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Nair R, Kasturi M, Mathur V, Seetharam RN, S Vasanthan K. Strategies for developing 3D printed ovarian model for restoring fertility. Clin Transl Sci 2024; 17:e13863. [PMID: 38955776 PMCID: PMC11219245 DOI: 10.1111/cts.13863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 07/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovaries play a crucial role in the regulation of numerous essential processes that occur within the intricate framework of female physiology. They are entrusted with the responsibility of both generating a new life and orchestrating a delicate hormonal symphony. Understanding their functioning is crucial for gaining insight into the complexities of reproduction, health, and fertility. In addition, ovaries secrete hormones that are crucial for both secondary sexual characteristics and the maintenance of overall health. A three-dimensional (3D) prosthetic ovary has the potential to restore ovarian function and preserve fertility in younger females who have undergone ovariectomies or are afflicted with ovarian malfunction. Clinical studies have not yet commenced, and the production of 3D ovarian tissue for human implantation is still in the research phase. The main challenges faced while creating a 3D ovary for in vivo implantation include sustenance of ovarian follicles, achieving vascular infiltration into the host tissue, and restoring hormone circulation. The complex ovarian microenvironment that is compartmentalized and rigid makes the biomimicking of the 3D ovary challenging in terms of biomaterial selection and bioink composition. The successful restoration of these properties in animal models has led to expectations for the development of human ovaries for implantation. This review article summarizes and evaluates the optimal 3D models of ovarian structures and their safety and efficacy concerns to provide concrete suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramya Nair
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher EducationManipalKarnatakaIndia
| | - Meghana Kasturi
- Department of Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of MichiganDearbornMichiganUSA
| | - Vidhi Mathur
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher EducationManipalKarnatakaIndia
| | - Raviraja N. Seetharam
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher EducationManipalKarnatakaIndia
| | - Kirthanashri S Vasanthan
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher EducationManipalKarnatakaIndia
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Christodoulaki A, He H, Zhou M, De Roo C, Baetens M, De Pretre T, Fakhar-I-Adil M, Menten B, Van Soom A, Stoop D, Boel A, Heindryckx B. Pronuclear transfer rescues poor embryo development of in vitro-grown secondary mouse follicles. Hum Reprod Open 2024; 2024:hoae009. [PMID: 38425578 PMCID: PMC10904147 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoae009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is pronuclear transfer (PNT) capable of restoring embryo developmental arrest caused by cytoplasmic inferiority of in vitro-grown (IVG) mouse oocytes? SUMMARY ANSWER PNT to in vivo matured cytoplasm significantly improved embryo development of IVG mouse oocytes, leading to living, fertile offspring. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY In vitro follicle culture has been considered as a fertility preservation option for cancer patients. Studies describing the culture of human follicles remain scarce, owing to low availability of tissue. Mouse models have extensively been used to study and optimize follicle culture. Although important achievements have been accomplished, including the production of healthy offspring in mice, IVG oocytes are of inferior quality when compared to in vivo-grown oocytes, likely because of cytoplasmic incompetence. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION The study was carried out from September 2020 to February 2022. In total, 120 15-day-old B6D2 mice were used to perform secondary follicle culture and assess the quality of IVG oocytes. In vivo-grown control oocytes were obtained from 85 8- to 12-week-old B6D2 mice, following ovarian stimulation. For sperm collection, four B6D2 males between 10 and 14 weeks old were used. For embryo transfer, 14 8- to 12-week-old CD1 females served as surrogate mothers and 10 CD1 vasectomized males 10-24 weeks old were used to generate pseudo-pregnant females. Finally, for mating, four B6D2 female mice aged 8-10 weeks and two B6D2 male mice aged 10 weeks old were used to confirm the fertility of nuclear transfer (NT)-derived pups. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS Secondary follicles from 15-day-old B6D2 mice were isolated from the ovaries and cultured for 9 days, before a maturation stimulus was given. Following 16-18 h of maturation, oocytes were collected and evaluated on maturation rate, oocyte diameter, activation rate, spindle morphology, calcium-releasing ability, and mitochondrial membrane potential. For every experiment, in vivo-grown oocytes were used as a control for comparison. When cytoplasmic immaturity and poor embryo development were confirmed in IVG oocytes, PNT was performed. For this, the pronuclei from IVG oocytes, created following parthenogenetic activation and IVF, were transferred to the cytoplasm of fertilized, in vivo-grown oocytes. Genetic analysis and embryo transfer of the generated embryos were implemented to confirm the safety of the technique. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Following 9 days of follicle culture, 703 oocytes were collected, of which 76% showed maturation to the metaphase II stage. Oocyte diameters were significantly lower in IVG oocytes, measuring 67.4 μm versus 73.1 μm in controls (P < 0.001). Spindle morphology did not differ significantly between IVG and control oocytes, but calcium-releasing ability was compromised in the IVG group. An average calcium release of 1.62 arbitrary units was observed in IVG oocytes, significantly lower than 5.74 in control oocytes (P < 0.001). Finally, mitochondrial membrane potential was inferior in IVG compared to the control group, reaching an average value of 0.95 versus 2.27 (P < 0.001). Developmental potential of IVG oocytes was assessed following parthenogenetic activation with strontium chloride (SrCl2). Only 59.4% of IVG oocytes cleaved to two cells and 36.3% reached the blastocyst stage, significantly lower than 89.5% and 88.2% in control oocytes, respectively (P < 0.001 and 0.001). Both PNT and spindle transfer (ST) were explored in pilot experiments with parthenogenetically activated oocytes, as a means to overcome poor embryo development. After the added value of NT was confirmed, we continued with the generation of biparental embryos by PNT. For this purpose, IVG and control oocytes first underwent IVF. Only 15.5% of IVG oocytes were normally fertilized, in contrast to 45.5% in controls (P < 0.001), with resulting failure of blastocyst formation in the IVG group (0 versus 86.2%, P < 0.001). When the pronuclei of IVG zygotes were transferred to the cytoplasm of control zygotes, the blastocyst rate was restored to 86.9%, a similar level as the control. Genetic analysis of PNT embryos revealed a normal chromosomal profile, to a rate of 80%. Finally, the generation of living, fertile offspring from PNT was possible following embryo transfer to surrogate mothers. LARGE-SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION Genetic profiles of analysed embryos from PNT originate from groups that are too small to draw concrete conclusions, whilst ST, which would be the preferred NT approach, could not be used for the generation of biparental embryos owing to technical limitations. Even though promising, the use of PNT should be considered as experimental. Furthermore, results were acquired in a mouse model, so validation of the technique in human IVG oocytes needs to be performed to evaluate the clinical relevance of the technology. The genetic profiles from IVG oocytes, which would be the ultimate characterization for chromosomal abnormalities, were not analysed owing to limitations in the reliable analysis of single cells. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS PNT has the ability to overcome the poor cytoplasmic quality of IVG mouse oocytes. Considering the low maturation efficiency of human IVG oocytes and potential detrimental effects following long-term in vitro culture, NT could be applied to rescue embryo development and could lead to an increased availability of good quality embryos for transfer. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS A.C. is a holder of FWO (Fonds voor Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek) grants (1S80220N and 1S80222N). B.H. and A.V.S. have been awarded with a special BOF (Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds), GOA (Geconcerteerde onderzoeksacties) 2018000504 (GOA030-18 BOF) funding. B.H. has been receiving unrestricted educational funding from Ferring Pharmaceuticals (Aalst, Belgium). The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonia Christodoulaki
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Haitang He
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chloë De Roo
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Machteld Baetens
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tine De Pretre
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Muhammad Fakhar-I-Adil
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Björn Menten
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Center for Medical Genetics Ghent (CMGG), Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ann Van Soom
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Herd Health, University of Ghent, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Dominic Stoop
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annekatrien Boel
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Björn Heindryckx
- Ghent-Fertility and Stem cell Team (G-FaST), Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Human Structure and Repair, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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Guo Y, Jia L, Zeng H, Sun P, Su W, Li T, Liang X, Fang C. Neurotrophin-4 promotes in vitro development and maturation of human secondary follicles yielding metaphase II oocytes and successful blastocyst formation. Hum Reprod Open 2024; 2024:hoae005. [PMID: 38371224 PMCID: PMC10873269 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoae005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/20/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does a matrix-free culture system supplemented with neurotrophic factor 4 (NT4) improve human in vitro follicular development and meiotic maturation, ultimately resulting in fertilizable oocytes? SUMMARY ANSWER NT4 supplementation of in vitro culture significantly enhances the growth, steroid hormone production, and maturity potential of human secondary follicles derived from fresh ovarian medulla (from post- and pre-pubertal patients), thereby yielding fertilizable oocytes. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Reconstituting folliculogenesis in vitro is of paramount importance in the realms of fertility preservation, reproductive biology research, and reproductive toxicity assessments. However, the efficiency of in vitro culture systems remains suboptimal, as the attainment of fertilizable oocytes from in vitro growth (IVG) of human follicles remains unachieved, with the data being particularly scant regarding follicles from prepubertal girls. We have previously found that mouse oocytes from secondary follicles derived from IVG are deficient in neuroendocrine regulation. NT4 and its corresponding receptor have been identified in human follicles. Significantly, the addition of NT4 during the IVG process markedly enhances both follicle growth and oocyte maturation rates in mice. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION Fresh medulla tissue obtained during tissue preparation for ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) were collected from 10 patients aged from 6 to 21 years old, all of whom had undergone unilateral oophorectomy as a means of fertility preservation. Isolated secondary follicles were individually cultured in vitro with or without NT4 in a matrix-free system. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS Secondary follicles, extracted via enzymatic digestion and mechanical disruption from each patient, were randomly allocated to either a control group or an NT4-supplemented group (100 ng/ml), followed by individual culture on an ultra-low attachment plate. Follicle growth and viability were assessed by microscopy. Levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), estradiol, and progesterone in the medium were quantified. An oocyte-specific marker was identified using confocal fluorescence microscopy following DEAD box polypeptide 4 (DDX4) staining. The competence of individual oocytes for maturation and fertilization were assessed after IVM and ICSI with donated sperm samples. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Overall, isolated follicles from both groups survived up to 6 weeks with increasing diameters over the duration (P < 0.05), reaching terminal diameters of almost 1 mm with confirmed steroidogenesis and expression of oocyte marker (DDX4), and producing morphologically normal MII oocytes. When compared with the control group, the NT4 group had a similar initial follicular diameter (206 ± 61.3 vs 184 ± 93.4 μm) but exhibited a significant increase in follicular diameter from the ninth day of culture onwards (P < 0.05). From Week 3, estradiol and progesterone production were significantly increased in the NT4 group, while no significant difference was observed in AMH production between groups. The proportion of 'fast-growth' follicles in the NT4 group was significantly higher than that in the control group (13/23 vs 6/24, P < 0.05). An increased efficiency of MII oocyte maturation per live follicle in the NT4 group was also observed (control group vs NT4 group, 4/24 vs 10/23, P < 0.05). It is noteworthy that an MII oocyte obtained from the control group exhibited abnormal fertilization after ICSI. In contrast, an MII oocyte acquired from the NT4 group progressed to the blastocyst stage and showed potential for transfer. LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION The cohort examined in this study was all patients diagnosed with beta-thalassemia major. Whether this culture system is effective for patients with other diseases remains unknown. Since the chosen dose of NT4 was established based on dose finding in mice, the optimal dose for use in a human IVG system needs further confirmation. The oocytes and embryos procured from this study have not been quantified for ploidy status or epigenetic signatures. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Fresh medulla tissue obtained during tissue preparation for OTC may serve as a precious source of fertilizable oocytes for female fertility preservation, even for pre-pubertal girls, without the threat of tumour reintroduction. After further characterization and optimization of the system, this culture system holds the potential to provide a powerful future research tool, for the comprehensive exploration of human follicular development mechanisms and for conducting reproductive toxicity evaluations. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS This work was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (grant number 2022YFC2703000) and National Natural Science Foundation of China (grant numbers 82271651 and 81871214). The medium used in human follicle in vitro culture in this study has been applied for a national invention patent in China (No. 202211330660.7). The inventors of the patent, in order, are: Y.G., C.F., and X.L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchun Guo
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Jia
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haitao Zeng
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
| | - Peng Sun
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenlong Su
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
| | - Tingting Li
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyan Liang
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cong Fang
- Reproductive Medicine Research Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
- GuangDong Engineering Technology Research Center of Fertility Preservation, Guangdong, Guangzhou, China
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Khunmanee S, Yoo J, Lee JR, Lee J, Park H. Thiol-yne click crosslink hyaluronic acid/chitosan hydrogel for three-dimensional in vitro follicle development. Mater Today Bio 2023; 23:100867. [PMID: 38179228 PMCID: PMC10765241 DOI: 10.1016/j.mtbio.2023.100867] [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: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
