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Zeng Y, Wang C, Yang C, Shan X, Meng XQ, Zhang M. Unveiling the role of chronic inflammation in ovarian aging: insights into mechanisms and clinical implications. Hum Reprod 2024:deae132. [PMID: 38906835 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae132] [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: 11/26/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Ovarian aging, a natural process in women and various other female mammals as they age, is characterized by a decline in ovarian function and fertility due to a reduction in oocyte reserve and quality. This phenomenon is believed to result from a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors. While these factors collectively contribute to the shaping of ovarian aging, the substantial impact and intricate interplay of chronic inflammation in this process have been somewhat overlooked in discussions. Chronic inflammation, a prolonged and sustained inflammatory response persisting over an extended period, can exert detrimental effects on tissues and organs. This review delves into the novel hallmark of aging-chronic inflammation-to further emphasize the primary characteristics of ovarian aging. It endeavors to explore not only the clinical symptoms but also the underlying mechanisms associated with this complex process. By shining a spotlight on chronic inflammation, the aim is to broaden our understanding of the multifaceted aspects of ovarian aging and its potential clinical implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yutian Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Chengdu, China
| | - Chun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Chengdu, China
| | - Cuiting Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Chengdu, China
| | - Xudong Shan
- Genital Medicine Center, The Third People's Hospital of Cheng, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiang-Qian Meng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Jinxin Xinan Woman & Children Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu Campus, Chengdu, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-Omics, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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Huang J, Fang Z, Wu X, Xia L, Liu Y, Wang J, Su Y, Xu D, Zhang K, Xie Q, Chen J, Liu P, Wu Q, Tan J, Kuang H, Tian L. Transcriptomic responses of cumulus granulosa cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection during controlled ovarian stimulation. Apoptosis 2024; 29:649-662. [PMID: 38409352 DOI: 10.1007/s10495-024-01942-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Cumulus granulosa cells (CGCs) play a crucial role in follicular development, but so far, no research has explored the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on ovarian function from the perspective of CGCs. In the present study, we compared the cycle outcomes between infected and uninfected female patients undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation, performed bulk RNA-sequencing of collected CGCs, and used bioinformatic methods to explore transcriptomic changes. The results showed that women with SARS-CoV-2 infection during stimulation had significantly lower number of oocytes retrieved and follicle-oocyte index, while subsequent fertilization and embryo development were similar. CGCs were not directly infected by SARS-CoV-2, but exhibited dramatic differences in gene expression (156 up-regulated and 65 down-regulated). Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses demonstrated a high enrichment in antiviral, immune and inflammatory responses with necroptosis. In addition, the pathways related to telomere organization and double strand break repair were significantly affected by infection in gene set enrichment analysis. Further weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified a key module associated with ovarian response traits, which was mainly enriched as a decrease of leukocyte chemotaxis and migration in CGCs. For the first time, our study describes how SARS-CoV-2 infection indirectly affects CGCs at the transcriptional level, which may impair oocyte-CGC crosstalk and consequently lead to poor ovarian response during fertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialyu Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Zheng Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tangdu Hospital, Air Force Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Xingwu Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Leizhen Xia
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Yuxin Liu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, School of Queen Mary, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
| | - Yufang Su
- Department of Oncology, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Dingfei Xu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Qiqi Xie
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Jia Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Peipei Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Qiongfang Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China
| | - Jun Tan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China.
| | - Haibin Kuang
- Department of Physiology, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Nanchang University, 461 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, China.
| | - Lifeng Tian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Jiangxi Branch of National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang Medical College, 318 Bayi Avenue, Nanchang, 330006, China.
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Nguyen T, Kuhn K, Bolt M, Duffy K, Bradford AP, Santoro N. Analysis of Inflammatory Markers in Response to Induction of Reprometabolic Syndrome by a Eucaloric High Fat Diet in Normal Weight Women. Reprod Sci 2024:10.1007/s43032-024-01586-9. [PMID: 38710978 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01586-9] [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: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is associated with chronic low-level inflammation and is known to contribute to metabolic dysfunction and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, which we have previously termed the 'Reprometabolic Syndrome.' To investigate potential factors involved in obesity-related reproductive endocrine dysfunction, we conducted a secondary analysis of inflammatory markers in a sample of normal weight women exposed to a one-month eucaloric high-fat diet (HFD), which, as reported earlier, induced the relative hypogonadotropic hypogonadism characteristic of Reprometabolic Syndrome. Eighteen healthy women with a BMI between 18.0-24.9 kg/m2 and regular menstrual cycles participated in the study. Frequent blood sampling was performed during the early follicular phase before and after the one-month eucaloric HFD intervention (48% of calories from fat). Serum samples pooled from each participant were analyzed using immunoassay to measure levels of 30 cytokines, interleukins, and chemokines. Differences between pre- and post-HFD intervention measures were examined by one-sample t-tests. Exposure to the eucaloric HFD did not result in changes in body weight. HFD-induction of Reprometabolic Syndrome in normal weight women was associated with a significant elevation only in the anti- inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (p = 0.04). Eotaxin, IL-6 and MIP-1β also increased in response to the HFD, but not statistically significantly (p = 0.07). Results suggest that the increase in multiple inflammatory markers, typically associated with obesity, are not primary mediators of the relative hypogonadotropic hypogonadism of Reprometabolic Syndrome. Clinical Trials Registration Number: NCT02653092; Date of Registration: January 6, 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thy Nguyen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Katherine Kuhn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Matthew Bolt
- Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Katelyn Duffy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
| | - Andrew P Bradford
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA.
| | - Nanette Santoro
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, 80045, USA
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Cai L, Jeong YW, Hwang WS, Hyun SH. Optimization of human recombinant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor supplementation during in vitro production of porcine embryos to improve the efficiency of resource utilization of poor-quality cumulus-oocyte complexes. Theriogenology 2024; 216:93-102. [PMID: 38159389 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.12.017] [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: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a pleiotropic cytokine, is secreted by the reproductive tract. Furthermore, our previous study indicated that human recombinant G-CSF (hrG-CSF) supplementation during porcine oocyte in vitro maturation (IVM) or during embryo in vitro culture (IVC) improved their quality and development potential when using cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) with more than three cumulus cell layers (CCL >3). Thus, in this study, we investigate the optimal conditions of hrG-CSF supplementation throughout the in vitro production (IVP: IVM + IVC) system to improve the embryo production efficiency of "poor-quality (CCL ≤3)" oocytes. COCs were classified into two groups according to the number of CCL (>3 and ≤3) and embryonic viability was analyzed after treatment with hrG-CSF during IVC. The mRNA transcription levels of G-CSF in COCs were compared based on their type and the period of IVM. Finally, developmental capacity and quality were evaluated after treatment with hrG-CSF for different periods of IVP. No marked effects on the developmental potential of embryos when using CCL ≤3 type COCs were observed after supplementing hrG-CSF only during IVC. Moreover, the mRNA transcription level of G-CSF increased gradually with IVM culture time and was higher in CCL ≤3 COCs than in >3. Supplementing hrG-CSF only during the IVM period resulted in the best embryo developmental potential, while supplementing hrG-CSF during the IVP period resulted in the best quality embryos, reflected in the increased total cell number and decreased apoptotic nuclei index of blastocysts. These findings indicate that "poor-quality" COCs may have a greater demand for G-CSF than "good-quality", meanwhile hrG-CSF supplementation throughout IVP improves resource utilization efficiency in poor-quality COCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lian Cai
- UAE Biotech Research Center, Al Wathba, 30310, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea; School of Veterinary Biosecurity and Protection, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Yeon-Woo Jeong
- UAE Biotech Research Center, Al Wathba, 30310, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Woo-Suk Hwang
- UAE Biotech Research Center, Al Wathba, 30310, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; Department of Biology, North-Eastern Federal University, Yakutsk, 67707, Sakha Republic, Russia.
| | - Sang-Hwan Hyun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea; School of Veterinary Biosecurity and Protection, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea.
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Tang Z, Gaskins AJ, Hood RB, Ford JB, Hauser R, Smith AK, Everson TM. Former smoking associated with epigenetic modifications in human granulosa cells among women undergoing assisted reproduction. Sci Rep 2024; 14:5009. [PMID: 38424222 PMCID: PMC10904848 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54957-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Smoking exposure during adulthood can disrupt oocyte development in women, contributing to infertility and possibly adverse birth outcomes. Some of these effects may be reflected in epigenome profiles in granulosa cells (GCs) in human follicular fluid. We compared the epigenetic modifications throughout the genome in GCs from women who were former (N = 15) versus never smokers (N = 44) undergoing assisted reproductive technologies (ART). This study included 59 women undergoing ART. Smoking history including time since quitting was determined by questionnaire. GCs were collected during oocyte retrieval and DNA methylation (DNAm) levels were profiled using the Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip. We performed an epigenome-wide association study with robust linear models, regressing DNAm level at individual loci on smoking status, adjusting for age, ovarian stimulation protocol, and three surrogate variables. We performed differentially methylated regions (DMRs) analysis and over-representation analysis of the identified CpGs and corresponding gene set. 81 CpGs were differentially methylated among former smokers compared to never smokers (FDR < 0.05). We identified 2 significant DMRs (KCNQ1 and RHBDD2). The former smoking-associated genes were enriched in oxytocin signaling, adrenergic signaling in cardiomyocytes, platelet activation, axon guidance, and chemokine signaling pathway. These epigenetic variations have been associated with inflammatory responses, reproductive outcomes, cancer development, neurodevelopmental disorder, and cardiometabolic health. Secondarily, we examined the relationships between time since quitting and DNAm at significant CpGs. We observed three CpGs in negative associations with the length of quitting smoking (p < 0.05), which were cg04254052 (KCNIP1), cg22875371 (OGDHL), and cg27289628 (LOC148145), while one in positive association, which was cg13487862 (PLXNB1). As a pilot study, we demonstrated epigenetic modifications associated with former smoking in GCs. The study is informative to potential biological pathways underlying the documented association between smoking and female infertility and biomarker discovery for smoking-associated reproductive outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ziyin Tang
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Audrey J Gaskins
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Robert B Hood
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jennifer B Ford
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Russ Hauser
- Department of Environmental Health, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Alicia K Smith
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Todd M Everson
- Gangarosa Department of Environmental Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
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Brown W, Oliveira M, Reis Silva R, Woodruff K, Bisha B, Demetrio D, Block J. Effects of mycobacterium cell wall fraction on embryo development following in vitro embryo production and pregnancy rates following embryo transfer in virgin dairy heifers. Theriogenology 2024; 215:334-342. [PMID: 38134681 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.12.019] [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: 08/10/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
An experiment was conducted to determine whether administration of mycobacterium cell wall fraction (MCWF; Amplimune, NovaVive) could enhance embryo developmental competence following in vitro embryo production (IVP) and pregnancy establishment after embryo transfer (ET). Nulliparous, Holstein heifers (n = 40; age 8-15 months) were submitted to two rounds of ovum pick-up (OPU) and IVP in a crossover design. Thirty-six h after follicle wave synchronization, treatments (saline or MCWF, 5 mL, im) were administered in conjunction with a single dose of follicle stimulating hormone (175 IU) and OPU was performed 48-52 h later. Recovered cumulus-oocyte complexes were used for IVP to assess embryo development. For ET, nulliparous, Holstein heifers (n = 225; age 12-18 months) were used as recipients. At 12-24 h after detection of spontaneous estrus, recipients were randomly treated with either saline or MCWF (5 mL, im). The effect of MCWF on pregnancy per ET (P/ET) was assessed in a 2 × 2 factorial design with recipients treated with or without MCWF receiving a fresh IVP embryo from a donor treated with or without MCWF at day 7 or 8 after detected estrus. Blood samples were collected from a subset of donors (n = 8) and recipients (n = 26 to 33 per treatment) prior to treatment and at 6 and 24 h post-treatment to determine serum concentration of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and interferon-γ. Blood samples were also collected from a group of recipients (n = 31 to 39 per treatment) to assess serum concentration of progesterone at days 4, 7, and 16 post-treatment. Pregnancy status was determined at days 40 and 100 of gestation. Donor treatment with MCWF tended (P < 0.07) to increase the proportion of oocytes that developed into transferable embryos, but there was no effect of MCWF on other parameters of embryo development. The P/ET at days 40 and 100 of gestation and pregnancy loss were not affected by donor treatment or recipient treatment with MCWF and there was no interaction. Serum concentration of proinflammatory cytokines among donors and recipients and serum concentration of progesterone among recipients were not increased by treatment with MCWF. Results of the present study indicate that treatment of donors with MCWF has minimal impact on subsequent embryo development following IVP. Moreover, regardless of whether donors or recipients were treated with MCWF, there was no effect on P/ET following transfer of IVP embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Brown
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | | | - R Reis Silva
- EVZ, Federal University of Goias, Goiania, GO, Brazil
| | - K Woodruff
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - B Bisha
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | | | - J Block
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.
