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Uyan Hendem D, Oluklu D, Menekse Beser D, Yildirim M, Sakcak B, Turgut E, Sahin D. Evaluation of fetal adrenal artery Doppler velocimetry and fetal adrenal gland size in pregnancies after recovery from COVID-19. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2023; 49:2304-2309. [PMID: 37354108 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
AIM Assessment of the fetal adrenal gland (FAG) size and middle adrenal artery (MAA) Doppler parameters in pregnancy recovered from Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) and comparison of the values with the healthy control group. METHODS Thirty-eight pregnant women who had recovered from COVID-19 infection and 76 healthy control group between 33 and 35 weeks of gestation were involved in this case-control study. Fetuses were examined for fetal biometry, fetal well-being, adrenal gland dimensions, and Doppler parameters 4-6 weeks after the diagnosis of COVID 19 infection. FAG dimensions were measured in two planes and MAA blood flow velocity was evaluated with pulsed Doppler. Pregnant women with COVID-19 infection were grouped according to the National Institutes of Health for the severity of the disease, and those with mild and moderate infections were examined in the study. RESULTS The total adrenal gland (TAG) height, fetal zone (FZ) length and width, and MAA-Peak Systolic Velocity (MAA-PSV) were significantly higher, and the MAA-Pulsatility Index (MAA-PI) was significantly lower in the COVID-19 group (p < 0.05). The lower in MAA-PI and the higher in MAA-PSV, the width of the FZ, and width of the TAG were found to be significant in the moderate group compared to the mild groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION COVID-19 pregnancies might cause early maturation of the FAG and its vasculature depends on the intrauterine stress due to the hyper-inflammation, so fetuses exposed to maternal COVID-19 suggested to have an increase in blood flow to the adrenal gland and fetal adrenal size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Derya Uyan Hendem
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Deniz Oluklu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Dilek Menekse Beser
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Muradiye Yildirim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Bedri Sakcak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Turgut
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Dilek Sahin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
- Division of Perinatology, Turkish Ministry of Health Ankara City Hospital, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, Turkey
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2
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Morales-Vázquez MM, Meza-Serrano E, Lara-Pereyra I, Acuña-González RJ, Alonso-Morales R, Hayen-Valles S, Boeta AM, Zarco L, Lozano-Cuenca J, López-Canales JS, Flores-Herrera H. Equine Placentitis in Mares Induces the Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine eIL-1β and the Active Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-9. Vet Sci 2023; 10:532. [PMID: 37756054 PMCID: PMC10536981 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10090532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Equine placentitis is characterized by infection and inflammation of the placenta. Different biomarkers associated with this inflammatory response have been evaluated in experimentally induced equine placentitis, but not in pregnant mares with spontaneous placentitis. The aim of the current study was to determine the concentration of eIL-1β and the activity of proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 in the serum of healthy mares and mares with placentitis on days 240 and 320 of gestation to explore whether these biomarkers are associated with equine maternal placentitis and/or with the birth of an infected or inviable foals. Serum samples were collected from sixteen pregnant English Thoroughbred mares, retrospectively classified as follows: (1) healthy mares with full-term gestation; and (2) mares with ultrasonographic signs of placentitis. The health of each foal was examined at birth, and it was decided to classify the cases into four groups: (1) healthy mares delivering a healthy foals (HM-HF, n = 6); (2) mares with USP delivering a healthy foal (USP-HF, n = 3); (3) mares with USP delivering a live septic foal (USP-LSeF, n = 4); and (4) mares with USP delivering a dead foal (USP-DF, n = 3). eIL-1β was quantified by ELISA, and proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity by gelatin zymography electrophoresis. In healthy mares, the serum concentrations of eIL-1β underwent a significant 16.5-fold increase from day 240 to day 320 of gestation. Although similar results were found in the mares with ultrasonographic signs of placentitis that delivered a healthy foal, those delivering a live septic or nonviable foal exhibited much higher concentrations of eIL-1β. proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity was not associated with maternal placentitis, foal infection, or death. Hence, the presence of placentitis severe enough to affect the health of the foal can be confirmed or discarded by determining the eIL-1β concentration in mares that have shown ultrasonographic signs of placentitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Margarita Morales-Vázquez
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” INPerIER, Ciudad de México 11000, CP, Mexico; (M.M.M.-V.); (R.J.A.-G.)
