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Vani V, Vasan SS, Adiga SK, Varsha SR, Seshagiri PB. Molecular regulators of human blastocyst development and hatching: Their significance in implantation and pregnancy outcome. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13635. [PMID: 36254379 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, blastocyst hatching and implantation events are two sequential, critically linked and rate-limiting events for a prospective pregnancy. These events are regulated by embryo-endometrium derived molecular factors which include hormones, growth factors, cytokines, immune-modulators, cell adhesion molecules and proteases. Due to poor viability of blastocysts, they fail to hatch and implant, leading to a low 'Live Birth Rates', majorly contributing to infertility. Here, embryo-derived biomarkers analysis plays a key role to assess potential biological viability of blastocysts which are capable of implantation and prospective pregnancy. Thus far, embryo-derived biomarkers examined are mostly immune-modulators which are thought to be associated with blastocyst development-implantation and progression of pregnancy, leading to live births. There is an urgent need to develop a quantitative and a reliable non-invasive approach aiding embryo selection for elective single embryo transfer and to minimize recurrent pregnancy loss and multiple pregnancies. In this article, we provide a comprehensive review on our current knowledge and understanding of potential embryo-derived molecular regulators, that is, biomarkers, of development of human blastocysts, their hatching and implantation. We discuss their potential implications in the assessment of blastocyst implantation potential and pregnancy outcome in terms of live births in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Venkatappa Vani
- Indian Institute of Science, Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Sir C.V. Raman Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Satish K Adiga
- Kasturba Medical College, Department of Clinical Embryology, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | | | - Polani B Seshagiri
- Indian Institute of Science, Department of Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics, Sir C.V. Raman Road, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Ntostis P, Swanson G, Kokkali G, Iles D, Huntriss J, Pantou A, Tzetis M, Pantos K, Picton HM, Krawetz SA, Miller D. Trophectoderm non-coding RNAs reflect the higher metabolic and more invasive properties of young maternal age blastocysts. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2023; 69:3-19. [PMID: 36576378 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2022.2153636] [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] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Increasing female age is accompanied by a corresponding fall in her fertility. This decline is influenced by a variety of factors over an individual's life course including background genetics, local environment and diet. Studying both coding and non-coding RNAs of the embryo could aid our understanding of the causes and/or effects of the physiological processes accompanying the decline including the differential expression of sub-cellular biomarkers indicative of various diseases. The current study is a post-hoc analysis of the expression of trophectoderm RNA data derived from a previous high throughput study. Its main aim is to determine the characteristics and potential functionalities that characterize long non-coding RNAs. As reported previously, a maternal age-related component is potentially implicated in implantation success. Trophectoderm samples representing the full range of maternal reproductive ages were considered in relation to embryonic implantation potential, trophectoderm transcriptome dynamics and reproductive maternal age. The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) biomarkers identified here are consistent with the activities of embryo-endometrial crosstalk, developmental competency and implantation and share common characteristics with markers of neoplasia/cancer invasion. Corresponding genes for expressed lncRNAs were more active in the blastocysts of younger women are associated with metabolic pathways including cholesterol biosynthesis and steroidogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Ntostis
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
- Department of Genetics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Grace Swanson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Georgia Kokkali
- Genesis Athens Clinic, Reproductive Medicine Unit, Athens, Greece
| | - David Iles
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - John Huntriss
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Agni Pantou
- Genesis Athens Clinic, Reproductive Medicine Unit, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Tzetis
- Department of Genetics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Helen M Picton
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
| | - Stephen A Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - David Miller
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK
