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Shukla V, Iqbal K, Okae H, Arima T, Soares MJ. EFFECTS OF ARYL HYDROCARBON RECEPTOR LIGAND TCDD ON HUMAN TROPHOBLAST CELL DEVELOPMENT. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.08.27.609205. [PMID: 39253430 PMCID: PMC11383004 DOI: 10.1101/2024.08.27.609205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The primary interface between mother and fetus, the placenta, serves two critical functions: extraction of nutrients from the maternal compartment and facilitation of nutrient delivery to the developing fetus. This delivery system also serves as a barrier to environmental exposures. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is an important component of the barrier. AHR signaling is activated by environmental pollutants and toxicants that can potentially affect cellular and molecular processes, including those controlling trophoblast cell development and function. OBJECTIVES In this study, we investigated the impact of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), an effective AHR ligand, exposure on human trophoblast cells. METHODS Human trophoblast stem (TS) cells were used as in vitro model system for investigating the downstream consequences of AHR activation. The actions TCDD were investigated in human TS cells maintained in the stem state or in differentiating TS cells. RESULTS TCDD exposure stimulated the expression of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 in human TS cells. TCDD was effective in stimulating CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 expression and altering gene expression profiles in human TS cells maintained in the stem cell state or induced to differentiate into extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT) or syncytiotrophoblast (ST). These actions were dependent upon the presence of AHR. TCDD exposure did not adversely affect maintenance of the TS cell stem state or the ability of TS cells to differentiate into EVT cells or ST. However, TCDD exposure did promote the biosynthesis of 2 methoxy estradiol (2ME), a biologically active catechol estrogen, with the potential to modify the maternal-fetal interface. DISCUSSION Human trophoblast cell responses to TCDD were dependent upon AHR signaling and possessed the potential to shape development and function of the human placentation site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinay Shukla
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 661602
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 661602
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 860-0811 Japan
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Michael J Soares
- Institute for Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 661602
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy, Kansas City, MO 64108
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
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Hargett SE, Leslie EF, Chapa HO, Gaharwar AK. Animal models of postpartum hemorrhage. Lab Anim (NY) 2024; 53:93-106. [PMID: 38528231 DOI: 10.1038/s41684-024-01349-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH)-heavy bleeding following childbirth-is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. PPH can affect individuals regardless of risks factors and its incidence has been increasing in high-income countries including the United States. The high incidence and severity of this childbirth complication has propelled research into advanced treatments and alternative solutions for patients facing PPH; however, the development of novel treatments is limited by the absence of a common, well-established and well-validated animal model of PPH. A variety of animals have been used for in vivo studies of novel therapeutic materials; however, each of these animals differs considerably from the anatomy and physiology of a postpartum woman, and the methods used for achieving a postpartum hemorrhagic condition vary widely. Here we critically evaluate the various animal models of PPH presented in the literature and propose additional and alternative methods for modeling PPH in in vivo studies. We highlight how current animal models successfully or unsuccessfully mimic the anatomy and physiology of a postpartum woman and how this may impact treatment development. We aim to equip researchers with the necessary background information to select appropriate animal models for their research related to PPH solutions, while supporting the goals of refinement, reduction and replacement (3Rs) in preclinical animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Hargett
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Elaine F Leslie
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Hector O Chapa
- Medical Education, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Akhilesh K Gaharwar
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Interdisciplinary Program in Genetics and Genomics, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
- Center for Remote Health Technologies and Systems, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA.
