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Wu XM, Li YX, Zheng HS, Zhou XT, Ke Y, Liu XP, Kang XM. The effect and mechanism of low-molecular-weight heparin on the decidualization of stromal cells in early pregnancy. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2024; 37:2294701. [PMID: 38177060 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2023.2294701] [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: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyze the effect of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) on the decidualization of stromal cells in early pregnancy and explore the effect of LMWH on pregnancy outcomes. METHODS Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) mouse model (CBA/J × DBA/2) and normal pregnant mouse model (CBA/J × BALB/c) were established. The female mice were checked for a mucus plug twice daily to identify a potential pregnancy. When a mucus plug was found, conception was considered to have occurred 12 h previously. The pregnant mice were divided randomly into a normal pregnancy control group, an RSA model group, and an RSA + LMWH experimental group (n = 10 mice in each group). Halfway through the 12th day of pregnancy, the embryonic loss of the mice was observed; a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expressions of prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1) in the decidua of the mice. Additionally, the decidual tissues of patients with RSA and those of normal women in early pregnancy who required artificial abortion were collected and divided into an RSA group and a control group. Decidual stromal cells were isolated and cultured to compare cell proliferation between the two groups, and cellular migration and invasion were detected by membrane stromal cells. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), cyclin D1, matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP) 2, and MMP-7 in stromal cells treated with LMWH. RESULTS Compared with the RSA group, LMWH significantly reduced the pregnancy loss rate in the RSA mice (p < 0.05). Compared with the RSA group, the LMWH + RSA group had significantly higher expression levels of PRL and IGFBP1 mRNA (p < 0.01). LMWH promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of human decidual stromal cells; compared with the control group, the expression levels of MMP-2, MMP-7, cyclin D1, and PCNA proteins in the decidual stromal cells of the LMWH group increased (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The use of LMWH can improve pregnancy outcomes by enhancing the proliferation and migration of stromal cells in early pregnancy and the decidualization of stromal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Mei Wu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province/The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yun-Xiu Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province/The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Hai-Shan Zheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province/The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiao-Ting Zhou
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province/The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Yang Ke
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province/The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiao-Ping Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province/The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
| | - Xiao-Min Kang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province/The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, China
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BuShen HuoXue Decoction Promotes Decidual Stromal Cell Proliferation via the PI3K/AKT Pathway in Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion. EVIDENCE-BASED COMPLEMENTARY AND ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE 2020; 2020:6868470. [PMID: 33082827 PMCID: PMC7556073 DOI: 10.1155/2020/6868470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BuShen HuoXue decoction (BSHXD) has been used to treat patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA). However, the chemical compounds and mechanism by which BSHXD exerts its therapeutic and systemic effects to promote the proliferation of decidual stromal cells (DSCs) has not been elucidated. This work sought to elucidate the cellular and molecular mechanism of BSHXD in terms of inflammatory factors IL-17A in DSCs in vitro because of the critical roles of inflammation, apoptosis, and immunity in the development and progression of pregnancy loss. Twelve migratory chemical compounds from BSHXD extract were qualitatively analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). DSCs were collected from normal early pregnancy (NEP) and URSA to determine whether BSHXD affects IL-17A/IL17RA via the PI3K/AKT pathway. Abnormal apoptosis and activated p-AKT were observed in URSA DSCs. RhIL-17 A, LY294002 (a PI3K pathway inhibitor), and BSHXD were individually or simultaneously administered in NEP DSCs, suggesting that BSHXD restored cell proliferation without excessive stimulation and IL-17A promotes proliferation via the PI3K/AKT pathway. Using the same intervention in URSA DSCs, qRT-PCR measured the upregulated mRNA levels of IL-17 A/IL-17RA, PI3K, AKT, p-AKT, PTEN, Bcl-2, and Bcl-xL and downregulated mRNA levels of BAD and ACT1 after treatment with BSHXD. We demonstrated that BSHXD affected IL-17A/IL-17R via PI3K/AKT pathway to promote the proliferative activity of DSCs in URSA. These results provide a new insight to further clarify the relationship between inflammation and apoptosis and the mechanism of imbalance in the dynamic equilibrium between Th17/Treg immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface.
