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Kashyap N, Begum A, Ray Das C, Datta R, Verma MK, Dongre A, Husain SA, Ahmad Khan L, Deka Bose P. Aberrations in the progesterone pathway and the Th1/Th2 cytokine dichotomy - An evaluation of RPL predisposition in the northeast Indian population. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 90:e13745. [PMID: 37491933 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13745] [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: 10/04/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is the spontaneous loss of two or more consecutive pregnancies prior to 20 weeks of gestation, occurring in 1% of the reproductive-age population. It is a major cause of infertility in India with a staggering 7.46% prevalence rate. METHOD OF STUDY Blood and product of conception (POCs) from RPL cases (n = 65) were enrolled for this study, along with cases of medically terminated pregnancy (MTP, n = 80) and term delivery cases (n = 90) as control. ELISA for progesterone and progesterone induced blocking factor (PIBF) levels was carried out, followed by mRNA expression analysis of progesterone receptor isoform B (PR-B) and its downstream immunomodulatory effectors, namely, PIBF, IL-10 and IL-12. Screening of PROGINS haplotype of PR gene and PIBF polymorphism were also conducted to correlate with their respective gene expression profiles. RESULTS Serum progesterone level was found to be comparable in the RPL and MTP cases. Although the mRNA expression of PR-B was found to be downregulated in the RPL cases, no significant PROGINS haplotype was observed. Presence of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in the PIBF gene (rs1372000) was more in healthy controls compared to RPL cases. Serum PIBF levels were found to be lower in the RPL cases with a resultant increase in IL-12 and a decrease in IL-10 mRNA expression in these cases. CONCLUSIONS This study indicates that progesterone, acting through PIBF, modulates the immunological state of pregnancy to be Th1-biased in RPL, indicative of a pro-inflammatory, labour-like state not desired for a healthy pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Kashyap
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Anjuma Begum
- Department of Biotechnology, Gauhati University, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Chandana Ray Das
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Ratul Datta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Downtown Hospital, Guwahati, Assam, India
| | - Mohit Kumar Verma
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, India
| | - Anita Dongre
- Department of Biotechnology, Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, India
| | - Syed Akhtar Husain
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, India
| | - Luqman Ahmad Khan
- Department of Biosciences, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi, India
| | - Purabi Deka Bose
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Cotton University, Guwahati, Assam, India
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Cottrell JN, Witcher AC, Comley K, Cunningham MW, Ibrahim T, Cornelius DC, LaMarca B, Amaral LM. Progesterone-induced blocking factor improves blood pressure, inflammation, and pup weight in response to reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP). Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 2021; 320:R719-R727. [PMID: 33533305 DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00152.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by new-onset hypertension in association with elevated natural killer (NK) cells and inflammatory cytokines, which are likely culprits for decreased fetal weight during PE pregnancies. As progesterone increases during normal pregnancy, it stimulates progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF). PIBF has been shown to decrease inflammation and cytolytic NK cells, both of which are increased during PE. We hypothesized that PIBF reduces inflammation as a mechanism to improve hypertension in the preclinical reduced uterine perfusion pressure (RUPP) rat model of PE. PIBF (2.0 µg/mL) was administered intraperitoneally on gestational day 15 to either RUPP or normal pregnant (NP) rats. On day 18, carotid catheters were inserted. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and samples were collected on day 19. MAP in NP rats (n = 11) was 100 ± 2 mmHg and 105 ± 3 mmHg in NP + PIBF rats (n = 8) and 122 ± 1 mmHg in RUPP rats (n = 10), which improved to 110 ± 2 mmHg in RUPP + PIBF rats (n = 11), P < 0.05. Pup weight was 2.4 ± 0.1 g in NP, 2.5 ± 0.1 g in NP + PIBF, 1.9 ± 0.1 g in RUPP, and improved to 2.1 ± 0.1 g in RUPP + PIBF rats. Circulating and placental cytolytic NK cells, IL-17, and IL-6 were significantly reduced while IL-4 and T helper (TH) 2 cells were significantly increased in RUPP rats after PIBF administration. Importantly, vasoactive pathways preproendothelin-1, nitric oxide, and soluble fms-Like tyrosine Kinase-1 (sFlt-1) were normalized in RUPP + PIBF rats compared with RUPP rats, P < 0.05. Our findings suggest that PIBF normalized IL-4/TH2 cells, which was associated with improved inflammation, fetal growth restriction, and blood pressure in the RUPP rat model of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse N Cottrell
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Alexis C Witcher
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Kyleigh Comley
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Mark W Cunningham