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3
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Barrozo ER, Seferovic MD, Hamilton MP, Moorshead DN, Jochum MD, Do T, O'Neil DS, Suter MA, Aagaard KM. Zika virus co-opts microRNA networks to persist in placental niches detected by spatial transcriptomics. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024; 230:251.e1-251.e17. [PMID: 37598997 PMCID: PMC10840961 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2023.08.012] [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: 04/21/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zika virus congenital infection evades double-stranded RNA detection and may persist in the placenta for the duration of pregnancy without accompanying overt histopathologic inflammation. Understanding how viruses can persist and replicate in the placenta without causing overt cellular or tissue damage is fundamental to deciphering mechanisms of maternal-fetal vertical transmission. OBJECTIVE Placenta-specific microRNAs are believed to be a tenet of viral resistance at the maternal-fetal interface. We aimed to test the hypothesis that the Zika virus functionally disrupts placental microRNAs, enabling viral persistence and fetal pathogenesis. STUDY DESIGN To test this hypothesis, we used orthogonal approaches in human and murine experimental models. In primary human trophoblast cultures (n=5 donor placentae), we performed Argonaute high-throughput sequencing ultraviolet-crosslinking and immunoprecipitation to identify any significant alterations in the functional loading of microRNAs and their targets onto the RNA-induced silencing complex. Trophoblasts from same-donors were split and infected with a contemporary first-passage Zika virus strain HN16 (multiplicity of infection=1 plaque forming unit per cell) or mock infected. To functionally cross-validate microRNA-messenger RNA interactions, we compared our Argonaute high-throughput sequencing ultraviolet-crosslinking and immunoprecipitation results with an independent analysis of published bulk RNA-sequencing data from human placental disk specimens (n=3 subjects; Zika virus positive in first, second, or third trimester, CD45- cells sorted by flow cytometry) and compared it with uninfected controls (n=2 subjects). To investigate the importance of these microRNA and RNA interference networks in Zika virus pathogenesis, we used a gnotobiotic mouse model uniquely susceptible to the Zika virus. We evaluated if small-molecule enhancement of microRNA and RNA interference pathways with enoxacin influenced Zika virus pathogenesis (n=20 dams total yielding 187 fetal specimens). Lastly, placentae (n=14 total) from this mouse model were analyzed with Visium spatial transcriptomics (9743 spatial transcriptomes) to identify potential Zika virus-associated alterations in immune microenvironments. RESULTS We found that Zika virus infection of primary human trophoblast cells led to an unexpected disruption of placental microRNA regulation networks. When compared with uninfected controls, Zika virus-infected placentae had significantly altered SLC12A8, SDK1, and VLDLR RNA-induced silencing complex loading and transcript levels (-22; adjusted P value <.05; Wald-test with false discovery rate correction q<0.05). In silico microRNA target analyses revealed that 26 of 119 transcripts (22%) in the transforming growth factor-β signaling pathway were targeted by microRNAs that were found to be dysregulated following Zika virus infection in trophoblasts. In gnotobiotic mice, relative to mock controls, Zika virus-associated fetal pathogenesis included fetal growth restriction (P=.036) and viral persistence in placental tissue (P=.011). Moreover, spatial transcriptomics of murine placentae revealed that Zika virus-specific placental niches were defined by significant up-regulation of complement cascade components and coordinated changes in transforming growth factor-β gene expression. Finally, treatment of Zika virus-infected mice with enoxacin abolished placental Zika virus persistence, rescued the associated fetal growth restriction, and the Zika virus-associated transcriptional changes in placental immune microenvironments were no longer observed. CONCLUSION These results collectively suggest that (1) Zika virus infection and persistence is associated with functionally perturbed microRNA and RNA interference pathways specifically related to immune regulation in placental microenvironments and (2) enhancement of placental microRNA and RNA interference pathways in mice rescued Zika virus-associated pathogenesis, specifically persistence of viral transcripts in placental microenvironments and fetal growth restriction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico R Barrozo
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Maxim D Seferovic
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Mark P Hamilton
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX; Hematology & Medical Oncology, Stanford School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA
| | - David N Moorshead
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX; Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX; Immunology & Microbiology Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX
| | - Michael D Jochum
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Trang Do
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Derek S O'Neil
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Melissa A Suter
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX
| | - Kjersti M Aagaard
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX.
