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Zambuto SG, Theriault H, Jain I, Crosby CO, Pintescu I, Chiou N, Oyen ML, Zoldan J, Underhill GH, Harley BAC, Clancy KBH. Endometrial decidualization status modulates endometrial microvascular complexity and trophoblast outgrowth in gelatin methacryloyl hydrogels. NPJ WOMEN'S HEALTH 2024; 2:22. [PMID: 39036057 PMCID: PMC11259096 DOI: 10.1038/s44294-024-00020-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
The endometrium undergoes rapid cycles of vascular growth, remodeling, and breakdown during the menstrual cycle and pregnancy. Decidualization is an endometrial differentiation process driven by steroidal sex hormones that is critical for blastocyst-uterine interfacing and blastocyst implantation. Certain pregnancy disorders may be linked to decidualization processes. However, much remains unknown regarding the role of decidualization and reciprocal trophoblast-endometrial interactions on endometrial angiogenesis and trophoblast invasion. Here, we report an engineered endometrial microvascular network embedded in gelatin hydrogels that displays morphological and functional patterns of decidualization. Vessel complexity and biomolecule secretion are sensitive to decidualization and affect trophoblast motility, but that signaling between endometrial and trophoblast cells was not bi-directional. Although endometrial microvascular network decidualization status influences trophoblast cells, trophoblast cells did not induce structural changes in the endometrial microvascular networks. These findings add to a growing literature that the endometrium has biological agency at the uterine-trophoblast interface during implantation. Finally, we form a stratified endometrial tri-culture model, combining engineered microvascular networks with epithelial cells. These endometrial microvascular networks provide a well-characterized platform to investigate dynamic changes in angiogenesis in response to pathological and physiological endometrial states.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha G. Zambuto
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Hannah Theriault
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Ishita Jain
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Cody O. Crosby
- Department of Physics, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX 78626, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Ioana Pintescu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Noah Chiou
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Michelle L. Oyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Center for Women’s Health Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63130, USA
| | - Janet Zoldan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA
| | - Gregory H. Underhill
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Brendan A. C. Harley
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Cancer Center at Illinois, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Kathryn B. H. Clancy
- Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Anthropology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science & Technology, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
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Appiah Adu-Gyamfi E, Tanam Djankpa F, Nelson W, Czika A, Kumar Sah S, Lamptey J, Ding YB, Wang YX. Activin and inhibin signaling: From regulation of physiology to involvement in the pathology of the female reproductive system. Cytokine 2020; 133:155105. [PMID: 32438278 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Activins and inhibins - comprising activin A, B, AB, C and E, and inhibin A and B isoforms - belong to the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily. They regulate several biological processes, including cellular proliferation, differentiation and invasiveness, to enhance the formation and functioning of many human tissues and organs. In this review, we have discussed the role of activin and inhibin signaling in the physiological and female-specific pathological events that occur in the female reproductive system. The up-to-date evidence indicates that these cytokines regulate germ cell development, follicular development, ovulation, uterine receptivity, decidualization and placentation through the activation of several signaling pathways; and that their dysregulated expression is involved in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the numerous diseases, including pregnancy complications, that disturb reproduction. Hence, some of the isoforms have been suggested as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for the management of some of these diseases. Tackling the research directions highlighted in this review will enhance a detailed comprehension and the clinical utility of these cytokines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enoch Appiah Adu-Gyamfi
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Francis Tanam Djankpa
- Department of Physiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana.
| | - William Nelson
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, School of Public Health and Social Sciences, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es salaam, Tanzania.
| | - Armin Czika
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Sanjay Kumar Sah
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Jones Lamptey
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, KCCR, Ghana.
| | - Yu-Bin Ding
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, People's Republic of China.