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Shang J, Wang S, Wang A, Li F, Zhang J, Wang J, Lv R, Chen H, Mu X, Zhang K, Bai X, Tian Y. Intra-ovarian inflammatory states and their associations with embryo quality in normal-BMI PCOS patients undergoing IVF treatment. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:11. [PMID: 38212789 PMCID: PMC10782707 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-023-01183-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the main cause of anovulatory infertility in women of reproductive age, and low-grade chronic inflammation plays a key role in the occurrence and development of PCOS. However, obesity, as a likely confounding factor, can affect the inflammatory state of PCOS patients. OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to comprehensively investigate intra-ovarian inflammatory states and their impact on embryo quality in PCOS patients with a normal BMI undergoing IVF treatment. METHODS DIA-mass spectrometry-based proteomics and bioinformatic analysis were combined to comprehensively profile the protein expression of granulosa cells (GCs) from 5 normal-BMI PCOS patients and 5 controls. Thirty-four cytokines were further systematically detected in follicular fluid (FF) from 32 age- and BMI-matched normal-BMI patients using Luminex liquid chip suspension technology. Next, the differentially expressed cytokines were evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in 24 newly recruited subjects, and the relationship between these cytokines and embryo quality in PCOS patients was analysed. Finally, these cytokine levels were compared and evaluated in PCOS patients with different androgen levels. RESULTS Proteomic analysis showed that the suppression of substance metabolism and steroid biosynthesis, more interestingly, resulted in an enhanced immune and inflammatory response in the GCs of normal-BMI PCOS patients and prompted the involvement of cytokines in this process. Luminex analysis further showed that FF macrophage inflammatory protein-1 beta (MIP-1β) and stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1α) levels were significantly increased in normal-BMI PCOS patients compared to controls (P = 0.005; P = 0.035, respectively), and the ELISA results were consistent with these findings. Besides, FF MIP-1β showed an inverse correlation with the number of D3 good-quality embryos and the good-quality blastocyst rate in patients with PCOS (P = 0.006; P = 0.003, respectively), which remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Moreover, SDF-1α levels had no relationship with embryo development in PCOS patients. Additionally, SDF-1α levels were significantly lower in PCOS patients with high androgen levels than in controls (P = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS Local ovarian inflammation was present in normal-BMI PCOS patients, affecting follicular development, and FF MIP-1β may be a potential biomarker associated with embryo quality in normal-BMI PCOS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Shang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No.154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Siyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Aiyuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Fang Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No.154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No.154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jin Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No.154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Rui Lv
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No.154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Haixia Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No.154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohuan Mu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No.154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Immune Microenvironment and Disease (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, The Province and Ministry Co-sponsored Collaborative Innovation Center for Medical Epigenetics, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiaohong Bai
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No.154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
| | - Ye Tian
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, No.154, Anshan Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300052, China.
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Health and Eugenics, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China.
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Sarvari A, Niasari-Naslaji A, Shirazi A, Heidari B, Boroujeni SB, Moradi MH, Naderi MM, Behzadi B, Mehrazar MM, Dehghan MM. Effect of Intra-ovarian Injection of Mesenchymal Stem Cells or its Conditioned Media on Repeated OPU-IVEP Outcomes in Jersey Heifers and Its Relationship with Follicular Fluid Inflammatory Markers. Avicenna J Med Biotechnol 2024; 16:16-28. [PMID: 38605741 PMCID: PMC11005394 DOI: 10.18502/ajmb.v16i1.14167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Repeated Ovum Pick Up (OPU) could have a detrimental effect on ovarian function, reducing In Vitro Embryo Production (IVEP). The present study examined the therapeutic effect of adipose-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) or its Conditioned Medium (ConM) on ovarian trauma following repeated OPU. Resolvin E1 (RvE1) and Interleukin-12 (IL-12) were investigated as biomarkers. Methods Jersey heifers (n=8) experienced 11 OPU sessions including 5 pre-treatment and 6 treatment sessions. Heifers received intra-ovarian administration of MSCs or ConM (right ovary) and Dulbecco's Modified Phosphate Buffer Saline (DMPBS; left ovary) after OPU in sessions 5 and 8 and 2 weeks after session 11. The concentrations of RvE1 and IL-12 in follicular fluid was evaluated on sessions 1, 5, 6, 9, and 4 weeks after session 11. Following each OPU session, the IVEP parameters were recorded. Results Intra-ovarian administration of MSCs, ConM, and DMPBS did not affect IVEP parameters (p>0.05). The concentration of IL-12 in follicular fluid increased at the last session of pre-treatment (Session 5; p<0.05) and remained elevated throughout the treatment period. There was no correlation between IL-12 and IVEP parameters (p>0.05). However, RvE1 remained relatively high during the pre-treatment and decreased toward the end of treatment period (p<0.05). This in turn was associated with decline in some IVEP parameters (p<0.05). Conclusion Intra-ovarian administration of MSCs or ConM during repeated OPU did not enhance IVEP outcomes in Bos taurus heifers. The positive association between RvE1 and some of IVEP parameters could nominate RvE1 as a promising biomarker to predict IVEP parameters following repeated OPU.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Sarvari
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Niasari-Naslaji
- Department of Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abolfazl Shirazi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Banafsheh Heidari
- Department of Photo Healing and Regeneration, Medical Laser Research Center, Yara Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Borjian Boroujeni
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Moradi
- Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Arak University, Arak, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Mahdi Naderi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Bahareh Behzadi
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad-Mahdi Mehrazar
- Reproductive Biotechnology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mehdi Dehghan
- Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Wang Y, Du YY, Yao W, Deng TR, Guo N, Yin L, Yuan XQ, Guo QC, Li J, Liao HM, Qin DY, Li YF. Associations between phthalate metabolites and cytokines in the follicular fluid of women undergoing in vitro fertilization. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 267:115616. [PMID: 37871386 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115616] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have showed that phthalates have reproductive and embryonic toxicity, while the potential mechanisms are mostly unknown. Inflammation may play a mediating part in phthalate exposure and adverse reproductive endpoints. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate the associations of phthalate metabolites with inflammatory cytokines in the follicular fluid (FF) of women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). We determined the levels of eight phthalate metabolites and five cytokines in the FF of 76 women, including interleukin (IL)- 6, IL-8, IL-10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). The associations of individual phthalate exposure with cytokines in FF samples were explored by multiple linear regression. We further evaluated the combined effects of multiple phthalate exposures on FF levels of cytokines by using Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models. We found that there was a positive relationship between mono-ethyl phthalate (MEP) and IL-6 in the FF (percent change:12.4%; 95% CI: 1.3%, 24.9%). In contrast, elevated mono-benzyl phthalate (MBzP), mono(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP) and %MEHP levels were associated with decreased MCP-1. In the BKMR models, phthalate metabolite mixtures were positively associated with TNF-α when the mixtures were lower than 65th percentile compared with their medians. In the stratified analyses, MEHP was inversely associated with MCP-1 among women with BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2 (test for interaction <0.05). Our results suggest that certain phthalate metabolites or their mixtures may alter levels of inflammatory cytokines in the FF, and further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the relationship between phthalates exposure, ovarian dysfunction and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yao-Yao Du
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wen Yao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Tao-Ran Deng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Na Guo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Li Yin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Xiao-Qiong Yuan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qing-Chun Guo
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Juan Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hong-Mei Liao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Dan-Yu Qin
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Yu-Feng Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China.
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10
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Chen Y, Miao C, Zhao Y, Yang L, Wang R, Shen D, Ren N, Zhang Q. Inflammasomes in human reproductive diseases. Mol Hum Reprod 2023; 29:gaad035. [PMID: 37788097 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammasomes are multi-protein complexes localized within immune and non-immune cells that induce caspase activation, proinflammatory cytokine secretion, and ultimately pyroptosis-a type of cell death. Inflammasomes are involved in a variety of human diseases, especially acute or chronic inflammatory diseases. In this review, we focused on the strong correlation between the NLRP3 inflammasome and various reproductive diseases, including ovarian aging or premature ovarian insufficiency, PCOS, endometriosis, recurrent spontaneous abortion, preterm labor, pre-eclampsia, and male subfertility, as well as the multifaceted role of NLRP3 in the pathogenesis and treatment of these diseases. In addition, we provide an overview of the structure and amplification of inflammasomes. This comprehensive review demonstrates the vital role of NLRP3 inflammasome activation in human reproductive diseases together with the underlying mechanisms, offers new insights for mechanistic studies of reproduction, and provides promising possibilities for the development of drugs targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome for the treatment of reproductive disorders in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yun Chen
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Chenyun Miao
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ying Zhao
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Liuqing Yang
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ruye Wang
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dan Shen
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Ning Ren
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Qin Zhang
- Department of TCM Gynecology, Hangzhou TCM Hospital affiliated to Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, Hangzhou, China
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11
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Fesahat F, Firouzabadi AM, Zare-Zardini H, Imani M. Roles of Different β-Defensins in the Human Reproductive System: A Review Study. Am J Mens Health 2023; 17:15579883231182673. [PMID: 37381627 PMCID: PMC10334010 DOI: 10.1177/15579883231182673] [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: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Human β-defensins (hBDs) are cationic peptides with an amphipathic spatial shape and a high cysteine content. The members of this peptide family have been found in the human body with various functions, including the human reproductive system. Of among β-defensins in the human body, β-defensin 1, β-defensin 2, and β-defensin 126 are known in the human reproductive system. Human β-defensin 1 interacts with chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6) in the male reproductive system to prevent bacterial infections. This peptide has a positive function in antitumor immunity by recruiting dendritic cells and memory T cells in prostate cancer. It is necessary for fertilization via facilitating capacitation and acrosome reaction in the female reproductive system. Human β-defensin 2 is another peptide with antibacterial action which can minimize infection in different parts of the female reproductive system such as the vagina by interacting with CCR6. Human β-defensin 2 could play a role in preventing cervical cancer via interactions with dendritic cells. Human β-defensin 126 is required for sperm motility and protecting the sperm against immune system factors. This study attempted to review the updated knowledge about the roles of β-defensin 1, β-defensin 2, and β-defensin 126 in both the male and female reproductive systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farzaneh Fesahat
- Reproductive Immunology Research
Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Amir Masoud Firouzabadi
- Reproductive Immunology Research
Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Hadi Zare-Zardini
- Hematology and Oncology Research
Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Maryam Imani
- Reproductive Immunology Research
Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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12
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Banerjee S, Mishra S, Xu W, Thompson WE, Chowdhury I. Neuregulin-1 signaling regulates cytokines and chemokines expression and secretion in granulosa cell. J Ovarian Res 2022; 15:86. [PMID: 35883098 PMCID: PMC9316729 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-022-01021-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Granulosa cells (GCs) are multilayered somatic cells within the follicle that provide physical support and microenvironment for the developing oocyte. In recent years, the role of Neuregulin-1 (NRG1), a member of the EGF-like factor family, has received considerable attention due to its neurodevelopmental and cardiac function. However, the exact physiological role of NRG1 in GC is mainly unknown. In order to confirm that NRG1 plays a regulatory role in rat GC functions, endogenous NRG1-knockdown studies were carried out in GCs using RNA interference methodology. RESULTS Knockdown of NRG1 in GCs resulted in the enhanced expression and secretion of the cytokines and chemokines. In addition, the phosphorylation of PI3K/Akt/ERK1/2 was significantly low in GCs under these experimental conditions. Moreover, in vitro experimental studies suggest that tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα) treatment causes the physical destruction of GCs by activating caspase-3/7 activity. In contrast, exogenous NRG1 co-treatment of GCs delayed the onset of TNFα-induced apoptosis and inhibited the activation of caspase-3/7 activity. Furthermore, current experimental studies suggest that gonadotropins promote differential expression of NRG1 and ErbB3 receptors in GCs of the antral follicle. Interestingly, NRG1 and ErbB3 were intensely co-localized in the mural and cumulus GCs and cumulus-oocyte complex of pre-ovulatory follicles in the estrus stage. CONCLUSIONS The present studies suggest that gonadotropins-dependent NRG1-signaling in GCs may require the balance of the cytokines and chemokines expression and secretion, ultimately which may be supporting the follicular maturation and oocyte competence for ovulation and preventing follicular atresia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saswati Banerjee
- Department of Physiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Sameer Mishra
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive Southwest, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Physiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Winston E Thompson
- Department of Physiology, Morehouse School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Indrajit Chowdhury
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Morehouse School of Medicine, 720 Westview Drive Southwest, Atlanta, GA, 30310, USA.
