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Sha Y, Liu W, Hong J, Yang Y, Yu J, Fu X. A noninvasive method for the detection of foetal DNA in early pregnancy based on differential methylation pattern of Ras association domain family member 1A. J OBSTET GYNAECOL 2024; 44:2292611. [PMID: 38197583 DOI: 10.1080/01443615.2023.2292611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The detection of foetal DNA and extravillus trophoblasts (EVTs) in early pregnancy in cervical and uterine samples offers a potential pathway for non-invasive prenatal diagnostics. However, the challenge lies in effectively quantifying these samples. This study introduces a novel approach using the Ras association domain family 1 A (RASSF1A), which exhibits hypermethylation in foetal cells and hypomethylation in maternal cells. The differential methylation pattern of RASSF1A provides a unique biomarker for quantifying foetal cells in cervical and intrauterine samples. METHODS This study was conducted between September 2022 and May 2023. In total, 23 samples (12 cervical cell samples and 11 intrauterine samples) were collected from women in the Sichuan Jinxin Women & Children Hospital, Jingxiu District, Chengdu, China. The cervical cell samples were collected via lavage and brush techniques, and the intrauterine cell samples were obtained via uterine lavage. These samples were collected as part of a broader effort to advance our understanding of foetal cell dynamics during early pregnancy. The sampling methods were chosen for their minimally invasive nature and their potential in capturing a representative cell population from the respective sites. After digestion of the cell samples using a methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme cocktail, a critical step to differentiate between maternal and foetal DNA, the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) of RASSF1A and β-actin (ACTB) were employed to measure foetal DNA and cell concentrations. Immunofluorescence techniques targeting histocompatibility complex, class I G (HLA-G) and GATA binding protein 3 (GATA-3) were employed to detect EVTs in the cell samples and in decidual tissue, with the latter providing an additional layer of confirmation for the presence of foetal cells. RESULTS The results showed no hypermethylated RASSF1A was detected in any of the cervical samples, irrespective of whether the samples were obtained by brush or lavage. However, an average of 17,236 ± 7490 foetal cells per sample were detected in the uterine lavage samples. Foetal cells accounted for approximately 0.14% ± 0.10% of the total cell population in these samples. The presence of EVTs in these samples was confirmed by their expression of both HLA-G and GATA-3. CONCLUSION The detection of foetal cells in uterine cavity samples based on hypermethylation of RASSF1A and quantification of foetal cells can be used to prenatal screening. GATA-3 can be used to label EVTs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulin Sha
- Department of Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Jinxin Xinan Women & Children Hospital (Jingxiu District), Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
- Sichuan Jinxin Xinan Women & Children Hospital (Jingxiu District), Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jiongzhi Hong
- Triplex International Biosciences (China) Co., LTD, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Sichuan Jinxin Xinan Women & Children Hospital (Jingxiu District), Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Jian Yu
- Sichuan Jinxin Xinan Women & Children Hospital (Jingxiu District), Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaodong Fu
- Department of Obstetrics, The Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan, China
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Yin Z, Su J, Lu L, Yang L, Su S, Jiang X. Visual identification of three kinds of human decidual tissues from elective termination of pregnancy. Placenta 2024; 146:89-100. [PMID: 38215630 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 12/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The decidua can be classified into the decidua basalis, decidua capsularis and decidua parietalis. This study aimed to visually identify these three kinds of decidual tissues from fresh samples obtained in early pregnancy based on their macroscopic appearances, which can be discerned visually. METHODS Decidual samples were collected from 15 pregnant women between 6 and 8 weeks of gestation after elective termination of pregnancy. We identified the three different kinds of fresh decidual tissues in early pregnancy according to their different macroscopic appearances by only the naked eye. H&E staining, in situ immunofluorescence and flow cytometry were performed to confirm the accuracy of this method. RESULTS We developed a method to discern the three different kinds of decidual tissues according to their individual macroscopic features. We found that the decidua parietalis was a thick tissue with less blood, with one side being intact epidermis and the other side being rough tissue. The decidua basalis had rough surfaces, a dense texture and high blood content. The decidua capsularis was a thin membrane tissue with or without blood clots. CK+/HLA-G+ extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs) and heme oxygenase-1+ (HMOX1+) decidual macrophages were present in large quantities in the decidua basalis and decidua capsularis but were nearly undetectable in the decidua parietalis. We also found a wide distribution of endovascular extravillous trophoblast cells (enEVTs), which participate in spiral artery remodelling in the decidua basalis. DISCUSSION We successfully identified three kinds of human decidual tissues from early pregnancy with the naked eye for the first time. This breakthrough method will greatly assist studies related to decidua during early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziwei Yin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Jingjing Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Linsen Lu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Liangliang Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China
| | - Shiyue Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China
| | - Xiangxiang Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, No 218 Jixi Road, Hefei, 230022, Anhui, China; NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle, Anhui Medical University, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center of Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China; Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, No 81 Meishan Road, Hefei, 230032, Anhui, China.
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Lackner AI, Pollheimer J, Latos P, Knöfler M, Haider S. Gene-network based analysis of human placental trophoblast subtypes identifies critical genes as potential targets of therapeutic drugs. J Integr Bioinform 2023; 20:jib-2023-0011. [PMID: 38127662 PMCID: PMC10777358 DOI: 10.1515/jib-2023-0011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
During early pregnancy, extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) play a crucial role in modifying the maternal uterine environment. Failures in EVT lineage formation and differentiation can lead to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and pregnancy loss. Despite recent advances, our knowledge on molecular and external factors that control and affect EVT development remains incomplete. Using trophoblast organoid in vitro models, we recently discovered that coordinated manipulation of the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) signaling is essential for EVT development. To further investigate gene networks involved in EVT function and development, we performed weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) on our RNA-Seq data. We identified 10 modules with a median module membership of over 0.8 and sizes ranging from 1005 (M1) to 72 (M27) network genes associated with TGFβ activation status or in vitro culturing, the latter being indicative for yet undiscovered factors that shape the EVT phenotypes. Lastly, we hypothesized that certain therapeutic drugs might unintentionally interfere with placentation by affecting EVT-specific gene expression. We used the STRING database to map correlations and the Drug-Gene Interaction database to identify drug targets. Our comprehensive dataset of drug-gene interactions provides insights into potential risks associated with certain drugs in early gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Ian Lackner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Immunology Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Pollheimer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maternal-Fetal Immunology Group, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulina Latos
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Knöfler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Haider
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Qin XY, Ha SY, Chen L, Zhang T, Li MQ. Recent Advances in Folates and Autoantibodies against Folate Receptors in Early Pregnancy and Miscarriage. Nutrients 2023; 15:4882. [PMID: 38068740 PMCID: PMC10708193 DOI: 10.3390/nu15234882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Though firstly identified in cerebral folate deficiency, autoantibodies against folate receptors (FRAbs) have been implicated in pregnancy complications such as miscarriage; however, the underlying mechanism needs to be further elaborated. FRAbs can be produced via sensitization mediated by folate-binding protein as well as gene mutation, aberrant modulation, or degradation of folate receptors (FRs). FRAbs may interfere with folate internalization and metabolism through blocking or binding with FRs. Interestingly, different types of FRs are expressed on trophoblast cells, decidual epithelium or stroma, and macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface, implying FRAbs may be involved in the critical events necessary for a successful pregnancy. Thus, we propose that FRAbs may disturb pregnancy establishment and maintenance by modulating trophoblastic biofunctions, placental development, decidualization, and decidua homeostasis as well as the functions of FOLR2+ macrophages. In light of these findings, FRAbs may be a critical factor in pathological pregnancy, and deserve careful consideration in therapies involving folic acid supplementation for pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yun Qin
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China; (X.-Y.Q.); (S.-Y.H.)
| | - Si-Yao Ha
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China; (X.-Y.Q.); (S.-Y.H.)
