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Canosa S, Licheri N, Bergandi L, Gennarelli G, Paschero C, Beccuti M, Cimadomo D, Coticchio G, Rienzi L, Benedetto C, Cordero F, Revelli A. A novel machine-learning framework based on early embryo morphokinetics identifies a feature signature associated with blastocyst development. J Ovarian Res 2024; 17:63. [PMID: 38491534 PMCID: PMC10941455 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01376-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Artificial Intelligence entails the application of computer algorithms to the huge and heterogeneous amount of morphodynamic data produced by Time-Lapse Technology. In this context, Machine Learning (ML) methods were developed in order to assist embryologists with automatized and objective predictive models able to standardize human embryo assessment. In this study, we aimed at developing a novel ML-based strategy to identify relevant patterns associated with the prediction of blastocyst development stage on day 5. METHODS We retrospectively analysed the morphokinetics of 575 embryos obtained from 80 women who underwent IVF at our Unit. Embryo morphokinetics was registered using the Geri plus® time-lapse system. Overall, 30 clinical, morphological and morphokinetic variables related to women and embryos were recorded and combined. Some embryos reached the expanded blastocyst stage on day 5 (BL Group, n = 210), some others did not (nBL Group, n = 365). RESULTS The novel EmbryoMLSelection framework was developed following four-steps: Feature Selection, Rules Extraction, Rules Selection and Rules Evaluation. Six rules composed by a combination of 8 variables were finally selected, and provided a predictive power described by an AUC of 0.84 and an accuracy of 81%. CONCLUSIONS We provided herein a new feature-signature able to identify with an high performance embryos with the best developmental competence to reach the expanded blastocyst stage on day 5. Clear and clinically relevant cut-offs were identified for each considered variable, providing an objective tool for early embryo developmental assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Canosa
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, S. Anna Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy.
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Livet, Turin, Italy.
| | - N Licheri
- Department of Computer Science, University di Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - L Bergandi
- Department of Oncology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - G Gennarelli
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, S. Anna Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Livet, Turin, Italy
| | - C Paschero
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, S. Anna Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - M Beccuti
- Department of Computer Science, University di Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - D Cimadomo
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Genera, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
| | - G Coticchio
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, 9.Baby, Bologna, Italy
| | - L Rienzi
- IVIRMA Global Research Alliance, Genera, Clinica Valle Giulia, Rome, Italy
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino "Carlo Bo", Urbino, Italy
| | - C Benedetto
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, S. Anna Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - F Cordero
- Department of Computer Science, University di Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - A Revelli
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 1U, Physiopathology of Reproduction and IVF Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, S. Anna Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Gynecology and Obstetrics 2U, Department of Surgical Sciences, S. Anna Hospital, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Fang J, Sun H, Chen L, Wang J, Lin F, Xu Z, Zhu L, Wang S. Embryological characteristics and clinical outcomes of oocytes with different degrees of abnormal zona pellucida during assisted reproductive treatment. ZYGOTE 2024; 32:7-13. [PMID: 38018399 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199423000515] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Abnormalities in the zona pellucida (ZP) adversely affect oocyte maturation, embryo development and pregnancy outcomes. However, the assessment of severity is challenging. To evaluate the effects of different degrees of ZP abnormalities on embryo development and clinical outcomes, in total, 590 retrieval cycles were scored and divided into four categories (control, mild, moderate and severe) based on three parameters: perivitelline space, percentage of immature oocytes and percentage of oocytes with abnormal morphology. As the severity of abnormal ZP increased, both the number of retrieved oocytes and mature oocytes decreased. The fertilization rate did not differ significantly among groups. The rates of embryo cleavage and day-3 high-quality embryos in the mild group and the moderate group did not vary significantly between the two groups but were significantly higher than those in the severe group. The blastulation rates of the abnormal ZP groups were similar; however, they were lower than those of the control group. Moreover, the cycle cancellation rate of the severe abnormal ZP group was as high as 66.20%, which was significantly higher than that of the other three groups. Although the rates of cumulative clinical pregnancy and live births were lower than those in the control group, they were comparable among the abnormal ZP groups. There were no differences in the neonatal outcomes of the different groups. Together, ZP abnormalities show various degrees of severity, and in all patients regardless of the degree of ZP abnormalities who achieve available embryos, there will be an opportunity to eventually give birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junshun Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
| | - Hua Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
| | - Linjun Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
| | - Fei Lin
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
| | - Zhipeng Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
| | - Lihua Zhu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
- Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing210008, China
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3
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Gonzalez XV, Almutlaq A, Gupta SS. Systematic review of mRNA expression in human oocytes: understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying oocyte competence. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:2283-2295. [PMID: 37558907 PMCID: PMC10504133 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02906-9] [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: 02/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The biggest cell in the human body, the oocyte, encloses almost the complete machinery to start life. Despite all the research performed to date, defining oocyte quality is still a major goal of reproductive science. It is the consensus that mature oocytes are transcriptionally silent although, during their growth, the cell goes through stages of active transcription and translation, which will endow the oocyte with the competence to undergo nuclear maturation, and the oocyte and embryo to initiate timely translation before the embryonic genome is fully activated (cytoplasmic maturation). A systematic search was conducted across three electronic databases and the literature was critically appraised using the KMET score system. The aim was to identify quantitative differences in transcriptome of human oocytes that may link to patient demographics that could affect oocyte competence. Data was analysed following the principles of thematic analysis. Differences in the transcriptome were identified with respect to age or pathological conditions and affected chromosome mis segregation, perturbations of the nuclear envelope, premature maturation, and alterations in metabolic pathways-amongst others-in human oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xavier Viñals Gonzalez
- Institute for Women's Health, Preimplantation Genetics Group, University College London, 84-86 Chenies Mews, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 6HU, UK.
