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Chen Y, Zheng S, Zhao X, Zhang Y, Yu S, Wei J. Unveiling the protective effects of BMSCs/anti-miR-124-3p exosomes on LPS-induced endometrial injury. Funct Integr Genomics 2024; 24:32. [PMID: 38363406 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-024-01303-4] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 01/15/2024] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Researchers have reported that miR-124-3p is highly expressed in patients with chronic endometritis. However, the underlying mechanism of miR-124-3p in the development of endometritis remains unclear. This study constructed an in vitro endometrial cell injury model by treating HEECs with 2 μg/mL LPS for 48 h. Then, 1 mg/kg LPS was injected into both sides of the mouse uterus to construct an in vivo endometrial injury model. The expression of miR-124-3p in human endometrial epithelial cells (HEECs) was assessed using RT‒qPCR. Exosomes were separated from bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and cocultured with HEECs. A dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to confirm the relationship between miR-124-3p and DUSP6. The results indicated that LPS inhibited HEEC viability in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The miR-124-3p inhibitor reversed the LPS-induced apoptosis and inhibition of HEEC viability. In addition, miR-124-3p could be transferred from BMSCs to HEECs by exosomes. Exosomes were derived from BMSCs treated with an NC inhibitor (BMSCs/NC Exo) or miR-124-3p inhibitor (BMSCs/anti-miR-124-3p Exo). In addition, BMSCs/anti-miR-124-3p Exo abolished the LPS-induced inhibition of HEEC viability and proliferation by inducing HEEC apoptosis. Moreover, BMSCs/anti-miR-124-3p Exo alleviated the LPS-induced inflammation of HEECs by upregulating DUSP6 and downregulating p-p65 and p-ERK. Furthermore, in an LPS-induced in vivo endometrial injury model, BMSCs/anti-miR-124-3p Exo increased the expression level of DUSP6 and decreased the expression levels of p-p65 and p-ERK. BMSCs/anti-miR-124-3p Exo protected against LPS-induced endometrial damage in vitro and in vivo by upregulating DUSP6 and downregulating p-p65 and p-ERK1/2. This study showed that BMSCs/anti-miR-124-3p Exo might be a potential alternative for the treatment of endometritis.
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Grants
- 2020J01986, 2021J1236, 2022J01689 Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
- 2020J01986, 2021J1236, 2022J01689 Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
- 2020J01986, 2021J1236, 2022J01689 Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
- 2020J01986, 2021J1236, 2022J01689 Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
- 2020J01986, 2021J1236, 2022J01689 Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
- 2020J01986, 2021J1236, 2022J01689 Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihong Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chazhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Shan Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chazhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Xiumei Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chazhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chazhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Suchai Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chazhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China
| | - Juanbing Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, No. 20 Chazhong Road, Taijiang District, Fuzhou, 350005, Fujian, China.
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2
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Zhu H, Li T, Xu P, Ding L, Zhu X, Wang B, Tang X, Li J, Zhu P, Wang H, Dai C, Sun H, Dai J, Hu Y. Effect of autologous bone marrow stem cells-scaffold transplantation on the ongoing pregnancy rate in intrauterine adhesion women: a randomized, controlled trial. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:113-121. [PMID: 37751064 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2403-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesion is a major cause of female reproductive disorders. Although we and others uncontrolled pilot studies showed that treatment with autologous bone marrow stem cells made a few patients with severe intrauterine adhesion obtain live birth, no large sample randomized controlled studies on this therapeutic strategy in such patients have been reported so far. To verify if the therapy of autologous bone marrow stem cells-scaffold is superior to traditional treatment in moderate to severe intrauterine adhesion patients in increasing their ongoing pregnancy rate, we conducted this randomized controlled clinical trial. Totally 195 participants with moderate to severe intrauterine adhesion were screened and 152 of them were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either group with autologous bone marrow stem cells-scaffold plus Foley balloon catheter or group with only Foley balloon catheter (control group) from February 2016 to January 2020. The per-protocol analysis included 140 participants: 72 in bone marrow stem cells-scaffold group and 68 in control group. The ongoing pregnancy occurred in 45/72 (62.5%) participants in the bone marrow stem cells-scaffold group which was significantly higher than that in the control group (28/68, 41.2%) (RR=1.52, 95%CI 1.08-2.12, P=0.012). The situation was similar in live birth rate (bone marrow stem cells-scaffold group 56.9% (41/72) vs. control group 38.2% (26/68), RR=1.49, 95%CI 1.04-2.14, P=0.027). Compared with control group, participants in bone marrow stem cells-scaffold group showed more menstrual blood volume in the 3rd and 6th cycles and maximal endometrial thickness in the 6th cycle after hysteroscopic adhesiolysis. The incidence of mild placenta accrete was increased in bone marrow stem cells-scaffold group and no severe adverse effects were observed. In conclusion, transplantation of bone marrow stem cells-scaffold into uterine cavities of the participants with moderate to severe intrauterine adhesion increased their ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates, and this therapy was relatively safe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Taishun Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Peizhen Xu
- Department of Gynecology, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213004, China
| | - Lijun Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xianghong Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Clinical Center for Stem Cell Research, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Xiaoqiu Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Juan Li
- Department of Hematology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Pengfeng Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, 213004, China
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Chenyan Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
| | - Jianwu Dai
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, China.
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210008, China.
