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Nörenberg J, Vida P, Bösmeier I, Forró B, Nörenberg A, Buda Á, Simon D, Erdő-Bonyár S, Jáksó P, Kovács K, Mikó É, Berki T, Mezősi E, Barakonyi A. Decidual γδT cells of early human pregnancy produce angiogenic and immunomodulatory proteins while also possessing cytotoxic potential. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1382424. [PMID: 38601161 PMCID: PMC11004470 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1382424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
During pregnancy, the maternal immune system must allow and support the growth of the developing placenta while maintaining the integrity of the mother's body. The trophoblast's unique HLA signature is a key factor in this physiological process. This study focuses on decidual γδT cell populations and examines their expression of receptors that bind to non-classical HLA molecules, HLA-E and HLA-G. We demonstrate that decidual γδT cell subsets, including Vδ1, Vδ2, and double-negative (DN) Vδ1-/Vδ2- cells express HLA-specific regulatory receptors, such as NKG2C, NKG2A, ILT2, and KIR2DL4, each with varying dominance. Furthermore, decidual γδT cells produce cytokines (G-CSF, FGF2) and cytotoxic mediators (Granulysin, IFN-γ), suggesting functions in placental growth and pathogen defense. However, these processes seem to be controlled by factors other than trophoblast-derived non-classical HLA molecules. These findings indicate that decidual γδT cells have the potential to actively contribute to the maintenance of healthy human pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jasper Nörenberg
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Péter Vida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Isabell Bösmeier
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Barbara Forró
- Department of Pathology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Anna Nörenberg
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
- Janos Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Buda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Diana Simon
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Szabina Erdő-Bonyár
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Pál Jáksó
- Department of Pathology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Kálmán Kovács
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Éva Mikó
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Janos Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Tímea Berki
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Department of Immunology and Biotechnology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Emese Mezősi
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- First Department of Internal Medicine, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Alíz Barakonyi
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pécs Medical School, Clinical Center, Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory on Human Reproduction, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
- Janos Szentagothai Research Centre, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
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2
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Keleş ID, Günel T, Özgör BY, Ülgen E, Gümüşoğlu E, Hosseini MK, Sezerman U, Buyru F, Yeh J, Baştu E. Gene pathway analysis of the endometrium at the start of the window of implantation in women with unexplained infertility and unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss: is unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss a subset of unexplained infertility? HUM FERTIL 2023; 26:1129-1141. [PMID: 36369952 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2022.2143299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to understand differences/similarities in the genetic profile of the endometrium at the start of window of implantation (WOI) in women with unexplained infertility (UI) and unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (uRPL). Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) from the endometrium were evaluated using gene expression array and pathway enrichment analysis was performed to analyse gene expression pathways involved in both conditions. We found 2,171 genes arranged in 117 pathways and 730 genes arranged in 33 pathways differentially expressed in endometrium of patients in UI and uRPL, respectively. Complement-coagulation cascades, morphine addiction pathway, and PI3K-Akt signalling pathway were predominantly differentially expressed in UI. Cancer pathways, NF-κB signalling pathway, and actin cytoskeleton regulation pathway showed significant changes in uRPL. Forty-eight percent of DEGs and 84% of differentially expressed pathways in uRPL were found in the endometrium of UI patients. Unexpected close association in gene expression pathways between UI and uRPL is observed supporting the hypothesis 'uRPL is a clinical subset of UI'. Yet 100% DEGs overlap wasn't found suggesting the endometrium has still some different gene expression patterns at start of WOI in UI and uRPL. Lastly, diagnostic tools may be developed for uRPL because more specific genes-pathways are involved compared with UI, which shows broader genetic expression profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irem Demiral Keleş
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tuba Günel
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bahar Yüksel Özgör
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Istanbul University Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ege Ülgen
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Acibadem University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ece Gümüşoğlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Uğur Sezerman
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Acibadem University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Faruk Buyru
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Acibadem University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - John Yeh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMass Memorial Medical Center, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Ercan Baştu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Acibadem University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
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3
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Liu X, Wang G, Huang H, Lv X, Si Y, Bai L, Wang G, Li Q, Yang W. Exploring maternal-fetal interface with in vitro placental and trophoblastic models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1279227. [PMID: 38033854 PMCID: PMC10682727 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1279227] [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: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta, being a temporary organ, plays a crucial role in facilitating the exchange of nutrients and gases between the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. Any abnormalities in the development of this vital organ not only lead to various pregnancy-related disorders that can result in fetal injury or death, but also have long-term effects on maternal health. In vitro models have been employed to study the physiological features and molecular regulatory mechanisms of placental development, aiming to gain a detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of pregnancy-related diseases. Among these models, trophoblast stem cell culture and organoids show great promise. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current mature trophoblast stem cell models and emerging organoid models, while also discussing other models in a systematic manner. We believe that this knowledge will be valuable in guiding further exploration of the complex maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlu Liu
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Haiqin Huang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Lv
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yanru Si
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Lixia Bai
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Guohui Wang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Qinghua Li
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Weiwei Yang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
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4
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Huang L, Tu Z, Wei L, Sun W, Wang Y, Bi S, He F, Du L, Chen J, Kzhyshkowska J, Wang H, Chen D, Zhang S. Generating Functional Multicellular Organoids from Human Placenta Villi. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301565. [PMID: 37438660 PMCID: PMC10502861 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between trophoblasts, stroma cells, and immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface constitutes the functional units of the placenta, which is crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. However, the investigation of this intricate interplay is restricted due to the absence of efficient experimental models. To address this challenge, a robust, reliable methodology for generating placenta villi organoids (PVOs) from early, late, or diseased pregnancies using air-liquid surface culture is developed. PVOs contain cytotrophoblasts that can self-renew and differentiate directly, along with stromal elements that retain native immune cells. Analysis of scRNA sequencing and WES data reveals that PVOs faithfully recapitulate the cellular components and genetic alterations of the corresponding source tissue. Additionally, PVOs derived from patients with preeclampsia exhibit specific pathological features such as inflammation, antiangiogenic imbalance, and decreased syncytin expression. The PVO-based propagation of primary placenta villi should enable a deeper investigation of placenta development and exploration of the underlying pathogenesis and therapeutics of placenta-originated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Zhaowei Tu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Liudan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Shilei Bi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Fang He
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Lili Du
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Jingsi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Julia Kzhyshkowska
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and ImmunologyMedical Faculty MannheimUniversity of Heidelberg68167MannheimGermany
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health ResearchDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen UniversitySchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamen361005China
| | - Dunjin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong ProvinceGuangzhou510150China
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal‐Fetal MedicineGuangzhou510150China
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center of Maternal‐Fetal MedicineGuangzhou510150China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
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5
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Blockade of stromal cell-derived factor-1 signaling disturbs the invasiveness of human extravillous trophoblast cells. Mol Cell Toxicol 2023. [DOI: 10.1007/s13273-023-00344-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
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6
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Naseri S, Rosenberg‐Hasson Y, Maecker HT, Avrutsky MI, Blumenthal PD. A cross-sectional study comparing the inflammatory profile of menstrual effluent vs. peripheral blood. Health Sci Rep 2023; 6:e1038. [PMID: 36620506 PMCID: PMC9813904 DOI: 10.1002/hsr2.1038] [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: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and Aims Cytokine profiles of peripheral blood and other bodily fluids provide diagnostic indicators for assessing inflammatory processes. Menstrual effluent may provide a noninvasive source of biological material for monitoring cytokine levels in blood and in endometrial tissues. This pilot study investigated the potential of measuring cytokines in menstrual effluent, and compared the cytokine profiles of menstrual versus peripheral blood. Methods Seven healthy donors (aged ≥18 and ≤45 years) collected menstrual effluent on day 2 of menses. Matched peripheral blood samples were collected by venous blood draw on the same day. Levels of 62 cytokines were measured in all samples by 62-plex Luminex assay. Results Peripheral blood and menstrual effluent cytokine profiles were tenuously correlated (r 2 = 0.26, p < 0.0001), with higher levels detected in menstrual effluent for 48/62 cytokines. Thirty five cytokines were significantly elevated in menstrual effluent compared to peripheral blood samples (IL-8, CCL2, CCL4, LIF, IL-1RA, IL-6, IL-1β, HGF, CCL3, FGF-2, TNF-α, VEGF-A, IL-1α, CXCL1, IL-9, IL-10, EGF, CXCL5, CSF3, EOTAXIN, TGF-α, TRAIL, CXCL10, VEGF-D, IL-12P40, CXCL9, IL-18 RESISTIN, IL-22, IL-21, CSF1, IFN-γ, IL-17A, CXCL12, IL-12p70). Two cytokines (LEPTIN, CSF2) were expressed at significantly lower levels in menstrual effluent compared to peripheral blood. Linear regression of individual cytokines found low predictive power (linear regression p > 0.05) for 53/62 cytokines in menstrual effluent versus peripheral blood. Levels of TGF-β (r 2 = 0.87, p = 0.002) and CCL7 (r 2 = 0.63, p = 0.033) were significantly positively correlated between matched menstrual and peripheral blood samples. Conclusion In this group of study participants, the cytokine profile of menstrual effluent was quantitatively distinct from peripheral blood, and also characterized by higher levels of inflammatory signaling. This pattern of comparative menstrual blood cytokine profiles points to a need for further studies to evaluate the relationship between peripheral and menstrual blood cytokines in broader populations including both healthy and diseased states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Naseri
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA,Qurasense Inc.Menlo ParkCaliforniaUSA
| | - Yael Rosenberg‐Hasson
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation, and Infection, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Holden T. Maecker
- Institute for Immunity, Transplantation, and Infection, Stanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | | | - Paul D. Blumenthal
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyStanford UniversityStanfordCaliforniaUSA
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7
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How do pre-pregnancy endometrial macrophages contribute to pregnancy? J Reprod Immunol 2022; 154:103736. [PMID: 36113384 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages are professional phagocytes with a wide distribution in all tissues throughout the body. Macrophages play a crucial role in homeostasis and numerous physiological processes beyond innate and adaptive immunity, including cellular debris removal, metabolic regulation, tissue repair, and tissue remodeling. Uterine macrophages are a heterogeneous and highly plastic subset of immune cells regulated by the local microenvironment and, in addition to their anti-inflammatory and anti-infective functions, support the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Comprehensive reviews have summarized the role of decidual macrophages during pregnancy. However, the distribution of macrophages in the endometrium prior to pregnancy, their functional remodeling, and the knock-on effects on subsequent pregnancies have not been elucidated. In this review, we focus on 1) how the phenotypes of endometrial macrophages and their interactions with other endometrial cells indicate or contribute to the subsequent pregnancy, 2) the adaptive switching of endometrial macrophages during the initial establishment of pregnancy, 3) and the pregnancy complications and pregnancy-related disorders associated with endometrial macrophages.