- Departamento de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, CP, Mexico; (E.M.-S.); (S.H.-V.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Europa Meza-Serrano
- Departamento de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, CP, Mexico; (E.M.-S.); (S.H.-V.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Irlando Lara-Pereyra
- Departamento de Ginecología, Hospital General de Zona 252, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Atlacomulco 28984, Mexico
| | - Ricardo Josué Acuña-González
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” INPerIER, Ciudad de México 11000, CP, Mexico; (M.M.M.-V.); (R.J.A.-G.)
| | - Rogelio Alonso-Morales
- Genética, Laboratorio de Biotecnologías, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, CP, Mexico;
| | - Sergio Hayen-Valles
- Departamento de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, CP, Mexico; (E.M.-S.); (S.H.-V.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Ana Myriam Boeta
- Departamento de Reproducción, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, Ciudad de México 04510, CP, Mexico; (E.M.-S.); (S.H.-V.); (A.M.B.)
| | - Luis Zarco
- Centro de Enseñanza, Investigación y Extensión en Producción Ovina, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tres Marías, Ciudad de México 62515, Mexico;
| | - Jair Lozano-Cuenca
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” INPerIER, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (J.L.-C.); (J.S.L.-C.)
| | - Jorge Skiold López-Canales
- Departamento de Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” INPerIER, Ciudad de México 11000, Mexico; (J.L.-C.); (J.S.L.-C.)
- Sección de Estudios de Posgrado e Investigación, Escuela Superior de Medicina del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México 11340, Mexico
| | - Héctor Flores-Herrera
- Departamento de Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología “Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes” INPerIER, Ciudad de México 11000, CP, Mexico; (M.M.M.-V.); (R.J.A.-G.)
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3
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Fedorka CE, Troedsson MH. The immune response to equine ascending placentitis: A narrative review. Theriogenology 2023; 203:11-20. [PMID: 36966581 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
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Ali HES, Scoggin K, Murase H, Norris J, Menarim B, Dini P, Ball B. Transcriptomic and histochemical analysis reveal the complex regulatory networks in equine Chorioallantois during spontaneous term labor. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1296-1310. [PMID: 35913756 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac154] [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: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The equine chorioallantois (CA) undergoes complex physical and biochemical changes during labor. However, the molecular mechanisms controlling these changes are still unclear. Therefore, the current study aimed to characterize the transcriptome of equine CA during spontaneous labor and compare it to that of normal preterm CA. Placental samples were collected postpartum from mares with normal term labor (TL group, n = 4) and from preterm not in labor mares (330 days GA; PTNL group, n = 4). Our study identified 4137 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) (1820 upregulated and 2317 downregulated) in CA during TL as compared to PTNL. TL was associated with the upregulation of several pro-inflammatory mediators (MHC-I, MHC-II, NLRP3, CXCL8, and MIF). Also, TL was associated with the upregulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP1, MMP2, MMP3, and MMP9) with subsequent extracellular matrix degradation and apoptosis, as reflected by upregulation of several apoptosis-related genes (ATF3, ATF4, FAS, FOS, and BIRC3). In addition, TL was associated with downregulation of 21 transcripts coding for collagens. The upregulation of proteases, along with the downregulation of collagens, is believed to be implicated in separation and rupture of the CA during TL. Additionally, TL was associated with downregulation of transcripts coding for proteins essential for progestin synthesis (SRD5A1 and AKR1C1) and angiogenesis (VEGFA and RTL1), as well as upregulation of prostaglandin synthesis-related genes (PTGS2 and PTGES), which could reflect the physiological switch in placental endocrinology and function during TL. In conclusion, our findings revealed the equine CA gene expression signature in spontaneous labor at term, which improves our understanding of the molecular mechanisms triggering labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossam El-Sheikh Ali
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA.,Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura, Dakahlia, Egypt
| | - Kirsten Scoggin
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Harutaka Murase
