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Sarsenova M, Lawarde A, Pathare ADS, Saare M, Modhukur V, Soplepmann P, Terasmaa A, Käämbre T, Gemzell-Danielsson K, Lalitkumar PGL, Salumets A, Peters M. Endometriotic lesions exhibit distinct metabolic signature compared to paired eutopic endometrium at the single-cell level. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1026. [PMID: 39169201 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06713-5] [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: 02/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Current therapeutics of endometriosis focus on hormonal disruption of endometriotic lesions (ectopic endometrium, EcE). Recent findings show higher glycolysis utilization in EcE, suggesting non-hormonal strategy for disease treatment that addresses cellular metabolism. Identifying metabolically altered cell types in EcE is important for targeted metabolic drug therapy without affecting eutopic endometrium (EuE). Here, using single-cell RNA-sequencing, we examine twelve metabolic pathways in paired samples of EuE and EcE from women with confirmed endometriosis. We detect nine major cell types in both EuE and EcE. Metabolic pathways are most differentially regulated in perivascular, stromal, and endothelial cells, with the highest changes in AMPK signaling, HIF-1 signaling, glutathione metabolism, oxidative phosphorylation, and glycolysis. We identify transcriptomic co-activation of glycolytic and oxidative metabolism in perivascular and stromal cells of EcE, indicating a critical role of metabolic reprogramming in maintaining endometriotic lesion growth. Perivascular cells, involved in endometrial stroma repair and angiogenesis, may be potential targets for non-hormonal treatment of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meruert Sarsenova
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Division of Neonatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Reproductive Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- WHO Collaborating Centre, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ankita Lawarde
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Amruta D S Pathare
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Merli Saare
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Vijayachitra Modhukur
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Anton Terasmaa
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Tuuli Käämbre
- Laboratory of Chemical Biology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kristina Gemzell-Danielsson
- Division of Neonatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Reproductive Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- WHO Collaborating Centre, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Parameswaran Grace Luther Lalitkumar
- Division of Neonatology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Reproductive Health, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- WHO Collaborating Centre, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andres Salumets
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia.
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia.
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Maire Peters
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
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2
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Zang X, Gu S, Wang W, Shi J, Gan J, Hu Q, Zhou C, Ding Y, He Y, Jiang L, Gu T, Xu Z, Huang S, Yang H, Meng F, Li Z, Cai G, Hong L, Wu Z. Dynamic intrauterine crosstalk promotes porcine embryo implantation during early pregnancy. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:1676-1696. [PMID: 38748354 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2557-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic crosstalk between the embryo and mother is crucial during implantation. Here, we comprehensively profile the single-cell transcriptome of pig peri-implantation embryos and corresponding maternal endometrium, identifying 4 different lineages in embryos and 13 cell types in the endometrium. Cell-specific gene expression characterizes 4 distinct trophectoderm subpopulations, showing development from undifferentiated trophectoderm to polar and mural trophectoderm. Dynamic expression of genes in different types of endometrial cells illustrates their molecular response to embryos during implantation. Then, we developed a novel tool, ExtraCellTalk, generating an overall dynamic map of maternal-foetal crosstalk using uterine luminal proteins as bridges. Through cross-species comparisons, we identified a conserved RBP4/STRA6 pathway in which embryonic-derived RBP4 could target the STRA6 receptor on stromal cells to regulate the interaction with other endometrial cells. These results provide insight into the maternal-foetal crosstalk during embryo implantation and represent a valuable resource for further studies to improve embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xupeng Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shengchen Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Junsong Shi
- Yunfu Subcenter of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Yunfu, 527300, China
| | - Jianyu Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Qun Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yue Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yanjuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ting Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Zheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Sixiu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Huaqiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Fanming Meng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Zicong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Gengyuan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Linjun Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China.
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- Yunfu Subcenter of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Yunfu, 527300, China.
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China.
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3
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Peng T, Yang S, Lian W, Liu X, Zheng P, Qin X, Liao B, Zhou P, Wang Y, Liu F, Yang Z, Ye Z, Shan H, Liu X, Yu Y, Li R. Cytoskeletal and inter-cellular junction remodelling in endometrial organoids under oxygen-glucose deprivation: a new potential pathological mechanism for thin endometria. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:1778-1793. [PMID: 38915267 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the pathological mechanism involved in a thin endometrium, particularly under ischaemic conditions? SUMMARY ANSWER Endometrial dysfunction in patients with thin endometrium primarily results from remodelling in cytoskeletons and cellular junctions of endometrial epithelial cells under ischemic conditions. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A healthy endometrium is essential for successful embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy; ischemic conditions in a thin endometrium compromise fertility outcomes. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We recruited 10 patients with thin endometrium and 15 patients with healthy endometrium. Doppler ultrasound and immunohistochemical results confirmed the presence of insufficient endometrial blood perfusion in patients with thin endometrium. Organoids were constructed using healthy endometrial tissue and cultured under oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) conditions for 24 h. The morphological, transcriptomic, protein expression, and signaling pathway changes in the OGD organoids were observed. These findings were validated in both thin endometrial tissue and healthy endometrial tissue samples. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Endometrial thickness and blood flow were measured during the late follicular phase using transvaginal Doppler ultrasound. Endometrial tissue was obtained via hysteroscopy. Fresh endometrial tissues were used for the generation and culture of human endometrial organoids. Organoids were cultured in an appropriate medium and subjected to OGD to simulate ischemic conditions. Apoptosis and cell death were assessed using Annexin-V/propidium iodide staining. Immunofluorescence analysis, RNA sequencing, western blotting, simple westerns, immunohistochemistry, and electron microscopy were conducted to evaluate cellular and molecular changes. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Patients with thin endometrium showed significantly reduced endometrial thickness and altered blood flow patterns compared to those with healthy endometrium. Immunohistochemical staining revealed fewer CD34-positive blood vessels and glands in the thin endometrium group. Organoids cultured under OGD conditions exhibited significant morphological changes, increased apoptosis, and cell death. RNA-seq identified differentially expressed genes related to cytoskeletal remodeling and stress responses. OGD induced a strong cytoskeletal reorganization, mediated by the RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway. Additionally, electron microscopy indicated compromised epithelial integrity and abnormal cell junctions in thin endometrial tissues. Upregulation of hypoxia markers (HIF-1α and HIF-2α) and activation of the RhoA/ROCK pathway were also observed in thin endometrial tissues, suggesting ischemia and hypoxia as underlying mechanisms. LARGE SCALE DATA none. LIMITATIONS AND REASONS FOR CAUTION The study was conducted in an in vitro model, which may not fully replicate the complexity of in vivo conditions. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This research provides a new three-dimensional in vitro model of thin endometrium, as well as novel insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms of endometrial ischaemia in thin endometrium, offering potential avenues for identifying therapeutic targets for treating fertility issues related to thin endometrium. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (81925013); National Key Research and Development Project of China (2022YFC2702500, 2021YFC2700303, 2021YFC2700601); the Capital Health Research and Development Project (SF2022-1-4092); the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82288102, 81925013, 82225019, 82192873); Special Project on Capital Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Technology Research and Transformation Application (Z211100002921054); the Frontiers Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory Foundation(TFJC2023010001). The authors declare that no competing interests exist.
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Affiliation(s)
- TianLiu Peng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Shuo Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Weisi Lian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojuan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xunsi Qin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Baoying Liao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Fenting Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Zi Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Zhenhong Ye
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Hongying Shan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Xiyao Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Rong Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Ministry of Education, Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program, Beijing, China
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4
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Barrett FG, Cascante SD, McCulloh D, Grifo JA, Blakemore JK. Maternal age at transfer following autologous oocyte cryopreservation is not associated with live birth rates. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:1977-1984. [PMID: 38869781 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03149-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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Our aim was to evaluate if maternal age at transfer following autologous oocyte cryopreservation is associated with live birth rate (LBR). METHODS We performed a retrospective cohort study of all patients who thawed autologous oocytes and then underwent a single frozen euploid embryo transfer between 2011 and 2021 at a large urban university-affiliated fertility center. Each oocyte thaw patient was matched 2:1 to in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients who underwent single embryo transfer < 1 year after retrieval. Primary outcome was LBR. Secondary outcomes included implantation rates (IR) and spontaneous abortion rates (SABR). RESULTS A total of 169 oocyte thaw patients were matched to 338 IVF patients. As expected, oocyte thaw patients were older (median age 42.5 vs. 37.6 years, p < 0.001) and waited longer between retrieval and transfer than in vitro fertilization patients (median time 59 vs. 1 month, p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, implantation and LBR differed among oocyte thaw and IVF patients (p < 0.05), but SABR did not (p = 0.57). Transfer outcomes in oocyte thaw patients did not differ based on transfer age group (IR: p = 0.18; SABR: p = 0.12; LBR: p = 0.24). In a multiple logistic regression model, age at transfer was not predictive of live birth when controlling for age at retrieval, embryo morphology, and day of blastulation. CONCLUSIONS Maternal age at transfer after oocyte cryopreservation is not predictive of LBR; this suggests that "an aging womb" does not impair LBR after oocyte thaw and empowers patients to return for transfer when ready for childbearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca G Barrett
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, 550 First Ave, New York, NY, 10016, USA.
