1
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Wang Y, Cheng Q, Xia Z, Zhou R, Li Y, Meng L, Xu Q, Tan J, Xu Z. Whole-transcriptome sequencing identifies key mRNAs, miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs associated with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 389:129-143. [PMID: 35524814 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03632-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss is a common obstetric complication affecting approximately 1-2% of reproductive population worldwide, but the precise causes for approximately a half of such patients remain unexplained. In this study, we compared the expression profiles of messenger RNA (mRNA), long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), microRNA (miRNA), and circular RNA (circRNA) in villi tissues from patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (URPL) and elective termination of pregnancy (ETP) using whole-transcriptome sequencing. A number of differentially expressed RNAs were confirmed by real-time PCR analysis. As a result, we identified a total of 1,703 mRNAs, 798 lncRNAs, 199 miRNAs, and 163 circRNAs that were significantly differentially expressed between villi tissues from URPL and ETP. The data of real-time PCR were consistent with those of the sequencing results. Gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that the majority of differentially expressed mRNAs and target genes of ncRNAs were associated with focal adhesion, extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Additionally, two co-expression networks (lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA and lncRNA-circRNA-miRNA-mRNA) were constructed based on the correlation analysis between the differentially expressed RNAs. Taken together, this study provides a large number of valuable candidates for elucidating regulatory mechanisms of ncRNAs, which may ultimately assist in understanding the pathogenesis of URPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Wang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing, 210004, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, 210004, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengyi Xia
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing, 210004, People's Republic of China
| | - Ran Zhou
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing, 210004, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiming Li
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing, 210004, People's Republic of China
| | - Lulu Meng
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing, 210004, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing, 210004, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jianxin Tan
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing, 210004, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhengfeng Xu
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, 123 Tianfei Alley, Mochou Road, Nanjing, 210004, People's Republic of China.
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2
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Chen X, Zheng Q, Ji L, Zhuang Y, Yu H, Cheng X, Han Y, Lv J, Zheng B, Zheng Y, Yu J. Quantitative proteomics and functional analysis identified novel targets for missed abortion. Exp Cell Res 2022; 417:113216. [DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2022.113216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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3
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Fonseca PAS, Schenkel FS, Cánovas A. Genome-wide association study using haplotype libraries and repeated measures model to identify candidate genomic regions for stillbirth in Holstein cattle. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:1314-1326. [PMID: 34998559 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2021-20936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Reduced fertility is one of the main causes of economic losses on dairy farms, resulting in economic losses estimated at $938 per stillbirth case in Holstein herds. The identification of genomic regions associated with stillbirth could help to develop better management and breeding strategies aimed to reduce the frequency of undesirable gestation outcomes. Here, 10,570 cows and 50,541 birth records were used to perform a haplotype-based GWAS. A total of 41 significantly associated pseudo-SNPs (haplotypes within haplotype blocks converted to a binary classification) were identified after Bonferroni adjustment for multiple tests. A total of 117 positional candidate genes were annotated within or close (in a 200-kb interval) to significant pseudo-SNPs (haplotype blocks). The guilt-by-association functional prioritization identified 31 potential functional candidate genes for reproductive performance out of the 117 positional candidate genes annotated. These genes play crucial roles in biological processes associated with pregnancy persistence, fetus development, immune response, among others. These results helped us to better understand the genetic basis of stillbirth in dairy cattle and may be useful for the prediction of stillbirth in Holstein cattle, helping to reduce the related economic losses caused by this phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- P A S Fonseca
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - F S Schenkel
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - A Cánovas
- Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock, Department of Animal Biosciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1, Canada.
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4
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Dudley JS, Murphy CR, Thompson MB, McAllan BM. Uterine cellular changes during mammalian pregnancy and the evolution of placentation. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:1381-1400. [PMID: 34514493 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab170] [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: 06/10/2021] [Revised: 08/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
There are many different forms of nutrient provision in viviparous (live bearing) species. The formation of a placenta is one method where the placenta functions to transfer nutrients from mother to fetus (placentotrophy), transfer waste from the fetus to the mother and respiratory gas exchange. Despite having the same overarching function, there are different types of placentation within placentotrophic vertebrates, and many morphological changes occur in the uterus during pregnancy to facilitate formation of the placenta. These changes are regulated in complex ways but are controlled by similar hormonal mechanisms across species. This review describes current knowledge of the morphological and molecular changes to the uterine epithelium preceding implantation among mammals. Our aim is to identify the commonalities and constraints of these cellular changes to understand the evolution of placentation in mammals and propose directions for future research. We compare and discuss the complex modifications to the ultrastructure of uterine epithelial cells and show that there are similarities in the changes to the cytoskeleton and gross morphology of the uterine epithelial cells, especially of the apical and lateral plasma membrane of the cells during the formation of a placenta in all eutherians and marsupials studied to date. We conclude that further research is needed to understand the evolution of placentation among viviparous mammals, particularly concerning the level of placental invasiveness, hormonal control and genetic underpinnings of pregnancy in marsupial taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica S Dudley
- School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Australia
| | - Christopher R Murphy
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Michael B Thompson
- School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Bronwyn M McAllan
- School of Life and Environmental Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.,School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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5
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Laird MK, Hansen VL, McAllan BM, Murphy CR, Thompson MB. Uterine epithelial remodelling during pregnancy in the marsupial Monodelphis domestica (Didelphidae): Implications for mammalian placental evolution. J Anat 2020; 236:1126-1136. [PMID: 32052440 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian pregnancy involves remodelling of the uterine epithelium to enable placentation. In marsupials, such remodelling has probably played a key role in the transition from ancestral invasive placentation to non-invasive placentation. Identifying uterine alterations that are unique to marsupials with non-invasive placentation can thus elucidate mechanisms of marsupial placental evolution. We identified apical alterations to uterine epithelial cells prior to implantation in Monodelphis domestica, a member of the least derived living marsupial clade (Didelphidae) with invasive (endotheliochorial) placentation. We then compared these traits with those of Macropus eugenii (Macropodidae) and Trichosurus vulpecula (Phalangeridae), both with non-invasive placentation, to identify which alterations to the uterine epithelium are ancestral and which facilitate secondarily evolved non-invasive placentation. In M. domestica, remodelling of the uterine epithelium involves reduced cellular heterogeneity and development of uterodome-like cells, suggesting that similar alterations may also have occurred in the marsupial common ancestor. These alterations also overlap with those of both T. vulpecula and Ma. eugenii, suggesting that the placental shift from invasive to non-invasive placentation in marsupials involves essential, conserved characteristics, irrespective of placental mode. However, unique apical alterations of both T. vulpecula and Ma. eugenii, relative to M. domestica, imply that lineage-specific alterations underpin the evolutionary shift to non-invasive placentation in marsupials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie K Laird