There is a great deal of potential for in vitro follicle growth to provide an alternative approach to fertility preservation. This strategy reduces the possibility of cancer cells re-exposure after transplantation, and it does not require hormone stimulation. Adopting a three-dimensional (3D) culture method helps preserve the architecture of the follicle and promotes the maturity of oocytes. In order to maintain follicle morphology, enhance the quality of mature oocytes, and facilitate meiotic spindle assembly, the current work aimed to develop the 3D in vitro preantral mouse follicle culture method. Thiolated chitosan-co-thiolated hyaluronic (CSHS) hydrogel was designed to evaluate the effects of biomaterials on ovarian follicle development. Isolated follicles from mouse ovaries were randomly divided into alginate (Alg) as a 3D control, thiolated hyaluronic acid (HASH), and CSHS groups. Single follicle was encapsulated in each hydrogel, and performed for 10 days and subsequently ovulated to retrieve mature oocytes on day 11. CSHS hydrogel promoted follicle survival and oocyte viability with maintained spherical morphology of follicle. Matured oocytes with normal appearance of meiotic spindle and chromosome alignment were higher in the CSHS group compared with those in the Alg and HASH groups. Furthermore, CSHS increased expression level of folliculogenesis genes (TGFβ-1, GDF-9) and endocrine-related genes (LHCGR, and FSHR). With various experimental setups and clinical applications, this platform could be applied as an alternative method to in vitro follicle culture with different experimental designs and clinical applications in the long-term period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sureerat Khunmanee
- Department of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 221 Heukseok-Dong, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
| | - Jungyoung Yoo
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Eulji University, Gyeonggi-do, 13135, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Ryeol Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13620, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Jaewang Lee
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Eulji University, Gyeonggi-do, 13135, Republic of Korea
| | - Hansoo Park
- Department of Integrative Engineering, Chung-Ang University, 221 Heukseok-Dong, Dongjak-Gu, Seoul, 06974, Republic of Korea
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Converse A, Liu Z, Patel JC, Shakyawar S, Guda C, Bousfield GR, Kumar TR, Duncan FE. Oocyte quality is enhanced by hypoglycosylated FSH through increased cell-to-cell interaction during mouse follicle development. Development 2023; 150:dev202170. [PMID: 37870089 PMCID: PMC10651093 DOI: 10.1242/dev.202170] [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: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Macroheterogeneity in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) β-subunit N-glycosylation results in distinct FSH glycoforms. Hypoglycosylated FSH21 is the abundant and more bioactive form in pituitaries of females under 35 years of age, whereas fully glycosylated FSH24 is less bioactive and increases with age. To investigate whether the shift in FSH glycoform abundance contributes to the age-dependent decline in oocyte quality, the direct effects of FSH glycoforms on folliculogenesis and oocyte quality were determined using an encapsulated in vitro mouse follicle growth system. Long-term culture (10-12 days) with FSH21 (10 ng/ml) enhanced follicle growth, estradiol secretion and oocyte quality compared with FSH24 (10 ng/ml) treatment. FSH21 enhanced establishment of transzonal projections, gap junctions and cell-to-cell communication within 24 h in culture. Transient inhibition of FSH21-mediated bidirectional communication abrogated the positive effects of FSH21 on follicle growth, estradiol secretion and oocyte quality. Our data indicate that FSH21 promotes folliculogenesis and oocyte quality in vitro by increasing cell-to-cell communication early in folliculogenesis, and that the shift in in vivo abundance from FSH21 to FSH24 with reproductive aging may contribute to the age-dependent decline in oocyte quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey Converse
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Zhenghui Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Jai C. Patel
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Sushil Shakyawar
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Chittibabu Guda
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - George R. Bousfield
- Department of Biological Sciences, Wichita State University, Wichita, KS 67260, USA
| | - T. Rajendra Kumar
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Francesca E. Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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Nagashima JB, Zenilman S, Raab A, Aranda-Espinoza H, Songsasen N. Comparative Tensile Properties and Collagen Patterns in Domestic Cat ( Felis catus) and Dog ( Canis lupus familiaris) Ovarian Cortical Tissues. Bioengineering (Basel) 2023; 10:1285. [PMID: 38002409 PMCID: PMC10669533 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering10111285] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The importance of the ovarian extracellular environment and tissue rigidity on follicle survival and development has gained attention in recent years. Our laboratory has anecdotally observed differences in the rigidity of domestic cat and dog ovarian cortical tissues, which have been postulated to underlie the differences in in vitro culture responses between the species, wherein cat ovarian tissues display higher survival in extended incubation. Here, the tensile strengths of cat and dog ovarian cortical tissues were compared via micropipette aspiration. The underlying collagen patterns, including fiber length, thickness, alignment, curvature, branch points and end points, and overall tissue lacunary and high-density matrix (HDM) were quantified via picrosirius red staining and TWOMBLI analysis. Finally, we explored the potential of MMP (-1 and -9) and TIMP1 supplementation in modulating tissue rigidity, collagen structure, and follicle activation in vitro. No differences in stiffness were observed between cat or dog cortical tissues, or pre- versus post-pubertal status. Cat ovarian collagen was characterized by an increased number of branch points, thinner fibers, and lower HDM compared with dog ovarian collagen, and cat tissues exposed to MMP9 in vitro displayed a reduced Young's modulus. Yet, MMP exposure had a minor impact on follicle development in vitro in either species. This study contributes to our growing understanding of the interactions among the physical properties of the ovarian microenvironment, collagen patterns, and follicle development in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer B. Nagashima
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Rd., Front Royal, VA 22630, USA;
| | - Shoshana Zenilman
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, 144 East Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - April Raab
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, 784 Wilson Rd., East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
| | - Helim Aranda-Espinoza
- Fischell Department of Bioengineering, University of Maryland, 3108 A. James Clark Hall, College Park, MD 20742, USA;
| | - Nucharin Songsasen
- Center for Species Survival, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, 1500 Remount Rd., Front Royal, VA 22630, USA;
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Leonel ECR, Dadashzadeh A, Moghassemi S, Vlieghe H, Wyns C, Orellana R, Amorim CA. New Solutions for Old Problems: How Reproductive Tissue Engineering Has Been Revolutionizing Reproductive Medicine. Ann Biomed Eng 2023; 51:2143-2171. [PMID: 37468688 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-023-03321-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Acquired disorders and congenital defects of the male and female reproductive systems can have profound impacts on patients, causing sexual and endocrine dysfunction and infertility, as well as psychosocial consequences that affect their self-esteem, identity, sexuality, and relationships. Reproductive tissue engineering (REPROTEN) is a promising approach to restore fertility and improve the quality of life of patients with reproductive disorders by developing, replacing, or regenerating cells, tissues, and organs from the reproductive and urinary systems. In this review, we explore the latest advancements in REPROTEN techniques and their applications for addressing degenerative conditions in male and female reproductive organs. We discuss current research and clinical outcomes and highlight the potential of 3D constructs utilizing biomaterials such as scaffolds, cells, and biologically active molecules. Our review offers a comprehensive guide for researchers and clinicians, providing insights into how to reestablish reproductive tissue structure and function using innovative surgical approaches and biomaterials. We highlight the benefits of REPROTEN for patients, including preservation of fertility and hormonal production, reconstruction of uterine and cervical structures, and restoration of sexual and urinary functions. Despite significant progress, REPROTEN still faces ethical and technical challenges that need to be addressed. Our review underscores the importance of continued research in this field to advance the development of effective and safe REPROTEN approaches for patients with reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen C R Leonel
- Department of Histology, Embryology and Cell Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil
| | - Arezoo Dadashzadeh
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 55, bte B1.55.03, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Saeid Moghassemi
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 55, bte B1.55.03, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Hanne Vlieghe
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 55, bte B1.55.03, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Christine Wyns
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 55, bte B1.55.03, 1200, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Gynecology-Andrology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Renan Orellana
- Departamento de Ciencias Químicas y Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Bernardo O'Higgins, Santiago, Chile
| | - Christiani A Amorim
- Pôle de Recherche en Physiopathologie de la Reproduction, Institut de Recherche Expérimentale et Clinique, Université Catholique de Louvain, Avenue Hippocrate 55, bte B1.55.03, 1200, Brussels, Belgium.
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8
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Zheng M, Cadenas J, Pors SE, Esa T, Kristensen SG, Mamsen LS, Adrados CS, Andersen CY. Reducing 3D Hydrogel Stiffness, Addition of Oestradiol in a Physiological Concentration and Increasing FSH Concentration Improve In Vitro Growth of Murine Preantral Follicles. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12499. [PMID: 37569872 PMCID: PMC10419395 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241512499] [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: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to optimise culture conditions for murine preantral follicles to improve their growth and survival. Preantral follicles (diameter 100-130 µm) were isolated from prepubertal NMRI mice and individually cultured within alginate beads for 12 days. Three conditions were evaluated: (1) follicle re-encapsulation on day 6 of culture-reducing alginate concentration (0.5% to 0.25% w/v), (2) the presence of oestradiol (E2), and (3) increased follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration in the culture medium (from 10 to 100 mIU/mL FSH). Follicle morphology and growth, as well as anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) production, were evaluated. From day 8, re-embedded follicles had a larger average diameter compared to follicles without alginate re-encapsulation (0.5% and 0.25% groups, p < 0.05). Oestradiol (1 µM) had a significantly positive effect on the mean follicular diameter and antrum formation (p < 0.001). Moreover, follicles cultured with 100 mIU/mL FSH showed faster growth (p < 0.05) and significantly higher antrum formation (p < 0.05) compared to the low FSH group. Nevertheless, AMH production was not affected by any of the culture conditions. In conclusion, the growth and survival of mouse preantral follicles during a 12-day period were improved by altering the alginate concentration midways during culture and adding E2 and FSH to the culture medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxue Zheng
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.Z.); (J.C.); (S.E.P.); (S.G.K.); (L.S.M.); (C.S.A.)
- The Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jesús Cadenas
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.Z.); (J.C.); (S.E.P.); (S.G.K.); (L.S.M.); (C.S.A.)
| | - Susanne Elisabeth Pors
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.Z.); (J.C.); (S.E.P.); (S.G.K.); (L.S.M.); (C.S.A.)
| | - Tasnim Esa
- The Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Stine Gry Kristensen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.Z.); (J.C.); (S.E.P.); (S.G.K.); (L.S.M.); (C.S.A.)
| | - Linn Salto Mamsen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.Z.); (J.C.); (S.E.P.); (S.G.K.); (L.S.M.); (C.S.A.)
| | - Cristina Subiran Adrados
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark; (M.Z.); (J.C.); (S.E.P.); (S.G.K.); (L.S.M.); (C.S.A.)
- The Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- The Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Science, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
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9
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Francés-Herrero E, Lopez R, Campo H, de Miguel-Gómez L, Rodríguez-Eguren A, Faus A, Pellicer A, Cervelló I. Advances of xenogeneic ovarian extracellular matrix hydrogels for in vitro follicle development and oocyte maturation. BIOMATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 151:213480. [PMID: 37267748 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioadv.2023.213480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Research aimed at preserving female fertility is increasingly using bioengineering techniques to develop new platforms capable of supporting ovarian cell function in vitro and in vivo. Natural hydrogels (alginate, collagen, and fibrin) have been the most exploited approaches; however they are biologically inert and/or biochemically simple. Thus, establishing a suitable biomimetic hydrogel from decellularized ovarian cortex (OC) extracellular matrix (OvaECM) could provide a complex native biomaterial for follicle development and oocyte maturation. The objectives of this work were (i) to establish an optimal protocol to decellularize and solubilize bovine OC, (ii) to characterize the histological, molecular, ultrastructural, and proteomic properties of the resulting tissue and hydrogel, and (iii) to assess its biocompatibility and adequacy for murine in vitro follicle growth (IVFG). Sodium dodecyl sulfate was identified as the best detergent to develop bovine OvaECM hydrogels. Hydrogels added into standard media or used as plate coatings were employed for IVFG and oocyte maturation. Follicle growth, survival, hormone production, and oocyte maturation and developmental competence were evaluated. OvaECM hydrogel-supplemented media best supported follicle survival, expansion, and hormone production, while the coatings provided more mature and competent oocytes. Overall, the findings support the xenogeneic use of OvaECM hydrogels for future human female reproductive bioengineering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Francés-Herrero
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Rosalba Lopez
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Hannes Campo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Lucía de Miguel-Gómez
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Adolfo Rodríguez-Eguren
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Amparo Faus
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Pellicer
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, 46010 Valencia, Spain; IVI Roma Parioli, IVI-RMA Global, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Irene Cervelló
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, IVI Foundation, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria La Fe (IIS La Fe), 46026 Valencia, Spain.