| | - Lu Chen
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Tao Zhang
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China;
| | - Ming-Qing Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China; (X.-Y.Q.); (S.-Y.H.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China
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Moufarrej MN, Bianchi DW, Shaw GM, Stevenson DK, Quake SR. Noninvasive Prenatal Testing Using Circulating DNA and RNA: Advances, Challenges, and Possibilities. Annu Rev Biomed Data Sci 2023; 6:397-418. [PMID: 37196360 PMCID: PMC10528197 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-biodatasci-020722-094144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal screening using sequencing of circulating cell-free DNA has transformed obstetric care over the past decade and significantly reduced the number of invasive diagnostic procedures like amniocentesis for genetic disorders. Nonetheless, emergency care remains the only option for complications like preeclampsia and preterm birth, two of the most prevalent obstetrical syndromes. Advances in noninvasive prenatal testing expand the scope of precision medicine in obstetric care. In this review, we discuss advances, challenges, and possibilities toward the goal of providing proactive, personalized prenatal care. The highlighted advances focus mainly on cell-free nucleic acids; however, we also review research that uses signals from metabolomics, proteomics, intact cells, and the microbiome. We discuss ethical challenges in providing care. Finally, we look to future possibilities, including redefining disease taxonomy and moving from biomarker correlation to biological causation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Diana W Bianchi
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and Section on Prenatal Genomics and Fetal Therapy, Center for Precision Health Research, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Gary M Shaw
- Department of Pediatrics and March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - David K Stevenson
- Department of Pediatrics and March of Dimes Prematurity Research Center at Stanford University, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Stephen R Quake
- Department of Bioengineering and Department of Applied Physics, Stanford University, Stanford, California, USA
- Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, Redwood City, California, USA
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Hong K, Park HJ, Jang HY, Shim SH, Jang Y, Kim SH, Cha DH. A Novel Paradigm for Non-Invasive Prenatal Genetic Screening: Trophoblast Retrieval and Isolation from the Cervix (TRIC). Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:2532. [PMID: 37568895 PMCID: PMC10417081 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13152532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
As the prevalence of pregnancies with advanced maternal age increases, the risk of fetal chromosomal abnormalities is on the rise. Therefore, prenatal genetic screening and diagnosis have become essential elements in contemporary obstetrical care. Trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix (TRIC) is a non-invasive procedure that can be utilized for prenatal genetic diagnosis. The method involves the isolation of fetal cells (extravillous trophoblasts) by transcervical sampling; along with its non-invasiveness, TRIC exhibits many other advantages such as its usefulness in early pregnancy at 5 weeks of gestation, and no interference by various fetal and maternal factors. Moreover, the trophoblast yields from TRIC can provide valuable information about obstetrical complications related to abnormal placentation even before clinical symptoms arise. The standardization of this clinical tool is still under investigation, and the upcoming advancements in TRIC are expected to meet the increasing need for a safe and accurate option for prenatal diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirim Hong
- CHA Gangnam Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA University, Seoul 06125, Republic of Korea; (K.H.); (H.J.P.); (Y.J.)
| | - Hee Jin Park
- CHA Gangnam Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA University, Seoul 06125, Republic of Korea; (K.H.); (H.J.P.); (Y.J.)
| | - Hee Yeon Jang
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea; (H.Y.J.); (S.H.S.)
| | - Sung Han Shim
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea; (H.Y.J.); (S.H.S.)
| | - Yoon Jang
- CHA Gangnam Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA University, Seoul 06125, Republic of Korea; (K.H.); (H.J.P.); (Y.J.)
| | - Soo Hyun Kim
- CHA Gangnam Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA University, Seoul 06125, Republic of Korea; (K.H.); (H.J.P.); (Y.J.)
| | - Dong Hyun Cha
- CHA Gangnam Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA University, Seoul 06125, Republic of Korea; (K.H.); (H.J.P.); (Y.J.)
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Hong K, Jang HY, Shim SH, Cho HY, Cha DH. Advanced Strategy of Trophoblasts Retrieval and Isolation from the Cervix (TRIC): Comparison of Two HLA-G Antibodies for Immunomagnetic Isolation of Trophoblasts. J Pers Med 2022; 13:jpm13010022. [PMID: 36675683 PMCID: PMC9865439 DOI: 10.3390/jpm13010022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Trophoblasts retrieval and isolation from the cervix (TRIC) is a non-invasive method which enables analysis of fetal genetic information from the extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs). The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of the HLA-G antibodies—G233 and 4H84—in isolating EVT cells and provide an optimized protocol of TRIC. We analyzed EVTs from 23 pregnant women in between 5 to 20 weeks of gestation who underwent invasive prenatal testing. Two HLA-G antibodies—G233 and 4H84—were used in a subgroup of 11 and 12 samples for immunomagnetic isolation. Cells with β-hCG expression were counted to compare the rate of isolated trophoblast cells. The rate of β-hCG positive cells was significantly different between the G233 and the 4H84 by immunefluorescence microscopy (p < 0.001). The percentage of β-hCG expressing cells in G233 and 4H84 groups were 62.4 ± 8.24% and 82.6 ± 7.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). The average fetal cell positive rate was 14.1 ± 3.78 in the G233 group while it was 25.8 ± 3.9 in the 4H84 group by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) (p = 0.011). Immunoisolation of trophoblast cells using 4H84 HLA-G antibody was more efficient in capturing EVT cells than using G233 for successful clinical application of TRIC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirim Hong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul 06125, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Yeon Jang
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Han Shim
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Young Cho
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul 06125, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (H.Y.C.); (D.H.C.)
| | - Dong Hyun Cha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul 06125, Republic of Korea
- Correspondence: (H.Y.C.); (D.H.C.)
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Induction of human trophoblast stem cells. Nat Protoc 2022; 17:2760-2783. [PMID: 36241723 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-022-00744-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Cell reprogramming has allowed unprecedented access to human development, from virtually any genome. However, reprogramming yields pluripotent stem cells that can differentiate into all cells that form a fetus, but not extraembryonic annexes. Therefore, a cellular model allowing study of placental development from a broad genomic repertoire is lacking. Here, we describe an optimized protocol to reprogram somatic cells into human induced trophoblast stem cells (hiTSCs) and convert pluripotent stem cells into human converted TSCs (hcTSCs). This protocol enables much-needed genome-specific placental disease modeling. We also detail extravillous trophoblast and syncytiotrophoblast differentiation protocols from hiTSCs and hcTSCs, a necessary step to validate these cells. In total, this protocol takes 4 months and requires advanced cell culture skills, comparable to those necessary for somatic cell reprogramming into human induced pluripotent stem cells.