- Equine Science Division, Hidaka Training and Research Center, Japan Racing Association, Hokkaido 057-0171, Japan
| | - Jamie Norris
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Bruno Menarim
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Pouya Dini
- Department of Population Health and Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Barry Ball
- Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
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5
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Macpherson ML, Giguère S, Pozor MA, Burden CA, Berghaus LJ, Berghaus RD, Varner JC, Hayna JT, Benson SM, Randell SA, Lyle SK, Kelleman AA, Hart KA, Mallicote MF, Horohov DW. Evidence for anti-inflammatory effects of firocoxib administered to mares with experimentally induced placentitis. Am J Reprod Immunol 2021; 86:e13396. [PMID: 33569862 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Minimal evidence exists supporting therapeutic selections for equine placentitis. The goal of this study was to characterize the anti-inflammatory effects of firocoxib when administered to mares with placentitis. METHODS Mares (gestation D270-300) were assigned to: INFECT (n = 6; placentitis, no treatment), FIRO (n = 6; placentitis, firocoxib, 0.1 mg/kg, PO, daily), and NORM (n = 6; no infection/treatment). Allantoic fluid (8 hours, 24 hours, birth) and amniotic fluid (birth) were collected from mares after infection. Concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-10, PGF2α , and PGE2 in fluids were measured by ELISA. mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-10, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -1, 3, and 9 in fetal membranes/fetuses was quantified using real-time PCR. RESULTS Allantoic TNF-α concentrations were lowest in FIRO at 8 hours and 24 hours post-infection; IL-6 concentrations were lower in FIRO than NORM at 8 hours, lower in FIRO than INFECT at 24 hours post-inoculation, and lower in NORM than FIRO or INFECT at birth. Marginal mean allantoic IL-β and IL-10 concentrations were lower in FIRO and NORM than INFECT. Amniotic fluid cytokines were lowest in NORM with all measurements in that group being below the limit of detection. Allantoic PGF2α concentrations were lower in FIRO and INFECT than NORM at 8 hours post-inoculation, and lower in FIRO than INFECT or NORM at 24 hours post-inoculation. Allantoic PGE2 concentrations were lower in FIRO than INFECT. Amniotic PGF2α and PGE2 concentrations were lower in NORM than INFECT. In fetal membranes, group differences with respect to IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and MMP1 were dependent on tissue type. CONCLUSIONS Data suggest a suppressive effect of firocoxib administration on cytokine and prostaglandin production in mares with placentitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margo L Macpherson
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Steeve Giguère
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Malgorzata A Pozor
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Chelsie A Burden
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Londa J Berghaus
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Roy D Berghaus
- Department of Population Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer C Varner
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Justin T Hayna
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Susanne M Benson
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sarah A Randell
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Sara K Lyle
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Audrey A Kelleman
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Kelsey A Hart
- Department of Large Animal Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Martha F Mallicote
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - David W Horohov
- Department of Veterinary Science, Gluck Equine Research Center, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY, USA
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6
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Loux SC, Fernandes CB, Dini P, Wang K, Wu X, Baxter D, Scoggin KE, Troedsson MHT, Squires EL, Ball BA. Small RNA (sRNA) expression in the chorioallantois, endometrium and serum of mares following experimental induction of placentitis. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1144-1156. [PMID: 30947806 DOI: 10.1071/rd18400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine infection and inflammation remain a major cause of preterm labour in women and mares, with little known about small RNA (sRNA) expression in tissue or circulation. To better characterise placental inflammation (placentitis), we examined sRNA expression in the endometrium, chorioallantois and serum of mares with and without placentitis. Disease was induced in 10 mares via intracervical inoculation of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus, either with moderate or high levels of inoculum; three uninoculated gestationally matched mares were used as controls. Matched chorioallantois and endometrium were sampled in two locations: Region 1, gross inflammation near cervical star with placental separation and Region 2, gross inflammation without placental separation. In Region 1, 26 sRNAs were altered in chorioallantois, while 20 were altered in endometrium. Within Region 2, changes were more subdued in both chorioallantois (10 sRNAs) and endometrium (two sRNAs). Within serum, we identified nine significantly altered sRNAs. In summary, we have characterised the expression of sRNA in the chorioallantois, the endometrium and the serum of mares with experimentally induced placentitis using next-generation sequencing, identifying significant changes within each tissue examined. These data should provide valuable information about the physiology of placental inflammation to clinicians and researchers alike.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shavahn C Loux
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Claudia B Fernandes
- Department of Animal Reproduction, School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of São Paulo, Av. Prof Dr Orlando Marques de Paiva, 87, 05508-270, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Pouya Dini
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Kai Wang
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Xiaogang Wu
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - David Baxter
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
| | - Kirsten E Scoggin
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Mats H T Troedsson
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Edward L Squires
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA
| | - Barry A Ball
- Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, 1400 Nicholasville Road, Lexington, KY 40546, USA; and Corresponding author.
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7
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Immunological memory and tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface: Implications for reproductive management of mares. Theriogenology 2020; 150:432-436. [PMID: 32164989 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.02.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The development of placentation that coincided with the evolution of mammals presented new challenges to the transmission of life from one generation to the next, particularly with regard to the possibility of maternal immunological recognition and destruction of the developing conceptus. The balance between immunity and tolerance dominates the immunological relationship between mother and fetus during mammalian pregnancy, and the focal point of this relationship lies at the interface between the trophoblast cells that comprise the outermost layer of the placenta and the maternal endometrial tissues. Immune memory and tolerance are two of the cardinal characteristics of the immune system. Immune memory is essential in preventing or lessening the effect of infections to the mother or conceptus, but may also be a threat to the semi-allogeneic tissues of the fetus and placenta. The mother must develop functional immune tolerance to her fetus, but at the same time retain her ability to combat infections while pregnant. To address this imperative, mammals have developed overlapping and independent mechanisms for evading maternal anti-fetal immune responses that could result in pregnancy loss. Studies of the unusual component of equine invasive trophoblast in the epitheliochorial placenta have illuminated aspects of immune memory and tolerance that have relevance to fertility in the horse and other mammalian species.
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8
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El-Sheikh Ali H, Boakari YL, Loux SC, Dini P, Scoggin KE, Esteller-Vico A, Kalbfleisch T, Ball BA. Transcriptomic analysis reveals the key regulators and molecular mechanisms underlying myometrial activation during equine placentitis†. Biol Reprod 2020; 102:1306-1325. [PMID: 32065222 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The key event in placentitis-induced preterm labor is myometrial activation with the subsequent initiation of labor. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying myometrial activation are not fully understood in the mares. Therefore, the equine myometrial transcriptome was characterized during placentitis (290.0 ± 1.52 days of GA, n = 5) and the prepartum period (330 days of GA, n = 3) in comparison to normal pregnant mares (289.8 ± 2.18 days of GA, n = 4). Transcriptome analysis identified 596 and 290 DEGs in the myometrium during placentitis and the prepartum period, respectively, with 138 DEGs in common. The placentitis DEGs included eight genes (MMP1, MMP8, S100A9, S100A8, PI3, APOBEC3Z1B, RETN, and CXCL2) that are exclusively expressed in the inflamed myometrium. Pathway analysis elucidated that inflammatory signaling, Toll-like receptor signaling, and apoptosis pathways dominate myometrial activation during placentitis. The prepartum myometrium was associated with overexpression of inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, and 5-hydroxytryptamine degradation. Gene ontology enrichment analysis identified several chemoattractant factors in the myometrium during placentitis and prepartum period, including CCL2, CXCL1, CXCL3, and CXCL6 in common. Upstream regulator analysis revealed 19 potential upstream regulators in placentitis dataset including transcription regulators (E2F1, FOXM1, HIF1A, JUNB, NFKB1A, and STAT1), transmembrane receptors (FAS, ICAM1, SELP, TLR2, and TYROBP), growth factors (HGF and TGFB3), enzymes (PTGS2 and PRKCP), and others (S100A8, S100A9, CD44, and C5AR1). Additionally, three upstream regulators (STAT3, EGR1, and F2R) were identified in the prepartum dataset. These findings revealed the key regulators and pathways underlying myometrial activation during placentitis, which aid in understanding the disease and facilitate the development of efficacious therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- H El-Sheikh Ali
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.,Theriogenology Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Mansoura, Dakahlia, Mansoura, Egypt
| | - Y L Boakari
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - S C Loux
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - P Dini
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - K E Scoggin
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - A Esteller-Vico
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.,Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Tennessee, Tennessee, Knoxville, USA
| | - T Kalbfleisch
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
| | - B A Ball
- Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center, Department of Veterinary Science, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky, USA
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9
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Dixon CE, Bedenice D. Transplacental infection of a foal with
Anaplasma phagocytophilum. EQUINE VET EDUC 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/eve.13233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- C. E. Dixon
- Department of Clinical Sciences Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University North Grafton Massachusetts USA
| | - D. Bedenice
- Department of Clinical Sciences Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University North Grafton Massachusetts USA
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10
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Jaworska J, Janowski T. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα in the retained placenta of mares. Theriogenology 2018; 126:1-7. [PMID: 30503761 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2018.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2018] [Revised: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 11/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Retained fetal membranes (RFM) is a prevalent postpartum disease in mares. During parturition, various proinflammatory cytokines are released in the placenta, which further facilitates uterine contractions, expulsion of the fetus and fetal membranes. We hypothesized that an altered inflammatory response in mares results in retained fetal membranes. Samples of the endometrium and the allantochorion were collected from 15 mares with RFM and from 29 control mares within 2 h of foal delivery. Next, the mRNA expression of IL-1β, IL-6 and TNFα proteins was analyzed by Real Time PCR and Western blot. These cytokines were also localized by immunocytochemistry. In mares with RFM, the mRNA expression of IL-1β in the endometrium (p < 0.05) and IL-6 in the allantochorion (p < 0.0001) was higher than in mares that expelled fetal membranes physiologically. Higher expression of IL-6 in the allantochorion was confirmed by Western blot. In contrast, no changes in TNFα mRNA and protein expression were observed between the 2 groups of mares. Moreover, TNFα mRNA was barely detectable. The presence of all studied cytokine proteins in the allantochorion was confirmed by immunocytochemistry. The results suggest that the outbreak of inflammation is involved in the mechanism of placenta release in mares. Increased expression of IL-6 in the allantochorion and IL-1β in the endometrium could reflect a local immune response which leads to the detachment of fetal membranes. The low expression of TNFα mRNA might suggest that this cytokine is not involved in the expulsion of fetal membranes. Further work is needed to determine the exact role and timing of inflammatory activation in fetal membranes during equine parturition.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jaworska
- Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn; Oczapowskiego 14; 10-719, Olsztyn; Poland.