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3
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Zou L, Huang J, Zhang Q, Mo H, Xia W, Zhu C, Rao M. The humanin analogue (HNG) alleviates intrauterine adhesions by inhibiting endometrial epithelial cells ferroptosis: a rat model-based study. Hum Reprod 2023; 38:2422-2432. [PMID: 37814907 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead196] [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: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does a humanin analogue (HNG) have a therapeutic effect on intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) caused by uterine cavity surgery in a rat model? SUMMARY ANSWER HNG supplementation attenuated the development of endometrial fibrosis and IUAs, improved fertility, and contributed to the regulation of endometrial fibrosis by inhibiting endometrial ferroptosis in rats with IUAs. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY IUAs, which are characterized by endometrial fibrosis, are a common cause of female infertility. Humanin (rattin in rats) is a mitochondrial-derived peptide that is widely expressed in multiple tissues. S14G-humanin (HNG) is an HNG that has been reported to have a protective effect against myocardial fibrosis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Endometrial tissues from three patients with IUAs and three controls were tested for humanin expression. Two animal models were used to evaluate the modelling effect of IUAs and the preventive effect of HNG against IUAs. In the first model, 40 rats were equally randomized to control and Day 7, 14, and 21 groups to establish the IUA model. In the second model, 66 rats were equally randomized to the control, IUA, and IUA + humanin analogue (HNG) groups. Erastin was used to induce ferroptosis in the Ishikawa cell line. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The endometrium was scraped with a surgical spatula, combined with lipopolysaccharide treatment, to establish the rat model of IUAs. Rats were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mg/kg/day HNG for 21 consecutive days beginning from the day of operation to evaluate the therapeutic effect on IUAs. Haematoxylin-eosin and Masson's trichrome staining were used to assess endometrial morphology and evaluate fibrosis. Ferroptosis-related markers, namely nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), haeme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and ferritin, were measured by immunohistochemistry and western blotting to determine whether ferroptosis was involved in the development of IUAs and to assess the attenuative effect of HNG on ferroptosis. Additionally, the female rats were mated with male rats with normal fertility to assess fertility. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Humanin was widely expressed in endometrial cells, including epithelial and stromal cells, in both humans and rats. Humanin expression levels were downregulated in the endometria of patients and rats with IUAs relative to the endometria of controls. Endometrial thickness and the number of glands were significantly decreased on Day 7, 14, and 21 after endometrial scraping when compared with the controls (all P < 0.05), whereas the fibrotic area was significantly increased (P < 0.05). Among the tested ferroptosis markers, the expression levels of Nrf2, SLC7A11, and GPX4 were significantly downregulated and those of ACSL4, HO-1, and ferritin were significantly upregulated after endometrial scraping relative to their expression levels in controls (all P < 0.05). The mating rates in the control, IUA, and IUA + HNG groups were 100% (10/10), 40% (4/10), and 80% (8/10), respectively. The number of embryos in rats with IUAs (mean ± SD: 1.6 ± 2.1) was significantly less than the number in the controls (11.8 ± 1.5). HNG supplementation significantly attenuated this decrease in the number of implanted embryos (6.3 ± 4.5) (P < 0.01). Further results showed that HNG significantly attenuated the altered expression levels of proteins involved in ferroptosis in the endometria of rats with IUAs. Moreover, in vitro experiments showed that HNG significantly attenuated the erastin-induced decrease in the viability of the Ishikawa cell line and also attenuated the increase in reactive oxygen species production and the downregulation of GPX4. LARGE SCALE DATA None. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The findings of this study showed that HNG inhibited ferroptosis and reduced fibrosis in a rat model of IUAs. However, we could not establish a causal relationship between ferroptosis and the development of IUAs. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS HNG may be effective at alleviating fibrosis during the development of IUAs, and the inhibition of ferroptosis is a promising new strategy for IUA therapy. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 82171647); the '1000 Talent Plan' of Yunnan Province (No. RLQN20200001); and the Basic Research Project of the Yunnan Province-Outstanding Youth Foundation (No. 202101AW070018). The authors declare no competing financial interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liping Zou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qiaoling Zhang
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Hui Mo
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Wei Xia
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Changhong Zhu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Rao
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
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4
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Santamaria X, Roson B, Perez-Moraga R, Venkatesan N, Pardo-Figuerez M, Gonzalez-Fernandez J, Llera-Oyola J, Fernández E, Moreno I, Salumets A, Vankelecom H, Vilella F, Simon C. Decoding the endometrial niche of Asherman's Syndrome at single-cell resolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5890. [PMID: 37735465 PMCID: PMC10514053 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41656-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Asherman's Syndrome is characterized by intrauterine adhesions or scarring, which cause infertility, menstrual abnormalities, and recurrent pregnancy loss. The pathophysiology of this syndrome remains unknown, with treatment restricted to recurrent surgical removal of intrauterine scarring, which has limited success. Here, we decode the Asherman's Syndrome endometrial cell niche by analyzing data from over 200,000 cells with single-cell RNA-sequencing in patients with this condition and through in vitro analyses of Asherman's Syndrome patient-derived endometrial organoids. Our endometrial atlas highlights the loss of the endometrial epithelium, alterations to epithelial differentiation signaling pathways such as Wnt and Notch, and the appearance of characteristic epithelium expressing secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor during the window of implantation. We describe syndrome-associated alterations in cell-to-cell communication and gene expression profiles that support a dysfunctional pro-fibrotic, pro-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Santamaria
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain.