| | - Arwa Almutlaq
- Institute for Women's Health, Preimplantation Genetics Group, University College London, 84-86 Chenies Mews, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 6HU, UK
| | - Sioban Sen Gupta
- Institute for Women's Health, Preimplantation Genetics Group, University College London, 84-86 Chenies Mews, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 6HU, UK
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Jiang Y, Yuan JC, Song G, Wu XH. Compare Two Kinds of Recurrent MI-Arrest Oocytes. J Obstet Gynaecol India 2023; 73:363-367. [PMID: 37701083 PMCID: PMC10492726 DOI: 10.1007/s13224-023-01817-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yan Jiang
- The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050011 Hebei People’s Republic of China
| | - Jing-chuan Yuan
- The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050011 Hebei People’s Republic of China
| | - Ge Song
- The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050011 Hebei People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao-hua Wu
- The Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang, Shijiazhuang Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital affiliated to Hebei Medical University, Hebei Key Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Shijiazhuang, 050011 Hebei People’s Republic of China
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5
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Zhu Y, Ye J, Qin P, Yan X, Gong X, Li X, Liu Y, Li Y, Yu T, Zhang Y, Ling Y, Wang J, Cao H, Fang F. Analysis of serum reproductive hormones and ovarian genes in pubertal female goats. J Ovarian Res 2023; 16:69. [PMID: 37024956 PMCID: PMC10080748 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-023-01150-0] [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: 12/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Age at puberty is an important factor affecting goat fertility, with endocrine and genetic factors playing a crucial role in the onset of puberty. To better understand the relationship between endocrine and genetic factors and mechanisms underlying puberty onset in goats, reproductive hormone levels were analyzed by ELISA and ultraperformance liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring-multistage/mass spectrometry and RNA sequencing was performed to analyze ovarian genes. RESULTS Serum follicle stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, estradiol, 11-deoxycortisol, 11-deoxycorticosterone, corticosterone, cortisone, and cortisol levels were found to be higher but progesterone were lower in pubertal goats as compared to those in prepubertal goats (P < 0.05). A total of 18,139 genes were identified in cDNA libraries, and 75 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified (|log2 fold change|≥ 1, P ≤ 0.05), of which 32 were significantly up- and 43 were down-regulated in pubertal goats. Gene ontology enrichment analyses indicated that DEGs were mainly involved in "metabolic process," "signaling," "reproduction," and "growth." Further, DEGs were significantly enriched in 91 Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathways, including estrogen signaling pathway, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and cAMP signaling pathway. Bioinformatics analysis showed that PRLR and THBS1 were highly expressed in pubertal ovaries, and ZP3, ZP4, and ASTL showed low expression, suggesting their involvement in follicular development and lutealization. CONCLUSIONS To summarize, serum hormone changes and ovarian DEGs expression were investigated in our study. Further studies are warranted to comprehensively explore the functions of DEGs in goat puberty.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanyun Zhu
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Ping Qin
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xu Yan
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xinbao Gong
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Xiaoqian Li
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Ya Liu
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yunsheng Li
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Tong Yu
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yunhai Zhang
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Yinghui Ling
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Juhua Wang
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Hongguo Cao
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China
| | - Fugui Fang
- Department of Animal Veterinary Science, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, 130 Changjiang West Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China.
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Local Livestock and Poultry, Genetical Resource Conservation and Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, 230036, China.
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6
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All that glitters is not gold: a stereological study of human donor oocytes. ZYGOTE 2023; 31:253-265. [PMID: 36938666 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199423000114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/21/2023]
Abstract
Here we report a quantitative analysis of human metaphase II (MII) oocytes from a 22-year-old oocyte donor, retrieved after ovarian-controlled hyperstimulation. Five surplus donor oocytes were processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and a stereological analysis was used to quantify the distribution of organelles, using the point-counting technique with an adequate stereological grid. Comparisons between means of the relative volumes (Vv) occupied by organelles in the three oocyte regions, cortex (C), subcortex (SC) and inner cytoplasm (IC), followed the Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U-test with Bonferroni correction. Life cell imaging and TEM analysis confirmed donor oocyte nuclear maturity. Results showed that the most abundant organelles were smooth endoplasmic reticulum (SER) elements (26.8%) and mitochondria (5.49%). Significant differences between oocyte regions were found for lysosomes (P = 0.003), cortical vesicles (P = 0.002) and large SER vesicles (P = 0.009). These results were quantitatively compared with previous results using prophase I (GV) and metaphase I (MI) immature oocytes. In donor MII oocytes there was a normal presence of cortical vesicles, SER tubules, SER small, medium and large vesicles, lysosomes and mitochondria. However, donor MII oocytes displayed signs of cytoplasmic immaturity, namely the presence of dictyosomes, present in GV oocytes and rare in MI oocytes, of SER very large vesicles, characteristic of GV oocytes, and the rarity of SER tubular aggregates. Results therefore indicate that the criterion of nuclear maturity used for donor oocyte selection does not always correspond to cytoplasmic maturity, which can partially explain implantation failures with the use of donor oocytes.