| | - Sarah D Cascante
- New York University Langone Fertility Center, 159 East 53rd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10022, USA
| | - David McCulloh
- New York University Langone Fertility Center, 159 East 53rd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10022, USA
| | - James A Grifo
- New York University Langone Fertility Center, 159 East 53rd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10022, USA
| | - Jennifer K Blakemore
- New York University Langone Fertility Center, 159 East 53rd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY, 10022, USA
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5
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Fu X, Guo X, Xu H, Li Y, Jin B, Zhang X, Shu C, Fan Y, Yu Y, Tian Y, Tian J, Shu J. Varied cellular abnormalities in thin vs. normal endometrium in recurrent implantation failure by single-cell transcriptomics. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:90. [PMID: 39085925 PMCID: PMC11293141 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01263-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reduced endometrium thickness and receptivity are two important reasons for recurrent implantation failure (RIF). In order to elucidate differences between these two types of endometrial defects in terms of molecular signatures, cellular interactions, and structural changes, we systematically investigated the single-cell transcriptomic atlas across three distinct groups: RIF patients with thin endometrium (≤ 6 mm, TE-RIF), RIF patients with normal endometrium thickness (≥ 8 mm, NE-RIF), and fertile individuals (Control). METHODS The late proliferative and mid-secretory phases of the endometrium were collected from three individuals in the TE-RIF group, two in the NE-RIF group, and three in the control group. The study employed a combination of advanced techniques. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was utilized to capture comprehensive transcriptomic profiles at the single-cell level, providing insights into gene expression patterns within specific cell types. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were employed to visualize ultrastructural details of the endometrial tissue, while hematoxylin and eosin staining facilitated the examination of tissue morphology and cellular composition. Immunohistochemistry techniques were also applied to detect and localize specific protein markers relevant to endometrial receptivity and function. RESULTS Through comparative analysis of differentially expressed genes among these groups and KEGG pathway analysis, the TE-RIF group exhibited notable dysregulations in the TNF and MAPK signaling pathways, which are pivotal in stromal cell growth and endometrial receptivity. Conversely, in the NE-RIF group, disturbances in energy metabolism emerged as a primary contributor to reduced endometrial receptivity. Additionally, using CellPhoneDB for intercellular communication analysis revealed aberrant interactions between epithelial and stromal cells, impacting endometrial receptivity specifically in the TE-RIF group. CONCLUSION Overall, our findings provide valuable insights into the heterogeneous molecular pathways and cellular interactions associated with RIF in different endometrial conditions. These insights may pave the way for targeted therapeutic interventions aimed at improving endometrial receptivity and enhancing reproductive outcomes in patients undergoing ART. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and translate them into clinical applications for personalized fertility treatments. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoying Fu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Affiliated People's Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoyan Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Han Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Affiliated People's Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yini Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Pancreatic Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bihui Jin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Affiliated People's Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xirong Zhang
- Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chongyi Shu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Affiliated People's Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuhang Fan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Affiliated People's Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yiqi Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Affiliated People's Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yuqing Tian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Affiliated People's Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiao Tian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jing Shu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Affiliated People's Hospital, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
- The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 79 Qingchun Road, Shangcheng District, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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6
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Liu L, Liu Y, Tian Y, Cao Y, Wang T, Mi S, Yang R, Liu S, Ma X, Wang J. Identification of Differentially Expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs Contributes to Elucidation of Underlying Pathogenesis and Therapeutic Strategy of Recurrent Implantation Failure. Reprod Sci 2024:10.1007/s43032-024-01630-8. [PMID: 38955937 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01630-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024]
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is a complex and poorly understood clinical disorder characterized by failure to conceive after repeated embryo transfers. Endometrial receptivity (ER) is a prerequisite for implantation, and ER disorders are associated with RIF. However, little is known regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying ER in RIF. In the present study, RNA sequencing data from the mid-secretory endometrium of patients with and without RIF were analyzed to explore the potential long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involved in RIF. The analysis revealed 213 and 1485 differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs, respectively (fold change ≥ 2 and p < 0.05). Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses indicated that these genes were mostly involved in processes related to immunity or inflammation. 5 key genes (TTR, ALB, TF, AFP, and CFTR) and a key module including 14 hub genes (AFP, ALB, APOA1, APOA2, APOB, APOH, FABP1, FGA, FGG, GC, ITIH2, SERPIND1, TF and TTR) were identified in the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. The 5 key genes were used to further explore the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network. Finally, the drug ML-193 based on the 14 hub genes was identifed through the CMap. After ML-193 treatment, endometrial cell proliferation was increased, the hub genes were mostly down-regulated, and the ER marker HOXA10 was up-regulated. These results offer insights into the regulatory mechanisms of lncRNAs and mRNAs and suggest ML-193 as a therapeutic agent for RIF by enhancing ER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Liu
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
- The Basic Medical Sciences College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
- The reproductive center, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Diseases of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
| | - Yidan Liu
- The Basic Medical Sciences College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Yu Tian
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Ying Cao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, Hubei, China
| | - Ting Wang
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Shengyan Mi
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Run Yang
- School of Public Health, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Simin Liu
- School of Public Health, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xiaoling Ma
- The First Clinical Medical College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
- The Basic Medical Sciences College of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
- The reproductive center, the First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
- Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Diseases of Gansu Province, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
| | - Jing Wang
- School of Public Health, Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, Lanzhou, Gansu, China.
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7
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Liu F, Lin Q, Shen S, Li Z, Xie X, Cheng Q, Wang L, Long Y, Wang J, Liu L. Secretion of WNT7A by UC-MSCs assist in promoting the endometrial epithelial regeneration. iScience 2024; 27:109888. [PMID: 38947517 PMCID: PMC11214297 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Stem cell therapy for intrauterine adhesions (IUAs) has been widely used in clinical treatment. However, intravenous injection lacks sufficient targeting capabilities, while in situ injection poses challenges in ensuring the effective survival of stem cells. Furthermore, the mechanism underlying the interaction between stem cells and endometrial cells in vivo remains poorly understood, and there is a lack of suitable in vitro models for studying these problems. Here, we designed an extracellular matrix (ECM)-adhesion mimic hydrogel for intrauterine administration, which was more effective than direct injection in treating IUAs. Additionally, we analyzed the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and confirmed that the activation of endometrial epithelial stem cells is pivotal. Our findings demonstrated that umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) secrete WNT7A to activate endometrial epithelial stem cells, thereby accelerating regeneration of the endometrial epithelium. Concurrently, under transforming growth factor alpha (TGFA) stimulation secreted by the EMT epithelium, UC-MSCs upregulate E-cadherin while partially implanting into the endometrial epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangbo Liu
- Shanghai Drugability Biomass Product Evaluation Professional Public Service Platform, Center for Pharmacological Evaluation and Research, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, No. 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Qin Lin
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Shaolei Shen
- Shanghai Drugability Biomass Product Evaluation Professional Public Service Platform, Center for Pharmacological Evaluation and Research, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, No. 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Zhihong Li
- Shanghai Drugability Biomass Product Evaluation Professional Public Service Platform, Center for Pharmacological Evaluation and Research, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, No. 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Xiaorui Xie
- Shanghai Drugability Biomass Product Evaluation Professional Public Service Platform, Center for Pharmacological Evaluation and Research, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, No. 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Quan Cheng
- Shanghai Drugability Biomass Product Evaluation Professional Public Service Platform, Center for Pharmacological Evaluation and Research, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, No. 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Shanghai Drugability Biomass Product Evaluation Professional Public Service Platform, Center for Pharmacological Evaluation and Research, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, No. 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Yin Long
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi 710032, China
| | - Juan Wang
- Shanghai Drugability Biomass Product Evaluation Professional Public Service Platform, Center for Pharmacological Evaluation and Research, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, No. 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, China
| | - Li Liu
- Shanghai Drugability Biomass Product Evaluation Professional Public Service Platform, Center for Pharmacological Evaluation and Research, China State Institute of Pharmaceutical Industry, No. 285 Gebaini Road, Shanghai 201203, China
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Riaz MA, Kary FL, Jensen A, Zeppernick F, Meinhold-Heerlein I, Konrad L. Long-Term Maintenance of Viable Human Endometrial Epithelial Cells to Analyze Estrogen and Progestin Effects. Cells 2024; 13:811. [PMID: 38786035 PMCID: PMC11120542 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100811] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
There are fewer investigations conducted on human primary endometrial epithelial cells (HPEECs) compared to human primary endometrial stromal cells (HPESCs). One of the main reasons is the scarcity of protocols enabling prolonged epithelial cell culture. Even though it is possible to culture HPEECs in 3D over a longer period of time, it is technically demanding. In this study, we successfully established a highly pure, stable, and long-term viable human conditionally reprogrammed endometrial epithelial cell line, designated as eCRC560. These cells stained positive for epithelial markers, estrogen and progesterone receptors, and epithelial cell-cell contacts but negative for stromal and endothelial cell markers. Estradiol (ES) reduced the abundance of ZO-1 in a time- and dose-dependent manner, in contrast to the dose-dependent increase with the progestin dienogest (DNG) when co-cultured with HPESCs. Moreover, ES significantly increased cell viability, cell migration, and invasion of the eCRC560 cells; all these effects were inhibited by pretreatment with DNG. DNG withdrawal led to a significantly disrupted monolayer of eCRC560 cells in co-culture with HPESCs, yet it markedly increased the adhesion of eCRC560 to the human mesothelial MeT-5A cells. The long-term viable eCRC560 cells are suitable for in vitro analysis of HPEECs to study the epithelial compartment of the human endometrium and endometrial pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Assad Riaz
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.L.K.); (F.Z.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Franziska Louisa Kary
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.L.K.); (F.Z.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Alexandra Jensen
- Institute of Radiooncology and Radiotherapy, Clinic Fulda, 36043 Fulda, Germany;
| | - Felix Zeppernick
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.L.K.); (F.Z.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Ivo Meinhold-Heerlein
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.L.K.); (F.Z.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Lutz Konrad
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.L.K.); (F.Z.); (I.M.-H.)
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9
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Cao Y, Qi J, Wang J, Chen L, Wang Y, Long Y, Li B, Lai J, Yao Y, Meng Y, Yu X, Chen X, Ng LG, Li X, Lu Y, Cheng X, Cui W, Sun Y. Injectable "Homing-Like" Bioactive Short-Fibers for Endometrial Repair and Efficient Live Births. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306507. [PMID: 38504456 PMCID: PMC11132084 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/21/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of infertility caused by endometrial defects is steadily increasing, posing a significant challenge to women's reproductive health. In this study, injectable "homing-like" bioactive decellularized extracellular matrix short-fibers (DEFs) of porcine skin origin are innovatively designed for endometrial and fertility restoration. The DEFs can effectively bind to endometrial cells through noncovalent dipole interactions and release bioactive growth factors in situ. In vitro, the DEFs effectively attracted endometrial cells through the "homing-like" effect, enabling cell adhesion, spreading, and proliferation on their surface. Furthermore, the DEFs effectively facilitated the proliferation and angiogenesis of human primary endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and inhibited fibrosis of pretreated HESCs. In vivo, the DEFs significantly accelerated endometrial restoration, angiogenesis, and receptivity. Notably, the deposition of endometrial collagen decreased from 41.19 ± 2.16% to 14.15 ± 1.70% with DEFs treatment. Most importantly, in endometrium-injured rats, the use of DEFs increased the live birth rate from 30% to an impressive 90%, and the number and development of live births close to normal rats. The injectable "homing-like" bioactive DEFs system can achieve efficient live births and intrauterine injection of DEFs provides a new promising clinical strategy for endometrial factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Cao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Jia Qi