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Yang P, Chen X, Tian X, Zhou Z, Zhang Y, Tang W, Fu K, Zhao J, Ruan Y. A Proteomic Study of the Effect of N-acetylcysteine on the Regulation of Early Pregnancy in Goats. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182439. [PMID: 36139298 PMCID: PMC9495164 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Early pregnancy regulation is an extremely complex process that is influenced by various factors. We previously mined the differentially expressed genes affected by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) in early pregnancy in goats via transcriptome sequencing. We found that NAC increased the number of lambs by affecting the immune pathway in ewes and enhancing antioxidation. Based on this, we here explored the effect of NAC on early pregnancy in goats at the protein level. The results showed a difference in the expression of uterine keratin and increases in the levels of antioxidant indices and hormones in doe serum. Abstract Dietary supplementation with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) may support early pregnancy regulation and fertility in female animals. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of supplementation with 0.07% NAC on the expression of the uterine keratin gene and protein in Qianbei-pockmarked goats during early pregnancy using tandem mass spectrometry (TMT) relative quantitative proteomics. The results showed that there were significant differences in uterine keratin expression between the experimental group (NAC group) and the control group on day 35 of gestation. A total of 6271 proteins were identified, 6258 of which were quantified by mass spectrometry. There were 125 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs), including 47 upregulated and 78 downregulated proteins, in the NAC group. Bioinformatic analysis showed that these DEPs were mainly involved in the transport and biosynthesis of organic matter and were related to the binding of transition metal ions, DNA and proteins and the catalytic activity of enzymes. They were enriched in the Jak-STAT signalling pathway, RNA monitoring pathway, amino acid biosynthesis, steroid biosynthesis and other pathways that may affect the early pregnancy status of does through different pathways and thus influence early embryonic development. Immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to verify the expression and localization of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and pelota mRNA surveillance and ribosomal rescue factor (PELO) in uterine horn tissue. The results showed that both PELO and GFAP were localized to endometrial and stromal cells, consistent with the mass spectrometry data at the transcriptional and translational levels. Moreover, NAC supplementation increased the levels of the reproductive hormones follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), oestradiol (E2), progesterone (P4), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutamate peroxidase (GSH-Px) and nitric oxide (NO) in the serum of does. These findings provide new insight into the mechanism by which NAC regulates early pregnancy and embryonic development in goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peifang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
- Correspondence:
| | - Xingzhou Tian
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Zhinan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Wen Tang
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Kaibin Fu
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Jiafu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
| | - Yong Ruan
- Key Laboratory of Plateau Mountain Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Guizhou Province, Guiyang 550025, China
- College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China
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Kojima J, Ono M, Kuji N, Nishi H. Human Chorionic Villous Differentiation and Placental Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23148003. [PMID: 35887349 PMCID: PMC9325306 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23148003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, the placenta provides the only fetomaternal connection and is essential for establishing a pregnancy as well as fetal well-being. Additionally, it allows maternal physiological adaptation and embryonic immunological acceptance, support, and nutrition. The placenta is derived from extra-embryonic tissues that develop rapidly and dynamically in the first weeks of pregnancy. It is primarily composed of trophoblasts that differentiate into villi, stromal cells, macrophages, and fetal endothelial cells (FEC). Placental differentiation may be closely related to perinatal diseases, including fetal growth retardation (FGR) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and miscarriage. There are limited findings regarding human chorionic villous differentiation and placental development because conducting in vivo studies is extremely difficult. Placental tissue varies widely among species. Thus, experimental animal findings are difficult to apply to humans. Early villous differentiation is difficult to study due to the small tissue size; however, a detailed analysis can potentially elucidate perinatal disease causes or help develop novel therapies. Artificial induction of early villous differentiation using human embryonic stem (ES) cells/induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells was attempted, producing normally differentiated villi that can be used for interventional/invasive research. Here, we summarized and correlated early villous differentiation findings and discussed clinical diseases.
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Gauster M, Moser G, Wernitznig S, Kupper N, Huppertz B. Early human trophoblast development: from morphology to function. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:345. [PMID: 35661923 PMCID: PMC9167809 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04377-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Human pregnancy depends on the proper development of the embryo prior to implantation and the implantation of the embryo into the uterine wall. During the pre-implantation phase, formation of the morula is followed by internalization of blastomeres that differentiate into the pluripotent inner cell mass lineage, while the cells on the surface undergo polarization and differentiate into the trophectoderm of the blastocyst. The trophectoderm mediates apposition and adhesion of the blastocyst to the uterine epithelium. These processes lead to a stable contact between embryonic and maternal tissues, resulting in the formation of a new organ, the placenta. During implantation, the trophectoderm cells start to differentiate and form the basis for multiple specialized trophoblast subpopulations, all of which fulfilling specific key functions in placentation. They either differentiate into polar cells serving typical epithelial functions, or into apolar invasive cells that adapt the uterine wall to progressing pregnancy. The composition of these trophoblast subpopulations is crucial for human placenta development and alterations are suggested to result in placenta-associated pregnancy pathologies. This review article focuses on what is known about very early processes in human reproduction and emphasizes on morphological and functional aspects of early trophoblast differentiation and subpopulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Gauster
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Gerit Moser
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Stefan Wernitznig
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Nadja Kupper
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Berthold Huppertz
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstraße 6, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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12
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Arenas-Hernandez M, Romero R, Gershater M, Tao L, Xu Y, Garcia-Flores V, Pusod E, Miller D, Galaz J, Motomura K, Schwenkel G, Para R, Gomez-Lopez N. Specific innate immune cells uptake fetal antigen and display homeostatic phenotypes in the maternal circulation. J Leukoc Biol 2022; 111:519-538. [PMID: 34889468 PMCID: PMC8881318 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.5hi0321-179rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy represents a period when the mother undergoes significant immunological changes to promote tolerance of the fetal semi-allograft. Such tolerance results from the exposure of the maternal immune system to fetal antigens (Ags), a process that has been widely investigated at the maternal-fetal interface and in the adjacent draining lymph nodes. However, the peripheral mechanisms of maternal-fetal crosstalk are poorly understood. Herein, we hypothesized that specific innate immune cells interact with fetal Ags in the maternal circulation. To test this hypothesis, a mouse model was utilized in which transgenic male mice expressing the chicken ovalbumin (OVA) Ag under the beta-actin promoter were allogeneically mated with wild-type females to allow for tracking of the fetal Ag. Fetal Ag-carrying Ly6G+ and F4/80+ cells were identified in the maternal circulation, where they were more abundant in the second half of pregnancy. Such innate immune cells displayed unique phenotypes: while Ly6G+ cells expressed high levels of MHC-II and CD80 together with low levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, F4/80+ cells up-regulated the expression of CD86 as well as the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β. In vitro studies using allogeneic GFP+ placental particles revealed that maternal peripheral Ly6G+ and F4/80+ cells phagocytose fetal Ags in mid and late murine pregnancy. Importantly, cytotrophoblast-derived particles were also engulfed in vitro by CD15+ and CD14+ cells from women in the second and third trimester, providing translational evidence that this process also occurs in humans. Collectively, this study demonstrates novel interactions between specific maternal circulating innate immune cells and fetal Ags, thereby shedding light on the systemic mechanisms of maternal-fetal crosstalk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcia Arenas-Hernandez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
- Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Meyer Gershater
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Li Tao
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Errile Pusod
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kenichiro Motomura
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - George Schwenkel
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Robert Para
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, U. S. Department of Health and Human Services, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
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Burton GJ, Turco MY. Joan Hunt Senior award lecture: New tools to shed light on the 'black box' of pregnancy. Placenta 2021; 125:54-60. [PMID: 34952691 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2021.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Correct establishment of the placenta is critical to the success of a pregnancy, but many of the key events take place during or shortly after implantation and are inaccessible for study. This inaccessibility, coupled with the lack of a suitable preclinical animal model, means that knowledge of human early placental development and function is extremely limited. Hence, the first trimester is often referred to as the 'black box' of pregnancy. However, recent advances in the derivation of trophoblast stem cells and organoid cultures of the trophoblast and endometrium are opening new opportunities for basic and translational research, providing for the first time cells that faithfully replicate their tissue of origin and proliferate and differentiate in culture in a stable and reproducible manner. These cells are valuable new tools for investigating cell-lineage differentiation and maternal-fetal interactions, but become even more powerful when combined with advances in bioengineering, microfabrication and microfluidic technologies. Assembloids of the endometrium comprising various cell types as model systems to investigate events at implantation, and placentas-on-a-chip for the study of nutrient transfer or drug screening are just two examples. This is a rapidly advancing field that may usher in more personalised approaches to infertility and pregnancy complications. Many of the developments are still at the proof-of-principle phase, but with continued refinement they are likely to shed important light on events that are fundamental to our reproduction as individuals and as a species, yet for ethical reasons are hidden from view.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham J Burton