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7
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Paloviita P, Vuoristo S. The non-coding genome in early human development - Recent advancements. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 131:4-13. [PMID: 35177347 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2022.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Not that long ago, the human genome was discovered to be mainly non-coding, that is comprised of DNA sequences that do not code for proteins. The initial paradigm that non-coding is also non-functional was soon overturned and today the work to uncover the functions of non-coding DNA and RNA in human early embryogenesis has commenced. Early human development is characterized by large-scale changes in genomic activity and the transcriptome that are partly driven by the coordinated activation and repression of repetitive DNA elements scattered across the genome. Here we provide examples of recent novel discoveries of non-coding DNA and RNA interactions and mechanisms that ensure accurate non-coding activity during human maternal-to-zygotic transition and lineage segregation. These include studies on small and long non-coding RNAs, transposable element regulation, and RNA tailing in human oocytes and early embryos. High-throughput approaches to dissect the non-coding regulatory networks governing early human development are a foundation for functional studies of specific genomic elements and molecules that has only begun and will provide a wider understanding of early human embryogenesis and causes of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauliina Paloviita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sanna Vuoristo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.
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8
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Vuoristo S, Bhagat S, Hydén-Granskog C, Yoshihara M, Gawriyski L, Jouhilahti EM, Ranga V, Tamirat M, Huhtala M, Kirjanov I, Nykänen S, Krjutškov K, Damdimopoulos A, Weltner J, Hashimoto K, Recher G, Ezer S, Paluoja P, Paloviita P, Takegami Y, Kanemaru A, Lundin K, Airenne TT, Otonkoski T, Tapanainen JS, Kawaji H, Murakawa Y, Bürglin TR, Varjosalo M, Johnson MS, Tuuri T, Katayama S, Kere J. DUX4 is a multifunctional factor priming human embryonic genome activation. iScience 2022; 25:104137. [PMID: 35402882 PMCID: PMC8990217 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Double homeobox 4 (DUX4) is expressed at the early pre-implantation stage in human embryos. Here we show that induced human DUX4 expression substantially alters the chromatin accessibility of non-coding DNA and activates thousands of newly identified transcribed enhancer-like regions, preferentially located within ERVL-MaLR repeat elements. CRISPR activation of transcribed enhancers by C-terminal DUX4 motifs results in the increased expression of target embryonic genome activation (EGA) genes ZSCAN4 and KHDC1P1. We show that DUX4 is markedly enriched in human zygotes, followed by intense nuclear DUX4 localization preceding and coinciding with minor EGA. DUX4 knockdown in human zygotes led to changes in the EGA transcriptome but did not terminate the embryos. We also show that the DUX4 protein interacts with the Mediator complex via the C-terminal KIX binding motif. Our findings contribute to the understanding of DUX4 as a regulator of the non-coding genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanna Vuoristo
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shruti Bhagat
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden.,RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,Instutute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | | | - Masahito Yoshihara
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Lisa Gawriyski
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eeva-Mari Jouhilahti
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vipin Ranga
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Mahlet Tamirat
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Mikko Huhtala
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Ida Kirjanov
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Sonja Nykänen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kaarel Krjutškov
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden.,Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Competence Centre for Health Technologies, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.,University of Tartu, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, 50406 Tartu, Estonia
| | | | - Jere Weltner
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Kosuke Hashimoto
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan
| | - Gaëlle Recher
- Laboratoire Photonique Numérique et Nanosciences, CNRS, Institut d'Optique Graduate School, University of Bordeaux, UMR 5298, 33400 Bordeaux, France
| | - Sini Ezer
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Priit Paluoja
- Competence Centre for Health Technologies, 51010 Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tartu, 50090 Tartu, Estonia.,University of Helsinki, Doctoral Program in Population Health, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Pauliina Paloviita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | | | | | - Karolina Lundin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Tomi T Airenne
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Timo Otonkoski
- Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Children's Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital, 00290
| | - Juha S Tapanainen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.,Reproductive Medicine Unit, Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.,Oulu University Hospital, 90220 Oulu, Finland
| | - Hideya Kawaji
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,RIKEN Preventive Medicine and Diagnosis Innovation Program, Wako 351-0198, Japan.,Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo 156-8506, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Murakawa
- RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama 230-0045, Japan.,Instutute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,IFOM, The FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, 20139 Milan, Italy.,Department of Medical Systems Genomics, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Thomas R Bürglin
- Department of Biomedicine, University of Basel, 4031 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Markku Varjosalo
- Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, 00790 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mark S Johnson
- Structural Bioinformatics Laboratory, Biochemistry, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Åbo Akademi University, 20520 Turku, Finland
| | - Timo Tuuri
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 00014, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland.,Reproductive Medicine Unit, Helsinki University Hospital, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Shintaro Katayama
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden.,Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Juha Kere
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, 17177 Huddinge, Sweden.,Stem Cells and Metabolism Research Program, University of Helsinki, 00014 Helsinki, Finland.,Folkhälsan Research Center, 00290 Helsinki, Finland
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Pulawska K, Ponikwicka-Tyszko D, Lebiedzinska W, Guo P, Bernaczyk P, Pilaszewicz-Puza A, Li X, Chrusciel M, Lupu O, Leskinen S, Makela JA, Toppari J, Wolczynski S, Coelingh Bennink HJT, Huhtaniemi I, Rahman NA. Novel expression of zona pellucida 3 protein in normal testis; potential functional implications. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 539:111502. [PMID: 34736966 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2021.111502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2021] [Revised: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The expression of the zona pellucida glycoprotein 3 (ZP3), originally thought to be specific for oocytes, was recently extended to ovarian, prostate, colorectal and lung cancers. Earlier successful ZP3 immunization of a transgenic mouse model carrying a ZP3 positive ovarian tumor emphasized the suitability of ZP3 for cancer immunotherapy. This study was carried out to determine whether any other normal tissues besides the ovary in healthy human and mouse tissues may express ZP3, considered important to exclude off-target effects of ZP3 cancer immunotherapy. Strong ZP3 expression was found in normal human and mouse testis. ZP3 protein and mRNA transcripts were localized in spermatogonia, spermatocytes and round and elongated spermatids of both human and mouse testis, as well as in a mouse spermatogonial cell line, but absent in testicular Sertoli, Leydig, spermatogonial stem and progenitor cells. All other normal human and mouse tissues were ZP3 negative. This surprising testicular ZP3 expression has implications for the development of ZP3 cancer immunotherapies, and it also alludes to the potential of using ZP3 as a target for the development of a male immunocontraceptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamila Pulawska
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Donata Ponikwicka-Tyszko
- Department of Biology and Pathology of Human Reproduction, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Weronika Lebiedzinska
- Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Peilan Guo
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Piotr Bernaczyk
- Department of Pathomorphology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | | | - Xiangdong Li
- Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland; State Key Laboratory of the Agro-Biotechnology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | | | - Oana Lupu
- Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | - Sini Leskinen
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Jorma Toppari
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Slawomir Wolczynski
- Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
| | | | - Ilpo Huhtaniemi
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nafis A Rahman
- Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland; Department of Reproduction and Gynecological Endocrinology, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
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10
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Impaired transcription of human endogenous retroviruses in the sperm with exception of syncytin 1: short communication. Mol Biol Rep 2021; 48:5803-5808. [PMID: 34302264 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-06577-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs), remnants of ancestral infections, represent 8% of the human genome. HERVs are co-opted for important physiological functions during embryogenesis; however, little is known about their expression in human gametes. We evaluated the transcriptional levels of several retroviral sequences in human spermatozoa. METHODS AND RESULTS We assessed, through a Real-Time PCR assay, the transcription levels of the pol genes of HERV-H, -K and -W families and of env genes of syncytin (Syn)1 and Syn2 in the spermatozoa from 8 normospermic subjects. The entity and distribution of their expressions were compared to values found in white blood cells (WBCs) from 16 healthy volunteers. The level of HERV transcripts was significantly lower in spermatozoa than in WBCs for HERV-H-pol, HERV-K-pol, HERV-W-pol, and Syn2.In contrast, the level of expression of Syn1 in the sperm was similar to that found in WBCs and it was significantly higher than the mRNA concentrations of other HERV genes in spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS Our findings show, for the first time, the presence of several retroviral mRNAs in the sperm, although in low amounts. The higher concentration of Syn1 suggests that it could play a key role in the fusion process between gametes during fertilization and, perhaps, be involved in embryo development. Further studies could clarify whether aberrant HERV expressions, in particular of Syn1, negatively affect fertilization and embryo growth and whether sperm manipulation procedures, such as cryopreservation, may potentially influence HERV transcription in the human male gamete.