- Department of Anatomy, University of Otago, Dunedin, Aotearoa, New Zealand.,School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Victoria L Hansen
- Animal BioScience and Biotechnology Laboratory, United States Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Bronwyn M McAllan
- Discipline of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Christopher R Murphy
- Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael B Thompson
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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6
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Zhao F, Liu H, Wang N, Yu L, Wang A, Yi Y, Jin Y. Exploring the role of Luman/CREB3 in regulating decidualization of mice endometrial stromal cells by comparative transcriptomics. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:103. [PMID: 32000663 PMCID: PMC6993373 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-6515-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 01/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Luman is a member of CREB3 (cAMP responsive element-binding) subfamily of the basic leucine-zipper (bZIP) transcription factors. It may play an important regulatory role during the decidualization process since Luman was highly expressed in the decidual cells. However, the exact molecular mechanisms of how Luman regulating decidualization is unknown. Results Using an in vitro model, we prove that Luman knockdown significantly affects the decidualization process of mice endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) as the expression of two decidual markers PRL8a2 and PRL3c1 were repressed. We employed massively parallel RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) to understand the changes in the transcriptional landscape associated with knockdown of Luman in ESCs during in vitro decidualization. We found significant dysregulation of genes related to protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Several genes involved in decidualization including bone morphogenetic proteins (e.g. BMP1, BMP4, BMP8A, BMP2, and BMP8B), growth factor-related genes (e.g. VEGFB, FGF10, and FGFR2), and transcription factors (IF4E, IF4A2, WNT4, WNT9A, ETS1, NOTCH1, IRX1, IDB1, IDB2, and IDB3), show altered expression. We also found that the knockdown of Luman is associated with increased expression of cell cycle-related genes including cycA1, cycB1, cycB2, CDK1, CDK2, and PLPK1, which resulted in an increased proportion of ESCs in the G1 phase. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were highly enriched on ECM-receptor interaction signaling, endoplasmic reticulum protein processing, focal adhesion, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways. Conclusions Luman knockdown results in widespread gene dysregulation during decidualization of ESCs. Genes involved in protein processing in ER, bone morphogenetic protein, growth factor, and cell cycle progression were identified as particularly important for explaining the decidual deficiency observed in this in vitro model. Therefore, this study provides clues as to the underlying mechanisms that may expand our understanding of gene regulation during decidualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.,College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Huan Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Institute of Biological Resources and Diversity, College of Life Sciences, China Jiliang University, Hangzhou, 310018, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lijun Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Aihua Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yanglei Yi
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Yaping Jin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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7
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Nicholson L, Lindsay L, Murphy CR. Change in distribution of cytoskeleton-associated proteins, lasp-1 and palladin, during uterine receptivity in the rat endometrium. Reprod Fertil Dev 2019; 30:1482-1490. [PMID: 29739492 DOI: 10.1071/rd17530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 04/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The epithelium of the uterine lumen is the first point of contact with the blastocyst before implantation. To facilitate pregnancy, these uterine epithelial cells (UECs) undergo morphological changes specific to the receptive uterus. These changes include basal, lateral and apical alterations in the plasma membrane of UECs. This study looked at the cytoskeletal and focal adhesion-associated proteins, lasp-1 and palladin, in the uterus during early pregnancy in the rat. Two palladin isoforms, 140 kDa and 90 kDa, were analysed, with the migration-associated 140-kDa isoform increasing significantly at the time of implantation when compared with the time of fertilisation. Lasp-1 was similarly increased at this time, whilst also being located predominantly apically and laterally in the UECs, suggesting a role in the initial contact between the UECs and the blastocyst. This is the first study to investigate palladin and lasp-1 in the uterine luminal epithelium and suggests an importance for these cytoskeletal proteins in the morphological changes the UECs undergo for pregnancy to occur.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Nicholson
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Laura Lindsay
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Christopher R Murphy
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
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8
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Abstract
Embryonic signals can affect the spatiotemporal-specific expression of the uterus to establish a successful pregnancy. Our previous study has found that talin1 underwent dynamic changes in the mouse endometrium during peri-implantation period. However, whether talin1 is affected by the embryo signals is not clear. In order to investigate the effect of embryonic signals, especially human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on talin1, we have designed mouse models of pseudopregnancy, delayed implantation and activation, and HCG treatment. Using these models, the expression of talin1 in the mouse endometrium was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In the pseudopregnancy model, an increased expression of talin1 was found from day 3 to day 5, whereas the talin1 protein was decreased on day 5 in the normal pregnant mice. In the delayed implantation model, a strong cytoplasmic staining of talin1 was found, especially in stromal cells. However, after activation of the implantation, the expression of talin1 decreased (P < .05). Furthermore, a significantly lower expression of talin1 was found at the implantation site when compared to the interimplantation sites (P < .05). In the HCG treatment model, an intrauterine perfusion of 10u HCG significantly reduced the expression of talin1 in both stromal and epithelial cells in pseudopregnant mice (P < .05), although further increase in the HCG concentration did not have additional effect on expression of talin1. Taken together, our data suggest that the presence of embryos can affect expression of talin1 in the mouse endometrium, and a certain concentration of HCG can regulate its expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Shen
- 1 Department of Reproductive Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- 2 Department of Gynecology, Guilin People's Hospital, Guilin, China
| | - Aiping Qin
- 1 Department of Reproductive Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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9
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Martínez-Peña AA, Peña-Castillo A, Parra-Forero LY, Hernández-Ochoa I, Hernández-Barrientos LR, Morimoto S, Mendoza-Rodríguez CA. Parental perinatal exposure to bisphenol A reduces the threshold to disrupt blastocyst implantation via decreasing talin, occudin and E-cadherin levels. Reprod Toxicol 2019; 86:86-97. [PMID: 31028817 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2019.04.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The aim was to evaluate the effect of perinatal BPA exposure of one or both parents on the implantation index and expression of talin, occludin and E-cadherin in the uterine epithelial cells (UEC) of the offspring. Pregnant Wistar dams (F0) received BPA or vehicle from gestational day (GD) 6 to lactation day 21. F1 animals were mated forming four groups: Control dam-Control sire (C♀-C♂), BPA dam -Control sire (B♀-C♂), Control dam -BPA sire (C♀-B♂), BPA dam -BPA sire (B♀-B♂). F1 dams were sacrificed at GD 6. Significantly decreased number of implantation sites was observed in the B♀-B♂ group as compared to the C♀-C♂ group, which correlated with decreased talin apical/basal expression ratio, occludin apical expression, and E-cadherin apical/lateral expression ratio in the UEC. Furthermore, decreased E-cadherin expression in the blastocyst was observed. Our data suggest that reduced protein expressions in F1 BPA offspring could result from decreased progesterone serum levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annia A Martínez-Peña
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico
| | - Andrea Peña-Castillo
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico
| | - L Yuliana Parra-Forero
- Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav), Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Isabel Hernández-Ochoa
- Departamento de Toxicología, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional (Cinvestav), Ciudad de México 07360, Mexico
| | - Luis R Hernández-Barrientos
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico
| | - Sumiko Morimoto
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de Mexico 14080, Mexico
| | - C Adriana Mendoza-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico 04510, Mexico.