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Margherita Y Turco
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
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Emadi E, Bordbar AK, Nadri H, Shams A, Taheri-Kafrani A, Kalantar SM. Isolation of HLA-G + cells using MEM-G/9 antibody-conjugated magnetic nanoparticles for prenatal screening: a reliable, fast and efficient method. RSC Adv 2021; 11:30990-31001. [PMID: 35498932 PMCID: PMC9041322 DOI: 10.1039/d1ra05988b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of an effective and noninvasive early method for obtaining fetal cells is crucial to prenatal screening. Despite proving the presence of fetal cells in the reproductive tract, their use is limited due to their inability to properly isolate them from maternal cells. Magnetic-activated cell sorting (MACS) is a simple technique to separate cells. The present study aimed to develop a MACS-based platform for the isolation of the HLA-G expressing trophoblast cells. For this purpose, first, the triazine functionalized MNPs were synthesized and characterized. Then, MNPs were directly and indirectly conjugated by the MEM-G/9 antibodies targeting HLA-G+ cells. The antibody amount on the surface of the nanoparticles was determined with the Bradford assay. The cell capture efficiency was also investigated. Various characterization methods confirmed the successful nanoparticle synthesis and antibody conjugation. The optimal initial antibody amount for the immobilization was about 20 μg and the optimal time was 3 h. The antibody-nanoparticles by the indirect method had better targeting and capture efficiency than the direct method. The MNPs indirectly conjugated with antibodies are an efficient tool for cell isolation and present considerable potential to be applied in biomedical fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaheh Emadi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services Yazd 8916978477 Iran
| | - Abdol-Khalegh Bordbar
- Department of Chemistry, University of Isfahan Isfahan 81746-73441 Iran
- California Institute for Quantitative Biosciences (QB3), University of California Berkeley CA 94720 USA
| | - Hamid Nadri
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Centre, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services Yazd 8916978477 Iran
| | - Ali Shams
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services Yazd 8916978477 Iran
| | - Asghar Taheri-Kafrani
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Science and Technology, University of Isfahan Isfahan 81746-73441 Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Kalantar
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences and Health Services Yazd 8916978477 Iran
- Research and Clinical Centre for Infertility, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences Yazd 8916978477 Iran
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15
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Inkster AM, Fernández-Boyano I, Robinson WP. Sex Differences Are Here to Stay: Relevance to Prenatal Care. J Clin Med 2021; 10:3000. [PMID: 34279482 PMCID: PMC8268816 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10133000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Sex differences exist in the incidence and presentation of many pregnancy complications, including but not limited to pregnancy loss, spontaneous preterm birth, and fetal growth restriction. Sex differences arise very early in development due to differential gene expression from the X and Y chromosomes, and later may also be influenced by the action of gonadal steroid hormones. Though offspring sex is not considered in most prenatal diagnostic or therapeutic strategies currently in use, it may be beneficial to consider sex differences and the associated mechanisms underlying pregnancy complications. This review will cover (i) the prevalence and presentation of sex differences that occur in perinatal complications, particularly with a focus on the placenta; (ii) possible mechanisms underlying the development of sex differences in placental function and pregnancy phenotypes; and (iii) knowledge gaps that should be addressed in the development of diagnostic or risk prediction tools for such complications, with an emphasis on those for which it would be important to consider sex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amy M. Inkster
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada; (A.M.I.); (I.F.-B.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Icíar Fernández-Boyano
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada; (A.M.I.); (I.F.-B.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
| | - Wendy P. Robinson
- BC Children’s Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC V5Z 4H4, Canada; (A.M.I.); (I.F.-B.)
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6H 3N1, Canada
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16
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Emadi E, Khoradmehr A, Shams A, Kalantar SM. Appropriate fixative for MEM-G/9 staining of cultured human HLA-G-positive JEG-3 trophoblast tumor cells. Biotech Histochem 2021; 97:136-142. [PMID: 33910426 DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2021.1916837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Human leukocyte antigen (HLA-G) participates in immunosuppression and is useful for prenatal diagnostics. Isolation of fetal cells positive for HLA-G by HLA-G antibody conjugated nanoparticles from the cervix of pregnant women is the basis for non-invasive prenatal testing. Endocervical specimens are fixed in transport medium before isolation using antibody conjugated nanoparticles. Staining of HLA-G using MEM-G/9 antibody, however, is restricted to unfixed cells. We investigated the effect of several fixatives on the interaction of HLA-G with MEM-G/9 in the HLA-G-positive cell line, JEG-3. We investigated absolute methanol, 1:1 acetate buffer:methanol, Pap solution and paraformaldehyde. The effects of these fixatives were evaluated using immunofluorescence. We found no MEM-G/9 surface staining of methanol fixed cells. Approximately 40% of JEG-3 cells fixed with paraformaldehyde failed to stain. Nearly all cells were stained with MEM-G/9 following fixation with acetate buffer:methanol or Pap solution. Our findings indicate the importance of using an appropriate fixative for preserving HLA-G cell surface antigen for studies using the MEM-G/9 antibody.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaheh Emadi
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Arezoo Khoradmehr
- The Persian Gulf Marine Biotechnology Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Research Sciences Center Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Ali Shams
- Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Seyed Mehdi Kalantar
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Research & Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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Bailey-Hytholt CM, Sayeed S, Shukla A, Tripathi A. Enrichment of Placental Trophoblast Cells from Clinical Cervical Samples Using Differences in Surface Adhesion on an Inclined Plane. Ann Biomed Eng 2021; 49:2214-2227. [PMID: 33686620 DOI: 10.1007/s10439-021-02742-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Placental trophoblast cells present in cervical samples have great potential towards non-invasive prenatal testing. However, cervical samples are highly heterogeneous, largely comprised of maternal cervical cells with only a small quantity of trophoblast cells. In order to use these rare cells for diagnostic applications, there is a need to enrich and isolate them from the heterogeneous maternal sample. Our goal was to investigate the use of gravitational flow on an inclined surface and optimize parameters including angle of incline, surface material, incubation time on the surface, solution volume, and device channel width in order to identify a design allowing label-free enrichment of trophoblast cells. In this work we detail the development of a new method and device for controlling cell adhesion to a surface vs. rolling into a collection area. The enrichment device design was developed for ease of use by non-specialized personal and on a slide surface for the ability to be directly integrated onto an automatic cell picker instrument, which can be used for downstream single cell isolation. JEG-3 trophoblast cells were used with clinical cervical samples to present the effect of the different optimization parameters on enrichment. We further provide an assessment of the impact shear stress and thickness of the liquid layer has on cell enrichment. We found that this method provides a maximum JEG-3 enrichment using polystyrene surfaces at a 50° incline with a 5 min incubation period prior to inclined flow. This resulted in a 396 ± 52% increase in purity of the trophoblast cells from the clinical cervical samples as confirmed using human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) antibody staining with fluorescence imaging to identify JEG-3 cells. Ultimately, this method is inexpensive, quick, and has the potential for direct integration into fetal cell isolation platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sumaiya Sayeed
- School of Engineering, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Anita Shukla
- School of Engineering, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA
| | - Anubhav Tripathi
- School of Engineering, Center for Biomedical Engineering, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
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Silini AR, Di Pietro R, Lang-Olip I, Alviano F, Banerjee A, Basile M, Borutinskaite V, Eissner G, Gellhaus A, Giebel B, Huang YC, Janev A, Kreft ME, Kupper N, Abadía-Molina AC, Olivares EG, Pandolfi A, Papait A, Pozzobon M, Ruiz-Ruiz C, Soritau O, Susman S, Szukiewicz D, Weidinger A, Wolbank S, Huppertz B, Parolini O. Perinatal Derivatives: Where Do We Stand? A Roadmap of the Human Placenta and Consensus for Tissue and Cell Nomenclature. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2020; 8:610544. [PMID: 33392174 PMCID: PMC7773933 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.610544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Progress in the understanding of the biology of perinatal tissues has contributed to the breakthrough revelation of the therapeutic effects of perinatal derivatives (PnD), namely birth-associated tissues, cells, and secreted factors. The significant knowledge acquired in the past two decades, along with the increasing interest in perinatal derivatives, fuels an urgent need for the precise identification of PnD and the establishment of updated consensus criteria policies for their characterization. The aim of this review is not to go into detail on preclinical or clinical trials, but rather we address specific issues that are relevant for the definition/characterization of perinatal cells, starting from an understanding of the development of the human placenta, its structure, and the different cell populations that can be isolated from the different perinatal tissues. We describe where the cells are located within the placenta and their cell morphology and phenotype. We also propose nomenclature for the cell populations and derivatives discussed herein. This review is a joint effort from the COST SPRINT Action (CA17116), which broadly aims at approaching consensus for different aspects of PnD research, such as providing inputs for future standards for the processing and in vitro characterization and clinical application of PnD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Rosa Silini
- Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza-Istituto Ospedaliero, Brescia, Italy
| | - Roberta Di Pietro
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- StemTeCh Group, G. d’Annunzio Foundation, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Ingrid Lang-Olip
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Francesco Alviano
- Department of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine, Unit of Histology, Embryology and Applied Biology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Asmita Banerjee
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Center, Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mariangela Basile
- Department of Medicine and Ageing Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- StemTeCh Group, G. d’Annunzio Foundation, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Veronika Borutinskaite