| | - T Janowski
- Department of Animal Reproduction with Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn; Oczapowskiego 14; 10-719, Olsztyn; Poland
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11
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Characterization of SeseC_01411 as a surface protective antigen of Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus. Res Vet Sci 2018; 118:517-521. [PMID: 29758536 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2018.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Revised: 05/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus equi ssp. zooepidemicus (Streptococcus zooepidemicus, SEZ) is a commensal bacterium related to opportunistic infections of many species, including humans, dogs, cats, and pigs. SeseC_01411 has been proven to be immunogenic. However, its protective efficacy remained to be evaluated. In the present study, the purified recombinant SeseC_01411 could elicit a strong humoral antibody response and protect against lethal challenge with virulent SEZ in mice. Our finding confirmed that SeseC_01411 distributes on the surface of SEZ. In addition, the hyperimmune sera against SeseC_01411 could efficiently kill the bacteria in the phagocytosis test. The present study identified the immunogenic protein, SeseC_01411, as a novel surface protective antigen of SEZ.
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12
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The proteome of fetal fluids in mares with experimentally-induced placentitis. Placenta 2018; 64:71-78. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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13
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14
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Curcio BR, Canisso IF, Pazinato FM, Borba LA, Feijó LS, Muller V, Finger IS, Toribio RE, Nogueira CEW. Estradiol cypionate aided treatment for experimentally induced ascending placentitis in mares. Theriogenology 2017; 102:98-107. [PMID: 28755579 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2017.03.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Revised: 03/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The overall goal of this study was to assess the efficacy of various therapeutic combinations of estradiol cypionate (ECP, a long-acting estrogen) and altrenogest (ALT, a long-acting progestin) in addition to basic treatment for placentitis with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMS) and flunixin meglumine (FM). Specific outcomes measured in this experiment were (i) time from induction of bacterial placentitis to delivery, and foal parameters (high-risk, survival, and birth weight); and (ii) serum steroid concentrations (progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, 17β-estradiol, and cortisol) in response to treatment. Pregnant mares (∼300 days gestation, n = 46) were randomly assigned into healthy mares (control group, CONT, n = 8) and mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis (n = 38). Placentitis was induced via intracervical inoculation of Streptococcus equi subspecies zooepidemicus. Thereafter, placentitis induced mares were randomly assigned into: (1) basic treatment, TMS+FM (n = 8); (2) basic treatment with ALT supplementation, TMS+FM+ALT (n = 8); (3) basic treatment with ECP supplementation, TMS+FM+ECP (n = 6); (4) basic treatment with ALT and ECP supplementation TMS+FM+ALT+ECP (n = 6); and (5) no treatment (INOC, n = 10). Treatments were started 48 h after bacterial inoculation and carried out for ten consecutive days. Blood samples were collected daily, and mares were assessed for signs of placentitis until the mare delivered, or for ten consecutive days after onset of treatment. Steroids were analyzed via RIA. Continuous data were analyzed by ANOVA, and categorical data analyzed by Fisher's exact test. Significance was set at p < 0.05. Foal survival at parturition and seven days post-delivery were similar across treated groups (66.7-100%), and to the CONT group. Similar to CONT group, mares in the TMS+FM+ECP group had no high-risk foals while mares in the other groups had higher incidences (50-75%) (p < 0.05). The inclusion of ECP in the treatments resulted in foals with body weight similar to CONT group (p > 0.05). There were no group effects or time by group interactions on concentrations of steroids assessed herein (p > 0.05). In conclusion, in addition to basic treatment TMS+FM, mares with experimentally induced ascending placentitis benefited from ECP supplementation. Conversely, ALT did not appear to make a difference in outcomes. The immunoassays used for measurements of steroid concentrations did not appear useful to assess treatment response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruna R Curcio
- Departamento de Clinica Veterinaria, Faculdade de Medicine Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA.
| | - Igor F Canisso
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, 61802, USA.