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Martin A, Mercader A, Dominguez F, Quiñonero A, Perez M, Gonzalez-Martin R, Delgado A, Mifsud A, Pellicer A, De Los Santos MJ. Mosaic results after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy may be accompanied by changes in global gene expression. Front Mol Biosci 2023; 10:1180689. [PMID: 37122560 PMCID: PMC10140421 DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2023.1180689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Aneuploidy in preimplantation embryos is a major cause of human reproductive failure. Unlike uniformly aneuploid embryos, embryos diagnosed as diploid-aneuploid mosaics after preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) can develop into healthy infants. However, the reason why these embryos achieve full reproductive competence needs further research. Current RNA sequencing techniques allow for the investigation of the human preimplantation transcriptome, providing new insights into the molecular mechanisms of embryo development. In this prospective study, using euploid embryo gene expression as a control, we compared the transcriptome profiles of inner cell mass and trophectoderm samples from blastocysts with different levels of chromosomal mosaicism. A total of 25 samples were analyzed from 14 blastocysts with previous PGT-A diagnosis, including five low-level mosaic embryos and four high-level mosaic embryos. Global gene expression profiles visualized in cluster heatmaps were correlated with the original PGT-A diagnosis. In addition, gene expression distance based on the number of differentially expressed genes increased with the mosaic level, compared to euploid controls. Pathways involving apoptosis, mitosis, protein degradation, metabolism, and mitochondrial energy production were among the most deregulated within mosaic embryos. Retrospective analysis of the duration of blastomere cell cycles in mosaic embryos revealed several mitotic delays compared to euploid controls, providing additional evidence of the mosaic status. Overall, these findings suggest that embryos with mosaic results are not simply a misdiagnosis by-product, but may also have a genuine molecular identity that is compatible with their reproductive potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Martin
- IVI-RMA Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - A. Mercader
- IVI-RMA Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- IVI-RMA Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - F. Dominguez
- IVI-RMA Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - A. Quiñonero
- IVI-RMA Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - M. Perez
- IVI-RMA Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | | | - A. Pellicer
- IVI-RMA Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- IVI-RMA Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - M. J. De Los Santos
- IVI-RMA Foundation, Health Research Institute La Fe, Valencia, Spain
- IVI-RMA Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- *Correspondence: M. J. De Los Santos,
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Kai Y, Mei H, Kawano H, Nakajima N, Takai A, Kumon M, Inoue A, Yamashita N. Transcriptomic signatures in trophectoderm and inner cell mass of human blastocysts classified according to developmental potential, maternal age and morphology. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278663. [PMID: 36455208 PMCID: PMC9715016 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Selection of high-quality embryos is important to achieve successful pregnancy in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Recently, it has been debated whether RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) should be applied to ART to predict embryo quality. However, information on genes that can serve as markers for pregnant expectancy is limited. Furthermore, there is no information on which transcriptome of trophectoderm (TE) or inner cell mass (ICM) is more highly correlated with pregnant expectancy. Here, we performed RNA-Seq analysis of TE and ICM of human blastocysts, the pregnancy expectation of which was retrospectively determined using the clinical outcomes of 1,890 cases of frozen-thawed blastocyst transfer. We identified genes that were correlated with the expected pregnancy rate in ICM and TE, respectively, with a larger number of genes identified in TE than in ICM. Downregulated genes in the TE of blastocysts that were estimated to have lower expectation of pregnancy included tight junction-related genes such as CXADR and ATP1B1, which have been implicated in peri-implantation development. Moreover, we identified dozens of differentially expressed genes by regrouping the blastocysts based on the maternal age and the Gardner score. Additionally, we showed that aneuploidy estimation using RNA-Seq datasets does not correlate with pregnancy expectation. Thus, our study provides an expanded list of candidate genes for the prediction of pregnancy in human blastocyst embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoshiteru Kai
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Yamashita Shonan Yume Clinic, Fujisawa, Japan
- * E-mail: (YK); (AI)
| | - Hailiang Mei
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroomi Kawano
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Yamashita Shonan Yume Clinic, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Naotsuna Nakajima
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Yamashita Shonan Yume Clinic, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Aya Takai
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Yamashita Shonan Yume Clinic, Fujisawa, Japan
| | - Mami Kumon
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Azusa Inoue
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Japan
- Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Japan
- * E-mail: (YK); (AI)
| | - Naoki Yamashita
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, Yamashita Shonan Yume Clinic, Fujisawa, Japan
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5
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Expression of Key Steroidogenic Enzymes in Human Placenta and Associated Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes. MATERNAL-FETAL MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.1097/fm9.0000000000000167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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6