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10
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Sharma R, Malviya R, Singh S, Prajapati B. A Critical Review on Classified Excipient Sodium-Alginate-Based Hydrogels: Modification, Characterization, and Application in Soft Tissue Engineering. Gels 2023; 9:gels9050430. [PMID: 37233021 DOI: 10.3390/gels9050430] [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: 04/23/2023] [Revised: 05/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Alginates are polysaccharides that are produced naturally and can be isolated from brown sea algae and bacteria. Sodium alginate (SA) is utilized extensively in the field of biological soft tissue repair and regeneration owing to its low cost, high biological compatibility, and quick and moderate crosslinking. In addition to their high printability, SA hydrogels have found growing popularity in tissue engineering, particularly due to the advent of 3D bioprinting. There is a developing curiosity in tissue engineering with SA-based composite hydrogels and their potential for further improvement in terms of material modification, the molding process, and their application. This has resulted in numerous productive outcomes. The use of 3D scaffolds for growing cells and tissues in tissue engineering and 3D cell culture is an innovative technique for developing in vitro culture models that mimic the in vivo environment. Especially compared to in vivo models, in vitro models were more ethical and cost-effective, and they stimulate tissue growth. This article discusses the use of sodium alginate (SA) in tissue engineering, focusing on SA modification techniques and providing a comparative examination of the properties of several SA-based hydrogels. This review also covers hydrogel preparation techniques, and a catalogue of patents covering different hydrogel formulations is also discussed. Finally, SA-based hydrogel applications and future research areas concerning SA-based hydrogels in tissue engineering were examined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rishav Sharma
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida 203201, India
| | - Rishabha Malviya
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Medical and Allied Sciences, Galgotias University, Greater Noida 203201, India
| | - Sudarshan Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand
| | - Bhupendra Prajapati
- Shree S. K. Patel College of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Ganpat University, Kherva 384012, India
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11
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Zhang J, Goods BA, Pattarawat P, Wang Y, Haining T, Zhang Q, Shalek AK, Duncan FE, Woodruff TK, Xiao S. An ex vivo ovulation system enables the discovery of novel ovulatory pathways and nonhormonal contraceptive candidates†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:629-644. [PMID: 36708230 PMCID: PMC10106841 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad009] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovulation is an integral part of women's menstrual cycle and fertility. Understanding the mechanisms of ovulation has broad implications for the treatment of anovulatory diseases and the development of novel contraceptives. Now, few studies have developed effective models that both faithfully recapitulate the hallmarks of ovulation and possess scalability. We established a three-dimensional encapsulated in vitro follicle growth (eIVFG) system that recapitulates folliculogenesis and produces follicles that undergo ovulation in a controlled manner. Here, we determined whether ex vivo ovulation preserves molecular signatures of ovulation and demonstrated its use in discovering novel ovulatory pathways and nonhormonal contraceptive candidates through a high-throughput ovulation screening. Mature murine follicles from eIVFG were induced to ovulate ex vivo using human chorionic gonadotropin and collected at 0, 1, 4, and 8 hours post-induction. Phenotypic analyses confirmed key ovulatory events, including cumulus expansion, oocyte maturation, follicle rupture, and luteinization. Single-follicle RNA-sequencing analysis revealed the preservation of ovulatory genes and dynamic transcriptomic profiles and signaling. Soft clustering identified distinct gene expression patterns and new pathways that may critically regulate ovulation. We further used this ex vivo ovulation system to screen 21 compounds targeting established and newly identified ovulatory pathways. We discovered that proprotein convertases activate gelatinases to sustain follicle rupture and do not regulate luteinization and progesterone secretion. Together, our ex vivo ovulation system preserves molecular signatures of ovulation, presenting a new powerful tool for studying ovulation and anovulatory diseases as well as for establishing a high-throughput ovulation screening to identify novel nonhormonal contraceptives for women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiyang Zhang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Brittany A Goods
- Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | - Pawat Pattarawat
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Yingzheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Tessa Haining
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Qiang Zhang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alex K Shalek
- The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
- The Institute for Medical Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Shuo Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA
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12
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Peserico A, Di Berardino C, Capacchietti G, Camerano Spelta Rapini C, Liverani L, Boccaccini AR, Russo V, Mauro A, Barboni B. IVM Advances for Early Antral Follicle-Enclosed Oocytes Coupling Reproductive Tissue Engineering to Inductive Influences of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin and Ovarian Surface Epithelium Coculture. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24076626. [PMID: 37047595 PMCID: PMC10095509 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24076626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 03/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In vitro maturation (IVM) is not a routine assisted reproductive technology (ART) for oocytes collected from early antral (EA) follicles, a large source of potentially available gametes. Despite substantial improvements in IVM in the past decade, the outcomes remain low for EA-derived oocytes due to their reduced developmental competences. To optimize IVM for ovine EA-derived oocytes, a three-dimensional (3D) scaffold-mediated follicle-enclosed oocytes (FEO) system was compared with a validated cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) protocol. Gonadotropin stimulation (eCG and/or hCG) and/or somatic cell coculture (ovarian vs. extraovarian-cell source) were supplied to both systems. The maturation rate and parthenogenetic activation were significantly improved by combining hCG stimulation with ovarian surface epithelium (OSE) cells coculture exclusively on the FEO system. Based on the data, the paracrine factors released specifically from OSE enhanced the hCG-triggering of oocyte maturation mechanisms by acting through the mural compartment (positive effect on FEO and not on COC) by stimulating the EGFR signaling. Overall, the FEO system performed on a developed reproductive scaffold proved feasible and reliable in promoting a synergic cytoplasmatic and nuclear maturation, offering a novel cultural strategy to widen the availability of mature gametes for ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Peserico
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Chiara Di Berardino
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Giulia Capacchietti
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Chiara Camerano Spelta Rapini
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Liliana Liverani
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
- DGS S.p.A., 00142 Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Roberto Boccaccini
- Institute of Biomaterials, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Valentina Russo
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Annunziata Mauro
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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13
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Converse A, Zaniker EJ, Amargant F, Duncan FE. Recapitulating folliculogenesis and oogenesis outside the body: encapsulated in vitro follicle growth†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:5-22. [PMID: 36136744 PMCID: PMC9843677 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac176] [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: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Folliculogenesis is a tightly coordinated process essential for generating a fertilization-competent gamete while also producing gonadal hormones that sustain endocrine function. In vitro follicle growth systems have been critical to our understanding of key events in folliculogenesis, such as gonadotropin-independent and dependent growth, steroid hormone production, and oocyte growth and maturation (cytoplasmic and meiotic). Although there are several successful follicle culture strategies, the following protocol details an encapsulated in vitro follicle growth (eIVFG) system for use with mouse ovarian follicles. Encapsulated IVFG is performed with alginate hydrogels, which are biologically inert, maintains cell-to-cell interactions between granulosa cells and the oocyte, and preserves follicle architecture as found in the ovary. The system supports follicle growth, development, and differentiation from the early primary follicle to the antral follicle stage. Moreover, post-folliculogenesis events including meiotic maturation, ovulation, and luteinization are also supported. Importantly, the culture of secondary follicles has successfully resulted in viable pups after blastocyst transfer. This alginate-based eIVFG system is versatile and has broad applications as a tool for interrogating the fundamental biology of the ovarian follicle in a controlled manner, a screening platform for toxicity and bioactivity, and a potential fertility preservation method for endangered species as well as humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aubrey Converse
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illnois, USA
| | - Emily J Zaniker
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illnois, USA
| | - Farners Amargant
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illnois, USA
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illnois, USA
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14
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Buckenmeyer MJ, Sukhwani M, Iftikhar A, Nolfi AL, Xian Z, Dadi S, Case ZW, Steimer SR, D’Amore A, Orwig KE, Brown BN. A bioengineered in situ ovary (ISO) supports follicle engraftment and live-births post-chemotherapy. J Tissue Eng 2023; 14:20417314231197282. [PMID: 38029018 PMCID: PMC10656812 DOI: 10.1177/20417314231197282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Female cancer patients who have undergone chemotherapy have an elevated risk of developing ovarian dysfunction and failure. Experimental approaches to treat iatrogenic infertility are evolving rapidly; however, challenges and risks remain that hinder clinical translation. Biomaterials have improved in vitro follicle maturation and in vivo transplantation in mice, but there has only been marginal success for early-stage human follicles. Here, we developed methods to obtain an ovarian-specific extracellular matrix hydrogel to facilitate follicle delivery and establish an in situ ovary (ISO), which offers a permissive environment to enhance follicle survival. We demonstrate sustainable follicle engraftment, natural pregnancy, and the birth of healthy pups after intraovarian microinjection of isolated exogenous follicles into chemotherapy-treated (CTx) mice. Our results confirm that hydrogel-based follicle microinjection could offer a minimally invasive delivery platform to enhance follicle integration for patients post-chemotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Buckenmeyer
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Cancer Innovation Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, USA
| | - Meena Sukhwani
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Aimon Iftikhar
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Alexis L Nolfi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Ziyu Xian
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Srujan Dadi
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zachary W Case
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sarah R Steimer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Antonio D’Amore
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Fondazione RiMED, Palermo, Italy
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Bryan N Brown
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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15
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Biswas A, Ng BH, Prabhakaran VS, Chan CJ. Squeezing the eggs to grow: The mechanobiology of mammalian folliculogenesis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1038107. [PMID: 36531957 PMCID: PMC9756970 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1038107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Abstract
The formation of functional eggs (oocyte) in ovarian follicles is arguably one of the most important events in early mammalian development since the oocytes provide the bulk genetic and cytoplasmic materials for successful reproduction. While past studies have identified many genes that are critical to normal ovarian development and function, recent studies have highlighted the role of mechanical force in shaping folliculogenesis. In this review, we discuss the underlying mechanobiological principles and the force-generating cellular structures and extracellular matrix that control the various stages of follicle development. We also highlight emerging techniques that allow for the quantification of mechanical interactions and follicular dynamics during development, and propose new directions for future studies in the field. We hope this review will provide a timely and useful framework for future understanding of mechano-signalling pathways in reproductive biology and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arikta Biswas
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Boon Heng Ng
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | | | - Chii Jou Chan
- Mechanobiology Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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16
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Chen YY, Chen S, Ok K, Duncan FE, O’Halloran TV, Woodruff TK. Zinc dynamics regulate early ovarian follicle development. J Biol Chem 2022; 299:102731. [PMID: 36423685 PMCID: PMC9800340 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102731] [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: 03/01/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Zinc fluctuations regulate key steps in late oocyte and preimplantation embryo development; however, roles for zinc in preceding stages in early ovarian follicle development, when cooperative interactions exist between the oocyte and somatic cells, are unknown. To understand the roles of zinc during early follicle development, we applied single cell X-ray fluorescence microscopy, a radioactive zinc tracer, and a labile zinc probe to measure zinc in individual mouse oocytes and associated somatic cells within early follicles. Here, we report a significant stage-specific increase and compartmental redistribution in oocyte zinc content upon the initiation of early follicle growth. The increase in zinc correlates with the increased expression of specific zinc transporters, including two that are essential in oocyte maturation. While oocytes in follicles exhibit high tolerance to pronounced changes in zinc availability, somatic survival and proliferation are significantly more sensitive to zinc chelation or supplementation. Finally, transcriptomic, proteomic, and zinc loading analyses reveal enrichment of zinc targets in the ubiquitination pathway. Overall, these results demonstrate that distinct cell type-specific zinc regulations are required for follicle growth and indicate that physiological fluctuation in the localization and availability of this inorganic cofactor has fundamental functions in early gamete development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ying Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Si Chen
- X-ray Science Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois, USA
| | - Kiwon Ok
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Francesca E. Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas V. O’Halloran
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA,Department of Chemistry, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA,Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA,The Chemistry of Life Processes Institute, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA,For correspondence: Thomas V. O’Halloran; Teresa K. Woodruff
| | - Teresa K. Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA,For correspondence: Thomas V. O’Halloran; Teresa K. Woodruff
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17
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Desai N, Spangler M, Nanavaty V, Gishto A, Brown A. New hyaluronan-based biomatrix for 3-D follicle culture yields functionally competent oocytes. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:148. [PMID: 36217168 PMCID: PMC9549656 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-01019-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Encapsulation of follicles within a biomatrix is one approach to maintaining 3-D follicle architecture during culture. Hyaluronan is one component of the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) that provides support to cells in vivo. This report describes the application of a novel tyramine-linked hyaluronan for 3-D in vitro follicle culture and the production of developmentally competent metaphase II oocytes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Enzymatically isolated mouse preantral follicles or follicle clusters (FL-C) from fresh or vitrified ovaries were encapsulated in 3 mg/ml of hyaluronan gel (HA). Follicle growth, antrum formation and meiotic maturation to metaphase II oocytes was monitored. Chromatin staining was used to assess GV oocyte progression towards meiotic competence. Functional competence of in vitro matured (IVM) oocytes was evaluated by in vitro fertilization and ability to develop to blastocyst. Modifying the HA gel by inclusion of laminin (HA-LM), mouse sarcoma extracellular matrix (Matrigel;HA-MG) or placental extracellular matrix (HA-PM) was also tested to see if this might further enhance IVM outcomes. RESULTS A total of 402 preantral follicles were cultured in HA gel. After hCG trigger, 314 oocyte-cumulus complexes ovulated from the embedded follicles. Meiotic maturation rate to the metaphase II stage was 73% (228/314). After insemination 83% (188/228) of IVM oocytes fertilized with a subsequent blastulation rate of 46% (87/188). A pilot transfer study with 3 recipient mice resulted in the birth of a single pup. HA gel supported individually isolated follicles as well ovarian tissue fragments containing clusters of 6-8 preantral follicles. Meiotic maturation was lower with FL-clusters from vitrified versus fresh ovaries (34% and 55%, respectively; p < 0.007). Modification of the HA gel with ECMs or laminin affected antrum formation and follicle retention. Maturation rates to the metaphase II stage were however not significantly different: 74% for HA gel alone as compared to HA-LM (67%), HA-MG (56%) and HA-PM (58%). CONCLUSION Hyaluronan gel is an effective and versatile extracellular matrix based biomaterial for 3-D culture of ovarian follicles. This culture model allowed ovulation of functionally competent metaphase II oocytes, capable of fertilization, genomic activation and blastulation. Future testing with human follicles that require longer in vitro culture times should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Desai
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Department of OB/GYN and Women’s Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic Fertility Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Beachwood, OH USA
| | - Maribeth Spangler
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Department of OB/GYN and Women’s Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic Fertility Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Beachwood, OH USA
| | - Vaani Nanavaty
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Department of OB/GYN and Women’s Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic Fertility Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Beachwood, OH USA
| | - Arsela Gishto
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Department of OB/GYN and Women’s Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic Fertility Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Beachwood, OH USA
| | - Alyssa Brown
- grid.239578.20000 0001 0675 4725Department of OB/GYN and Women’s Health Institute, Cleveland Clinic Fertility Center, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Beachwood, OH USA
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18
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Babayev E, Xu M, Shea LD, Woodruff TK, Duncan FE. Follicle isolation methods reveal plasticity of granulosa cell steroidogenic capacity during mouse in vitro follicle growth. Mol Hum Reprod 2022; 28:6693628. [PMID: 36069625 PMCID: PMC9802420 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaac033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Follicles are the functional unit of the ovary and several methods have been developed to grow follicles ex vivo, which recapitulate key events of oogenesis and folliculogenesis. Enzymatic digestion protocols are often used to increase the yield of follicles from the ovary. However, the impact of these protocols on the outermost theca and granulosa cells, and thereby follicle function, is not well defined. To investigate the impact of enzymatic digestion on follicle function, we collected preantral follicles from CD1 mice either by enzymatic digestion (Enzy-FL) or mechanical isolation (Mech-FL) and compared follicle growth, steroidogenesis and cell differentiation within an encapsulated in vitro follicle growth system which maintains the 3D architecture of the oocyte and its surrounding somatic cells. Follicles were encapsulated in 0.5% alginate and cultured for 8 days. Compared with Enzy-FL, Mech-FL grew more rapidly and produced significantly higher levels of androstenedione, estradiol and progesterone. The expression of theca-interstitial cell marker genes, Cyp17a1, which encodes 17-hydroxylase/17, 20-lyase and catalyzes the hydroxylation of pregnenolone and progesterone to 17-hydroxypregnenolone and 17-hydroxyprogesterone, and the conversion of these products into dehydroepiandrosterone and androstenedione, and Star, which encodes a transport protein essential for cholesterol entry into mitochondria, were also higher in Mech-FL than in Enzy-FL. Mech-FL maintained an intact theca-interstitial layer on the outer edge of the follicle that phenocopied in vivo patterns as confirmed by alkaline phosphatase staining, whereas theca-interstitial cells were absent from Enzy-FL from the onset of culture. Therefore, preservation of the theca cell layer at the onset of culture better supports follicle growth and function. Interestingly, granulosa cells in the outermost layers of Enzy-FL expressed CYP17A1 by Day 4 of culture while maintaining inhibin α-subunit expression and a cuboidal nucleus. Thus, in the absence of theca-interstitial cells, granulosa cells have the potential to differentiate into androgen-producing cells. This work may have implications for human follicle culture, where enzymatic isolation is required owing to the density of the ovarian cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Lonnie D Shea
- Member of the Oncofertility Consortium, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA,Institute of Bionanotechnology in Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- Correspondence address. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 10-109, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. E-mail: (F.E.D.); Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, 965 Wilson Road, Room A626B, East Lansing, MI 48824-1316, USA. E-mail: (T.K.W.)