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Effects of intrauterine human chorionic gonadotropin administration on endometrial receptivity and embryo implantation. Life Sci 2022; 311:121154. [DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2022.121154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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9
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Cindrova-Davies T, Sferruzzi-Perri AN. Human placental development and function. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:66-77. [PMID: 35393235 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.03.039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is a transient fetal organ that plays a critical role in the health and wellbeing of both the fetus and its mother. Functionally, the placenta sustains the growth of the fetus as it facilitates delivery of oxygen and nutrients and removal of waste products. Not surprisingly, defective early placental development is the primary cause of common disorders of pregnancy, including recurrent miscarriage, fetal growth restriction, pre-eclampsia and stillbirth. Adverse pregnancy conditions will also affect the life-long health of the fetus via developmental programming[1]. Despite its critical importance in reproductive success and life-long health, our understanding of placental development is not extensive, largely due to ethical limitations to studying early or chronological placental development, lack of long-term in vitro models, or comparative animal models. In this review, we examine current knowledge of early human placental development, discuss the critical role of the maternal endometrium and of the fetal-maternal dialogue in pregnancy success, and we explore the latest models of trophoblast and endometrial stem cells. In addition, we discuss the role of oxygen in placental formation and function, how nutrient delivery is mediated during the periods of histotrophic nutrition (uptake of uterine secretions) and haemotrophic nutrition (exchange between the maternal and fetal circulations), and how placental endocrine function facilitates fetal growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Cindrova-Davies
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Amanda N Sferruzzi-Perri
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 3EG, UK.
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Conforti A, Longobardi S, Carbone L, Iorio GG, Cariati F, Campitiello MR, Strina I, Palese M, D’Hooghe T, Alviggi C. Does Intrauterine Injection of hCG Improve IVF Outcome? A Systematic Review and a Meta-Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232012193. [PMID: 36293052 PMCID: PMC9603006 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232012193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Various interventions have been proposed to improve embryo implantation in IVF. Among these, intrauterine injections of human chorionic gonadotropin seem to have promising results. Consequently, we conducted a review and meta-analysis to assess IVF outcomes by comparing couples who underwent intrauterine hCG injection transfer versus those who underwent embryo transfer with intrauterine injection of placebo, or without any additional intervention. The primary outcome was the clinical pregnancy rate. Secondary outcomes were the implantation rate, miscarriage rate, and live birth rate. A meta-analysis was conducted using the random effects model, while bias within studies was detected using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Ectopic pregnancies and stillbirths were also assessed. The clinical pregnancy (RR 1.38, 95% CI 1.17−1.62, p < 0.0001) and implantation rate (RR 1.40, 95% CI 1.12−1.75, p = 0.003) were significantly higher in women who underwent hCG injection than in the control group. These significant effects persisted only in women who underwent cleavage-stage embryo transfer. No significant differences between groups were observed in the other secondary outcomes. In conclusion, our systematic review and meta-analysis demonstrate that intrauterine injection of hCG could be a valuable approach in women who undergo cleavage-stage embryo transfer. Given the lack of data about the live birth rate, caution should be exercised in interpreting these data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Conforti
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0817463748
| | | | - Luigi Carbone
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Gabriele Iorio
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Federica Cariati
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Maria Rosaria Campitiello
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, ASL Salerno, 84124 Salerno, Italy
| | - Ida Strina
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Michela Palese
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Thomas D’Hooghe
- Department of Development and Regeneration, Biomedical Sciences Group, KU Leuven (University of Leuven), 3000 Leuven, Belgium
- KGaA, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Carlo Alviggi
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Science and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Naples, Italy
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11
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Wang L, Jiang Y, Shen H, Ma X, Gao M, Jin P, Zhang R, Zhao L, Zhang X. Independent value of serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin in predicting early pregnancy loss risks in IVF/ICSI cycles. Front Immunol 2022; 13:992121. [PMID: 36248885 PMCID: PMC9556765 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.992121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is the most prevalent complication, particularly in couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment. The present study aimed to determine whether the serum β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) level after 14 days of embryo transfer, either alone or in conjunction with other parameters in IVF/ICSI cycles, could be used to predict subsequent EPL. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of all couples who received clinical pregnancy and underwent fresh IVF/ICSI cycles at a single large reproductive medical center between January 2013 and June 2020. The research involved a total of 6600 cycles. For risk variables, we conducted the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis, and for risk scoring, we used logistic regression coefficients. To analyze relevant risk factors for EPL, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed. Areas under the curve (AUC) were determined and compared between β-hCG and other factors using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results β-hCG level was considerably lower in women who had EPL than in those who were ongoing pregnancy (564.03 ± 838.16 vs 1139.04 ± 1048.72 IU/L, p< 0.001). Univariable and multivariable logistic regression revealed that β-hCG levels were significantly correlated with the probability of EPL, independent of other risk factors. More importantly, the β-hCG level could independently predict the occurrence of EPL and was comparable to the model that combined other risk factors. The optimal serum β-hCG cut-off value for predicting EPL was 542.45 IU/L. Conclusions Our results suggest that the serum β-hCG level has a strong independent predictive value for EPL occurrence in fresh IVF/ICSI cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liyan Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yanbiao Jiang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Haofei Shen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaoling Ma
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mingxia Gao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Lanzhou, China
| | - Panpan Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Lanzhou, China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Lanzhou, China
| | - Lihui Zhao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xuehong Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Xuehong Zhang,
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12
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Mann ON, Kong CS, Lucas ES, Brosens JJ, Hanyaloglu AC, Brighton PJ. Expression and function of the luteinizing hormone choriogonadotropin receptor in human endometrial stromal cells. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8624. [PMID: 35597810 PMCID: PMC9124191 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12495-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The human luteinising hormone choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR) is a G-protein coupled receptor activated by both human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and luteinizing hormone (LH), two structurally related gonadotropins with essential roles in ovulation and maintenance of the corpus luteum. LHCGR expression predominates in ovarian tissues where it elicits functional responses through cyclic adenosine mononucleotide (cAMP), Ca2+ and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signalling. LHCGR expression has also been localized to the human endometrium, with purported roles in decidualization and implantation. However, these observations are contentious. In this investigation, transcripts encoding LHCGR were undetectable in bulk RNA sequencing datasets from whole cycling endometrial tissue and cultured human endometrial stromal cells (EnSC). However, analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data revealed cell-to-cell transcriptional heterogeneity, and we identified a small subpopulation of stromal cells with detectable LHCGR transcripts. In HEK-293 cells expressing recombinant LHCGR, both hCG and LH elicited robust cAMP, Ca2+ and ERK signals that were absent in wild-type HEK-293 cells. However, none of these responses were recapitulated in primary EnSC cultures. In addition, proliferation, viability and decidual transformation of EnSC were refractory to both hCG and LH, irrespective of treatment to induce differentiation. Although we challenge the assertion that LHCGR is expressed at a functionally active level in the human endometrium, the discovery of a discrete subpopulation of EnSC that express LHCGR transcripts may plausibly account for the conflicting evidence in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- O N Mann
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
| | - C-S Kong
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
| | - E S Lucas
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK.,Centre for Early Life, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK
| | - J J Brosens
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK.,Centre for Early Life, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.,Tommy's National Centre for Miscarriage Research, University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire NHS Trust, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK
| | - A C Hanyaloglu
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, London, W12 0NN, UK
| | - P J Brighton
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, Clinical Sciences Research Laboratories, Warwick Medical School, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV2 2DX, UK.
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13
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Heng S, Samarajeewa N, Wang Y, Paule SG, Breen J, Nie G. Podocalyxin promotes an impermeable epithelium and inhibits pro-implantation factors to negatively regulate endometrial receptivity. Sci Rep 2021; 11:24016. [PMID: 34907278 PMCID: PMC8671585 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-03425-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryo implantation is a key step in establishing pregnancy and a major limiting factor in IVF. Implantation requires a receptive endometrium but the mechanisms governing receptivity are not well understood. We have recently discovered that podocalyxin (PCX or PODXL) is a key negative regulator of human endometrial receptivity. PCX is expressed in all endometrial epithelial cells in the non-receptive endometrium but selectively down-regulated in the luminal epithelium at receptivity. We have further demonstrated that this down-regulation is essential for implantation because PCX inhibits embryo attachment and penetration. However, how PCX confers this role is unknown. In this study, through RNAseq analysis of Ishikawa cell line stably overexpressing PCX, we discovered that PCX suppresses expression of genes controlling cell adhesion and communication, but increases those governing epithelial barrier functions, especially the adherens and tight junctions. Moreover, PCX suppresses multiple factors such as LIF and signaling pathways including Wnt and calcium signaling that support receptivity but stimulates anti-implantation genes such as LEFTY2. Functional studies confirmed that PCX promotes epithelial barrier functions by increasing key epithelial junction proteins such as E-cadherin and claudin 4. PCX thus promotes an anti-adhesive and impermeable epithelium while impedes pro-implantation factors to negatively control endometrial receptivity for implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophea Heng
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Nirukshi Samarajeewa
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Yao Wang
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia
| | - Sarah G Paule
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - James Breen
- The Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,University of Adelaide Bioinformatics Hub, School of Biological Sciences, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Guiying Nie
- Implantation and Pregnancy Research Laboratory, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora West Campus, Melbourne, VIC, 3083, Australia. .,Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
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14
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Upregulation of fibroblast growth factor 2 contributes to endometriosis through SPRYs/DUSP6/ERK signaling pathway. Acta Histochem 2021; 123:151749. [PMID: 34224989 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2021.151749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 06/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies report that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) modulates Sproutys (SPRYs)/dual specificity phosphatase 6 (DUSP6)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling pathway in endometrial glandular epithelial cells. However, its role in endometriosis remains unclear. The expression patterns and localization of related proteins in endometrium patients' samples were determined using quantitative reverse transcription PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were isolated and transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeting FGF2 (FGF2-siRNA). Cell viability was determined using 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. It was found that FGF2 mRNA and protein levels were increased in the ectopic endometrium, whilst the mRNA and protein levels of SPRYs/DUSP6/ERK signaling pathway related-genes were dysregulated. Spearman's rank correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation between FGF2 and SPRYs/DUSP6 signaling pathway-related proteins. In vitro study demonstrated that FGF2 silencing suppressed cell proliferation. Our results suggest that FGF2 upregulation might contribute to endometriosis via the regulation of the SPRYs/DUSP6/ERK signaling pathway.
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15
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Chen S, Liu B, Li J, Liao S, Bi Y, Huang W, Yuan L, Yang Y, Qin A. Talin1 regulates endometrial adhesive capacity through the Ras signaling pathway. Life Sci 2021; 274:119332. [PMID: 33711384 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2021.119332] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Blastocyst implantation is mainly depended on the adhesion between cells and cell matrix. Endometrial adhesion plays an important role in establishing embryo implantation, but the underlying mechanisms are remains unclear. Talin1 is a local adhesion complex protein that is necessary for cell adhesion and movement. However, the role and mechanisms of Talin1 in embryo implantation are still unclear. MAIN METHODS The expression of Talin1 and Integrin αvβ3 was measured in the receptive endometrium from the RIF (Recurrent implantation failure) cohort and NC (normal fertile control group) cohort. A JEG-3 trophoblast and endometrial epithelial cell adhesion model and pregnant mouse model were established. The molecular mechanism of Talin1-mediated cell adhesion was explored by RNA sequencing, RT-qPCR, as well as western blotting assays. KEY FINDINGS Talin1 enhances endometrial cell adhesion by regulating the Ras signaling pathway, and ultimately facilitates embryo implantation. SIGNIFICANCE This study revealed the molecular mechanisms of regarding the pathogenesis of RIF caused by endometrial receptivity insufficiency. Further pharmacological research on the Ras signaling pathway would be valuable and might provide new therapeutic targets for RIF patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saiqiong Chen
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi 545005, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Liuzhou, Guangxi 545005, China
| | - Shengbin Liao
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yin Bi
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Weiyu Huang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Lifang Yuan
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China
| | - Yihua Yang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China.
| | - Aiping Qin
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, Guangxi 530021, China.