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Tarek Ibrahim
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Denise C Cornelius
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi.,Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Babbette LaMarca
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
| | - Lorena M Amaral
- Department of Pharmacology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Mississippi
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Löb S, Vattai A, Kuhn C, Schmoeckel E, Mahner S, Wöckel A, Kolben T, Szekeres-Bartho J, Jeschke U, Vilsmaier T. Spliceosome protein EFTUD2 is upregulated in the trophoblast of spontaneous miscarriage and hydatidiform mole. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 140:103149. [PMID: 32447180 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103149] [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: 01/23/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elongation factor Tu GTP binding domain containing 2 (EFTUD2) is an alternative splicing factor that modulates cell differentiation and activation processes. EFTUD2 is known to modulate immune responses and mutation of the EFTUD2-gene lead to fetal malformation. Little is known about its expression and role in normal and disturbed first trimester pregnancy. PATIENTS AND METHODS We investigated the expression of EFTUD2 in placental tissue obtained from patients with normal (n = 14), spontaneous miscarriage (n = 15) and molar (n = 14) pregnancy by immunohistochemistry. The expression of EFTUD2 was correlated on the protein level with known immune modulatory proteins like pregnancy zone protein (PZP) and in addition with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). Furthermore, we analysed the EFTUD2 and PZP expression in vitro after stimulation of the chorioncarcinoma cell line JEG-3 with hCG. RESULTS EFTUD2 is significantly upregulated in the syncytiotrophoblast of spontaneous miscarriage (p = 0.003) and molar pregnancy (p = 0.003) compared to week of gestation-adjusted normal first trimester placentas. PZP is negatively correlated (p = 0.021) to EFTUD2 in the syncytiotrophoblast and is therefore significantly downregulated in miscarriage (p = 0.028) and mole pregnancy (p = 0.006). In addition, hCG is positively correlated to EFTUD2 in mole pregnancy. The addition of hCG to chorioncarcinoma cell lines JEG-3 in vitro stimulated EFTUD2 expression in these cells (p = 0.027). CONCLUSION Regulation of alternative splicing seems crucial for a successful ongoing pregnancy. The up-regulated elongation factor EFTUD2 may have a critical role in miscarriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanja Löb
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337,Munich, Germany; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 4, 97080,Würzburg, Germany
| | - Aurelia Vattai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337,Munich, Germany
| | - Christina Kuhn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337,Munich, Germany
| | - Elisa Schmoeckel
- Department of Pathology, LMU Munich, Marchioninistr. 27, 81377,Munich, Germany
| | - Sven Mahner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337,Munich, Germany
| | - Achim Wöckel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, University of Wuerzburg, Josef-Schneider-Str. 4, 97080,Würzburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Kolben
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337,Munich, Germany
| | | | - Udo Jeschke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337,Munich, Germany; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Augsburg, Stenglinstrasse 2, 86156,Augsburg, Germany.
| | - Theresa Vilsmaier
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Maistrasse 11, 80337,Munich, Germany
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Szekeres-Bartho J, Schindler AE. Progestogens and immunology. Best Pract Res Clin Obstet Gynaecol 2019; 60:17-23. [PMID: 31345741 DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2019.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2019] [Accepted: 07/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Fifty percent of fetal antigens are of paternal origin. These are recognized by the maternal immune system, thereby resulting in lymphocyte activation and the induction of progesterone receptors (PRs) in immune cells. Upon binding of progesterone to PRs on lymphocytes, a downstream mediator called progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) is produced. The full-length PIBF is a 90 kDa protein; however, because of alternative splicing, several smaller isoforms are also produced. While the 90 kDa molecule plays a role in cell cycle regulation, the small isoforms are localized in the cytoplasm, and after secretion, they bind to their receptors on other cells and act in a cytokine-like manner. The communication between the embryo and the maternal immune system is established through PIBF-containing extracellular vesicles. PIBF induces an increased production of Th2 cytokines and inhibits degranulation of NK cells, and by regulating the maternal immune response, it contributes to successful implantation and maintenance of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Szekeres-Bartho
- Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, Pecs, Hungary; MTA - PTE Human Reproduction Research Group, Hungary; János Szentágothai Research Centre, University of Pecs, Hungary; Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Hungary.