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10
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Nicholson L, Madawala R, Lindsay L, Murphy CR. α-Parvin and β-parvin in the rat uterus during decidualisation and uterine receptivity. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 151:395-406. [PMID: 30515554 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1761-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
During early pregnancy, the uterine luminal epithelial cells (UECs) and endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) undergo morphological changes to enable blastocyst implantation. The present study investigates, for the first time, the cytoskeletal-associated proteins and α-actinin superfamily members, α-parvin and β-parvin, during early pregnancy in the rat uterus. These two PARVA proteins are involved in cell adhesion, morphological changes and regulation of other cytoskeletal proteins, through binding with proteins such as actin and integrin-linked kinase. α-parvin is present in UECs at fertilisation and significantly decreases by the time of implantation. β-parvin acts in opposition; significantly increasing in both UECs and ESCs at the time of implantation, suggesting a role in the process of decidualisation. Additionally, the presence of a serine-8 residue-phosphorylated α-parvin, which is associated with cell morphology changes, was found in the nuclear region of both UECs and ESCs during implantation and decidualisation. We also show that the presence of both β-parvin and phosphorylated α-parvin in ESCs is dependent on decidualisation occurring. This study demonstrates that the changing balance and localisation of the two PARVA proteins are dependent on the time of uterine receptivity, suggesting a co-dependent role in the cytoskeletal re-organisation crucial to the changing conditions necessary for implantation and decidualisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigh Nicholson
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Lab, Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia.
| | - Romanthi Madawala
- Kolling Institute of Medical Research, Royal North Shore Hospital, St Leonards, Australia
| | - Laura Lindsay
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Lab, Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
| | - Christopher R Murphy
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Lab, Discipline of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Sydney, Camperdown, Australia
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11
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Dudley JS, Murphy CR, Thompson MB, Carter T, McAllan BM. Uterine Epithelial Cells Undergo a Plasma Membrane Transformation During Early Pregnancy in the Domestic Cat (Felis catus
). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2018; 301:1497-1505. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23895] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2018] [Revised: 04/28/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica S. Dudley
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Christopher R. Murphy
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Michael B. Thompson
- School of Life and Environmental Science; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Tanya Carter
- Haberfield Veterinary Hospital; Sydney New South Wales Australia
| | - Bronwyn M. McAllan
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute; University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales Australia
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12
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Danastas K, Whittington CM, Dowland SN, Combes V, Murphy CR, Lindsay LA. Ovarian Hyperstimulation Reduces Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A During Uterine Receptivity. Reprod Sci 2018; 26:259-268. [PMID: 29621956 DOI: 10.1177/1933719118768703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The angiogenic factor vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGFA) plays a critical role during early pregnancy in many species including the rat, and any alterations in VEGFA levels can severely impact blastocyst implantation rates. The rat ovarian hyperstimulation (OH) model is useful in studying how the induction of superovulation affects VEGFA levels and endometrial receptivity to blastocyst implantation. The present study shows that the major isoform in the rat uterus, Vegf188, is reduced at the time of receptivity in OH compared to normal pregnancy, whereas there is no change in Vegf164 and Vegf120 messenger RNA (mRNA). The VEGFA receptor 2 (VEGFR2) protein levels are also reduced at the time of receptivity in OH. Our ovariectomy studies show that Vegf164, Vegf188, and Vegf120 are significantly decreased by estrogen, and, to a lesser extent progesterone, when compared to control animals. Although no change in the percentage of endometrial blood vessels was seen across all stages of pregnancy, at the time of receptivity in OH pregnancies, blood vessels were typically larger compared to other stages. The altered progesterone-estrogen ratio seen in OH, taken together with our ovariectomy studies, explains the changes to Vegfa mRNA in OH at the time of receptivity. Since VEGFA is important during implantation, the changes to Vegfa and VEGFR2 levels in the endometrium may help explain the observed lower endometrial receptivity following OH. This study aimed to analyse how ovarian hyperstimulation alters the levels of vascular endothleial growth factor and its major receptor, VEGFR2 in the uterus in a rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Danastas
- 1 Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Camilla M Whittington
- 2 School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Samson N Dowland
- 1 Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Valery Combes
- 3 School of Life Sciences, The University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher R Murphy
- 1 Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laura A Lindsay
- 1 Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, Bosch Institute, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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13
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Laird MK, McShea H, Murphy CR, McAllan BM, Shaw G, Renfree MB, Thompson MB. Non‐invasive placentation in the marsupials
Macropus eugenii
(Macropodidae) and
Trichosurus vulpecula
(Phalangeridae) involves redistribution of uterine Desmoglein‐2. Mol Reprod Dev 2018; 85:72-82. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie K. Laird
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Hanon McShea
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary BiologyHarvard UniversityCambridgeMassachusetts
| | - Christopher R. Murphy
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch InstituteUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Bronwyn M. McAllan
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch InstituteUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Geoff Shaw
- School of BioSciencesUniversity of MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Michael B. Thompson
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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14
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Dowland SN, Madawala RJ, Poon CE, Lindsay LA, Murphy CR. Prominin-2 Prevents the Formation of Caveolae in Normal and Ovarian Hyperstimulated Pregnancy. Reprod Sci 2017; 25:1231-1242. [PMID: 29113580 DOI: 10.1177/1933719117737842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
During early pregnancy, uterine epithelial cells (UECs) become less adherent to the underlying basal lamina and are subsequently removed so the blastocyst can invade the underlying stroma. This process involves the removal of focal adhesions from the basal plasma membrane of UECs. These focal adhesions are thought to be internalized by caveolae, which significantly increase in abundance at the time of blastocyst implantation. A recent in vitro study indicated that prominin-2 prevents the formation of caveolae by sequestering membrane cholesterol. The present study examines whether prominin-2 affects the formation of caveolae and loss of focal adhesions in UECs during normal and ovarian hyperstimulation (OH) pregnancy in the rat. At the time of fertilization during normal pregnancy, prominin-2 is distributed throughout the basolateral plasma membrane. However, at the time of implantation and coincident with an increase in caveolae, prominin-2 is lost from the basal plasma membrane. In contrast, prominin-2 remains in the basolateral plasma membrane throughout OH pregnancy. Transmission electron microscopy showed that this membrane contained few caveolae throughout OH pregnancy. Our results indicate that prominin-2 prevents the formation of caveolae. We suggest the retention of prominin-2 in the basal plasma membrane during OH pregnancy prevents the formation of caveolae and is responsible for the retention of focal adhesions in this membrane, thereby contributing to the reduced implantation rate observed after such treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samson N Dowland
- 1 Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology) and The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Romanthi J Madawala
- 1 Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology) and The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Connie E Poon
- 1 Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology) and The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Laura A Lindsay
- 1 Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology) and The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher R Murphy
- 1 Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology) and The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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15
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Laird MK, Dargan JR, Paterson L, Murphy CR, McAllan BM, Shaw G, Renfree MB, Thompson MB. Uterine molecular changes for non‐invasive embryonic attachment in the marsupials
Macropus eugenii
(Macropodidae) and
Trichosurus vulpecula
(Phalangeridae). Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:1076-1085. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2017] [Accepted: 07/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie K. Laird
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Jessica R. Dargan
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Lillian Paterson
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Christopher R. Murphy
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch InstituteUniversity of SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Bronwyn M. McAllan
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch InstituteUniversity of SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Geoff Shaw
- School of BioSciencesUniversity of MelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Michael B. Thompson
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of SydneyNew South WalesAustralia
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16
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Kumar V, Soni UK, Maurya VK, Singh K, Jha RK. Integrin beta8 (ITGB8) activates VAV-RAC1 signaling via FAK in the acquisition of endometrial epithelial cell receptivity for blastocyst implantation. Sci Rep 2017; 7:1885. [PMID: 28507287 PMCID: PMC5432530 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-01764-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Integrin beta8 (ITGB8) is involved in the endometrial receptivity. The blastocyst first interacts with the luminal endometrial epithelial cells during its implantation; therefore, we have investigated the signaling of ITGB8 via FAK and VAV-RAC1 in the endometrial epithelial cells. Integrin beta8 was found elevated in epithelial cells at late-pre-receptive (day4, 1600 h) and receptive (day5, 0500 h) stages of endometrial receptivity period in the mouse. Integrins downstream molecule FAK has demonstrated an increased expression and phosphorylation (Y397) in the endometrium as well as in the isolated endometrial epithelial cells during receptive and post-receptive stages. Integrin beta8 can functionally interact with FAK, VAV and RAC1 as the levels of phosphorylated-FAK, and VAV along with the RAC-GTP form was reduced after ITGB8 knockdown in the endometrial epithelial cells and uterus. Further, VAV and RAC1 were seen poorly active in the absence of FAK activity, suggesting a crosstalk of ITGB8 and FAK for VAV and RAC1 activation in the endometrial epithelial cells. Silencing of ITGB8 expression and inhibition of FAK activity in the Ishikawa cells rendered poor attachment of JAr spheroids. In conclusion, ITGB8 activates VAV-RAC1 signaling axis via FAK to facilitate the endometrial epithelial cell receptivity for the attachment of blastocyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Kumar
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, U.P., India
| | - Upendra Kumar Soni
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, U.P., India
| | - Vineet Kumar Maurya
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, U.P., India
| | - Kiran Singh
- Department of Molecular & Human Genetics, Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, UP, India
| | - Rajesh Kumar Jha
- Division of Endocrinology, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute, Sector-10, Jankipuram Extension, Sitapur Road, Lucknow, 226031, U.P., India.
