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Zhu L, Yao X, Mo Y, Chen MW, Li SC, Liu JQ, Liu HY. miR-4433a-3p promotes granulosa cell apoptosis by targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha and inducing immune cell infiltration in polycystic ovarian syndrome. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:1447-1459. [PMID: 37204637 PMCID: PMC10310670 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02815-x] [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: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Granulosa cell (GC) proliferation and apoptosis are critical events of the ovum energy supply, which lead to follicular growth retardation or atresia, and various ovulatory obstacles, eventually resulting in the development of ovarian disorders such as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Apoptosis and dysregulated miRNA expression in GCs are manifestations of PCOS. miR-4433a-3p has been reported to be involved in apoptosis. However, there is no study reporting the roles of miR-4433a-3p in GC apoptosis and PCOS progression. METHODS miR-4433a-3p and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR-α) levels in GCs of PCOS patients or in tissues of a PCOS rat model were examined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Bioinformatics analyses and luciferase assays were used to examine the association between miR-4433a-3p and PPAR-α, as well as PPAR-α and immune cell infiltration, in PCOS patients. RESULTS miR-4433a-3p expression in GCs of PCOS patients was increased. miR-4433a-3p overexpression inhibited the growth of the human granulosa-like tumor cell line (KGN) and promoted apoptosis, while co-treatment with PPAR-α and miR-4433a-3p mimic rescued miR-4433a-3p-induced apoptosis. PPAR-α was a direct target of miR-4433a-3p and its expression was decreased in PCOS patients. PPAR-α expression was also positively correlated with the infiltration of activated CD4+ T cells, eosinophils, B cells, gamma delta T cells, macrophages, and mast cells, but negatively correlated with the infiltration of activated CD8+ T cells, CD56+ bright natural killer cells, immature dendritic cells, monocytes, plasmacytoid dendritic cells, neutrophils, and type 1 T helper cells in PCOS patients. CONCLUSION The miR-4433a-3p/PPAR-α/immune cell infiltration axis may function as a novel cascade to alter GC apoptosis in PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xi Yao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ying Mo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ming-Wei Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Si-Chen Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian-Qiao Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Hai-Ying Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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Ruan LY, Lai ZZ, Shi JW, Yang HL, Ye JF, Xie F, Qiu XM, Zhu XY, Li MQ. Excess Heme Promotes the Migration and Infiltration of Macrophages in Endometrial Hyperplasia Complicated with Abnormal Uterine Bleeding. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12060849. [PMID: 35740976 PMCID: PMC9221196 DOI: 10.3390/biom12060849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
In patients, endometrial hyperplasia (EH) is often accompanied by abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB), which is prone to release large amounts of heme. However, the role of excess heme in the migration and infiltration of immune cells in EH complicated by AUB remains unknown. In this study, 45 patients with AUB were divided into three groups: a proliferative phase group (n = 15), a secretory phase group (n = 15) and EH (n = 15). We observed that immune cell subpopulations were significantly different among the three groups, as demonstrated by flow cytometry analysis. Of note, there was a higher infiltration of total immune cells and macrophages in the endometrium of patients with EH. Heme up-regulated the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) in vitro, as well as chemokine (e.g., CCL2, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL8) levels. Additionally, stimulation with heme led to the increased recruitment of THP-1 cells in an indirect EEC-THP-1 co-culture unit. These data suggest that sustained and excessive heme in patients with AUB may recruit macrophages by increasing the levels of several chemokines, contributing to the accumulation and infiltration of macrophages in the endometrium of EH patients, and the key molecules of heme metabolism, HO-1 and Nrf2, are also involved in this regulatory process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu-Yu Ruan
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China;
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China; (Z.-Z.L.); (J.-W.S.); (H.-L.Y.)
| | - Zhen-Zhen Lai
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China; (Z.-Z.L.); (J.-W.S.); (H.-L.Y.)
| | - Jia-Wei Shi
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China; (Z.-Z.L.); (J.-W.S.); (H.-L.Y.)
| | - Hui-Li Yang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China; (Z.-Z.L.); (J.-W.S.); (H.-L.Y.)
| | - Jiang-Feng Ye
- Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore 138632, Singapore;
| | - Feng Xie
- Medical Center of Diagnosis and Treatment for Cervical and Intrauterine Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
- Correspondence: (F.X.); (X.-M.Q.); (X.-Y.Z.); (M.-Q.L.)
| | - Xue-Min Qiu
- Clinical Research Center, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
- Correspondence: (F.X.); (X.-M.Q.); (X.-Y.Z.); (M.-Q.L.)
| | - Xiao-Yong Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
- Correspondence: (F.X.); (X.-M.Q.); (X.-Y.Z.); (M.-Q.L.)
| | - Ming-Qing Li
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China;
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, China; (Z.-Z.L.); (J.-W.S.); (H.-L.Y.)