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16
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Gudlevičienė Ž, Baušytė R, Dagytė E, Balkelienė D, Utkus A, Ramašauskaitė D. The First Live Birth in Lithuania After Application of Preimplantation Genetic Testing. Acta Med Litu 2020; 27:76-83. [PMID: 34113212 PMCID: PMC7968950 DOI: 10.15388/amed.2020.27.2.5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY BACKGROUND Preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) is a genetic testing procedure that is performed before the implantation of embryos for the identification of genetic abnormalities. It is commonly performed when one or both expecting parents have such abnormalities and are at a high risk of passing them to their offspring. The aim of this case report is to describe the first successful IVF/ICSI/PGT procedure in Lithuania. CASE REPORT A 27-year-old woman and a 31-year-old man, a married couple, were referred to VUHSK Santaros Fertility Center after trying to conceive for 4 years. In a previous relationship, the woman got pregnant spontaneously and decided to terminate the pregnancy. The husband does not have any children. During the medical examination, the transvaginal ultrasound revealed a low antral follicle count and low anti-Müllerian hormone level for the woman. Semen analysis for the male patient showed severe oligoastenospermia, which confirmed the previous abnormal spermogram results. Chromosome analysis revealed normal karyotype for the woman (46,XX) and Robertsonian translocation for the husband (45,XY,der(13;14)(q10;q10)). After the interdisciplinary medical team counselling, an ICSI with PGT-SR was suggested for the couple. The woman underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation with GnRH antagonist protocol for 11 days. Only one embryo with no unbalanced rearrangements was identified and transferred to the woman. On the 14th day post oocyte retrieval, the first serum β-hCG result was received - 39.5 mIU/ml, and the normal gestational sac at 5 weeks and 3 days was confirmed by ultrasound examination. CONCLUSION the first successful pregnancy was achieved in Lithuania and the first IVF/ICSI/PGT-SR newborn in Lithuania was born in 2019 - a vaginal birth of a healthy girl with gestational age of 38 weeks and 4 days and a weight of 2820 g; the Apgar score was 10/10. The IVF/ICSI/PGT procedure was successfully implemented by the multidisciplinary team in VUHSK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Živilė Gudlevičienė
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Division of Fertility Technologies and Germ Cell Bank, Vilnius, Lithuania Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Raminta Baušytė
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Santaros Fertility Center, Vilnius, Lithuania Vilnius University, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Evelina Dagytė
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Center for Medical Genetics, Vilnius, Lithuania Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Danutė Balkelienė
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Center for Medical Genetics, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Algirdas Utkus
- Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Diana Ramašauskaitė
- Vilnius University Hospital Santaros Klinikos, Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Vilnius, Lithuania Vilnius University, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius, Lithuania
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17
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Hernández-Vargas P, Muñoz M, Domínguez F. Identifying biomarkers for predicting successful embryo implantation: applying single to multi-OMICs to improve reproductive outcomes. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:264-301. [PMID: 32096829 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful embryo implantation is a complex process that requires the coordination of a series of events, involving both the embryo and the maternal endometrium. Key to this process is the intricate cascade of molecular mechanisms regulated by endocrine, paracrine and autocrine modulators of embryonic and maternal origin. Despite significant progress in ART, implantation failure still affects numerous infertile couples worldwide and fewer than 10% of embryos successfully implant. Improved selection of both the viable embryos and the optimal endometrial phenotype for transfer remains crucial to enhancing implantation chances. However, both classical morphological embryo selection and new strategies incorporated into clinical practice, such as embryonic genetic analysis, morphokinetics or ultrasound endometrial dating, remain insufficient to predict successful implantation. Additionally, no techniques are widely applied to analyse molecular signals involved in the embryo-uterine interaction. More reliable biological markers to predict embryo and uterine reproductive competence are needed to improve pregnancy outcomes. Recent years have seen a trend towards 'omics' methods, which enable the assessment of complete endometrial and embryonic molecular profiles during implantation. Omics have advanced our knowledge of the implantation process, identifying potential but rarely implemented biomarkers of successful implantation. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE Differences between the findings of published omics studies, and perhaps because embryonic and endometrial molecular signatures were often not investigated jointly, have prevented firm conclusions being reached. A timely review summarizing omics studies on the molecular determinants of human implantation in both the embryo and the endometrium will help facilitate integrative and reliable omics approaches to enhance ART outcomes. SEARCH METHODS In order to provide a comprehensive review of the literature published up to September 2019, Medline databases were searched using keywords pertaining to omics, including 'transcriptome', 'proteome', 'secretome', 'metabolome' and 'expression profiles', combined with terms related to implantation, such as 'endometrial receptivity', 'embryo viability' and 'embryo implantation'. No language restrictions were imposed. References from articles were also used for additional literature. OUTCOMES Here we provide a complete summary of the major achievements in human implantation research supplied by omics approaches, highlighting their potential to improve reproductive outcomes while fully elucidating the implantation mechanism. The review highlights the existence of discrepancies among the postulated biomarkers from studies on embryo viability or endometrial receptivity, even using the same omic analysis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Despite the huge amount of biomarker information provided by omics, we still do not have enough evidence to link data from all omics with an implantation outcome. However, in the foreseeable future, application of minimally or non-invasive omics tools, together with a more integrative interpretation of uniformly collected data, will help to overcome the difficulties for clinical implementation of omics tools. Omics assays of the embryo and endometrium are being proposed or already being used as diagnostic tools for personalised single-embryo transfer in the most favourable endometrial environment, avoiding the risk of multiple pregnancies and ensuring better pregnancy rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Purificación Hernández-Vargas
- IVI-RMA Alicante, Innovation. Avda. de Denia 111, 03015 Alicante, Spain.,Fundación IVI, Innovation-IIS La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Torre A, 1° 1.23, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Muñoz
- IVI-RMA Alicante, Innovation. Avda. de Denia 111, 03015 Alicante, Spain.,Fundación IVI, Innovation-IIS La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Torre A, 1° 1.23, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Domínguez
- Fundación IVI, Innovation-IIS La Fe, Avda. Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Torre A, 1° 1.23, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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18
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Review: Histotrophic nutrition and the placental-endometrial dialogue during human early pregnancy. Placenta 2020; 102:21-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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19
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Timganova VP, Zamorina SA, Litvinova LS, Todosenko NM, Bochkova MS, Khramtsov PV, Rayev MB. The effects of human pregnancy-specific β1-glycoprotein preparation on Th17 polarization of CD4 + cells and their cytokine profile. BMC Immunol 2020; 21:56. [PMID: 33126863 PMCID: PMC7602336 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-020-00385-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/26/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnancy-specific β1-glycoproteins are capable of regulating innate and adaptive immunity, exerting predominantly suppressive effects. In this regard, they are of interest in terms of their pharmacological potential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and post-transplant complications. The effect of these proteins on the main pro-inflammatory subpopulation of T lymphocytes, IL-17-producing helper T cells (Th17), has not been comprehensively studied. Therefore, the effects of the native pregnancy-specific β1-glycoprotein on the proliferation, Th17 polarization and cytokine profile of human CD4+ cells were assessed. RESULTS Native human pregnancy-specific β1-glycoprotein (PSG) at а concentration of 100 μg/mL was shown to decrease the frequency of Th17 (RORγτ+) in CD4+ cell culture and to suppress the proliferation of these cells (RORγτ+Ki-67+), along with the proliferation of other cells (Ki-67+) (n = 11). A PSG concentration of 10 μg/mL showed similar effect, decreasing the frequency of Ki-67+ and RORγτ+Ki67+ cells. Using Luminex xMAP technology, it was shown that PSG decreased IL-4, IL-5, IL-8, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, MIP-1β, IL-10, IFN-γ, TNF-α, G-CSF, and GM-CSF concentrations in Th17-polarized CD4+ cell cultures but did not affect IL-2, IL-7, and MCP-1 output. CONCLUSIONS In the experimental model used, PSG had а mainly suppressive effect on the Th17 polarization and cytokine profile of Th17-polarized CD4+ cell cultures. As Th17 activity and a pro-inflammatory cytokine background are unfavorable during pregnancy, the observed PSG effects may play a fetoprotective role in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria P Timganova
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences - branch of the Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Goleva str., 13, Perm, Russian Federation, 614081.
| | - Svetlana A Zamorina
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences - branch of the Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Goleva str., 13, Perm, Russian Federation, 614081
| | - Larisa S Litvinova
- Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, A. Nevsky str., 14, Kaliningrad, Russian Federation, 236016
| | - Natalia M Todosenko
- Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, A. Nevsky str., 14, Kaliningrad, Russian Federation, 236016
| | - Maria S Bochkova
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences - branch of the Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Goleva str., 13, Perm, Russian Federation, 614081
| | - Pavel V Khramtsov
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences - branch of the Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Goleva str., 13, Perm, Russian Federation, 614081.,Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, A. Nevsky str., 14, Kaliningrad, Russian Federation, 236016
| | - Mikhail B Rayev
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences - branch of the Perm Federal Research Center, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Goleva str., 13, Perm, Russian Federation, 614081
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20
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In Vitro Study on the Regulation of Annexin IV and VEGF by hCG in the Human Endometrium. Biochem Res Int 2020; 2020:8892930. [PMID: 33149950 PMCID: PMC7603560 DOI: 10.1155/2020/8892930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Whether changes in vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and annexin IV during implantation are regulated through the LH/hCG-R needs further research. To investigate the mechanism of hCG on the expression of annexin IV and VEGF in human endometrial cells. Methods Endometrial cells were isolated and identified from human specimens. The proportion of glandular and epithelial cells was analyzed. Annexin IV and VEGF were analyzed by qRT-PCR (mRNA), western blot (proteins), and immunohistochemistry (proteins). Protein location was identified by immunohistochemistry. The cells were cultured with hCG, hCG/PD98059 (a MAPK inhibitor), or no treatment (control). Results The proportions between the glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells at inoculation and when adding hCG were 25.8 ± 0.2% and 27.8 ± 0.04%, respectively (P > 0.05). LH/hCG-R, annexin IV, and VEGF were found in the cytoplasm of endometrial cells. After 2, 6, 12, and 24 h of hCG treatment, compared with 1 h, VEGF mRNA was increased by 1.25-fold, 3.19-fold, 4.21-fold, and 4.86-fold and annexin IV by 2.23-fold, 3.37-fold, 5.14-fold, and 5.02-fold. Compared with the control group, annexin IV mRNA and protein were increased in the hCG and hCG/PD98059 groups (mRNA/protein: 1.99-fold/1.80-fold and 2.33-fold/1.93-fold, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, VEGF mRNA and protein were increased in the hCG group (mRNA/protein: 2.30-fold/1.86-fold), but not in the hCG/PD98059 group. Conclusion hCG could upregulate the mRNA and protein expression of annexin IV and VEGF. The upregulation of annexin IV by hCG could not be inhibited by PD98059, but the upregulation of VEGF by hCG could.