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Lal A, Kranyak A, Blalock J, Athavale D, Barré A, Doran A, Chang TA, Robinson RD, Zimmerman S, Wininger JD, Fowler LA, Roudebush WE, Chosed RJ. Apoptotic qPCR gene expression array analysis demonstrates proof-of-concept for rapid blastocoel fluid-conditioned media molecular prediction. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:1515-1522. [PMID: 35543804 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02510-3] [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: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Successful identification of transcriptomic biomarkers within human IVF embryos may enhance implantation prediction and provide insights not available through conventional embryo biopsy genomic analysis. We demonstrate proof-of-concept for a methodology to assess overall embryo gene expression using qPCR with blastocoel fluid-conditioned media by examining the comparative presence of apoptotic genes. METHODS Blastocoel fluid-conditioned media were collected from 19 embryos (11 euploid) following trophectoderm biopsy of day-5 ICSI-IVF blastocysts. Media were assessed for apoptotic gene expression via qPCR. Statistical analysis of gene expression was conducted via Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks test (overall expression), multivariate ANOVA (functional gene groups), and chi-square test of independence (gene level). RESULTS A significantly higher overall apoptotic gene expression within euploid versus aneuploid embryos (p = 0.001) was observed. There was significantly (p = 0.045) higher expression of pro-apoptotic genes between implanted and not implanted embryos. Pro- vs. anti-apoptotic gene expression from all euploid embryos approached significance (p = 0.053). The ploidy status-based claim is further substantiated at the gene level with significantly higher expression of BBC3 (p = 0.012) and BCL2L13 (p = 0.003) in euploid embryos compared to aneuploid embryos. CONCLUSIONS In this preliminary study, we demonstrate that (1) qualitative analysis of blastocoel fluid-conditioned media gene expression is possible, (2) global trends of expression are potentially related to clinical outcomes, and (3) gene-level expression trends exist and may be another viable metric for comparative expression between samples. The presence of statistical significance within analyses conducted with this sample size warrants a larger investigation of blastocoel fluid-conditioned media as an additional beneficial predictive tool for future IVF cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arnav Lal
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC, 29605, USA.,School of Arts and Sciences, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Allison Kranyak
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC, 29605, USA
| | - Jonathan Blalock
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC, 29605, USA
| | - Deepti Athavale
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC, 29605, USA
| | - Alyssa Barré
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC, 29605, USA
| | - Addison Doran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC, 29605, USA
| | - T Arthur Chang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | - Randal D Robinson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, 78229, USA
| | | | - J David Wininger
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology-Reproductive Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
| | - Lauren A Fowler
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC, 29605, USA
| | - William E Roudebush
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC, 29605, USA
| | - Renee J Chosed
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of South Carolina School of Medicine Greenville, 701 Grove Road, Greenville, SC, 29605, USA.
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Dhombres F, Bonnard J, Bailly K, Maurice P, Papageorghiou A, Jouannic JM. Contributions of artificial intelligence reported in Obstetrics and Gynecology journals: a systematic review. J Med Internet Res 2022; 24:e35465. [PMID: 35297766 PMCID: PMC9069308 DOI: 10.2196/35465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The applications of artificial intelligence (AI) processes have grown significantly in all medical disciplines during the last decades. Two main types of AI have been applied in medicine: symbolic AI (eg, knowledge base and ontologies) and nonsymbolic AI (eg, machine learning and artificial neural networks). Consequently, AI has also been applied across most obstetrics and gynecology (OB/GYN) domains, including general obstetrics, gynecology surgery, fetal ultrasound, and assisted reproductive medicine, among others. Objective The aim of this study was to provide a systematic review to establish the actual contributions of AI reported in OB/GYN discipline journals. Methods The PubMed database was searched for citations indexed with “artificial intelligence” and at least one of the following medical subject heading (MeSH) terms between January 1, 2000, and April 30, 2020: “obstetrics”; “gynecology”; “reproductive techniques, assisted”; or “pregnancy.” All publications in OB/GYN core disciplines journals were considered. The selection of journals was based on disciplines defined in Web of Science. The publications were excluded if no AI process was used in the study. Review, editorial, and commentary articles were also excluded. The study analysis comprised (1) classification of publications into OB/GYN domains, (2) description of AI methods, (3) description