- Department Ob/Gyn Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Roson
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Raul Perez-Moraga
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Igenomix R&D, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nandakumar Venkatesan
- Department of Pediatrics Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Jaime Llera-Oyola
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Inmaculada Moreno
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andres Salumets
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hugo Vankelecom
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Unit of Stem Cell Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Felipe Vilella
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Simon
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain.
- Department of Pediatrics Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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5
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Lv H, Sun H, Wang L, Yao S, Liu D, Zhang X, Pei Z, Zhou J, Wang H, Dai J, Yan G, Ding L, Wang Z, Cao C, Zhao G, Hu Y. Targeting CD301 + macrophages inhibits endometrial fibrosis and improves pregnancy outcome. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e17601. [PMID: 37519221 PMCID: PMC10493587 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202317601] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are a key and heterogeneous cell population involved in endometrial repair and regeneration during the menstrual cycle, but their role in the development of intrauterine adhesion (IUA) and sequential endometrial fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we reported that CD301+ macrophages were significantly increased and showed their most active interaction with profibrotic cells in the endometria of IUA patients compared with the normal endometria by single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, and experimental verification. Increasing CD301+ macrophages promoted the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into myofibroblasts and resulted in extracellular matrix accumulation, which destroyed the physiological architecture of endometrial tissue, drove endometrial fibrosis, and ultimately led to female infertility or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Mechanistically, CD301+ macrophages secreted GAS6 to activate the AXL/NF-κB pathway, upregulating the profibrotic protein synthesis. Targeted deletion of CD301+ macrophages or inhibition of AXL by Bemcentinib blunted the pathology and improved the outcomes of pregnancy in mice, supporting the therapeutic potential of targeting CD301+ macrophages for treating endometrial fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haining Lv
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Limin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Simin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiwen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhongrui Pei
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Jianjun Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jianwu Dai
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Guijun Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lijun Ding
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhiyin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Chenrui Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Guangfeng Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
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6
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Zhu Q, Yao S, Ye Z, Jiang P, Wang H, Zhang X, Liu D, Lv H, Cao C, Zhou Z, Zhou Z, Pan W, Zhao G, Hu Y. Ferroptosis contributes to endometrial fibrosis in intrauterine adhesions. Free Radic Biol Med 2023; 205:151-162. [PMID: 37302615 DOI: 10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2023.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesions (IUA), characterized by endometrial fibrosis, is a challenging clinical issue in reproductive medicine. We previously demonstrated that epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and fibrosis of endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) played a vital role in the development of IUA, but the precise pathogenesis remains elucidated. Ferroptosis has now been recognized as a unique form of oxidative cell death, but whether it is involved in endometrial fibrosis remains unknown. In the present study, we performed an RNA-seq of the endometria from 4 severe IUA patients and 4 normal controls. Enrichment analysis and protein-protein interactions (PPIs) network analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were conducted. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess ferroptosis levels and cellular localization. The potential role of ferroptosis for IUA was investigated by in vitro and in vivo experiments. Here, we demonstrated that ferroptosis load is increased in IUA endometria. In vitro experiments showed that erastin-induced ferroptosis promoted EMT and fibrosis in endometrial epithelial cells (P < 0.05), but did not lead to pro-fibrotic differentiation in endometrial stromal cells (HESCs). Cell co-culture experiments showed that erastin-stimulated epithelial cell supernatants promoted fibrosis in HESCs (P < 0.05). In vivo experiments suggested that elevation of ferroptosis level in mice by erastin led to mild endometrial EMT and fibrosis. Meanwhile, the ferroptosis inhibitor Fer-1 significantly ameliorated endometrial fibrosis in a dual-injury IUA murine model. Overall, our findings revealed that ferroptosis may serve as a potential therapeutic target for endometrial fibrosis in IUA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Simin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ziying Ye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Peipei Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiwen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haining Lv
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenrui Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zihan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weichen Pan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guangfeng Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Science and Peking Union Medical College, Graduate School of Peking Union Medical College, Nanjing, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
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7
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Cui X, Wang J, Fan C, Jiang H, Li W. Astragalosides inhibit proliferation of fibroblast-like synoviocytes in experimental arthritis by modulating LncRNA S56464.1/miR-152-3p/Wnt1 signaling axis. Int J Rheum Dis 2023; 26:1547-1556. [PMID: 37317788 DOI: 10.1111/1756-185x.14782] [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: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 05/31/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
AIM Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge., the dried root of the plant A. membranaceus, is widely used in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in many Chinese herbal remedies. Astragalosides (AST) is the primary medicinal ingredient of A. membranaceus and has a therapeutic effect on RA, but the specific mechanism of this effect has yet to be elucidated. METHODS In this study, MTT and flow cytometry were used to determine the effects of AST on fibroblast-like synoviocyte (FLS) proliferation and cell cycle progression. Additionally, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were used to determine the effects of AST on the LncRNA S56464.1/miR-152-3p/Wnt1 signaling axis and on critical genes that are essential to the Wnt pathway. RESULTS The data showed that after the administration of AST, FLS proliferation and LncRNA S56464.1, β-catenin, C-myc, Cyclin D1, and p-GSK-3β(Ser9)/GSK-3β expression were significantly reduced, and miR-152 and SFRP4 expression was notably increased. CONCLUSION These results suggest that AST can inhibit FLS proliferation by modulating the LncRNA S56464.1/miR-152-3p/Wnt1 signaling axis and that AST may be a potential therapeutic drug for RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoya Cui
- Clinical Research Experiment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Clinical Research Experiment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Chang Fan
- Clinical Research Experiment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- College of Pharmacy, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Clinical Research Experiment Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, Anhui, China
- College of Basic Medical, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine Department of Internal Medicine Application Foundation Research and Development, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Weiping Li
- College of Basic Medical, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
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8
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Ye J, Li Y, Kong C, Ren Y, Lu H. Label-free proteomic analysis and functional analysis in patients with intrauterine adhesion. J Proteomics 2023; 277:104854. [PMID: 36841354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2023.104854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2023]
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is one of the principal causes of secondary infertility in women of reproductive age, which seriously affects female reproductive function and quality of life. In recent years, the incidence of IUA has been increasing year by year, but its pathological mechanism has not yet been clarified. This study intended to reveal the pathogenesis of IUA and find new therapeutic targets by analyzing the proteomic differences between intrauterine adhesion tissues and normal human endometrial tissues. In the label-free quantitative proteomics, we identified 789 up-regulated differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) and 539 down-regulated DEPs. These DEPs were further analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO) annotation and enrichment analysis, Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis to preliminarily clarify the biomarkers involved in the pathogenesis of the IUA. The DEPs were further verified by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) to confirm the results of proteomics. Finally, 7 target proteins may be candidates for treatment and elucidating the pathophysiology of IUA. SIGNIFICANCE: IUA is a fertility complication, which has increasing incidence recently. Until now, only a little research paid attention to the proteomic changes of IUA. This is the first study focused on the comparative analysis of endometrial tissue between IUA patients and normal women. We found 7 key proteins that may become the potential biomarkers of IUA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxuan Ye
- Changzhou maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Yong Li
- Changzhou maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, China.