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Juan Wang
- Department of OrthopaedicsShanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint DiseasesShanghai Institute of Traumatology and OrthopaedicsRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025P. R. China
| | - Liang Chen
- Department of OrthopaedicsShanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint DiseasesShanghai Institute of Traumatology and OrthopaedicsRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025P. R. China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Yijing Long
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Boyu Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Junliang Lai
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Yejie Yao
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Yiwen Meng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Xiaohua Yu
- Hangzhou Phil Stone Biotech Co., Ltd.HangzhouZhejiang311215P. R. China
| | - Xiao‐Dong Chen
- Department of Comprehensive DentistryUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at San AntonioSan AntonioTX78229USA
- Research ServiceSouth Texas Veterans Health Care SystemAudie Murphy VA Medical CenterSan AntonioTX78229USA
| | - Lai Guan Ng
- Shanghai Immune Therapy InstituteShanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine affiliated Renji HospitalShanghai200127P. R. China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Yao Lu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Xiaoyue Cheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
| | - Wenguo Cui
- Department of OrthopaedicsShanghai Key Laboratory for Prevention and Treatment of Bone and Joint DiseasesShanghai Institute of Traumatology and OrthopaedicsRuijin HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200025P. R. China
| | - Yun Sun
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji HospitalShanghai Jiao Tong University School of MedicineShanghai200135P. R. China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive GeneticsShanghai200135P. R. China
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10
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Huang D, Liu J, Yang J, Liang J, Zhang J, Han Q, Yu J, Yang T, Meng Q, Steinberg T, Li C, Chang Z. Restoration of Pregnancy Function Using a GT/PCL Biofilm in a Rabbit Model of Uterine Injury. Tissue Eng Part A 2024. [PMID: 38526390 DOI: 10.1089/ten.tea.2023.0366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Biomaterial scaffolds have been used successfully to promote the regenerative repair of small endometrial lesions in small rodents, providing partial restoration of gestational function. The use of rabbits in this study allowed us to investigate a larger endometrial tissue defect and myometrial injury model. A gelatin/polycaprolactone (GT/PCL) gradient-layer biofilm was sutured at the defect to guide the reconstruction of the original tissue structure. Twenty-eight days postimplantation, the uterine cavity had been restored to its original morphology, endometrial growth was accompanied by the formation of glands and blood vessels, and the fragmented myofibers of the uterine smooth muscle had begun to resemble the normal structure of the lagomorph uterine cavity, arranging in a circular luminal pattern and a longitudinal serosal pattern. In addition, the repair site supported both embryonic implantation into the placenta and normal embryonic development. Four-dimensional label-free proteomic analysis identified the cell adhesion molecules, phagosome, ferroptosis, rap1 signaling pathways, hematopoietic cell lineage, complement and coagulation cascades, tricarboxylic acid cycle, carbon metabolism, and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 signaling pathways as important in the endogenous repair process of uterine tissue injury, and acetylation of protein modification sites upregulated these signaling pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, P. R. China
- Medical Science and Technology Innovation Center, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, P. R. China
| | - Jing Liu
- The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, P. R. China
| | - Jie Yang
- The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, P. R. China
| | - Junhui Liang
- Department of Gynaecology, Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, P. R. China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Shandong First Medical University, Tai'an, P. R. China
| | - Qinyu Han
- Shandong First Medical University, Jinan, P. R. China
| | - Jianlong Yu
- Rizhao People's Hospital, Rizhao, P. R. China
| | - Tingting Yang
- Tai'an Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Tai'an, P. R. China
| | - Qi Meng
- The Affiliated Taian City Central Hospital of Qingdao University, Taian, P. R. China
| | - Thorsten Steinberg
- Division of Oral Biotechnology, Center for Dental Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Changzhong Li
- Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, P. R. China
- Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen PKU-HKUST Medical Center, Shenzhen, P. R. China
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory on Technology for Early Diagnosis of Major Gynecologic Diseases, Shenzhen, P. R. China
| | - Zhongle Chang
- Shandong Agriculture University, Tai'an, P. R. China
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11
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Lu J, Zhang M, Liu Z, Guo L, Huang P, Xia W, Li J, Lv J, Cheung HH, Ding C, Li H, Huang B. NSUN2-Mediated m 5C Methylation Impairs Endometrial Receptivity. J Transl Med 2024; 104:100327. [PMID: 38237738 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2024.100327] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Impaired endometrial decidualization is the primary cause of recurrent implantation failure (RIF). RNA methylation modification, especially NSUN family mediated m5C, is crucial for various physiological events, such as maternal-to-zygotic transition, gametogenesis, embryonic development, organismal lifespan, and cell cycle. However, the regulatory mechanisms between NSUN family mediated m5C modification and RIF remain unknown. We acquired NSUN2 expression data of 15 human endometrium samples at proliferative and secretory stages from reproductive cell atlas. The overall pattern of m5C sites and genes was elucidated through m5C-BS-seq, whereas the overall m5C levels in different groups were revealed by dot blot assay. BrdU and western blotting assays were carried out to evaluate the role of NSUN2 in proliferation and autophagy. The effects of NSUN2-mediated m5C modification on embryo attachment were evaluated by an in vitro model of a confluent monolayer of Ishikawa cells cocultured with BeWo spheroids, and its downstream targets were evaluated by real-time reverse-transcription PCR and western blotting in Ishikawa cells. The molecular mechanism for NSUN2 regulating its downstream targets' expression was determined by Cut&Tag and coimmunoprecipitation assays. NSUN2 was increased in SOX9+ cells and widespread in epithelial cell type at the proliferative stage by previous single-cell RNA sequencing data. NSUN2 overexpression (NSUN2OE) in the Ishikawa cell line elevated m5C levels and promoted cell proliferation and autophagy. NSUN2OE reduced attachment efficiency of BeWo cell spheres. Overexpressed NSUN2 was found to increase STAT1 and MMP14 mRNA expressions by inducing exon skipping. NSUN2 interacted with CLDN4 through m5C modification, and NSUN2OE or NSUN2 knockdown resulted in a similar variation tendency of CLDN4. Overexpression of NSUN2 increased CLDN4 H3K9ac modification by downregulating SIRT4 expression at the protein level, leading to the upregulation of CLDN4 mRNA expression. Our results uncovered a novel intricate regulatory mechanism between NSUN2-mediated m5C and RIF and suggested a potential new therapeutic strategy for RIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhenxing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ling Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Peng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wenjuan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jincheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinghuan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hoi-Hung Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR
| | - Chenyue Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Boxian Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
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12
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Lai S, Zhang L, Luo Y, Gu Z, Yan Z, Zhang Y, Liang Y, Huang M, Liang J, Gu S, Chen J, Li L, Chen D, Du L. A sonographic endometrial thickness <7 mm in women undergoing in vitro fertilization increases the risk of placenta accreta spectrum. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024:S0002-9378(24)00414-9. [PMID: 38432419 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2024.02.301] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence of placenta accreta spectrum, a potentially life-threatening condition, has exhibited a significant global rise in recent decades. Effective screening methods and early identification strategies for placenta accreta spectrum could enable early treatment and improved outcomes. Endometrial thickness plays a crucial role in successful embryo implantation and favorable pregnancy outcomes. Extensive research has been conducted on the impact of endometrial thickness on assisted reproductive technology cycles, specifically in terms of pregnancy rates, live birth rates, and pregnancy loss rates. However, limited knowledge exists regarding the influence of endometrial thickness on placenta accreta spectrum. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the association between preimplantation endometrial thickness and the occurrence of placenta accreta spectrum in women undergoing assisted reproductive technology cycles. STUDY DESIGN A total of 4637 women who had not undergone previous cesarean delivery and who conceived by in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection-embryo transfer treatment and subsequently delivered at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University between January 2008 and December 2020 were included in this study. To explore the relationship between endometrial thickness and placenta accreta spectrum, we used smooth curve fitting, threshold effect, and saturation effect analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the independent association between endometrial thickness and placenta accreta spectrum while adjusting for potential confounding factors. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce the influence of bias and unmeasured confounders. Furthermore, we used causal mediation effect analysis to investigate the mediating role of endometrial thickness in the relationship between gravidity and ovarian stimulation protocol and the occurrence of placenta accreta spectrum. RESULTS Among the 4637 women included in this study, pregnancies with placenta accreta spectrum (159; 3.4%) had significantly thinner endometrial thickness (non-placenta accreta spectrum, 10.08±2.04 mm vs placenta accreta spectrum, 8.88±2.21 mm; P<.001) during the last ultrasound before embryo transfer. By using smooth curve fitting, it was found that changes in endometrial thickness had a significant effect on the incidence of placenta accreta spectrum up to a thickness of 10.9 mm, beyond which the effect plateaued. Then, the endometrial thickness was divided into the following 4 groups: ≤7, >7 to ≤10.9, >10.9 to ≤13, and >13 mm. The absolute rates of placenta accreta spectrum in each group were 11.91%, 3.73%, 1.35%, and 2.54%, respectively. Compared with women with an endometrial thickness from 10.9 to 13 mm, the odds of placenta accreta spectrum increased from an adjusted odds ratio of 2.27 (95% confidence interval, 1.33-3.86) for endometrial thickness from 7 to 10.9 mm to an adjusted odds ratio of 7.15 (95% confidence interval, 3.73-13.71) for endometrial thickness <7 mm after adjusting for potential confounding factors. Placenta previa remained as an independent risk factor for placenta accreta spectrum (adjusted odds ratio, 11.80; 95% confidence interval, 7.65-18.19). Moreover, endometrial thickness <7 mm was still an independent risk factor for placenta accreta spectrum (adjusted odds ratio, 3.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.57-9.73) in the matched cohort after PSM. Causal mediation analysis revealed that approximately 63.9% of the total effect of gravidity and 18.6% of the total effect of ovarian stimulation protocol on placenta accreta spectrum were mediated by endometrial thickness. CONCLUSION The findings of our study indicate that thin endometrial thickness is an independent risk factor for placenta accreta spectrum in women without previous cesarean delivery undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment. The clinical significance of this risk factor is slightly lower than that of placenta previa. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that endometrial thickness plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between gravidity or ovarian stimulation protocol and placenta accreta spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siying Lai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lizi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yang Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Provice, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhongjia Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenping Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yuliang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingyu Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Minshan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingying Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shifeng Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jingsi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China; the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Provice, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Dunjin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Lili Du
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangzhou, China.
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13
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Cui H, Huang Q, Li J, Zhou P, Wang Z, Cai J, Feng C, Deng X, Gu H, He X, Tang J, Wang X, Zhao X, Yu J, Chen X. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis to evaluate antimony exposure effects on cell-lineage communications within the Drosophila testicular niche. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 270:115948. [PMID: 38184976 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.115948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
The increasing production and prevalence of antimony (Sb)-related products raise concerns regarding its potential hazards to reproductive health. Upon environmental exposure, Sb reportedly induces testicular toxicity during spermatogenesis; moreover, it is known to affect various testicular cell populations, particularly germline stem cell populations. However, the cell-cell communication resulting from Sb exposure within the testicular niche remains poorly understood. To address this gap, herein we analyzed testicular single-cell RNA sequencing data from Sb-exposed Drosophila. Our findings revealed that the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and WNT signaling pathways were associated with the stem cell niche in Drosophila testes, which may disrupt the homeostasis of the testicular niche in Drosophila. Furthermore, we identified several ligand-receptor pairs, facilitating the elucidation of intercellular crosstalk involved in Sb-mediated reproductive toxicology. We employed scRNA-seq analysis and conducted functional verification to investigate the expression patterns of core downstream factors associated with EGFR and WNT signatures in the testes under the influence of Sb exposure. Altogether, our results shed light on the potential mechanisms of Sb exposure-mediated testicular cell-lineage communications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongliang Cui
- Department of Urology, Nantong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Qiuru Huang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jiaxin Li
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Peiyao Zhou
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Zihan Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jiaying Cai
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Chenrui Feng
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Xiaonan Deng
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Han Gu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Xuxin He
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Juan Tang
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Xiaoke Wang
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China
| | - Xinyuan Zhao
- Department of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Toxicology, Nantong Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, School of Public Health, Nantong University, Nantong 226019, China.