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai 200011, China
- Correspondence: (F.X.); (X.-M.Q.); (X.-Y.Z.); (M.-Q.L.)
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Bertolo PHL, Moutinho da Conceição MEBA, Emboaba da Costa RRM, Jacintho APP, Cipriano RS, Moreira PRR, Ferreira MA, Machado GF, de Oliveira Vasconcelos R. Influence of serum progesterone levels on the inflammatory response of female dogs with visceral leishmaniosis. Vet Parasitol 2022; 302:109658. [PMID: 35042095 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2022.109658] [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: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 11/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the histopathological changes to the mammary gland that occur in female dogs with visceral leishmaniosis and to correlate the findings with the parasite load, inflammatory cell profile in mammary tissue and serum progesterone levels. For this, 20 adult female dogs that were naturally infected with Leishmania infantum, not spayed, not pregnant and free from mammary tumors were used. They were divided into two groups: G1 (n = 9) with high serum progesterone levels and G2 (n = 11) with low serum progesterone levels. The parasite load and the immunophenotype of leukocytes infiltrated into the mammary tissue (CD3, CD4, CD8 and MCA874) were evaluated using the immunohistochemical technique. In the mammary gland, chronic inflammatory infiltrate was mainly found in G1, sometimes associated with granulomatous inflammation, higher parasite load and higher density of cells immunolabeled for CD3, CD4, CD8 and MCA874. A significant positive correlation (p < 0.05) was observed between the parasite load and the immunolabeled leukocytes. The influence of the serum progesterone level in the mammary gland of infected female dogs can contribute to the maintenance of an immunosuppressive cell profile and favor the persistence of the parasite in this site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulo Henrique Leal Bertolo
- School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Ana Paula Prudente Jacintho
- School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | | | | | - Maricy Apparício Ferreira
- School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Gisele Fabrino Machado
- School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil
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Utero-Placental Immune Milieu during Normal and Aglepristone-Induced Parturition in the Dog. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11123598. [PMID: 34944375 PMCID: PMC8697996 DOI: 10.3390/ani11123598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2021] [Revised: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The tolerance of the maternal immune system towards the embryo is essential for the success of pregnancy in all mammals. The uterine immunological milieu is modulated in a species-dependent manner, and pro-inflammatory responses are observed in the uterus during parturition in several species. An analogous situation was suggested for the dog. Nevertheless, details regarding immune signaling in the canine utero-placental compartments remain veiled. The present investigation of gene expression and immunolocalization of several immune-related factors revealed moderate utero-placental activity during mid-pregnancy (maintenance period). However, several immune factors were upregulated during parturition, suggesting an increased incidence of cells involved in tissue remodeling and/or immune regulation. The involvement of progesterone in these mechanisms was further assessed by using samples from mid-pregnant dogs treated with the progesterone receptor blocker, aglepristone. Similarities were observed in the expression pattern of several immune factors between natural and induced parturition, supporting the involvement of progesterone signaling in the modulation of the uterine immune milieu. This study provides the basis for further investigations regarding the immune regulation of parturition in the dog. Furthermore, differences observed between natural and induced parturition could be related to different placental maturation and/or functional characteristics of aglepristone, and might be of clinical relevance. Abstract Maternal immunotolerance is required for the maintenance of pregnancy, in sharp contrast with the uterine pro-inflammatory activity observed during parturition in several species. Correspondingly, in the dog, increased immune signaling at term has been suggested, but a deeper understanding of the uterine immune milieu is still missing. Thus, the availability of 30 immune-related factors was assessed in utero-placental samples collected during post-implantation (days 18–25 of pregnancy) and mid-gestation (days 35–40) stages, and at the time of prepartum luteolysis. Gene expression and/or protein localization studies were employed. Samples collected from antigestagen (aglepristone)-treated dogs were further analyzed. Progression of pregnancy was associated with the downregulation of IL1β and upregulation of IL10 (p < 0.05) at mid-gestation. When compared with mid-gestation, a higher availability of several factors was observed at term (e.g., CD206, CD4, TLR4). However, in contrast with natural parturition, MHCII, CD25, CCR7, TNFα, IDO1 and AIF1 were upregulated after aglepristone treatment (p < 0.05), but not TNFR1 or CCL13 (p > 0.05). Altogether, these results show an increased immune activity during canine parturition, involving, i.a., M2 macrophages, Treg and Th cells, with strong support for progesterone-mediated immunomodulation. Furthermore, differences between term and induced parturition/abortion could relate to differences in placental maturation towards parturition and/or functional traits of antigestagens.
