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Bhunia S, O'Brien S, Ling Y, Huang Z, Wu P, Yang Y. New approaches suggest term and preterm human fetal membranes may have distinct biomechanical properties. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5109. [PMID: 35332209 PMCID: PMC8948223 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09005-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes is the leading cause of preterm birth and its associated infant mortality and morbidity. However, its underlying mechanism remains unknown. We utilized two novel biomechanical assessment techniques, ball indentation and Optical Coherence Elastography (OCE), to compare the mechanical properties and behaviours of term (≥ 37 weeks) and preterm (33-36 weeks) human fetal membranes from ruptured and non-ruptured regions. We defined the expression levels of collagen, sulfated glycosaminoglycans (sGAG), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9, MMP-13), fibronectin, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) within membranes by biochemical analysis, immunohistochemical staining and Western blotting, both with and without simulated fetal movement forces on membrane rupture with a new loading system. Preterm membranes showed greater heterogeneity in mechanical properties/behaviours between ruptured and non-ruptured regions compared with their term counterparts (displacement rate: 36% vs. 15%; modulus: 125% vs. 34%; thickness: 93% vs. 30%; collagen content: 98% vs. 29%; sGAG: 85% vs 25%). Furthermore, simulated fetal movement forces triggered higher MMP-9, MMP-13 and IL-1β expression in preterm than term membranes, while nifedipine attenuated the observed increases in expression. In conclusion, the distinct biomechanical profiles of term and preterm membranes and the abnormal biochemical expression and activation by external forces in preterm membranes may provide insights into mechanisms of preterm rupture of membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudeshna Bhunia
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QB, UK
| | - Shaughn O'Brien
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QB, UK.,Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6QG, UK
| | - Yuting Ling
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Zhihong Huang
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Pensée Wu
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QB, UK. .,Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital of North Midlands, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 6QG, UK. .,School of Medicine, Keele University, Staffordshire, ST5 5BG, UK.
| | - Ying Yang
- School of Pharmacy and Bioengineering, Keele University, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 7QB, UK.
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Avilla-Royo E, Ochsenbein-Kölble N, Vonzun L, Ehrbar M. Biomaterial-based treatments for the prevention of preterm birth after iatrogenic rupture of the fetal membranes. Biomater Sci 2022; 10:3695-3715. [DOI: 10.1039/d2bm00401a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Minimally invasive interventions to ameliorate or correct fetal abnormalities are becoming a clinical reality. However, the iatrogenic premature preterm rupture of the fetal membranes (FMs) (iPPROM), which may result in...
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Avilla-Royo E, Gegenschatz-Schmid K, Grossmann J, Kockmann T, Zimmermann R, Snedeker JG, Ochsenbein-Kölble N, Ehrbar M. Comprehensive quantitative characterization of the human term amnion proteome. Matrix Biol Plus 2021; 12:100084. [PMID: 34765964 PMCID: PMC8572956 DOI: 10.1016/j.mbplus.2021.100084] [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: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report an unprecedented quantitative high coverage of the human amnion proteome. We identified novel proteins that hold great promise for understanding fetal membrane biology. Together, this comprehensive proteome provides a basis for the evaluation of pre-term or diseased fetal membranes.
The loss of fetal membrane (FM) integrity and function at an early time point during pregnancy can have devastating consequences for the fetus and the newborn. However, biomaterials for preventive sealing and healing of FMs are currently non-existing, which can be partly attributed to the current fragmentary knowledge of FM biology. Despite recent advances in proteomics analysis, a robust and comprehensive description of the amnion proteome is currently lacking. Here, by an optimized protein sample preparation and offline fractionation before liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) analysis, we present a characterization of the healthy human term amnion proteome, which covers more than 40% of the previously reported transcripts in similar RNA sequencing datasets and, with more than 5000 identifications, greatly outnumbers previous reports. Together, beyond providing a basis for the study of compromised and preterm ruptured FMs, this comprehensive human amnion proteome is a stepping-stone for the development of novel healing-inducing biomaterials. The proteomic dataset has been deposited in the ProteomeXchange Consortium with the identifier PXD019410.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Avilla-Royo
- Department of Obstetrics, University and University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,Institute for Biomechanics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland
| | | | - Jonas Grossmann
- Functional Genomics Center, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.,SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1015 792 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tobias Kockmann
- Functional Genomics Center, University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roland Zimmermann
- Department of Obstetrics, University and University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,The Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jess Gerrit Snedeker
- Institute for Biomechanics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, 8093 Zurich, Switzerland.,Department of Orthopedics, Balgrist University Hospital, University of Zurich, 8008 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Nicole Ochsenbein-Kölble
- Department of Obstetrics, University and University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,The Zurich Center for Fetal Diagnosis and Therapy, 8032 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Ehrbar
- Department of Obstetrics, University and University Hospital of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.,University of Zurich, 8006 Zurich, Switzerland