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13
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Jenabi M, Khodarahmi P, Tafvizi F, Bostanabad SZ. Evaluation of expression CXCL8 chemokine and its relationship with oocyte maturation and embryo quality in the intracytoplasmic sperm injection method. Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:8413-8427. [PMID: 35781602 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-022-07660-2] [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: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study aimed to evaluate the expression of the chemokine CXCL8 in both mRNA and protein levels in the serum, follicular fluid (FF), and cumulus cells (CCs) and its relationship with oocyte maturation and embryo quality in women undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). METHODS A total of 87 women who underwent an ICSI cycle were evaluated in two groups, including the case group (female factor infertility) and the control group (fertile). In the serum, FF, and CCs, the protein and mRNA expression of CXCL8 were measured using immunosorbent assay and Real-Time PCR, respectively. The quality and quantity of the oocytes and embryos were assessed, and the relationship of protein and mRNA CXCL8 was evaluated with oocyte maturation and embryo quality. RESULTS The level of protein and mRNA of CXCL8 was significantly higher in the serum, FF, and CCs in the case group than in the control group. In the case group, the expression of mRNA and protein of CXCL8 had a significant increase in FF and CCs compared to serum; also, there was a CXCL8 protein significant increase in FF compared to CCs. The count of oocytes obtained, MII oocytes and the percentage of oocyte maturity significantly decreased in the case group. The expression of CXCL8 was inversely related to oocyte maturation, but no relationship was observed with embryo quality. CONCLUSIONS The elevated concentrations of CXCL8 in the serum and FF seem to be a predictor as a potential non-invasive biomarker for the oocyte maturation outcome in women with different causes of female factor infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Jenabi
- Department of Biology, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran
| | - Parvin Khodarahmi
- Department of Biology, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran.
| | - Farzaneh Tafvizi
- Department of Biology, Parand Branch, Islamic Azad University, Parand, Iran
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14
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Da Luz CM, Da Broi MG, Koopman LDO, Plaça JR, da Silva-Jr WA, Ferriani RA, Meola J, Navarro PA. Transcriptomic analysis of cumulus cells shows altered pathways in patients with minimal and mild endometriosis. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5775. [PMID: 35388025 PMCID: PMC8986826 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09386-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disorder that is highly associated with infertility. This association seems to be related to oocyte impairment, mainly in the initial stages of endometriosis (minimal and mild), where no distortions or adhesions are present. Nonetheless, invasive oocyte analyses are not routinely feasible; thus, indirect assessment of oocyte quality is highly desirable, and, in this context, cumulus cells (CCs) may be more suitable targets of analysis. CCs are crucial in oocyte development and could be used as an index of oocyte quality. Therefore, this prospective case–control study aimed to shed light on the infertility mechanisms of endometriosis I/II by analyzing the CCs’ mRNA transcription profile (women with endometriosis I/II, n = 9) compared to controls (women with tubal abnormalities or male factor, n = 9). The transcriptomic analyses of CCs from patients with minimal and mild endometriosis revealed 26 differentially expressed genes compared to the controls. The enrichment analysis evidenced some altered molecular processes: Cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, Chemokine signaling, TNF signaling, NOD-like receptor signaling, NF-kappa B signaling, and inflammatory response. With the exception of CXCL12, all enriched genes were downregulated in CCs from patients with endometriosis. These findings provide a significant achievement in the field of reproductive biology, directing future studies to discover biomarkers of oocyte quality in endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Mantovani Da Luz
- Division of Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 3900 Bandeirantes Avenue, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil. .,National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, CNPq, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-003, Brazil.
| | - Michele Gomes Da Broi
- Division of Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 3900 Bandeirantes Avenue, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.,National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, CNPq, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Larissa de Oliveira Koopman
- Division of Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 3900 Bandeirantes Avenue, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.,National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, CNPq, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Jessica Rodrigues Plaça
- Center for Integrative Systems Biology - CISBi, NAP/USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Wilson Araújo da Silva-Jr
- Center for Integrative Systems Biology - CISBi, NAP/USP, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.,Department of Genetics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil
| | - Rui Alberto Ferriani
- Division of Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 3900 Bandeirantes Avenue, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.,National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, CNPq, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Juliana Meola
- Division of Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 3900 Bandeirantes Avenue, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.,National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, CNPq, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-003, Brazil
| | - Paula Andrea Navarro
- Division of Human Reproduction, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, 3900 Bandeirantes Avenue, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14049-900, Brazil.,National Institute of Hormones and Women's Health, CNPq, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande Do Sul, 90035-003, Brazil
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15
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SERPINA5 Protein in Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes Increases the Fertilisation Ability of Mouse Sperm. Reprod Sci 2022; 29:2350-2362. [PMID: 35194761 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00867-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Obtaining high-quality sperm is key to improving the success rate of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Although cytokines secreted by cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) bind to sperm surface receptors to improve sperm quality, the effects of adding mouse COCs to human tubal fluid (HTF) medium on sperm capacitation have not yet been explored. Eight-week-old ICR mouse COCs were added to HTF medium and crushed to obtain the post-modified HTF medium. Compared with using HTF medium, the fertilisation rate and number of sperm combined with the zona pellucida significantly increased after in vitro capacitation using the post-modified HTF medium (P < 0.01). Proteomic and Western blotting analyses showed that the level of SERPINA5 in sperm increased significantly following in vitro capacitation with the post-modified HTF medium (P < 0.05). Immunohistochemical staining analysis demonstrated that SERPINA5 protein was expressed in mouse cumulus cells. A SERPINA5 antibody was added in the post-modified HTF medium to block the effects of SERPINA5 after in vitro capacitation, which significantly decreased the fertilisation rate and the number of sperm combined with the zona pellucida (P < 0.05). Recombinant mouse SERPINA5 protein (1 ~ 2 μg/ml) was added to HTF medium and the fertilisation rate and the number of sperm combined with the zona pellucida significantly increased (P < 0.01). Moreover, recombinant human SERPINA5 protein (5 μg/ml) was added before human semen freezing. Compared with adding no SERPINA5 protein, the percentage of normal sperm morphology and the intact acrosome significantly increased (P < 0.05). Our study provides a reference method for optimising sperm quality in the process of in vitro capacitation.
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16
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Majeed HH, Mukheef MA, Jabbar HS. Comparing the ICSI outcome between different causes of subfertility and estimate the role of IL-1β in predicting ICSI outcome. THE JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INVESTIGATION 2022; 69:180-184. [DOI: 10.2152/jmi.69.180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hind Hadi Majeed
- Assistant lecturer at Jabir ibn hayyan medical university/ college of medicine/ department of human anatomy, Najaf, Iraq
| | - Maher Abbood Mukheef
- University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa/ College of Medicine/ Department of biochemistry, Kerbala, Iraq
| | - Hiba Sattar Jabbar
- Assistant lecturer at Al-Muthanna University/ college of medicine/ department of human anatomy, Al-Muthanna, Iraq
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17
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Adamczak R, Ukleja-Sokołowska N, Lis K, Bartuzi Z, Dubiel M. Progesterone-induced blocking factor 1 and cytokine profile of follicular fluid of infertile women qualified to in vitro fertilization: The influence on fetus development and pregnancy outcome. Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol 2022; 36:3946320221111134. [PMID: 35861194 PMCID: PMC9310294 DOI: 10.1177/03946320221111134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction: Progesterone is essential for both the initiation and the maintenance of pregnancy. The immunological effects of progesterone are mediated by the progesterone-induced blocking factor (PIBF), which is an immunomodulatory factor with anti-abortive properties. The aim of the research was to establish the cytokine profile and PIBF1 concentration in follicular fluid (FF) of patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Methods: Seventy-eight patients who qualified for IVF underwent a detailed medical interview, including the course of fertility treatment and physical, gynecological, and cytological examinations. The concentration of PIBF1, IL-18, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-5, IL-8, and IL-15 in FF during ovarian puncture was measured using commercially available ELISA kits. Results: IL-1 beta concentration was lower in the FF of patients with successful IVF. IL-8 concentration in FF correlated with the number of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC-1), metaphase II (MII), and top-quality embryos. PIBF1 concentration had a positive correlation with the number of MII and top-quality embryos. IL-2 and IL-6 concentrations were positively correlated with the number of COC-1 and MII. An important parameter in assessing the chances of successful IVF is the number of top-quality embryos achieved. Conclusion: Higher PIBF1 concentration in FF may indicate a greater possibility of successful IVF due to the higher number of top-quality embryos. IL-1 beta concentration was found to be lower in the FF of patients with successful IVF. Therefore, PIBF1 and IL-1 beta in FF could be candidates for a marker of successful IVF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Adamczak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Natalia Ukleja-Sokołowska
- Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Kinga Lis
- Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Zbigniew Bartuzi
- Department of Allergology, Clinical Immunology and Internal Medicine, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Mariusz Dubiel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
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18