| | - Chengcai Kong
- Changzhou maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Yiwen Ren
- Changzhou maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, China
| | - Hangcheng Lu
- Changzhou maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, China
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9
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Xu X, Wang J, Guo X, Chen Y, Ding S, Zou G, Zhu L, Li T, Zhang X. GPR30-mediated non-classic estrogen pathway in mast cells participates in endometriosis pain via the production of FGF2. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1106771. [PMID: 36845134 PMCID: PMC9945179 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1106771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Pain is one of the main clinical symptoms of endometriosis, but its underlying mechanism is still not clear. Recent studies have shown that the secretory mediators of mast cells activated by estrogen are involved in the pathogenesis of endometriosis-related pain, but how estrogen-induced mast cell mediators are involved in endometriosis-related pain remains unclear. Here, mast cells were found to be increased in the ovarian endometriotic lesions of patients. They were also closely located closely to the nerve fibers in the ovarian endometriotic lesions from of patients with pain symptoms. Moreover, fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2)-positive mast cells were upregulated in endometriotic lesions. The concentration of FGF2 in ascites and the protein level of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) were higher in patients with endometriosis than in those without endometriosis, and they were correlated with pain symptoms. In vitro, estrogen could promote the secretion of FGF2 through G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor 30 (GPR30) via the MEK/ERK pathway in rodent mast cells. Estrogen-stimulated mast cells enhanced the concentration of FGF2 in endometriotic lesions and aggravated endometriosis-related pain in vivo. Targeted inhibition of the FGF2 receptor significantly restrained the neurite outgrowth and calcium influx in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) cells. Administration of FGFR1 inhibitor remarkably elevated the mechanical pain threshold (MPT) and prolonged the heat source latency (HSL) in a rat model of endometriosis. These results suggested that the up-regulated production of FGF2 by mast cells through non-classic estrogen receptor GPR30 plays a vital role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis-related pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinxin Xu
- Department of Gynecology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianzhang Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinyue Guo
- Department of Gynecology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yichen Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Department of Gyneclogy, Ningbo Women and Children’s Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shaojie Ding
- Department of Gynecology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Gen Zou
- Department of Gynecology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Libo Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tiantian Li
- Department of Gynecology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinmei Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,Zhejiang Province Key Laboratory of Precision Diagnosis and Therapy for Major Gynecological Diseases, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China,*Correspondence: Xinmei Zhang,
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10
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Yuan D, Guo T, Qian H, Jin C, Ge H, Zhao Y, Zhu D, Lin M, Wang H, Yu H. Exosomal miR-543 derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells ameliorates endometrial fibrosis in intrauterine adhesion via downregulating N-cadherin. Placenta 2023; 131:75-81. [PMID: 36521318 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.11.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) play an important role in repairing the damaged endometrium of intrauterine adhesion (IUA). Meanwhile, exosomes released by UCMSCs can mediate intercellular communication by delivering miRNAs. It has been shown that miR-543 level was reduced in IUA tissues. However, the role of miR-543 in the progression of IUA remains largely unknown. Therefore, we investigated the role of UCMSCs-derived exosomal miR-543 in IUA. METHODS In this study, human endometrial epithelial cells (hEECs) were treated with TGF-β1 for mimicking endometrial fibrosis in vitro. In addition, the IUA-like mouse model in vivo was established by a dual damage method of curettage and LPS infection. RESULTS The level of miR-543 was markedly reduced in hEECs exposed to TGF-β1 and in endometrium tissues of IUA mice. Additionally, miR-543 could be transferred from UCMSCs to hEECs via exosomes. Meanwhile, exosomal miR-543-derived from UCMSCs significantly reduced the expressions of N-cadherin, α-SMA, fibronectin 1 and elevated the expression of E-cadherin in TGF-β1-treated hEECs. Furthermore, UCMSCs-derived exosomal miR-543 attenuated IUA-induced endometrial fibrosis in vivo, as shown by the decreased N-cadherin, α-SMA and fibronectin 1 protein expressions. DISCUSSION Collectively, UCMSCs-derived exosomal miR-543 was able to prevent endometrial fibrosis both in vitro and in vivo via downregulating N-cadherin. These results may provide an insight into the clinical treatment for IUA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donglan Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China
| | - Ting Guo
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China
| | - Hua Qian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China
| | - Chunyan Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China
| | - Hongshan Ge
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China
| | - Yinling Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China
| | - Dandan Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China
| | - Mei Lin
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China
| | - Hua Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China
| | - Hong Yu
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Taizhou People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Taizhou, Jiangsu, 225300, China.