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17
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Xin L, Xu B, Ma L, Hou Q, Ye M, Meng S, Ding X, Ge W. Proteomics study reveals that the dysregulation of focal adhesion and ribosome contribute to early pregnancy loss. Proteomics Clin Appl 2017; 10:554-63. [PMID: 26947931 PMCID: PMC5084743 DOI: 10.1002/prca.201500136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 01/10/2016] [Accepted: 02/29/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Early pregnancy loss (EPL) affects 50–70% pregnant women in first trimester. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying EPL are far from being fully understood. Therefore, we aim to identify the molecular signaling pathways relating to EPL. Experimental design We performed proteomics and bioinformatics analysis of the placental villi in women who have undergone EPL and in normal pregnant women. The proteomics data were validated by Western blot analysis. Results We identified a total of 5952 proteins in placental villi, of which 588 proteins were differentially expressed in the EPL women. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that these differentially expressed proteins participated in a variety of signaling pathways, including the focal adhesion pathway and ribosome pathway. Moreover, results of the Western blot confirmed that Desmin, Lamin A/C, MMP‐9, and histone H4 were upregulated in EPL and the Lamin C/ Lamin A ratio decreased obviously in EPL. These proteins could be associated with the pathophysiology of EPL. The data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD002391. Conclusion and clinical relevance Our study demonstrated that the focal adhesion pathway and ribosome pathway are involved in EPL, and these findings might contribute to unveil the pathophysiology of EPL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingli Xin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the General Hospital of the PLA Rocket Force, Beijing, China
| | - Benhong Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Li Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the General Hospital of the PLA Rocket Force, Beijing, China
| | - Qingxiang Hou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the General Hospital of the PLA Rocket Force, Beijing, China
| | - Mei Ye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the General Hospital of the PLA Rocket Force, Beijing, China
| | - Shu Meng
- National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoping Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the General Hospital of the PLA Rocket Force, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Ge
- National Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Department of Immunology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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18
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Martínez-Peña AA, Rivera-Baños J, Méndez-Carrillo LL, Ramírez-Solano MI, Galindo-Bustamante A, Páez-Franco JC, Morimoto S, González-Mariscal L, Cruz ME, Mendoza-Rodríguez CA. Perinatal administration of bisphenol A alters the expression of tight junction proteins in the uterus and reduces the implantation rate. Reprod Toxicol 2017; 69:106-120. [PMID: 28216266 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2017.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 02/07/2017] [Accepted: 02/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
We studied the effect of bisphenol-A (BPA) administration to rats, during the perinatal period, on the fertility of F1 generation and on the expression of tight junction (TJ) proteins in the uterus during early pregnancy. Pregnant Wistar dams (F0) received: BPA-L (0.05mg/kg/day), BPA-H (20mg/kg/day) or vehicle, from gestational day (GD) 6 to lactation day 21. F1 female pups were mated at 3 months of age and sacrificed at GD 1, 3, 6, and 7. Serum hormonal levels, ovulation rate, number of implantation sites and expression of TJ proteins in the uterus of F1 females were evaluated. BPA treatment induced no change in ovulation rate, but induced alterations in progesterone (P4) and estradiol (E2) serum levels, and in implantation rate. With regards to TJ proteins, BPA-H increased claudin-1 during all GDs; eliminated the peaks of claudins -3 and -4 at GD 3 and 6, respectively; and decreased claudin-7 at GD 6, ZO-1 from GD 1-6, and claudin-3 at GD 7 in stromal cells. BPA-L instead, eliminated claudin-3 peak at GD 3, increased claudin-4 and decreased claudin-7 from GD 1-6, decreased claudin-1 at GD 3 and 7 and claudin-4 at GD 7 in stromal cells. BPA-L also decreased ZO-1 at GDs 1 and 3 and increased ZO-1 at GD 6. Thus, BPA treatment during perinatal period perturbed, when the animals reached adulthood and became pregnant, the particular expression of TJ proteins in the uterine epithelium and reduced in consequence the number of implantation sites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annia A Martínez-Peña
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico
| | - Jorge Rivera-Baños
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico
| | - Laura L Méndez-Carrillo
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico
| | - Marcos I Ramírez-Solano
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico
| | - Aarón Galindo-Bustamante
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico
| | - J Carlos Páez-Franco
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico
| | - Sumiko Morimoto
- Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y de la Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico, D.F. 14080, Mexico
| | - Lorenza González-Mariscal
- Centro de Investigación y Estudios Avanzados (CINVESTAV), Departamento de Fisiología, Biofísica y Neurociencias, Mexico, D.F. 07360, Mexico
| | - M Esther Cruz
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Zaragoza, Laboratorio de Neuroendocrinología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico, D.F. 15000, Mexico
| | - C Adriana Mendoza-Rodríguez
- Facultad de Química, Departamento de Biología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de Mexico, Mexico D.F. 04510, Mexico.