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11
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Li Y, Liang Z, Liang Z, Yang X, Xia H, Yu H. Abnormal PIWI-interacting RNA profile and its association with the deformed extracellular matrix of oocytes from recurrent oocyte maturation arrest patients. Fertil Steril 2021; 115:1318-1326. [PMID: 33622565 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.11.037] [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: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To depict the PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) profile in oocytes from patients with recurrent oocyte maturation arrest (ROMA) and explore the piRNA candidates associated with the disease. DESIGN An observational study. SETTING Academic research unit. PATIENT(S) Sixteen ROMA patients who provided 140 immature oocytes that arrested at metaphase I, and 146 control patients who provided 420 oocytes for in vitro culture that were collected at the stages of germinal vesicle (GV), metaphase I (MI), and MII. INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Expression profiles of piRNA and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) validating data of piR-hsa-17139 and its target genes. RESULT(S) After the piRNA profile was established using piRNA sequencing and hierarchical clustering, the target genes of the piRNA were predicted by bioinformatics databases and matched with mRNA sequencing data. The piRNA expression profiles showed a greater quantity of differentially expressed piRNAs in the older-stage oocytes compared with the early-stage oocytes. The piRNA and mRNA sequencing data indicated that the most affected genes were mainly concentrated in the extracellular matrix (ECM) pathway. Based on the comparison of the piRNA and mRNA sequencing data, four differentially expressed piRNAs were associated with modulation of those ECM pathway genes. The qRT-PCR validation confirmed that piR-hsa-17139 was the only up-regulated piRNA, and its target ECM genes were suppressed in ROMA oocytes. The expression level of piR-hsa-17139 declined slightly while the expression of its target ECM genes plunged dramatically during the development of normal oocytes. CONCLUSION(S) As the important genome monitors in gametogenesis, abnormally expressed piRNAs may affect the expression of ECM modulating genes, which subsequently contributes to ROMA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhenjie Liang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhongkun Liang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xi Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huayang Xia
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hao Yu
- Urological Surgery Department, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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12
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Gupta SK. Human Zona Pellucida Glycoproteins: Binding Characteristics With Human Spermatozoa and Induction of Acrosome Reaction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:619868. [PMID: 33681199 PMCID: PMC7928326 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.619868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Human zona pellucida (ZP) matrix is composed of four glycoproteins designated as ZP glycoprotein -1 (ZP1), -2 (ZP2), -3 (ZP3), and -4 (ZP4). Mutations in the genes encoding human ZP glycoproteins are one of the causative factors leading to abnormal ZP matrix and infertility in women. Relevance of the human ZP glycoproteins in 'sperm-oocyte' binding has been delineated by using either transgenic animal models expressing human zona proteins or purified native/recombinant human zona proteins. Studies based on the purified native/recombinant human zona proteins revealed that ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 primarily bind to the capacitated acrosome-intact human spermatozoa whereas ZP2 binds to acrosome-reacted spermatozoa. On the contrary, human spermatozoa binds to the eggs obtained from transgenic mouse lines expressing human ZP2 but not to those expressing human ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 suggesting that ZP2 has an important role in human 'sperm-oocyte' binding. Further studies using transgenic mouse lines showed that the N-terminus of human ZP2 mediate the taxon-specific human sperm-oocyte binding. Both glycans and protein-protein interactions have a role in human gamete interaction. Further studies have revealed that the purified native/recombinant human ZP1, ZP3, and ZP4 are competent to induce acrosome reaction. Human sperm binds to the mouse transgenic eggs expressing human ZP1-4 instead of mouse ZP1-3 proteins, penetrated the ZP matrix and accumulated in the perivitelline space, which were acrosome-reacted suggesting that human ZP2 in transgenic mouse model also induce acrosome reaction. In humans N-linked glycosylation of zona proteins have been shown to play an important role in induction of the acrosome reaction. Hence in humans, based on studies using transgenic mouse model as well as purified native/recombinant zona proteins, it is likely that more than one zona protein is involved in the 'sperm-oocyte' binding and induction of the acrosome reaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satish Kumar Gupta
- Reproductive Cell Biology Lab, National Institute of Immunology, New Delhi, India
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13
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Wei X, Li Y, Liu Q, Liu W, Yan X, Zhu X, Zhou D, Tian Y, Zhang F, Li N, Lu Z. Mutations in ZP4 are associated with abnormal zona pellucida and female infertility. J Clin Pathol 2021; 75:201-204. [PMID: 33461974 DOI: 10.1136/jclinpath-2020-207170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The zona pellucida (ZP) of human oocytes plays essential protective roles in sperm-egg interactions during fertilisation and embryo development. ZP4-null female rabbits exhibit a thin and irregular ZP, which severely impairs embryo development and fertility. However, the effects of ZP4 defect on human female reproduction remain unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS We performed whole-exome sequencing in 26 female patients with abnormal (thin and irregular) ZP and identified heterozygous variants in ZP4 (OMIM: 613514) from 3 patients (approximately 11%). No ZP4 variant was found in the 30 control women with proven fertility. We constructed ZP4-mutated plasmids and found that the variants reduced the secretion of ZP4 in vitro. Lower suction pressure facilitated egg retrieval, and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) was a desirable treatment for ZP4-mutated patients with abnormal ZP. CONCLUSIONS We identified ZP4 as a novel gene for human abnormal ZP and found that lower suction pressure and ICSI are efficient treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoli Wei
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Youzhu Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Qicai Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Wensheng Liu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xiaohong Yan
- Reproductive Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Xingshen Zhu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Dekun Zhou
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yingpu Tian