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11
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Chen TQ, Wei XJ, Liu HY, Zhan SH, Yang XJ. Telocyte-Derived Exosomes Provide an Important Source of Wnts That Inhibits Fibrosis and Supports Regeneration and Repair of Endometrium. Cell Transplant 2023; 32:9636897231212746. [PMID: 38006220 PMCID: PMC10676634 DOI: 10.1177/09636897231212746] [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: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) often occurred after common obstetrical and gynecological procedures or infections in women of reproductive age. It was characterized by the formation of endometrial fibrosis and prevention of endometrial regeneration, usually with devastating fertility consequences and poor treatment outcomes so far. Telocytes (TCs), as a novel interstitial cell type, present in female uterus with in vitro therapeutic potential in decidualization-defective gynecologic diseases. This study aims to further investigate the role of TC-derived Wnt ligands carried by exosomes (Exo) in reversal of fibrosis and enhancement of regeneration repair in endometrium. IUA cellular and animal models were established from endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) and mice, followed with treatment of TC-conditioned medium (TCM) or TC-derived Exo. In cellular model, fibrosis markers (collagen type 1 alpha 1 [COL1A1], fibronectin [FN], and α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA]), angiogenesis (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]), and pathway protein (β-catenin) were determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting (WB), and immunofluorescence. Results showed that, TCs (either TCM or TC-derived Exo) provide a source of Wnts that inhibit cellular fibrosis, as evidenced by significantly elevated VEGF and β-catenin with decreased fibrotic markers, whereas TCs lost salvage on fibrosis after being blocked with Wnt/β-catenin inhibitors (XAV939 or ETC-159). Further in mouse model, regeneration repair (endometrial thickness, number of glands, and fibrosis area ratio), fibrosis markers (fibronectin [FN]), mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) (E-cadherin, N-cadherin), and angiogenesis (VEGF, microvessel density [MVD]) were studied by hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson staining, and immunohistochemistry. Results demonstrated that TC-Exo treatment effectively promotes regeneration repair of endometrium by relieving fibrosis, enhancing MET, and angiogenesis. These results confirmed new evidence for therapeutic perspective of TC-derived Exo in IUAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian-Quan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Jiao Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hai-Yan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, China
| | - Sheng-Hua Zhan
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xiao-Jun Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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12
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Xu Y, Yang X, Xiong Q, Han J, Zhu Q. The dual role of p63 in cancer. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1116061. [PMID: 37182132 PMCID: PMC10174455 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1116061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The p53 family is made up of three transcription factors: p53, p63, and p73. These proteins are well-known regulators of cell function and play a crucial role in controlling various processes related to cancer progression, including cell division, proliferation, genomic stability, cell cycle arrest, senescence, and apoptosis. In response to extra- or intracellular stress or oncogenic stimulation, all members of the p53 family are mutated in structure or altered in expression levels to affect the signaling network, coordinating many other pivotal cellular processes. P63 exists as two main isoforms (TAp63 and ΔNp63) that have been contrastingly discovered; the TA and ΔN isoforms exhibit distinguished properties by promoting or inhibiting cancer progression. As such, p63 isoforms comprise a fully mysterious and challenging regulatory pathway. Recent studies have revealed the intricate role of p63 in regulating the DNA damage response (DDR) and its impact on diverse cellular processes. In this review, we will highlight the significance of how p63 isoforms respond to DNA damage and cancer stem cells, as well as the dual role of TAp63 and ΔNp63 in cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yongfeng Xu
- Abdominal Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaojuan Yang
- Abdominal Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qunli Xiong
- Abdominal Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junhong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, Frontiers Science Center for Disease-Related Molecular Network, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- *Correspondence: Qing Zhu, ; Junhong Han,
| | - Qing Zhu
- Abdominal Oncology Ward, Cancer Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
- *Correspondence: Qing Zhu, ; Junhong Han,
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13
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Zhou Z, Wang H, Zhang X, Song M, Yao S, Jiang P, Liu D, Wang Z, Lv H, Li R, Hong Y, Dai J, Hu Y, Zhao G. Defective autophagy contributes to endometrial epithelial-mesenchymal transition in intrauterine adhesions. Autophagy 2022; 18:2427-2442. [PMID: 35196191 PMCID: PMC9542425 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2022.2038994] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesions (IUA), characterized by endometrial fibrosis, is a common cause of uterine infertility. We previously demonstrated that partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the loss of epithelial homeostasis play a vital role in the development of endometrial fibrosis. As a pro-survival strategy in maintaining cell and tissue homeostasis, macroautophagy/autophagy, conversely, may participate in this process. However, the role of autophagy in endometrial fibrosis remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that autophagy is defective in endometria of IUA patients, which aggravates EMT and endometrial fibrosis, and defective autophagy is related to DIO2 (iodothyronine deiodinase 2) downregulation. In endometrial epithelial cells (EECs), pharmacological inhibition of autophagy by chloroquine (CQ) promoted EEC-EMT, whereas enhanced autophagy by rapamycin extenuated this process. Mechanistically, silencing DIO2 in EECs blocked autophagic flux and promoted EMT via the MAPK/ERK-MTOR pathway. Inversely, overexpression of DIO2 or triiodothyronine (T3) treatment could restore autophagy and partly reverse EEC-EMT. Furthermore, in an IUA-like mouse model, the autophagy in endometrium was defective accompanied by EEC-EMT, and CQ could inhibit autophagy and aggravate endometrial fibrosis, whereas rapamycin or T3 treatment could improve the autophagic levels and blunt endometrial fibrosis. Together, we demonstrated that defective autophagy played an important role in EEC-EMT in IUA via the DIO2-MAPK/ERK-MTOR pathway, which provided a potential target for therapeutic implications.Abbreviations: ACTA2/α-SMA: actin alpha 2, smooth muscle; AMPK: adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase; AKT/protein kinase B: AKT serine/threonine kinase; ATG: autophagy related; CDH1/E-cadherin: cadherin 1; CDH2/N-cadherin: cadherin 2; CQ: chloroquine; CTSD: cathepsin D; DIO2: iodothyronine deiodinase 2; DEGs: differentially expressed genes; EECs: endometrial epithelial cells; EMT: epithelial-mesenchymal transition; FN1: fibronectin 1; IUA: intrauterine adhesions; LAMP1: lysosomal associated membrane protein 1; LPS: lipopolysaccharide; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; Rapa: rapamycin; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; T3: triiodothyronine; T4: tetraiodothyronine; TFEB: transcription factor EB; PBS: phosphate-buffered saline; TEM: transmission electron microscopy; TGFB/TGFβ: transforming growth factor beta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiwen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Minmin Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Simin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Peipei Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiyin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Haining Lv