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The performances of serum activins and follistatin in the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy: A prospective case-control study. Clin Chim Acta 2020; 500:69-74. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2019.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Revised: 09/29/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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4
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Wang X, Khalil RA. Matrix Metalloproteinases, Vascular Remodeling, and Vascular Disease. ADVANCES IN PHARMACOLOGY (SAN DIEGO, CALIF.) 2017; 81:241-330. [PMID: 29310800 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apha.2017.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 336] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases that degrade various proteins in the extracellular matrix (ECM). Typically, MMPs have a propeptide sequence, a catalytic metalloproteinase domain with catalytic zinc, a hinge region or linker peptide, and a hemopexin domain. MMPs are commonly classified on the basis of their substrates and the organization of their structural domains into collagenases, gelatinases, stromelysins, matrilysins, membrane-type (MT)-MMPs, and other MMPs. MMPs are secreted by many cells including fibroblasts, vascular smooth muscle (VSM), and leukocytes. MMPs are regulated at the level of mRNA expression and by activation through removal of the propeptide domain from their latent zymogen form. MMPs are often secreted in an inactive proMMP form, which is cleaved to the active form by various proteinases including other MMPs. MMPs degrade various protein substrates in ECM including collagen and elastin. MMPs could also influence endothelial cell function as well as VSM cell migration, proliferation, Ca2+ signaling, and contraction. MMPs play a role in vascular tissue remodeling during various biological processes such as angiogenesis, embryogenesis, morphogenesis, and wound repair. Alterations in specific MMPs could influence arterial remodeling and lead to various pathological disorders such as hypertension, preeclampsia, atherosclerosis, aneurysm formation, as well as excessive venous dilation and lower extremity venous disease. MMPs are often regulated by endogenous tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs), and the MMP/TIMP ratio often determines the extent of ECM protein degradation and tissue remodeling. MMPs may serve as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for certain vascular disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wang
- Vascular Surgery Research Laboratories, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Raouf A Khalil
- Vascular Surgery Research Laboratories, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States.
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Yong HE, Murthi P, Wong MH, Kalionis B, Cartwright JE, Brennecke SP, Keogh RJ. Effects of normal and high circulating concentrations of activin A on vascular endothelial cell functions and vasoactive factor production. Pregnancy Hypertens 2015; 5:346-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2015.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2015] [Revised: 08/12/2015] [Accepted: 09/24/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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Refaat B. Role of activins in embryo implantation and diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy: a review. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2014; 12:116. [PMID: 25421645 PMCID: PMC4254208 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-12-116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2014] [Accepted: 11/17/2014] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryo implantation is a major prerequisite for the successful establishment of pregnancy. Ectopic implantation outside the intrauterine cavity and the development of ectopic pregnancy (EP) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and occasionally mortality during the first trimester. EP may be induced by failure of tubal transport and/or increased tubal receptivity. Activins, their type II receptors and follistatin have been localised in the human endometrial and tubal epithelium and they are major regulators of endometrial and tubal physiology during the menstrual cycle. Pathological expression of activins and their binding protein, follistatin, was observed in tissue and serum samples collected from EP. Several studies with different designs investigated the diagnostic value of a single measurement of serum activin-A in the differentiation between normal intrauterine and failing early pregnancy and the results are controversial. Nevertheless, the diagnostic value of activins in EP, including the other activin isoforms (activin-B and -AB) and follistatin, merits further research. This review appraises the data to date researching the role of activins in the establishment of normal pregnancy and, pathogenesis and diagnosis of tubal EP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bassem Refaat
- Laboratory Medicine Department, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, Umm Al-Qura University, Al Abdeyah, Makkah, PO Box 7607, Saudi Arabia.