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Koenig MR, Mitzey AM, Zeng X, Reyes L, Simmons HA, Morgan TK, Bohm EK, Pritchard JC, Schmidt JA, Ren E, Leyva Jaimes FB, Winston E, Basu P, Weiler AM, Friedrich TC, Aliota MT, Mohr EL, Golos TG. Vertical transmission of African-lineage Zika virus through the fetal membranes in a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta) model. PLoS Pathog 2023; 19:e1011274. [PMID: 37549143 PMCID: PMC10434957 DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) can be transmitted vertically from mother to fetus during pregnancy, resulting in a range of outcomes including severe birth defects and fetal/infant death. Potential pathways of vertical transmission in utero have been proposed but remain undefined. Identifying the timing and routes of vertical transmission of ZIKV may help us identify when interventions would be most effective. Furthermore, understanding what barriers ZIKV overcomes to effect vertical transmission may help improve models for evaluating infection by other pathogens during pregnancy. To determine the pathways of vertical transmission, we inoculated 12 pregnant rhesus macaques with an African-lineage ZIKV at gestational day 30 (term is 165 days). Eight pregnancies were surgically terminated at either seven or 14 days post-maternal infection. Maternal-fetal interface and fetal tissues and fluids were collected and evaluated for ZIKV using RT-qPCR, in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and plaque assays. Four additional pregnant macaques were inoculated and terminally perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde at three, six, nine, or ten days post-maternal inoculation. For these four cases, the entire fixed pregnant uterus was evaluated with in situ hybridization for ZIKV RNA. We determined that ZIKV can reach the MFI by six days after infection and infect the fetus by ten days. Infection of the chorionic membrane and the extraembryonic coelomic fluid preceded infection of the fetus and the mesenchymal tissue of the placental villi. We did not find evidence to support a transplacental route of ZIKV vertical transmission via infection of syncytiotrophoblasts or villous cytotrophoblasts. The pattern of infection observed in the maternal-fetal interface provides evidence of paraplacental vertical ZIKV transmission through the chorionic membrane, the outer layer of the fetal membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle R. Koenig
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Ann M. Mitzey
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Xiankun Zeng
- Pathology Division, United States Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases, Frederick, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Leticia Reyes
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Heather A. Simmons
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Terry K. Morgan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - Ellie K. Bohm
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Julia C. Pritchard
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Jenna A. Schmidt
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Emily Ren
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Fernanda B. Leyva Jaimes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Eva Winston
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Puja Basu
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Andrea M. Weiler
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Thomas C. Friedrich
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Matthew T. Aliota
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, St. Paul, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Emma L. Mohr
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
| | - Thaddeus G. Golos
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, United States of America
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5
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Li J, Zhu Q, Cao J, Liu Y, Lu Y, Sun Y, Li Q, Huang Y, Shang S, Bian X, Li C, Zhang L, Wang Y, Nie Y, Fu J, Li W, Mazid MA, Jiang Y, Jia W, Wang X, Sun Y, Esteban MA, Sun Q, Zhou F, Liu Z. Cynomolgus monkey embryo model captures gastrulation and early pregnancy. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:362-377.e7. [PMID: 37028403 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.03.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
Human stem cell-derived blastoids display similar morphology and cell lineages to normal blastocysts. However, the ability to investigate their developmental potential is limited. Here, we construct cynomolgus monkey blastoids resembling blastocysts in morphology and transcriptomics using naive ESCs. These blastoids develop to embryonic disk with the structures of yolk sac, chorionic cavity, amnion cavity, primitive streak, and connecting stalk along the rostral-caudal axis through prolonged in vitro culture (IVC). Primordial germ cells, gastrulating cells, visceral endoderm/yolk sac endoderm, three germ layers, and hemato-endothelial progenitors in IVC cynomolgus monkey blastoids were observed by single-cell transcriptomics or immunostaining. Moreover, transferring cynomolgus monkey blastoids to surrogates achieves pregnancies, as indicated by progesterone levels and presence of early gestation sacs. Our results reveal the capacity of in vitro gastrulation and in vivo early pregnancy of cynomolgus monkey blastoids, providing a useful system to dissect primate embryonic development without the same ethical concerns and access challenges in human embryo study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingyuan Zhu
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Cao
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shanxi, China
| | - Ying Liu
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yong Lu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yining Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Li
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yiming Huang
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Shenshen Shang
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; College of Agriculture, Henan University of Science and Technology, Luoyang 471023, Henan, China
| | - Xinyan Bian
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunyang Li
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Liansheng Zhang
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanhong Nie
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiqiang Fu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjuan Li
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Md Abdul Mazid
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqi Jia
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shanxi, China
| | - Yidi Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Miguel A Esteban
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiang Sun
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China.