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Biochemistry, Life Sciences Center, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Günther Eissner
- Systems Biology Ireland, School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alexandra Gellhaus
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Hospital Essen, University Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Bernd Giebel
- Institute for Transfusion Medicine, University Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Yong-Can Huang
- Shenzhen Engineering Laboratory of Orthopaedic Regenerative Technologies, Department of Spine Surgery, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Aleksandar Janev
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mateja Erdani Kreft
- Institute of Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Nadja Kupper
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ana Clara Abadía-Molina
- Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Enrique G. Olivares
- Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Unidad de Gestión Clínica Laboratorios, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Cecilio, Granada, Spain
| | - Assunta Pandolfi
- StemTeCh Group, G. d’Annunzio Foundation, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Vascular and Stem Cell Biology, Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, G. d’Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, CAST (Center for Advanced Studies and Technology, ex CeSI-MeT), Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Papait
- Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza-Istituto Ospedaliero, Brescia, Italy
- Department of Life Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Michela Pozzobon
- Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Lab, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, University of Padova, Fondazione Istituto di Ricerca Pediatrica Città della Speranza, Padua, Italy
| | - Carmen Ruiz-Ruiz
- Instituto de Biopatología y Medicina Regenerativa, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular III e Inmunología, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Olga Soritau
- The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Sergiu Susman
- Department of Morphological Sciences-Histology, Iuliu Haţieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Department of Pathology, IMOGEN Research Center, Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Dariusz Szukiewicz
- Department of General and Experimental Pathology with Centre for Preclinical Research and Technology (CEPT), Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Adelheid Weidinger
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Center, Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Wolbank
- Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Experimental and Clinical Traumatology, AUVA Research Center, Austrian Cluster for Tissue Regeneration, Vienna, Austria
| | - Berthold Huppertz
- Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Ornella Parolini
- Department of Life Science and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
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19
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Wang Z, Cheng L, Wei X, Cai B, Sun Y, Zhang Y, Liao L, Zhao XZ. High-throughput isolation of fetal nucleated red blood cells by multifunctional microsphere-assisted inertial microfluidics. Biomed Microdevices 2020; 22:75. [PMID: 33079273 DOI: 10.1007/s10544-020-00531-2] [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] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Being easy, safe and reliable, non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD) has been greatly pursued in recent years. Holding the complete genetic information of the fetus, fetal nucleated red blood cells (fNRBCs) are viewed as a suitable target for NIPD application. However, effective separating fNRBCs from maternal peripheral blood for clinic use still faces great challenges, given that fNRBCs are extremely rare in maternal blood circulation. Here, by combining the high-throughput inertial microfluidic chip with multifunctional microspheres as size amplification, we develop a novel method to isolate fNRBCs with high performance. To enlarge the size difference between fNRBCs and normal blood cells, we use the gelatin coated microspheres to capture fNRBCs with anti-CD147 as specific recognizer at first. The size difference between fNRBCs captured by the microspheres and normal blood cells makes it easy to purify the captured fNRBCs through the spiral microfluidic chip. Finally, the purified fNRBCs are mildly released from the microspheres by enzymatically degrading the gelatin coating. Cell capture efficiency about 81%, high purity of 83%, as well as cell release viability over 80% were achieved using spiked samples by this approach. Additionally, fNRBCs were successfully detected from peripheral blood of pregnant women with an average of 24 fNRBCs per mL, suggesting the great potential of this method for clinical non-invasive prenatal diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixiang Wang
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-Structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Lin Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoyun Wei
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-Structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Bo Cai
- Research Center for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yue Sun
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-Structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Yuanzhen Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430071, People's Republic of China.
| | - Lei Liao
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-Structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
| | - Xing-Zhong Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Micro- and Nano-Structures of Ministry of Education, School of Physics and Technology, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430072, China.
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20
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How will new genetic technologies, such as gene editing, change reproductive decision-making? Views of high-risk couples. Eur J Hum Genet 2020; 29:39-50. [PMID: 32773775 PMCID: PMC7852899 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-020-00706-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 07/03/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Couples at increased risk of having offspring with a specific genetic disorder who want to avoid having an affected child have several reproductive options including prenatal diagnosis (PND) and preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). In the future, non-invasive prenatal diagnosis (NIPD), germline gene editing (GGE) and somatic gene editing (SGE) might become available. This study explores if, and how, availability of new genetic technologies, including NIPD, GGE, SGE, would change reproductive decision-making of high-risk couples. In 2018, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 25 genetically at-risk couples. Couples previously had received genetic counselling for PND and PGT, and in most cases opted for (one of) these techniques, at one Dutch Clinical Genetics Center between 2013 and 2017. Considerations participants mentioned regarding the hypothetical use of NIPD, GGE and SGE, seem similar to considerations regarding PND and PGT and are reflected in underlying concepts. These include safety and burden for mother and child, and moral considerations. Couples generally favoured NIPD over PND as this would be safe and enables earlier diagnosis. Increased opportunities of having a 'healthy' embryo and less embryo disposal were considerations in favour of GGE. Some regarded GGE as unsafe and feared slippery slope scenarios. Couples were least favourable towards SGE compared to choosing for a genetic reproductive technology, because of the perceived burden for the affected offspring. With the possibly growing number of technological options, understanding high risk couples' perspectives can assist in navigating the reproductive decision-making process. Counsellors should be prepared to counsel on more and complex reproductive options.
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21
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Gerson KD, Haviland MJ, Neo D, Hecht JL, Baccarelli AA, Brennan KJM, Dereix AE, Ralston SJ, Hacker MR, Burris HH. Pregnancy-associated changes in cervical noncoding RNA. Epigenomics 2020; 12:1013-1025. [PMID: 32808540 PMCID: PMC7546170 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2019-0231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Aim: To identify pregnancy-associated changes in cervical noncoding RNA (ncRNA), including miRNA and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA), and their potential effects on biologic processes. Materials & methods: We enrolled 21 pregnant women with term deliveries (≥37 weeks' gestation) in a prospective cohort and collected cervical swabs before 28 weeks' gestation. We enrolled 21 nonpregnant controls. We analyzed miRNA, lncRNA and mRNA expression, applying a Bonferroni correction. Results: Five miRNA and three lncRNA were significantly differentially (>twofold change) expressed. Putative miRNA targets are enriched in genes mediating organogenesis, glucocorticoid signaling, cell adhesion and ncRNA machinery. Conclusion: Differential cervical ncRNA expression occurs in the setting of pregnancy. Gene ontology classification reveals biological pathways through which miRNA may play a biologic role in normal pregnancy physiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin D Gerson
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Maternal Child Health Research Center, Center for Research on Reproduction & Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Miriam J Haviland
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Dayna Neo
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Jonathan L Hecht
- Department of Pathology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Department of Pathology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Andrea A Baccarelli
- Department of Environmental Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Kasey JM Brennan
- Department of Environmental Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Alexandra E Dereix
- Department of Environmental Health, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Steven J Ralston
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Michele R Hacker
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Maternal Child Health Research Center, Center for Research on Reproduction & Women's Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Heather H Burris
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
- Department of Neonatology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA 02215, USA
- Maternal Child Health Research Center, Center for Research on Reproduction & Women’s Health, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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22
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Optimization Protocol of Fixation Method for Trophoblast Retrieval from the Cervix (TRIC): A Preliminary Study. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10050300. [PMID: 32422993 PMCID: PMC7277994 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10050300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs) secreted by the uterine cavity may help overcome limitations associated with prenatal testing currently in use. EVTs are isolated using a routine safe liquid-based Pap test (called ThinPrep); however, the ThinPrep solution contains alcohol that hinders the isolation of intact EVTs. We compared the trophoblastic cell isolation efficiency of two different methods of fixation: Thinprep (pre-fixation method) and formalin (post-fixation method). We analyzed EVTs from 20 pregnant women (5-20 weeks of gestation) who underwent invasive prenatal testing. The percentages of placental β-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG)-expressing cells were calculated. The presence of XY chromosomes were used to confirm pure trophoblast cells by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The β-hCG-positive cells obtained from pre- and post-fixation were 66.4 ± 13.3% and 83.2 ± 8.1% (p = 0.003), respectively, and fluorescence-positive cells were 11.1 ± 2.1% and 23.8 ± 4.8%, respectively (p = 0.001). Post-fixation was found to be more efficient in isolating non-trophoblast cells than pre-fixation. For the successful clinical application of trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix in prenatal genetic testing, each step should be optimized for consistent and reliable results.