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruotian Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ying Hong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianwu Dai
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China,Jianwu Dai Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 3 Nanyitiao, Zhongguancun, Beijing 100190, China
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,Yali Hu
| | - Guangfeng Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Drum Tower Clinical Medical College, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China,CONTACT Guangfeng Zhao Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
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14
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A review of the effects of estrogen and epithelial-mesenchymal transformation on intrauterine adhesion and endometriosis. Transpl Immunol 2022; 79:101679. [PMID: 35908631 DOI: 10.1016/j.trim.2022.101679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Uterus transplantation has become an option for women suffering from some form of infertility. Current review discusses key physiological functions of the endometrium requiring the transition of tissue cells between the mesenchyme and epithelial cell phenotype, a process known as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Estrogen and EMT play a key role in the pathogenesis and treatment of intrauterine adhesion and endometriosis. There is also a close regulatory relationship between estrogen and EMT, and investigation of this relationship is of great significance for the treatment of endometrial disorders. The present review discusses the effects of estrogen on endometrial dysfunction, with a focus on the relationship between estrogen and EMT in endometrial disorders, taking into consideration the mechanisms by which receptors that regulate their functions and proteins that regulate their local biological functions interact with the factors involved in EMT. In addition, the review summarizes emerging drugs targeting receptors or proteins and provides information on the direction of new therapies for endometrial disorders.
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15
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Jiang Q, Li J, Pan Y, Wang J, Yang J, Shen S, Hou Y. Melatonin-primed MSCs alleviate intrauterine adhesions by affecting MSC-expressed galectin-3 on macrophage polarization. Stem Cells 2022; 40:919-931. [PMID: 35866866 DOI: 10.1093/stmcls/sxac049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is characterized by the presence of fibrosis on the uterine cavity. It is mainly caused by infection or trauma to the endometrium, and it imposes a great challenge to female reproductive health. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been used to regenerate the human endometrium in patients with IUA, but stem cell therapy is not curative in some patients. Melatonin (MT) was reported as a potential modulator of MSCs. However, it remains unclear whether MSCs pretreated with MT exert an improved therapeutic effect on IUA. In this study, an IUA model was established using our invented electric scratching tool. Our results illustrated that MT-pretreated MSCs significantly attenuated the development of IUA. Moreover, MT-pretreated MSCs highly expressed galectin-3 (Gal-3), which enhanced MSC proliferation and migration and influenced macrophage polarization. Of note, IUA mice exhibited colonic injury, and MT-pretreated MSCs alleviated this injury by normalizing colonic microbial communities and recruiting macrophages. Furthermore, inhibition of sympathetic nerves had no effect on IUA progression but delayed colonic injury, and Gal-3 combined with norepinephrine better promoted M2-like macrophage polarization and inhibited M1-like macrophage polarization. Together, these data indicated that MT-primed MSCs can ameliorate injury of both the uterus and colon in an IUA model through high Gal-3 expression to influence sympathetic nerves and in turn affect the polarization and recruitment of macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Jiang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jingman Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yuchen Pan
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jiali Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Jingjing Yang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Sunan Shen
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yayi Hou
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Nanjing 210093, China
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16
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Xu C, Bao M, Fan X, Huang J, Zhu C, Xia W. EndMT: New findings on the origin of myofibroblasts in endometrial fibrosis of intrauterine adhesions. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:9. [PMID: 34996477 PMCID: PMC8739974 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00887-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is one of the leading causes of infertility and the main clinical challenge is the high recurrence rate. The key to solving this dilemma lies in elucidating the mechanisms of endometrial fibrosis. The aim of our team is to study the mechanism underlying intrauterine adhesion fibrosis and the origin of fibroblasts in the repair of endometrial fibrosis. METHODS Our experimental study involving an animal model of intrauterine adhesion and detection of fibrosis-related molecules. The levels of molecular factors related to the endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) were examined in a rat model of intrauterine adhesion using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, qPCR and Western blot analyses. Main outcome measures are levels of the endothelial marker CD31 and the mesenchymal markers alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and vimentin. RESULTS Immunofluorescence co-localization of CD31 and a-SMA showed that 14 days after moulding, double positive cells for CD31 and a-SMA could be clearly observed in the endometrium. Decreased CD31 levels and increased α-SMA and vimentin levels indicate that EndMT is involved in intrauterine adhesion fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS Endothelial cells promote the emergence of fibroblasts via the EndMT during the endometrial fibrosis of intrauterine adhesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengcheng Xu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Meng Bao
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaorong Fan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Jin Huang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China
| | - Changhong Zhu
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China.