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Correspondence address. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, Lurie 10-109, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. E-mail: (F.E.D.); Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Department of Biomedical Engineering, Michigan State University, 965 Wilson Road, Room A626B, East Lansing, MI 48824-1316, USA. E-mail: (T.K.W.)
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19
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Wu M, Guo Y, Wei S, Xue L, Tang W, Chen D, Xiong J, Huang Y, Fu F, Wu C, Chen Y, Zhou S, Zhang J, Li Y, Wang W, Dai J, Wang S. Biomaterials and advanced technologies for the evaluation and treatment of ovarian aging. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:374. [PMID: 35953871 PMCID: PMC9367160 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01566-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian aging is characterized by a progressive decline in ovarian function. With the increase in life expectancy worldwide, ovarian aging has gradually become a key health problem among women. Over the years, various strategies have been developed to preserve fertility in women, while there are currently no clinical treatments to delay ovarian aging. Recently, advances in biomaterials and technologies, such as three-dimensional (3D) printing and microfluidics for the encapsulation of follicles and nanoparticles as delivery systems for drugs, have shown potential to be translational strategies for ovarian aging. This review introduces the research progress on the mechanisms underlying ovarian aging, and summarizes the current state of biomaterials in the evaluation and treatment of ovarian aging, including safety, potential applications, future directions and difficulties in translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yican Guo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Simin Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Liru Xue
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Weicheng Tang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Jiaqiang Xiong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, China
| | - Yibao Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Fangfang Fu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Chuqing Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Ying Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Su Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Jinjin Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Wenwen Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
| | - Jun Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China
| | - Shixuan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrical and Gynecological Diseases, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China. .,Key Laboratory of Cancer Invasion and Metastasis, Ministry of Education, Wuhan, 430030, Hubei, China.
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20
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Chen YY, Russo DD, Drake RS, Duncan FE, Shalek AK, Goods BA, Woodruff TK. Single-cell transcriptomics of staged oocytes and somatic cells reveal novel regulators of follicle activation. Reproduction 2022; 164:55-70. [PMID: 35899878 PMCID: PMC9354060 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0053] [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: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
In brief Proper development of ovarian follicles, comprised of an oocyte and surrounding somatic cells, is essential to support female fertility and endocrine health. Here, we describe a method to isolate single oocytes and somatic cells from the earliest stage follicles, called primordial follicles, and we characterize signals that drive their activation. Abstract Primordial follicles are the first class of follicles formed in the mammalian ovary and are comprised of an oocyte surrounded by a layer of squamous pre-granulosa cells. This developmental class remains in a non-growing state until individual follicles activate to initiate folliculogenesis. What regulates the timing of follicle activation and the upstream signals that govern these processes are major unanswered questions in ovarian biology. This is partly due to the paucity of data on staged follicle cells since isolating and manipulating individual oocytes and somatic cells from early follicle stages are challenging. To date, most studies on isolated primordial follicles have been conducted on cells collected from animal-age- or oocyte size-specific samples, which encompass multiple follicular stages. Here, we report a method for collecting primordial follicles and their associated oocytes and somatic cells from neonatal murine ovaries using liberase, DNase I, and Accutase. This methodology allows for the identification and collection of follicles immediately post-activation enabling unprecedented interrogation of the primordial-to-primary follicle transition. Molecular profiling by single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that processes including organelle disassembly and cadherin binding were enriched in oocytes and somatic cells as they transitioned from primordial to the primary follicle stage. Furthermore, targets including WNT4, TGFB1, FOXO3, and a network of transcription factors were identified in the transitioning oocytes and somatic cells as potential upstream regulators that collectively may drive follicle activation. Taken together, we have developed a more precise characterization and selection method for studying staged-follicle cells, revealing several novel regulators of early folliculogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Ying Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Daniela D Russo
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Institute of Medical Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Riley S Drake
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Institute of Medical Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Alex K Shalek
- Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT, and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.,Institute of Medical Science and Engineering, Department of Chemistry, and Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Brittany A Goods
- The Thayer School of Engineering, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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21
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Lee S, Kim T. Fertility preservation for patients with cancer. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 2022. [DOI: 10.5124/jkma.2022.65.6.329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The survival rate of cancer patients is increasing owing to the early diagnosis and treatment methods. Radiotherapy and chemotherapy may cause serious complications, such as ovarian failure and infertility. In particular, preservation of fertility in women of reproductive age with cancer could improve their quality of life as well as reduce social and psychological pain.Current Concepts: Embryo or oocyte cryopreservation is a method of fertility preservation; however, it cannot be utilized by all women with cancer because of the complications of the condition and treatment method. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation enables fertility preservation in those needing immediate cancer treatment, such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, or those unqualified for ovarian stimulation. A recent review reported that frozen-thawed ovarian transplantation led to approximately 130 live births with a conception rate of approximately 30%. Endocrine function recovery occurred in 92.9% of the patients between 3.5 and 6.5 months after transplantation.Discussion and Conclusion: In this study, we introduced various methods and strategies for improving the outcomes of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and transplantation. These results could serve as a reference for patients and clinicians to choose the best options for fertility preservation based on the patient’s current situation and condition.
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22
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Dai S, Zhang H, Yang F, Shang W, Zeng S. Effects of IGF-1 on the Three-Dimensional Culture of Ovarian Preantral Follicles and Superovulation Rates in Mice. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11060833. [PMID: 35741354 PMCID: PMC9219699 DOI: 10.3390/biology11060833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) plays a crucial role during folliculogenesis, which has been demonstrated by previous research. However, the optimal IGF-1 dosage in the three-dimensional (3D) culture system is unknown. Mouse secondary follicles (140−150 µm) were cultured for 6 days within an alginate bead in a medium supplemented with 0 (G0), 5 ng/mL (G5), 10 ng/mL (G10), or 50 ng/mL IGF-1 (G50). Secretions of 17β-estradiol and progesterone were significantly increased in G10 and G50 (p < 0.05). However, G50 significantly inhibited follicular growth (p < 0.05), while G10 showed a higher oocyte maturation rate. Thus, the 10 ng/mL IGF-1 was used in subsequent experiments. IGF-1 enhanced the function of granulosa cells (GCs) by upregulating expressions of Star, Cyp19a1, Hsd3b1, Fshr, and Lhcgr. Oocyte secretory function was promoted by upregulating expressions of Bmp-15, Gdf-9, and Fgf-8. Addition of IGF-1 showed anti-apoptotic effect. However, G10 did not improve fertilization rate of MII oocytes compared to G0. In an intraperitoneal injection experiment in mice, IGF-1 significantly increased the number of ovulated oocytes (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 10 ng/mL IGF-1 can promote the production of mature oocytes in the 3D culture medium and injection of IGF-1 before superovulation increases the number of ovulated oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shizhen Dai
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.D.); (H.Z.); (F.Y.)
| | - Hanxue Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.D.); (H.Z.); (F.Y.)
| | - Feng Yang
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.D.); (H.Z.); (F.Y.)
| | - Wei Shang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Sixth Medical Center, Beijing 100037, China
- Correspondence: (W.S.); (S.Z.)
| | - Shenming Zeng
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (S.D.); (H.Z.); (F.Y.)
- Correspondence: (W.S.); (S.Z.)
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23
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Zivari-Ghader T, Dolati S, Mehdizadeh A, Davaran S, Rashidi MR, Yousefi M. Recent scaffold-based tissue engineering approaches in premature ovarian failure treatment. J Tissue Eng Regen Med 2022; 16:605-620. [PMID: 35511799 DOI: 10.1002/term.3306] [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: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Recently, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine have received significant attention with outstanding advances. The main scope of this technology is to recover the damaged tissues and organs or to maintain and improve their function. One of the essential fields in tissue engineering is scaffold designing and construction, playing an integral role in damaged tissues reconstruction and repair. However, premature ovarian failure (POF) is a disorder causing many medical and psychological problems in women. POF treatment using tissue engineering and various scaffold has recently made tremendous and promising progress. Due to the importance of the subject, we have summarized the recently examined scaffolds in the treatment of POF in this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tayyebeh Zivari-Ghader
- Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Sanam Dolati
- Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Research Center, Aging Research Institute, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Amir Mehdizadeh
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Soodabeh Davaran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Rashidi
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.,Stem Cell Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
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24
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High steroid content in conditioned medium of granulosa cells may disrupt primordial follicles formation in in vitro cultured one-day-old murine ovaries. Reprod Biol 2022; 22:100613. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2022.100613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 01/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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25
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Matsushige C, Xu X, Miyagi M, Zuo YY, Yamazaki Y. RGD-modified dextran hydrogel promotes follicle growth in three-dimensional ovarian tissue culture in mice. Theriogenology 2022; 183:120-131. [PMID: 35247849 PMCID: PMC9005264 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
In vitro follicle growth is a promising technology to preserve fertility for cancer patients. We previously developed a three-dimensional (3-D) ovarian tissue culture system supported by mouse tumor cell-derived Matrigel. When murine ovarian tissues at 14 days old were cultured in Matrigel drops, antrum formation and oocyte competence were significantly enhanced compared with those cultured without Matrigel. In this study, we tested whether nonanimal-derived dextran hydrogels can support a 3-D ovarian tissue culture. We employed chemically defined dextran hydrogels consisting of dextran polymers crosslinked with polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based cell-degradable crosslinker. To determine the optimal gel elasticity for the 3-D tissue culture, we measured Young's modulus of dextran hydrogels at four concentrations (1.75, 2.25, 2.75, and 3.25 mmol/L), and cultured ovarian tissues in these gels for 7 days. As a result, 2.25 mmol/L dextran hydrogel with Young's modulus of 224 Pa was appropriate to provide physical support as well as to promote follicle expansion in the 3-D system. To mimic the natural extracellular matrix (ECM) environment, we modified the dextran hydrogels with two bioactive factors: ECM-derived Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptides as a cell-adhesive factor, and activin A. The ovarian tissues were cultured in 2.25 mmol/L dextran hydrogels under four different conditions: Activin-/RGD- (A-R-), A + R-, A-R+, and A + R+. On Day 7 of culture, follicle and oocyte sizes were significantly increased in the RGD-modified conditions compared with those without RGD. The RGD-modified hydrogels also promoted mRNA levels of steroidogenic-related genes and estradiol production in the 3-D ovarian tissue culture. In vitro maturation and developmental competence of follicular oocytes were remarkably improved in the presence of RGD. In particular, blastocyst embryos were obtained only from A-R+ or A+R+ conditions after in vitro fertilization. We also determined synergistic effects of the RGD peptides and activin A on follicle growth and oocyte development in the 3-D tissue culture. In conclusion, our results suggest that RGD-modified dextran hydrogels provide an ECM-mimetic bioactive environment to support folliculogenesis in a 3-D ovarian tissue culture system.