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Fuxing Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Na Li
- Intensive Care Unit, Fujian Medical University Xiamen Humanity Hospital, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhongxian Lu
- School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State Key Laboratory of Cellular Stress Biology, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
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14
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Moghadam AR, Taheri Moghadam M, Saki G, Nikbakht R. Utilizing Calcium Alginate for the Assessment of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15 Induction Effect on the Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cell Derived from Human Follicular Fluid to Oocyte-Like Structure. Adv Biomed Res 2020; 9:80. [PMID: 33912496 PMCID: PMC8059453 DOI: 10.4103/abr.abr_200_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 08/25/2020] [Accepted: 08/31/2020] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Follicular fluid (FF)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are possible new source of cells in the study of oogenesis and regenerative medicine. Several biomaterials have been used as scaffolds to mimic ovarian tissue stroma. Using good matrix is essential for increasing the cell survival rate, proliferation, and differentiation. However, no study has been performed to investigate the effects of BMP15 and calcium alginate hydrogel on the differentiation potential of FF-derived MSCs to oocyte-like structures (OLSs). Materials and Methods: In this work, FF MSCs, which were collected from women in routine in vitro fertilization procedure, were capsulated with 0.5% calcium alginate, and then the encapsulated cells were cultured in medium containing BMP15 for 2 weeks. Trypan blue staining was carried out to determine cell viability. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and immunofluorescence (ICC) staining method were performed to characterize the expression of OCT4, Nanog, ZP2, and ZP3 genes and protein. The encapsulation process did not change the morphology and viability of the encapsulated cells. Results: Reverse-transcription-PCR and ICC showed that MSCs expressed germ line stem cell markers such as OCT4 and Nanog. After 4 days of culture, OLSs formed and expressed zona pellucida markers. OLSs at least reached 180–230 μm in diameter in the control and BMP15-treated groups. Finally, a reduction in the expression pattern of pluripotency and ZP markers was detected in the encapsulated cells cultured in the BMP15-supplemented medium. Conclusion: The three-dimensional alginate culture system seems to be a promising method of getting in vitro differentiation and development of ovarian cells, which could mimic the native ovarian condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Reza Moghadam
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mahin Taheri Moghadam
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ghasem Saki
- Department of Anatomical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Roshan Nikbakht
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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15
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Taheri M, Saki G, Nikbakht R, Eftekhari AR. Bone morphogenetic protein 15 induces differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells derived from human follicular fluid to oocyte-like cell. Cell Biol Int 2020; 45:127-139. [PMID: 32997425 DOI: 10.1002/cbin.11475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Follicular fluid (FF) is essential for developing ovarian follicles. Besides the oocytes, FF has abundant undifferentiated somatic cells containing stem cell properties, which are discarded in daily medical procedures. Earlier studies have shown that FF cells could differentiate into primordial germ cells via forming embryoid bodies, which produced oocyte-like cells (OLC). This study aimed at isolating mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) from FF and evaluating the impacts of bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) on the differentiation of these cells into OLCs. Human FF-derived cells were collected from 78 women in the assisted fertilization program and cultured in human recombinant BMP15 medium for 21 days. Real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunocytochemistry staining characterized MSCs and OLCs. MSCs expressed germline stem cell (GSC) markers, such as OCT4 and Nanog. In the control group, after 15 days, OLCs were formed and expressed zona pellucida markers (ZP2 and ZP3), and reached 20-30 µm in diameter. Ten days after induction with BMP15, round cells developed, and the size of OLCs reached 115 µm. A decrease ranged from 0.04 to 4.5 in the expression of pluripotency and oocyte-specific markers observed in the cells cultured in a BMP15-supplemented medium. FF-derived MSCs have an innate potency to differentiate into OLCs, and BMP15 is effective in promoting the differentiation of these cells, which may give an in vitro model to examine germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahin Taheri
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ghasem Saki
- Department of Anatomical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Roshan Nikbakht
- Fertility, Infertility and Perinatology Center, Imam Khomeini Hospital, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali R Eftekhari
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Canosa S, Paschero C, Carosso A, Leoncini S, Mercaldo N, Gennarelli G, Benedetto C, Revelli A. Effect of a Combination of Myo-Inositol, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and Folic Acid on Oocyte Morphology and Embryo Morphokinetics in non-PCOS Overweight/Obese Patients Undergoing IVF: A Pilot, Prospective, Randomized Study. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9092949. [PMID: 32932604 PMCID: PMC7564928 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9092949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Herein we aimed at assessing whether Myo-Inositol (MI), Alpha–Lipoic acid (ALA), and Folic acid (FA) could improve oocyte quality and embryo development in non-PCOS overweight/obese women undergoing IVF. Three hundred and twenty-four mature oocytes were obtained from non-PCOS overweight/obese patients, randomized to receive either MI, ALA, and FA (MI + ALA + FA group, n = 155 oocytes) or FA alone (FA-only group, n = 169 oocytes). Oocytes were examined using Polarized Light Microscopy to assess morphological features of zona pellucida (ZP) and meiotic spindle (MS). One hundred and seventy-six embryos (n = 84 in the MI + ALA + FA group, n = 92 in the FA-only group) were assessed by conventional morphology on days 2 and 5, as well as using the Time-Lapse System morphokinetic analysis. A significantly higher ZP retardance, area, and thickness (p < 0.05), and a shorter MS axis (p < 0.05) were observed in the MI + ALA + FA group, suggesting a positive effect on oocyte quality. Conventional morphology evaluation on day 2 showed a higher mean embryo score in the MI + ALA + FA group, whereas embryo morphokinetic was comparable in the two groups. Overall, our data show a possible beneficial effect of the combination of MI, ALA, and FA on oocyte and embryo morphology, encouraging testing of this combination in adequately powered randomized trials to assess their impact of clinical IVF results.