| | - Wei Xia
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030, Wuhan, China.
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17
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Fu Y, Tian G, Zhang Z, Yang X. SYT7 acts as an oncogene and a potential therapeutic target and was regulated by ΔNp63α in HNSCC. Cancer Cell Int 2021; 21:696. [PMID: 34930262 PMCID: PMC8691088 DOI: 10.1186/s12935-021-02394-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) are one of the most common types of head and neck cancer, and it is urgent to find effective treatment for advanced patients. Exploring developing and progressing mechanisms of HNSCC could provide a theoretical basis to find new therapeutic targets. Methods In our research, we performed a whole-gene expression profile microarray analysis to identify differential expression genes between squamous cell carcinoma cells and ΔNp63 alpha (ΔNp63α) knockdown cells. As a result, an important gene Synaptotagmin VII (SYT7) was screened out. Results SYT7 knockdown affected the proliferation, apoptosis and cell cycle of squamous cell carcinoma cells. The rescue experiment in vitro with ΔNp63α and SYT7 double knockdown resulted in partial reversion of ΔNp63α-induced phenotypes. This was also confirmed by experiments in vivo. Conclusions Taken together, we found that ΔNp63α could inhibit the occurrence and progression of HNSCC throughout downregulating the expression of SYT7. Therefore, SYT7/ΔNp63α axis could be a potential therapeutic target for clinical treatment of HNSCC. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12935-021-02394-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- You Fu
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Research Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Guocai Tian
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Research Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiyuan Zhang
- Department of Oral and Maxillofacial-Head Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Research Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiao Yang
- Department of Oral and Cranio-maxillofacial Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, College of Stomatology, National Center for Stomatology, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 639 Zhizaoju Road, Shanghai, 200011, People's Republic of China. .,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Research Unit of Oral and Maxillofacial Regenerative Medicine, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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18
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Advancements in endometrial epithelial stem cell research. SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES 2021; 65:215-218. [PMID: 34586574 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-1988-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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19
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SAHA could inhibit TGF-β1/p38 pathway in MI-induced cardiac fibrosis through DUSP4 overexpression. Heart Vessels 2021; 37:152-160. [PMID: 34236463 PMCID: PMC8732849 DOI: 10.1007/s00380-021-01900-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Growing evidences have revealed that a histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi), suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) has anti-fibrotic effect in different diseases. In this study, we first evaluated whether SAHA could suppress cardiac fibrosis. Mice with MI-induced cardiac fibrosis were treated with SAHA by intraperitoneal injection and their cardiac function was improved after SAHA treatment. Results of western blotting and qRT-PCR in heart tissues suggested that TGFβ1/P38 pathway was activated in MI mice, and this effect was reversed by SAHA. Cell proliferation assay suggested that SAHA could suppress TGF-β1-induced cardiac fibroblasts proliferation. Furthermore, results of western blotting and qRT-PCR in cardiac fibroblasts depicted that SAHA may exert its anti-fibrotic effect through inhibiting TGF-β1-induced P38 phosphorylation by promoting DUSP4 expression. Our findings may substantiate SAHA as a promising treatment for MI-induced cardiac fibrosis.