| | - Fan Zhou
- Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem, Tsinghua-Peking Center for Life Sciences, School of Life Sciences, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhen Liu
- Institute of Neuroscience, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, CAS Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology, Shanghai, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China.
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6
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Frost JM, Amante SM, Okae H, Jones EM, Ashley B, Lewis RM, Cleal JK, Caley MP, Arima T, Maffucci T, Branco MR. Regulation of human trophoblast gene expression by endogenous retroviruses. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2023; 30:527-538. [PMID: 37012406 PMCID: PMC10113160 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-023-00960-6] [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: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023]
Abstract
The placenta is a fast-evolving organ with large morphological and histological differences across eutherians, but the genetic changes driving placental evolution have not been fully elucidated. Transposable elements, through their capacity to quickly generate genetic variation and affect host gene regulation, may have helped to define species-specific trophoblast gene expression programs. Here we assess the contribution of transposable elements to human trophoblast gene expression as enhancers or promoters. Using epigenomic data from primary human trophoblast and trophoblast stem-cell lines, we identified multiple endogenous retrovirus families with regulatory potential that lie close to genes with preferential expression in trophoblast. These largely primate-specific elements are associated with inter-species gene expression differences and are bound by transcription factors with key roles in placental development. Using genetic editing, we demonstrate that several elements act as transcriptional enhancers of important placental genes, such as CSF1R and PSG5. We also identify an LTR10A element that regulates ENG expression, affecting secretion of soluble endoglin, with potential implications for preeclampsia. Our data show that transposons have made important contributions to human trophoblast gene regulation, and suggest that their activity may affect pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer M Frost
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
| | - Samuele M Amante
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Eleri M Jones
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Brogan Ashley
- School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Rohan M Lewis
- School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Jane K Cleal
- School of Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Matthew P Caley
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Environment and Genome Research Center, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan
| | - Tania Maffucci
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Miguel R Branco
- Blizard Institute, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
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7
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Matsumoto S, Okamura E, Muto M, Ema M. Similarities and differences in placental development between humans and cynomolgus monkeys. Reprod Med Biol 2023; 22:e12522. [PMID: 37377753 PMCID: PMC10292683 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The placenta is an extraembryonic organ, which is essential to maintain a normal pregnancy. However, placental development in humans is poorly understood because of technical and ethical reasons. Methods We analyzed the anatomical localization of each trophoblastic subtype in the cynomolgus monkey placenta by immunohistochemistry in the early second trimester. Histological differences among the mouse, cynomolgus monkey, and human placenta were compared. The PubMed database was used to search for studies on placentation in rodents and primates. Main findings The anatomical structures and subtypes of the placenta in cynomolgus monkeys are highly similar to those in humans, with the exception of fewer interstitial extravillous trophoblasts in cynomolgus monkeys. Conclusion The cynomolgus monkey appears to be a good animal model to investigate human placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shoma Matsumoto
- Department of Stem Cells and Human Disease Models, Research Center for Animal Life ScienceShiga University of Medical ScienceOtsuJapan
| | - Eiichi Okamura
- Department of Stem Cells and Human Disease Models, Research Center for Animal Life ScienceShiga University of Medical ScienceOtsuJapan
| | - Masanaga Muto
- Department of Stem Cells and Human Disease Models, Research Center for Animal Life ScienceShiga University of Medical ScienceOtsuJapan
| | - Masatsugu Ema
- Department of Stem Cells and Human Disease Models, Research Center for Animal Life ScienceShiga University of Medical ScienceOtsuJapan
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI‐ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
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8