of AI algorithms, (4) description of data sets, (5) description of AI contributions, and (6) description of the validation of the AI process. Results The PubMed search retrieved 579 citations and 66 publications met the selection criteria. All OB/GYN subdomains were covered: obstetrics (41%, 27/66), gynecology (3%, 2/66), assisted reproductive medicine (33%, 22/66), early pregnancy (2%, 1/66), and fetal medicine (21%, 14/66). Both machine learning methods (39/66) and knowledge base methods (25/66) were represented. Machine learning used imaging, numerical, and clinical data sets. Knowledge base methods used mostly omics data sets. The actual contributions of AI were method/algorithm development (53%, 35/66), hypothesis generation (42%, 28/66), or software development (3%, 2/66). Validation was performed on one data set (86%, 57/66) and no external validation was reported. We observed a general rising trend in publications related to AI in OB/GYN over the last two decades. Most of these publications (82%, 54/66) remain out of the scope of the usual OB/GYN journals. Conclusions In OB/GYN discipline journals, mostly preliminary work (eg, proof-of-concept algorithm or method) in AI applied to this discipline is reported and clinical validation remains an unmet prerequisite. Improvement driven by new AI research guidelines is expected. However, these guidelines are covering only a part of AI approaches (nonsymbolic) reported in this review; hence, updates need to be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferdinand Dhombres
- Sorbonne University, Armand Trousseau University hospital, Fetal Medicine department, APHP, Armand Trousseau University hospital, Fetal Medicine department, APHP26 AV du Dr Arnold Netter, Paris, FR.,INSERM, Laboratory in Medical Informatics and Knowledge Engineering in e-Health (LIMICS), Paris, FR
| | - Jules Bonnard
- Sorbonne University, Institute for Intelligent Systems and Robotics (ISIR), Paris, FR
| | - Kévin Bailly
- Sorbonne University, Institute for Intelligent Systems and Robotics (ISIR), Paris, FR
| | - Paul Maurice
- Sorbonne University, Armand Trousseau University hospital, Fetal Medicine department, APHP, Paris, FR
| | - Aris Papageorghiou
- Oxford Maternal & Perinatal Health Institute, Green Templeton College, Oxford, GB
| | - Jean-Marie Jouannic
- Sorbonne University, Armand Trousseau University hospital, Fetal Medicine department, APHP, Paris, FR.,INSERM, Laboratory in Medical Informatics and Knowledge Engineering in e-Health (LIMICS), Paris, FR
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Fleming TP, Sun C, Denisenko O, Caetano L, Aljahdali A, Gould JM, Khurana P. Environmental Exposures around Conception: Developmental Pathways Leading to Lifetime Disease Risk. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:9380. [PMID: 34501969 PMCID: PMC8431664 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18179380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Environment around conception can influence the developmental programme with lasting effects on gestational and postnatal phenotype and with consequences for adult health and disease risk. Peri-conception exposure comprises a crucial part of the 'Developmental Origins of Health and Disease' (DOHaD) concept. In this review, we consider the effects of maternal undernutrition experienced during the peri-conception period in select human models and in a mouse experimental model of protein restriction. Human datasets indicate that macronutrient deprivation around conception affect the epigenome, with enduring effects on cardiometabolic and neurological health. The mouse model, comprising maternal low protein diet exclusively during the peri-conception period, has revealed a stepwise progression in altered developmental programming following induction through maternal metabolite deficiency. This progression includes differential effects in extra-embryonic and embryonic cell lineages and tissues, leading to maladaptation in the growth trajectory and increased chronic disease comorbidities. The timeline embraces an array of mechanisms across nutrient sensing and signalling, cellular, metabolic, epigenetic and physiological processes with a coordinating role for mTORC1 signalling proposed. Early embryos appear active participants in environmental sensing to optimise the developmental programme for survival but with the trade-off of later disease. Similar adverse health outcomes may derive from other peri-conception environmental experiences, including maternal overnutrition, micronutrient availability, pollutant exposure and assisted reproductive treatments (ART) and support the need for preconception health before pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom P. Fleming
- Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (L.C.); (A.A.); (P.K.)
| | - Congshan Sun
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA;
- Center for Genetic Muscle Disorders, Hugo W. Moser Research Institute at Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - Oleg Denisenko
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, 850 Republican St., Rm 242, Seattle, WA 98109, USA;
| | - Laura Caetano
- Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (L.C.); (A.A.); (P.K.)
| | - Anan Aljahdali
- Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (L.C.); (A.A.); (P.K.)
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Alfaisaliah campus, University of Jeddah, Jeddah 23442, Saudi Arabia
| | - Joanna M. Gould
- Clinical Neurosciences and Psychiatry, Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK;
| | - Pooja Khurana
- Biological Sciences, Southampton General Hospital, University of Southampton, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK; (L.C.); (A.A.); (P.K.)