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Why does the fallopian tube fail in ectopic pregnancy? The role of activins, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and MUC1 in ectopic implantation. Fertil Steril 2012; 97:1115-23. [PMID: 22425195 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.02.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2011] [Revised: 01/29/2012] [Accepted: 02/22/2012] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate the role of activin-βA subunit, activin type II receptors, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and MUC1 in the pathogenesis of ectopic pregnancy (EP) and their involvement in the determination of the implantation site. DESIGN Observational study. SETTING Academic unit of reproductive and developmental medicine. PATIENT(S) Four women at the luteal phase, three pseudopregnant women at the time of hysterectomy for benign disease, and 10 archived cases of EP. We collected 14 Fallopian tubes were collected from four women at the luteal phase and three pseudopregnant women at the time of hysterectomy for benign disease; specimens from implantation site, trophoblast and remote sites from the implantation site were collected from 10 archived cases of EP. INTERVENTION(S) Immunohistochemistry and quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Comparison of the expression of candidate molecules between the different groups. RESULT(S) The expression of activin-βA subunit, activin type II receptors, and iNOS was statistically significantly increased and expression of MUC1 statistically significantly decreased in tubes bearing an EP. There was no statistically significant difference in the expression of the candidate molecules between the implantation and remote sites. Candidate molecules were also expressed in the trophoblast. CONCLUSION(S) The pathological expression of candidate molecules by tubes bearing an EP is not involved in the determination of implantation site. Additionally, candidate molecules may play a role in the regulation of trophoblast cells in vivo during early pregnancy.
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Genome-wide association scan identifies a risk locus for preeclampsia on 2q14, near the inhibin, beta B gene. PLoS One 2012; 7:e33666. [PMID: 22432041 PMCID: PMC3303857 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0033666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2011] [Accepted: 02/14/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Elucidating the genetic architecture of preeclampsia is a major goal in obstetric medicine. We have performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) for preeclampsia in unrelated Australian individuals of Caucasian ancestry using the Illumina OmniExpress-12 BeadChip to successfully genotype 648,175 SNPs in 538 preeclampsia cases and 540 normal pregnancy controls. Two SNP associations (rs7579169, p = 3.58×10−7, OR = 1.57; rs12711941, p = 4.26×10−7, OR = 1.56) satisfied our genome-wide significance threshold (modified Bonferroni p<5.11×10−7). These SNPs reside in an intergenic region less than 15 kb downstream from the 3′ terminus of the Inhibin, beta B (INHBB) gene on 2q14.2. They are in linkage disequilibrium (LD) with each other (r2 = 0.92), but not (r2<0.80) with any other genotyped SNP ±250 kb. DNA re-sequencing in and around the INHBB structural gene identified an additional 25 variants. Of the 21 variants that we successfully genotyped back in the case-control cohort the most significant association observed was for a third intergenic SNP (rs7576192, p = 1.48×10−7, OR = 1.59) in strong LD with the two significant GWAS SNPs (r2>0.92). We attempted to provide evidence of a putative regulatory role for these SNPs using bioinformatic analyses and found that they all reside within regions of low sequence conservation and/or low complexity, suggesting functional importance is low. We also explored the mRNA expression in decidua of genes ±500 kb of INHBB and found a nominally significant correlation between a transcript encoded by the EPB41L5 gene, ∼250 kb centromeric to INHBB, and preeclampsia (p = 0.03). We were unable to replicate the associations shown by the significant GWAS SNPs in case-control cohorts from Norway and Finland, leading us to conclude that it is more likely that these SNPs are in LD with as yet unidentified causal variant(s).