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Lim ZW, Wang ID, Wang P, Chung CH, Huang SS, Huang CC, Tsai PY, Wu GJ, Wu KH, Chien WC. Obstructive sleep apnea increases risk of female infertility: A 14-year nationwide population-based study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0260842. [PMID: 34910749 PMCID: PMC8673645 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0260842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives To determine the risk of having OSA in a cohort of female subjects who are infertile and the odds of being infertile in women with OSA. Patients and methods A nationwide, case-control study of female patients 20 years or older diagnosed with female infertility living in Taiwan, from January 1, 2000, through December 31, 2013 (N = 4,078). We identified women who were infertile and created a 2:1 matched control group with women who were not infertile. We used multivariable logistic regression analysis to further estimate the effects of OSA on female infertility. Results In this 14- year retrospective study, we included 4,078 patients having an initial diagnosis of female infertility. Of those women with infertility, 1.38% had a history of OSA compared with 0.63% of fertile controls (p = 0.002). The mean ages in the study groups were 32.19 ± 6.20 years, whereas the mean ages in the control groups were 32.24 ± 6.37years. Women with OSA had 2.101- times the risk of female infertility compared to women without OSA (p<0.001). Conclusion Our study showed that OSA is more commonly seen in infertile women and increases the odds that a woman will be infertile. More studies need to be done on the whether or not diagnosing and treating OSA can decrease the rate of infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhu Wei Lim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhua Christian Hospital, Changhua, Taiwan
| | - I-Duo Wang
- Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Panchalli Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi City, Taiwan
| | - Chi-Hsiang Chung
- Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Song-Shan Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chiayi Christian Hospital, Chiayi City, Taiwan
| | - Chien-Chu Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institution of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Pei-Yi Tsai
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Gwo-Jang Wu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (GJW); (KHW); (WCC)
| | - Kuo-Hsiang Wu
- Department of Nursing, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (GJW); (KHW); (WCC)
| | - Wu-Chien Chien
- Department of Medical Research, Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
- School of Public Health, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail: (GJW); (KHW); (WCC)
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Huang N, Liu D, Lian Y, Chi H, Qiao J. Immunological Microenvironment Alterations in Follicles of Patients With Autoimmune Thyroiditis. Front Immunol 2021; 12:770852. [PMID: 34868029 PMCID: PMC8635509 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.770852] [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: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune thyroiditis (AIT) is the most prevalent autoimmune endocrine disease, with a higher incidence in women than in men. Immunological abnormalities may lead to the impairment of ovarian folliculogenesis; however, whether the presence of AIT affects immunological microenvironment in follicles remains controversial. We performed a cross-sectional study including 122 patients, aged 20–40 years, who underwent IVF/ICSI treatment owing to isolated male or tube factor infertility. Patients were divided into AIT and control groups according to clinical presentation, thyroid function, and thyroid autoantibody measurements. Follicular fluid was collected and the distribution of cytokines/chemokines in follicular fluid was measured by flow cytometry using multiplex bead assays between the two groups. Based on differences in levels of intrafollicular chemokines and cytokines between the AIT and control groups, the relevant inflammatory cascade was further demonstrated. Among the 12 chemokines analyzed, three (CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL11) showed significantly elevated levels in the follicular fluid of patients with AIT. Among the 11 cytokines detected, compared with those in the control group, significantly higher levels of IFNγ were observed in patients with AIT. IFNγ dose-dependently stimulated the expression and secretion of CXCL9/10/11 in cultured primary granulosa cells. The percentage of CXCR3+ T lymphocytes was significantly elevated in the follicular microenvironment of patients with AIT. We concluded that the IFNγ-CXCL9/10/11-CXCR3+ T lymphocyte inflammatory cascade is activated in the follicular microenvironment of patients with AIT. These findings indicate that a considerable immune imbalance occurred in the follicular microenvironment of patients with AIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Huang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dandan Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Lian
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongbin Chi
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction (Peking University), Ministry of Education, Beijing, China.,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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20
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Function of Follicular Cytokines: Roles Played during Maturation, Development and Implantation of Embryo. MEDICINA (KAUNAS, LITHUANIA) 2021; 57:medicina57111251. [PMID: 34833469 PMCID: PMC8625323 DOI: 10.3390/medicina57111251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
A balance within the immune system is necessary for the proper development of ovarian follicles. Numerous cytokines were detected in follicular fluid, the role of which in reproductive physiology seems crucial. They influence the development and maturation of the follicle, ovulation, and corpus luteum formation, as well as embryo implantation and maintenance of pregnancy. The analysis of follicular fluid requires its collection by puncturing of the ovary, which is usually executed in connection with various gynaecological procedures. When interpreting such test results, clinical indications for a given procedure and the method of patient preparation should be taken into account. This review revealed the results of currently available studies on the concentration of pro-inflammatory cytokines in follicular fluid in various forms of infertility. Additionally, it presented cytokines, whose concentration has a significant impact on the size of ovarian follicles, their number, the effectiveness of in vitro fertilisation, development of the embryo, and chances of correct implantation. Despite the many recent publications, the knowledge of follicular fluid immunology in the context of reproductive pathology is superficial and further research is required to extensively understand the roles of individual cytokines in reproductive pathology. In the future, this knowledge may enable patients’ individual qualifications to individual methods of infertility treatment, as well as the possible adjustment of the treatment regimen to the patient’s immune profile.
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21
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Cela V, Malacarne E, Obino MER, Marzi I, Papini F, Vergine F, Pisacreta E, Zappelli E, Pietrobono D, Scarfò G, Daniele S, Franzoni F, Martini C, Artini PG. Exploring Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition Signals in Endometriosis Diagnosis and In Vitro Fertilization Outcomes. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9111681. [PMID: 34829910 PMCID: PMC8615497 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9111681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis (EMS) pathogenesis has been related to the release of inflammatory mediators in peritoneal fluid, creating an altered microenvironment that leads to low-grade oocyte/embryos and to the reduction of implantation rates. The Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), an inflammation-related process, can be a further contributing factor to EMS. This study aimed to investigate, among various cytokines and EMT markers (Cadherins, TGF-β, HIF-1α), diagnostic markers of EMS and prognostic factors of in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes. Herein, EMS patients manifested higher serum levels of the inflammatory molecules IL-6, IL-8, and IL-12 and a decrease in the concentrations of the anti-inflammatory IL-10. Moreover, biochemical markers associated with the EMT process were more elevated in serum and follicular fluid (FF) of EMS patients than in controls. At the end, the number of good-quality embryos was inversely related to serum IL-6 and EMT markers. Interestingly, serum IL-6 and FF IL-10 concentrations differentiated EMS patients from controls. Finally, serum IL-8 and E-Cadherin levels, as well as FF IL-10, predicted positive IVF outcome with great accuracy. Our data confirm the pivotal role of inflammatory mediators (i.e., IL-6 and IL-10) in EMS pathogenesis and suggest that EMT-related markers are elevated in EMS patients and can be predictive of IVF outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vito Cela
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.C.); (E.M.); (M.E.R.O.); (I.M.); (F.P.); (F.V.); (E.P.)
| | - Elisa Malacarne
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.C.); (E.M.); (M.E.R.O.); (I.M.); (F.P.); (F.V.); (E.P.)
| | - Maria Elena Rosa Obino
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.C.); (E.M.); (M.E.R.O.); (I.M.); (F.P.); (F.V.); (E.P.)
| | - Ilaria Marzi
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.C.); (E.M.); (M.E.R.O.); (I.M.); (F.P.); (F.V.); (E.P.)
| | - Francesca Papini
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.C.); (E.M.); (M.E.R.O.); (I.M.); (F.P.); (F.V.); (E.P.)
| | - Francesca Vergine
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.C.); (E.M.); (M.E.R.O.); (I.M.); (F.P.); (F.V.); (E.P.)
| | - Elena Pisacreta
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.C.); (E.M.); (M.E.R.O.); (I.M.); (F.P.); (F.V.); (E.P.)
| | - Elisa Zappelli
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.Z.); (D.P.); (S.D.); (C.M.)
| | - Deborah Pietrobono
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.Z.); (D.P.); (S.D.); (C.M.)
| | - Giorgia Scarfò
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Simona Daniele
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.Z.); (D.P.); (S.D.); (C.M.)
| | - Ferdinando Franzoni
- Division of General Medicine, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (G.S.); (F.F.)
| | - Claudia Martini
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (E.Z.); (D.P.); (S.D.); (C.M.)
| | - Paolo Giovanni Artini
- Division of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Pisa, 56126 Pisa, Italy; (V.C.); (E.M.); (M.E.R.O.); (I.M.); (F.P.); (F.V.); (E.P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-050-554-104
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22
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McIntosh SZ, Quinn KE, Ashley RL. CXCL12 May Drive Inflammatory Potential in the Ovine Corpus Luteum During Implantation. Reprod Sci 2021; 29:122-132. [PMID: 34755321 PMCID: PMC8677687 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00791-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Adequate corpus luteum (CL) function is paramount to successful pregnancy. Structural and functional CL integrity is controlled by diverse cell types that contribute and respond to the local cytokine milieu. The chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and receptor, CXCR4, are modulators of inflammation and cell survival, but little is understood about CXCL12-CXCR4 axis and CL functional regulation. Corpora lutea from control nonpregnant ewes (n = 5; day 10 estrous cycle (D10C)) and pregnant ewes (n = 5/day) on days 20 (D20P) and 30 (D30P) post-breeding were analyzed for gene and protein expression of CXCL12, CXCR4, and select inflammatory cytokines. In separate cell culture studies, cytokine production was evaluated following CXCL12 treatment. Abundance of CXCL12 and CXCR4 increased (P < 0.05) in pregnant ewes compared to nonpregnant ewes, as determined by a combination of quantitative PCR, immunoblot, and immunofluorescence microscopy. CXCR4 was detected in steroidogenic and nonsteroidogenic cells in ovine CL, and select pro-inflammatory mediators were greater in CL from pregnant ewes. In vitro studies revealed greater abundance of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) following CXCL12 administration (P = 0.05), while P4 levels in cell media were unchanged. Fully functional CL of pregnant ewes is characterized by increased abundance of inflammatory cytokines which may function in a luteotropic manner. We report concurrent increases in CXCL12, CXCR4, and select inflammatory mediators in ovine CL as early pregnancy progresses. We propose CXCL12 stimulates production of select cytokines, rather than P4 in the CL to assist in CL establishment and survival.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacia Z McIntosh
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, MSC 3-I, PO Box 30003, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA
| | - Kelsey E Quinn
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, MSC 3-I, PO Box 30003, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA.,Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Ryan L Ashley
- Department of Animal and Range Sciences, New Mexico State University, MSC 3-I, PO Box 30003, Las Cruces, NM, 88003, USA.