| | - Jun Yu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
| | - Xia Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nantong First People's Hospital, Affiliated Hospital 2 of Nantong University, Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
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14
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Mahajan S, More A, Dutta S, Chaudhary N, Nawale N. The Effect of Superoxide Dismutase Mimetic Drug in an Infertile Patient With Thin Endometrium. Cureus 2024; 16:e53077. [PMID: 38414707 PMCID: PMC10896748 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.53077] [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: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
It has been observed that nowadays, millions of couples struggle with infertility, which may be attributed to various conditions. In this case study, a middle-aged couple with a history of recurrent implantation failure (RIF) visited an infertility clinic situated in a rural region in Wardha to seek treatment. The male was normozoospermic. After hysteroscopy, it was noticed that an aggregated level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was a causative factor for thin endometrium contributing to infertility. The patient was advised to autologous platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment and temporary medication. A significant level of amelioration in endometrial thickness was observed, which significantly contributed to the chances of implantation. This resulted in a positive clinical pregnancy outcome for the patient. This case report highlights the fact that a combination of tempol with autologous PRP may contribute to an improved factor for the enhancement of endometrial hyperplasia, which may contribute to an improved in vitro fertilization (IVF) pregnancy outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanket Mahajan
- Clinical Embryology, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Akash More
- Clinical Embryology, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education And Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Shilpa Dutta
- Clinical Embryology, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Namrata Chaudhary
- Clinical Embryology, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education and Research, Wardha, IND
| | - Neha Nawale
- Clinical Embryology, Datta Meghe Institute of Higher Education And Research, Wardha, IND
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15
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Wang H, Chen K, Zong L, Zhao X, Wang J, Fan S, Shen B, Zheng S. MALAT1/miR-7-5p/TCF4 Axis Regulating Menstrual Blood Mesenchymal Stem Cells Improve Thin Endometrium Fertility by the Wnt Signaling Pathway. Cell Transplant 2024; 33:9636897241259552. [PMID: 38847385 PMCID: PMC11162126 DOI: 10.1177/09636897241259552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Thin endometrium (TE) is a significant factor contributing to fertility challenges, and addressing this condition remains a central challenge in reproductive medicine. Menstrual blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MenSCs) play a crucial role in tissue repair and regeneration, including that of TE. The Wnt signaling pathway, which is highly conserved and prevalent in eukaryotes, is essential for cell proliferation, tissue development, and reproductive functions. MALAT1 is implicated in various transcriptional and molecular functions, including cell proliferation and metastasis. However, the combined effects of the Wnt signaling pathway and the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) MALAT1 on the regulation of MenSCs' regenerative capabilities in tissue engineering have not yet been explored. To elucidate the regulatory mechanism of MALAT1 in TE, we analyzed its expression levels in normal endometrium and TE tissues, finding that low expression of MALAT1 was associated with poor clinical prognosis. In addition, we conducted both in vitro and in vivo functional assays to examine the role of the MALAT1/miR-7-5p/TCF4 axis in cell proliferation and migration. Techniques such as dual-luciferase reporter assay, fluorescent in situ hybridization, and immunoblot experiments were utilized to clarify the molecular mechanism. To corroborate these findings, we established a TE model and conducted pregnancy experiments, demonstrating a strong association between MALAT1 expression and endometrial fertility. In conclusion, our comprehensive study provides strong evidence supporting that lncRNA MALAT1 modulates TCF4 expression in the Wnt signaling pathway through interaction with miR-7-5p, thus enhancing MenSCs-mediated improvement of TE and improving fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiru Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center & Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Kai Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center & Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Lu Zong
- Reproductive Medicine Center & Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- Wannan Medical College, Wuhu, China
| | | | - Shiwei Fan
- Reproductive Medicine Center & Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Bing Shen
- School of Basic Medicine Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shengxia Zheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center & Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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16
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Wei W, Wang N, Zhu Y, Liao M, Wang B, Du T, Zhang J, Mao X. GM-CSF improves endometrial receptivity in a thin endometrium rat model by upregulating HOXA10. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 30:gaad042. [PMID: 38011650 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial receptivity is a prerequisite for the success of assisted reproduction. Patients with a consistently thin endometrium frequently fail to conceive, owing to low endometrial receptivity, and there are currently very few therapeutic options available. Our previous study demonstrated that intrauterine granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) administration resulted in a significant improvement in clinical pregnancy and implantation rates and was an effective means of increasing endometrial thickness on the day of embryo transfer in patients with thin endometrium. In order to explore the underlying process, an animal model with a thin endometrium was constructed, the homeobox A10 gene (HOXA10) was downregulated, and an inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway (MAPK/ERK) was employed. Our findings strongly suggest a marked decrease in GM-CSF levels in the thin endometrial rat model, and the suppression of HOXA10 impeded the therapeutic efficacy of GM-CSF in this model. Moreover, we showed that GM-CSF significantly increases endometrial receptivity in the rat model and upregulates HOXA10 via the MAPK/ERK pathway. Our data provide new molecular insights into the mechanisms underlying formation of a thin endometrium and highlight a novel, potential clinical treatment strategy as well as directions for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Wei
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Na Wang
- Key Laboratory of Systems Biomedicine (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Center for Systems Biomedicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yanwen Zhu
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Maokun Liao
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bian Wang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Tong Du
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoyan Mao
- Department of Assisted Reproduction, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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17
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Lee JW, Lee HY. Exploring distinct properties of endometrial stem cells through advanced single-cell analysis platforms. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:379. [PMID: 38124100 PMCID: PMC10734114 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03616-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The endometrium is a dynamic tissue that undergoes cyclic changes in response to ovarian hormones during the menstrual cycle. These changes are crucial for pregnancy establishment and maintenance. Endometrial stem cells play a pivotal role in endometrial regeneration and repair by differentiating into various cell types within the endometrium. However, their involvement in endometrial disorders such as endometriosis, infertility, and endometrial cancer is still not fully understood yet. Traditional bulk sequencing methods have limitations in capturing heterogeneity and complexity of endometrial stem cell populations. To overcome these limitations, recent single-cell analysis techniques, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq), single-cell ATAC sequencing (scATAC-Seq), and spatial transcriptomics, have emerged as valuable tools for studying endometrial stem cells. In this review, although there are still many technical limitations that require improvement, we will summarize the current state-of-the-art single-cell analysis techniques for endometrial stem cells and explore their relevance to related diseases. We will discuss studies utilizing various single-cell analysis platforms to identify and characterize distinct endometrial stem cell populations and investigate their dynamic changes in gene expression and epigenetic patterns during menstrual cycle and differentiation processes. These techniques enable the identification of rare cell populations, capture heterogeneity of cell populations within the endometrium, and provide potential targets for more effective therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Woo Lee
- Department of Health Sciences and Technology, GAIHST, Gachon University, Incheon, 21999, Republic of Korea
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, Gachon University, Incheon, 406-840, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwa-Yong Lee
- Division of Science Education, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, 24341, Republic of Korea.
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18
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Zhao LM, Da LC, Wang R, Wang L, Jiang YL, Zhang XZ, Li YX, Lei XX, Song YT, Zou CY, Huang LP, Zhang WQ, Zhang QY, Li QJ, Nie R, Zhang Y, Liang Y, Li-Ling J, Xie HQ. Promotion of uterine reconstruction by a tissue-engineered uterus with biomimetic structure and extracellular matrix microenvironment. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadi6488. [PMID: 37967178 PMCID: PMC10651121 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi6488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
The recurrence rate for severe intrauterine adhesions is as high as 60%, and there is still lack of effective prevention and treatment. Inspired by the nature of uterus, we have developed a bilayer scaffold (ECM-SPS) with biomimetic heterogeneous features and extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment of the uterus. As proved by subtotal uterine reconstruction experiments, the mechanical and antiadhesion properties of the bilayer scaffold could meet the requirement for uterine repair. With the modification with tissue-specific cell-derived ECM, the ECM-SPS had the ECM microenvironment signatures of both the endometrium and myometrium and exhibited the property of inducing stem cell-directed differentiation. Furthermore, the ECM-SPS has recruited more endogenous stem cells to promote endometrial regeneration at the initial stage of repair, which was accompanied by more smooth muscle regeneration and a higher pregnancy rate. The reconstructed uterus could also sustain normal pregnancy and live birth. The ECM-SPS may thereby provide a potential treatment for women with severe intrauterine adhesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long-mei Zhao
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Frontier Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, Sichuan 610212, China
| | - Lin-cui Da
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Reproductive Center of Fujian Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, College of Clinical Medicine for Obstetrics & Gynecology and Pediatrics, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350001, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Long Wang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yan-lin Jiang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xiu-zhen Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Ya-xing Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Xiong-xin Lei
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yu-ting Song
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Chen-yu Zou
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Li-ping Huang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Wen-qian Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Qing-yi Zhang
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Qian-jin Li
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Rong Nie
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Yan Liang
- Research Core Facility of West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Jesse Li-Ling
- Center of Medical Genetics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
| | - Hui-qi Xie
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Research Institute, Laboratory of Stem Cell and Tissue Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China
- Frontier Medical Center, Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory, Chengdu, Sichuan 610212, China
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Liu M, Ji M, Cheng J, Li Y, Tian Y, Zhao H, Wang Y, Zhu S, Zhang L, Xu X, Feng GS, Liang X, Bao H, Tang Y, Kong S, Lu J, Wang H, Lu Z, Deng W. Deciphering a critical role of uterine epithelial SHP2 in parturition initiation at single cell resolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7356. [PMID: 37963860 PMCID: PMC10646072 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43102-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The timely onset of female parturition is a critical determinant for pregnancy success. The highly heterogenous maternal decidua has been increasingly recognized as a vital factor in setting the timing of labor. Despite the cell type specific roles in parturition, the role of the uterine epithelium in the decidua remains poorly understood. This study uncovers the critical role of epithelial SHP2 in parturition initiation via COX1 and COX2 derived PGF2α leveraging epithelial specific Shp2 knockout mice, whose disruption contributes to delayed parturition initiation, dystocia and fetal deaths. Additionally, we also show that there are distinct types of epithelium in the decidua approaching parturition at single cell resolution accompanied with profound epithelium reformation via proliferation. Meanwhile, the epithelium maintains the microenvironment by communicating with stromal cells and macrophages. The epithelial microenvironment is maintained by a close interaction among epithelial, stromal and macrophage cells of uterine stromal cells. In brief, this study provides a previously unappreciated role of the epithelium in parturition preparation and sheds lights on the prevention of preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Mengjun Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jianghong Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yingzhe Li
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yingpu Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Sijing Zhu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Leilei Zhang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xinmei Xu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Gen-Sheng Feng
- Department of Pathology, Division of Biological Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Xiaohuan Liang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Haili Bao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yedong Tang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Shuangbo Kong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jinhua Lu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Zhongxian Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
| | - Wenbo Deng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, 361102, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China.