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Matrix metalloproteinase inhibitors as investigative tools in the pathogenesis and management of vascular disease. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2012; 103:209-79. [PMID: 22642194 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-0348-0364-9_7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteolytic enzymes that degrade various components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). MMPs could also regulate the activity of several non-ECM bioactive substrates and consequently affect different cellular functions. Members of the MMPs family include collagenases, gelatinases, stromelysins, matrilysins, membrane-type MMPs, and others. Pro-MMPs are cleaved into active MMPs, which in turn act on various substrates in the ECM and on the cell surface. MMPs play an important role in the regulation of numerous physiological processes including vascular remodeling and angiogenesis. MMPs may also be involved in vascular diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, aortic aneurysm, and varicose veins. MMPs also play a role in the hemodynamic and vascular changes associated with pregnancy and preeclampsia. The role of MMPs is commonly assessed by measuring their gene expression, protein amount, and proteolytic activity using gel zymography. Because there are no specific activators of MMPs, MMP inhibitors are often used to investigate the role of MMPs in different physiologic processes and in the pathogenesis of specific diseases. MMP inhibitors include endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) and pharmacological inhibitors such as zinc chelators, doxycycline, and marimastat. MMP inhibitors have been evaluated as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in cancer, autoimmune disease, and cardiovascular disease. Although several MMP inhibitors have been synthesized and tested both experimentally and clinically, only one MMP inhibitor, i.e., doxycycline, is currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This is mainly due to the undesirable side effects of MMP inhibitors especially on the musculoskeletal system. While most experimental and clinical trials of MMP inhibitors have not demonstrated significant benefits, some trials still showed promising results. With the advent of new genetic and pharmacological tools, disease-specific MMP inhibitors with fewer undesirable effects are being developed and could be useful in the management of vascular disease.
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McConaha ME, Eckstrum K, An J, Steinle JJ, Bany BM. Microarray assessment of the influence of the conceptus on gene expression in the mouse uterus during decidualization. Reproduction 2011; 141:511-27. [PMID: 21300692 PMCID: PMC3076716 DOI: 10.1530/rep-10-0358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
During pregnancy in several species including humans and rodents, the endometrium undergoes decidualization. This process of differentiation from endometrial to decidual tissue occurs only after the onset of implantation in mice. It can also be artificially induced causing the formation of deciduomal tissue. The purpose of this study was to compare the gene expression profile of the developing decidua in pregnant mice with the deciduoma formed after artificial induction in an effort to identify conceptus-influenced changes in uterine gene expression during decidualization. We induced decidualization artificially by transferring blastocyst-sized ConA-coated agarose beads into the uterus on day 2.5 of pseudopregnancy. Recently published work has found this model to be more 'physiological' than other methods. Total RNA was isolated from blastocyst and bead-induced 'implantation' sites of the uteri of day 7.5 pregnant (decidua) and pseudopregnant (deciduoma) mice respectively. This RNA was then used for microarray analysis using Mouse Illumina BeadArray chips. This analysis revealed potential differential mRNA levels of only 45 genes between the decidua and bead-induced deciduoma tissues. We confirmed the differential mRNA levels of 31 of these genes using quantitative RT-PCR. Finally, the level and localization of some of the mRNAs for select genes (Aldh3a1, Bcmo1, Guca2b, and Inhbb) identified by our microarray analysis were examined in more detail. This study provides the identity of a small set of genes whose expression in the uterus during decidualization may be influenced by molecular signals from the conceptus.
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Affiliation(s)
- ME McConaha
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - K Eckstrum
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - J An
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - JJ Steinle
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee School of Medicine, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - BM Bany
- Department of Physiology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Carbondale, IL, USA
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Mylonas I, Makovitzky J, Kunze S, Brüning A, Kainer F, Schiessl B. Inhibin-betaC subunit expression in normal and pathological human placental tissues. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2010; 57:197-203. [DOI: 10.3109/19396368.2010.528505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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12
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Florio P, Gabbanini M, Borges LE, Bonaccorsi L, Pinzauti S, Reis FM, Boy Torres P, Rago G, Litta P, Petraglia F. Activins and related proteins in the establishment of pregnancy. Reprod Sci 2010; 17:320-30. [PMID: 20228378 DOI: 10.1177/1933719109353205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Activin A and related proteins (inhibins, follistatin [FS], follistatin-related gene [FLRG], endometrial bleeding associated factors [ebaf]) are involved in the complex mechanisms allowing the establishment and the maintenance of pregnancy. As a consequence of ovarian progesterone stimuli, activin A is expressed and secreted by the stromal endometrial cells, which locally induces the decidualization process, a prerequisite for implantation. Moreover, activin A does influence the implantation phase, also enhancing cytotrophoblast differentiation, indirectly, by increasing the expression of other molecules involved in embryo implantation, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF). The local derangement of activin A pathway in some pregnancy disorders (incomplete and complete miscarriages, recurrent abortion, and ectopic pregnancy [EP]) further sustains the hypothesis that activin A and its related proteins play a relevant role in the establishment of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Florio
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, Siena, Italy.