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Block LN, Schmidt JK, Keuler NS, McKeon MC, Bowman BD, Wiepz GJ, Golos TG. Zika virus impacts extracellular vesicle composition and cellular gene expression in macaque early gestation trophoblasts. Sci Rep 2022; 12:7348. [PMID: 35513694 PMCID: PMC9072346 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11275-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) infection at the maternal-placental interface is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes including fetal demise and pregnancy loss. To determine how infection impacts placental trophoblasts, we utilized rhesus macaque trophoblast stem cells (TSC) that can be differentiated into early gestation syncytiotrophoblasts (ST) and extravillous trophoblasts (EVT). TSCs and STs, but not EVTs, were highly permissive to productive infection with ZIKV strain DAK AR 41524. The impact of ZIKV on the cellular transcriptome showed that infection of TSCs and STs increased expression of immune related genes, including those involved in type I and type III interferon responses. ZIKV exposure altered extracellular vesicle (EV) mRNA, miRNA and protein cargo, including ZIKV proteins, regardless of productive infection. These findings suggest that early gestation macaque TSCs and STs are permissive to ZIKV infection, and that EV analysis may provide a foundation for identifying non-invasive biomarkers of placental infection in a highly translational model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lindsey N. Block
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1223 Capitol Ct., Madison, WI 53715-1299 USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.25879.310000 0004 1936 8972Present Address: University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA USA
| | - Jenna Kropp Schmidt
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1223 Capitol Ct., Madison, WI 53715-1299 USA
| | - Nicholas S. Keuler
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Statistics, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Megan C. McKeon
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Biomolecular Chemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
| | - Brittany D. Bowman
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1223 Capitol Ct., Madison, WI 53715-1299 USA ,grid.266813.80000 0001 0666 4105Present Address: University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE USA
| | - Gregory J. Wiepz
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1223 Capitol Ct., Madison, WI 53715-1299 USA
| | - Thaddeus G. Golos
- grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1223 Capitol Ct., Madison, WI 53715-1299 USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA ,grid.14003.360000 0001 2167 3675Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI USA
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9
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Li Q, Wu H, Wang Y, Wang H. Current understanding in deciphering trophoblast cell differentiation during human placentation. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:317-326. [PMID: 35478014 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a unique organ that forms during gestation and supports fetus survival and communication with the mother. However, of such an arguably essential organ for a successful pregnancy, our knowledge is limited. New progress has been made for human placenta study in recent years. We herein summarize the current understanding of human placental trophoblast differentiation and the molecules that govern trophoblast cell lineage specification. More importantly, the powerful tools for placental studies are also explained, such as human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs), 3-dimensional (3D) trophoblast organoids, engineering-based placental devices, and single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNAseq). These advances have brought us new insights into placental development and provided multiple investigation strategies for deciphering molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
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10
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Wei Y, Wang T, Ma L, Zhang Y, Zhao Y, Lye K, Xiao L, Chen C, Wang Z, Ma Y, Zhou X, Sun F, Li W, Dunk C, Li S, Nagy A, Yu Y, Pan G, Lye SJ, Shan Y. Efficient derivation of human trophoblast stem cells from primed pluripotent stem cells. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:eabf4416. [PMID: 34380613 PMCID: PMC8357231 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abf4416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) provide a valuable model to study placental development and function. While primary hTSCs have been derived from embryos/early placenta, and transdifferentiated hTSCs from naïve human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), the generation of hTSCs from primed PSCs is problematic. We report the successful generation of TSCs from primed hPSCs and show that BMP4 substantially enhances this process. TSCs derived from primed hPSCs are similar to blastocyst-derived hTSCs in terms of morphology, proliferation, differentiation potential, and gene expression. We define the chromatin accessibility dynamics and histone modifications (H3K4me3/H3K27me3) that specify hPSC-derived TSCs. Consistent with low density of H3K27me3 in primed hPSC-derived hTSCs, we show that knockout of H3K27 methyltransferases (EZH1/2) increases the efficiency of hTSC derivation from primed hPSCs. Efficient derivation of hTSCs from primed hPSCs provides a simple and powerful model to understand human trophoblast development, including the pathogenesis of trophoblast-related disorders, by generating disease-specific hTSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanxing Wei
- Placenta Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto M5T3H7, Canada
| | - Tianyu Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lishi Ma