| | - A E Schindler
- Institute for Medical Research and Education, Essen, Germany
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Posbergh CJ, Thonney ML, Huson HJ. Genomic Approaches Identify Novel Gene Associations with Out of Season Lambing in Sheep. J Hered 2019; 110:577-586. [DOI: 10.1093/jhered/esz014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Sheep are seasonally polyestrous, traditionally breeding when the day length shortens in the autumn. The changing photoperiod stimulates reproductive hormones through a series of chemical pathways, ultimately leading to cyclicity. Some breeds of sheep, such as the Polypay and Dorset, have been selected for reduced seasonality and can lamb year-round. Despite this selection, there is still variation within these breeds in the ability to lamb out of season. The identification of out of season lambing quantitative trait loci has the potential to improve genetic progress using genomic selection schemes. Association studies, fixation index (FST), and runs of homozygosity (ROH) were evaluated to identify regions of the genome that influence the ability of ewes to lamb out of season. All analyses used genotypic data from the Illumina Ovine HD beadchip. Genome-wide associations were tested both across breeds in 257 ewes and within the Dorset and Polypay breeds. FST was measured across breeds and between UK and US Dorsets to assess population differences. ROH were estimated in ewes to identify homozygous regions contributing to out of season lambing. Significant associations after multiple testing correction were found through these approaches, leading to the identification of several candidate genes for further study. Genes involved with eye development, reproductive hormones, and neuronal changes were identified as the most promising for influencing the ewe’s ability to lamb year-round. These candidate genes could be advantageous for selection for improved year-round lamb production and provide better insight into the complex regulation of seasonal reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Heather J Huson
- Department of Animal Science, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY
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Szekeres-Bartho J, Šućurović S, Mulac-Jeričević B. The Role of Extracellular Vesicles and PIBF in Embryo-Maternal Immune-Interactions. Front Immunol 2018; 9:2890. [PMID: 30619262 PMCID: PMC6300489 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.02890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy represents a unique immunological situation. Though paternal antigens expressed by the conceptus are recognized by the immune system of the mother, the immune response does not harm the fetus. Progesterone and a progesterone induced protein; PIBF are important players in re-adjusting the functioning of the maternal immune system during pregnancy. PIBF expressed by peripheral pregnancy lymphocytes, and other cell types, participates in the feto-maternal communication, partly, by mediating the immunological actions of progesterone. Several splice variants of PIBF were identified with different physiological activity. The full length 90 kD PIBF protein plays a role in cell cycle regulation, while shorter splice variants are secreted and act as cytokines. Aberrant production of PIBF isoforms lead to the loss of immune-regulatory functions, resulting in and pregnancy failure. By up regulating Th2 type cytokine production and by down-regulating NK activity, PIBF contributes to the altered attitude of the maternal immune system. Normal pregnancy is characterized by a Th2-dominant cytokine balance, which is partly due to the action of the smaller PIBF isoforms. These bind to a novel form of the IL-4 receptor, and induce increased production of IL-3, IL-4, and IL-10. The communication between the conceptus and the mother is established via extracellular vesicles (EVs). Pre-implantation embryos produce EVs both in vitro, and in vivo. PIBF transported by the EVs from the embryo to maternal lymphocytes induces increased IL-10 production by the latter, this way contributing to the Th2 dominant immune responses described during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Szekeres-Bartho
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, Pécs, Hungary.,János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs University, Pécs, Hungary.,Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Pécs University, Pécs, Hungary.,MTA-PTE Human Reproduction Research Group, Pécs, Hungary
| | - Sandra Šućurović
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Biserka Mulac-Jeričević
- Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
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Madendag Y, Sahin E, Madendag IC, Sahin ME, Acmaz G, Karaman H. High Immune Expression of Progesterone-Induced Blocking Factor in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer. Technol Cancer Res Treat 2018; 17:1533033818783911. [PMID: 29962287 PMCID: PMC6048602 DOI: 10.1177/1533033818783911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Progesterone-induced blocking factor, which is released from maternal lymphocytes
during pregnancy mediates the immune effect of progesterone. According to new reports,