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23
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Wyse BA, Fuchs Weizman N, Defer M, Montbriand J, Szaraz P, Librach C. The follicular fluid adipocytokine milieu could serve as a prediction tool for fertility treatment outcomes. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 43:738-746. [PMID: 34474976 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Can the adipocytokine milieu of the follicular niche improve the ability to predict treatment outcomes in infertile patients? DESIGN Follicular fluid samples from overweight patients were analysed and compared with samples from matched normal-weight patients. Concentrations of adiponectin, chemerin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-18, insulin, leptin, prolactin, resistin, tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and bone morphogenetic protein-15 (BMP-15) were assessed by multiple magnetic bead immunoassay (MMBI) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and correlated with fertility treatment outcomes. RESULTS Analysis of samples from 22 overweight and 22 normal-weight patients demonstrated that TNF-α can predict oocyte maturation rate. When stratified by body mass index (BMI), IL-10 emerges as a better predictor of oocyte maturation in normal-weight patients. Prolactin was a negative predictor for fertilization rate in the full cohort, and this prediction power was lost upon stratification. No adipocytokines were predictive of blastulation rate, and only age remained predictive. BMP-15 was a strong predictor of high-quality blastulation in the full cohort, more so in the normal-weight population. CONCLUSIONS The adipocytokine milieu of the follicular fluid provides a snapshot of the growing oocyte's environment and can help predict fertility treatment outcomes, fine-tuning understanding of the dysregulation caused by increasing BMI. Inflammatory cytokines can predict oocyte maturation; prolactin, oocyte competence; and BMP-15, high-quality blastulation. Further analysis of these findings with a larger sample size and assessing individual oocytes will help shed more light on the clinical significance of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Janice Montbriand
- Department of Anaesthesia, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto Ontario, Canada
| | - Peter Szaraz
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto Ontario, Canada
| | - Clifford Librach
- CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario, Canada; Department of Physiology and Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario, Canada
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24
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Expression Profile of New Gene Markers and Signaling Pathways Involved in Immunological Processes in Human Cumulus-Oophorus Cells. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12091369. [PMID: 34573352 PMCID: PMC8472231 DOI: 10.3390/genes12091369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
The function of the immune system extends from defense against external pathogens to the recognition and elimination of mutated or dying cells, aiding elimination of malignant potential and/or maintaining homeostasis. The many cell types of the immune system secrete a broad range of factors to enable cellular signaling that is vital to physiological processes. Additionally, in the ovary, follicular selection and maturation, as well as ovulation, are directly regulated by the nearby immune cells. Additionally, ovulation and rupture of the follicle have been observed to resemble a local inflammatory response. Cells of the cumulus–oocyte complex (COC) show evolving gene expression profiles throughout the oocytes’ lifespan, including genes associated with immunological processes. Analysis of these genes allows the identification of useful molecular markers, as well as highlighting gene functions and interactions in these cells. Cumulus cells were obtained from hormonally stimulated patients undergoing an in vitro fertilization procedure and studied under long-term culture conditions. The microarray technique made it possible to compare the level of CCs’ gene expression on the 1st, 7th, 15th and 30th day of cultivation. Additionally, RNA microarray analysis was performed to map gene expression in these cells, associated with immunological processes and associated cytokine signaling. Subsequently, the use of DAVID software allowed us to identify the “defense response to other organism”, “defense response”, “defense response to virus”, “cytokine secretion”, “cytokine production” and “cytokine-mediated signaling pathway” GO BP terms, as well as allowing further analysis of the most differentially expressed genes associated with these processes. Of the 122 genes involved, 121 were upregulated and only one was downregulated. The seven most upregulated genes related to the abovementioned terms were ANXA3, IFIT1, HLA-DPA1, MX1, KRT8, HLA-DRA and KRT18. Therefore, genes involved in immunological defense processes are upregulated in CC cultures and could serve as useful molecular markers of growth and development in the COC, as well as the proliferation of granulosa and cumulus cells.
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25
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MERTK-Mediated LC3-Associated Phagocytosis (LAP) of Apoptotic Substrates in Blood-Separated Tissues: Retina, Testis, Ovarian Follicles. Cells 2021; 10:cells10061443. [PMID: 34207717 PMCID: PMC8229618 DOI: 10.3390/cells10061443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2021] [Revised: 06/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Timely and efficient elimination of apoptotic substrates, continuously produced during one’s lifespan, is a vital need for all tissues of the body. This task is achieved by cells endowed with phagocytic activity. In blood-separated tissues such as the retina, the testis and the ovaries, the resident cells of epithelial origin as retinal pigmented epithelial cells (RPE), testis Sertoli cells and ovarian granulosa cells (GC) provide phagocytic cleaning of apoptotic cells and cell membranes. Disruption of this process leads to functional ablation as blindness in the retina and compromised fertility in males and females. To ensure the efficient elimination of apoptotic substrates, RPE, Sertoli cells and GC combine various mechanisms allowing maintenance of tissue homeostasis and avoiding acute inflammation, tissue disorganization and functional ablation. In tight cooperation with other phagocytosis receptors, MERTK—a member of the TAM family of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK)—plays a pivotal role in apoptotic substrate cleaning from the retina, the testis and the ovaries through unconventional autophagy-assisted phagocytosis process LAP (LC3-associated phagocytosis). In this review, we focus on the interplay between TAM RTKs, autophagy-related proteins, LAP, and Toll-like receptors (TLR), as well as the regulatory mechanisms allowing these components to sustain tissue homeostasis and prevent functional ablation of the retina, the testis and the ovaries.
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26
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Tannous A, Bradford AP, Kuhn K, Fought A, Schauer I, Santoro N. A randomised trial examining inflammatory signaling in acutely induced hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia in normal weight women-the reprometabolic syndrome. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247638. [PMID: 33764994 PMCID: PMC7993783 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247638] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Context Obesity, is a state of chronic inflammation, characterized by elevated lipids, insulin resistance and relative hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. We have defined the accompanying decreased Luteinizing Hormone (LH), Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH), ovarian steroids and reduced pituitary response to Gonadotropin-releasing Hormone (GnRH) as Reprometabolic syndrome, a phenotype that can be induced in healthy normal weight women (NWW) by acute infusion of free fatty acids and insulin. Objective To identify potential mediators of insulin and lipid-related reproductive endocrine dysfunction. Design, setting, participants Secondary analysis of crossover study of eumenorrheic reproductive aged women of normal Body Mass Index (BMI) (<25 kg/m2) at an academic medical center. Intervention Participants underwent 6-hour infusions of either saline/heparin or insulin plus fatty acids (Intralipid plus heparin), in the early follicular phase of sequential menstrual cycles, in random order. Euglycemia was maintained by glucose infusion. Frequent blood samples were obtained. Main outcome measures Pooled serum from each woman was analyzed for cytokines, interleukins, chemokines, adipokines, Fibroblast Growth Factor-21 (FGF-21) and markers of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress (CHOP and GRP78). Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to compare results across experimental conditions. Results Except for Macrophage Inflammatory Protein-1β (MIP-1β), no significant differences were observed in serum levels of any of the inflammatory signaling or ER stress markers tested. Conclusion Acute infusion of lipid and insulin, to mimic the metabolic syndrome of obesity, was not associated with an increase in inflammatory markers. These results imply that the endocrine disruption and adverse reproductive outcomes of obesity are not a consequence of the ambient inflammatory environment but may be mediated by direct lipotoxic effects on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Tannous
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Endocrinology Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Andrew P. Bradford
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Endocrinology Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Katherine Kuhn
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Endocrinology Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Angela Fought
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Endocrinology Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Irene Schauer
- Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
- Endocrinology Section, Rocky Mountain Regional Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Aurora, CO, United States of America
| | - Nanette Santoro
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Endocrinology Metabolism and Diabetes, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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27
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Piccinni MP, Vicenti R, Logiodice F, Fabbri R, Kullolli O, Pallecchi M, Paradisi R, Danza G, Macciocca M, Lombardelli L, Seracchioli R. Description of the Follicular Fluid Cytokine and Hormone Profiles in Human Physiological Natural Cycles. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2021; 106:e721-e738. [PMID: 33247906 PMCID: PMC7823236 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Exogenous gonadotrophins administration during in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles could significantly alter the endogenous follicular regulation system and could influence oocyte quality. The analysis of the follicular fluid (FF) cytokine and hormone profiles in physiological natural cycles is crucial to appreciate the role of FF milieu on follicle development. So far, the FF cytokine profile has been analyzed only in controlled ovarian stimulation cycles and in modified natural cycles. Our study defines, in physiological natural cycles, the cytokine and hormone profiles of individual FF aspirated from antral follicles. METHODS A total of 203 FFs obtained from 83 women with regular menstrual cycles undergoing ovarian tissue cryopreservation were analyzed: 115 FFs from Group 1 (10 to 29 years of age) and 88 FFs from Group 2 (30 to 40 years of age). In individual FF, 27 cytokines were measured with xMAP technology, and progesterone, estrone, estradiol, testosterone, androstenedione concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. RESULTS FF hormone profiles were not different in follicular and luteal phase, suggesting that FF hormones are regulated independently of the endogenous gonadotrophins-possibly because 74% of the punctured follicles, which were ≤6 mm, did not require cyclic pituitary function. The follicle size was influenced not only by the FF cytokine profile but also by the FF hormone profile, both of which are dependent on age. MAIN CONCLUSIONS In physiological natural cycles, FF hormones seems to be regulated independently of the endogenous gonadotropins. Age influences FF hormone and cytokine profiles and the compelling relationship between FF hormones and FF cytokines could influence the follicle development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Pierre Piccinni
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine- University of Florence, Italy. Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy
- Correspondence: Prof.ssa Marie-Pierre Piccinni, Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale e Clinica, Largo Brambilla 3, Firenze 50134, Italy.
| | - Rossella Vicenti
- Gynecology and Physiopathology of Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Federica Logiodice
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine- University of Florence, Italy. Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Raffaella Fabbri
- Gynecology and Physiopathology of Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Ornela Kullolli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine- University of Florence, Italy. Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Pallecchi
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio,” University of Florence, Italy
| | - Roberto Paradisi
- Gynecology and Physiopathology of Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna Danza
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences “Mario Serio,” University of Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Macciocca
- Gynecology and Physiopathology of Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Letizia Lombardelli
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine- University of Florence, Italy. Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Renato Seracchioli
- Gynecology and Physiopathology of Human Reproduction Unit, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, S. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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28
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Martazanova B, Mishieva N, Vtorushina V, Vedikhina I, Levkov L, Korneeva I, Kirillova A, Krechetova L, Abubakirov A, Sukhikh GT. Angiogenic cytokine and interleukin 8 levels in early luteal phase after triggering ovulation with gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist in high-responder patients. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 85:e13381. [PMID: 33247970 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2020] [Revised: 10/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Interleukin 8 (IL-8), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), its receptors 1 (VEGFR1) and 2 (VEGFR2) are associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the concentrations of these cytokines depending on the way of ovulation triggering. METHOD OF STUDY A total of 51 high-responder patients underwent IVF program and received gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) trigger + 1500 IU human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) support on the oocyte pick-up (OPU) day (group I), dual trigger (GnRHa + 1500 IU hCG; group II), or hCG trigger 10,000 IU (group III) for the final oocyte maturation. The concentrations of cytokines were evaluated in serum by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. RESULT(S) VEGFR2 levels were significantly lower in groups I and II than in group III in serum on the OPU (I vs. III, p = .0456; II vs. III, p = .0122) and OPU + 5 day (I vs. III, p = .0004; II vs. III, p = .0082). VEGFA levels were lower in group I than in group III (p = .0298) on the OPU day, however, were similar in all groups on the OPU + 5 day. CONCLUSION(S) A small dose of hCG elicits similar concentrations of VEGFA to a full dose of hCG; however, GnRHa triggering reduces the concentrations of VEGFR2, which could lead to the OHSS prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bella Martazanova
- FSBI National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Nona Mishieva
- FSBI National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Valentina Vtorushina
- FSBI National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Vedikhina
- FSBI National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Lev Levkov
- FSBI National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Irina Korneeva
- FSBI National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Anastasia Kirillova
- FSBI National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Lubov Krechetova
- FSBI National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Aydar Abubakirov
- FSBI National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Gennady T Sukhikh
- FSBI National Medical Research Center for Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology named after Academician V.I. Kulakov of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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Use of a vaginal probiotic suppository and antibiotics to influence the composition of the endometrial microbiota. Reprod Biol 2020; 20:307-314. [PMID: 32680750 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2020.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2020] [Revised: 06/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the status of the endometrial microbiota in patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) and to assess treatment strategies for nondominant Lactobacillus (NLD) cases. A total of 392 patients with RIF were enrolled in this prospective cohort study (UMIN-CTR 000038582) and underwent endometrial microbiota analysis. Patients diagnosed with NLD were treated with a combination of oral and vaginal probiotics or oral prebiotics and antibiotics. The outcome was evaluated through re-analysis of the endometrial microbiota following treatment, and the results are presented as cure rates. NLD represented 44.9 % of the total endometrial microbiota in patients with RIF. The most commonly detected bacterium was Gardnerella vaginalis. The cure rates in the oral probiotics + oral prebiotics, antibiotics, oral probiotics + oral prebiotics + antibiotics, vaginal probiotic suppository, and vaginal probiotic suppository + antibiotics groups were 29.5, 33.33, 33.33, 43.6, and 78.6 %, respectively. Significant improvements were noted in the vaginal probiotic suppository + antibiotics group. Moreover, we revealed that approximately half of patients with RIF had NLD. Thus, the combination of a vaginal probiotic suppository and antibiotics may represent an effective treatment for NLD cases.