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Morphokinetic analysis of cleavage stage embryos and assessment of specific gene expression in cumulus cells independently predict human embryo development to expanded blastocyst: a preliminary study. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:1409-1420. [PMID: 32436046 PMCID: PMC7311629 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01806-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
To assess whether morphokinetic features at the cleavage stage together with specific gene expression in cumulus cells (CCs) may be used to predict whether human embryos are able to achieve the expanded blastocyst stage on day 5. Eighty-one embryos were cultured using the Geri plus® time-lapse system. Twenty-seven embryos progressing to the expanded blastocyst stage (BL group) were compared with thirty-five embryos showing developmental arrest (AR group) and nineteen reaching the stage of early or not fully expanded blastocyst (nBL group). The analyzed morphokinetic variables were pronuclear appearance (tPNa), pronuclear fading (tPNf), and completion of cleavage to two, three, four, and eight cells (t2, t3, t4, and t8). CCs were analyzed by RT-qPCR for bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15), cytochrome c oxidase subunit II (COXII), ATP synthase subunit 6 (MT-ATP6), connexin 43 (Cx43), and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). Embryos of BL group showed a significantly faster kinetic. BMP15, COXII, and MT-ATP6 mRNA expression was significantly higher in CCs of BL group embryos, whereas Cx43 and HO-1 mRNA levels were higher in AR group. Kinetic parameters and gene expression were not significantly different between either the BL and nBL groups or the AR and nBL groups. ROC curves showed that the most predictive cut-offs were t2 < 26.25 for morphokinetics and COXII > 0.3 for gene expression. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that morphokinetic variables and gene expression were both valuable, independent predictors of embryo development to expanded blastocyst. Our results suggest the possibility of developing integrated prediction models for early embryo selection at the cleavage stage.
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Zhang Z, Ruan L, Lu M, Yao X. Analysis of key candidate genes and pathways of endometriosis pathophysiology by a genomics-bioinformatics approach. Gynecol Endocrinol 2019; 35:576-581. [PMID: 30798642 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2019.1576609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common disease in women, but the signaling pathways and driven genes involved remain unclear. This study integrated four datasets to elucidate potential key candidate genes and pathways in endometriosis. Four expression profile datasets including 29 endometriosis lesions and 37 normal tissues were integrated and analyzed. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were sorted, and the gene ontology, pathway enrichment, and protein-protein interaction network of candidate genes were then analyzed. A total of 94 shared DEGs were identified from the four datasets. The DEGs were clustered based on functions and signaling pathways through the analysis of significant enrichment. Among the DEG protein-protein interaction network complex, 87 nodes/DEGs were identified. Furthermore, 18 central node genes were identified, and most of the corresponding genes were involved in the angiotensin system, smooth muscle contraction, cell junction organization, and lipoxin pathways. Through integrated bioinformatic analysis, we identified candidate genes and pathways in endometriosis, which could improve our understanding of endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhimin Zhang
- a The Department of Obstetrics , The Fourth Hospital of Shijiazhuang City , Shijiazhuang , China
| | - Lin Ruan
- b Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns , Hebei University of Chinese Medicine , Shijiazhuang , China
| | - Mingxuan Lu
- c College of Integrative Medicine , Hebei University of Chinese Medicine , Shijiazhuang , China
| | - Xiaoguang Yao
- b Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns , Hebei University of Chinese Medicine , Shijiazhuang , China
- c College of Integrative Medicine , Hebei University of Chinese Medicine , Shijiazhuang , China
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Serum and follicular fluid fetuin-B levels are correlated with fertilization rates in conventional IVF cycles. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 36:1101-1107. [PMID: 31073723 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01454-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the relationship between serum/follicular fluid fetuin-B levels and fertilization outcomes in conventional IVF cycles. METHODS A prospective cohort study of conventional IVF treatments including 78 cycles with low fertilization rates (two pronuclei [2PN] rate < 30%; LF group) and 104 cycles performed during the same period with 2PN rate > 70% (high fertilization group, HF). To calculate the required sample size, a two-sample t test power analysis was applied to data from our pilot study, using PASS 11.0 software. Fetuin-B was measured using a commercial sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS Serum fetuin-B and follicular fluid fetuin-B were positively correlated (r = 0.703, P < 0.001). Compared to the HF group, the LF group had significantly lower levels of fetuin-B, both in serum (5.81 ± 1.53 vs. 7.19 ± 1.42, P < 0.001) and follicular fluid (5.06 ± 1.29 vs. 6.16 ± 1.52, P < 0.001). The serum fetuin-B level from cycles with polypronuclear (PPN) zygotes was significantly lower when compared to cycles without PPN zygotes (6.82 ± 1.65 vs. 6.10 ± 1.43, P = 0.006). However, serum fetuin-B level was not correlated with preimplantation embryo development or clinical pregnancy. CONCLUSION Serum fetuin-B level is correlated with fertilization rate in conventional IVF and it may be used as a predictive marker of fertilization in IVF treatment.