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Weissenbacher T, Brüning A, Kimmich T, Makovitzky J, Gingelmaier A, Mylonas I. Immunohistochemical labeling of the inhibin/activin betaC subunit in normal human placental tissue and chorionic carcinoma cell lines. J Histochem Cytochem 2010; 58:751-7. [PMID: 20458061 DOI: 10.1369/jhc.2010.956185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Inhibins and activins are important regulators of the female reproductive system. A novel inhibin subunit, named betaC, has been identified and demonstrated to be expressed in several human tissues. We demonstrate here that inhibin betaC is expressed in human placenta. Expression of the inhibin betaC subunit was demonstrated at the protein level by means of immunohistochemical evaluation and at the transcriptional level by an inhibin betaC-specific RT-PCR analysis. Expression of inhibin betaC was detected in the human chorionic carcinoma cell lines JEG and BeWo. Although the precise role of this novel inhibin subunit in human placenta development and homeostasis is unclear, analogies with other inhibin subunits and the strong expression of betaC in normal human trophoblast cells and chorionic carcinoma cells suggest that betaC may be involved in autocrine/paracrine signaling pathways, angiogenesis, decidualization, and tissue remodeling under normal and malignant conditions. Additionally, JEG and BeWo express betaC and, therefore, can be used as a cell culture model for further functional analysis of this subunit in the human placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Weissenbacher
- First Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
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14
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Histomorphometric evaluation of cannabinoid receptor and anandamide modulating enzyme expression in the human endometrium through the menstrual cycle. Histochem Cell Biol 2010; 133:557-65. [DOI: 10.1007/s00418-010-0695-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/19/2010] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
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15
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Menkhorst E, Salamonsen LA, Zhang J, Harrison CA, Gu J, Dimitriadis E. Interleukin 11 and activin A synergise to regulate progesterone-induced but not cAMP-induced decidualization. J Reprod Immunol 2010; 84:124-32. [PMID: 20074812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2009.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2009] [Revised: 09/28/2009] [Accepted: 12/14/2009] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Blastocyst implantation, placentation and the establishment of pregnancy in the human are dependent on the adequate decidualization of endometrial stromal cells. Locally produced and temporally regulated products such as interleukin 11 (IL11), and activin A are involved in this process; however, the molecular interactions that regulate decidualization are largely unknown. Here, we investigated whether IL11 and activin A interact to promote human endometrial stromal cell (HESC) decidualization using an in vitro model. HESCs, induced to decidualize by cAMP or progesterone, were treated with IL11, activin A or IL11 plus activin A combined and decidual progress was examined using prolactin as a decidual marker. Treatment with combined IL11 plus activin A enhanced progesterone-induced decidualization above control or treatment with IL11 or activin A alone. Treatment had no effect on cAMP-decidualized HESC. Investigation of IL11 and activin A stimulation of (respectively) activin A and IL11 expression in undifferentiated HESC was by real-time PCR and ELISA. Activin A treatment induced IL11 secretion and phosphorylation of the activin A signalling component, SMAD2 (measured by ELISA). Inclusion of the TGFbeta 1 receptor inhibitor, SB431542, in the activin A treatment, reduced pSMAD2 and IL11 secretion. This study suggests that activin A is an early inducer of decidualization, regulating the secretion of IL11. This data provides insight into the processes underlying decidualization, which are important for understanding implantation and placentation and have potential clinical applications for the regulation of fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Menkhorst
- Prince Henry's Institute of Medical Research, PO Box 5152, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia
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16
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Inhibin/activin-betaC and -betaE subunits in the Ishikawa human endometrial adenocarcinoma cell line. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2009; 282:185-91. [DOI: 10.1007/s00404-009-1310-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2009] [Accepted: 11/23/2009] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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17