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19
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Laird MK, Turancova M, McAllan BM, Murphy CR, Thompson MB. Uterine focal adhesion dynamics during pregnancy in a marsupial (
Sminthopsis crassicaudata
; Dasyuridae). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2017; 300:1150-1159. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.23535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2016] [Revised: 08/31/2016] [Accepted: 09/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie K. Laird
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Sydney New South Wales2006 Australia
| | - Michaela Turancova
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Sydney New South Wales2006 Australia
| | - Bronwyn M. McAllan
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch InstituteUniversity of Sydney New South Wales2006 Australia
| | - Christopher R. Murphy
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch InstituteUniversity of Sydney New South Wales2006 Australia
| | - Michael B. Thompson
- School of Life and Environmental SciencesUniversity of Sydney New South Wales2006 Australia
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20
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Poon CE, Madawala RJ, Dowland SN, Murphy CR. Nectin-3 Is Increased in the Cell Junctions of the Uterine Epithelium at Implantation. Reprod Sci 2016; 23:1580-1592. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719116648216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Connie E. Poon
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology), The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Romanthi J. Madawala
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology), The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Samson N. Dowland
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology), The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher R. Murphy
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology), The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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21
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Lindsay LA, Dowland SN, Murphy CR. Uterine focal adhesions are retained at implantation after rat ovarian hyperstimulation. Reproduction 2016; 152:753-763. [PMID: 27651522 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is an essential component of IVF techniques to ensure proliferation and development of multiple ovarian follicles, but the effects of these hormones on the endometrium are largely unknown. During normal pregnancy in rats, there are significant changes in the basal plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells (UECs) at the time of receptivity, including loss of focal adhesions. This enables the UECs to be removed from the implantation chamber surrounding the blastocyst, thus allowing invasion into the underlying stroma. This study investigated the influence of ovarian hyperstimulation (OH) on the basal plasma membrane of UECs during early pregnancy in the rat. Immunofluorescence results demonstrate the presence of paxillin, talin, integrin β1 and phosphorylated FAK (Y397FAK) in the basal portion of UECs at the time of implantation in OH pregnancy. TEM analysis demonstrated a flattened basal lamina and the presence of focal adhesions on the basal surface at this time in OH pregnancy. Significantly low full-length paxillin, high paxillin δ and integrin β1 were seen at the time of implantation in OH compared with those in normal pregnancy. The increase in paxillin δ suggests that these cells are less mobile, whereas the increase in integrin β1 and Y397FAK suggests the retention of a stable FA complex. Taken together with the increase in morphological focal adhesions, this represents a cell type that is stable and less easily removed for blastocyst implantation. This may be one mechanism explaining lower implantation rates after fresh embryo transfers compared with frozen cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura A Lindsay
- School of Medical Sciences (Anatomy and Histology)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Samson N Dowland
- School of Medical Sciences (Anatomy and Histology)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Christopher R Murphy
- School of Medical Sciences (Anatomy and Histology)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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22
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Monsivais D, Clementi C, Peng J, Titus MM, Barrish JP, Creighton CJ, Lydon JP, DeMayo FJ, Matzuk MM. Uterine ALK3 is essential during the window of implantation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2016; 113:E387-95. [PMID: 26721398 PMCID: PMC4725477 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1523758113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The window of implantation is defined by the inhibition of uterine epithelial proliferation, structural epithelial cell remodeling, and attenuated estrogen (E2) response. These changes occur via paracrine signaling between the uterine epithelium and stroma. Because implantation defects are a major cause of infertility in women, identifying these signaling pathways will improve infertility interventions. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are TGF-β family members that regulate the postimplantation and midgestation stages of pregnancy. In this study, we discovered that signaling via activin-like kinase 3 (ALK3/BMPR1A), a BMP type 1 receptor, is necessary for blastocyst attachment. Conditional knockout (cKO) of ALK3 in the uterus was obtained by producing Alk3(flox) (/flox)-Pgr-cre-positive females. Alk3 cKO mice are sterile and have defects in the luminal uterine epithelium, including increased microvilli density and maintenance of apical cell polarity. Moreover, Alk3 cKO mice exhibit an elevated uterine E2 response and unopposed epithelial cell proliferation during the window of implantation. We determined that dual transcriptional regulation of Kruppel-like factor 15 (Klf15), by both the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) transcription factor SMAD family member 4 (SMAD4) and progesterone receptor (PR), is necessary to inhibit uterine epithelial cell proliferation, a key step for embryo implantation. Our findings present a convergence of BMP and steroid hormone signaling pathways in the regulation of uterine receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Monsivais
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Caterina Clementi
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Jia Peng
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Mary M Titus
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - James P Barrish
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Chad J Creighton
- Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - John P Lydon
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
| | - Francesco J DeMayo
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Center for Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Dan L. Duncan Comprehensive Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Department of Pharmacology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030; Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030
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23
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Madawala RJ, Poon CE, Dowland SN, Murphy CR. Actin crosslinking protein filamin A during early pregnancy in the rat uterus. Reprod Fertil Dev 2016; 28:960-968. [DOI: 10.1071/rd14240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2014] [Accepted: 11/13/2014] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
During early pregnancy the endometrium undergoes a major transformation in order for it to become receptive to blastocyst implantation. The actin cytoskeleton and plasma membrane of luminal uterine epithelial cells (UECs) and the underlying stromal cells undergo dramatic remodelling to facilitate these changes. Filamin A (FLNA), a protein that crosslinks actin filaments and also mediates the anchorage of membrane proteins to the actin cytoskeleton, was investigated in the rat uterus at fertilisation (Day 1) and implantation (Day 6) to determine the role of FLNA in actin cytoskeletal remodelling of UECs and decidua during early pregnancy. Localisation of FLNA in UECs at the time of fertilisation was cytoplasmic, whilst at implantation it was distributed apically; its localisation is under the influence of progesterone. FLNA was also concentrated to the first two to three stromal cell layers at the time of fertilisation and shifted to the primary decidualisation zone at the time of implantation. This shift in localisation was found to be dependent on the decidualisation reaction. Protein abundance of the FLNA 280-kDa monomer and calpain-cleaved fragment (240 kDa) did not change during early pregnancy in UECs. Since major actin cytoskeletal remodelling occurs during early pregnancy in UECs and in decidual cells, the changing localisation of FLNA suggests that it may be an important regulator of cytoskeletal remodelling of these cells to allow uterine receptivity and decidualisation necessary for implantation in the rat.