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26
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Chen H, Xue L, Gong G, Pan J, Wang X, Zhang Y, Guo J, Qin L. Collagen-based materials in reproductive medicine and engineered reproductive tissues. JOURNAL OF LEATHER SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s42825-021-00075-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
AbstractCollagen, the main component of mammal skin, has been traditionally used in leather manufacturing for thousands of years due to its diverse physicochemical properties. Collagen is the most abundant protein in mammals and the main component of the extracellular matrix (ECM). The properties of collagen also make it an ideal building block for the engineering of materials for a range of biomedical applications. Reproductive medicine, especially human fertility preservation strategies and reproductive organ regeneration, has attracted significant attention in recent years as it is key in resolving the growing social concern over aging populations worldwide. Collagen-based biomaterials such as collagen hydrogels, decellularized ECM (dECM), and bioengineering techniques including collagen-based 3D bioprinting have facilitated the engineering of reproductive tissues. This review summarizes the recent progress in applying collagen-based biomaterials in reproductive. Furthermore, we discuss the prospects of collagen-based materials for engineering artificial reproductive tissues, hormone replacement therapy, and reproductive organ reconstruction, aiming to inspire new thoughts and advancements in engineered reproductive tissues research.
Graphical abstract
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Liao B, Qi X, Yun C, Qiao J, Pang Y. Effects of Androgen Excess-Related Metabolic Disturbances on Granulosa Cell Function and Follicular Development. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:815968. [PMID: 35237237 PMCID: PMC8883052 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.815968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common reproductive endocrine disease in women of reproductive age. Ovarian dysfunction including abnormal steroid hormone synthesis and follicular arrest play a vital role in PCOS pathogenesis. Hyperandrogenemia is one of the important characteristics of PCOS. However, the mechanism of regulation and interaction between hyperandrogenism and ovulation abnormalities are not clear. To investigate androgen-related metabolic state in granulosa cells of PCOS patients, we identified the transcriptome characteristics of PCOS granulosa cells by RNA-seq. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) revealed that genes enriched in lipid metabolism pathway, fatty acid biosynthetic process and ovarian steroidogenesis pathway were abnormally expressed in PCOS granulosa cells in comparison with that in control. There are close interactions among these three pathways as identified by analysis of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of DEGs. Furthermore, in vitro mouse follicle culture system was established to explore the effect of high androgen and its related metabolic dysfunction on follicular growth and ovulation. RT-qPCR results showed that follicles cultured with dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) exhibited decreased expression levels of cumulus expansion-related genes (Has2, Ptx3, Tnfaip6 and Adamts1) and oocyte maturation-related genes (Gdf9 and Bmp15), which may be caused by impaired steroid hormone synthesis and lipid metabolism, thus inhibited follicular development and ovulation. Furthermore, the inhibition effect of DHEA on follicle development and ovulation was ameliorated by flutamide, an androgen receptor (AR) antagonist, suggesting the involvement of AR signaling. In summary, our study offers new insights into understanding the role of androgen excess induced granulosa cell metabolic disorder in ovarian dysfunction of PCOS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoying Liao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Qi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chuyu Yun
- Department of Physiology and Pathophysiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Cardiovascular Science, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanli Pang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Peking University, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Yanli Pang,
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Francés-Herrero E, Lopez R, Hellström M, de Miguel-Gómez L, Herraiz S, Brännström M, Pellicer A, Cervelló I. OUP accepted manuscript. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:798-837. [PMID: 35652272 PMCID: PMC9629485 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To provide the optimal milieu for implantation and fetal development, the female reproductive system must orchestrate uterine dynamics with the appropriate hormones produced by the ovaries. Mature oocytes may be fertilized in the fallopian tubes, and the resulting zygote is transported toward the uterus, where it can implant and continue developing. The cervix acts as a physical barrier to protect the fetus throughout pregnancy, and the vagina acts as a birth canal (involving uterine and cervix mechanisms) and facilitates copulation. Fertility can be compromised by pathologies that affect any of these organs or processes, and therefore, being able to accurately model them or restore their function is of paramount importance in applied and translational research. However, innate differences in human and animal model reproductive tracts, and the static nature of 2D cell/tissue culture techniques, necessitate continued research and development of dynamic and more complex in vitro platforms, ex vivo approaches and in vivo therapies to study and support reproductive biology. To meet this need, bioengineering is propelling the research on female reproduction into a new dimension through a wide range of potential applications and preclinical models, and the burgeoning number and variety of studies makes for a rapidly changing state of the field. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review aims to summarize the mounting evidence on bioengineering strategies, platforms and therapies currently available and under development in the context of female reproductive medicine, in order to further understand female reproductive biology and provide new options for fertility restoration. Specifically, techniques used in, or for, the uterus (endometrium and myometrium), ovary, fallopian tubes, cervix and vagina will be discussed. SEARCH METHODS A systematic search of full-text articles available in PubMed and Embase databases was conducted to identify relevant studies published between January 2000 and September 2021. The search terms included: bioengineering, reproduction, artificial, biomaterial, microfluidic, bioprinting, organoid, hydrogel, scaffold, uterus, endometrium, ovary, fallopian tubes, oviduct, cervix, vagina, endometriosis, adenomyosis, uterine fibroids, chlamydia, Asherman’s syndrome, intrauterine adhesions, uterine polyps, polycystic ovary syndrome and primary ovarian insufficiency. Additional studies were identified by manually searching the references of the selected articles and of complementary reviews. Eligibility criteria included original, rigorous and accessible peer-reviewed work, published in English, on female reproductive bioengineering techniques in preclinical (in vitro/in vivo/ex vivo) and/or clinical testing phases. OUTCOMES Out of the 10 390 records identified, 312 studies were included for systematic review. Owing to inconsistencies in the study measurements and designs, the findings were assessed qualitatively rather than by meta-analysis. Hydrogels and scaffolds were commonly applied in various bioengineering-related studies of the female reproductive tract. Emerging technologies, such as organoids and bioprinting, offered personalized diagnoses and alternative treatment options, respectively. Promising microfluidic systems combining various bioengineering approaches have also shown translational value. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The complexity of the molecular, endocrine and tissue-level interactions regulating female reproduction present challenges for bioengineering approaches to replace female reproductive organs. However, interdisciplinary work is providing valuable insight into the physicochemical properties necessary for reproductive biological processes to occur. Defining the landscape of reproductive bioengineering technologies currently available and under development for women can provide alternative models for toxicology/drug testing, ex vivo fertility options, clinical therapies and a basis for future organ regeneration studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mats Hellström
- Laboratory for Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lucía de Miguel-Gómez
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Fundación IVI, IVI-RMA Global, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sonia Herraiz
- Fundación IVI, IVI-RMA Global, Valencia, Spain
- Reproductive Medicine Research Group, IIS La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mats Brännström
- Laboratory for Transplantation and Regenerative Medicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Stockholm IVF-EUGIN, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antonio Pellicer
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- IVI Roma Parioli, IVI-RMA Global, Rome, Italy
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Xu J, Zelinski MB. Oocyte quality following in vitro follicle development†. Biol Reprod 2021; 106:291-315. [PMID: 34962509 PMCID: PMC9004734 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Revised: 12/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro follicle development (IVFD) is an adequate model to obtain basic knowledge of folliculogenesis and provides a tool for ovarian toxicity screening. IVFD yielding competent oocytes may also offer an option for fertility and species preservation. To promote follicle growth and oocyte maturation in vitro, various culture systems are utilized for IVFD in rodents, domestic animals, wild animals, nonhuman primates, and humans. Follicle culture conditions have been improved by optimizing gonadotropin levels, regulatory factors, nutrient supplements, oxygen concentration, and culture matrices. This review summarizes quality assessment of oocytes generated from in vitro-developed antral follicles from the preantral stage, including oocyte epigenetic and genetic profile, cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation, preimplantation embryonic development following in vitro fertilization, as well as pregnancy and live offspring after embryo transfer. The limitations of oocyte quality evaluation following IVFD and the gaps in our knowledge of IVFD to support proper oocyte development are also discussed. The information may advance our understanding of the requirements for IVFD, with a goal of producing competent oocytes with genetic integrity to sustain embryonic development resulting in healthy offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xu
- Correspondence: Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, 505 NW 185th Avenue, Beaverton, OR 97006, USA. Tel: +1 5033465411; Fax: +1 5033465585; E-mail:
| | - Mary B Zelinski
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Dadashzadeh A, Moghassemi S, Shavandi A, Amorim CA. A review on biomaterials for ovarian tissue engineering. Acta Biomater 2021; 135:48-63. [PMID: 34454083 DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/26/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Considerable challenges in engineering the female reproductive tissue are the follicle's unique architecture, the need to recapitulate the extracellular matrix, and tissue vascularization. Over the years, various strategies have been developed for preserving fertility in women diagnosed with cancer, such as embryo, oocyte, or ovarian tissue cryopreservation. While autotransplantation of cryopreserved ovarian tissue is a viable choice to restore fertility in prepubertal girls and women who need to begin chemo- or radiotherapy soon after the cancer diagnosis, it is not suitable for all patients due to the risk of having malignant cells present in the ovarian fragments in some types of cancer. Advances in tissue engineering such as 3D printing and ovary-on-a-chip technologies have the potential to be a translational strategy for precisely recapitulating normal tissue in terms of physical structure, vascularization, and molecular and cellular spatial distribution. This review first introduces the ovarian tissue structure, describes suitable properties of biomaterials for ovarian tissue engineering, and highlights recent advances in tissue engineering for developing an artificial ovary. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The increase of survival rates in young cancer patients has been accompanied by a rise in infertility/sterility in cancer survivors caused by the gonadotoxic effect of some chemotherapy regimens or radiotherapy. Such side-effect has a negative impact on these patients' quality of life as one of their main concerns is generating biologically related children. To aid female cancer patients, several research groups have been resorting to tissue engineering strategies to develop an artificial ovary. In this review, we discuss the numerous biomaterials cited in the literature that have been tested to encapsulate and in vitro culture or transplant isolated preantral follicles from human and different animal models. We also summarize the recent advances in tissue engineering that can potentially be optimal strategies for developing an artificial ovary.