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Zhang B, Zhou Z, Lin H, Lv X, Fu J, Lin P, Zhu C, Wang H. Protein phosphatase 1A (PPM1A) is involved in human cytotrophoblast cell invasion and migration. Histochem Cell Biol 2009; 132:169-79. [PMID: 19404668 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-009-0601-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/13/2009] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Trophoblast invasion is crucial for embryo implantation and placentation. Excessive trophoblast invasion leads to hydatidiform moles and choriocarcinoma. PPM1A is a phosphatase which dephosphorylates and inactivates a broad range of substrates, including TGF-beta, MAP kinases, p38 and JNK kinase cascades, and is involved in tumor suppression. The objective of this study was to investigate the expression of PPM1A in normal and malignant human placenta and its role in trophoblast invasion, which shares many similarities with invasion of tumor cells. By Western blotting and immunocytochemistry, significantly higher expression of PPM1A in human placental villi at term was found as compared with that during the first trimester. Furthermore, the expression level of PPM1A protein in hydatidiform moles was lower compared with that during normal pregnancy. We further investigated the function of PPM1A in extravillous trophoblast cell line HTR8/SVneo. Transwell migration and Matrigel invasion assays demonstrated that PPM1A siRNA significantly promoted the motility and invasiveness of the cells. Gelatin zymography showed that knockdown of PPM1A with siRNA elevated the expression of pro-matrix metalloproteinase pro-(MMP)-9, but down-regulated tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2. The present data indicate that PPM1A plays a critical role in the regulation of normal placentation by inhibiting trophoblast migration and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Datun Road, Chaoyang District, 100101, Beijing, China
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Torres PB, Florio P, Galleri L, Reis FM, Borges LE, Petraglia F. Activin A, Activin Receptor Type II, Nodal, and Cripto mRNA Are Expressed by Eutopic and Ectopic Endometrium in Women With Ovarian Endometriosis. Reprod Sci 2009; 16:727-33. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719109334967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Paulo B. Torres
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Pasquale Florio
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy,
| | - Letizia Galleri
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Fernando M. Reis
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Lavinia E. Borges
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
| | - Felice Petraglia
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, Section of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Siena, Siena, Italy
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Roten LT, Johnson MP, Forsmo S, Fitzpatrick E, Dyer TD, Brennecke SP, Blangero J, Moses EK, Austgulen R. Association between the candidate susceptibility gene ACVR2A on chromosome 2q22 and pre-eclampsia in a large Norwegian population-based study (the HUNT study). Eur J Hum Genet 2008; 17:250-7. [PMID: 18781190 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2008.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide scans in Icelandic, Australian/New Zealand and Finnish pedigrees have provided evidence for maternal susceptibility loci for pre-eclampsia on chromosome 2, although at different positions (Iceland: 2p13 and 2q23, Australia/New Zealand: 2p11-12 and 2q22, Finland: 2p25). In this project, a large population-based (n=65 000) nested case-control study was performed in Norway to further explore the association between positional candidate genes on chromosome 2q and pre-eclampsia, using single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). DNA samples from 1139 cases (women with one or more pre-eclamptic pregnancies) and 2269 controls (women with normal pregnancies) were genotyped using the Applied Biosystems SNPlex high-throughput genotyping assay. In total, 71 SNPs within positional candidate genes at 2q22-23 locus on chromosome 2 were genotyped in each individual. Genotype data were statistically analysed with the sequential oligogenic linkage analysis routines (SOLAR) computer package. Nominal evidence of association was found for six SNPs (rs1014064, rs17742134, rs1424941, rs2161983, rs3768687 and rs3764955) within the activin receptor type 2 gene (ACVR2A) (all P-values <0.05). The non-independence of statistical tests due to linkage disequilibrium between SNPs at a false discovery rate of 5% identifies our four best SNPs (rs1424941, rs1014064, rs2161983 and rs3768687) to remain statistically significant. The fact that populations with different ancestors (Iceland/Norway-Australia/New Zealand) demonstrate a common maternal pre-eclampsia susceptibility locus on chromosome 2q22-23, may suggest a general role of this locus, and possibly the ACVR2A gene, in pre-eclampsia pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda T Roten
- Department of Cancer Research and Molecular Medicine, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway.
