1
|
Fan L, Zhang F, Yao C, Nong L, Li J, Huang W. Unraveling the H19/GAS1 axis in recurrent implantation failure: A potential biomarker for diagnosis and insight into immune microenvironment alteration. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0306244. [PMID: 38968269 PMCID: PMC11226067 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0306244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024] Open
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) presents a significant clinical challenge due to the lack of established diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines. Emerging evidence underscores the crucial role of competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks in non-cancerous female reproductive disorders, yet the intricacies and operational characteristics of these networks in RIF are not fully understood. This study aims to demystify the ceRNA regulatory network and identify potential biomarkers for its diagnosis. We analyzed expression profiles of three RNA types (long noncoding RNAs [lncRNAs], microRNAs [miRNAs], and mRNAs) sourced from the GEO database, leading to the identification of the H19-hsa-miR-301a-3p-GAS1 ceRNA network. This network demonstrates significant diagnostic relevance for RIF. Notably, the H19/GAS1 axis within this ceRNA network, identified through correlation analysis, emerged as a promising diagnostic marker, as evidenced by operating receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Further investigation into the binding potential of miR-301a-3p with H19 and GAS1 revealed a close association of these genes with endometrial disorders and embryo loss, as per the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database. Additionally, our immune infiltration analysis revealed a lower proportion of T cells gamma delta (γδ) in RIF, along with distinct differences in the expression of immune cell type-specific markers between fertile patients and those with RIF. We also observed a correlation between aberrant expression of H19/GAS1 and these immune markers, suggesting that the H19/GAS1 axis might play a role in modifying the immune microenvironment, contributing to the pathogenesis of RIF. In conclusion, the ceRNA-based H19/GAS1 axis holds promise as a novel diagnostic biomarker for RIF, potentially enhancing our understanding of its underlying mechanisms and improving the success rates of implantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Li Fan
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center Liuzhou Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, China
- Guangxi Maternal and Obstetric Disease Research Center, Liuzhou, China
- Liuzhou Institute of Reproduction and Genetics, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, China
| | - Fan Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center Liuzhou Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, China
| | - Chunling Yao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center Liuzhou Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, China
| | - Liuying Nong
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center Liuzhou Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center Liuzhou Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, China
- Guangxi Maternal and Obstetric Disease Research Center, Liuzhou, China
- Liuzhou Institute of Reproduction and Genetics, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, China
| | - Wenjie Huang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center Liuzhou Hospital, Liuzhou, Guangxi, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Liuzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Liuzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Esmaeilivand M, Ghasemzadeh A, Niknafs B, Fattahi A. Association of Trophectoderm mRNAs and MicroRNAs with Chromosomal Aneuploidy of Embryo. Reprod Sci 2024; 31:1028-1033. [PMID: 37964074 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01381-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs can serve as indicators of the chromosomal state of an embryo, with different profiles observed in euploid and aneuploid blastocysts. Examining the levels of miRNAs associated with aneuploidy and euploidy, as well as mRNAs related to implantation, can aid in predicting blastocyst chromosomal normality and improving assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes. This study analyzed chromosomal abnormality of 25 blastocysts using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and also the expression of genes ERBB4, SELL, ITGB3, and ITGAV, as well as miRNAs, miR-339, miR-27b, miR-661, miR-30c, miR-191, miR-345, miR-142, miR-141, miR-20a, and miR-372. We found that 17 out of 25 embryos were aneuploid. Moreover, results revealed lower expression levels of miR-30c and miR-372 in aneuploid embryos compared to euploid ones, while ITGAV and ITGB3 showed significantly higher expression in aneuploid embryos. These findings suggest that miR-372, miR-30c, ITGAV, and ITGB3 expression in trophectoderm cells can serve as biomarkers for assessing embryo health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Esmaeilivand
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Kermanshah University of Medical Science, Kermanshah, Iran