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Björkgren I, Chung DH, Mendoza S, Gabelev-Khasin L, Petersen NT, Modzelewski A, He L, Lishko PV. Alpha/Beta Hydrolase Domain-Containing Protein 2 Regulates the Rhythm of Follicular Maturation and Estrous Stages of the Female Reproductive Cycle. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:710864. [PMID: 34568325 PMCID: PMC8455887 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.710864] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian female fertility is defined by a successful and strictly periodic ovarian cycle, which is under the control of gonadotropins and steroid hormones, particularly progesterone and estrogen. The latter two are produced by the ovaries that are engaged in controlled follicular growth, maturation, and release of the eggs, i.e., ovulation. The steroid hormones regulate ovarian cycles via genomic signaling, by altering gene transcription and protein synthesis. However, despite this well-studied mechanism, steroid hormones can also signal via direct, non-genomic action, by binding to their membrane receptors. Here we show, that the recently discovered membrane progesterone receptor α/β hydrolase domain-containing protein 2 (ABHD2) is highly expressed in mammalian ovaries where the protein plays a novel regulatory role in follicle maturation and the sexual cycle of females. Ablation of Abhd2 caused a dysregulation of the estrous cycle rhythm with females showing shortened luteal stages while remaining in the estrus stage for a longer time. Interestingly, the ovaries of Abhd2 knockout (KO) females resemble polycystic ovary morphology (PCOM) with a high number of atretic antral follicles that could be rescued with injection of gonadotropins. Such a procedure also allowed Abhd2 KO females to ovulate a significantly increased number of mature and fertile eggs in comparison with their wild-type littermates. These results suggest a novel regulatory role of ABHD2 as an important factor in non-genomic steroid regulation of the female reproductive cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Björkgren
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Dong Hwa Chung
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Sarah Mendoza
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Liliya Gabelev-Khasin
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Natalie T. Petersen
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Andrew Modzelewski
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Lin He
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
| | - Polina V. Lishko
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, United States
- The Center for Reproductive Longevity and Equality at the Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA, United States
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Amoushahi M, Lykke-Hartmann K. Distinct Signaling Pathways Distinguish in vivo From in vitro Growth in Murine Ovarian Follicle Activation and Maturation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:708076. [PMID: 34368158 PMCID: PMC8346253 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.708076] [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: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Women with cancer and low ovarian reserves face serious challenges in infertility treatment. Ovarian tissue cryopreservation is currently used for such patients to preserve fertility. One major challenge is the activation of dormant ovarian follicles, which is hampered by our limited biological understanding of molecular determinants that activate dormant follicles and help maintain healthy follicles during growth. Here, we investigated the transcriptomes of oocytes isolated from dormant (primordial) and activated (primary) follicles under in vivo and in vitro conditions. We compared the biological relevance of the initial molecular markers of mature metaphase II (MII) oocytes developed in vivo or in vitro. The expression levels of genes involved in the cell cycle, signal transduction, and Wnt signaling were highly enriched in oocytes from primary follicles and MII oocytes. Interestingly, we detected strong downregulation of the expression of genes involved in mitochondrial and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in oocytes from primordial follicles, in contrast to oocytes from primary follicles and MII oocytes. Our results showed a dynamic pattern in mitochondrial and ROS production-related genes, emphasizing their important role(s) in primordial follicle activation and oocyte maturation. The transcriptome of MII oocytes showed a major divergence from that of oocytes of primordial and primary follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Karin Lykke-Hartmann
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark
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Colombo M, Alkali IM, Prochowska S, Luvoni GC. Fighting Like Cats and Dogs: Challenges in Domestic Carnivore Oocyte Development and Promises of Innovative Culture Systems. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2135. [PMID: 34359262 PMCID: PMC8300176 DOI: 10.3390/ani11072135] [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: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In vitro embryo production in cats and dogs still presents some challenges, and it needs to be optimized to transfer efficient protocols to related wild, endangered species. While the chemical composition of culture media has been the focus of several studies, the importance of culture substrates for oocyte and embryo culture has often been neglected. Traditional in vitro systems, i.e., two-dimensional cultures, do not resemble the physiological environments where cells develop, and they may cause morphological and functional alterations to oocytes and embryos. More modern three-dimensional and microfluidic culture system better mimic the structure and the stimuli found in in vivo conditions, and they could better support the development of oocytes and embryos in vitro, as well as the maintenance of more physiological behaviors. This review describes the different culture systems tested for domestic carnivore reproductive cells along the years, and it summarizes their effects on cultured cells with the purpose of analyzing innovative options to improve in vitro embryo production outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Colombo
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare “Carlo Cantoni”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (I.M.A.); (G.C.L.)
| | - Isa Mohammed Alkali
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare “Carlo Cantoni”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (I.M.A.); (G.C.L.)
| | - Sylwia Prochowska
- Department of Reproduction and Clinic of Farm Animals, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Grunwaldzki Square 49, 50-366 Wrocław, Poland;
| | - Gaia Cecilia Luvoni
- Dipartimento di Scienze Veterinarie per la Salute, la Produzione Animale e la Sicurezza Alimentare “Carlo Cantoni”, Università degli Studi di Milano, 26900 Lodi, Italy; (I.M.A.); (G.C.L.)
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Jiang K, Zhang J, Huang Y, Wang Y, Xiao S, Hadden MK, Woodruff TK, Sun J. A platform utilizing Drosophila ovulation for nonhormonal contraceptive screening. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2026403118. [PMID: 34260376 PMCID: PMC8285897 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2026403118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
A significant unmet need for new contraceptive options for both women and men remains due to side-effect profiles, medical concerns, and the inconvenience of many currently available contraceptive products. Unfortunately, the development of novel nonsteroidal female contraceptive medicine has been stalled in the last couple of decades due to the lack of effective screening platforms. Drosophila utilizes conserved signaling pathways for follicle rupture, a final step in ovulation that is essential for female reproduction. Therefore, we explored the potential to use Drosophila as a model to screen compounds that could inhibit follicle rupture and be nonsteroidal contraceptive candidates. Using our ex vivo follicle rupture assay, we screened 1,172 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs and identified six drugs that could inhibit Drosophila follicle rupture in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, we characterized the molecular actions of these drugs in the inhibition of adrenergic signaling and follicle rupture. Furthermore, we validated that three of the four drugs consistently inhibited mouse follicle rupture in vitro and that two of them did not affect progesterone production. Finally, we showed that chlorpromazine, one of the candidate drugs, can significantly inhibit mouse follicle rupture in vivo. Our work suggests that Drosophila ovulation is a valuable platform for identifying lead compounds for nonsteroidal contraceptive development and highlights the potential of these FDA-approved drugs as novel nonsteroidal contraceptive agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kewa Jiang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
| | - Jiyang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Yuping Huang
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
| | - Yingzheng Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - Shuo Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854
| | - M Kyle Hadden
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Pharmacy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
| | - Teresa K Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611
| | - Jianjun Sun
- Department of Physiology and Neurobiology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269;
- Institute for Systems Genomics, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT 06269
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Zhou Y, Zhou J, Xu X, Du F, Nie M, Hu L, Ma Y, Liu M, Yu S, Zhang J, Chen Y. Matrigel/Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Granulosa Cell Proliferation and Ovarian Vascularization in a Mouse Model of Premature Ovarian Failure. Stem Cells Dev 2021; 30:782-796. [PMID: 34030464 DOI: 10.1089/scd.2021.0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
In women of reproductive age, severe injuries to the ovary are often accompanied by premature ovarian failure (POF), which can result in amenorrhea or infertility. Hormone replacement therapy has been used to treat POF; however, it has limited therapeutic efficiency and may cause several side effects. In this study, we aimed to fabricate a Matrigel scaffold loaded with human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and explore its potential to restore ovarian function and repair ovarian structures in vitro and in vivo. POF mouse models were established by injecting mice with cyclophosphamide for 15 consecutive days. Then, MSC/Matrigel was transplanted into the ovaries of the mice. Five weeks later, the morphology of the ovaries and follicles was observed by hematoxylin/eosin staining, and the tissue fibrosis ratio was measured using Masson's trichrome staining. The number of blood vessels was evaluated by α-smooth muscle actin and CD31 immunofluorescence, and Ki67 expression was used to determine the proliferation of granulosa cells. The expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-A was assessed by western blotting. The Matrigel scaffold regulated the expression of VEGF-A in vitro. Moreover, it promoted MSC survival and proliferation and prevented MSC apoptosis in vivo. After the transplantation of the MSC/Matrigel, the number of follicles was significantly increased in the mice with POF, and the tissue fibrosis ratio was reduced. Furthermore, the MSC/Matrigel significantly improved the proliferation rate of granulosa cells, increased the number of blood vessels, and upregulated the expression of VEGF-A. These findings demonstrate that MSC/Matrigel may support follicular development and help restore ovarian structures in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yao Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,The Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinhua Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
| | - Xi Xu
- The Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Fangzhou Du
- The Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Mengting Nie
- The Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun, China
| | - Lvzhong Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,The Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Yuhao Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China.,The Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Mengmeng Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China
| | - Shuang Yu
- The Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.,Zhengzhou Institute of Engineering and Technology Affiliated to SIBET, Zhengzhou, China.,Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Jingzhong Zhang
- The Key Laboratory of Bio-Medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou, China.,Zhengzhou Institute of Engineering and Technology Affiliated to SIBET, Zhengzhou, China.,Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou, China
| | - Youguo Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, China
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Mastrorocco A, Cacopardo L, Lamanna D, Temerario L, Brunetti G, Carluccio A, Robbe D, Dell’Aquila ME. Bioengineering Approaches to Improve In Vitro Performance of Prepubertal Lamb Oocytes. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061458. [PMID: 34200771 PMCID: PMC8230371 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Juvenile in vitro embryo technology (JIVET) provides exciting opportunities in animal reproduction by reducing the generation intervals. Prepubertal oocytes are also relevant models for studies on oncofertility. However, current JIVET efficiency is still unpredictable, and further improvements are needed in order for it to be used on a large-scale level. This study applied bioengineering approaches to recreate: (1) the three-dimensional (3D) structure of the cumulus–oocyte complex (COC), by constructing—via bioprinting technologies—alginate-based microbeads (COC-microbeads) for 3D in vitro maturation (3D-IVM); (2) dynamic IVM conditions, by culturing the COC in a millifluidic bioreactor; and (3) an artificial follicular wall with basal membrane, by adding granulosa cells (GCs) and type I collagen (CI) during bioprinting. The results show that oocyte nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation, as well as blastocyst quality, were improved after 3D-IVM compared to 2D controls. The dynamic 3D-IVM did not enhance oocyte maturation, but it improved oocyte bioenergetics compared with static 3D-IVM. The computational model showed higher oxygen levels in the bioreactor with respect to the static well. Microbead enrichment with GCs and CI improved oocyte maturation and bioenergetics. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that bioengineering approaches that mimic the physiological follicle structure could be valuable tools to improve IVM and JIVET.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mastrorocco
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.C.); (D.R.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Ludovica Cacopardo
- Research Centre E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, Largo Lucio Lazzarino 1, 56122 Pisa, Italy;
| | - Daniela Lamanna
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (L.T.); (G.B.); (M.E.D.)
| | - Letizia Temerario
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (L.T.); (G.B.); (M.E.D.)
| | - Giacomina Brunetti
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (L.T.); (G.B.); (M.E.D.)
| | - Augusto Carluccio
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Domenico Robbe
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Teramo, Loc. Piano d’Accio, 64100 Teramo, Italy; (A.C.); (D.R.)
| | - Maria Elena Dell’Aquila
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies & Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Via Edoardo Orabona, 70125 Bari, Italy; (D.L.); (L.T.); (G.B.); (M.E.D.)
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Wu Y, Sun Z, Wang Y, Chen H, Bian J. Human dermal fibroblasts support the development of human primordial/primary follicles in a 3-dimensional alginate matrix culture system. ANNALS OF TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE 2021; 9:868. [PMID: 34164502 PMCID: PMC8184424 DOI: 10.21037/atm-21-2125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Background Alginate matrix 3-dimensional culture offers the opportunity for the development and maturation of human secondary follicles in vitro. However, alginate may not be the most suitable culture system for human primordial/primary follicles in vitro. Thus, the innovation of alginate matrix 3-dimensional culture systems for human primordial/primary follicles could hold promise as an ideal approach to restoring fertility. Methods We extracted primordial/primary follicles from ovarian tissues collected from patients with non-ovarian benign gynecological conditions. Fibroblasts were isolated from dermal tissue from 1 male patient who had undergone posthectomy. The isolated human follicles were randomly divided into 2 groups and encapsulated within fibroblast-alginate-hydrogels or alginate hydrogels. The survival and growth of human primordial/primary follicles were measured after 21 days of in vitro culture. Results The dermal fibroblasts in alginate hydrogel microcapsules were round in shape, and were distributed as uniform clouds on the surface and gaps of the alginate. After 21 days of culture, the survival rate of follicles in the fibroblast-alginate group was higher than that of the alginate group (P<0.05). The diameter of follicles in the fibroblast-alginate group and the alginate group after 21 days of culture was 152.80±13.64 and 129.14±9.95 μm, respectively (P<0.05). After 21-day culture, the mean cpm (log-converted) for 3H-thymidine incorporated by granulosa cells in the fibroblast-alginate and alginate groups was 6.87±0.24 and 4.63±0.38, respectively (P<0.05). After 21 days of culture, the messenger RNA expression levels of growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) and bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) were significantly higher in oocytes in fibroblast-alginate hydrogels than in those in alginate hydrogels (P<0.05). Conclusions Human fibroblasts are beneficial to the development of human follicles in 3-dimensional culture alginate gel systems over a long period of time. More studies are required to investigate the molecular biological mechanisms of human fibroblasts that promote follicle growth in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanyuan Wu
- Reproductive Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zili Sun
- Reproductive Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Wang
- Reproductive Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Reproductive Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Bian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Everjoy Medical Polyclinic, Shanghai, China
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38
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Yoon HJ, Lee YJ, Baek S, Chung YS, Kim DH, Lee JH, Shin YC, Shin YM, Ryu C, Kim HS, Ahn SH, Kim H, Won YB, Lee I, Jeon MJ, Cho SH, Lee BS, Sung HJ, Choi YS. Hormone autocrination by vascularized hydrogel delivery of ovary spheroids to rescue ovarian dysfunctions. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2021; 7:7/18/eabe8873. [PMID: 33910892 PMCID: PMC8081364 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abe8873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The regeneration potential of implantable organ model hydrogels is applied to treat a loss of ovarian endocrine function in women experiencing menopause and/or cancer therapy. A rat ovariectomy model is used to harvest autologous ovary cells while subsequently producing a layer-by-layer form of follicle spheroids. Implantation of a microchannel network hydrogel with cell spheroids [vascularized hydrogel with ovarian spheroids (VHOS)] into an ischemic hindlimb of ovariectomized rats significantly aids the recovery of endocrine function with hormone release, leading to full endometrium regeneration. The VHOS implantation effectively suppresses the side effects observed with synthetic hormone treatment (i.e., tissue overgrowth, hyperplasia, cancer progression, deep vein thrombosis) to the normal levels, while effectively preventing the representative aftereffects of menopause (i.e., gaining fatty weight, inducing osteoporosis). These results highlight the unprecedented therapeutic potential of an implantable VHOS against menopause and suggest that it may be used as an alternative approach to standard hormone therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyo-Jin Yoon
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Jae Lee
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Sewoom Baek
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Shin Chung
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Dae-Hyun Kim
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Jae Hoon Lee
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Republic of Korea
| | - Yong Cheol Shin
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Min Shin
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Chungsoon Ryu
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hye-Seon Kim
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - So Hyun Ahn
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Heeyon Kim
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Bin Won
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Inha Lee
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Jae Jeon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul 03080, Republic of Korea
| | - Si Hyun Cho
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gangnam Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 06273, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Seok Lee
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
| | - Hak-Joon Sung
- Department of Medical Engineering, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
| | - Young Sik Choi
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul 03722, Republic of Korea
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A Simplified Method for Three-Dimensional (3D) Porcine Preantral Follicles Culture Utilizing Hydrophobic Microbioreactors. Methods Mol Biol 2021. [PMID: 33604845 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-1246-0_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register]
Abstract
The technological revolution in reproductive biology that started with artificial insemination procedures and embryo transfer led to the development of assisted reproduction techniques such as in vitro fertilization or even cloning of domestic animals by nuclear transfer from somatic cells. Currently, procedures of isolated immature ovarian follicles in vitro culture are becoming the prominent technology aimed to preserve or restore fertility especially of young oncological patients or those at risk of premature ovarian failure.Here, we describe a protocol that can be applied for in vitro growth of porcine, preantral ovarian follicles in three-dimensional (3D) culture conditions. After enzymatic isolation from the ovarian cortex, preantral follicles are suspended in a drop of medium and enclosed with fluorinated ethylene propylene (FEP) powder particles (microbioreactors). Such microbioreactors maintain the 3D structure of the follicles during the whole process of in vitro growth what is crucial to ensure proper folliculogenesis progression and their ability to survive.