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21
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Sheridan MA, Fernando RC, Gardner L, Hollinshead MS, Burton GJ, Moffett A, Turco MY. Establishment and differentiation of long-term trophoblast organoid cultures from the human placenta. Nat Protoc 2020; 15:3441-3463. [PMID: 32908314 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-020-0381-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The human placenta is essential for successful reproduction. There is great variation in the anatomy and development of the placenta in different species, meaning that animal models provide limited information about human placental development and function. Until recently, it has been impossible to isolate trophoblast cells from the human placenta that proliferate in vitro. This has limited our ability to understand pregnancy disorders. Generating an in vitro model that recapitulates the unique features of the human placenta has been challenging. The first in vitro model system of human trophoblast that could be cultured long term and differentiated to syncytiotrophoblast (SCT) and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) was a two-dimensional (2D) culture system of human trophoblast stem cells. Here, we describe a protocol to isolate trophoblast from first-trimester human placentas that can be grown long term in a three-dimensional (3D) organoid culture system. Trophoblast organoids can be established within 2-3 weeks, passaged every 7-10 d, and cultured for over a year. The structural organization of these human trophoblast organoids closely resembles the villous placenta with a layer of cytotrophoblast (VCT) that differentiates into superimposed SCT. Altering the composition of the medium leads to differentiation of the trophoblast organoids into HLA-G+ EVT cells which rapidly migrate and invade through the Matrigel droplet in which they are cultured. Our previous research confirmed that there is similarity between the trophoblast organoids and in vivo placentas in their transcriptomes and ability to produce placental hormones. This organoid culture system provides an experimental model to investigate human placental development and function as well as interactions of trophoblast cells with the local and systemic maternal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A Sheridan
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ridma C Fernando
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lucy Gardner
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Graham J Burton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Physiology, Neurobiology and Development, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ashley Moffett
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Margherita Y Turco
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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22
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Biskup K, Blanchard V, Castillo-Binder P, Alexander H, Engeland K, Schug S. N- and O-glycosylation patterns and functional testing of CGB7 versus CGB3/5/8 variants of the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) beta subunit. Glycoconj J 2020; 37:599-610. [PMID: 32767150 PMCID: PMC7501100 DOI: 10.1007/s10719-020-09936-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The classical function of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is its role in supporting pregnancy. hCG is a dimer consisting of two highly glycosylated subunits, alpha (CGA) and beta (CGB). The beta-hCG protein is encoded by CGB3, CGB5, CGB7 and CGB8 genes. CGB3, 5 and 8 code for an identical protein, CGB3/5/8, whereas CGB7 differs in three amino acids from CGB3/5/8. We had observed earlier that CGB7 and CGB3/5/8 display very distinct tissue expression patterns and that the tumor suppressor and transcription factor p53 can activate expression of CGB7 but not of CGB3/5/8 genes. Here, we investigate the glycan structures and possible functional differences of the two CGB variants. To this end, we established a system to produce and isolate recombinant CGA, CGB7 and CGB3/5/8 proteins. We found that N- and O-glycosylation patterns of CGB7 and CGB3/5/8 are quite similar. Functional assays were performed by testing activation of the ERK1/2 pathway and demonstrated that CGB7 and CGB5/5/8 appear to be functionally redundant isoforms, although a slight difference in the kinetics of ERK1/2 pathway activation was observed. This is the first time that biological activity of CGB7 is shown. In summary, the results lead to the hypothesis that CGB7 and CGB3/5/8 do not hold significant functional differences but that timing and cell type of their expression is the key for understanding their divergent evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Biskup
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Véronique Blanchard
- Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Corporate Member of Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Clinical Chemistry and Pathobiochemistry, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Paola Castillo-Binder
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henry Alexander
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kurt Engeland
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Sindy Schug
- Division of Molecular Oncology and Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
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23
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Huber WJ, Sauerbrun-Cutler MT, Krueger PM, Sharma S. Novel predictive and therapeutic options for better pregnancy outcome in frozen embryo transfer cycles. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 85:e13300. [PMID: 32654307 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 1978, in the first decades of in vitro fertilization (IVF), the use of ovarian hyperstimulation allowed for the development and transfer of multiple embryos. As IVF technology improved, the number of multiple pregnancies increased, which led to gradual reduction in the number of embryos that were transferred. Embryo freezing (vitrification) was recommended to allow subsequent transfer if the fresh cycle was unsuccessful. However, experimentation has continued to improve pregnancy outcomes. We discuss here the significance of frozen embryo transfer cycle and the impact of uterine and peripheral immunity dominated by NK cells and regulatory T cells and human chorionic gonadotropin on pregnancy outcome in this innovative mode of IVF therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Warren J Huber
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, LSUHSC School of Medicine and The Fertility Institute, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - May-Tal Sauerbrun-Cutler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Paula M Krueger
- Department of Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
| | - Surendra Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI, USA
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Neykova K, Tosto V, Giardina I, Tsibizova V, Vakrilov G. Endometrial receptivity and pregnancy outcome. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2020; 35:2591-2605. [PMID: 32744104 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2020.1787977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human implantation is a highly complex and multifactorial process. Successful implantation requires the presence of a healthy embryo, a receptive endometrium, and a synchronized molecular dialogue between the two, as well as immune tolerance/protection from the host. The endometrial receptivity refers to a hormonally limited period in which the endometrial tissue acquires a transient functional status allowing blastocyst implantation and pregnancy initiation. Global knowledge of endometrial receptivity grew up in recent years. Improvements in genetics, new biomarkers, noninvasive methods, new advanced techniques (Endometrial receptivity assay - the ERA system, proteomic analysis) offer the possibility to evaluate the endometrial status and to manage patients with infertility problems, especially women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment. This overview reports the most relevant knowledge and recent advances in the study of implantation processes from the perspective of the endometrium, often considered as being the main barrier for a successful pregnancy initiation. Endometrial receptivity is a topic of great interest and further studies are needed for the early identification of endometrial abnormalities and the discovery of new strategies for increasing the chance for the establishment of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantsa Neykova
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, "Maichin Dom" State University Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Valentina Tosto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Irene Giardina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Centre for Perinatal and Reproductive Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Valentina Tsibizova
- Almazov National Medical Research Centre, St Petetrsburg, Russian Federation
| | - Georgi Vakrilov
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, "Maichin Dom" State University Hospital, Sofia, Bulgaria
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25
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Yan Q, Yan G, Zhang C, Wang Z, Huang C, Wang J, Zhou J, Liu Y, Ding L, Zhang Q, Zhen X, Jiang Y, Sun H. miR-21 reverses impaired decidualization through modulation of KLF12 and NR4A1 expression in human endometrial stromal cells†. Biol Reprod 2020; 100:1395-1405. [PMID: 30772912 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Impaired decidualization has been considered a major cause of infertility in adenomyosis. However, the mechanism remains poorly understood. Recent studies suggest that microRNAs (miRNA) play a crucial role in embryo implantation. The aim of the present study was to identify the role of miR-21 in human endometrial stromal cell (hESC) decidualization in vitro. To explore the roles of miR-21 in decidualization, we detected the expression of miR-21 in the endometrium of fertile control and adenomyosis patients, and analyzed the effects of miR-21 on the biological behaviors of hESC decidualization. The results demonstrated that miR-21 was downregulated in the endometrium of adenomyosis patients compared with the control endometrium. miR-21 effectively promoted the expression of the 8Br-cAMP plus medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)-induced hESC decidualization marker genes PRL and IGFBP-1 and morphological transformation through the modulation of KLF12 and NR4A1 expression; conversely, inhibition of miR-21 expression compromised hESC decidualization in vitro. In addition, Luciferase reporter, western blotting, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assays confirmed that miR-21 interacted with the 3' untranslated region of the transcription factor KLF12 and downregulated KLF12 at the transcriptional and translational levels. KLF12 overexpression abolished miR-21-enhanced 8Br-cAMP plus MPA-induced decidualization. Taken together, these results illustrate that miR-21 promotes endometrial decidualization by inhibiting KLF12, and miR-21 overexpression reverses the poor decidual response of hESCs in patients with adenomyosis in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Guijun Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Chunxue Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhilong Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Chenyang Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Junxia Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Jidong Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Lijun Ding
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Qun Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Xin Zhen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
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Anupa G, Poorasamy J, Bhat MA, Sharma JB, Sengupta J, Ghosh D. Endometrial stromal cell inflammatory phenotype during severe ovarian endometriosis as a cause of endometriosis-associated infertility. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 41:623-639. [PMID: 32792135 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Revised: 04/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Do endometrial stromal cells from primary infertile patients with severe ovarian endometriosis display differential secretory profiles of inflammation-associated cytokines during the implantation window that may cause infertility? DESIGN Forty-eight cytokines were measured in conditioned medium of isolated endometrial stromal cells obtained from primary infertile patients without endometriosis (control group, n = 12) or with stage IV ovarian endometriosis (ovarian endometriosis group, n = 14) using multiplex assays. Key cytokines showing differential secretory profiles were validated using Western immunoblotting. Cellular phenotypic validation was carried out in vitro by comparing proliferation and migration capacity between control (n = 6) and ovarian endometriosis (n = 7) groups. RESULTS CCL3, CCL4, CCL5, CXCL10, FGF2, IFNG, IL1RN, IL5, TNFA, and VEGF could be detected only in the conditioned media of stromal cells obtained from the ovarian endometriosis group. Among other cytokines detected in the conditioned media of both groups, CCL2 (P = 0.0018), CSF3 (P = 0.0017), IL1B (P = 0.0066), IL4 (P = 0.036), IL6 (P = 0.0039) and IL13 (P = 0.036) were found to be higher, whereas the concentration of IL18 was lower (P = 0.023) in the ovarian endometriosis group. Concentrations of CCL2, IL1B, IL4 and IL13 in conditioned medium reflected significant diagnostic performance for predicting ovarian endometriosis. Cellular phenotypic validation in vitro revealed an enhanced proliferative phenotype (P = 0.046) with no change in cell migratory capacity of endometrial stromal cells from the ovarian endometriosis group. CONCLUSIONS Endometrial stromal cells derived from severe ovarian endometriosis samples displayed a hyperinflammatory and hyperproliferative bias in the endometrial stroma during the 'window of implantation' putatively causing loss of fecundability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geethadevi Anupa
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Jeevitha Poorasamy
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Muzaffer A Bhat
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Jai Bhagwan Sharma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Jayasree Sengupta
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India
| | - Debabrata Ghosh
- Department of Physiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, Delhi, 110029, India.