| | - Fernanda M Pazinato
- Departamento de Clinica Veterinaria, Faculdade de Medicine Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Luciana A Borba
- Departamento de Clinica Veterinaria, Faculdade de Medicine Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lorena S Feijó
- Departamento de Clinica Veterinaria, Faculdade de Medicine Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Vitoria Muller
- Departamento de Clinica Veterinaria, Faculdade de Medicine Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ilusca S Finger
- Departamento de Clinica Veterinaria, Faculdade de Medicine Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Ramiro E Toribio
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Carlos E W Nogueira
- Departamento de Clinica Veterinaria, Faculdade de Medicine Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Pelotas, Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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15
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Fu Q, Wei Z, Xiao P, Chen Y, Liu X. CD44 enhances macrophage phagocytosis and plays a protective role in Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus infection. Vet Microbiol 2016; 198:121-126. [PMID: 28062002 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2016.12.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2016] [Revised: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 12/17/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (S. zooepidemicus) is an important pathogen associated with a wide range of diseases in many mammalian species. CD44 is a transmembrane adhesion molecule involved in innate and adaptive immune responses. The aim of this study was to determine the protective role of CD44 during S. zooepidemicus infection. CD44-deficient mice exhibited reduced macrophage accumulation in the bronchoalveolar space and enhanced bacterial outgrowth and dissemination, which resulted in reduced mouse survival. An in vitro analysis revealed that CD44 can directly bind to S. zooepidemicus. Additionally, S. zooepidemicus interacted with macrophage-associated CD44, as reflected by the reduced uptake of S. zooepidemicus by CD44-deficient macrophages. These data suggest that CD44 contributes to effective antibacterial defense during S. zooepidemicus infection, thereby limiting the accompanying injury and death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Fu
- School of Life Science, Foshan University, Guangdong 528231, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Zigong Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Pingping Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Yaosheng Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Xiaohong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Biocontrol, School of Life Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
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16
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Conley A. Review of the reproductive endocrinology of the pregnant and parturient mare. Theriogenology 2016; 86:355-65. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2016.04.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2015] [Revised: 01/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/14/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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17
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Kudirkiene E, Welker M, Knudsen NR, Bojesen AM. Rapid and accurate identification of Streptococcus equi subspecies by MALDI-TOF MS. Syst Appl Microbiol 2015; 38:315-22. [PMID: 25944783 DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2015.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Revised: 02/26/2015] [Accepted: 02/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Streptococcus equi includes very important animal and human pathogens. S. equi subsp. equi (SEE) is a highly pathogenic equine specific subspecies, while S. equi subsp. zooepidemicus (SEZ) and S. equi subsp. ruminatorum are opportunistic pathogens of various animal species and humans. Due to great phenotypic and sequence similarity between three subspecies their discrimination remains difficult. In this study, we aimed to design and validate a novel, Superspectra based, MALDI-TOF MS approach for reliable, rapid and cost-effective identification of SEE and SEZ, the most frequent S. equi subspecies in horses. Superspectra created in this study enabled correct identification of 86 strains belonging to different subspecies of S. equi, isolated from various hosts, infection sites and years. In general, higher average identification accuracy was achieved for SEE (99.0±3.0%) than for SEZ (93.3±7.5%). This result may be attributed to the highly clonal population structure of SEE, as opposed to the diversity of SEZ seen in horses. Importantly strains with atypical colony appearance both within SEE and SEZ did not affect correct identification of the strains by MALDI-TOF MS. Atypical colony variants are often associated with a higher persistence or virulence of S. equi, thus their correct identification using the current method strengthens its potential use in routine clinical diagnostics. In conclusion, reliable identification of S. equi subspecies was achieved by combining a MALDI-TOF MS method with spectra analyses using the SARAMIS database. Additionally, first results on subtyping of SEZ indicated that a more refined discrimination, for example for epidemiological surveys, may be possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Egle Kudirkiene
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Martin Welker
- BioMérieux SA, Unit Microbiology, R&D Microbiology, La Balme Les Grottes 38390, France
| | - Nanna R Knudsen
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark
| | - Anders M Bojesen
- Department of Veterinary Disease Biology, University of Copenhagen, Stigbøjlen 4, 1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark.
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