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20
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Wang HQ, Liu Y, Li D, Liu JY, Jiang Y, He Y, Zhou JD, Wang ZL, Tang XY, Zhang Y, Zhen X, Cao ZW, Sheng XQ, Yang CF, Yue QL, Ding LJ, Hu YL, Hu ZB, Li CJ, Yan GJ, Sun HX. Maternal and embryonic signals cause functional differentiation of luminal epithelial cells and receptivity establishment. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2376-2392.e6. [PMID: 37643613 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.08.004] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Embryo implantation requires temporospatial maternal-embryonic dialog. Using single-cell RNA sequencing for the uterus from 2.5 to 4.5 days post-coitum (DPC) and bulk sequencing for the corresponding embryos of 3.5 and 4.0 DPC pregnant mice, we found that estrogen-responsive luminal epithelial cells (EECs) functionally differentiated into adhesive epithelial cells (AECs) and supporting epithelial cells (SECs), promoted by progesterone. Along with maternal signals, embryonic Pdgfa and Efna3/4 signaling activated AECs and SECs, respectively, enhancing the attachment of embryos to the endometrium and furthering embryo development. This differentiation process was largely conserved between humans and mice. Notably, the developmental defects of SOX9-positive human endometrial epithelial cells (similar to mouse EEC) were related to thin endometrium, whereas functional defects of SEC-similar unciliated epithelial cells were related to recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Our findings provide insights into endometrial luminal epithelial cell development directed by maternal and embryonic signaling, which is crucial for endometrial receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Quan Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Dong Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Jing-Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yuanlin He
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ji-Dong Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhi-Long Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xin-Yi Tang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xin Zhen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhi-Wen Cao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Sheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Chao-Fan Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Qiu-Ling Yue
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Li-Jun Ding
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ya-Li Hu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Chao-Jun Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Gui-Jun Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Hai-Xiang Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
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21
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Karabay Akgul O, Ekiz-Yilmaz T. Involvement of small leucine-rich proteoglycans and telocytes in thin and thick human endometrium: immunohistochemical and ultrastructural examination. Ultrastruct Pathol 2023; 47:484-494. [PMID: 37840262 DOI: 10.1080/01913123.2023.2270660] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Thin endometrium, defined as an endometrial thickness of less than 7 mm during the late follicular phase, is a common cause of frequent cancelation of embryo transfers or recurrent implantation failure during assisted reproductive treatment. Small proteoglycans regulate intracellular signaling cascades by bridging other matrix molecules and tissue elements, affecting cell proliferation, adhesion, migration, and cytokine concentration. The aim of the study is to investigate the role of small leucine-rich proteoglycans in the pathogenesis of thin and thick human endometrium and their differences from normal endometrium in terms of fine structure properties. Normal, thin, and thick endometrial samples were collected, and small leucine-rich proteoglycans (SLRPs), decorin, lumican, biglycan, and fibromodulin immunoreactivities were comparatively analyzed immunohistochemically. The data were compared statistically. Moreover, ultrastructural differences among the groups were evaluated by transmission electron microscopy. The immunoreactivities of decorin, lumican, and biglycan were higher in the thin endometrial glandular epithelium and stroma compared to the normal and thick endometrium (p < .001). Fibromodulin immunoreactivity was also higher in the thin endometrial glandular epithelium than in the normal and thick endometrium (p < .001). However, there was no statistical difference in the stroma among the groups. Ultrastructural features were not profoundly different among cases. Telocytes, however, were not seen in the thin endometrium in contrast to normal and thin endometrial tissues. These findings suggest a possible role of changes in proteoglycan levels in the pathogenesis of thin endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozlem Karabay Akgul
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Health Sciences, Bagcilar Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tugba Ekiz-Yilmaz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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22
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Shin S, Chung YJ, Moon SW, Choi EJ, Kim MR, Chung YJ, Lee SH. Single-cell profiling identifies distinct hormonal, immunologic, and inflammatory signatures of endometriosis-constituting cells. J Pathol 2023; 261:323-334. [PMID: 37807404 DOI: 10.1002/path.6178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis consists of ectopic endometrial epithelial cells (EEECs) and ectopic endometrial stromal cells (EESCs) mixed with heterogeneous stromal cells. To address how endometriosis-constituting cells are different from normal endometrium and among endometriosis subtypes and how their molecular signatures are related to phenotypic manifestations, we analyzed ovarian endometrial cyst (OEC), superficial peritoneal endometriosis (SPE), and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) from 12 patients using single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq). We identified 11 cell clusters, including EEEC, EESC, fibroblasts, inflammatory/immune, endothelial, mesothelial, and Schwann cells. For hormonal signatures, EESCs, but not EEECs, showed high estrogen signatures (estrogen response scores and HOXA downregulation) and low progesterone signatures (DKK1 downregulation) compared to normal endometrium. In EEECs, we found MUC5B+ TFF3low cells enriched in endometriosis. In lymphoid cells, evidence for both immune activation (high cytotoxicity in NK) and exhaustion (high checkpoint genes in NKT and cytotoxic T) was identified in endometriosis. Signatures and subpopulations of macrophages were remarkably different among endometriosis subtypes with increased monocyte-derived macrophages and IL1B expression in DIE. The scRNA-seq predicted NRG1 (macrophage)-ERBB3 (Schwann cell) interaction in endometriosis, expressions of which were validated by immunohistochemistry. Myofibroblast subpopulations differed according to the location (OECs from fibroblasts and SPE/DIEs from mesothelial cells and fibroblasts). Endometriosis endothelial cells displayed proinflammation, angiogenesis, and leaky permeability signatures that were enhanced in DIE. Collectively, our study revealed that (1) many cell types-endometrial, lymphoid, macrophage, fibroblast, and endothelial cells-are altered in endometriosis; (2) endometriosis cells show estrogen responsiveness, immunologic cytotoxicity and exhaustion, and proinflammation signatures that are different in endometriosis subtypes; and (3) novel endometriosis-specific findings of MUC5B+ EEECs, mesothelial cell-derived myofibroblasts, and NRG1-ERBB3 interaction may underlie the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Our results may help extend pathologic insights, dissect aggressive diseases, and discover therapeutic targets in endometriosis. © 2023 The Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Shin
- Departments of Microbiology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Departments of Precision Medicine Research Center/IRCGP, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Jee Chung
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Seong Won Moon
- Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Departments of Pathology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Ji Choi
- Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Departments of Pathology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Mee-Ran Kim
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeun-Jun Chung
- Departments of Microbiology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Departments of Precision Medicine Research Center/IRCGP, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Departments of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sug Hyung Lee
- Cancer Evolution Research Center, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Departments of Pathology, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Departments of Biomedicine & Health Sciences, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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23
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Zhao H, Wang Y, Xu H, Liu M, Xu X, Zhu S, Liu Z, Cai H, Wang Y, Lu J, Yang X, Kong S, Bao H, Wang H, Deng W. Stromal cells-specific retinoic acid determines parturition timing at single-cell and spatial-temporal resolution. iScience 2023; 26:107796. [PMID: 37720083 PMCID: PMC10502414 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The underlying mechanisms governing parturition remain largely elusive due to limited knowledge of parturition preparation and initiation. Accumulated evidences indicate that maternal decidua plays a critical role in parturition initiation. To comprehensively decrypt the cell heterogeneity in decidua approaching parturition, we investigate the roles of various cell types in mouse decidua process and reveal previously unappreciated insights in parturition initiation utilizing single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). We enumerate the cell types in decidua and identity five different stromal cells populations and one decidualized stromal cells. Furthermore, our study unravels that stromal cells prepare for parturition by regulating local retinol acid (RA) synthesis. RA supplement decreases expression of extracellular matrix-related genes in vitro and accelerates the timing of parturition in vivo. Collectively, the discovery of contribution of stromal cells in parturition expands current knowledge about parturition and opens up avenues for the intervention of preterm birth (PTB).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yang Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hui Xu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Meng Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xinmei Xu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Sijing Zhu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Zhao Liu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Han Cai
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yinan Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jinhua Lu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaoqing Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Xisi Road, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Shuangbo Kong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Haili Bao
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Wenbo Deng
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, China
- State Key Laboratory of Vaccines for Infectious Diseases, Xiang An Biomedicine Laboratory, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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24
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Hosoya S, Yokomizo R, Kishigami H, Fujiki Y, Kaneko E, Amita M, Saito T, Kishi H, Sago H, Okamoto A, Umezawa A. Novel therapeutic strategies for injured endometrium: intrauterine transplantation of menstrual blood‑derived cells from infertile patients. Stem Cell Res Ther 2023; 14:297. [PMID: 37840125 PMCID: PMC10577920 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03524-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Menstrual blood-derived cells show regenerative potential as a mesenchymal stem cell and may therefore be a novel stem cell source of treatment for refractory infertility with injured endometrium. However, there have been few pre-clinical studies using cells from infertile patients, which need to be addressed before establishing an autologous transplantation. Herein, we aimed to investigate the therapeutic capacity of menstrual blood-derived cells from infertile patients on endometrial infertility. METHODS We collected menstrual blood-derived cells from volunteers and infertile patients and confirmed their mesenchymal stem cell phenotype by flow cytometry and induction of tri-lineage differentiation. We compared the proliferative and paracrine capacities of these cells. Furthermore, we also investigated the regenerative potential and safety concerns of the intrauterine transplantation of infertile patient-derived cells using a mouse model with mechanically injured endometrium. RESULTS Menstrual blood-derived cells from both infertile patients and volunteers showed phenotypic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells. In vitro proliferative and paracrine capacities for wound healing and angiogenesis were equal for both samples. Furthermore, the transplantation of infertile patient-derived cells into uterine horns of the mouse model ameliorated endometrial thickness, prevented fibrosis, and improved fertility outcomes without any apparent complications. CONCLUSIONS In our pre-clinical study, intrauterine transplantation of menstrual blood-derived cells may be a novel and attractive stem cell source for the curative and prophylactic therapy for injured endometrium. Further studies will be warranted for future clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Hosoya
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development Research Institute, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
- Center for Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Ryo Yokomizo
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development Research Institute, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
- Center for Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Harue Kishigami
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development Research Institute, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Yukiko Fujiki
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development Research Institute, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Erika Kaneko
- Division of Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Mitsuyoshi Amita
- Division of Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Takakazu Saito
- Division of Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kishi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Sago
- Center for Maternal-Fetal, Neonatal and Reproductive Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan
| | - Aikou Okamoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, 3-25-8 Nishi-Shinbashi, Minato, Tokyo, 105-8461, Japan
| | - Akihiro Umezawa
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development Research Institute, 2-10-1 Okura, Setagaya, Tokyo, 157-8535, Japan.
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25
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Hiraoka T, Osuga Y, Hirota Y. Current perspectives on endometrial receptivity: A comprehensive overview of etiology and treatment. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2023; 49:2397-2409. [PMID: 37527810 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) remains a challenging problem in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Further insights into uterine abnormalities that can disturb embryo implantation should be obtained. This review provides an overview of the effects of organic and non-organic uterine disorders on endometrial receptivity. The results suggest that various uterine pathologies can lead to defective embryo implantation via multiple mechanisms. In particular, uterine adenomyosis dysregulates molecular and cellular interactions that are vital for successful embryo implantation with a background of chronic inflammation, which may be alleviated by pretreatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. Uterine myomas can cause endometrial deformation and adverse alterations in uterine contractility. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of myomectomy remains debated, and endometrial polyp removal may be considered, particularly in patients with RIF. Chronic endometritis abrogates the appropriate uterine immunological environment critical for embryo implantation. Abnormal endometrial microbiota have been suggested to influence endometrial receptivity; however, supporting evidence is currently scarce. Platelet-rich plasma therapy may be a potential treatment for thin endometria; nevertheless, further validation is required. Endometrial receptivity analysis can detect dysregulation of the window of implantation, and new non-invasive methods for predicting endometrial receptivity have recently been proposed. However, numerous issues still need to be fully clarified. Further clinical and basic studies are necessary to investigate the pathophysiology of defective endometrial receptivity and identify optimal treatments for patients undergoing ART, especially those with RIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takehiro Hiraoka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Osuga
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Hirota
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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26
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Mathyk B, Schwartz A, DeCherney A, Ata B. A critical appraisal of studies on endometrial thickness and embryo transfer outcome. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 47:103259. [PMID: 37516058 PMCID: PMC10528454 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.103259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/31/2023]
Abstract
A receptive endometrium is required for successful embryo implantation. Endometrial thickness, as measured by ultrasonography, is the most commonly used marker of endometrial receptivity in assisted reproductive technology cycles. Several factors simultaneously affect both endometrial thickness and probability of live birth, including age, oestradiol concentration and oocyte number, among others. Most of the studies investigating a relationship between endometrial thickness and embryo transfer outcomes are retrospective and do not adequately address confounding factors, in addition to other limitations. Despite multiple meta-analyses and studies with large numbers of cycles, controversy still exists. The difference between the results from prospective and retrospective studies is also striking. This article presents a critical appraisal of the studies on endometrial thickness and embryo transfer outcomes in order to highlight methodological issues and how they can be overcome in future studies. Currently available evidence does not seem to support a modification of management just because endometrial thickness is below an arbitrary threshold.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begum Mathyk
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Adina Schwartz
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Alan DeCherney
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility Program, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Baris Ata
- School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey.; ART Fertility Clinics, Dubai, United Arab Emirates..