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40
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Fertility and Breast Cancer. CURRENT BREAST CANCER REPORTS 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s12609-021-00405-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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41
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Creating an Artificial 3-Dimensional Ovarian Follicle Culture System Using a Microfluidic System. MICROMACHINES 2021; 12:mi12030261. [PMID: 33806282 PMCID: PMC7999445 DOI: 10.3390/mi12030261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesized that the creation of a 3-dimensional ovarian follicle, with embedded granulosa and theca cells, would better mimic the environment necessary to support early oocytes, both structurally and hormonally. Using a microfluidic system with controlled flow rates, 3-dimensional two-layer (core and shell) capsules were created. The core consists of murine granulosa cells in 0.8 mg/mL collagen + 0.05% alginate, while the shell is composed of murine theca cells suspended in 2% alginate. Somatic cell viability tests and hormonal assessments (estradiol, progesterone, and androstenedione) were performed on days 1, 6, 13, 20, and 27. Confocal microscopy confirmed appropriate compartmentalization of fluorescently-labeled murine granulosa cells to the inner capsule and theca cells to the outer shell. Greater than 78% of cells present in capsules were alive up to 27 days after collection. Artificially constructed ovarian follicles exhibited intact endocrine function as evidenced by the production of estradiol, progesterone, and androstenedione. Oocytes from primary and early secondary follicles were successfully encapsulated, which maintained size and cellular compartmentalization. This novel microfluidic system successfully encapsulated oocytes from primary and secondary follicles, recapitulating the two-compartment system necessary for the development of the mammalian oocyte. Importantly, this microfluidic system can be easily adapted for sterile, high throughput applications.
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42
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Li A, Wang HX, Wang F, Fan LH, Zhao ZH, Han F, Li J, Lei WL, Zhou Q, Shi YP, Song CY, Schatten H, Sun QY, Guo XP. Nuclear and cytoplasmic quality of oocytes derived from serum-free culture of secondary follicles in vitro. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:5352-5361. [PMID: 33586215 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
In vitro culture of follicles is a promising technology to generate large quantities of mature oocytes and it could offer a novel option of assisted reproductive technologies. Here we described a 2-dimensional follicular serum-free culture system with 3-dimensional effect that can make secondary follicles develop into antral follicles (78.52%), generating developmentally mature oocytes in vitro (66.45%). The oocytes in this serum-free system completed the first meiosis; spindle assembly and chromosome congression in most oocytes matured from follicular culture were normal. However, these oocytes showed significantly lower activation and embryonic development rates, and their ability to produce Ca2+ oscillations was also lower in response to parthenogenetic activation, after which a 2-cell embryonic developmental block occurred. Oocytes matured from follicular culture displayed increased abnormal mitochondrial distribution and increased reactive oxygen species levels when compared to in vivo matured oocytes. These data are important for understanding the reasons for reduced developmental potential of oocytes matured from follicular culture, and for further improving the cultivation system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ang Li
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.,Shanxi Province Reproductive Science Institute, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.,State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Huai-Xiu Wang
- Shanxi Province Reproductive Science Institute, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | | | - Li-Hua Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zheng-Hui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | | | - Wen-Long Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ya-Ping Shi
- Shanxi Province Reproductive Science Institute, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Chun-Ying Song
- Shanxi Province Reproductive Science Institute, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
| | - Heide Schatten
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Qing-Yuan Sun
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xing-Ping Guo
- Faculty of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China.,Shanxi Province Reproductive Science Institute, Taiyuan, Shanxi, China
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43
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Jeon MJ, Choi YS, Kim ID, Criswell T, Atala A, Yoo JJ, Jackson JD. Engineering Functional Rat Ovarian Spheroids Using Granulosa and Theca Cells. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:1697-1708. [PMID: 33511540 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00445-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Although menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) is the most effective approach to managing the loss of ovarian activity, serious side effects have been reported. Cell-based therapy is a promising alternative for MHT. This study constructed engineered ovarian cell spheroids and investigated their endocrine function. Theca and granulosa cells were isolated from ovaries of 10-week-old rats. Two types of engineered ovarian cell spheroids were fabricated through forced aggregation in microwells, multilayered spheroids with centralized granulosa aggregates surrounded by an outer layer of theca cells and mixed ovarian spheroids lacking spatial rearrangement. The ovarian cell spheroids were encapsulated into a collagen gel. Non-aggregated ovarian cells served as controls. The endocrine function of the engineered ovarian spheroids was assessed over 30 days. The structure of the spheroids was well maintained during culture. The secretion of 17β-estradiol from both types of engineered ovarian cell spheroids was higher than in the control group and increased continuously in a time-dependent manner. Secretion of 17β-estradiol in the multi-layered ovarian cell spheroids was higher than in the non-layered constructs. Increased secretion of progesterone was detected in the multi-layered ovarian cell spheroids at day 5 of culture and was sustained during the culture period. The initial secretion level of progesterone in the non-layered ovarian cell spheroids was similar to those from the controls and increased significantly from days 21 to 30. An in vitro rat model of engineered ovarian cell spheroids was developed that was capable of secreting sex steroid hormones, indicating that the hormone secreting function of ovaries can be recapitulated ex vivo and potentially adapted for MHT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Myung Jae Jeon
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, 101, Daehak-ro, Jong-gu, Seoul, 110-799, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Sik Choi
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 120-752, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Women's Life Medical Science, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, 120-752, Republic of Korea
| | - Il Dong Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bundang Jeaseng General Hospital, 20, Seohyeon-ro 180beon-gil, Bundang-gu, Seognam-si, Gyeonggi-do, 13590, Republic of Korea
| | - Tracy Criswell
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
| | - Anthony Atala
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
| | - James J Yoo
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA
| | - John D Jackson
- Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, 27101, USA.
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44
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Woodruff TK, Ataman-Millhouse L, Acharya KS, Almeida-Santos T, Anazodo A, Anderson RA, Appiah L, Bader J, Becktell K, Brannigan RE, Breech L, Bourlon MT, Bumbuliene Ž, Burns K, Campo-Engelstein L, Campos JR, Centola GM, Chehin MB, Chen D, De Vos M, Duncan FE, El-Damen A, Fair D, Famuyiwa Y, Fechner PY, Fontoura P, Frias O, Gerkowicz SA, Ginsberg J, Gracia CR, Goldman K, Gomez-Lobo V, Hazelrigg B, Hsieh MH, Hoyos LR, Hoyos-Martinez A, Jach R, Jassem J, Javed M, Jayasinghe Y, Jeelani R, Jeruss JS, Kaul-Mahajan N, Keim-Malpass J, Ketterl TG, Khrouf M, Kimelman D, Kusuhara A, Kutteh WH, Laronda MM, Lee JR, Lehmann V, Letourneau JM, McGinnis LK, McMahon E, Meacham LR, Mijangos MFV, Moravek M, Nahata L, Ogweno GM, Orwig KE, Pavone ME, Peccatori FA, Pesce RI, Pulaski H, Quinn G, Quintana R, Quintana T, de Carvalho BR, Ramsey-Goldman R, Reinecke J, Reis FM, Rios J, Rhoton-Vlasak AS, Rodriguez-Wallberg KA, Roeca C, Rotz SJ, Rowell E, Salama M, Saraf AJ, Scarella A, Schafer-Kalkhoff T, Schmidt D, Senapati S, Shah D, Shikanov A, Shnorhavorian M, Skiles JL, Smith JF, Smith K, Sobral F, Stimpert K, Su HI, Sugimoto K, Suzuki N, Thakur M, Victorson D, Viale L, Vitek W, Wallace WH, Wartella EA, Westphal LM, Whiteside S, Wilcox LH, Wyns C, Xiao S, Xu J, Zelinski M. A View from the past into our collective future: the oncofertility consortium vision statement. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:3-15. [PMID: 33405006 PMCID: PMC7786868 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01983-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Today, male and female adult and pediatric cancer patients, individuals transitioning between gender identities, and other individuals facing health extending but fertility limiting treatments can look forward to a fertile future. This is, in part, due to the work of members associated with the Oncofertility Consortium. Methods The Oncofertility Consortium is an international, interdisciplinary initiative originally designed to explore the urgent unmet need associated with the reproductive future of cancer survivors. As the strategies for fertility management were invented, developed or applied, the individuals for who the program offered hope, similarly expanded. As a community of practice, Consortium participants share information in an open and rapid manner to addresses the complex health care and quality-of-life issues of cancer, transgender and other patients. To ensure that the organization remains contemporary to the needs of the community, the field designed a fully inclusive mechanism for strategic planning and here present the findings of this process. Results This interprofessional network of medical specialists, scientists, and scholars in the law, medical ethics, religious studies and other disciplines associated with human interventions, explore the relationships between health, disease, survivorship, treatment, gender and reproductive longevity. Conclusion The goals are to continually integrate the best science in the service of the needs of patients and build a community of care that is ready for the challenges of the field in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa K Woodruff
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
| | - Lauren Ataman-Millhouse
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Kelly S Acharya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Duke Fertility Center, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Teresa Almeida-Santos
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Coimbra Hospital and University Centre, Coimbra, Portugal.,Clinical Academic Center of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Antoinette Anazodo
- Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Nelune Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Sydney, Australia.,Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia.,School of Women's and Children's Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
| | - Richard A Anderson
- Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Leslie Appiah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Joy Bader
- ReproTech, Ltd., Saint Paul, MN, USA
| | | | - Robert E Brannigan
- Department of Urology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Lesley Breech
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Maria T Bourlon
- Hemato-Oncology Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Žana Bumbuliene
- Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Karen Burns
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Division of Oncology, Cancer and Blood Diseases Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Lisa Campo-Engelstein
- Institute for the Medical Humanities, Department of Preventive Medicine and Population Health, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | | | - Grace M Centola
- Dadi, Inc., Brooklyn, NY, USA.,Phoenix Sperm Bank of Seattle Sperm Bank, Phoenix, AZ, USA.,New England Cryogenic Center/New England Cord Blood Bank, Marlborough, MA, USA
| | | | - Diane Chen
- Potocsnak Family Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine and Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Michel De Vos
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, UZ Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Follicle Biology Laboratory (FOBI), Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, Perinatology and Reproductology, Institute of Professional Education, Sechenov University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Francesca E Duncan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ahmed El-Damen
- IVIRMA Middle East Fertility Clinic, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.,Division of Embryology and Comparative Anatomy, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Douglas Fair
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Utah, Primary Children's Hospital, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Yemi Famuyiwa
- Montgomery Fertility Center, Rockville, MD, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Patricia Y Fechner
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Endocrinology, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Olivia Frias
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | - Jill Ginsberg
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Clarisa R Gracia
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kara Goldman
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Veronica Gomez-Lobo
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Michael H Hsieh
- Department of Urology, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Luis R Hoyos
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alfonso Hoyos-Martinez
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Pediatric Diabetes and Endocrinology, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Robert Jach
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Jacek Jassem
- Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Medical University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Murid Javed
- OriginElle Fertility Clinic and Women's Health Centre, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Yasmin Jayasinghe
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Roohi Jeelani
- Vios Fertility Institute, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jacqueline S Jeruss
- Departments of Surgery, Pathology, and Biomedical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Nalini Kaul-Mahajan
- Mother & Child Hospital, New Delhi, India.,Ferticity Fertility Clinics, New Delhi, India
| | - Jessica Keim-Malpass
- School of Nursing, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Tyler G Ketterl
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - Dana Kimelman
- Centro de Esterilidad Montevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Atsuko Kusuhara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - William H Kutteh
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Surgery, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Monica M Laronda
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jung Ryeol Lee
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Fertility Preservation and Enhancement Research Laboratory, Seongnam, Korea
| | - Vicky Lehmann
- Department of Medical Psychology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Cancer Center Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joseph M Letourneau
- University of Utah Center for Reproductive Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Lynda K McGinnis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Eileen McMahon
- Sinai Health System, Mount Sinai Fertility, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lillian R Meacham
- Department of Pediatrics, Aflac Cancer Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Monserrat Fabiola Velez Mijangos
- Biology of Human Reproduction Department, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Molly Moravek
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Leena Nahata
- Department of Pediatrics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - George Moses Ogweno