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Reproductive Medicine—An Interdisciplinary Open Access Journal for an Interdisciplinary and Growing Community. REPRODUCTIVE MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/reprodmed1010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The journal Reproductive Medicine just started as an open access journal with an excellent editorial team. As founding editor-in-chief it is my belief that this new journal will find its specific niche in the field of reproduction. It is not only the free access to scientific data that is very important today and that comes with this journal; this journal also builds the bridge between IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) and ART (Assisted Reproductive Technology) on the one hand and pregnancy and pregnancy pathologies on the other hand, combined in one journal. This interdisciplinary approach is needed as the last decade has shown that there are more links between the mode of conception and the outcome of pregnancy than we ever thought. We encourage our readers to scroll through the list of papers that will be published in this journal to open their view for all aspects of reproduction from the ovarian reserve to the epigenetic changes of a newborn due to fetal programming.
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Traditional and New Routes of Trophoblast Invasion and Their Implications for Pregnancy Diseases. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010289. [PMID: 31906245 PMCID: PMC6981830 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 12/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Historically, invasion of placental trophoblasts was thought to be extremely specific, only invading into the connective tissues of the maternal uterus and finally reaching and transforming the uterine spiral arteries. Only recently, identification of new routes of trophoblast invasion into different structures of the maternal uterus has been achieved. Thorough morphological analysis has resulted in the identification of trophoblasts invading into glands, veins, and lymph vessels of the uterine wall. These new routes pave the way for a re-evaluation of trophoblast invasion during normal placental development. Of course, such new routes of trophoblast invasion may well be altered, especially in pregnancy pathologies such as intra-uterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, early and recurrent pregnancy loss, stillbirth, and spontaneous abortion. Maybe one or more of these pregnancy pathologies show alterations in different pathways of trophoblast invasion, and, thus, etiologies may need to be redefined, and new therapies may be developed.
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25
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Moser G, Guettler J, Forstner D, Gauster M. Maternal Platelets—Friend or Foe of the Human Placenta? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20225639. [PMID: 31718032 PMCID: PMC6888633 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2019] [Revised: 11/07/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Human pregnancy relies on hemochorial placentation, including implantation of the blastocyst and deep invasion of fetal trophoblast cells into maternal uterine blood vessels, enabling direct contact of maternal blood with placental villi. Hemochorial placentation requires fast and reliable hemostasis to guarantee survival of the mother, but also for the neonates. During human pregnancy, maternal platelet count decreases gradually from first, to second, and third trimester. In addition to hemodilution, accelerated platelet sequestration and consumption in the placental circulation may contribute to a decline of platelet count throughout gestation. Local stasis, turbulences, or damage of the syncytiotrophoblast layer can activate maternal platelets within the placental intervillous space and result in formation of fibrin-type fibrinoid. Perivillous fibrinoid is a regular constituent of the normal placenta which is considered to be an important regulator of intervillous hemodynamics, as well as having a role in shaping the developing villous trees. However, exaggerated activation of platelets at the maternal-fetal interface can provoke inflammasome activation in the placental trophoblast, and enhance formation of circulating platelet-monocyte aggregates, resulting in sterile inflammation of the placenta and a systemic inflammatory response in the mother. Hence, the degree of activation determines whether maternal platelets are a friend or foe of the human placenta. Exaggerated activation of maternal platelets can either directly cause or propagate the disease process in placenta-associated pregnancy pathologies, such as preeclampsia.
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26
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Abou Tayoun A, Mason-Suares H. Considerations for whole exome sequencing unique to prenatal care. Hum Genet 2019; 139:1149-1159. [PMID: 31701237 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-02085-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/29/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Whole exome sequencing (WES) is increasingly being used in the prenatal setting. The emerging data support the clinical utility of prenatal WES based on its diagnostic yield, which can be as high as 80% for certain ultrasound findings. However, detailed practice and laboratory guidelines, addressing the indications for prenatal WES and the surrounding technical, interpretation, ethical, and counseling issues, are still lacking. Herein, we review the literature and summarize the most recent findings and applications of prenatal WES. This review offers specialists and clinical genetic laboratorians a body of evidence and expert opinions that can serve as a resource to assist in their practice. Finally, we highlight the emerging technologies that promise a future of prenatal WES without the risks associated with invasive testing.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Heather Mason-Suares
- Departments of Pathology, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Laboratory for Molecular Medicine, Partners HealthCare Personalized Medicine, 65 Landsdowne Street, Cambridge, MA, 02115, USA.
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27
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A Rapid Method for Label-Free Enrichment of Rare Trophoblast Cells from Cervical Samples. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12115. [PMID: 31431640 PMCID: PMC6702343 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48346-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) have the potential to provide the entire fetal genome for prenatal testing. Previous studies have demonstrated the presence of EVTs in the cervical canal and the ability to retrieve a small quantity of these cells by cervical sampling. However, these small quantities of trophoblasts are far outnumbered by the population of cervical cells in the sample, making isolation of the trophoblasts challenging. We have developed a method to enrich trophoblast cells from a cervical sample using differential settling of the cells in polystyrene wells. We tested the addition of small quantities of JEG-3 trophoblast cell line cells into clinical samples from standard Pap tests taken at 5 to 20 weeks of gestation to determine the optimal work flow. We observed that a 4 min incubation in the capture wells led to a maximum in JEG-3 cell settling on the surface (71 ± 10% of the initial amount added) with the removal of 91 ± 3% of the cervical cell population, leading to a 700% enrichment in JEG-3 cells. We hypothesized that settling of mucus in the cervical sample affects the separation. Finally, we performed a proof-of-concept study using our work flow and CyteFinder cell picking to verify enrichment and pick individual JEG-3 and trophoblast cells free of cervical cells. Ultimately, this work provides a rapid, facile, and cost-effective method for enriching native trophoblasts from cervical samples for use in subsequent non-invasive prenatal testing using methods including single cell picking.