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Chi RPA, Wang T, Adams N, Wu SP, Young SL, Spencer TE, DeMayo F. Human Endometrial Transcriptome and Progesterone Receptor Cistrome Reveal Important Pathways and Epithelial Regulators. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:dgz117. [PMID: 31665330 PMCID: PMC7105253 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgz117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Poor uterine receptivity is one major factor leading to pregnancy loss and infertility. Understanding the molecular events governing successful implantation is hence critical in combating infertility. OBJECTIVE To define Progesterone Receptor (PGR)-regulated molecular mechanisms and epithelial roles in receptivity. DESIGN RNA-sequencing and PGR-ChIP-seq were conducted in parallel to identify PGR-regulated pathways during the Window of implantation (WOI) in endometrium of fertile women. SETTING Endometrial biopsies from the proliferative and mid-secretory phases were analyzed. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Participants were fertile, reproductive aged (18-37 years) women with normal cycle length, and without any history of dysmenorrhea, infertility, or irregular cycles. In total, 42 endometrial biopsies obtained from 42 women were analyzed in this study. INTERVENTIONS There were no interventions during this study. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Here we measured the alterations in gene expression and PGR occupancy in the genome during the WOI, based on the hypothesis that PGR binds uterine chromatin cycle dependently to regulate genes involved in uterine cell differentiation and function. RESULTS 653 genes were identified with regulated PGR binding and differential expression during the WOI. These were involved in regulating inflammatory response, xenobiotic metabolism, epithelial mesenchymal transition, cell death, interleukin/Signal Transducer And Activator Of Transcription (STAT) signaling, estrogen response, and Mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (MTORC1) response. Transcriptome of the epithelium identified 3052 differentially expressed genes, of which 658 were uniquely regulated. Transcription factors Interferon Regulatory Factor 8 (IRF8) and Myocyte Enhancer Factor 2C (MEF2C) were found to be regulated in the epithelium during the WOI at the protein level, suggesting potentially important functions that are previously unrecognized. CONCLUSION PGR binds the genomic regions of genes regulating critical processes in uterine receptivity and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru-pin Alicia Chi
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Tianyuan Wang
- Integrative Bioinformatics Support Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Nyssa Adams
- Interdepartmental Program in Translational Biology and Molecular Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - San-pin Wu
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Steven L Young
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri
| | - Francesco DeMayo
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, Durham, North Carolina
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An SY, Gao XX, Wang ZB, Liang YX, Wang ST, Xiao SH, Xia JT, You PH, Wang F, Zhang GM. Estradiol-17β regulates proliferation and apoptosis of sheep endometrial epithelial cells by regulating the relative abundance of YAP1. Anim Reprod Sci 2020; 215:106328. [PMID: 32216937 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2020.106328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) transcription regulator of the Hippo protein kinase pathway, serves as a key regulator of tissue growth and organ size by regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis. Effects of YAP1 on proliferation and apoptosis of sheep endometrial epithelial cells (EEC) as a result of estradiol-17β (E2) treatment, however, remain unclear. In the present study, the abundance of YAP1 protein in the uterine horn was greater than that in the uterine body or cervix. The YAP1 protein was primarily localized in the endometrial luminal and glandular epithelial cells of the uterine horn of ewes on day 2 of the estrous cycle. Compared with control samples, there was a lesser abundance of YAP1 mRNA transcript that was associated with a lesser proliferation and greater apoptosis of EEC. There were also lesser concentrations of epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor 1 in the spent culture medium when there was a lesser abundance of YAP1 mRNA in EEC compared with those in the control group. When there was a greater abundance of YAP1 mRNA transcript, there were greater concentrations of epidermal growth factor and insulin-like growth factor 1 in the spent media. Furthermore, with estradiol-17β treatment the abundance of YAP1 mRNA transcript was similar to that of the control samples. Taken together, estradiol-17β may function as an essential regulator of EEC proliferation and apoptosis by modulation of concentrations of YAP1 protein in the sheep uterus. These results indicate there are molecular mechanisms of estradiol-17β and YAP1 in EEC proliferation and apoptosis of ewes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi-Yu An
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Xiao-Xiao Gao
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Zhi-Bo Wang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Ya-Xu Liang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shu-Ting Wang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Shen-Hua Xiao
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Jiang-Tao Xia
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China
| | - Pei-Hua You
- Portal Agri-Industries Co., Ltd., Nanjing, 211803, China
| | - Feng Wang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
| | - Guo-Min Zhang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Animal Health and Food Safety, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
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29
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Huang X, Cai Y, Ding M, Zheng B, Sun H, Zhou J. Human chorionic gonadotropin promotes recruitment of regulatory T cells in endometrium by inducing chemokine CCL2. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 137:102856. [PMID: 31809964 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2019.102856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Revised: 10/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) can attract regulatory T cells (Tregs) into the fetal-maternal interface regulating maternal immune tolerance in pregnancy. The objective of this study was to investigate whether hCG recruits the Tregs into endometrium by inducing chemokines. The number of Tregs in the endometrium was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. The expression of CCL2 was analyzed in vivo and in vitro with hCG stimulation. CD4+CD25+ Tregs were isolated from peripheral blood for Tregs migration assay with hCG, CCL2 siRNA and CCR2 antagonist stimulation. Our results showed that the number of endometrial Tregs in RIF patients was significantly decreased (9.4 ± 5.3 vs. 23.1 ± 3.1, P < 0.01), while intrauterine infusion of 2000 IU hCG increased the endometrial Tregs (18.6 ± 9.8 vs. 9.4 ± 5.3, P < 0.05) and CCL2 expression (0.21 ± 0.01 vs. 0.17 ± 0.01, P < 0.01). Horn injecting with 10 IU hCG also increased the endometrial Tregs in pseudopregnant mice (46 ± 16.8 vs. 7 ± 4.3, P < 0.01). Furthermore, the CCL2 protein and mRNA levels were significantly increased in human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) with the stimulation of hCG. Migration assays showed that hESCs with hCG stimulation promoted Tregs migration (2597 ± 833.2 vs. 1115 ± 670.7, P < 0.05), while the number of migrated Tregs significantly decreased with CCL2 siRNA (1061 ± 105.4 vs. 2598 ± 294.7, P < 0.05) or CCR2 antagonist (356.7 ± 138.8 vs. 2597 ± 833.2, P < 0.05) treatment. In conclusion, intrauterine perfusion of hCG might promote the recruitment of Tregs into endometrium by inducing chemokine CCL2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaomin Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Yunni Cai
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Ding
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Bo Zheng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.
| | - Jianjun Zhou
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Affiliated Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China.
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Evans J, Hutchison J, Salamonsen LA, Greening DW. Proteomic Insights into Endometrial Receptivity and Embryo‐Endometrial Epithelium Interaction for Implantation Reveal Critical Determinants of Fertility. Proteomics 2020; 20:e1900250. [DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201900250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jemma Evans
- Hudson Institute of Medical ResearchMonash University Clayton Victoria 3168 Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational ScienceMonash University Clayton Victoria 3168 Australia
| | - Jennifer Hutchison
- Hudson Institute of Medical ResearchMonash University Clayton Victoria 3168 Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational ScienceMonash University Clayton Victoria 3168 Australia
| | - Lois A. Salamonsen
- Hudson Institute of Medical ResearchMonash University Clayton Victoria 3168 Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational ScienceMonash University Clayton Victoria 3168 Australia
| | - David W. Greening
- Baker Heart and Diabetes InstituteMolecular Proteomics Melbourne Victoria 3004 Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and GeneticsLa Trobe Institute for Molecular ScienceLa Trobe University Bundoora Victoria 3086 Australia
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Lensen S, Shreeve N, Barnhart KT, Gibreel A, Ng EHY, Moffett A. In vitro fertilization add-ons for the endometrium: it doesn't add-up. Fertil Steril 2019; 112:987-993. [PMID: 31843098 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2019.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/28/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The probability of live birth from an in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycle is modest. Many additional treatments (add-ons) are available which promise to improve the success of IVF. This review summarizes the current evidence for common IVF add-ons which are suggested to improve endometrial receptivity. Systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials and individual trials were included. Five add-ons were included: immune therapies, endometrial scratching, endometrial receptivity array, uterine artery vasodilation, and human chorionic gonadotropin instillation. The results suggest there is no robust evidence that these add-ons are effective or safe. Many IVF add-ons are costly, consuming precious resources which may be better spent on evidence-based treatments or further IVF. Large randomized controlled trials and appropriate safety assessment should be mandatory before the introduction of IVF add-ons into routine practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Lensen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Norman Shreeve
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Kurt T Barnhart
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Ahmed Gibreel
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Ernest Hung Yu Ng
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Ashley Moffett
- Department of Pathology and Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
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32
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Evans J, Walker KJ, Bilandzic M, Kinnear S, Salamonsen LA. A novel "embryo-endometrial" adhesion model can potentially predict "receptive" or "non-receptive" endometrium. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 37:5-16. [PMID: 31776756 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01629-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To establish a model of human implantation that responds to hormonal stimuli and can differentiate between endometrium from fertile women and those with idiopathic infertility. DESIGN A trophoblast stem cell (trophectodermal) line (TSC; derived from human pre-implantation embryo) was used to form trophectodermal spheroids (TS). TS attachment to monolayers of endometrial epithelial cell lines or primary endometrial epithelial cells (pHEECs) was determined. SETTING Independent Medical Research Institute with close clinical linkages INTERVENTIONS: Spheroid attachment and outgrowth was determined with added hormones (estradiol 17β (E), E + medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or E + MPA + human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)). Spheroid attachment to E/MPA treated pHEEC prepared from fertile women or those with idiopathic infertility tested. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Firmly attached spheroids counted after co-culture for 6 h. Outgrowth was determined by quantitation of area covered by spheroid after firm adhesion. RESULTS Functional adhesion of TS to two endometrial epithelial cell lines, Ishikawa and ECC-1 cells, was hormonally responsive, with adhesion/outgrowth increased by E/MPA (ECC-1; p < 0.01, Ishikawa; p < 0.01) and E/MPA/hCG (ECC-1; p < 0.001, Ishikawa p < 0.01) versus E alone. The same pattern of hormone responsiveness was observed in pHEEC obtained from fertile women (E vs, E/MPA; p < 0.01, E vs. E/MPA/hCG; p < 0.001). TS adhered to 85% of pHEEC obtained from fertile women (11/13) and 11% of pHEEC obtained from women with unexplained infertility (2/18, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION This new model of "embryo" implantation largely discriminates between endometrial epithelial cells obtained from fertile vs. infertile women based on adhesion; this holds potential as an in vitro "diagnostic" tool of endometrial infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jemma Evans
- The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.