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Aliyeh Ghasemzadeh
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behrooz Niknafs
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| | - Amir Fattahi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
del Collado M, Andrade GM, Gonçalves NJN, Fortini S, Perecin F, Carriero MM. The embryo non-invasive pre-implantation diagnosis era: how far are we? Anim Reprod 2023; 20:e20230069. [PMID: 37720726 PMCID: PMC10503888 DOI: 10.1590/1984-3143-ar2023-0069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancements in assisted reproduction (AR) methodologies have allowed significant improvements in live birth rates of women who otherwise would not be able to conceive. One of the tools that allowed this improvement is the possibility of embryo selection based on genetic status, performed via preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). Even though the widespread use of PGT from TE biopsy helped to decrease the interval from the beginning of the AR intervention to pregnancy, especially in older patients, in AR, there are still many concerns about the application of this invasive methodology in all cycles. Therefore, recently, researchers started to study the use of cell free DNA (cfDNA) released by the blastocyst in its culture medium to perform PGT, in a method called non-invasive PGT (niPGT). The development of a niPGT would bring the diagnostics power of conventional PGT, but with the advantage of being potentially less harmful to the embryo. Its implementation in clinical practice, however, is under heavy discussion since there are many unknowns about the technique, such as the origin of the cfDNA or if this genetic material is a true representative of the actual ploidy status of the embryo. Available data indicates that there is high correspondence between results observed in TE biopsies and the ones observed from cfDNA, but these results are still contradictory and highly debatable. In the present review, the advantages and disadvantages of niPGT are presented and discussed in relation to tradition TE biopsy-based PGT. Furthermore, there are also presented some other possible non-invasive tools that could be applied in the selection of the best embryo, such as quantification of other molecules as quality biomarkers, or the use artificial intelligence (AI) to identify the best embryos based on morphological and/or morphokitetic parameters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Samuel Fortini
- Nilo Frantz Medicina Reprodutiva, Porto Alegre, RS, Brasil
- Centro de Ciências Naturais e Humanas, Universidade Federal do ABC, Santo André, SP, Brasil
| | - Felipe Perecin
- Departamento de Medicina Veterinária, Faculdade de Zootecnia e Engenharia de Alimentos, Universidade de São Paulo, Pirassununga, SP, Brasil
| | | |
Collapse
|
4
|
Esmaeilivand M, Fattahi A, Abedelahi A, Hamdi K, Farzadi L, Goharitaban S, Niknafs B. microRNAs in the blastocoel fluid as accessible indicators of chromosomal normality. Reprod Biol 2022; 22:100695. [PMID: 36081236 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2022.100695] [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: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) derived from the pre-implantation blastocoel fluid (BF) have attracted interest as accessible biomarkers indicative of embryonic health in ongoing IVF cycles. Therefore, we investigated expression levels of some aneuploidy-associated miRNAs and implantation-related mRNAs as predictive markers for embryo chromosomal normality. In this study, the BF of 25 blastocysts that had been checked for aneuploidy (aneuploid=17 and euploid=8) was aspirated and the expression of 10 miRNAs (miR-20a, miR-30c, miR-661, miR-372, miR-142, miR-191, miR-345, miR-339, miR-141, and miR-27b) and four genes (ERBB4, SELL, ITGB3, ITGAV) were evaluated using real time-PCR. Results showed that the levels of miR-661 and miR-20a were significantly higher in the BF of the aneuploid embryos compared to the euploid group (p = 0.0017 and 0.004, respectively). A comparison of the mRNA levels between the aneuploid and euploid groups also demonstrated a significant difference in ITGAV (p = 0.013) and SELL (p = 0.0317) levels. In the euploid group, a negative correlation was found between ITGB3 and miR-30c (r = -0.71, p = 0.08), and in the aneuploid group, a positive correlation was found between ERBB4 and miR-345 (r = 0.71, p = 0.02). It can be suggested that miR-20a, miR-661, and ITGAV levels of BF could be used as less-invasive biomarkers to evaluate embryonic health. Moreover, aneuploidy-related miRNA levels were associated with levels of genes involved in embryo implantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Masoumeh Esmaeilivand
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Fattahi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Ali Abedelahi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Kobra Hamdi
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Laya Farzadi
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sepide Goharitaban
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Behrooz Niknafs
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Science, Tabriz, Iran; Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|