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24
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Mwakikunga A, Hosie MJ. Anastrozole is a dose-specific superovulator and favors implantation in rats: a prospective study. Cell Tissue Res 2015; 364:209-17. [PMID: 25971929 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-015-2180-1] [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: 06/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/23/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
An alternative superovulator to replace clomiphene citrate (CC) is needed as it is unsuitable for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and is associated with low pregnancy rates. Anastrozole is an effective superovulator, but has not been well researched. The aim of this study was to determine the optimal dose of anastrozole as a superovulator and ascertain its effects on implantation and uterine ultrastructure during early pregnancy in Wistar rats using scanning electron microscopy. The uterine morphological characteristics which were studied in day 1 and 6 pregnant rats include microvilli density, length, surface "beads", surface glycocalyx, cell borders and apices, uterine surface fording and large surface protrusions. A significant increase in implantation sites is seen in the 15 mg/kg anastrozole group, compared to control. Day 1 and 6 anastrozole groups have similar morphology to the control and different to the CC group. At day 6, large surface protrusions are mostly noted but not limited to anastrozole-treated rats; anastrozole also appears to retain glycocalyx to some extent. The increased number of implantation sites in the 15 mg/kg anastrozole group suggests that this dose superovulates and favors implantation. Anastrozole is probably dose-/species-specific and additionally the surface uterine morphology suggests that anastrozole is implantation friendly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Mwakikunga
- School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Margot J Hosie
- School of Anatomical Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 7 York Road, Parktown 2193, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Newcastle University Medicine Malaysia Campus, Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia
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25
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Chen Q, Zhang A, Yu F, Gao J, Liu Y, Yu C, Zhou H, Xu C. Label-free proteomics uncovers energy metabolism and focal adhesion regulations responsive for endometrium receptivity. J Proteome Res 2015; 14:1831-42. [PMID: 25728905 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.5b00038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
The menstrual cycle of the female uterus leads to periodic changes of the endometrium. These changes are important for developing the endometrial receptivity and for achieving competency of embryo implantation. However, the molecular events underlying the endometrial receptivity process remain poorly understood. Here we applied an LC-MS-based label-free quantitative proteomic approach to compare the endometrial tissues in the midsecretory (receptive) phase with the endometrial tissues in the proliferative phase from age-matched woman (n = 6/group). The proteomes of endometrial tissues were extracted using an SDS-based detergent, digested by the filter-aided sample preparation procedures, and subsequently analyzed by nano-LC-MS/MS (Orbitrap XL) with a 4 h gradient. Reliable protein expression profiles were reproducibly obtained from the endometrial tissues in the receptive and proliferative phases. A total of 2138 protein groups were quantified under highly stringent criteria with a false discovery rate of <1% for peptide and protein groups. Among these proteins, 317 proteins had differences in expression that were statistically significant between the receptive and proliferative phases. Direct protein-protein interaction network analyses of these significantly changed proteins showed that the up-regulation of creatine kinase B-type (CKB) in the receptive phase may be related to endometrium receptivity. The interaction network also showed that proteins related to cell-cell adhesion were down-regulated. Moreover, the results from KEGG pathway analyses are consistent with the protein-protein interaction results. The proteins, including alpha-actinin (ACTN), extracellular matrix proteins, integrin alpha-V, and so on, that are involved in the focal adhesion pathway were down-regulated in the receptive phase compared with the proliferative phase, which may facilitate the implantation of the fertilized ovum. Selected proteins were validated by Western blot analysis and indirect immunofluorescence, including the up-regulation of CKB and down-regulation ACTN in the receptive phase. In summary, our proteomic analysis study shows potential for predicting the endometrial remodeling from the proliferative to the receptivity phase in women, and these results also reveal the key biological mechanisms (such as energy metabolism and focal adhesion) underlying human endometrial receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Chen
- †Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,‡Center of Reproductive Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Aijun Zhang
- ‡Center of Reproductive Medicine, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Feng Yu
- §CAS Key Laboratory for Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Jing Gao
- §CAS Key Laboratory for Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yue Liu
- †Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chengli Yu
- §CAS Key Laboratory for Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Hu Zhou
- §CAS Key Laboratory for Receptor Research, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, 555 Zuchongzhi Road, Shanghai 201203, China.,∥E-institute of Shanghai Municipal Education Committee, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Chen Xu
- †Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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PTRF is associated with caveolin 1 at the time of receptivity: but SDPR is absent at the same time. Histochem Cell Biol 2015; 143:637-44. [PMID: 25618412 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-015-1308-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/13/2015] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
The plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells undergoes a number of changes during early pregnancy. The changes in the basolateral membrane at the time of implantation in particular change from being smooth to highly tortuous in morphology, along with a dramatic increase in the number of morphological caveolae at this time. The major protein of caveolar membranes is caveolin, and previous studies have shown that RNA pol I transcription factor (PTRF) and serum deprivation protein response (SDPR) are the two members of the cavin protein family. These proteins are known to be involved in caveolae biogenesis, where they directly bind to cholesterol and lipids and have been reported to promote membrane curvature. As there is an increase in membrane tortuosity and caveolae at the time of implantation, this study investigated PTRF and SDPR to explore the possible roles that they play in the morphology of the uterine epithelium during early pregnancy. PTRF protein abundance did not change in uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy or in response to ovarian hormones. At the time of implantation in uterine epithelial cells, PTRF co-immunoprecipitated with caveolin 1, thereby demonstrating an association with caveolin-1 at the basal plasma membrane in caveolae. SDPR protein was observed to be present only at the time of fertilisation, and also under the influence of oestrogen alone, where a cytoplasmic localisation in uterine epithelial cells was observed. The localisation and expression PTRF and SDPR in uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy suggest that they have roles in the maintenance of lipids and cholesterol in the plasma membrane. PTRF and lack of SDPR may contribute not only to the morphology of the basal plasma membrane as observed at the time of implantation, but also to the maintenance of epithelial polarity during early pregnancy.
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Poon CE, Madawala RJ, Day ML, Murphy CR. EpCAM is decreased but is still present in uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy in the rat: potential mechanism for maintenance of mucosal integrity during implantation. Cell Tissue Res 2014; 359:655-664. [PMID: 25367431 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-014-2017-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The non-receptive uterine luminal epithelium forms a polarised epithelial barrier, protective against potential pathogenic assault from the external environment and invasion by the blastocyst. However, during the window of implantation, the uterine luminal epithelial cells (UECs) transition to a receptive state by dismantling many of their intercellular and cell-matrix adhesions in preparation for epithelial detachment and subsequent blastocyst implantation. The present study investigated the presence and regulation of the intercellular adhesion protein, Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule (EpCAM) during early pregnancy in the rat to understand its role in the transition to receptivity. Immunofluorescence and western blotting analysis were used to study EpCAM expression in normal pregnancy, hormone replacement studies and pseudopregnancy. EpCAM was abundantly expressed and localised to the uterine luminal and glandular epithelium during the non-receptive state but decreased to lower but still observable levels around the time of implantation. This decrease was not dependent on ovarian hormones or the blastocyst. Further, EpCAM colocalised with but did not associate with its frequent binding partner, Tumour necrosis factor α (TNFα)-converting enzyme, also known as A Disintegrin And Metalloprotease 17 (TACE/ADAM17), at the time of fertilisation. These results suggest that, prior to implantation, EpCAM mediates intercellular adhesion in the uterine epithelium, but that, during implantation when UECs lose the majority of their intercellular and cell-matrix adhesions, EpCAM levels are decreased but still present for the maintenance of mucosal integrity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Connie E Poon
- Cell & Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy & Histology) and The Bosch Institute, Anderson Stuart Building, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Romanthi J Madawala