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Decreased gremlin 1 expression in women with BMI ≥35 kg/m 2 is mediated by interleukin 10 and interleukin 1β in the follicular fluid. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2020; 1:16-26. [PMID: 34296200 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2020.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Objective To determine how body mass index (BMI) affects the follicular fluid cytokine milieu and investigate how this inflammatory environment impacts cumulus signaling. Design Experimental study. Setting Tertiary hospital based research laboratory. Patients Women with normal (18.5 to 24.9 kg/m2) and obese (35 to 42 kg/m2) BMI undergoing controlled ovarian stimulation for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Interventions Cumulus cell treatment with obese follicular fluid, interleukin (IL) 10, and IL-1β. Main outcome measures Follicular fluid cytokine concentrations between normal and obese women were compared using multiplex bead assay. Differential cumulus cell gene expression of GREM1, HAS2, PTGS2, and VCAN were measured using quantitative reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) while protein levels were determined by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Results Compared to women with normal BMI, women with BMI ≥35 kg/m2 undergoing ICSI had higher follicular concentrations of IL-10 (9.46 pg/mL [0.59-19.16] vs 53.39 pg/mL [14.97-236.37], p=0.004) and IL-1β (1.92 pg/mL [1.92-5.18] vs 5.18 pg/mL [1.92-16.33], p=0.017), as well as decreased relative cumulus cell expression of GREM1 (1.01 [0.66-1.40] vs 0.51 [0.38-0.74], p=0.03), a surrogate marker of positive ICSI outcomes. Furthermore, elevated IL-10 and IL-1β appear to be responsible for decreasing GREM1 expression in women with BMI ≥35 kg/m2. Conclusion Our findings suggest that follicular inflammation associated with obesity impacts cumulus cell signaling. At a molecular level, derangements to the immune system resulting in decreased GREM1 expression may be a partial explanation for the suboptimal ICSI outcomes observed with obesity.
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Heidar Z, Hamzepour N, Zadeh Modarres S, Mirzamoradi M, Aghadavod E, Pourhanifeh MH, Asemi Z. The Effects of Selenium Supplementation on Clinical Symptoms and Gene Expression Related to Inflammation and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Infertile Women Candidate for In Vitro Fertilization. Biol Trace Elem Res 2020; 193:319-325. [PMID: 30963410 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-019-01715-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 04/01/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study was performed to determine the effects of selenium supplementation on clinical symptoms and gene expression related to inflammatory markers in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) who were candidate for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Thirty-six women candidate for IVF were recruited in this randomized double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial. They (n = 18/group) were randomly assigned into intervention groups to take either 200 μg/day of selenium or placebo for 8 weeks. RT-PCR findings indicated that selenium supplementation downregulated gene expression of interleukin-1 (IL-1) (P < 0.004) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) (P = 0.02) in lymphocytes of patients with PCOS compared with the placebo. In addition, selenium supplementation upregulated gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (P = 0.001) in lymphocytes of patients with PCOS compared with the placebo. Selenium supplementation had no significant effect on clinical symptoms and gene expression of IL-8 (P = 0.10) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) (P = 0.63). Overall, our findings documented that selenium supplementation for 8 weeks to infertile women candidate for IVF improved IL-1, TNF-α, and VEGF gene expression, though selenium had no effect on clinical symptoms and, IL-8 and TGF-β gene expression. Clinical trial registration number: http://www.irct.ir: IRCT20170513033941N23.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Heidar
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Hamzepour
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrzad Zadeh Modarres
- Laser Application in Medical Science Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Mirzamoradi
- Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Esmat Aghadavod
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR, Iran
| | - Mohammad Hossein Pourhanifeh
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR, Iran
| | - Zatollah Asemi
- Research Center for Biochemistry and Nutrition in Metabolic Diseases, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, IR, Iran.
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Zhang H, Wang X, Xu J, Zhu Y, Chen X, Hu Y. IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein concentration in ovarian follicular fluid of women with unexplained infertility to PCOS during in vitro fertilization. J Reprod Immunol 2020; 138:103083. [PMID: 31991315 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2020.103083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 11/18/2019] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The correlation between the concentration of interleukin (IL) 18 in follicular fluid and the pathogenesis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is unclear. Therefore, we tested the IL-18 and IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) levels in follicular fluid (FF) and serum in PCOS women undergoing reproductive measures and to explore their possibly correlation with PCOS. Serum and pooled follicular fluid levels of IL-18, IL-18BP and IL-18/IL-18BP ratios were evaluated in sixty patients with PCOS and sixty women with unexplained infertility undergoing in vitro fertilization. The FF IL-18 levels were increased in PCOS group than the CON group (p < 0.01), and the IL-18 levels were significantly higher in the FF than in serum in PCOS group. Furthermore, the elevated FF IL-18 levels have no correlation with the serum IL-18 levels. Additionally, the expression of IL-18 in the follicular fluid of the overweight PCOS patients was increased compared to the normal weight PCOS patients, while in the overweight patients, FF IL-18 was significantly higher in the PCOS group than in the control group. The FF IL-18 and IL-18BP may have a local involvement in the pathogenesis of PCOS. The PCOS itself and overweight will aggravate the local inflammatory response in the ovary. Further studies are needed to elucidate this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyuan Zhang
- Department of Gynecology, Tianjin Central Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital Affiliated to Nankai University, Tianjin, 300100, China.
| | - Xinmei Wang
- Department of Gynecology, Tianjin Central Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital Affiliated to Nankai University, Tianjin, 300100, China
| | - Juan Xu
- Department of Gynecology, Tianjin Central Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital Affiliated to Nankai University, Tianjin, 300100, China
| | - Yingjun Zhu
- Department of Gynecology, Tianjin Central Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital Affiliated to Nankai University, Tianjin, 300100, China
| | - Xu Chen
- Department of Gynecology, Tianjin Central Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital Affiliated to Nankai University, Tianjin, 300100, China
| | - Yuanjing Hu
- Department of Gynecology, Tianjin Central Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital Affiliated to Nankai University, Tianjin, 300100, China
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Liang Y, Yang X, Lan Y, Lei L, Li Y, Wang S. Effect of Endometrioma cystectomy on cytokines of follicular fluid and IVF outcomes. J Ovarian Res 2019; 12:98. [PMID: 31639028 PMCID: PMC6802315 DOI: 10.1186/s13048-019-0572-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Endometriosis patients undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) treatment suffer from lower success rates. The success of IVF-ET is related to the receptivity of the uterus and the quality of embryos, and it is well known a patient’s endometriosis does not impair the receptivity. Whether endometrioma should be removed surgically before IVF remains controversial. Studies have shown that endometrioma removal decreases peritoneal inflammation, but little information is available regarding the alteration in the cytokines of follicular fluid. The objective of this study was to examine the impact of endometrioma cystectomy on the outcome of IVF and the levels of intrafollicular inflammatory cytokines and to investigate correlations between cytokine concentrations and IVF outcomes. Method A total of 41 women with endometriosis-associated infertility undergoing IVF were recruited; 13 patients (surgery group, S group) had surgery to remove the endometrioma before enrollment, and 28 patients (non-surgery group, NS group) were untreated before IVF. The follicular fluid from a dominant follicle was collected during oocyte retrieval, and the concentrations of sixteen soluble cytokines known to be involved in ovarian function were measured. Results Among the soluble molecules examined in this study, chemokines and growth factors and a few are inflammatory cytokines were found in the follicular fluid of patients with endometriosis. In addition, the expression levels of chemokines, growth factors, and most inflammatory cytokines did not differ between the S and NS groups, but interleukin (IL)-18 levels were significantly lower in the NS group. However, the levels of IL-18 in the FF did not correlate with IVF cycle parameters. The implantation and clinical pregnancy rates were similar between the two groups, but the anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level was lower in the S group than in the NS group. Conclusions These findings suggest that endometrioma surgery may potentially reduce the ovarian reserve and has little impact on the success rate of IVF. Ovarian endometriomas are not associated with cytokine profiles in FF from infertile women, and they are not likely to affect the quality of the oocyte and embryo as a result of an inflammatory mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Liang
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China
| | - Xiaokui Yang
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China
| | - Yonglian Lan
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China
| | - Lingling Lei
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China
| | - Ying Li
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China.
| | - Shuyu Wang
- Department of Human Reproductive Medicine, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100026, China.
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Immunological microenvironment alterations in follicles of women with proven severe endometriosis undergoing in vitro fertilization. Mol Biol Rep 2019; 46:4675-4684. [PMID: 31529342 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-019-04753-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2018] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that different cytokine profiles may exist in the follicular fluid of endometriosis (EM) patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF), as these differences may provide insights into the pathogenesis of the disease. This was a cross-sectional study conducted at the reproductive center of a medical university hospital. The study included 49 patients receiving IVF. 20 infertile women with proven EM and 29 women without diagnosed EM (control group) were evaluated. Follicular fluid (FF) and serum were collected at the time of follicle aspiration and the concentrations of 38 cytokines were determined by multiplexed immunoassay. The results indicated that the levels of IL-4, IL-13, IL-3 and IL-1α were significantly increased in the FF of women with EM, while levels of IFN-γ, IL-17A, MDC and MIP-1α were decreased compared with in the control subjects. In conclusions, the immune microenvironment of the FF in patients with EM is altered. This may contribute to the pathologic mechanism responsible for the poor outcome of IVF in patients with EM.