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A PDMS-Based Interdigitated Platform for Trophoblast Invasion Study Under Oxygen Stress Conditions. BIOCHIP JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s13206-021-00035-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Cx43 mediates changes in myofibroblast contraction and collagen release in human amniotic membrane defects after trauma. Sci Rep 2021; 11:16975. [PMID: 34408164 PMCID: PMC8373966 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-94767-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The wound healing capacity of the fetal membranes after spontaneous or iatrogenic membrane rupture is unclear. We examined the healing mechanisms in amniotic membrane (AM) defects after trauma. Traumatised human AM defects were cultured for 4 days. Markers for nuclear (DAPI), cell type (vimentin, αSMA) and healing (Cx43, TGFβ1, collagen) were examined by immunofluorescence (IMF) confocal microscopy, Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) imaging and RT-qPCR. After trauma, AMCs and myofibroblasts migrated to the AM wound edge. Within four days, αSMA expressing myofibroblasts showed abundant Cx43 localized in the cytoplasmic processes. The highly contractile spindle-shaped myofibroblasts were present in the defect site and released collagen. In contrast, AMCs expressed vimentin and formed Cx43 plaques between cells found in the outer edges of the wound. Whilst AMCs were absent in the defect site, αSMA expressing myofibroblasts continued to elongate and polarize the collagen fibres. Both TGFβ1 and Cx43 gene expression were significantly increased after trauma. Cx43 has differential effects on AM cell populations that increase cellularity, contraction and potentially migration to the wound edge resulting in collagen polarisation in the AM defect site. Establishing how Cx43 regulates AM cell function could be an approach to repair defects in the membranes after trauma.
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Lee W, Ostadi Moghaddam A, Shen S, Phillips H, McFarlin BL, Wagoner Johnson AJ, Toussaint KC. An optomechanogram for assessment of the structural and mechanical properties of tissues. Sci Rep 2021; 11:324. [PMID: 33431940 PMCID: PMC7801423 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79602-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The structural and mechanical properties of tissue and the interplay between them play a critical role in tissue function. We introduce the optomechanogram, a combined quantitative and qualitative visualization of spatially co-registered measurements of the microstructural and micromechanical properties of any tissue. Our approach relies on the co-registration of two independent platforms, second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy for quantitative assessment of 3D collagen-fiber microstructural organization, and nanoindentation (NI) for local micromechanical properties. We experimentally validate our method by applying to uterine cervix tissue, which exhibits structural and mechanical complexity. We find statistically significant agreement between the micromechanical and microstructural data, and confirm that the distinct tissue regions are distinguishable using either the SHG or NI measurements. Our method could potentially be used for research in pregnancy maintenance, mechanobiological studies of tissues and their constitutive modeling and more generally for the optomechanical metrology of materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Lee
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - A Ostadi Moghaddam
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - S Shen
- Center for Health, Aging, and Disability (CHAD), College of Applied Health Science, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA
| | - H Phillips
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA
| | - B L McFarlin
- Department of Women, Children and Family Health Science, University of Illinois College of Nursing, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA
| | - A J Wagoner Johnson
- Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA. .,Carle Illinois College of Medicine, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL, 61820, USA. .,Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA.
| | - K C Toussaint
- School of Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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Barrett DW, Okesola BO, Costa E, Thrasivoulou C, Becker DL, Mata A, Deprest JA, David AL, Chowdhury TT. Potential sealing and repair of human FM defects after trauma with peptide amphiphiles and Cx43 antisense. Prenat Diagn 2020; 41:89-99. [PMID: 33045764 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Revised: 08/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We examined whether peptide amphiphiles functionalised with adhesive, migratory or regenerative sequences could be combined with amniotic fluid (AF) to form plugs that repair fetal membrane (FM) defects after trauma and co-culture with connexin 43 (Cx43) antisense. METHODS We assessed interactions between peptide amphiphiles and AF and examined the plugs in FM defects after trauma and co-culture with the Cx43antisense. RESULTS Confocal microscopy confirmed directed self-assembly of peptide amphiphiles with AF to form a plug within minutes, with good mechanical properties. SEM of the plug revealed a multi-layered, nanofibrous network that sealed the FM defect after trauma. Co-culture of the FM defect with Cx43 antisense and plug increased collagen levels but reduced GAG. Culture of the FM defect with peptide amphiphiles incorporating regenerative sequences for 5 days, increased F-actin and nuclear cell contraction, migration and polarization of collagen fibers across the FM defect when compared to control specimens with minimal repair. CONCLUSIONS Whilst the nanoarchitecture revealed promising conditions to seal iatrogenic FM defects, the peptide amphiphiles need to be designed to maximize repair mechanisms and promote structural compliance with high mechanical tolerance that maintains tissue remodeling with Cx43 antisense for future treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- David W Barrett
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Babatunde O Okesola
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Eleni Costa
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | | | - David L Becker
- Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alvaro Mata
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.,Biodiscovery Institute, School of Pharmacy, Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
| | - Jan A Deprest
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Anna L David
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.,Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK.,NIHR University College London Hospitals Biomedical Research Centre, London, UK
| | - Tina T Chowdhury
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
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