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28
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Johnsen JM, Brown DL. The national blueprint for pregnancy/birth longitudinal cohorts to study factor VIII immunogenicity: NHLBI State of the Science (SOS) Workshop on factor VIII inhibitors. Haemophilia 2019; 25:603-609. [PMID: 31329365 DOI: 10.1111/hae.13739] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2018] [Revised: 02/03/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Patients with haemophilia can develop inhibitors to exogenous coagulation factors. Some patients are tolerant to factor, while those who develop inhibitors do so early in life. Genetics and environmental factors are known to contribute to inhibitor risk. However, it is not yet possible to predict inhibitor formation or treatment responsiveness in individuals. We hypothesize that factors in the antenatal/neonatal period inform inhibitor risk development. AIM To consider the design of longitudinal studies beginning in the antenatal/neonatal period and the use of new technologies to better understand haemophilia inhibitors. METHODS A working group was formed for the NHLBI State of the Science Workshop: Factor VIII Inhibitors: Generating a National Blueprint for Future Research to solicit input from the US haemophilia community and international collaborators to consider design of pregnancy/birth longitudinal cohorts that leverage -omics, existing phenotypic data, and in silico modelling to study inhibitors. RESULTS An antenatal/neonatal longitudinal cohort should begin with enrolment of pregnant genetic carriers of haemophilia and span the at-risk period for inhibitor development in the child. Data and samples from the mother, placenta, neonate and young child can be obtained that are amenable to existing assays, genomics and other -omics studies. Data can inform in silico prediction and mathematical models. CONCLUSION A longitudinal study beginning before birth offers the unique opportunity to study factors that influence inhibitor development prior to exposure. Advances in -omics and computational biology can study complex phenotypes in this rare disease. This study could be accomplished through interdisciplinary efforts and patient community engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill M Johnsen
- Bloodworks Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, Washington.,Washington Center for Bleeding Disorders, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Deborah L Brown
- University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, Texas.,MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.,Gulf States Hemophilia and Thrombophilia Treatment Center, Houston, Texas
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29
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Shi J, Zhang R, Li J, Zhang R. Novel perspectives in fetal biomarker implementation for the noninvasive prenatal testing. Crit Rev Clin Lab Sci 2019; 56:374-392. [PMID: 31290367 DOI: 10.1080/10408363.2019.1631749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Noninvasive prenatal testing (NIPT) utilizes cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) present in maternal peripheral blood to detect chromosomal abnormalities. The detection of 21-trisomy, 18-trisomy, and 13-trisomy in the fetus has become a common screening method during pregnancy and has been widely applied in routine clinical testing because of its analytical and clinical validity. Currently, noninvasive prenatal testing involving copy number variations (CNVs) and other frequent single-gene disorders is being widely studied, and it plays an important and indispensable role in prenatal detection. The multiple approaches that have been reported and validated by various laboratories have different merits and limitations. Their clinical validity, utility, and application vary with different diseases. This review summarizes the principles, methods, advantages, and limitations of noninvasive prenatal testing for the detection of aneuploidy, CNVs and single-gene disorders. Before implementation of NIPT into clinical practice, a list of criteria that the application must meet is crucial. Essential parameters such as clinical sensitivity, clinical specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) are required to properly evaluate the clinical validity and utility of NIPT. We then discuss and analyze these clinical parameters and clinical application guidelines, providing physicians and scientists with feasible strategies and the latest research information.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiping Shi
- Peking University Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, National Center for Clinical Laboratories, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing Hospital , Beijing , China.,National Center for Clinical Laboratories, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing Hospital , Beijing , China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital , Beijing , China
| | - Runling Zhang
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing Hospital , Beijing , China.,Graduate School, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College , Beijing , China
| | - Jinming Li
- National Center for Clinical Laboratories, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing Hospital , Beijing , China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital , Beijing , China
| | - Rui Zhang
- Peking University Fifth School of Clinical Medicine, National Center for Clinical Laboratories, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing Hospital , Beijing , China.,National Center for Clinical Laboratories, National Center of Gerontology, Beijing Hospital , Beijing , China.,Beijing Engineering Research Center of Laboratory Medicine, Beijing Hospital , Beijing , China
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30
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Sammar M, Drobnjak T, Mandala M, Gizurarson S, Huppertz B, Meiri H. Galectin 13 (PP13) Facilitates Remodeling and Structural Stabilization of Maternal Vessels during Pregnancy. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20133192. [PMID: 31261864 PMCID: PMC6651626 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20133192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2019] [Revised: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Galectins regulate cell growth, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, signal transduction, mRNA splicing, and interactions with the extracellular matrix. Here we focus on the galectins in the reproductive system, particularly on a group of six galectins that first appears in anthropoid primates in conjunction with the evolution of highly invasive placentation and long gestation. Of these six, placental protein 13 (PP13, galectin 13) interacts with glycoproteins and glycolipids to enable successful pregnancy. PP13 is related to the development of a major obstetric syndrome, preeclampsia, a life-threatening complication of pregnancy which affects ten million pregnant women globally. Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension, proteinuria, and organ failure, and is often accompanied by fetal loss and major newborn disabilities. PP13 facilitates the expansion of uterine arteries and veins during pregnancy in an endothelial cell-dependent manner, via the eNOS and prostaglandin signaling pathways. PP13 acts through its carbohydrate recognition domain that binds to sugar residues of extracellular and connective tissue molecules, thus inducing structural stabilization of vessel expansion. Further, decidual PP13 aggregates may serve as a decoy that induces white blood cell apoptosis, contributing to the mother's immune tolerance to pregnancy. Lower first trimester PP13 level is one of the biomarkers to predict the subsequent risk to develop preeclampsia, while its molecular mutations/polymorphisms that are associated with reduced PP13 expression are accompanied by higher rates of preeclampsia We propose a targeted PP13 replenishing therapy to fight preeclampsia in carriers of these mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marei Sammar
- Ephraim Katzir Department of Biotechnology Engineering, ORT Braude College, 2161002 Karmiel, Israel.
| | - Tijana Drobnjak
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Science, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Maurizio Mandala
- Department of Biology, Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Calabria, 87030 Rende, Italy
| | - Sveinbjörn Gizurarson
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, School of Health Science, University of Iceland, 107 Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Berthold Huppertz
- Department of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, 8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Hamutal Meiri
- Hylabs Ltd., Rehovot, 7670606 and TeleMarpe Ltd., 6908742 Tel Aviv, Israel
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31
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Kadam L, Jain C, Kohan-Ghadr HR, Krawetz SA, Drewlo S, Armant DR. Endocervical trophoblast for interrogating the fetal genome and assessing pregnancy health at five weeks. Eur J Med Genet 2019; 62:103690. [PMID: 31226440 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2019.103690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2019] [Revised: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2019] [Indexed: 02/09/2023]
Abstract
Prenatal testing for fetal genetic traits and risk of obstetrical complications is essential for maternal-fetal healthcare. The migration of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells from the placenta into the reproductive tract and accumulation in the cervix offers an exciting avenue for prenatal testing and monitoring placental function. These cells are obtained with a cervical cytobrush, a routine relatively safe clinical procedure during pregnancy, according to published studies and our own observations. Trophoblast retrieval and isolation from the cervix (TRIC) obtains hundreds of fetal cells with >90% purity as early as five weeks of gestation. TRIC can provide DNA for fetal genotyping by targeted next-generation sequencing with single-nucleotide resolution. Previously, we found that known protein biomarkers are dysregulated in EVT cells obtained by TRIC in the first trimester from women who miscarry or later develop intrauterine growth restriction or preeclampsia. We have now optimized methods to stabilize RNA during TRIC for subsequent isolation and analysis of trophoblast gene expression. Here, we report transcriptomics analysis demonstrating that the expression profile of TRIC-isolated trophoblast cells was distinct from that of maternal cervical cells and included genes associated with the EVT phenotype and invasion. Because EVT cells are responsible for remodeling the maternal arteries and their failure is associated with pregnancy disorders, their molecular profiles could reflect maternal risk, as well as mechanisms underlying these disorders. The use of TRIC to analyze EVT genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes during ongoing pregnancies could provide new tools for anticipating and managing both fetal genetic and maternal obstetric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leena Kadam
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Chandni Jain
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Hamid Reza Kohan-Ghadr
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Stephen A Krawetz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States; Centre for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States
| | - Sascha Drewlo
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - D Randall Armant
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, United States.