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27
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Santamaria X, Roson B, Perez-Moraga R, Venkatesan N, Pardo-Figuerez M, Gonzalez-Fernandez J, Llera-Oyola J, Fernández E, Moreno I, Salumets A, Vankelecom H, Vilella F, Simon C. Decoding the endometrial niche of Asherman's Syndrome at single-cell resolution. Nat Commun 2023; 14:5890. [PMID: 37735465 PMCID: PMC10514053 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-41656-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Asherman's Syndrome is characterized by intrauterine adhesions or scarring, which cause infertility, menstrual abnormalities, and recurrent pregnancy loss. The pathophysiology of this syndrome remains unknown, with treatment restricted to recurrent surgical removal of intrauterine scarring, which has limited success. Here, we decode the Asherman's Syndrome endometrial cell niche by analyzing data from over 200,000 cells with single-cell RNA-sequencing in patients with this condition and through in vitro analyses of Asherman's Syndrome patient-derived endometrial organoids. Our endometrial atlas highlights the loss of the endometrial epithelium, alterations to epithelial differentiation signaling pathways such as Wnt and Notch, and the appearance of characteristic epithelium expressing secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor during the window of implantation. We describe syndrome-associated alterations in cell-to-cell communication and gene expression profiles that support a dysfunctional pro-fibrotic, pro-inflammatory, and anti-angiogenic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Santamaria
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain.
- Department Ob/Gyn Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Roson
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Raul Perez-Moraga
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
- Igenomix R&D, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nandakumar Venkatesan
- Department of Pediatrics Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | - Jaime Llera-Oyola
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Inmaculada Moreno
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andres Salumets
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institute and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hugo Vankelecom
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Unit of Stem Cell Research, University of Leuven (KU Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Felipe Vilella
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain
| | - Carlos Simon
- Carlos Simon Foundation, INCLIVA Health Research Institute, Valencia, Spain.
- Department of Pediatrics Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
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28
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Lv H, Sun H, Wang L, Yao S, Liu D, Zhang X, Pei Z, Zhou J, Wang H, Dai J, Yan G, Ding L, Wang Z, Cao C, Zhao G, Hu Y. Targeting CD301 + macrophages inhibits endometrial fibrosis and improves pregnancy outcome. EMBO Mol Med 2023; 15:e17601. [PMID: 37519221 PMCID: PMC10493587 DOI: 10.15252/emmm.202317601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are a key and heterogeneous cell population involved in endometrial repair and regeneration during the menstrual cycle, but their role in the development of intrauterine adhesion (IUA) and sequential endometrial fibrosis remains unclear. Here, we reported that CD301+ macrophages were significantly increased and showed their most active interaction with profibrotic cells in the endometria of IUA patients compared with the normal endometria by single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk RNA sequencing, and experimental verification. Increasing CD301+ macrophages promoted the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into myofibroblasts and resulted in extracellular matrix accumulation, which destroyed the physiological architecture of endometrial tissue, drove endometrial fibrosis, and ultimately led to female infertility or adverse pregnancy outcomes. Mechanistically, CD301+ macrophages secreted GAS6 to activate the AXL/NF-κB pathway, upregulating the profibrotic protein synthesis. Targeted deletion of CD301+ macrophages or inhibition of AXL by Bemcentinib blunted the pathology and improved the outcomes of pregnancy in mice, supporting the therapeutic potential of targeting CD301+ macrophages for treating endometrial fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haining Lv
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Limin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Simin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Xiwen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhongrui Pei
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Clinical College of Traditional Chinese and Western MedicineNanjing University of Chinese MedicineNanjingChina
| | - Jianjun Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Huiyan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Jianwu Dai
- Institute of Genetics and Developmental BiologyChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Guijun Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lijun Ding
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Zhiyin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Chenrui Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Guangfeng Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical SchoolNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical BiotechnologyNanjing UniversityNanjingChina
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29
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Yao S, Zhou Z, Wang L, Lv H, Liu D, Zhu Q, Zhang X, Zhao G, Hu Y. Targeting endometrial inflammation in intrauterine adhesion ameliorates endometrial fibrosis by priming MSCs to secrete C1INH. iScience 2023; 26:107201. [PMID: 37456855 PMCID: PMC10344943 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2023.107201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine adhesion (IUA) is a common cause of uterine infertility and its histopathologic characteristic is endometrial fibrosis. A shortage of stem cells in the endometrial basalis has been recognized as a common cause of IUA development because approximately 90% of patients suffer from IUA after endometrial injury. In this study, we provide evidence that persistent inflammation is the main contributor to endometrial fibrosis in IUA patients. We further found that treating an IUA-like mouse model with ITI-hUC-MSCs (hUC-MSCs reprogrammed by IL-1β, TNF-α and IFN-γ) significantly decreased endometrial inflammation and fibrosis. Mechanistically, high levels of complement 1 inhibitor (C1INH) secreted by ITI-hUC-MSCs prevented inflammation from inducing profibrotic CD301+ macrophage polarization by downregulating the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. In conclusion, persistent inflammation in the endometria of IUA patients provides macrophage polarization with a profibrotic niche to promote endometrial fibrosis, and the powerful immunomodulatory effects of ITI-hUC-MSCs improve the immune microenvironment of endometrial regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simin Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhenhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Limin Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Haining Lv
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dan Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiwen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guangfeng Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
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30
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Chen ST, Shi WW, Lin YQ, Yang ZS, Wang Y, Li MY, Li Y, Liu AX, Hu Y, Yang ZM. Embryo-derive TNF promotes decidualization via fibroblast activation. eLife 2023; 12:e82970. [PMID: 37458359 PMCID: PMC10374279 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Decidualization is a process in which endometrial stromal fibroblasts differentiate into specialized secretory decidual cells and essential for the successful establishment of pregnancy. The underlying mechanism during decidualization still remains poorly defined. Because decidualization and fibroblast activation share similar characteristics, this study was to examine whether fibroblast activation is involved in decidualization. In our study, fibroblast activation-related markers are obviously detected in pregnant decidua and under in vitro decidualization. ACTIVIN A secreted under fibroblast activation promotes in vitro decidualization. We showed that arachidonic acid released from uterine luminal epithelium can induce fibroblast activation and decidualization through PGI2 and its nuclear receptor PPARδ. Based on the significant difference of fibroblast activation-related markers between pregnant and pseudopregnant mice, we found that embryo-derived TNF promotes CPLA2α phosphorylation and arachidonic acid release from luminal epithelium. Fibroblast activation is also detected under human in vitro decidualization. Similar arachidonic acid-PGI2-PPARδ-ACTIVIN A pathway is conserved in human endometrium. Collectively, our data indicate that embryo-derived TNF promotes CPLA2α phosphorylation and arachidonic acid release from luminal epithelium to induce fibroblast activation and decidualization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Ting Chen
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University; College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wen-Wen Shi
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu-Qian Lin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhen-Shan Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meng-Yuan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yue Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ai-Xia Liu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yali Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zeng-Ming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University; College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
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31
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Huang CC, Hsueh YW, Chang CW, Hsu HC, Yang TC, Lin WC, Chang HM. Establishment of the fetal-maternal interface: developmental events in human implantation and placentation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1200330. [PMID: 37266451 PMCID: PMC10230101 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1200330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Early pregnancy is a complex and well-orchestrated differentiation process that involves all the cellular elements of the fetal-maternal interface. Aberrant trophoblast-decidual interactions can lead to miscarriage and disorders that occur later in pregnancy, including preeclampsia, intrauterine fetal growth restriction, and preterm labor. A great deal of research on the regulation of implantation and placentation has been performed in a wide range of species. However, there is significant species variation regarding trophoblast differentiation as well as decidual-specific gene expression and regulation. Most of the relevant information has been obtained from studies using mouse models. A comprehensive understanding of the physiology and pathology of human implantation and placentation has only recently been obtained because of emerging advanced technologies. With the derivation of human trophoblast stem cells, 3D-organoid cultures, and single-cell analyses of differentiated cells, cell type-specific transcript profiles and functions were generated, and each exhibited a unique signature. Additionally, through integrative transcriptomic information, researchers can uncover the cellular dysfunction of embryonic and placental cells in peri-implantation embryos and the early pathological placenta. In fact, the clinical utility of fetal-maternal cellular trafficking has been applied for the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidies and the prediction of pregnancy complications. Furthermore, recent studies have proposed a viable path toward the development of therapeutic strategies targeting placenta-enriched molecules for placental dysfunction and diseases.
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32
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Li B, Yan YP, He YY, Liang C, Li MY, Wang Y, Yang ZM. IHH, SHH, and primary cilia mediate epithelial-stromal cross-talk during decidualization in mice. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eadd0645. [PMID: 36853961 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.add0645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of pregnancy depends on interactions between the epithelial and stromal cells of the endometrium that drive the decidual reaction that remodels the stroma and enables embryo implantation. Decidualization in mice also depends on ovarian hormones and the presence of a blastocyst. Hedgehog signaling is transduced by primary cilia in many tissues and is involved in epithelial-stromal cross-talk during decidualization. We found that primary cilia on mouse uterine stromal cells increased in number and length during early pregnancy and were required for decidualization. In vitro and in vivo, progesterone promoted stromal ciliogenesis and the production of Indian hedgehog (IHH) in the epithelium and Sonic hedgehog (SHH) in the stroma. Blastocyst-derived TNF-α also induced epithelial IHH, which stimulated the production of SHH in the stroma through a mechanism that may involve the release of arachidonic acid from epithelial cells. In the stroma, SHH activated canonical Hedgehog signaling through primary cilia and promoted decidualization through a mechanism that depended on interleukin-11 (IL-11) and primary cilia. Our findings identify a primary cilia-dependent network that controls endometrial decidualization and suggest primary cilia as a candidate therapeutic target for endometrial diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountain Region, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ya-Ping Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yu-Ying He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Chen Liang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Meng-Yuan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zeng-Ming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountain Region, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
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Wang T, Tan J. Therapeutic effect of menstrual blood stem cells in rats with thin endometrium. Zhejiang Da Xue Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban 2023; 52:13-23. [PMID: 37283114 PMCID: PMC10407991 DOI: 10.3724/zdxbyxb-2022-0509] [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: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To explore the therapeutic effect of transplantation of menstrual blood stem cells (MenSCs) in rats with thin endometrium. METHODS Thirty SPF grade female SD rats aged 8-10 weeks were randomly divided into model control group and MenSC group, with 15 rats in each group. The thin endometrium injury model was prepared by chemical method in one side of the uterus of both groups. On the 7th day of modeling, normal saline or the third generation of MenSCs were injected into the model uterus at multiple points, and the other side of the uterus was used as an internal control without treatment. HE staining was used to observe the histological structure of endometrium; immunohistochemical staining was used to observe the expression of cyto-keratin (CK) 18 and vimentin in endometrial tissue; 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) cell proliferation assay was used to evaluate the cell proliferation in endometrial tissue; immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of vascular endothelial marker CD34 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in endometrial tissue; the expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), integrin β3 (ITGβ3) and homeobox A10 (HOXA10) in endometrial tissue was determined by realtime RT-PCR. After treatments, the female and male rats were caged in a ratio of 2∶1 to observe the effect of MenSC on the reproductive function of thin endometrium model rats. RESULTS Compared with the surgical control group, the endometrium in the model control group was thinner, and the numbers of glands and blood vessels were less (all P<0.01). After MenSC transplantation, the thickness of endometrium, the numbers of blood vessels and glands were significantly increased (all P<0.01). The proliferative cells in the basal layer of endometrium in MenSC group were more than those in the model control group (P<0.05), and the expression of vimentin, CK18, CD34 and VEGF in the uterus of rats in MenSC group were significantly higher than those in the model control group (P<0.05). LIF, ITGβ3 and HOXA10 gene expression levels were also significantly higher than those in the model control group (all P<0.05). The results of pregnancy experiment showed that the number of embryo implantation in MenSC group was higher than that in model control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS MenSC transplantation can promote the proliferation of endometrial cells, upregulate vimentin, CK18, CD34 and VEGF levels, and promote the recovery of endometrial morphology and function, thus improving the endometrial receptivity and fertility of the rats with thin endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Wang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, China.
| | - Jichun Tan
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110022, China.