| | - Kathryn J Walker
- The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Maree Bilandzic
- The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Sophie Kinnear
- The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Lois A Salamonsen
- The Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Science, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
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33
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Simopoulou M, Sfakianoudis K, Maziotis E, Tsioulou P, Giannelou P, Grigoriadis S, Pantou A, Anifandis G, Christopoulos P, Pantos K, Koutsilieris M. Investigating the Optimal Time for Intrauterine Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Infusion in Order to Improve IVF Outcome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. In Vivo 2019; 33:1737-1749. [PMID: 31662498 PMCID: PMC6899137 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 09/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM Studies on the impact of intrauterine human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) administration in order to improve the In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) outcome have yielded conflicting results. The aim of the present systematic review and meta-analysis is to investigate whether timing of intrauterine hCG administration prior to embryo transfer affects its efficiency. MATERIALS AND METHODS A systematic search of the literature on Pubmed/Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases was performed. Only Randomized Control Trials were included in this meta-analysis. RESULTS Live birth rates were not improved following hCG administration (RR=1.13, 95%CI=0.88-1.46, p=0.34) in the pooled results. Combined live birth and ongoing pregnancy rates were borderline statistically significant following hCG administration (RR=1.27, 95%CI=1.00-1.62, p=0.05). Following subgroup analysis regarding live birth and ongoing pregnancy rates, only the 5-12 minutes prior to the embryo transfer group reported a statistically significant improvement. CONCLUSION Intrauterine infusion of hCG within an IVF-Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) cycle improves outcome only when administered 5-12 min prior to embryo transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mara Simopoulou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Evangelos Maziotis
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Petroula Tsioulou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Polina Giannelou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, Athens, Greece
| | - Sokratis Grigoriadis
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Agni Pantou
- Centre for Human Reproduction, Genesis Athens Clinic, Athens, Greece
| | - George Anifandis
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Christopoulos
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Michael Koutsilieris
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Guzman-Genuino RM, Dimova T, You Y, Aldo P, Hayball JD, Mor G, Diener KR. Trophoblasts promote induction of a regulatory phenotype in B cells that can protect against detrimental T cell-mediated inflammation. Am J Reprod Immunol 2019; 82:e13187. [PMID: 31487409 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 08/25/2019] [Accepted: 08/29/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM A successful outcome to pregnancy is critically dependent on the initiation of maternal immune tolerance before embryo implantation. Cells of embryonic origin that come in contact with the uterine microenvironment can exert influence over the phenotype and function of immune cells to facilitate robust implantation; however, what influence they may have on B cells remains unknown. In this study, we investigate the effect of human trophoblast cells on B-cell phenotype and the subsequent effect on peri-implantation events. METHOD OF STUDY We cultured purified human B cells with the first-trimester human trophoblast cell line Swan 71 to investigate trophoblast-B-cell interactions and utilized trophoblast spheroids in an in vitro implantation model of migration and invasion. RESULTS Trophoblast-educated B cells or TE-B cells were found to consist of B cells in committed lineages such as plasmablasts and memory B cells, as well as increased proportions in subsets of CD24hi CD27+ regulatory B cells and CD19+ IL-10+ B cells. Conditioned media from the TE-B cells showed reduced production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that influenced the T-cell proliferation and cytokine production. Using trophoblast spheroids, we assessed the role of TE-B cells in trophoblast invasion and migration. Our results demonstrate a protective effect of TE-B-conditioned media against deleterious inflammation as evidenced by survival of the trophoblast spheroid in the presence of an immune assault and promotion of a migratory phenotype. CONCLUSION We posit that trophoblast-mediated education of B cells leads to their acquisition of properties capable of modulating inflammation in the uterine environment during the peri-implantation period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Marian Guzman-Genuino
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Tanya Dimova
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Yuan You
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Paulomi Aldo
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - John D Hayball
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Gil Mor
- Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA.,C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kerrilyn R Diener
- School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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35
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Yousefi B, Rahbar E. Clomiphene citrate impairs the endometrial CD98 expression in ovariectomized and non-ovariectomized rats: Role of HCG. Int J Reprod Biomed 2019; 17:385-394. [PMID: 31508563 PMCID: PMC6719513 DOI: 10.18502/ijrm.v17i6.4809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 11/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clomiphene citrate (CC) is one of the widely used drugs as an ovulation stimulant, but its adverse effects on the endometrium results in lowering down the pregnancy rate. Endometrium CD98 is also important in the process of implantation. Objective To evaluate the immunohistochemistry expression levels of endometrial CD98 following injection of CC with and without Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in ovariectomized and non-ovariectomized rats. Materials and Methods Seventy two (12-14 wk old) female Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups (n = 36): (a) ovariectomized and (b) non-ovariectomized. Each group was further divided into six subgroups (n = 6/each): (1) CC 10 mg/kg, (2) CC 20 mg/kg, (3) HCG, (4) CC 10 mg/kg with HCG, (5) CC 20 mg/kg with HCG, and (6) control. The experimental subgroups received a single dose of CC (daily, five days) and HCG (after the last injection of CC) alone or in combination. Immunohistochemistry staining was performed on paraffin-embedded endometrial tissues to evaluate the expression levels of CD98. Results Animals undergoing ovariectomy presented a significantly lower expression level of endometrial CD98 (p < 0.001) when compared with non-ovariectomized in the same condition that groups were subdivided. There was also a dose-dependent reduction (p < 0.001) in the expression of CD98 in non-ovariectomized subgroups when compared with control group. In addition, injection of HCG following treatment with CC improved its expression. Conclusion It was concluded that CC impairs CD98 expression in endometrium and this impairment is intensified with the removal of the ovary. Also, an injection of HCG following treatment with CC can slightly improve the expression of CD98.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behpour Yousefi
- Abnormal Uterine Bleeding Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran
| | - Elnaz Rahbar
- Department of Anatomy, Medicine Faculty, Semnan University of Medical Science, Semnan, Iran
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Tan J, Zou Y, Huang ZH, Zhang ZQ, Wu LP, Wu XW, Wan XJ, Xin CL, Wu QF. C-kit signaling promotes human pre-implantation 3PN embryonic development and blastocyst formation. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2019; 17:75. [PMID: 31506068 PMCID: PMC6737624 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-019-0521-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although in vitro culture system has been optimized in the past few decades, the problem of few or no high quality embryos has been still not completely solved. Accordingly, fully understanding the regulatory mechanism of pre-implantation embryonic development would be beneficial to further optimize the in vitro embryo culture system. Recent studies have found the expression of c-kit in mouse embryo and its promotion effects on mouse embryonic development. However, it is unclear the expression, the role and the related molecular regulatory mechanism of c-kit in human pre-implantation embryo development. Therefore, the present study is to determine whether c-kit is expressed in human pre-implantation embryos, and to investigate the possible regulatory mechanism of c-kit signaling in the process of embryonic development. METHODS The present study includes human immature oocytes and three pronucleus (3PN) embryos collected from 768 women (28-32 ages) undergoing IVF, and normal 2PN embryos collected from ICR mice. Samples were distributed randomly into three different experimental groups: SCF group: G-1™ (medium for culture of embryos from the pro-nucleate stage to day 3) or G-2™ (medium for culture of embryos from day3 to blastocyst stage) + HSA (Human serum album) solution + rhSCF; SCF + imanitib (c-kit inhibitor) group: G-1™ or G-2™ + HSA solution + rhSCF + imanitib; SCF + U0126 (MEK/ERK inhibitor) group: G-1™ or G-2™ + HSA solution + rhSCF + U0126; Control group: G-1™ or G-2™ + HSA solution + PBS; The rate of good quality embryos at day 3, blastulation at day 6 and good quality blastulation at day 6 were analysis. RT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence staining were applied to detect the target genes and proteins in samples collected from human or mice, respectively. RESULTS c-kit was expressed ubiquitously in all human immature oocytes, 3PN embryos and 3PN blastocysts. In the experiment of human 3PN embryos, compared with other groups, SCF group showed obviously higher rate of good quality at day 3, better rate of blastocyst formation at day 6 and higher rate of good quality blastocyst formation at day 6. Furthermore, we observed a higher ETV5 expression in SCF group than that in other groups. Similar results were also found in animal experiment. Interestingly, we also found a higher phosphorylation level of MEK/ERK signal molecule in mice embryos from SCF group than those from other groups. Moreover, inhibition of MEK/ERK signaling would remarkably impeded the mice embryonic development, which might be due to the reduced ETV5 expression. CONCLUSIONS The present study firstly revealed that c-kit signaling might promote the human pre-implantation embryonic development and blastocyst formation by up-regulating the expression of ETV5 via MEK/ERK pathway. Our findings provide a new idea for optimizing the in vitro embryo culture condition during ART program, which is beneficial to obtain high quality embryos for infertile patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Tan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Yang Zou
- Key Laboratory of Women's Reproductive Health of Jiangxi Province, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Hui Huang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhi-Qin Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Ping Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xing-Wu Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Ju Wan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Cai-Lin Xin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiong-Fang Wu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Jiangxi Provincial Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi, 330006, People's Republic of China.
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Abstract
Embryonic signals can affect the spatiotemporal-specific expression of the uterus to establish a successful pregnancy. Our previous study has found that talin1 underwent dynamic changes in the mouse endometrium during peri-implantation period. However, whether talin1 is affected by the embryo signals is not clear. In order to investigate the effect of embryonic signals, especially human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on talin1, we have designed mouse models of pseudopregnancy, delayed implantation and activation, and HCG treatment. Using these models, the expression of talin1 in the mouse endometrium was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In the pseudopregnancy model, an increased expression of talin1 was found from day 3 to day 5, whereas the talin1 protein was decreased on day 5 in the normal pregnant mice. In the delayed implantation model, a strong cytoplasmic staining of talin1 was found, especially in stromal cells. However, after activation of the implantation, the expression of talin1 decreased (P < .05). Furthermore, a significantly lower expression of talin1 was found at the implantation site when compared to the interimplantation sites (P < .05). In the HCG treatment model, an intrauterine perfusion of 10u HCG significantly reduced the expression of talin1 in both stromal and epithelial cells in pseudopregnant mice (P < .05), although further increase in the HCG concentration did not have additional effect on expression of talin1. Taken together, our data suggest that the presence of embryos can affect expression of talin1 in the mouse endometrium, and a certain concentration of HCG can regulate its expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Shen
- 1 Department of Reproductive Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
- 2 Department of Gynecology, Guilin People's Hospital, Guilin, China
| | - Aiping Qin
- 1 Department of Reproductive Center, First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University, Nanning, China
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38
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Zamorina SA, Timganova VP, Litvinova LS, Todosenko NM, Bochkova MS, Shardina KY, Khramtsov PV, Rayev MB, Chereshnev VA. [The role of alpha-fetoprotein in regulation of the cytokine profile of activated T-helpers and their conversion in Th17 phenotype]. BIOMEDIT︠S︡INSKAI︠A︡ KHIMII︠A︡ 2019; 65:347-355. [PMID: 31436177 DOI: 10.18097/pbmc20196504347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We studied the effect of the native (non-recombinant) alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) on differentiation, proliferation, and cytokine profile of activated helper T cells 17 (Th17). The object of the study was a culture of isolated by immunomagnetic separation helper T cells (CD4+), induced into the Th17 phenotype by using TCR-activator and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1β and IL-6). AFP had not significant effect on the frequency of Th17 cells (ROR-γτ+) in the helper T cell culture, and did not affect proliferation of these cells, as measured by Ki-67 expression. Evaluation of the cytokine profile of culture supernatants by using the Luminex xMAP technology, revealed that AFP did not affect the levels of IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-8, IL-10, IL-17, IFN-γ and TNF-α, but at concentrations of 50 IU/ml and 100 IU/ml it increased IL-2 production by activated helper T cells. At the same time, AFP suppressed the synthesis of G-CSF and GM-CSF (10 IU/ml), but stimulated the production of CCL4/MIP-1β (100 IU/ml) and CCL2/MCP-1 chemokines (10 IU/ml and 50 IU/ml).