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Wang R, Seidler AL, Askie L, Norman RJ, Bhattacharya S, van Wely M, Mol BW. Network meta-analyses in reproductive medicine: challenges and opportunities. Hum Reprod 2020; 35:1723-1731. [PMID: 32662508 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2020] [Revised: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Network meta-analysis allows researchers to synthesise both direct and indirect evidence, thus enabling simultaneous comparisons of multiple treatments. A relatively recent addition to evidence synthesis in reproductive medicine, this approach has become increasingly popular. Yet, the underlying assumptions of network meta-analyses, which drive the validity of their findings, have been frequently ignored. In this article, we discuss the strengths and limitations of network meta-analyses. In addition, we present an overview of published network meta-analyses in reproductive medicine, summarize their challenges and provide insights into future research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Anna Lene Seidler
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Lisa Askie
- NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Robert J Norman
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | - Madelon van Wely
- Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ben Willem Mol
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Chaemsaithong P, Cuenca-Gomez D, Plana MN, Gil MM, Poon LC. Does low-dose aspirin initiated before 11 weeks' gestation reduce the rate of preeclampsia? Am J Obstet Gynecol 2020; 222:437-450. [PMID: 31494125 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2019.08.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE DATA Preconception or early administration of low-dose aspirin might improve endometrial growth, placental vascularization, and organogenesis. Most studies have evaluated the potential benefit of preconception or early administration of low-dose aspirin in women with a history of recurrent pregnancy loss, women who have undergone in vitro fertilization, or women with thrombophilia or antiphospholipid syndrome. These women are at an increased risk of placenta-associated complications of pregnancy, including preeclampsia, preterm delivery, and fetal growth restriction. STUDY OUTCOMES We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of low-dose aspirin initiated at <11 weeks' gestation on the risk of preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, or any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Secondary outcomes included preterm delivery at <37 weeks' gestation and fetal growth restriction. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS We searched in MEDLINE via PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform from 1985 to November 2018. Entry criteria were randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of aspirin administered at <11 weeks' gestation in preventing preeclampsia and/or hypertensive disorders in pregnancy or improving pregnancy outcomes in women with recurrent miscarriage as compared with placebo or no treatment and outcome data available or provided by authors for >85% of the study population. Relative risks with 95% confidence intervals were calculated for each study and pooled for global analysis as the effect measure. We assessed statistical heterogeneity in each meta-analysis using the χ2 statistics, I2, and Tau2. Heterogeneity was considered substantial if an I2 was greater than 50% and either the Tau2 was greater than zero or there was a low P value (<0.10) in the χ2 test for heterogeneity. Random-effects meta-analysis, weighted by the size of the studies, was performed to produce an overall summary on aspirin effect for each outcome. Sensitivity analysis by sequential omission of each individual study and by fixed-effects model was performed. Publication bias was not assessed because of the small number of included studies. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata release 14.0 (StataCorp). RESULTS The entry criteria were fulfilled by 8 randomized controlled trials on a combined total of 1426 participants. Low-dose aspirin initiated at <11 weeks' gestation was associated with a nonsignificant reduction in the risk of preeclampsia (relative risk, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.23-1.17, P = .115), gestational hypertension (relative risk, 0.49; 95% confidence interval, 0.20-1.21; P = .121), and any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (relative risk, 0.59; 95% confidence interval, 0.33-1.04, P = .067). Early administration of low-dose aspirin reduced the risk of preterm delivery (relative risk, 0.52; 95% confidence interval, 0.27-0.97, P = .040) but had no impact on the risk of fetal growth restriction (relative risk, 1.10; 95% confidence interval, 0.58-2.07, P = .775). Except for preterm delivery and any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, sensitivity analysis demonstrated similar observations, therefore confirming the robustness of the analysis. CONCLUSION The administration of low-dose aspirin at <11 weeks' gestation in women at high risk does not decrease the risk of preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, any hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, and fetal growth restriction. However, it might reduce the risk of preterm delivery. Larger randomized controlled trials will be required to substantiate the findings.