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Cui M, Liu Y, Men X, Li T, Liu D, Deng Y. Large animal models in the study of gynecological diseases. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1110551. [PMID: 36755972 PMCID: PMC9899856 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1110551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Gynecological diseases are a series of diseases caused by abnormalities in the female reproductive organs or breast, which endanger women's fertility and even their lives. Therefore, it is important to investigate the mechanism of occurrence and treatment of gynecological diseases. Animal models are the main objects for people to study the development of diseases and explore treatment options. Large animals, compared to small rodents, have reproductive organs with structural and physiological characteristics closer to those of humans, and are also better suited for long-term serial examinations for gynecological disease studies. This review gives examples of large animal models in gynecological diseases and provides a reference for the selection of animal models for gynecological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minghua Cui
- Gynecology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Yuehui Liu
- Laboratory Department, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Xiaoping Men
- Laboratory Department, Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Tao Li
- Department of Acupuncture and Massage, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China
| | - Da Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China,*Correspondence: Da Liu, ; Yongzhi Deng,
| | - Yongzhi Deng
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Changchun University of Chinese Medicine, Changchun, Jilin, China,*Correspondence: Da Liu, ; Yongzhi Deng,
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Jin M, Ji J, Chen X, Zhou Y, Wang D, Liu A. The emerging role of TET enzymes in the immune microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface during decidualization and early pregnancy. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1066599. [PMID: 36685517 PMCID: PMC9850229 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1066599] [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: 10/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A dysregulated immune microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface in early pregnancy may lead to early pregnancy loss, fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsia. However, major questions about how epigenetic modifications regulate the immune microenvironment during the decidualization process and embryo implantation remain unanswered. DNA methylation, the main epigenetic mechanism involved in the endometrial cycle, is crucial for specific transcriptional networks associated with endometrial stromal cell (ESC) proliferation, hormone response, decidualization, and embryo implantation. Ten-eleven translocation (TET) enzymes, responsible for catalyzing the conversion of 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcyosine, 5-formylytosine, and 5-carboxylcyosine to achieve the DNA demethylation process, appear to play a critical role in decidualization and embryo implantation. Here, we provide a comprehensive view of their structural similarities and the common mechanism of regulation in the microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface during decidualization and early pregnancy. We also discuss their physiological role in the decidual immune microenvironment. Finally, we propose a key hypothesis regarding TET enzymes at the maternal-fetal interface between decidual immune cells and ESCs. Future work is needed to elucidate their functional role and examine therapeutic strategies targeting these enzymes in pregnancy-related disease preclinical models, which would be of great value for future implications in disease diagnosis or treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengmeng Jin
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jianxiong Ji
- Department of Neurosurgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhou
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dimin Wang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China,*Correspondence: Aixia Liu, ; Dimin Wang,
| | - Aixia Liu
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women’s Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Genetics (Ministry of Education), Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China,Department of Reproductive Medicine, People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, Xinjiang, China,*Correspondence: Aixia Liu, ; Dimin Wang,
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Zhu J, Li Z, Yin F, Yu X, Lu Y, Zhou T, Gong F, Xu Z. Fibroblast growth factor 1 ameliorates thin endometrium in rats through activation of the autophagic pathway. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1143096. [PMID: 37153783 PMCID: PMC10157643 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1143096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Thin endometrium is a reproductive disorder that affects embryo implantation. There are several therapies available for this disease, however they are not so effective. Fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) is a member of fibroblast growth factor superfamily (FGFs), and it has been demonstrated that FGF1 expression was altered in samples collected from patients with thin endometrium. However, it is unclear if FGF1 could improve thin endometrium. The aim of this study was to investigate whether FGF1 have a therapeutic effect on thin endometrium. Methods: A model of thin endometrium induced by ethanol was constructed to investigate the effect and mechanism of action of FGF1 in thin endometrium. In the characterization experiments, 6-8 weeks female rats (n = 40) were divided into four groups: i) Control group; ii) Sham group; iii) Injured group; (iv) FGF1 therapy group. Endometrial tissues would be removed after three sexuel cycles after molding. Morphology and histology of the endometrium were evaluated by visual and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Masson staining and expression of α-SMA in endometrium showed the degree of endometrial fibrosis. Western blotting (PCNA、vWF and Vim) and immunohistochemistry (CK19 and MUC-1) demonstrated the effect of FGF1 on cell proliferation and angiogenesis. Moreover, immunohistochemistry (ER and PR) was used to explore the function of endometrium. The remaining rats (n = 36) were divided into three groups: i) Injured group; ii) FGF1 therapy group; and iii) 3-methyladenine. Western blotting (p38、p-p38、PI3K 、SQSTM1/p62、beclin-1 and LC3) was used to explore the mechanisms of FGF1. Results: In FGF1 therapy group, the morphology and histology of endometrium improved compared with the model group. Masson staining and the expression level of α-SMA showed that FGF1 could decrease the fibrotic area of endometrium. Besides, changes in ER and PR expression in the endometrium suggested that FGF1 could restore endometrium-related functions. Western blotting and immunohistochemistry revealed that PCNA, vWF, Vim, CK19 and MUC-1 were significantly increased after FGF1 treatment compared with the thin endometrium. In addition, Western blotting showed that p38, p-p38, PI3K, SQSTM1/p62, beclin-1 and LC3 levels were higher in FGF1 group than in the injured group. Conclusion: FGF1 application cured the thin endometrium caused by ethanol through autophagy mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Zhu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhenyao Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fengli Yin
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaoting Yu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yuanfan Lu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Tong Zhou
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fanghua Gong
- School of Pharmacy, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Fanghua Gong, ; Zhangye Xu,
| | - Zhangye Xu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Fanghua Gong, ; Zhangye Xu,
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Genome-Wide Association Screening Determines Peripheral Players in Male Fertility Maintenance. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010524. [PMID: 36613967 PMCID: PMC9820667 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Deciphering the functional relationships of genes resulting from genome-wide screens for polymorphisms that are associated with phenotypic variations can be challenging. However, given the common association with certain phenotypes, a functional link should exist. We have tested this prediction in newly sequenced exomes of altogether 100 men representing different states of fertility. Fertile subjects presented with normal semen parameters and had naturally fathered offspring. In contrast, infertile probands were involuntarily childless and had reduced sperm quantity and quality. Genome-wide association study (GWAS) linked twelve non-synonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to fertility variation between both cohorts. The SNPs localized to nine genes for which previous evidence is in line with a role in male fertility maintenance: ANAPC1, CES1, FAM131C, HLA-DRB1, KMT2C, NOMO1, SAA1, SRGAP2, and SUSD2. Most of the SNPs residing in these genes imply amino acid exchanges that should only moderately affect protein functionality. In addition, proteins encoded by genes from present GWAS occupied peripheral positions in a protein-protein interaction network, the backbone of which consisted of genes listed in the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) database for their implication in male infertility. Suggestive of an indirect impact on male fertility, the genes focused were indeed linked to each other, albeit mediated by other interactants. Thus, the chances of identifying a central player in male infertility by GWAS could be limited in general. Furthermore, the SNPs determined and the genes containing these might prove to have potential as biomarkers in the diagnosis of male fertility.
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Translational Bioinformatics for Human Reproductive Biology Research: Examples, Opportunities and Challenges for a Future Reproductive Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010004. [PMID: 36613446 PMCID: PMC9819745 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 1978, with the first IVF (in vitro fertilization) baby birth in Manchester (England), more than eight million IVF babies have been born throughout the world, and many new techniques and discoveries have emerged in reproductive medicine. To summarize the modern technology and progress in reproductive medicine, all scientific papers related to reproductive medicine, especially papers related to reproductive translational medicine, were fully searched, manually curated and reviewed. Results indicated whether male reproductive medicine or female reproductive medicine all have made significant progress, and their markers have experienced the progress from karyotype analysis to single-cell omics. However, due to the lack of comprehensive databases, especially databases collecting risk exposures, disease markers and models, prevention drugs and effective treatment methods, the application of the latest precision medicine technologies and methods in reproductive medicine is limited.
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Primary Cilia Restrain PI3K-AKT Signaling to Orchestrate Human Decidualization. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415573. [PMID: 36555215 PMCID: PMC9779442 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 12/03/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometrial decidualization plays a pivotal role during early pregnancy. Compromised decidualization has been tightly associated with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Primary cilium is an antenna-like sensory organelle and acts as a signaling nexus to mediate Hh, Wnt, TGFβ, BMP, FGF, and Notch signaling. However, whether primary cilium is involved in human decidualization is still unknown. In this study, we found that primary cilia are present in human endometrial stromal cells. The ciliogenesis and cilia length are increased by progesterone during in vitro and in vivo decidualization. Primary cilia are abnormal in the endometrium of RIF patients. Based on data from both assembly and disassembly of primary cilia, it has been determined that primary cilium is essential to human decidualization. Trichoplein (TCHP)-Aurora A signaling mediates cilia disassembly during human in vitro decidualization. Mechanistically, primary cilium modulates human decidualization through PTEN-PI3K-AKT-FOXO1 signaling. Our study highlights primary cilium as a novel decidualization-related signaling pathway.