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Affiliation(s)
- S A Zamorina
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia; Perm State University, Perm, Russia
| | - V P Timganova
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia
| | - L S Litvinova
- Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - N M Todosenko
- Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - M S Bochkova
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia
| | | | - P V Khramtsov
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia; Perm State University, Perm, Russia; Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - M B Rayev
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia; Perm State University, Perm, Russia
| | - V A Chereshnev
- Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, Russia; Perm State University, Perm, Russia
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Tan H, Hu S, Chen Y, Jin L, Wu C. The Effect of Intrauterine Administration of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (hCG) Before Embryo Transfer During Assisted Reproductive Cycles: a Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Geburtshilfe Frauenheilkd 2019; 79:713-722. [PMID: 31303659 PMCID: PMC6620177 DOI: 10.1055/a-0837-3246] [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: 12/01/2018] [Revised: 01/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The fertility success rates of clinical and laboratory-assisted reproductive techniques (ART) remain low, despite major advances. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review and assess whether the intrauterine administration of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) before embryo transfer (ET) improved the clinical outcomes of sub-fertile women undergoing assisted reproduction. The electronic databases PUBMED, EMBASE and Web of Science were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published from inception to June 2018. The trial data were independently extracted and analyzed using risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) according to a random- or fixed-effect model (as appropriate), and a meta-analysis was conducted using Review Manager 5.2 software. The meta-analysis included 3241 patients from 12 RCTs, and the combined results demonstrated that intrauterine hCG injection significantly improved the rates of clinical (RR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.12 – 1.58) and ongoing pregnancy (RR = 1.87; 95% CI: 1.54 – 2.27), compared with controls. However, intrauterine hCG injection had no significant effect on the implantation rate (RR = 1.30; 95% CI: 0.89 – 1.90), abortion rate (RR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.78 – 1.44), ectopic pregnancy rate (RR = 0.77; 95% CI: 0.17 – 3.42) or live birth rate (RR = 0.99; 95% CI: 0.60 – 1.63). In a subgroup analysis, the intrauterine injection of > 500 IU hCG led to a significant increase in the implantation rate (RR = 1.64; 95% CI: 1.04 – 2.61) relative to controls. Furthermore, the subgroup of women with cleavage-stage ETs who received an intracavity injection of hCG (IC-hCG) exhibited increases in the implantation, clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates, compared to women with cleavage-stage ETs and no IC-hCG. The current evidence indicates that intrauterine hCG administration before ET provides an advantage in terms of the clinical pregnancy and ongoing pregnancy rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiping Tan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Shifu Hu
- Family Planning Research Institute, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | | | - Yuan Chen
- Department of MRI, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lei Jin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Medical College, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Chunlin Wu
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, The No. 1 Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, Hubei, China
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Schug S, Baunacke A, Goeckenjan M, Horn LC, Pretzsch G, Zimmermann G, Alexander H. Endometrial human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) expression is a marker for adequate secretory transformation of the endometrium. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2019; 299:1727-1736. [PMID: 30955059 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-019-05130-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Successful embryo implantation into the endometrium depends on embryonic characteristics and proper endometrial development. Reproductive medicine often focuses on embryo quality, whereas reliable diagnostic tests for endometrial receptivity are still needed. We previously found that human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), one of the earliest proteins secreted by the embryo, was also expressed by the luteal phase endometrium around the implantation window. Here, we tested our hypothesis of endometrial hCG as an implantation marker. METHODS Endometrial biopsies and serum samples were taken from patients undergoing routine infertility diagnostics. Correlations of immunohistochemically detected endometrial hCG expression with adequate endometrial secretory transformation, the infiltration of CD45-positive leukocytes, clinical diagnostic parameters, and endometrial thickness were analyzed. RESULTS A highly significant correlation between the endometrial score, as a measurement for regular secretory transformation, and the intensity of hCG staining was found. The invasion of CD45-positive leukocytes increased with progressing endometrial secretory transformation and rising endometrial hCG expression. In addition, serum progesterone concentrations correlated with hCG expression by the endometrial glands. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest endometrial hCG as a possible diagnostic parameter characterizing the endometrial secretory transformation and, thus, possibly also its implantation capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sindy Schug
- Research Laboratory of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Anja Baunacke
- Research Laboratory of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Maren Goeckenjan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Dresden, Fetscherstraße 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lars-Christian Horn
- Institute of Pathology, Department of Breast, Gynecological and Perinatal Pathology, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 24, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gabriele Pretzsch
- Women's Hospital, University Hospital of Leipzig, Liebigstr. 20a, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Gerolf Zimmermann
- Research Laboratory of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Henry Alexander
- Research Laboratory of the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Human Reproduction and Endocrinology, Medical School, University of Leipzig, Semmelweisstr. 14, 04103, Leipzig, Germany.
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Zhang T, Chen X, Wang CC, Li TC, Kwak-Kim J. Intrauterine infusion of human chorionic gonadotropin before embryo transfer in IVF/ET cycle: The critical review. Am J Reprod Immunol 2019; 81:e13077. [PMID: 30589989 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2018] [Revised: 12/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine infusion of human chorionic gonadotropin (IUI-hCG) has been proposed to improve the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET), since it plays a critical role in synchronizing endometrial and fetal development. As the early mediator from embryo, hCG promotes the decidualization, angiogenesis, maternal immune tolerance, and trophoblast invasion, favoring successful implantation of embryo. Although multiple clinical trials have been conducted to verify the efficacy of IUI-hCG on IVF-ET outcome in recent years, the findings remained controversial. The difference in study design and population might be the cause to the different consequences after administration of hCG. More importantly, the endometrial receptivity, which might affect the efficacy of IUI-hCG, has not been assessed in women receiving this intervention. Selecting the right population suitable for IUI-hCG based on known etiology would be crucial in enhancing its efficacy and minimize any possible complications. Investigation of optimal indications for IUI-hCG should be highlighted in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR.,Shenzhen Youshare Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xiaoyan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Chi-Chiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR.,Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong City, Hong Kong.,School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong City, Hong Kong
| | - Tin Chiu Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Joanne Kwak-Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, Illinois.,Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, Vernon Hills, Illinois
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Xiong F, Li G, Sun Q, Chen P, Wang Z, Wan C, Yao Z, Zhong H, Zeng Y. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies according to initial maternal serum HCG concentrations after vitrified-warmed single blastocyst transfer. Reprod Biomed Online 2019; 38:455-464. [PMID: 30660603 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2018.12.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Do pregnancy, obstetric and perinatal outcomes differ according to initial maternal serum human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) level measured on day 11 after single blastocyst transfer? DESIGN Vitrified-warmed single blastocyst transfer cycles (n = 640) were collected between 1 January 2013 and 30 April 2017 with positive HCG values and retrospectively analysed by receiver operating characteristic curves to predict clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and delivery. Cycles were divided into a low HCG group (n = 155) and high HCG group (n = 485) based on cut-off value of live birth prediction. Cycles in the HCG group were subdivided into a low-high subgroup (n = 162), medium-high subgroup (n = 162) and high-high subgroup (n = 161) based on tertile points. Pregnancy rates and obstetric and perinatal outcomes were compared. RESULTS The area under curves for clinical pregnancy, ongoing pregnancy and live birth prediction were 0.95, 0.81 and 0.79, respectively; corresponding cut-off values were 152.2 IU/l, 211.9 IU/l and 211.9 IU/l; HCG less than 211.9 IU/l indicated an extremely low clinical pregnancy rate (34.84%), a high early miscarriage rate (61.11%) and a low live birth rate (12.26%). Rates of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) (P = 0.007) and female neonates (P = 0.001) were significantly higher in the LHG group compared with the HHG group; no significant differences were observed in the low versus high HCG group overall. CONCLUSIONS Lower initial maternal serum HCG levels indicated poorer clinical outcomes. Within the high HCG group, a lower initial maternal HCG level was found to be associated with GDM occurrence and proportion of female neonates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Xiong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen 518045, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangui Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen 518045, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qing Sun
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen 518045, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Peilin Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen 518045, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhuran Wang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen 518045, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Caiyun Wan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen 518045, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhihong Yao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen 518045, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Huixian Zhong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen 518045, Guangdong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen 518045, Guangdong, People's Republic of China.
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Decreased Endometrial IL-10 Impairs Endometrial Receptivity by Downregulating HOXA10 Expression in Women with Adenomyosis. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:2549789. [PMID: 30687738 PMCID: PMC6330834 DOI: 10.1155/2018/2549789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 11/24/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the potential role of IL-10 in regulating the receptivity marker HOXA10 in the endometrium of women with adenomyosis. Methods The expression levels of IL-10, HOXA-10, STAT3, and p-STAT3 in the endometrium of women with adenomyosis and controls were examined by means of western blotting and immunohistochemistry. The expression of the HOXA10 protein in Ishikawa cells treated with rIL-10 was examined by western blotting. The attachment rate of BeWo cell spheroids to Ishikawa cells treated with rIL-10 was expressed as a percentage of the total number of spheroids. Results The expression levels of HOXA10 and IL-10 in the adenomyosis group were significantly lower than those in the control group, and there was a positive correlation between HOXA10 and IL-10 protein levels in all the women examined. rIL-10 increased HOXA10 expression in a concentration- and time-dependent manner by inducing the phosphorylation of STAT3 in Ishikawa cells. Treatment with rIL-10 promoted the attachment of BeWo spheroids to Ishikawa cells, which was reversed by the inhibition of STAT3 phosphorylation. The expression of p-STAT3 in the adenomyosis group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and there was a positive correlation between IL-10 and p-STAT3 protein levels in all the women examined. Conclusions Both IL-10 and HOXA10 levels in the endometrium are significantly reduced in women with adenomyosis compared with those in control women. The phosphorylation of STAT3 has been proven to be a critical mediator between IL-10 and HOXA10, which may play critical roles in embryo implantation.
