopez N. Single cell transcriptional signatures of the human placenta in term and preterm parturition. eLife 2019; 8:52004. [PMID: 31829938 PMCID: PMC6949028 DOI: 10.7554/elife.52004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 172] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
More than 135 million births occur each year; yet, the molecular underpinnings of human parturition in gestational tissues, and in particular the placenta, are still poorly understood. The placenta is a complex heterogeneous organ including cells of both maternal and fetal origin, and insults that disrupt the maternal-fetal dialogue could result in adverse pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth. There is limited knowledge of the cell type composition and transcriptional activity of the placenta and its compartments during physiologic and pathologic parturition. To fill this knowledge gap, we used scRNA-seq to profile the placental villous tree, basal plate, and chorioamniotic membranes of women with or without labor at term and those with preterm labor. Significant differences in cell type composition and transcriptional profiles were found among placental compartments and across study groups. For the first time, two cell types were identified: 1) lymphatic endothelial decidual cells in the chorioamniotic membranes, and 2) non-proliferative interstitial cytotrophoblasts in the placental villi. Maternal macrophages from the chorioamniotic membranes displayed the largest differences in gene expression (e.g. NFKB1) in both processes of labor; yet, specific gene expression changes were also detected in preterm labor. Importantly, several placental scRNA-seq transcriptional signatures were modulated with advancing gestation in the maternal circulation, and specific immune cell type signatures were increased with labor at term (NK-cell and activated T-cell signatures) and with preterm labor (macrophage, monocyte, and activated T-cell signatures). Herein, we provide a catalogue of cell types and transcriptional profiles in the human placenta, shedding light on the molecular underpinnings and non-invasive prediction of the physiologic and pathologic parturition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roger Pique-Regi
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States.,Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, United States
| | - Roberto Romero
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, United States.,Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, United States.,Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, United States
| | - Adi L Tarca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States.,Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, United States.,Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering, Wayne State University, Detroit, United States
| | - Edward D Sendler
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, United States
| | - Yi Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States.,Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, United States
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States.,Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, United States
| | - Yaozhu Leng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States.,Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, United States
| | - Francesca Luca
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States
| | - Sonia S Hassan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States.,Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Detroit, United States.,Department of Immunology, Microbiology, and Biochemistry, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, United States
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49
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Abstract
The placenta is essential for normal in utero development in mammals. In humans, defective placental formation underpins common pregnancy disorders such as pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The great variation in placental types across mammals means that animal models have been of limited use in understanding human placental development. However, new tools for studying human placental development, including 3D organoids, stem cell culture systems and single cell RNA sequencing, have brought new insights into this field. Here, we review the morphological, molecular and functional aspects of human placental formation, with a focus on the defining cell of the placenta - the trophoblast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Y Turco
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
- Department of Physiology, Neuroscience and Development, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Ashley Moffett
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK
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50
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Lv B, An Q, Zeng Q, Zhang X, Lu P, Wang Y, Zhu X, Ji Y, Fan G, Xue Z. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals regulatory mechanism for trophoblast cell-fate divergence in human peri-implantation conceptuses. PLoS Biol 2019; 17:e3000187. [PMID: 31596842 PMCID: PMC6802852 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 10/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Multipotent trophoblasts undergo dynamic morphological movement and cellular differentiation after conceptus implantation to generate placenta. However, the mechanism controlling trophoblast development and differentiation during peri-implantation development in human remains elusive. In this study, we modeled human conceptus peri-implantation development from blastocyst to early postimplantation stages by using an in vitro coculture system and profiled the transcriptome of 476 individual trophoblast cells from these conceptuses. We revealed the genetic networks regulating peri-implantation trophoblast development. While determining when trophoblast differentiation happens, our bioinformatic analysis identified T-box transcription factor 3 (TBX3) as a key regulator for the differentiation of cytotrophoblast (CT) into syncytiotrophoblast (ST). The function of TBX3 in trophoblast differentiation is then validated by a loss-of-function experiment. In conclusion, our results provided a valuable resource to study the regulation of trophoblasts development and differentiation during human peri-implantation development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Lv
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin An
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, State of California, United States of America
| | - Qiao Zeng
- Center of Reproductive Medicine of Ji’an Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Ji’an, Jiangxi, China
| | - Xunyi Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Lu
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanqiu Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianmin Zhu
- Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yazhong Ji
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (ZX); (GF); (YJ)
| | - Guoping Fan
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, State of California, United States of America
- * E-mail: (ZX); (GF); (YJ)
| | - Zhigang Xue
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
- * E-mail: (ZX); (GF); (YJ)
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