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40
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Deryabin PI, Ivanova JS, Borodkina AV. Senescent endometrial stromal cells transmit reactive oxygen species to the trophoblast-like cells and impair spreading of blastocyst-like spheroids. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6825317. [PMID: 36370081 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac039] [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: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful implantation requires a fine-tuned dialog between the invading embryo and the maternal endometrium. Recently, we discovered that premature senescence of endometrial stromal cells (EnSC) might mediate improper decidual transformation of endometrial tissue and impair endometrial-blastocyst interaction. Here, we show that senescent EnSC are characterized by elevated intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels that originate from mitochondrial dysfunction and insufficient antioxidant defense. Decidualization of senescent EnSC is defective and is accompanied by the elevated intracellular and mitochondrial ROS levels. Antioxidant defense during decidualization is significantly less efficient in senescent EnSC compared to healthy ones. Senescent EnSC secrete increased amounts of ROS into the extracellular space. Elevated ROS released by senescent EnSC shift the redox balance and induce DNA damage in the neighboring trophoblast-like cells. In an in vitro implantation model, we observed impaired spreading of blastocyst-like spheroids into a monolayer of decidualizing senescent EnSC, which could be compensated by pretreatment of the senescent cells with the antioxidant, Tempol. Hence, we propose a possible mechanism that might be responsible, at least in part, for the defective embryo implantation realized via ROS transmitting from senescent EnSC to trophoblast cells. Such transmission results in the accumulation of ROS and subsequent DNA damage in trophoblastic cells, which might lead to improper migration and invasion of an embryo. In light of these findings, the application of antioxidants prior to implantation might be a promising strategy to improve implantation efficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- P I Deryabin
- Mechanisms of Cellular Senescence Group, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - J S Ivanova
- Laboratory of Intracellular Signaling and Transport, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
| | - A V Borodkina
- Mechanisms of Cellular Senescence Group, Institute of Cytology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia
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Xu L, Fan Y, Wang J, Shi R. Dysfunctional intercellular communication and metabolic signaling pathways in thin endometrium. Front Physiol 2022; 13:1050690. [PMID: 36505055 PMCID: PMC9729336 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.1050690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The endometrial thickness is a key factor for successful implantation. Thin endometrium is associated with lower implantation rate and pregnancy rate. Lacking of a better understanding for the cellular and molecular mechanisms of thin endometrium, managing patients with thin endometrium still represents a major challenge for clinicians. Methods: In this study, we combined four single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and one bulk sequencing (bulk-seq) data for thin endometrium to perform an integrated analysis for endometrial cells in proliferating phase. Cell proportion and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were analyzed to determine the disease-specific cell type and signaling pathways. The cell-cell communication among cell types were inferred by "CellChat" to illustrate the differential intercellular communication under normal and thin endometrium conditions. GSEA and GSVA were applied to identify dysfunctional signals and metabolic pathways before and after thin endometrium. Results: Integration of scRNA-seq identified eight cell types. The proportion of stromal cells showed a significant difference between normal and thin endometrial tissue. The DEGs in diverse cell types revealed enriched pathways in a cell-specific manner. Aberrant cell-cell signaling transduction was found in almost all cell types, especially in immune cells and epithelial cells. Furthermore, dysfunctional metabolic signaling pathways were induced in a cell-type dependent way. The down-regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and nucleotide metabolism was observed and the energy metabolism switch was indicated. Conclusion: Conclusively, we discover dysfunctional signals and metabolic pathways in thin endometrium, providing insight into mechanisms and therapeutic strategies for the atrophic endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Xu
- Research Center for Translational Medicine, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingying Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jianjun Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Jianjun Wang, ; Rui Shi,
| | - Rui Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,*Correspondence: Jianjun Wang, ; Rui Shi,
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Tan Y, Flynn WF, Sivajothi S, Luo D, Bozal SB, Davé M, Luciano AA, Robson P, Luciano DE, Courtois ET. Single-cell analysis of endometriosis reveals a coordinated transcriptional programme driving immunotolerance and angiogenesis across eutopic and ectopic tissues. Nat Cell Biol 2022; 24:1306-1318. [PMID: 35864314 PMCID: PMC9901845 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-022-00961-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is characterized by the growth of endometrial-like tissue outside the uterus. It affects many women during their reproductive age, causing years of pelvic pain and potential infertility. Its pathophysiology remains largely unknown, which limits early diagnosis and treatment. We characterized peritoneal and ovarian lesions at single-cell transcriptome resolution and compared them to matched eutopic endometrium, unaffected endometrium and organoids derived from these tissues, generating data on over 122,000 cells across 14 individuals. We spatially localized many of the cell types using imaging mass cytometry. We identify a perivascular mural cell specific to the peritoneal lesions, with dual roles in angiogenesis promotion and immune cell trafficking. We define an immunotolerant peritoneal niche, fundamental differences in eutopic endometrium and between lesion microenvironments and an unreported progenitor-like epithelial cell subpopulation. Altogether, this study provides a holistic view of the endometriosis microenvironment that represents a comprehensive cell atlas of the disease in individuals undergoing hormonal treatment, providing essential information for future therapeutics and diagnostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuliana Tan
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | - William F. Flynn
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | | | - Diane Luo
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | - Suleyman B. Bozal
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | - Monica Davé
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | - Anthony A. Luciano
- Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA 06032
| | - Paul Robson
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Corresponding authors
| | - Danielle E. Luciano
- Obstetrics and Gynecology at University of Connecticut, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Corresponding authors
| | - Elise T. Courtois
- The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA 06032,Corresponding authors
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Fang Z, Tian Y, Sui C, Guo Y, Hu X, Lai Y, Liao Z, Li J, Feng G, Jin L, Qian K. Single-Cell Transcriptomics of Proliferative Phase Endometrium: Systems Analysis of Cell–Cell Communication Network Using CellChat. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:919731. [PMID: 35938159 PMCID: PMC9352955 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.919731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The endometrium thickness increases by which endometrial angiogenesis occurs in parallel with the rapid growth of endometrium during the proliferative phase, which is orchestrated by complex cell–cell interactions and cytokine networks. However, the intercellular communication has not been fully delineated. In the present work, we studied the cell–cell interactome among cells of human proliferative phase endometrium using single-cell transcriptomics. The transcriptomes of 33,240 primary endometrial cells were profiled at single-cell resolution. CellChat was used to infer the cell–cell interactome by assessing the gene expression of receptor–ligand pairs across cell types. In total, nine cell types and 88 functionally related signaling pathways were found. Among them, growth factors and angiogenic factor signaling pathways, including EGF, FGF, IGF, PDGF, TGFb, VEGF, ANGPT, and ANGPTL that are highly associated with endometrial growth, were further analyzed and verified. The results showed that stromal cells and proliferating stromal cells represented cell–cell interaction hubs with a large number of EGF, PDGF incoming signals, and FGF outgoing signals. Endothelial cells exhibited cell–cell interaction hubs with a plenty of VEGF, TGFb incoming signals, and ANGPT outgoing signals. Unciliated epithelial cells, ciliated epithelial cells, and macrophages exhibited cell–cell interaction hubs with substantial EGF outgoing signals. Ciliated epithelial cells represented cell–cell interaction hubs with a large number of IGF and TGFb incoming signals. Smooth muscle cells represented lots of PDGF incoming signals and ANGPT and ANGPTL outgoing signals. This study deconvoluted complex intercellular communications at the single-cell level and predicted meaningful biological discoveries, which deepened the understanding of communications among endometrial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zishui Fang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yao Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cong Sui
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yaxin Guo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xinyao Hu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Youhua Lai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhiqi Liao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jie Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Guihai Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Guihai Feng, ; Lei Jin, ; Kun Qian,
| | - Lei Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Guihai Feng, ; Lei Jin, ; Kun Qian,
| | - Kun Qian
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Guihai Feng, ; Lei Jin, ; Kun Qian,
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Modeling Endometrium Biology and Disease. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12071048. [PMID: 35887546 PMCID: PMC9316888 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12071048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The endometrium, lining the uterine lumen, is highly essential for human reproduction. Its exceptional remodeling plasticity, including the transformation process to welcome and nest the embryo, is not well understood. Lack of representative and reliable study models allowing the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying endometrium development and biology to be deciphered is an important hurdle to progress in the field. Recently, powerful organoid models have been developed that not only recapitulate endometrial biology such as the menstrual cycle, but also faithfully reproduce diseases of the endometrium such as endometriosis. Moreover, single-cell profiling endeavors of the endometrium in health and disease, and of derived organoids, start to provide deeper insight into cellular complexity and expression specificities, and in resulting tissue processes. This granular portrayal will not only help in understanding endometrium biology and disease, but also in pinning down the tissue’s stem cells, at present not yet conclusively defined. Here, we provide a general overview of endometrium development and biology, and the efforts of modeling both the healthy tissue, as well as its key diseased form of endometriosis. The future of modeling and deciphering this key tissue, hidden inside the womb, looks bright.
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Zhou S, Lei Y, Wang P, Chen J, Zeng L, Qu T, Maldonado M, Huang J, Han T, Wen Z, Tian E, Meng X, Zhong Y, Gu J. Human Umbilical Cord Mesenchymal Stem Cells Encapsulated with Pluronic F-127 Enhance the Regeneration and Angiogenesis of Thin Endometrium in Rat via Local IL-1 β Stimulation. Stem Cells Int 2022; 2022:7819234. [PMID: 35761831 PMCID: PMC9233600 DOI: 10.1155/2022/7819234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Thin endometrium (< 7 mm) could cause low clinical pregnancy, reduced live birth, increased spontaneous abortion, and decreased birth weight. However, the treatments for thin endometrium have not been well developed. In this study, we aim to determine the role of Pluronic F-127 (PF-127) encapsulation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) in the regeneration of thin endometrium and its underlying mechanism. Thin endometrium rat model was created by infusion of 95% ethanol. Thin endometrium modeled rat uterus were treated with saline, hUC-MSCs, PF-127, or hUC-MSCs plus PF-127 separately. Regenerated rat uterus was measured for gene expression levels of angiogenesis factors and histological morphology. Angiogenesis capacity of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β)-primed hUC-MSCs was monitored via quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR), Luminex assay, and tube formation assay. Decreased endometrium thickness and gland number and increased inflammatory factor IL-1β were achieved in the thin endometrium rat model. Embedding of hUC-MSCs with PF-127 could prolong the hUC-MSCs retaining, which could further enhance endometrium thickness and gland number in the thin endometrium rat model via increasing angiogenesis capacity. Conditional medium derived from IL-1β-primed hUC-MSCs increased the concentration of angiogenesis factors (basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)). Improvement in the thickness, number of glands, and newly generated blood vessels could be achieved by uterus endometrium treatment with PF-127 and hUC-MSCs transplantation. Local IL-1β stimulation-primed hUC-MSCs promoted the release of angiogenesis factors and may play a vital role on thin endometrium regeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuling Zhou
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, 66 Bisheng Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
- Department of Pathology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology, Collaborative and Creative Center, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041 Guangdong, China
| | - Yu Lei
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, 66 Bisheng Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
- Department of Pathology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology, Collaborative and Creative Center, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041 Guangdong, China
| | - Ping Wang
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, 66 Bisheng Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
| | - Jianying Chen
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, 66 Bisheng Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
| | - Liting Zeng
- Department of Pathology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology, Collaborative and Creative Center, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041 Guangdong, China
| | - Ting Qu
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, 66 Bisheng Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
| | - Martin Maldonado
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, 66 Bisheng Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
| | - Jihua Huang
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, 66 Bisheng Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
| | - Tingting Han
- Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, 66 Bisheng Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
| | - Zina Wen
- Department of Andrology, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital, 66 Bisheng Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
| | - Erpo Tian
- Department of Andrology, Chengdu Xi'nan Gynecological Hospital, 66 Bisheng Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
| | - Xiangqian Meng
- Department of Embryology, Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Maternal and Child Health Care, 3 San-guantang Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Zhong
- Department of Embryology, Chengdu Jinjiang Hospital for Maternal and Child Health Care, 3 San-guantang Road, Chengdu, 610066 Sichuan, China
| | - Jiang Gu
- Department of Pathology and Provincial Key Laboratory of Infectious Diseases and Immunopathology, Collaborative and Creative Center, Shantou University Medical College, 22 Xinling Road, Shantou, 515041 Guangdong, China
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