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Tavares Pereira M, Nowaczyk R, Payan-Carreira R, Miranda S, Aslan S, Kaya D, Kowalewski MP. Selected Uterine Immune Events Associated With the Establishment of Pregnancy in the Dog. Front Vet Sci 2021; 7:625921. [PMID: 33634180 PMCID: PMC7900146 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.625921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 12/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the dog, implantation takes place at approximately 17 days of embryonal life and, while exposed to relatively high circulating progesterone concentrations, embryos presence is required for the formation of decidua. Furthermore, a balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in conceptus-maternal communication is crucial for the onset of pregnancy. Strikingly, the understanding of such immune mechanisms in canine reproduction is still elusive. Here, canine uterine samples from pre-implantation (day 10-12, E+) and corresponding non-pregnant controls (E-), implantation (day 17, Imp) and post-implantation (day 18-25, Post-Imp) stages of pregnancy were used to investigate the expression and localization of several immune-related factors. The most important findings indicate increased availability of CD4, MHCII, NCR1, IDO1, AIF1, CD25, CCR7, and IL6 in response to embryo presence (E+), while FoxP3 and CCL3 were more abundant in E- samples. Implantation was characterized by upregulated levels of FoxP3, IL12a, ENG, and CDH1, whereas CD4, CCR7, IL8, and -10 were less represented. Following implantation, decreased transcript levels of TNFR1, MHCII, NCR1, TLR4, CD206, FoxP3, and IL12a were observed concomitantly with the highest expression of IL6 and IL1β. MHCII, CD86, CD206, CD163, TNFα, IDO1, and AIF1 were immunolocalized in macrophages, CD4 and Nkp46 in lymphocytes, and some signals of IDO1, AIF1, and TNF-receptors could also be identified in endothelial cells and/or uterine glands. Cumulatively, new insights regarding uterine immunity in the peri-implantation period are provided, with apparent moderated pro-inflammatory signals prevailing during pre-implantation, while implantation and early trophoblast invasion appear to be associated with immunomodulatory and rather anti-inflammatory conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Tavares Pereira
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Renata Nowaczyk
- Division of Histology and Embryology, Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Rita Payan-Carreira
- Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment (MED) and Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Évora, Évora, Portugal
| | - Sonia Miranda
- Animal and Veterinary Research Center (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Selim Aslan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Duygu Kaya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafkas University, Kars, Turkey
| | - Mariusz P Kowalewski
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich (UZH), Zurich, Switzerland
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Magro AG, Assis VP, Silva LC, Tafuri WL, Silva SO, Melo MN, Valle GR. Leishmania infantum is present in vaginal secretions of naturally infected bitches at lower levels in oestrogenized bitches than in non-oestrogenized bitches. Acta Parasitol 2017; 62:625-629. [PMID: 28682760 DOI: 10.1515/ap-2017-0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Naturally Leishmania infantum infected bitches were divided into oestrogenized (n = 11) and non-oestrogenized (n = 6) groups. Vaginal secretions were collected for polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and vulval, vaginal and uterine tissues were collected for the immunohistochemical (IHQ) identification of L. infantum. Parasite DNA was identified in vaginal secretions of non-oestrogenized (41.8%) and oestrogenized (18.2%) bitches (P<0.05; Fisher's Exact test). IHQ was positive in vulvar dermis (23.5%) and vaginal mucosa (17.7%) but negative in endometrium of all bitches. Poor association between positive vaginal secretion PCR and tissue IHQ (Kappa index) were observed. The results showed that genital secretions are a potential source for dog contamination.
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