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Lepedda AJ, De Muro P, Capobianco G, Formato M. Role of the small proteoglycan bikunin in human reproduction. Hormones (Athens) 2020; 19:123-133. [PMID: 31728877 DOI: 10.1007/s42000-019-00149-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Female reproductive events, including ovulation, menstruation, implantation, and delivery, are physiologically characterized by deep tissue remodeling and display hallmark signs of inflammation. This review discusses the pleiotropic roles played by bikunin in human reproduction. METHODS A comprehensive literature search of the Medline/PubMed database was performed on the following topics: bikunin structure, roles in pathophysiological conditions and involvement in human reproduction, and usefulness as a marker of gestational complications or as a drug to improve pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS Bikunin is a small chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan found in blood, urine, and amniotic and cerebrospinal fluids, known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-proteolytic activities. Its levels are usually low, but they can increase several-fold in both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Bikunin plays key roles in reproductive events, such as cumulus-oocyte complex formation, pregnancy, and delivery. Its levels have been associated with the most common pregnancy complications such as preterm delivery, pre-eclampsia, and gestational diabetes mellitus. Finally, its intravaginal administration has been reported to reduce the risk of preterm delivery and to improve neonatal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS Because of its pleiotropic roles in several reproductive events and its association with some life-threatening pathological conditions of pregnancy, bikunin may represent a non-invasive marker for improving follow-up and early diagnosis. Studies showing its usefulness as a drug for reducing the risk of preterm delivery and improving neonatal outcomes have yielded interesting results that deserve to be investigated through further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Junior Lepedda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Pierina De Muro
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giampiero Capobianco
- Gynecologic and Obstetric Clinic, Department of Medical, Surgical and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 12, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Marilena Formato
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
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Kanayama S, Yamada Y, Onogi A, Shigetomi H, Ueda S, Tsuji Y, Haruta S, Kawaguchi R, Yoshida S, Sakata M, Sado T, Kitanaka T, Oi H, Yagyu T, Kobayashi H. Molecular structure and function analysis of bikunin on down-regulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha expression in activated neutrophils. Cytokine 2008; 42:191-197. [PMID: 18226914 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2007.12.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2007] [Revised: 07/19/2007] [Accepted: 12/20/2007] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We performed a detailed molecular analysis of bikunin-mediated anti-inflammation (suppressive effect of cytokine release, MAP kinase activation, and nuclear translocation of NF-kB) using a truncated form of bikunin. MATERIALS AND METHODS We obtained bikunin derivatives that contained O-glycoside-linked N-terminal glycopeptide (Bik-m1), N-glycoside-linked C-terminal tandem Kunitz domains (Bik-m2), bikunin lacking O-glycoside (Bik-c), asialo bikunin (Bik-a), bikunin lacking N-glycoside (Bik-n), and purified C-terminal Kunitz domain II (kII) of bikunin (HI-8). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and Western blot were carried out to measure secreted TNF-alpha and MAP kinase activation. RESULTS We examined the TNF-alpha secretion in control and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated neutrophils and did not see any changes of its protein levels in the cells pretreated with Bik-m1, Bik-m2, Bik-c, or HI-8. In all of the derivatives tested, only the derivatives that lacked N-glycoside side chain showed a significant suppression of TNF-alpha secretion by LPS. Only a small (21 amino acids) deletion of the N-terminal portion of bikunin (which corresponds to Bik-m2) abolished its suppressing activity of TNF-alpha secretion, thus suggesting that the N-terminal 21 amino acids play a critical role in anti-inflammation. Bik-m1 alone failed to show anti-inflammatory response. Bikunin failed to inhibit ionomycin-induced phosphorylation of MAP kinases. CONCLUSION These data allow us to conclude that the cytokine expression was inhibited only by the O-glycoside-linked core protein without the N-glycoside side chain. Our results also suggest a possible role of bikunin for receptor-dependent MAP kinase activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seiji Kanayama
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Akira Onogi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shigetomi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Sachiyo Ueda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Yoriko Tsuji
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Shoji Haruta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Ryuji Kawaguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Shozo Yoshida
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Mariko Sakata
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Sado
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Takashi Kitanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Hidekazu Oi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Yagyu
- NetForce Co., Ltd., Nakamura, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, 840 Shijo-cho, Nara, Kashihara 634-8522, Japan.
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