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Aydogan Mathyk B, Aslan Cetin B, Bilici S, Fasse J, Avci P. Evaluation of ovarian reserve in women with psoriasis. Gynecol Endocrinol 2019; 35:608-611. [PMID: 30698041 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2018.1563884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study is to evaluate ovarian reserve in women with psoriasis. Thirty-six women with psoriasis and 36 healthy women were enrolled in this prospective study. On day 3 of the menstrual cycle, blood samples for AMH and other hormones were collected. On the same day, antral follicle count (AFC), and ovarian volumes were measured. A multiple regression analysis was carried out to examine the contribution of factors to the serum AMH levels in patients with psoriasis. The serum AMH levels and ovarian volumes were lower in the psoriasis group than in the control group (1.85 ± 1.13 ng/ml vs 2.46 ± 1.21 ng/ml, p = .029 and 10.43 ± 3.08 cm3 vs 11.93 ± 3.01 cm3, p = .038). However, the mean AFC between the two groups was not significantly different. The psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score did not correlate with AMH. On the other hand, the duration of the disease negatively correlated with AMH, total AFC and ovarian volume. In the multiple regression analysis, duration of disease and total AFC were the most significant contributors to the serum AMH levels in patients with psoriasis. Autoimmune diseases may affect ovarian reserve regardless of immunosuppresive treatment. Longitudinal follow-ups regarding reproductive function might be required in women with psoriasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Begum Aydogan Mathyk
- a Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility , University of North Carolina , Chapel Hill , NC , USA
| | - Berna Aslan Cetin
- b Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology , Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Research and Training Hospital , Istanbul , Turkey
| | - Sule Bilici
- c Department of Dermatology , Kanuni Sultan Suleyman Research and Training Hospital , Istanbul , Turkey
| | - Julia Fasse
- d Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tufts University , Medford , MA , USA
| | - Pinar Avci
- e Department of Dermatology, Dermatooncology and Venerology , Semmelweis University School of Medicine , Budapest , Hungary
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Motamedzadeh L, Mohammadi MM, Hadinedoushan H, Farashahi Yazd E, Fesahat F. Association of IL-17 and IL-23 follicular fluid concentrations and gene expression profile in cumulus cells from infertile women at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome. HUM FERTIL 2019; 23:289-295. [PMID: 30714434 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2019.1566648] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
This study determined the association between the levels of interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-23 in follicular fluid (FF), as well as their mRNA levels in cumulus cells from infertile women at risk for ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS). In this case-controlled study, the control group (n = 40) was infertile women whose partners had male factor infertility, whereas the case group (n = 40) was infertile women at risk of OHSS. IL-17 and IL-23 concentrations in FF were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method, whereas the mRNA expression levels of IL-17 and IL-23 of cumulus cells were determined using RT-PCR. Significantly higher levels of IL-17 were seen in the case group (p = 0.04), whereas there was no significant difference in IL-23 concentrations between the two groups (p = 0.3). The mRNA levels of IL-17 and IL-23 showed no significant differences. In the case group, there was a positive significant correlation between the IL-23 concentration in FF and the oocyte maturation rates (p = 0.01). In the case group, the number of follicles, MII oocytes, immature oocytes, fertilized oocytes and number of embryos were significantly higher than the control group (p < 0.05). Our findings showed that the mRNA expressions of IL-17 and IL-23 were similar in the two groups, and IL-17 was increased in the case group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Motamedzadeh
- Department of Immunology & Allergy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science, Yazd, Iran
| | - Mohammad Mahdi Mohammadi
- Department of Immunology & Allergy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.,Physiology Research Center, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Hossein Hadinedoushan
- Department of Immunology, Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ehsan Farashahi Yazd
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Science, Yazd, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Fesahat
- Department of Immunology, Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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Human β-defensin 1 in follicular fluid and semen: impact on fertility. J Assist Reprod Genet 2019; 36:787-797. [PMID: 30712073 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-019-01409-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/16/2019] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE β-defensins are antimicrobial peptides expressed at mucosal level of male and female genito-urinary tract, where they exert protective functions against infections, possibly preserving human health and fertility. In our study, we investigated the possible involvement of β-defensins in female and male infertility in Italian infertile couples (i) evaluating the presence of human β-defensin 1 (hBD-1) in follicular fluid (FF) and its correlation with in vitro fertilization (IVF) outcomes; (ii) investigating the relationship between hBD-1 levels in semen and IVF outcomes (comprising correlation with sperm parameters); and (iii) exploring the effect of hBD-1 peptide on spermatozoa motility in vitro. METHODS A perspective observational analytic pilot study was conducted. hBD-1 concentration was measured with ELISA assay in FF and semen from 50 couples that underwent assisted procreation technique procedures due to infertility status. Moreover, hBD-1 exogenous peptide was administered to 29 normozoospermic semen and their motility was recorded. RESULTS hBD-1 was detected in FF and its levels were significantly higher in women with good fertilization rate (≥ 75%), respect to those with a poor fertilization rate (< 75%). The hBD-1 semen concentrations in oligo-asthenozoospermic subjects were significantly lower than that in normozoospermic men. Instead, hBD-1 level in sperm and FF not correlated with pregnancy rate. Finally, incubation of sperm with exogenous hBD-1 significantly increased progressive motility after 1 h and 24 h. CONCLUSIONS Being aware of the relatively small sample size and medium power, our results possibly suggest that hBD-1 could influence oocyte and sperm quality, and could improve, when exogenously added, sperm motility.
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Xie J, Yan L, Cheng Z, Qiang L, Yan J, Liu Y, Liang R, Zhang J, Li Z, Zhuang L, Hao C, Wang B, Lu Q. Potential effect of inflammation on the failure risk of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer among infertile women. HUM FERTIL 2018; 23:214-222. [PMID: 30477363 DOI: 10.1080/14647273.2018.1543898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xie
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lailai Yan
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zixi Cheng
- Department of Child, Adolescent and Women’s Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lijuan Qiang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Yan
- Department of Laboratorial Science and Technology, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yingying Liu
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Rong Liang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingxu Zhang
- Department of Child, Adolescent and Women’s Health, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiwen Li
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Lili Zhuang
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Yuhuangding Hospital of Yantai, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Cuifang Hao
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Yuhuangding Hospital of Yantai, Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, People’s Republic of China
| | - Bin Wang
- Institute of Reproductive and Child Health, Peking University/Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health, National Health and Family Planning Commission of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Qun Lu
- Reproductive Medical Center, Peking University People’s Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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Zanotta N, Monasta L, Skerk K, Luppi S, Martinelli M, Ricci G, Comar M. Cervico-vaginal secretion cytokine profile: A non-invasive approach to study the endometrial receptivity in IVF cycles. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 81:e13064. [PMID: 30475413 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2018] [Revised: 09/17/2018] [Accepted: 09/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Cytokines have a significant role in the process of embryo implantation, trophoblast growth, and differentiation by modulating the immune and endocrine system. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile of a large set of cytokines in the cervico-vaginal washing of women undergoing IVF, to explore the association of these proteins with a good receptive endometrium. METHOD OF STUDY A cohort of 155 women scheduled for IVF cycle was recruited. All patients were asymptomatic for genitourinary infections and had been screened for chlamydia, mycoplasma, and other bacterial infections. All IVF subjects were treated according to standard clinical and laboratory protocols. A panel of 48 immune factors was analyzed on cervico-vaginal washing, using magnetic bead-based multiplex immunoassays (Bio-Plex, BIO-RAD Laboratories, Milano, Italy). RESULTS A total of 99 patients reached embryo transfer, of which 31 had a clinical pregnancy. A pattern of four pro-inflammatory immune molecules, IL-12p40, IFN-a, MIF, and MCP3 (P < 0.001), was found significantly up-regulated in the cervico-vaginal fluid of women with clinical pregnancy. A significantly increased expression of IL-9, Groα , and SDF-1α (P < 0.05) was observed in the presence of endometriosis, while high levels of IL-13 and L-15 were associated with ovulatory infertility factor (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION In this pilot study, we demonstrated that the expression of specific cytokines in the cervico-vaginal washing on the day of oocyte retrieval might have a positive correlation with the potential clinical pregnancy. Therefore, cervico-vaginal secretion cytokine profiling might be a new, non-invasive approach to study the endometrial receptivity in IVF management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nunzia Zanotta
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Monasta
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Kristina Skerk
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Stefania Luppi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Monica Martinelli
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Ricci
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
| | - Manola Comar
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.,Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy
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40
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Targeted drugs in spondyloarthritis during pregnancy and lactation. Pharmacol Res 2018; 136:21-28. [PMID: 30125669 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2018.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2018] [Revised: 07/29/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Spondyloarthritis (SpA) are a heterogeneous group of chronic inflammatory joint diseases that includes several clinical subgroups. SpA can affect women in the reproductive stage so pregnancy can influence the course of the disease and SpA can affect the maternal-fetal outcome. The treatment of SpA has changed dramatically in recent years and the use of targeted drugs is part of therapeutic armamentarium. The use of targeted drugs during pregnancy is controversial because the information available on safety during this period is still limited. Several cytokines have an important role in the normal development of pregnancy or other cytokines may play a role in certain maternal-fetal complications. Potentially targeted drugs can affect the function of these cytokines during pregnancy. The aim of this study is to review the interrelationship between SpA during pregnancy and lactation, the role of some cytokines during normal pregnancy and the development of maternal-fetal complications as well as to review recent information on targeted drugs during pregnancy and breastfeeding in these patients in order to maximize their use in these critical periods of life.
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41
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Kekäläinen J, Evans JP. Gamete-mediated mate choice: towards a more inclusive view of sexual selection. Proc Biol Sci 2018; 285:20180836. [PMID: 30051836 PMCID: PMC6083266 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.0836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
'Sperm competition'-where ejaculates from two or more males compete for fertilization-and 'cryptic female choice'-where females bias this contest to suit their reproductive interests-are now part of the everyday lexicon of sexual selection. Yet the physiological processes that underlie these post-ejaculatory episodes of sexual selection remain largely enigmatic. In this review, we focus on a range of post-ejaculatory cellular- and molecular-level processes, known to be fundamental for fertilization across most (if not all) sexually reproducing species, and point to their putative role in facilitating sexual selection at the level of the cells and gametes, called 'gamete-mediated mate choice' (GMMC). In this way, we collate accumulated evidence for GMMC across different mating systems, and emphasize the evolutionary significance of such non-random interactions among gametes. Our overall aim in this review is to build a more inclusive view of sexual selection by showing that mate choice often acts in more nuanced ways than has traditionally been assumed. We also aim to bridge the conceptual divide between proximal mechanisms of reproduction, and adaptive explanations for patterns of non-random sperm-egg interactions that are emerging across an increasingly diverse array of taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jukka Kekäläinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Jonathan P Evans
- Centre for Evolutionary Biology, School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
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Follicular fluid vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with type of infertility and interferon alpha correlates with endometrial thickness in natural cycle in vitro fertilization. Reprod Biol 2018; 18:289-294. [PMID: 29945770 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2018.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2017] [Revised: 05/28/2018] [Accepted: 06/16/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the presence of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interferon alpha (IFN-α) in the follicular fluid (FF) and their possible influence, as pro-angiogenic or anti-angiogenic factors, on in vitro fertilization outcome. The concentrations of VEGF and IFN-α were correlated with oocyte and embryo quality, concentrations of hormones in the serum, perifollicular blood flow and endometrial thickness. VEGF was detected in all FF samples (median 706.6 pg/ml, range 182.9-6638 pg/ml). IFN-α was detected in 60% of the samples (median 6.5 pg/ml, range 0-79.4 pg/ml), while in 40% of the samples its levels were below the test detection limit. VEGF and IFN-α concentrations did not correlate with the cause of infertility, concentrations of FSH, LH, E2 and prolactin, oocyte or embryo quality. Significantly higher concentrations of VEGF have been found in women with primary compared with secondary infertility (p = 0.011, Mann Whitney test). The concentrations of VEGF and IFN-α did not correlate with the resistance index (RI) on days of hCG administration, follicular aspiration and embryo transfer. However, the concentrations of IFN-α correlated with endometrial thickness on the day of embryo transfer (Spearman correlation coefficient ρ = 0.4107; P < 0.05) but not on days of hCG administration and follicular aspiration. The mechanism of VEGF association with the previous ability of having a child needs to be clarified in future studies. The results of this study indicate a possible role of IFN-α in pathways of endometrial remodelling.
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43
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Vitamin D deficiency and high serum IL-6 concentration as risk factors for tubal factor infertility in Chinese women. Nutrition 2018; 49:24-31. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2017.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2017] [Revised: 11/21/2017] [Accepted: 11/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
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Baker JM, Chase DM, Herbst-Kralovetz MM. Uterine Microbiota: Residents, Tourists, or Invaders? Front Immunol 2018; 9:208. [PMID: 29552006 PMCID: PMC5840171 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2018.00208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 31.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine microbiota have been reported under various conditions and populations; however, it is uncertain the level to which these bacteria are residents that maintain homeostasis, tourists that are readily eliminated or invaders that contribute to human disease. This review provides a historical timeline and summarizes the current status of this topic with the aim of promoting research priorities and discussion on this controversial topic. Discrepancies exist in current reports of uterine microbiota and are critically reviewed and examined. Established and putative routes of bacterial seeding of the human uterus and interactions with distal mucosal sites are discussed. Based upon the current literature, we highlight the need for additional robust clinical and translational studies in this area. In addition, we discuss the necessity for investigating host–microbiota interactions and the physiologic and functional impact of these microbiota on the local endometrial microenvironment as these mechanisms may influence poor reproductive, obstetric, and gynecologic health outcomes and sequelae.