- Reproductive Endocrinology and Fertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Nairobi Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya.,Esis Health Services (EHS), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mary Ellen Pavone
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Fedro Alessandro Peccatori
- Fertility & Procreation Unit, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, European Institute of Oncology IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Romina Ileana Pesce
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Hanna Pulaski
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Gwendolyn Quinn
- Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Medical Ethics, Population Health, Grossman School of Medicine, New York University, New York, NY, USA
| | | | | | | | - Rosalind Ramsey-Goldman
- Department of Medicine/Division of Rheumatology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Fernando M Reis
- Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Julie Rios
- Department of Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Alice S Rhoton-Vlasak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kenny A Rodriguez-Wallberg
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Cassandra Roeca
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Seth J Rotz
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology, and Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Erin Rowell
- Stanley Manne Children's Research Institute, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Mahmoud Salama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Amanda J Saraf
- Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Anibal Scarella
- Centro de Reproducción Humana, Facultad Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Escuela de Medicina, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | | | - Deb Schmidt
- Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Suneeta Senapati
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Divya Shah
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology & Infertility, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ariella Shikanov
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Margarett Shnorhavorian
- Department of Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, Seattle Children's Hospital, Seattle, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Jodi L Skiles
- Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - James F Smith
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Kristin Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Fabio Sobral
- Pregna Medicina Reproductiva, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Kyle Stimpert
- Department of Hematology/Oncology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - H Irene Su
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Kouhei Sugimoto
- International Center for Reproductive Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Saitama Medical Center, Saitama, Japan
| | - Nao Suzuki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Mili Thakur
- Reproductive Genomics Program, The Fertility Center, Grand Rapids, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - David Victorson
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| | | | - Wendy Vitek
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA
| | - W Hamish Wallace
- Paediatric Oncology, University of Edinburgh & Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
| | - Ellen A Wartella
- Center on Media and Human Development, School of Communication, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Lynn M Westphal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, CA, USA
| | - Stacy Whiteside
- Fertility & Reproductive Health Program, Department of Hematology/Oncology/BMT, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | - Christine Wyns
- Cliniques universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Shuo Xiao
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Jing Xu
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Mary Zelinski
- Division of Reproductive & Developmental Sciences, Oregon National Primate Research Center, Oregon Health & Science University, Beaverton, OR, USA.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Aydin A, Cebi G, Demirtas ZE, Erkus H, Kucukay A, Ok M, Sakalli L, Alpdagtas S, Gunduz O, Ustundag CB. Combating COVID-19 with tissue engineering: a review. EMERGENT MATERIALS 2021; 4:329-349. [PMID: 33235976 PMCID: PMC7677604 DOI: 10.1007/s42247-020-00138-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic triggered by SARS-CoV-2 emerged from Wuhan, China, firstly in December 2019, as well spread to almost all around the world rapidly. The main reason why this disease spreads so many people in a short time is that the virus could be transmitted from an infected person to another by infected droplets. The new emergence of diseases usually may affect multiple organs; moreover, this disease is such an example. Numerous reported studies focus on acute or chronic organ damage caused by the virus. At this point, tissue engineering (TE) strategies can be used to treat the damages with its interdisciplinary approaches. Tissue engineers could design drug delivery systems, scaffolds, and especially biomaterials for the damaged tissue and organs. In this review, brief information about SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, and epidemiology of the disease will be given at first. After that, the symptoms, the tissue damages in specific organs, and cytokine effect caused by COVID-19 will be described in detail. Finally, it will be attempted to summarize and suggest the appropriate treatments with suitable biomaterials for the damages via TE approaches. The aim of this review is to serve as a summary of currently available tissue damage treatments after COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayca Aydin
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gizem Cebi
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Ezgi Demirtas
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Huseyin Erkus
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Aleyna Kucukay
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Merve Ok
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Latife Sakalli
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Saadet Alpdagtas
- Department of Biology, Van Yuzuncu Yil University, 65080 Van, Turkey
| | - Oguzhan Gunduz
- Center for Nanotechnology and Biomaterials Application and Research (NBUAM), Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey
- Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Technology, Marmara University, 34722 Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Cem Bulent Ustundag
- Department of Bioengineering, Faculty of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, 34210 Istanbul, Turkey
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46
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Supplementation of c-type natriuretic peptide during in vitro growth period benefits the development of murine preantral follicles. ZYGOTE 2020; 29:150-154. [PMID: 33234184 DOI: 10.1017/s096719942000060x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of c-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) on the development of murine preantral follicles during in vitro growth (IVG). Preantral follicles isolated from ovaries of Kunming mice were cultured in vitro. In the culture system, CNP was supplemented in the experimental groups and omitted in the control groups. In Experiment 1, CNP was only supplemented at the early stage and follicle development was evaluated. In Experiments 2 and 3, CNP was supplemented during the whole period of in vitro culture. In Experiment 2, follicle development and oocyte maturity were evaluated. In Experiment 3, follicle development and embryo cleavage after in vitro fertilization (IVF) were assessed. The results showed that in the control groups in all three experiments, granulosa cells migrated from within the follicle and the follicles could not reach the antral stage. In the experimental groups in all three experiments, no migration of granulosa cells was observed and follicle development was assessed as attaining the antral stage, which was significantly superior to that of the control group (P < 0.0001). Oocyte meiotic arrest was effectively maintained, hence giving good developmental competence. In conclusion, CNP supplementation in the culture system during IVG benefited the development of murine preantral follicles.
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47
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Mastrorocco A, Cacopardo L, Martino NA, Fanelli D, Camillo F, Ciani E, Roelen BAJ, Ahluwalia A, Dell’Aquila ME. One-step automated bioprinting-based method for cumulus-oocyte complex microencapsulation for 3D in vitro maturation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0238812. [PMID: 32915922 PMCID: PMC7485809 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0238812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 08/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional in vitro maturation (3D IVM) is a promising approach to improve IVM efficiency as it could prevent cumulus-oocyte complex (COC) flattening and preserve its structural and functional integrity. Methods reported to date have low reproducibility and validation studies are limited. In this study, a bioprinting based production process for generating microbeads containing a COC (COC-microbeads) was optimized and its validity tested in a large animal model (sheep). Alginate microbeads were produced and characterized for size, shape and stability under culture conditions. COC encapsulation had high efficiency and reproducibility and cumulus integrity was preserved. COC-microbeads underwent IVM, with COCs cultured in standard 2D IVM as controls. After IVM, oocytes were analyzed for nuclear chromatin configuration, bioenergetic/oxidative status and transcriptional activity of genes biomarker of mitochondrial activity (TFAM, ATP6, ATP8) and oocyte developmental competence (KHDC3, NLRP5, OOEP and TLE6). The 3D system supported oocyte nuclear maturation more efficiently than the 2D control (P<0.05). Ooplasmic mitochondrial activity and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation ability were increased (P<0.05). Up-regulation of TFAM, ATP6 and ATP8 and down-regulation of KHDC3, NLRP5 expression were observed in 3D IVM. In conclusion, the new bioprinting method for producing COC-microbeads has high reproducibility and efficiency. Moreover, 3D IVM improves oocyte nuclear maturation and relevant parameters of oocyte cytoplasmic maturation and could be used for clinical and toxicological applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonella Mastrorocco
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Nicola Antonio Martino
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Diana Fanelli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Elena Ciani
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Bernard A. J. Roelen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Embryology, Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Arti Ahluwalia
- Research Centre E. Piaggio, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy
| | - Maria Elena Dell’Aquila
- Department of Biosciences, Biotechnologies and Biopharmaceutics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
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48
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Zubizarreta ME, Xiao S. Bioengineering models of female reproduction. Biodes Manuf 2020; 3:237-251. [PMID: 32774987 PMCID: PMC7413245 DOI: 10.1007/s42242-020-00082-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The female reproductive system consists of the ovaries, the female gonads, and the reproductive track organs of the fallopian tubes, uterus, cervix, and vagina. It functions to provide hormonal support and anatomical structure for the production of new offspring. A number of endogenous and exogenous factors can impact female reproductive health and fertility, including genetic vulnerability, medications, environmental exposures, age, nutrition, and diseases, etc. To date, due to the ethical concerns of using human subjects in biomedical research, the majority of studies use in vivo animal models and 2D cell/tissue culture models to study female reproduction. However, the complexity and species difference of the female reproductive system in humans makes it difficult to compare to those of animals. Moreover, the monolayered cells cultured on flat plastics or glass lose their 3D architecture as well as the physical and/or biochemical contacts with other cells in vivo. Further, all reproductive organs do not work alone but interconnect with each other and also with non-reproductive organs to support female reproductive, endocrine, and systemic health. These facts suggest that there is an urgent and unmet need to develop representative, effective, and efficient in vitro models for studying human female reproduction. The prodigious advancements of bioengineering (e.g. biomaterials, 3D printing, and organ-on-a-chip) allow us to study female reproduction in an entirely new way. Here, we review recent advances that use bioengineering methods to study female reproduction, including the bioengineering models of the ovary, fallopian tube, uterus, embryo implantation, placenta, and reproductive disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria E. Zubizarreta
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
| | - Shuo Xiao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Environmental Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA
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49
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Yan W. An Interview with Dr. Teresa K Woodruff. Biol Reprod 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Wei Yan
- The Lundquist Institute at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Torrance, CA 90502, USA
- Department of Medicine, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
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50
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Jamalzaei P, Rezazadeh Valojerdi M, Montazeri L, Baharvand H. Applicability of Hyaluronic Acid-Alginate Hydrogel and Ovarian Cells for In Vitro Development of Mouse Preantral Follicles. CELL JOURNAL 2020; 22:49-60. [PMID: 32779433 PMCID: PMC7481901 DOI: 10.22074/cellj.2020.6925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Objective In the present study, the applicability of hyaluronic acid-alginate (HAA) hydrogel and ovarian cells (OCs) for
the culture of mouse ovarian follicles were investigated and compared with those of alginate (ALG) and fibrin-alginate
(FA) hydrogels.
Materials and Methods In the first step of this experimental study, mechanically isolated preantral follicles from the
ovaries of two-week-old mice were encapsulated in the absence or presence of OCs in ALG, HAA, and FA hydrogels and
cultured for 14 days. The morphology, diameter, survival and antrum formation rates of the follicles and the maturation
and quality of the oocytes were evaluated during culture. In the second step, preantral follicles were cultured similar
to the first step, but for 13 days, and their gene expressions and hormonal secretion were assessed on the last day of
culture.
Results In the absence of OCs, higher numbers of ALG- and HAA-encapsulated follicles reached the antral
stage compared to FA-encapsulated follicles (P<0.05). However, a higher percentage of HAA-developed oocytes
resumed meiosis up to the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD)/metaphase II (MII) stages in comparison with
ALG-developed oocytes (P<0.05). HAA-encapsulated follicles had significant overexpression of most of the growth
and differentiation genes, and secreted higher levels of estradiol (E2) compared to ALG- and FA-encapsulated
follicles (P<0.05). The co-culture condition increased the diameter of ALG-encapsulated follicles on day 13 of
culture (P<0.05). It also increased the survival and maturation rates of ALG- and FA-encapsulated follicles,
respectively (P<0.05). The co-culture condition improved cortical granule distribution in all groups, increased E2
and progesterone (P4) secretions in the ALG and FA groups, and androstenedione (A4) secretion in the FA group
(P<0.05).
Conclusion The present study results show that HAA hydrogel is a promising hydrogel for follicle culture. OCs
utilization could ameliorate the culture conditions regardless of the type of hydrogel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Jamalzaei
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Rezazadeh Valojerdi
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. Electronic Address: .,Department of Embryology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Leila Montazeri
- Department of Cell Engineering, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Baharvand
- Department of Developmental Biology, University of Science and Culture, Tehran, Iran. Electronic Address: .,Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran. Electronic Address:
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