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Toth B, Zhu L, Karakizlis H, Weimer R, Morath C, Opelz G, Kuon RJ, Daniel V. NK cell subsets in idiopathic recurrent miscarriage and renal transplant patients. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 138:103098. [PMID: 32045760 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103098] [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: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 07/25/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The present review article compares NK cell subsets and cytokine patterns determined in the peripheral blood as well as results of functional in-vitro assays using peripheral NK cells of idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (iRM) patients with corresponding results obtained in female healthy controls and female renal transplant recipients with good long-term graft function. Immune mechanisms, inducing transplant rejection in long-term transplant recipients might also be able to induce rejection of semi-allogeneic fetal cells in patients with iRM. Consequently, the immune status of transplant recipients with good stable long-term graft function should be different from the immune status of iRM patients. iRM patients show a strong persistent cytotoxic NK cell response in the periphery. Simultaneously, immunostimulatory Th1 as well as immunosuppressive Th2 type lymphocytes in the blood are strongly activated but plasma levels of immunosuppressive Th2 type cytokines are abnormally low. In-vitro, unstimulated NK cell cultures of iRM patients show a strong spontaneous TGF-ß1 release in the supernatant but lower TGF-ß1 levels after stimulation with tumor cell line K562, suggesting strong consumption of TGF-ß1 by pre-activated NK cells of iRM patients that might contribute to the low systemic Th2 type plasma levels. iRM patients do not show a systemic switch to a Th2 type cytokine pattern and one might hypothesize that low TGF-ß plasma levels indicate low TGF-ß levels in the micromilieu immediately before fetal rejection. Persistent TGF-ß deficiency implies a persistent unfavorable micromilieu for pregnancy resulting in failing tolerance induction due to lack of TGF-ß, a condition that might contribute to iRM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bettina Toth
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Li Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, 430030 Wuhan, China; Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Hristos Karakizlis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, D-35385 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Rolf Weimer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, D-35385 Giessen, Germany.
| | - Christian Morath
- Department of Nephrology, University of Heidelberg, Im NeuenheimerFeld 162, Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Gerhard Opelz
- Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Ruben-Jeremias Kuon
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Fertility Disorders, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld440, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
| | - Volker Daniel
- Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
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Zhu L, Aly M, Kuon RJ, Toth B, Wang H, Karakizlis H, Weimer R, Morath C, Ibrahim E, Ekpoom N, Opelz G, Daniel V. Patients with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage have abnormally high TGFß+ blood NK, NKT and T cells in the presence of abnormally low TGFß plasma levels. BMC Immunol 2019; 20:10. [PMID: 30832584 PMCID: PMC6399890 DOI: 10.1186/s12865-019-0290-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Previously, we demonstrated up-regulated activated CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes as well as up-regulated cytotoxic NK cells in the blood of patients with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage. In the present study, we tried to identify deficiencies in counter-regulating immune mechanisms of these patients. Method Cytokines were determined in NK cells and in plasma samples of 35 healthy controls, 33 patients with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage, 34 patients with end stage renal disease, 10 transplant patients early and 37 transplant patients late post-transplant using flow-cytometry and luminex. In addition, cytokines were studied in supernatants of cell cultures with peripheral blood mononuclear cells stimulated in-vitro with tumor cell line K562. Results Patients with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage exhibited the highest absolute cell counts of circulating TGFß1+ NK, NKT and T lymphocytes and the lowest TGFß1 plasma levels of all study groups (for all p < 0.050). In-vitro, peripheral blood mononuclear cells of patients with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage showed high spontaneous TGFß1 production that could not be further increased by stimulation with K562, indicating increased consumption of TGFß1 by activated cells in the cell culture. Moreover, patients with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage had abnormally high IL4+ as well as abnormally high IFNy+ NK cells (p < 0.010) but similar IL10+ NK cell numbers as female healthy controls and showed the lowest plasma levels of IL10, TGFß3, IL1RA, IL1ß, IL5, IL6, IL8, IL17, TNFα, GM-CSF, TPO and VEGF and the highest plasma levels of G-CSF, FGF-basic, CCL3 and CXCL5 as compared to female HC and female transplant recipients (for all p < 0.050). Conclusions Patients with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage show an activated immune system that can hardly be stimulated further and cannot be efficiently down-regulated by up-regulated TGFß1+ and IL4+ NK, NKT and T lymphocytes which are present concomitantly in these patients. The strongly decreased TGFß and IL10 plasma levels indicate deficient down-regulation and reflect a dysbalance of the immune system in patients with idiopathic recurrent miscarriage. These findings may be relevant for explaining the pathogenesis of idiopathic recurrent miscarriage. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12865-019-0290-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Zhu
- Department of Hematology, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China.,Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Mostafa Aly
- Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.,Department of Nephrology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 162, Heidelberg, Germany.,Nephrology unit, Internal Medicine Department, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Ruben Jeremias Kuon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 440, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Bettina Toth
- Department of Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, Medical University Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Haihao Wang
- Department of Surgery, Tongji Hospital, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, China
| | - Hristos Karakizlis
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, D-35385, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rolf Weimer
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Giessen, Klinikstrasse 33, D-35385, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christian Morath
- Department of Nephrology, University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 162, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Eman Ibrahim
- Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Naruemol Ekpoom
- Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Opelz
- Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Volker Daniel
- Transplantation Immunology, Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 305, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
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