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Virant-Klun I. Functional Testing of Primitive Oocyte-like Cells Developed in Ovarian Surface Epithelium Cell Culture from Small VSEL-like Stem Cells: Can They Be Fertilized One Day? Stem Cell Rev Rep 2019; 14:715-721. [PMID: 29876729 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-018-9832-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Data from the literature show that there are different populations of stem cells present in human adult ovaries, including small stem cells resembling very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs). These small ovarian stem cells with diameters of up to 5 μm are present in the ovarian surface epithelium and can grow into bigger, primitive oocyte-like cells that express several markers of a germinal lineage and exhibit pluripotency but not the zona pellucida structure when cultured in vitro. In this report, we present the results of the functional testing of such primitive oocyte-like cells from one patient with premature ovarian failure after insemination with her partners' sperm. Knowing that even immature oocytes collected in an in vitro fertilization program cannot be fertilized naturally, we were only interested in determining whether and how these cells react to added sperm and whether spermatozoa somehow "recognize" them. Interestingly, the primitive oocyte-like cells quickly released a zona pellucida-like structure in the presence of sperm. Two different populations of cells were distinguished, those with a thick and those with a thin zona pellucida-like structure. The primitive oocyte-like cells with a released zona pellucida-like structure expressed the pluripotency-related gene OCT4A (POU5F1) and zona pellucida-related gene ZP3, similar to oocytes obtained from in vitro fertilization but not somatic chondrocytes. In a small proportion of these cells, a single-spermatozoon was observed inside the cytoplasm, but no signs of fertilization were found. These observations may suggest a primitive "cortical reaction". Our data further confirm the presence of germinal stem cells in the ovarian surface epithelium cell culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irma Virant-Klun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Slajmerjeva 3, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Yao X, Ei-Samahy MA, Feng X, Zhang T, Li F, Zhang G, Pang J, Nie H, Wang F. Expression and localization of polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-like protein 5 in the reproductive organs and sperm of Hu sheep. Anim Reprod Sci 2017; 187:159-166. [PMID: 29097063 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Revised: 09/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The polypeptide N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-like protein 5 (GALNTL5) is involved in male fertility; however, its involvement in the reproduction and fertility of females remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the presence of GALNTL5 in the reproductive organs of ewes during the estrus period and to investigate its expression in cauda epididymal and ejaculated sperm. Results showed that GALNTL5 mRNA and protein were present in some reproductive organs of ewes during the estrus period. The highest levels of GALNTL5 mRNA and protein occurred in the uterine horn and oviductal ampulla and the lowest in the uterine cervix and oviductal infundibulum. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that GALNTL5 protein was mainly located in luminal and glandular epithelial cells of the uterus and oviduct, and in the theca and granulosa cells of the ovary. GALNTL5 gene expression was significantly higher in ejaculated sperm than in cauda epididymal sperm. The amount of GALNTL5 protein in seminal plasma was significantly higher than in ejaculated sperm. Additionally, GALNTL5 was strongly localized in the mid-piece and head of ejaculated sperm, and in the head-tail coupling apparatus and acrosome of cauda epididymal sperm. This is the first evidence that GALNTL5 might play an important role in a range of reproductive functions as well as in sperm motility and capacitation. Further studies are required to evaluate the function of GALNTL5 in reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolei Yao
- Jiangsu Engineering Technology Research Center of Mutton Sheep and Goat Industry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - M A Ei-Samahy
- Jiangsu Engineering Technology Research Center of Mutton Sheep and Goat Industry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Xu Feng
- Jiangsu Engineering Technology Research Center of Mutton Sheep and Goat Industry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Tinging Zhang
- Jiangsu Engineering Technology Research Center of Mutton Sheep and Goat Industry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Fengzhe Li
- Jiangsu Engineering Technology Research Center of Mutton Sheep and Goat Industry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Guomin Zhang
- Jiangsu Engineering Technology Research Center of Mutton Sheep and Goat Industry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Jing Pang
- Jiangsu Engineering Technology Research Center of Mutton Sheep and Goat Industry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Haitao Nie
- Jiangsu Engineering Technology Research Center of Mutton Sheep and Goat Industry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China
| | - Feng Wang
- Jiangsu Engineering Technology Research Center of Mutton Sheep and Goat Industry, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, PR China.
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