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Zhu X, Niu Z, Ye Y, Xia L, Chen Q, Feng Y. Endometrium cytokine profiles are altered following ovarian stimulation but almost not in subsequent hormone replacement cycles. Cytokine 2018; 114:6-10. [PMID: 30562675 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2017] [Revised: 10/17/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the impact of ovarian stimulation and hormone replacement treatment on key regulatory cytokines in endometrial secretion during endometrium implantation window. METHODS Fifty-six patients undergoing ovarian stimulation (OS) with gonadotropin releasing hormone antagonist and frozen embryo transfer with hormone replacement treatment (HRT) were recruited. Endometrial secretion aspiration was performed repeatedly during implantation window in natural, OS and HRT cycles of every patient. The concentrations of 17 mediators, known to be involved in human embryo implantation, were assessed by multiplex immunoassay. RESULTS Compared with natural cycle (NC), the concentration of IFN-γ, G-CSF and IL-8 within endometrium were almost the same following OS and HRT. Furthermore, increased MCP-1 levels were observed following HRT and OS. In addition, an increase in IL-1b, IL-7, IL-17, IL-6, TNF-a, IL-12, IL-4, IL-13, IL-10, IL-5, VEGF and MIP-1b concentrations were found in OS cycle only. The level of GM-CSF was lower in HRT cycle and higher in OS cycle, when compared with NC. Among all 17 cytokines, no correlation was found between cytokine concentrations and serum estradiol and progesterone, while only IL-7 concentration has a low correlation with serum LH level. CONCLUSION Compared to natural and hormone replacement cycle, patients' endometrium cytokine profiles present an increased inflammatory response following ovarian stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaobin Zhu
- Reproductive Medicine Center of Ruijin Hospital Affilited to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhihong Niu
- Reproductive Medicine Center of Ruijin Hospital Affilited to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Yao Ye
- Reproductive Medicine Center of Ruijin Hospital Affilited to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Lan Xia
- Reproductive Medicine Center of Ruijin Hospital Affilited to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qian Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center of Ruijin Hospital Affilited to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yun Feng
- Reproductive Medicine Center of Ruijin Hospital Affilited to Medical School of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
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Turco MY, Gardner L, Kay RG, Hamilton RS, Prater M, Hollinshead MS, McWhinnie A, Esposito L, Fernando R, Skelton H, Reimann F, Gribble FM, Sharkey A, Marsh SGE, O'Rahilly S, Hemberger M, Burton GJ, Moffett A. Trophoblast organoids as a model for maternal-fetal interactions during human placentation. Nature 2018; 564:263-267. [PMID: 30487605 PMCID: PMC7220805 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-018-0753-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 376] [Impact Index Per Article: 62.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 10/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The placenta is the extraembryonic organ that supports the fetus during intrauterine life. Although placental dysfunction results in major disorders of pregnancy with immediate and lifelong consequences for the mother and child, our knowledge of the human placenta is limited owing to a lack of functional experimental models1. After implantation, the trophectoderm of the blastocyst rapidly proliferates and generates the trophoblast, the unique cell type of the placenta. In vivo, proliferative villous cytotrophoblast cells differentiate into two main sub-populations: syncytiotrophoblast, the multinucleated epithelium of the villi responsible for nutrient exchange and hormone production, and extravillous trophoblast cells, which anchor the placenta to the maternal decidua and transform the maternal spiral arteries2. Here we describe the generation of long-term, genetically stable organoid cultures of trophoblast that can differentiate into both syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblast. We used human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing to confirm that the organoids were derived from the fetus, and verified their identities against four trophoblast-specific criteria3. The cultures organize into villous-like structures, and we detected the secretion of placental-specific peptides and hormones, including human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and pregnancy-specific glycoprotein (PSG) by mass spectrometry. The organoids also differentiate into HLA-G+ extravillous trophoblast cells, which vigorously invade in three-dimensional cultures. Analysis of the methylome reveals that the organoids closely resemble normal first trimester placentas. This organoid model will be transformative for studying human placental development and for investigating trophoblast interactions with the local and systemic maternal environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Y Turco
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Lucy Gardner
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard G Kay
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Russell S Hamilton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Malwina Prater
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | - Laura Esposito
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ridma Fernando
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Helen Skelton
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Frank Reimann
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fiona M Gribble
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Andrew Sharkey
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Steven G E Marsh
- Anthony Nolan Research Institute, Royal Free Hospital, London, UK
- UCL Cancer Institute, Royal Free Campus, London, UK
| | - Stephen O'Rahilly
- Metabolic Research Laboratories and MRC Metabolic Diseases Unit, Wellcome Trust-MRC Institute of Metabolic Science, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK
| | - Myriam Hemberger
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Epigenetics Programme, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Graham J Burton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Ashley Moffett
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Sun B, Shi L, Shi Q, Jiang Y, Su Z, Yang X, Zhang Y. Circular RNAs are abundantly expressed and upregulated during repair of the damaged endometrium by Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells. Stem Cell Res Ther 2018; 9:314. [PMID: 30442201 PMCID: PMC6238312 DOI: 10.1186/s13287-018-1046-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2018] [Revised: 10/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Wharton's jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs) exhibit strong and powerful potential in repairing different diseases. The expression profile of circular RNA (circRNA) provides valuable insight for regulation of the repair process and exploration of reparative effect mechanisms. METHODS Human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were cultured with mifepristone to obtain damaged ESCs, which were then cocultured with or without WJ-MSCs (cocultured group versus non-cocultured group) to observe the reparative effect upon damaged ESCs by WJ-MSCs. CircRNA microarray was performed between the two groups. Based on the transcriptomics data, the differential gene expression profiles of the two groups were analyzed by Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway, and network analysis methods. Screening of a circRNA database was performed, and the results were confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). RESULTS WJ-MSCs exerted a reparative effect upon damaged ESCs in the cocultured group such as improved cell morphology, higher proliferative ability, and lower apoptosis rate. CircRNA array showed that 7757 circRNAs were differentially expressed in ESCs from the cocultured group. Mitotic cell cycle, cell cycle process, and nuclear division ranked top in the GO upregulated list of the two groups, while DNA replication and cell cycle ranked top in the KEGG pathway analysis upregulated list of the two groups. The nine most aberrantly expressed circRNAs were selected for further verification in the same cohort of samples by microarray analysis. Seven of the nine most aberrantly circRNAs were confirmed to be significantly upregulated in the cocultured group. And four of the seven circRNAs (hsa_circ_0015825, hsa-circRNA4049-38, hsa-circRNA5028-15, and hsa_circ_0111659) expression both in ESCs and WJ-MSCs tended to decrease with time by qPCR. The levels of the remaining three circRNAs (hsa-circRNA8881-21, hsa_circ_0020492 and hsa_circ_ 0026141) did not change significantly over time in either ESCs or WJ-MSCs. Moreover, we focused on hsa_circRNA_0111659 and predicted its miRNAs and targeted mRNA. The association of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA is likely to be involved in regulating the repair of endometrial damage. CONCLUSIONS Our results presented the abundant and upregulated circRNAs profile during repair of the damaged endometrium by WJ-MSCs and provided a novel perspective for circRNAs in the regulation of WJ-MSCs for endometrial repair.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baolan Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China
| | - Lei Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China
| | - Qin Shi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China
| | - Yao Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Soochow, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhangyao Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University School of Medicine, 19 Xishi Road, Nantong, 226006, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqing Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yuquan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, People's Republic of China.
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Suhorutshenko M, Kukushkina V, Velthut-Meikas A, Altmäe S, Peters M, Mägi R, Krjutškov K, Koel M, Codoñer FM, Martinez-Blanch JF, Vilella F, Simón C, Salumets A, Laisk T. Endometrial receptivity revisited: endometrial transcriptome adjusted for tissue cellular heterogeneity. Hum Reprod 2018; 33:2074-2086. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Marina Suhorutshenko
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Viktorija Kukushkina
- Estonian Genome Center, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Agne Velthut-Meikas
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Signe Altmäe
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Maire Peters
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Reedik Mägi
- Estonian Genome Center, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kaarel Krjutškov
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Research Program of Molecular Neurology, Research Programs Unit, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mariann Koel
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | | | | | | | - Carlos Simón
- Igenomix Foundation/INCLIVA, Valencia, Spain
- Research Department, Igenomix SL, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Valencia University, Valencia, Spain
| | - Andres Salumets
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Biomedicine, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Triin Laisk
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
- Estonian Genome Center, Institute of Genomics, University of Tartu, Tartu, Estonia
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Assessment of potential biomarkers of pre-receptive and receptive endometrium in uterine fluid and a functional evaluation of the potential role of CSF3 in fertility. Cytokine 2018; 111:222-229. [PMID: 30195213 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2018.08.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 08/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
The endometrium lines a women's uterus becoming receptive, and allowing embryo implantation to occur, for just a few days during the post-ovulatory mid-secretory phase of each menstrual cycle. We investigated whether concentrations of proposed receptivity biomarkers (VEGF, IL8, FGF2, CSF3 sFlt-1, sGP130 and PlGF) secreted by the endometrium into the uterine cavity and forming the microenvironment for embryo implantation is altered among a population of age-matched women with unexplained (idiopathic) infertility compared to fertile women during the receptive mid-secretory phase (n = 16 fertile, 18 infertile) and the prior pre-receptive early secretory phase (n = 19 fertile, 18 infertile) of their cycle. In the mid-secretory cohort significantly elevated concentrations of five biomarkers; PlGF (p = 0.001), IL8 (p = 0.004), sGP130 (p = 0.009), sFlt-1 (p = 0.021), and CSF3 (p = 0.029) was present in uterine fluid of infertile women during the mid-secretory phase, but only CSF3 was significantly elevated in the pre-receptive early secretory phase (p = 0.006). In vitro studies of glycosylated and non-glycosylated forms of CSF3 at representative fertile (20 ng/mL) and infertile (70 ng/mL) effects on endometrium and embryo behaviour were performed. Non-glycosylated CSF3 at fertile concentrations significantly (p < 0.001) elevated endometrial epithelial cell proliferation however chronic treatment or elevated (infertile) concentrations of CSF3 in glycosylated form abrogated the positive effects. Both forms of CSF3 increased trophoblast cell invasion (p < 0.001) regardless of concentration. Mouse embryo outgrowth was significantly (p < 0.01) increased at fertile but not at infertile concentrations. The study confirmed potential utility of five biomarkers of endometrial receptivity for future application in the mid-secretory phase while highlighting CSF3 is elevated in the earlier pre-receptive phase. Our data provides evidence that CSF3 acts on both human endometrium and embryo in a manner that is concentration and glycosylation dependent.
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49
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The John Hughes Memorial Lecture: Stimulation of Early Placental Development Through a Trophoblast-Endometrial Dialog. J Equine Vet Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2018.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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50
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Yin Y, Wang A, Feng L, Wang Y, Zhang H, Zhang I, Bany BM, Ma L. Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan Sulfation Regulates Uterine Differentiation and Signaling During Embryo Implantation. Endocrinology 2018; 159:2459-2472. [PMID: 29688404 PMCID: PMC6692868 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 04/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
To prepare for embryo implantation, the uterus must undergo a series of reciprocal interactions between the uterine epithelium and the underlying stroma, which are orchestrated by ovarian hormones. During this process, multiple signaling pathways are activated to direct cell proliferation and differentiation, which render the uterus receptive to the implanting blastocysts. One important modulator of these signaling pathways is the cell surface and extracellular matrix macromolecules, heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs). HSPGs play crucial roles in signal transduction by regulating morphogen transport and ligand binding. In this study, we examine the role of HSPG sulfation in regulating uterine receptivity by conditionally deleting the N-deacetylase/N-sulfotransferase (NDST) 1 gene (Ndst1) in the mouse uterus using the Pgr-Cre driver, on an Ndst2- and Ndst3-null genetic background. Although development of the female reproductive tract and subsequent ovarian function appear normal in Ndst triple-knockout females, they are infertile due to implantation defects. Embryo attachment appears to occur but the uterine epithelium at the site of implantation persists rather than disintegrates in the mutant. Uterine epithelial cells continued to proliferate past day 4 of pregnancy, accompanied by elevated Fgf2 and Fgf9 expression, whereas uterine stroma failed to undergo decidualization, as evidenced by lack of Bmp2 induction. Despite normal Indian hedgehog expression, transcripts of Ptch1 and Gli1, both components as well as targets of the hedgehog (Hh) pathway, were detected only in the subepithelial stroma, indicating altered Hh signaling in the mutant uterus. Taken together, these data implicate an essential role for HSPGs in modulating signal transduction during mouse implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Yin
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Adam Wang
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Li Feng
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Yu Wang
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Hong Zhang
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Ivy Zhang
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Brent M Bany
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, Illinois
| | - Liang Ma
- Division of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Correspondence: Liang Ma, PhD, Department of Medicine, Box 8123, Washington University, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri 63110. E-mail:
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