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Pin-Jung C, Pai-Chi T, Zhu Y, Jen Jan Y, Smalley M, Afshar Y, Li-Ching C, Pisarska MD, Hsian-Rong T. Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnostics: Recent Developments Using Circulating Fetal Nucleated Cells. CURRENT OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY REPORTS 2019; 8:1-8. [PMID: 31565541 PMCID: PMC6764767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The purpose of this review is to highlight recent research advances in noninvasive prenatal diagnostic methods. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies developing noninvasive prenatal diagnostic (NIPD) methods have been focused on either fetal nucleated red blood cells (fNRBCs) or circulating trophoblasts (cTBs). Enriched cTBs were successfully utilized for whole genome profiling and short tandem repeat (STR) identification to confirm feto-maternal relationship. However, further analysis of isolated fNRBCs remains confined to examining fetal cytogenetics. SUMMARY Invasive prenatal diagnostic procedures, amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling, are the gold standard for the diagnosis of fetal chromosomal abnormalities and genetic disorders. Meanwhile, noninvasive techniques of analyzing circulating cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) have been limited to screening tools and are highly fragmented and confounded by maternal DNA. By detecting circulating fetal nucleated cells (CFNCs) we are able to noninvasively confirm fetal chromosomal abnormalities, truly realizing the concept of "noninvasive prenatal diagnostics". The primary technical challenge is the enrichment of the low abundance of CFNCs in maternal peripheral blood. For any cell-based NIPD method, both fetal whole genome profiling and confirmation of the feto-parental relationship are essential. This has been successfully performed using enriched and isolated cTBs, making cTB a better candidate for NIPD. cTB enumeration also correlates with abnormal fetal or placental development. On the other hand, downstream analysis of fNRBCs remains limited to examining fetal sex and aneuploidies. Furthermore, trophoblast-based NIPD via an endocervical sample is also promising because of reduced dilution from hematologic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Pin-Jung
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Teng Pai-Chi
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yazhen Zhu
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yu Jen Jan
- Urologic Oncology Program and Uro-Oncology Research Laboratories, Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Matthew Smalley
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yalda Afshar
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chen Li-Ching
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Margareta D. Pisarska
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Tseng Hsian-Rong
- Department of Molecular and Medical Pharmacology, California NanoSystems Institute, Crump Institute for Molecular Imaging, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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Noninvasive Prenatal Diagnostics: Recent Developments Using Circulating Fetal Nucleated Cells. CURRENT OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY REPORTS 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s13669-019-0254-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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Rezaei M, Winter M, Zander-Fox D, Whitehead C, Liebelt J, Warkiani ME, Hardy T, Thierry B. A Reappraisal of Circulating Fetal Cell Noninvasive Prenatal Testing. Trends Biotechnol 2018; 37:632-644. [PMID: 30501925 DOI: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2018] [Revised: 11/04/2018] [Accepted: 11/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
New tools for higher-resolution fetal genome analysis including microarray and next-generation sequencing have revolutionized prenatal screening. This article provides commentary on this rapidly advancing field and a future perspective emphasizing circulating fetal cell (CFC) utility. Despite the tremendous technological challenges associated with their reliable and cost-effective isolation from maternal blood, CFCs have a strong potential to bridge the gap between the diagnostic sensitivity of invasive procedures and the desirable noninvasive nature of cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA). Considering the rapid advances in both rare cell isolation and low-input DNA analysis, we argue here that CFC-based noninvasive prenatal testing is poised to be implemented clinically in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meysam Rezaei
- Future Industries Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio and Nano Science and Technology, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Mawson Lakes, South Australia, Australia; Joint first authors. https://twitter.com/@CBNSSA
| | - Marnie Winter
- Future Industries Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio and Nano Science and Technology, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Mawson Lakes, South Australia, Australia; Joint first authors. https://twitter.com/@CBNSSA
| | | | - Clare Whitehead
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jan Liebelt
- South Australian Clinical Genetics Service, Women's and Children's Hospital, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Majid Ebrahimi Warkiani
- School of Biomedical Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia; Institute of Molecular Medicine, Sechenov First Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russia
| | - Tristan Hardy
- SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia; Repromed, Dulwich, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Benjamin Thierry
- Future Industries Institute and ARC Centre of Excellence in Convergent Bio and Nano Science and Technology, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Mawson Lakes, South Australia, Australia; http://bionanoengineering.com/. https://twitter.com/@CBNSSA
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Huppertz B. An updated view on the origin and use of angiogenic biomarkers for preeclampsia. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2018; 18:1053-1061. [PMID: 30413130 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2018.1546579] [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] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: The last decade has seen massive efforts towards the identification and the potential use of predictive biomarkers for the pregnancy pathology preeclampsia. The angiogenic factors sFlt-1 and placental growth factor (PGF) have been in focus and have been massively supported. Areas covered: This review describes preeclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR), focusing on sFlt-1 and PGF, their sources during and outside pregnancy and the application of these markers in diseases outside pregnancy. Finally, the specificity of the angiogenic markers for preeclampsia is discussed. Expert commentary: The admixture of the two independent syndromes preeclampsia and IUGR has not helped in identifying the etiologies of either. Rather, it has made the search for new markers and pathways much more complicated as has the constriction on the angiogenic markers. The current markers sFlt-1 and PGF have a clear value once an adverse outcome is diagnosed but are not specific for preeclampsia. Also, they are mostly derived from the maternal vascular system rather than the placenta and are already in use as markers outside pregnancy. A new holistic approach using disease maps and interoperable workflows based on topic-related big data will help in broadening our understanding of the etiology of preeclampsia and hence, develop new markers and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berthold Huppertz
- a Division of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology , Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz , Graz , Austria
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Korzeniewski SJ, Slaughter J, Lenski M, Haak P, Paneth N. The complex aetiology of cerebral palsy. Nat Rev Neurol 2018; 14:528-543. [PMID: 30104744 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-018-0043-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 128] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Cerebral palsy (CP) is the most prevalent, severe and costly motor disability of childhood. Consequently, CP is a public health priority for prevention, but its aetiology has proved complex. In this Review, we summarize the evidence for a decline in the birth prevalence of CP in some high-income nations, describe the epidemiological evidence for risk factors, such as preterm delivery and fetal growth restriction, genetics, pregnancy infection and other exposures, and discuss the success achieved so far in prevention through the use of magnesium sulfate in preterm labour and therapeutic hypothermia for birth-asphyxiated infants. We also consider the complexities of disentangling prenatal and perinatal influences, and of establishing subtypes of the disorder, with a view to accelerating the translation of evidence into the development of strategies for the prevention of CP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven J Korzeniewski
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Jaime Slaughter
- Department of Health Systems and Sciences Research and Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Madeleine Lenski
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Peterson Haak
- Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Nigel Paneth
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Department of Pediatrics and Human Development, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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Moser G, Windsperger K, Pollheimer J, de Sousa Lopes SC, Huppertz B. Human trophoblast invasion: new and unexpected routes and functions. Histochem Cell Biol 2018; 150:361-370. [PMID: 30046889 PMCID: PMC6153604 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-018-1699-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Until recently, trophoblast invasion during human placentation was characterized by and restricted to invasion into uterine connective tissues and the uterine spiral arteries. The latter was explained to connect the arteries to the intervillous space of the placenta and to guarantee the blood supply of the mother to the placenta. Today, this picture has dramatically changed. Invasion of endoglandular trophoblast into uterine glands, already starting at the time of implantation, enables histiotrophic nutrition of the embryo prior to perfusion of the placenta with maternal blood. This is followed by invasion of endovenous trophoblasts into uterine veins to guarantee the drainage of fluids from the placenta back into the maternal circulation throughout pregnancy. In addition, invasion of endolymphatic trophoblasts into the lymph vessels of the uterus has been described. Only then, invasion of endoarterial trophoblasts into spiral arteries takes place, enabling hemotrophic nutrition of the fetus starting with the second trimester of pregnancy. This new knowledge paves the way to identify changes that may occur in pathological pregnancies, from tubal pregnancies to recurrent spontaneous abortions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerit Moser
- Department of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6/II, 8010, Graz, Austria
| | - Karin Windsperger
- Division of Obstetrics and Feto-maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.,Reproductive Biology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Jürgen Pollheimer
- Reproductive Biology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susana Chuva de Sousa Lopes
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands.,Department for Reproductive Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Berthold Huppertz
- Department of Cell Biology, Histology and Embryology, Gottfried Schatz Research Center, Medical University of Graz, Neue Stiftingtalstrasse 6/II, 8010, Graz, Austria.
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