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20
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Wang J, Li D, Pan Y, Li J, Jiang Q, Liu D, Hou Y. Interleukin-34 accelerates intrauterine adhesions progress related to CX3CR1 + monocytes/macrophages. Eur J Immunol 2021; 51:2501-2512. [PMID: 34138470 DOI: 10.1002/eji.202149174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesions (IUA) are characterized by endometrial fibrosis and impose a great challenge for female reproduction. IL-34 is profoundly involved in various fibrotic diseases through regulating the survival, proliferation, and differentiation of monocytes/macrophages. However, it remains unclear how IL-34 regulates monocytes/macrophages in context of IUA. Here, we showed that the expression level of IL-34 and the amount of CX3CR1+ monocytes/macrophages were significantly increased in endometrial tissues of IUA patients. IL-34 promoted the differentiation of monocytes/macrophages, which express CX3CR1 via CSF-1R/P13K/Akt pathway in vitro. Moreover, IL-34-induced CX3CR1+ monocytes/macrophages promoted the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into myofibroblasts. Of note, IL-34 caused endometrial fibrosis and increased the amount of CX3CR1+ monocytes/macrophages in endometrial tissues in vivo. IL-34 modulated endometrial fibrosis by regulating monocytes/macrophages since the elimination of endometrial monocytes/macrophages significantly suppressed the profibrotic function of IL-34. Finally, blocking of IL-34 in the LPS-IUA model resulted in the improvement of endometrial fibrosis and decreased number of CX3CR1+ monocytes/macrophages. Our studies uncover the novel mechanism of interaction between IL-34-induced CX3CR1+ monocytes/macrophages and endometrial stromal cells in endometrial fibrosis pathogenesis, and highlight IL-34 as a critical target for treating IUA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiali Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuchen Pan
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingman Li
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Jiang
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yayi Hou
- The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Division of Immunology, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.,Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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21
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Song M, Zhao G, Sun H, Yao S, Zhou Z, Jiang P, Wu Q, Zhu H, Wang H, Dai C, Wang J, Li R, Cao Y, Lv H, Liu D, Dai J, Zhou Y, Hu Y. circPTPN12/miR-21-5 p/∆Np63α pathway contributes to human endometrial fibrosis. eLife 2021; 10:65735. [PMID: 34132637 PMCID: PMC8208816 DOI: 10.7554/elife.65735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence demonstrates the important role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in regulating pathological processes in various diseases including organ fibrosis. Endometrium fibrosis is the leading cause of uterine infertility, but the role of circRNAs in its pathogenesis is largely unknown. Here, we provide the evidence that upregulation of circPTPN12 in endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) of fibrotic endometrium functions as endogenous sponge of miR-21-5 p to inhibit miR-21-5 p expression and activity, which in turn results in upregulation of ΔNp63α to induce the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) of EECs (EEC-EMT). In a mouse model of endometrium fibrosis, circPTPN12 appears to be a cofactor of driving EEC-EMT and administration of miR-21-5 p could reverse this process and improve endometrial fibrosis. Our findings revealed that the dysfunction of circPTPN12/miR-21-5 p/∆Np63α pathway contributed to the pathogenesis of endometrial fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Guangfeng Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Simin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Peipei Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Qianwen Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenyan Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingmei Wang
- Department of Pathology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruotian Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yun Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Haining Lv
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jianwu Dai
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yan Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Center for Reproductive Sciences, Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, United States
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
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22
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Wang T, Liu W, Li C, Si G, Liang Z, Yin J. Mist1 promoted inflammation in colitis model via K+-ATPase NLRP3 inflammasome by SNAI1. Pathol Res Pract 2021; 224:153511. [PMID: 34214845 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2021.153511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory intestinal disease. Genetic susceptibility, gut microbiota and mucosal immune dysfunction play important roles in the pathogenesis and development of UC. We investigate the effect of Mist1 in model of colitis and its underlying mechanism. The expressions of Mist1 in patients with colitis tissue were up-regulated. Meanwhile, Mist1 mRNA and protein expressions in DSS-induced colitis mice model were also induced and Mist1 mRNA and protein expressions of LPS induced THP-1 cell were also up-regulated. we found Mist1 human protein promoted inflammation in DSS-induced colitis mice by NLRP3. So, we up-regulated Mist1 expression and over-expression of Mist1 promoted IL-1β and NLRP3 protein expression levels in vitro model. However, down-regulation of Mist1 suppressed IL-1β and NLRP3 protein expression levels in vitro model. Next, SNAI1 is a shooting point of Mist1 in the effects of Mist1 in colitis. The inhibition of SNAI1 reduced the effects of Mist1 on NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro model. Activation of SNAI1 induced the effects of Mist1 on NLRP3 inflammasome in vitro model. Lastly, anti-SNAI1 human protein lowered the effects of Mist1 human protein on NLRP3 inflammasome in DSS-induced colitis mice. We demonstrated that Mist1 promoted inflammation in colitis model via NLRP3 inflammasome by SNAI1, whereas the absence of these macrophages led to a significant improvement in colitis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Wang
- Division of gastroenterology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100835, China.
| | - Wenxiang Liu
- Division of gastroenterology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100835, China
| | - Chenyang Li
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100835, China
| | - Guowei Si
- Division of gastroenterology, The First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100835, China
| | - Zhimin Liang
- Medical School of Chinese PLA, Beijing 100835, China
| | - Jian Yin
- Department of Gastroenterology, The Fourth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100048, China.
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23
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Song M, Cao C, Zhou Z, Yao S, Jiang P, Wang H, Zhao G, Hu Y. HMGA2-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition is reversed by let-7d in intrauterine adhesions. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:gaaa074. [PMID: 33237328 PMCID: PMC7864003 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesions (IUAs), the leading cause of uterine infertility, are characterized by endometrial fibrosis. The management of IUA is challenging because the pathogenesis of the disease largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that the mRNA and protein levels of high mobility group AT-hook 2 (HMGA2) were increased by nearly 3-fold (P < 0.0001) and 5-fold (P = 0.0095) in the endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) of IUA patients (n = 18) compared to controls. In vivo and in vitro models of endometrial fibrosis also confirmed the overexpression of HMGA2 in EECs. In vitro cell experiments indicated that overexpression of HMGA2 promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) while knockdown of HMGA2 reversed transforming growth factor-β-induced EMT. A dual luciferase assay confirmed let-7d microRNA downregulated HMGA2 and repressed the pro-EMT effect of HMGA2 in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, our data reveal that HMGA2 promotes IUA formation and suggest that let-7d can depress HMGA2 and may be a clinical targeting strategy in IUA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minmin Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenrui Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Simin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Peipei Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Guangfeng Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
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