it is suggested that proliferating cells, such as human trophoblasts, mesenchymal stem
cells, and malignant tumors, can excrete progesterone-induced blocking factor at high
ratio to escape from maternal immunity. It is shown in recent studies that
progesterone-induced blocking factor is overexpressed in many malignant tumors such as
breast, cervical, lymphoma, and leukemia. There are no data about progesterone-induced
blocking factor expression in ovarian cancer cells. Hence, it is aimed to determine the
progesterone-induced blocking factor expression levels in epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: The study which was a retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in a University
Hospital. Twenty tissue specimens of patients with epithelial ovarian cancer and 20
tissue specimens of patients with healthy ovary were included in the study. Primary
rabbit polyclonal anti- progesterone-induced blocking factor antibody was used to
incubate the sections at a ratio of 1:300. Results: When the tissue sections were compared based on immunostaining with
progesterone-induced blocking factor, we detected high stromal progesterone-induced
blocking factor expression in the epithelial ovarian cancer group as check against to
the normal ovarian group (P = .007). Similarly, we found high glandular
progesterone-induced blocking factor expression in the epithelial ovarian cancer group
as check against to the normal ovarian group (P < .001). Conclusion: Proving the existence of progesterone-induced blocking factor expression in epithelial
ovarian cancer cells may lead new visions or new studies for epithelial ovarian cancer
immunotherapy. As a result, epithelial ovarian cancer cells have greater levels of
expression of progesterone-induced blocking factor protein than normal ovarian tissue
according to immunohistochemistry. Further research is needed to understand the clinical
importance of this finding, to learn outcomes of high levels of progesterone-induced
blocking factor, and to investigate its underlying mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusuf Madendag
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Erdem Sahin
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Ilknur Col Madendag
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Mefkure Eraslan Sahin
- 2 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erciyes University Faculty of Medicine, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Acmaz
- 1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Health Sciences University Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Hatice Karaman
- 3 Department of Pathology Clinic, Health Sciences University Kayseri Education and Research Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey
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Changes in expression of ISG15, progesterone receptor and progesterone-induced blocking factor in ovine thymus during early pregnancy. Theriogenology 2018; 121:153-159. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.08.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Revised: 08/14/2018] [Accepted: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Yang L, Guo R, Yao X, Yan J, Bai Y, Zhang L. Expression of progesterone receptor and progesterone-induced blocking factor in the spleen during early pregnancy in ewes. Livest Sci 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2018.01.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Yang L, Zang S, Bai Y, Yao X, Zhang L. Effect of early pregnancy on the expression of progesterone receptor and progesterone-induced blocking factor in ovine lymph node. Theriogenology 2017; 93:78-83. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.01.042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2016] [Revised: 01/24/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Proliferative and Invasive Effects of Progesterone-Induced Blocking Factor in Human Glioblastoma Cells. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:1295087. [PMID: 28168193 PMCID: PMC5266854 DOI: 10.1155/2017/1295087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF) is a progesterone (P4) regulated protein expressed in different types of high proliferative cells including astrocytomas, the most frequent and aggressive brain tumors. It has been shown that PIBF increases the number of human astrocytoma cells. In this work, we evaluated PIBF regulation by P4 and the effects of PIBF on proliferation, migration, and invasion of U87 and U251 cells, both derived from human glioblastomas. PIBF mRNA expression was upregulated by P4 (10 nM) from 12 to 24 h. Glioblastoma cells expressed two PIBF isoforms, 90 and 57 kDa. The content of the shorter isoform was increased by P4 at 24 h, while progesterone receptor antagonist RU486 (10 μM) blocked this effect. PIBF (100 ng/mL) increased the number of U87 cells on days 4 and 5 of treatment and induced cell proliferation on day 4. Wound-healing assays showed that PIBF increased the migration of U87 (12–48 h) and U251 (24 and 48 h) cells. Transwell invasion assays showed that PIBF augmented the number of invasive cells in both cell lines at 24 h. These data suggest that PIBF promotes proliferation, migration, and invasion of human glioblastoma cells.
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