- Placenta Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yanqi Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Yuan Zhao
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
| | - Kathryn Lye
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto M5T3H7, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G1L4, Canada
| | - Lu Xiao
- Placenta Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chunlin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Zhijian Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yanlin Ma
- Hainan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Reproductive Medicine and Genetic Research, The Key Laboratory of Tropical Diseases and Translational Medicine of the Ministry of Education, Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University, Hainan Medical University, Haikou, Hainan 570102, China
| | - Xiaohua Zhou
- Placenta Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second People's Hospital of Shenzhen, The First Hospital Affiliated to Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518029, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Weili Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Caroline Dunk
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto M5T3H7, Canada
| | - Siliang Li
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto M5T3H7, Canada
- China National Gene Bank-Shenzhen, Shenzhen 518083, China
| | - Andras Nagy
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto M5T3H7, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G1L4, Canada
- Institute of Medical Science, University of Toronto, Toronto M5S 1A8, Canada
- Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yanhong Yu
- Placenta Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Guangjin Pan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China.
| | - Stephen J Lye
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto M5T3H7, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G1L4, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G1L4, Canada
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto M5G1L4, Canada
| | - Yongli Shan
- Placenta Research Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510530, China
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11
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Rosenkrantz JL, Gaffney JE, Roberts VHJ, Carbone L, Chavez SL. Transcriptomic analysis of primate placentas and novel rhesus trophoblast cell lines informs investigations of human placentation. BMC Biol 2021; 19:127. [PMID: 34154587 PMCID: PMC8218487 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01056-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2020] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Proper placentation, including trophoblast differentiation and function, is essential for the health and well-being of both the mother and baby throughout pregnancy. Placental abnormalities that occur during the early stages of development are thought to contribute to preeclampsia and other placenta-related pregnancy complications. However, relatively little is known about these stages in humans due to obvious ethical and technical limitations. Rhesus macaques are considered an ideal surrogate for studying human placentation, but the unclear translatability of known human placental markers and lack of accessible rhesus trophoblast cell lines can impede the use of this animal model. RESULTS Here, we performed a cross-species transcriptomic comparison of human and rhesus placenta and determined that while the majority of human placental marker genes (HPGs) were similarly expressed, 952 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between the two species. Functional enrichment analysis of the 447 human-upregulated DEGs, including ADAM12, ERVW-1, KISS1, LGALS13, PAPPA2, PGF, and SIGLEC6, revealed over-representation of genes implicated in preeclampsia and other pregnancy disorders. Additionally, to enable in vitro functional studies of early placentation, we generated and thoroughly characterized two highly pure first trimester telomerase (TERT) immortalized rhesus trophoblast cell lines (iRP-D26 and iRP-D28A) that retained crucial features of isolated primary trophoblasts. CONCLUSIONS Overall, our findings help elucidate the molecular translatability between human and rhesus placenta and reveal notable expression differences in several HPGs and genes implicated in pregnancy complications that should be considered when using the rhesus animal model to study normal and pathological human placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimi L. Rosenkrantz
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
| | - Jessica E. Gaffney
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
| | - Victoria H. J. Roberts
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
| | - Lucia Carbone
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Division of Genetics, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
- Department of Medicine, Knight Cardiovascular Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Department of Medical Informatics and Clinical Epidemiology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - Shawn L. Chavez
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 S.W. Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Division of Reproductive and Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006 USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, Portland, OR 97239 USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health and Science University School of Medicine, Portland, OR 97239 USA
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