- Cell & Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy & Histology) and The Bosch Institute, Anderson Stuart Building, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Margot L Day
- Laboratory of Developmental Physiology, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Physiology) and The Bosch Institute, The Medical Foundation Building, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2050, Australia
| | - Christopher R Murphy
- Cell & Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy & Histology) and The Bosch Institute, Anderson Stuart Building, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Caveolins redistribute in uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy in the rat: An epithelial polarisation strategy? Histochem Cell Biol 2014; 142:555-67. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-014-1236-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
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Laird MK, Thompson MB, Murphy CR, McAllan BM. Uterine epithelial cell changes during pregnancy in a marsupial (Sminthopsis crassicaudata; Dasyuridae). J Morphol 2014; 275:1081-92. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Revised: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/21/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Melanie K. Laird
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Michael B. Thompson
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Christopher R. Murphy
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
| | - Bronwyn M. McAllan
- School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, University of Sydney; Sydney New South Wales 2006 Australia
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Su L, Liu R, Cheng W, Zhu M, Li X, Zhao S, Yu M. Expression patterns of microRNAs in porcine endometrium and their potential roles in embryo implantation and placentation. PLoS One 2014; 9:e87867. [PMID: 24505325 PMCID: PMC3914855 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0087867] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2013] [Accepted: 12/31/2013] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Implantation and placentation are critical steps for successful pregnancy. The pig has a non-invasive placenta and the uterine luminal epithelium is intact throughout pregnancy. To better understand the regulation mechanisms in functions of endometrium at three certain gestational stages that are critical for embryo/fetal loss in pigs, we characterized microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in the endometrium on days 15 (implantation period), 26 (placentation period) and 50 (mid-gestation period) of gestation. The differentially expressed miRNAs across gestational days were detected and of which, 65 miRNAs were grouped into 4 distinct categories according to the similarities in their temporal expression patterns: (1) categories A and B contain majority of miRNAs (51 miRNAs, such as the miR-181 family) that were down- or up-regulated between gestational days 15 and 26, respectively; (2) categories C and D (14 miRNAs) consist miRNAs that were down- or up-regulated between gestational days 26 and 50, respectively. The expression patterns represented by eleven miRNAs were validated by qPCR. The majority of miRNAs were in categories A and B, suggesting that these miRNAs were involved in regulation of embryo implantation and placentation. The pathway analysis revealed that the predicted targets were involved in several pathways, such as focal adhesion, cell proliferation and tissue remolding. Furthermore, we identified that genes well-known to affect embryo implantation in pigs, namely SPP1, ITGB3 and ESR1, contain the miR-181a or miR-181c binding sites using the luciferase reporter system. The present study revealed distinctive miRNA expression patterns in the porcine endometrium during the implantation, placentation or mid-gestation periods. Additionally, our results suggested that miR-181a and miR-181c likely play important roles in the regulation of genes and pathways that are known to be involved in embryo implantation and placentation in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijie Su
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong (Central China) Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Ruize Liu
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong (Central China) Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Wei Cheng
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong (Central China) Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Mengjin Zhu
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong (Central China) Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiaoping Li
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong (Central China) Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Shuhong Zhao
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong (Central China) Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
| | - Mei Yu
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Huazhong (Central China) Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, PR China
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Lindsay LA, Murphy CR. Ovarian hyperstimulation affects fluid transporters in the uterus: a potential mechanism in uterine receptivity. Reprod Fertil Dev 2014; 26:982-90. [DOI: 10.1071/rd12396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2012] [Accepted: 06/25/2013] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation is commonly used in fertility treatment. Evidence suggests that this could alter the endometrial environment and influence implantation rate. However, the mechanisms underlying this disruption are unknown. A recently developed rat ovarian hyperstimulation (OH) model found alterations in the localisation and expression of several molecules associated with implantation, as well as an increase in luminal fluid at the time of implantation. The present study investigated the effects of OH in rats on the expression of fluid-transporting molecules aquaporin 5 (AQP5) and claudin 4. The expression of these proteins was investigated in uterine luminal epithelial cells of rats undergoing OH and compared with normal pregnancy. There was a significant increase in AQP5 protein in OH rats at the time of implantation, along with a loss of the mesometrial staining gradient, which is thought to contribute to implantation position. At the same time, there was a significant decrease in claudin 4 protein. These results suggest that OH in rats causes a dysregulation in uterine fluid dynamics through modifications to fluid-transporting molecules, resulting in an unfavourable implantation environment for the blastocyst.
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Poon CE, Lecce L, Day ML, Murphy CR. Mucin 15 is lost but mucin 13 remains in uterine luminal epithelial cells and the blastocyst at the time of implantation in the rat. Reprod Fertil Dev 2014; 26:421-31. [DOI: 10.1071/rd12313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/18/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The glycocalyx of the uterine luminal epithelium in the rat undergoes considerable reduction before implantation. In particular, the reduction of some mucins is necessary to facilitate blastocyst adhesion and subsequent implantation. The present study investigated the localisation, abundance and hormonal control of two mucin proteins, Muc13 and Muc15, in rat uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy to determine whether they are likely to play a role in uterine receptivity for implantation. Muc13 and Muc15 are localised to the uterine luminal epithelium but show a presence and an absence, respectively, at the apical cell surface at the time of implantation. This localisation corresponds to changes in the molecular weights of Muc13 and Muc15, as shown with western blotting analysis. Furthermore, the localisation of Muc13 and Muc15 was shown to be controlled by the ovarian hormones, oestrogen and progesterone, and they were also localised in preimplantation rat blastocysts. Our results suggest that Muc15 may operate in an anti-adhesive capacity to prevent implantation while Muc13 potentially functions in either an adhesive or cell-signalling role in the events of implantation.
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Kaneko Y, Murphy CR, Day ML. Calpain 2 activity increases at the time of implantation in rat uterine luminal epithelial cells and administration of calpain inhibitor significantly reduces implantation sites. Histochem Cell Biol 2013; 141:423-30. [PMID: 24271063 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-013-1165-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated the role of calpain 2 in rat uterine luminal epithelial cells during early pregnancy. Calpain 2 is an intracellular calcium-dependent proteolytic enzyme which cleaves numerous focal adhesion proteins. Calpain 2 was concentrated along the basal cell surface of uterine luminal epithelial cells at the predicted site of focal adhesions on day 1 of pregnancy and remained unchanged at the time of implantation as observed by immunofluorescence microscopy. However, Western blotting analysis showed a marked increase in the active form and a significant decrease in the latent form of calpain 2 at the time of implantation. The increase in calpain 2 activity coincides with the disassembly of focal adhesion proteins, talin, paxillin, integrin β1 and β3 from the site of focal adhesions. Intraperitoneal injection of calpain inhibitor, calpain inhibitor l (ALLN), significantly reduced the number of implantation sites, implying that calpain 2 plays an important role in implantation. The present study suggests a role for calpain 2 in the disassembly of focal adhesions, which has been previously shown to play a key role in uterine receptivity for implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Kaneko
- School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology) and The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Anderson Stuart Building F13, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia,
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Lecce L, Lindsay L, Kaneko Y, Murphy CR. ICAM-2 and lipid rafts disappear from the basal plasma membrane of uterine epithelial cells during early pregnancy in rats. Cell Tissue Res 2013; 353:563-73. [DOI: 10.1007/s00441-013-1656-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2013] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