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Affiliation(s)
- James M Baker
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, United States.,Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Dana M Chase
- Arizona Oncology (US Oncology Network), University of Arizona College of Medicine, Creighton University School of Medicine at St. Joseph's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Melissa M Herbst-Kralovetz
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, United States.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, College of Medicine-Phoenix, University of Arizona, Phoenix, AZ, United States
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45
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Laks K, Kirsipuu T, Dmitrijeva T, Salumets A, Palumaa P. Assessment of Blood Contamination in Biological Fluids Using MALDI-TOF MS. Protein J 2017; 35:171-6. [PMID: 27023353 DOI: 10.1007/s10930-016-9657-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Biological fluid sample collection often includes the risk of blood contamination that may alter the proteomic profile of biological fluid. In proteomics studies, exclusion of contaminated samples is usually based on visual inspection and counting of red blood cells in the sample; analysis of specific blood derived proteins is less used. To fill the gap, we developed a fast and sensitive method for ascertainment of blood contamination in crude biological fluids, based on specific blood-derived protein, hemoglobin detection by MALDI-TOF MS. The MALDI-TOF MS based method allows detection of trace hemoglobin with the detection limit of 0.12 nM. UV-spectrometry, which was used as reference method, was found to be less sensitive. The main advantages of the presented method are that it is fast, effective, sensitive, requires very small sample amount and can be applied for detection of blood contamination in various biological fluids collected for proteomics studies. Method applicability was tested on human cerebrospinal and follicular fluid, which proteomes generally do not contain hemoglobin, however, which possess high risk for blood contamination. Present method successfully detected the blood contamination in 12 % of cerebrospinal fluid and 24 % of follicular fluid samples. High percentage of contaminated samples accentuates the need for initial inspection of proteomic samples to avoid incorrect results from blood proteome overlap.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katrina Laks
- Department of Gene Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia st 15, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia. .,Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61b, 50410, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Tiina Kirsipuu
- Department of Gene Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia st 15, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia.,Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61b, 50410, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Tuuli Dmitrijeva
- Department of Gene Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia st 15, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Andres Salumets
- Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61b, 50410, Tartu, Estonia.,Institute of Bio- and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila 19, 50411, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Peep Palumaa
- Department of Gene Technology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia st 15, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia.,Competence Centre on Health Technologies, Tiigi 61b, 50410, Tartu, Estonia
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Salmassi A, Fattahi A, Nouri M, Hedderich J, Schmutzler AG. Expression of mRNA and protein of IL-18 and its receptor in human follicular granulosa cells. J Endocrinol Invest 2017; 40:447-454. [PMID: 27914037 DOI: 10.1007/s40618-016-0590-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [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: 09/19/2016] [Accepted: 11/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is no information available about the IL-18 receptor in ovarian follicles, so the present study attempts to demonstrate the expression of IL-18 and its receptor in human granulosa cells (GCs). METHODS To evaluate the concentration of IL-18 in serum and follicular fluid (FF), we collected serum and FF from 102 women undergoing oocyte retrieval. Also, to detect expression of IL-18 and its receptor by luteinized GCs, these cells were pooled six times from a total of twenty individual patients with 5-16 follicles each. The IL-18 concentration was determined by ELISA and the expression of IL-18 and its receptor by immunocytochemistry and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Our results showed that the median IL-18 concentration in serum, 159.27 pg/ml (IQR 121.41-210.1), was significantly higher than in FF, 142.1 pg/ml (IQR 95.7-176.5), p < 0.001. Moreover, we found that IL-18 and its receptor are expressed by GCs. CONCLUSION The presence of IL-18 in FF and the expression of IL-18 and its receptor by GCs suggest an important role for this cytokine in ovarian function.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Salmassi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women's Hospital, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrechts-University, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller Str. 3, House 24, 24105, Kiel, Germany.
| | - A Fattahi
- Women's Reproductive Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - M Nouri
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Faculty of Advanced Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - J Hedderich
- Institute of Medical Informatics and Statistics, University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - A G Schmutzler
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Women's Hospital, University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein, Christian-Albrechts-University, Campus Kiel, Arnold-Heller Str. 3, House 24, 24105, Kiel, Germany
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Wang L, Qi H, Baker PN, Zhen Q, Zeng Q, Shi R, Tong C, Ge Q. Altered Circulating Inflammatory Cytokines Are Associated with Anovulatory Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) Women Resistant to Clomiphene Citrate Treatment. Med Sci Monit 2017; 23:1083-1089. [PMID: 28246376 PMCID: PMC5344282 DOI: 10.12659/msm.901194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common gynecological disease characterized by chronic oligoanovulation, clinical/biochemical hyperandrogenism, polycystic ovaries, and insulin resistance. Accumulating evidence has shown that PCOS-related ovarian dysfunction is the main cause of anovulatory infertility. Clomiphene citrate (CC) is the first-line therapy for PCOS patients; however, approximately 15–40% PCOS patients are resistant to CC treatment. It has been demonstrated that PCOS is a chronic pro-inflammatory state, as some pro-inflammatory cytokines were elevated in the peripheral circulation of PCOS patients, but whether altered inflammatory cytokines expression in PCOS patients is associated with blunted response to CC remains unknown. Material/Methods We recruited 44 CC-resistant PCOS patients, along with 55 age and body mass index (BMI)-matched CC-sensitive PCOS patients. Ovulation was induced by administrating 50–100 mg/day CC on days 5 to 9 of each menstrual cycle. The cytokine profiles were detected by cytokine antibody microarrays and further validated by ELISAs. Results CC-resistant patients had higher levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) than the CC-sensitive individuals. A growth factor, angiopoietin-2, was significantly reduced [1.64 (0.93–1.95) vs. 1.08 (0.85–1.34), p<0.05], while a chemokine CXCL-16 was significantly increased (9.10±2.35 vs. 10.41±2.82, p<0.05) in CC-resistant patients compared to the CC-sensitive subjects. CXCL-16 was positively correlated with hsCRP (r=0.33, p<0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that angiopoietin-2 and CXCL-16 are associated with CC resistance. Conclusions Circulating cytokines are disturbed in CC-resistant PCOS patients. Altered angiopoietin-2 and CXCL-16 levels might compromise the responsiveness of the ovary to CC through up-regulating angiogenesis and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- LianLian Wang
- Department of Reproduction Health and Infertility, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland).,China-Canada-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - HongBo Qi
- China-Canada-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland).,Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Philip N Baker
- China-Canada-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland).,College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - QianNa Zhen
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Qing Zeng
- Division of Medical Statistics, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Rui Shi
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Chao Tong
- China-Canada-New Zealand Joint Laboratory of Maternal and Fetal Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland).,Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
| | - Qian Ge
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China (mainland)
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Wu G, Bersinger NA, Mueller MD, von Wolff M. Intrafollicular inflammatory cytokines but not steroid hormone concentrations are increased in naturally matured follicles of women with proven endometriosis. J Assist Reprod Genet 2017; 34:357-364. [PMID: 28074436 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0865-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to assess whether the intrafollicular cytokine profile in naturally developed follicles is different in women with endometriosis, possibly explaining the lower reproductive outcome in endometriosis patients. METHODS A matched case-control study was conducted at a university-based infertility and endometriosis centre. The study population included 17 patients with laparoscopically and histologically confirmed endometriosis (rAFS stages II-IV), each undergoing one natural cycle IVF (NC-IVF) treatment cycle between 2013 and 2015, and 17 age-matched NC-IVF women without diagnosed endometriosis (control group). Follicular fluid and serum was collected at the time of follicle aspiration. The concentrations of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IL-18, TNF-α) and hormones (testosterone, estradiol, AMH) were determined in follicular fluid and serum by single or multiplexed immunoassay and compared between both groups. RESULTS In the follicular fluid, IL-1β and IL-6 showed significantly (P < 0.001 and 0.01, respectively) higher median concentrations in the endometriosis group than in the control group and a tendency towards endometriosis severity (rAFS stage) dependence. The levels of the interleukins detectable in follicular fluid were significantly higher than those in the serum (P < 0.01). Follicular estradiol concentration was lower in severe endometriosis patients than in the control group (P = 0.036). Follicular fluid IL-1β and IL-6 levels were not correlated with estradiol in the same compartment in neither patient group. CONCLUSIONS In women with moderate and severe endometrioses, some intrafollicular inflammatory cytokines are upregulated and not correlated with intrafollicular hormone concentrations. This might be due to the inflammatory microenvironment in endometriosis women, affecting follicular function and thereby possibly contributing to the reproductive dysfunction in endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gengxiang Wu
- Division of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Women's hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.,Reproductive Medical Centre, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - N A Bersinger
- Division of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Women's hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - M D Mueller
- Division of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Women's hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, 3010, Bern, Switzerland
| | - M von Wolff
- Division of Gynaecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Women's hospital, Effingerstrasse 102, 3010, Bern, Switzerland.
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The Role of Interleukin-18 in Serum and Follicular Fluid during In Vitro Fertilization and Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2016; 2016:6379850. [PMID: 27747236 PMCID: PMC5055917 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6379850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 08/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines are key modulators of the immune system and play an important role in the ovarian cycle. IL-18 levels in serum and follicular fluid were analyzed in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment. The cohort study group consisted of 90 women, who were undergoing IVF or ICSI. The body mass index (BMI) was determined in all patients; IL-18 levels were measured in follicular fluid and serum. IL-18 levels in serum were significantly higher than those in follicular fluid. The median level in serum was 162.75 (80.21) pg/mL and that in follicular fluid, 138.24 (91.78) pg/mL. Women undergoing IVF treatment had lower IL-18 levels in serum (median, 151.19 (90.73) pg/mL) than those treated with ICSI (median, 163.57 (89.97) pg/mL). The correlation between IL-18 levels in serum and BMI was statistically significant, as well as the correlation between IL-18 levels in follicular fluid and ovarian stimulation response (p = 0.003). IL-18 was correlated with the response to ovarian stimulation and was the reason for successful pregnancy after IVF or ICSI treatment. Among other cytokines, IL-18 appears to be a promising prognostic marker of success in reproductive treatment and should be evaluated as such in further prospective studies.
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Singh AK, Dutta M, Chattopadhyay R, Chakravarty B, Chaudhury K. Intrafollicular interleukin-8, interleukin-12, and adrenomedullin are the promising prognostic markers of oocyte and embryo quality in women with endometriosis. J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:1363-1372. [PMID: 27491770 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0782-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The study aimed to investigate key intrafollicular prognostic factors among various cytokines and angiogenic molecules for prediction of mature oocytes and good-quality embryos in women with endometriosis undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). METHODS Paired follicular fluid and serum samples were collected from 200 women with advanced stage endometriosis and 140 normal ovulating women during oocyte retrieval. The concentrations of cytokines (pro-inflammatory: IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-2, IL-8, IL-12, IFN-γ; anti-inflammatory: IL-4, IL-6, IL-10) and angiogenic molecules (vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), adrenomedullin, angiogenin) were determined in follicular fluid and serum using ELISA. Expression of these molecules was subjected to multivariate analysis for the identification of major predictive markers of oocyte and embryo quality. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to determine the best cutoff point for the discrimination between mature and immature oocytes in these women. RESULTS Significant increases in levels of cytokines and angiogenic molecules were observed in women with endometriosis compared to controls (P < 0.001). From the validated partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) model, IL-8, IL-12, and adrenomedullin were identified as the most important factors contributing to endometriosis and were negatively associated with oocyte maturity and embryo quality. CONCLUSION The levels of IL-8, IL-12, and adrenomedullin may be good indicators of embryo and oocyte quality in endometriosis patients undergoing IVF. Further studies are necessary to ascertain the potential of these markers for oocyte and embryo developmental competence which may help improve the chances of a successful IVF in endometriosis patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhay Kumar Singh
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Mainak Dutta
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India
| | - Ratna Chattopadhyay
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Salt Lake, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700020, India
| | | | - Koel Chaudhury
- School of Medical Science and Technology, Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, 721302, India.
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