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20
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Activin βA subunit, follistatin and follistatin-like 3 are expressed in the endometrium of ovariectomized rats and regulated by estrogen replacement. J Mol Histol 2008; 39:535-41. [DOI: 10.1007/s10735-008-9194-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2008] [Accepted: 08/26/2008] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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21
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Horne AW, van den Driesche S, King AE, Burgess S, Myers M, Ludlow H, Lourenco P, Ghazal P, Williams AR, Critchley HOD, Duncan WC. Endometrial inhibin/activin beta-B subunit expression is related to decidualization and is reduced in tubal ectopic pregnancy. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2008; 93:2375-82. [PMID: 18381568 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2008-0136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Ectopic pregnancy is common but remains difficult to diagnose accurately. There is no serum test to differentiate ectopic from intrauterine gestation. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to investigate differential gene expression in decidualized endometrium of ectopic pregnancy. DESIGN Tissue and serum analysis informed by microarray study was performed. SETTING The study was performed at a large United Kingdom teaching hospital. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS Women undergoing surgical termination of pregnancy (n = 8), evacuation of uterus for miscarriage (n = 6), and surgery for tubal ectopic pregnancy (n = 11) were included in the study. Endometrium was collected from normally cycling women undergoing hysterectomy. INTERVENTIONS Decidualized endometrium was subjected to microarray analysis, morphological assessment, and immunohistochemistry. Endometrial stromal fibroblasts were cultured in the presence of decidualizing stimuli. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Differential expression of potentially secreted molecules was calculated. RESULTS Inhibin/activin beta-B expression was lower in decidualized endometrium from ectopic pregnancies when compared with that of ongoing pregnancies (P < 0.01) or miscarriages (P < 0.01). The localization of the beta-B subunit was more marked in decidualized than nondecidualized stroma. Decidualization of stromal fibroblasts in vitro was associated with increased beta-B expression (P < 0.05). Endometrial stroma of ectopic pregnancies was less decidualized morphologically (P < 0.05), with lower prolactin (P < 0.01) and IGF binding protein-1 (P < 0.005) expression. Serum activin B was lower in ectopic pregnancies (P < 0.005) than in intrauterine pregnancies, whereas there was no difference in progesterone concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Despite similar concentrations of progesterone, the endometrium of ectopic pregnancies is less decidualized than intrauterine pregnancies. Expression of the beta-B subunit is related to decidualization and can be detected in the circulation as activin B. Serum activin B concentrations are lower in ectopic pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- A W Horne
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Edinburgh, Simpson Centre for Reproductive Health, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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Prakash A, Tuckerman E, Laird S, Ola B, Li TC, Ledger WL. A preliminary study comparing the endometrial expression of inhibin, activin and follistatin in women with a history of implantation failure after IVF treatment and a control group. BJOG 2008; 115:532-6; discussion 536-7. [PMID: 18271891 DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2007.01624.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of activin: beta A and beta B subunit and follistatin in endometrium of women with implantation failure (n = 10) and compare it with a fertile control group (n = 7). Immunohistochemical staining intensity for follistatin in the endometrial glandular epithelium from women with implantation failure were significantly lower than that in control women (P = 0.03). The decreased expression of follistatin in epithelial cells in the endometrium of women with implantation failure after in vitro fertilisation (IVF) may suggest that follistatin may play a role in the implantation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Prakash
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
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