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Kaneko Y, Day ML, Murphy CR. Uterine epithelial cells: Serving two masters. Int J Biochem Cell Biol 2013; 45:359-63. [DOI: 10.1016/j.biocel.2012.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2012] [Revised: 10/11/2012] [Accepted: 10/23/2012] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
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Abstract
Implantation failure is a major hurdle to a successful pregnancy. The high rate of postimplantation fetal loss in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice is believed to be related to an abnormal decidual production of interferon (IFN)gamma. To address whether diabetes alters the natural events associated with successful implantation, certain morphological and molecular features of uterine receptivity in diabetic NOD (dNOD) mice were examined in normally mated pregnancy and in concanavalin A (ConA)-induced pseudopregnancy. As opposed to normoglycemic NOD (cNOD) mice, dNOD mice expressed retarded maturation of their uterine pinopodes and overexpressed MUC1 mucin at implantation sites (P < 0.001). Uterine production of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and phosphorylation of uterine NFkappaBp65 and STAT3-Ty705 were found to be low (P < 0.01) during Day 4.5 postcoitum, whereas IFNgamma was aberrantly overexpressed. Loss of temporal regulation of progesterone receptor A (PR A) and PR B, together with aberrantly increased expression of the protein inhibitor of activated STAT-y (PIASy) (P < 0.01) and reduced recruitment (P < 0.01) of the latter to nuclear progesterone receptor sites were prominent features of decidualization failure occurring at peri-implantation in dNOD mice. In conclusion, the aberrant expression of endometrial IFNgamma in dNOD mice is associated with a nonreceptive endometrial milieu contributing to peri-implantation embryo loss in type 1 diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad J.H. Albaghdadi
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Frederick W.K. Kan
- Department of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Kaneko Y, Lecce L, Day ML, Murphy CR. Focal adhesion kinase localizes to sites of cell-to-cell contact in vivo and increases apically in rat uterine luminal epithelium and the blastocyst at the time of implantation. J Morphol 2012; 273:639-50. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.20010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2011] [Revised: 10/18/2011] [Accepted: 10/31/2011] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Kaneko Y, Lecce L, Day ML, Murphy CR. β(1) and β(3) integrins disassemble from basal focal adhesions and β(3) integrin is later localised to the apical plasma membrane of rat uterine luminal epithelial cells at the time of implantation. Reprod Fertil Dev 2011; 23:481-95. [PMID: 21426865 DOI: 10.1071/rd10211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2010] [Accepted: 10/27/2010] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the expression of integrin subunits that are known to be associated with focal adhesions, namely β(1) and β(3) integrins in rat uterine luminal epithelial cells during early pregnancy. The β(1) and β(3) integrins were concentrated along the basal cell surface and were colocalised and structurally interacted with talin, a principal focal adhesion protein, on Day 1 of pregnancy. At the time of implantation, β(1) and β(3) integrins disassembled from the site of focal adhesions, facilitating the removal of uterine luminal epithelial cells for embryo invasion. Also at this time, β(3) integrin markedly increased along the apical membrane, suggesting a role in embryo attachment. This distributional change in β(1) and β(3) integrins seen at the time of implantation was predominantly under the influence of progesterone. Taken together, β(1) and β(3) integrin disassembly from focal adhesions and the increase in β(3) integrin apically are key components of hormonally regulated endometrial receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Kaneko
- School of Medical Sciences (Discipline of Anatomy and Histology) and The Bosch Institute, Anderson Stuart Building, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
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Lecce L, Kaneko Y, Madawala RJ, Murphy CR. ICAM1 and fibrinogen-γ are increased in uterine epithelial cells at the time of implantation in rats. Mol Reprod Dev 2011; 78:318-27. [PMID: 21448983 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.21307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2010] [Accepted: 02/25/2011] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Uterine epithelial cells transform into a receptive state to adhere to an implanting blastocyst. Part of this transformation includes the apical concentration of cell adhesion molecules at the time of implantation. This study, for the first time, investigates the expression of ICAM1 and fibrinogen-γ (FGG) in uterine epithelial cells during normal pregnancy, pseudopregnancy and in hormone-treated rats. An increase (P < 0.05) in ICAM1 was seen at the apical membrane of uterine epithelial cells at the time of implantation compared with day 1 of pregnancy. ICAM1 was also increased (P < 0.05) on day 6 of pseudopregnancy as well as in ovariectomized rats treated with progesterone plus oestrogen. These results show that ICAM1 up-regulation at the time of implantation is under the control of progesterone, and is not dependent on cytokine release from the blastocyst or in semen. FGG dimerization increased (P < 0.05) on day 6 of pregnancy compared with day 1, and was not up-regulated in day 6 pseudopregnant animals, suggesting this increase is dependent on a developing blastocyst. The presence of ICAM1 and FGG in the uterine epithelium at the time of implantation in the rat is similar to that seen in lymphocyte-endothelium adhesion, and we suggest a similar mechanism in embryo-uterine epithelium adhesion is utilized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lecce
- Cell and Reproductive Biology Laboratory, School of Medical Sciences and Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Grewal S, Carver J, Ridley AJ, Mardon HJ. Human endometrial stromal cell rho GTPases have opposing roles in regulating focal adhesion turnover and embryo invasion in vitro. Biol Reprod 2010; 83:75-82. [PMID: 20357266 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.109.080630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Implantation of the embryo into the uterine compartment is a multistep event involving attachment of the embryo to the endometrial epithelia, followed by invasion of the embryo through the endometrial stroma. RHOA, RAC1, and CDC42 are members of the Rho GTPase family of proteins, which control cell functions such as cell migration and cytoskeletal reorganization. Herein, using a heterologous in vitro coculture model, we show that implantation of mouse blastocysts into human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) is regulated by Rho GTPase activity in hESCs. Whereas iRNA-mediated silencing of RAC1 expression in hESCs led to inhibition of embryo implantation, silencing of either RHOA or CDC42 in hESCs promoted embryo implantation in coculture assays. Analysis of downstream signaling pathways demonstrated that RAC1 silencing was associated with decreased focal adhesion disassembly and resulted in large focal adhesion complexes in hESCs. In contrast, RHOA or CDC42 silencing resulted in perturbed focal adhesion assembly, leading to a decrease in the number of focal adhesions observed. Furthermore, inhibition of Rho signaling using a Rho kinase inhibitor, Y27632, led to decreased activation of protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2, also called focal adhesion kinase) and decreased focal adhesion assembly. Importantly, perturbation of focal adhesion turnover in hESCs, mediated by PTK2 silencing, resulted in inhibition of embryo implantation into hESC monolayers. These findings suggest that Rho GTPase-PTK2-dependent remodeling of the endometrial stromal cell compartment may be critical for successful embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seema Grewal
- Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom
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CD43 is relocated from the basal to the apical plasma membrane of rat uterine epithelial cells by progesterone. Histochem Cell Biol 2010; 133:549-55. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-010-0693-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2010] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Kaneko Y, Lecce L, Murphy CR. Ovarian hormones regulate expression of the focal adhesion proteins, talin and paxillin, in rat uterine luminal but not glandular epithelial cells. Histochem Cell Biol 2009; 132:613-22. [PMID: 19779731 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-009-0641-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/14/2009] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
During early pregnancy in the rat, focal adhesions disassemble in uterine luminal epithelial cells at the time of implantation to facilitate their removal so that the implanting blastocyst can invade into the underlying endometrial decidual cells. This study investigated the effect of ovarian hormones on the distribution and protein expression of two focal adhesion proteins, talin and paxillin, in rat uterine luminal and glandular epithelial cells under various hormone regimes. Talin and paxillin showed a major distributional change between different hormone regimes. Talin and paxillin were highly concentrated along the basal cell surface of uterine luminal epithelial cells in response to oestrogen treatment. However, this prominent staining of talin and paxillin was absent and also a corresponding reduction of paxillin expression was demonstrated in response to progesterone alone or progesterone in combination with oestrogen, which is also observed at the time of implantation. In contrast, the distribution of talin and paxillin in uterine glandular epithelial cells was localised on the basal cell surface and remained unchanged in all hormone regimes. Thus, not all focal adhesions are hormonally dependent in the rat uterus; however, the dynamics of focal adhesion in uterine luminal epithelial cells is tightly regulated by ovarian hormones. In particular, focal adhesion disassembly in uterine luminal epithelial cells, a key component to establish successful implantation, is predominantly under the influence of progesterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yui Kaneko
- Disciplines of Anatomy and Histology, School of Medical Sciences, The Bosch Institute, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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