- Institute for Biogenesis Research, Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii, Manoa, Honolulu, HI 96822, USA
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Ntostis P, Swanson G, Kokkali G, Iles D, Huntriss J, Pantou A, Tzetis M, Pantos K, Picton HM, Krawetz SA, Miller D. The effects of aging on molecular modulators of human embryo implantation. iScience 2021; 24:102751. [PMID: 34278260 PMCID: PMC8271113 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 02/26/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancing age has a negative impact on female fertility. As implantation rates decline during the normal maternal life course, age-related, embryonic factors are altered and our inability to monitor these factors in an unbiased genome-wide manner in vivo has severely limited our understanding of early human embryo development and implantation. Our high-throughput methodology uses trophectoderm samples representing the full spectrum of maternal reproductive ages with embryo implantation potential examined in relation to trophectoderm transcriptome dynamics and reproductive maternal age. Potential embryo-endometrial interactions were tested using trophectoderm sampled from young women, with the receptive uterine environment representing the most 'fertile' environment for successful embryo implantation. Potential roles for extracellular exosomes, embryonic metabolism and regulation of apoptosis were revealed. These biomarkers are consistent with embryo-endometrial crosstalk/developmental competency, serving as a mediator for successful implantation. Our data opens the door to developing a diagnostic test for predicting implantation success in women undergoing fertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panagiotis Ntostis
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
- Genetics Department, Medical school, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | - Grace Swanson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Georgia Kokkali
- Genesis Athens Clinic, Reproductive Medicine Unit, Athens, 152 32, Greece
| | - David Iles
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - John Huntriss
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Agni Pantou
- Genesis Athens Clinic, Reproductive Medicine Unit, Athens, 152 32, Greece
| | - Maria Tzetis
- Genetics Department, Medical school, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, 115 27, Greece
| | | | - Helen M. Picton
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Stephen A. Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and the Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - David Miller
- Discovery and Translational Science Department, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
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10
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Guo L, Gu F, Xu Y, Zhou C. Increased copy number of syncytin-1 in the trophectoderm is associated with implantation of the blastocyst. PeerJ 2020; 8:e10368. [PMID: 33240670 PMCID: PMC7678462 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.10368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A key step in embryo implantation is the adhesion to and invasion of the endometrium by the blastocyst trophectoderm. The envelope proteins of HERV-W and -FRD (human endogenous retrovirus-W and -FRD), syncytin-1 and syncytin-2, are mainly distributed in the placenta, and play important roles in the development of the placenta. The placenta originates from the trophectoderm of the blastocyst. It is unclear whether the envelope proteins of HERV-W and -FRD have an effect on the development of the trophectoderm and whether they have any association with the implantation of the blastocyst. Methods The whole-genome amplification products of the human blastocyst trophectoderm were used to measure the copy number of syncytin-1 and syncytin-2 using real time qPCR. In addition, clinical data associated with the outcome of pregnancies was collected, and included age, body mass index (BMI), basic follicle stimulating hormone(bFSH), rate of primary infertility and oligo-astheno-teratospermia, the thickness of the endometrium on the day of endometrial transformation, the levels of estrogen and progestin on the transfer day, the days and the morphological scores of the blastocysts. The expression of mRNA and the copy numbers of syncytin-1 and syncytin-2 in H1 stem cells, and in differentiated H1 cells, induced by BMP4, were measured using real time qPCR. Results The relative copy number of syncytin-1 in the pregnant group (median: 424%, quartile: 232%-463%, p < 0.05) was significantly higher than in the non-pregnant group (median: 100%, quartile: 81%-163%). There was a correlation (r s = 0.681, p < 0.001) between the copy number of syncytin-1 and blastocyst implantation after embryo transfer. As the stem cells differentiated, the expression of NANOG mRNA decreased, and the expression of caudal type homeobox 2(CDX2) and β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) mRNAs increased. Compared to the undifferentiated cells, the relative expression of the syncytin-1 mRNA was 1.63 (quartile: 0.59-6.37, p > 0.05), 3.36 (quartile: 0.85-14.80, p > 0.05), 10.85 (quartile: 3.39-24.46, p < 0.05) and 67.81 (quartile: 54.07-85.48, p < 0.05) on day 1, 3, 5 and 7, respectively, after the differentiation. The relative expression of syncytin-2 was 5.34 (quartile: 4.50-10.30), 7.90 (quartile: 2.46-14.01), 57.44 (quartile: 38.35-103.87) and 344.76 (quartile: 267.72-440.10) on day 1, 3, 5 and 7, respectively, after the differentiation (p < 0.05). The copy number of syncytin-1 increased significantly during differentiation. Conclusion Preceding the transfer of frozen embryos, the increased copy number of syncytin-1 in the blastocyst trophectoderm was associated with good outcomes of pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyan Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-Sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Fang Gu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-Sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-Sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Canquan Zhou
- Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-Sen University First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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Tocci A. The unknown human trophectoderm: implication for biopsy at the blastocyst stage. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:2699-2711. [PMID: 32892265 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01925-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 08/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophectoderm biopsy is increasingly performed for pre-implantation genetic testing of aneuploidies and considered a safe procedure on short-term clinical outcome, without strong assessment of long-term consequences. Poor biological information on human trophectoderm is available due to ethical restrictions. Therefore, most studies have been conducted in vitro (choriocarcinoma cell lines, embryonic and pluripotent stem cells) and on murine models that nevertheless poorly reflect the human counterpart. Polarization, compaction, and blastomere differentiation (e.g., the basis to ascertain trophectoderm origin) are poorly known in humans. In addition, the trophectoderm function is poorly known from a biological point of view, although a panoply of questionable and controversial microarray studies suggest that important genes overexpressed in trophectoderm are involved in pluripotency, metabolism, cell cycle, endocrine function, and implantation. The intercellular communication system between the trophectoderm cells and the inner cell mass, modulated by cell junctions and filopodia in the murine model, is obscure in humans. For the purpose of this paper, data mainly on primary cells from human and murine embryos has been reviewed. This review suggests that the trophectoderm origin and functions have been insufficiently ascertained in humans so far. Therefore, trophectoderm biopsy should be considered an experimental procedure to be undertaken only under approved rigorous experimental protocols in academic contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Tocci
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Gruppo Donnamed, Via Giuseppe Silla 12, Rome, Italy.
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Massimiani M, Lacconi V, La Civita F, Ticconi C, Rago R, Campagnolo L. Molecular Signaling Regulating Endometrium-Blastocyst Crosstalk. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:E23. [PMID: 31861484 PMCID: PMC6981505 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2019] [Revised: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 12/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Implantation of the embryo into the uterine endometrium is one of the most finely-regulated processes that leads to the establishment of a successful pregnancy. A plethora of factors are released in a time-specific fashion to synchronize the differentiation program of both the embryo and the endometrium. Indeed, blastocyst implantation in the uterus occurs in a limited time frame called the "window of implantation" (WOI), during which the maternal endometrium undergoes dramatic changes, collectively called "decidualization". Decidualization is guided not just by maternal factors (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, thyroid hormone), but also by molecules secreted by the embryo, such as chorionic gonadotropin (CG) and interleukin-1β (IL-1 β), just to cite few. Once reached the uterine cavity, the embryo orients correctly toward the uterine epithelium, interacts with specialized structures, called pinopodes, and begins the process of adhesion and invasion. All these events are guided by factors secreted by both the endometrium and the embryo, such as leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), integrins and their ligands, adhesion molecules, Notch family members, and metalloproteinases and their inhibitors. The aim of this review is to give an overview of the factors and mechanisms regulating implantation, with a focus on those involved in the complex crosstalk between the blastocyst and the endometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Micol Massimiani
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (V.L.); (F.L.C.)
- Saint Camillus International University of Health Sciences, Via di Sant’Alessandro, 8, 00131 Rome, Italy
| | - Valentina Lacconi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (V.L.); (F.L.C.)
| | - Fabio La Civita
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (V.L.); (F.L.C.)
| | - Carlo Ticconi
- Department of Surgical Sciences, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier, 1, 00133 Rome, Italy;
| | - Rocco Rago
- Physiopathology of Reproduction and Andrology Unit, Sandro Pertini Hospital, Via dei Monti Tiburtini 385/389, 00157 Rome, Italy;
| | - Luisa Campagnolo
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy; (M.M.); (V.L.); (F.L.C.)
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