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Ji K, Zhong J, Cui L, Wang X, Chen LN, Wen B, Yang F, Deng W, Pan X, Wang L, Bao J, Chen Y, Liu H. Exploring myometrial microenvironment changes at the single-cell level from nonpregnant to term pregnant states. Physiol Genomics 2024; 56:32-47. [PMID: 37955337 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00067.2023] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The microenvironment and cell populations within the myometrium play crucial roles in maintaining uterine structural integrity and protecting the fetus during pregnancy. However, the specific changes occurring at the single-cell level in the human myometrium between nonpregnant (NP) and term pregnant (TP) states remain unexplored. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) to construct a transcriptomic atlas of individual cells in the myometrium of NP and TP women. Integrated analysis of scRNA-Seq and ST data revealed spatially distinct transcriptional characteristics and examined cell-to-cell communication patterns based on ligand-receptor interactions. We identified and categorized 87,845 high-quality individual cells into 12 populations from scRNA-Seq data of 12 human myometrium tissues. Our findings demonstrated alterations in the proportions of five subpopulations of smooth muscle cells in TP. Moreover, an increase in monocytic cells, particularly M2 macrophages, was observed in TP myometrium samples, suggesting their involvement in the anti-inflammatory response. This study provides unprecedented single-cell resolution of the NP and TP myometrium, offering new insights into myometrial remodeling during pregnancy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, the myometrium was examined at the single-cell level during pregnancy. We identified spatially distinct cell populations and observed alterations in smooth muscle cells and increased M2 macrophages in term pregnant women. These findings offer unprecedented insights into myometrial remodeling and the anti-inflammatory response during pregnancy. The study advances our understanding of pregnancy-related myometrial changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyuan Ji
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Junmin Zhong
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Long Cui
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodi Wang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Na Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bolun Wen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfeng Deng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuyu Pan
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lele Wang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjie Bao
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - YunShan Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huishu Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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Chen J, Liu T, Cui H, Na Q, Liu S. MiRNA-26a-5p inhibits preterm labor initiation by targeting and regulating TRPC3 ion channel protein expression. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:357-366. [PMID: 37755144 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
The incidence of preterm birth (PTB) is increasing annually worldwide, leading to various health problems or even fetal deaths. Our previous work demonstrated the activation of transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily C 3 (TRPC3) in mice with PTB, and its activation could promote inward flow of calcium ions and uterine smooth muscle (USM) contraction via regulation of Cav3.2, Cav3.1, and Cav1.2. However, the upstream regulators of TRPC3 and its mechanisms remain unknown. In the present study, the binding of miR-26a-5p to the 3' untranslated region of TRPC3 was predicted by bioinformatics databases (TargetScanHuman and starBase v3.0) and confirmed by a dual-luciferase assay. MiR-26a-5p was downregulated, while TRPC3 was upregulated in the USM tissues of patients with PTB compared to people without PTB. The results showed that miR-26a-5p mimic transfection markedly reduced TRPC3 expression in LPS-stimulated USM cells. Additionally, miR-26a-5p regulated intracellular Ca2+ levels in USM cells by targeting TRPC3. Furthermore, miR-26a-5p inhibited the CPI17/PKC/PLCγ signaling pathway and reduced the expression of Cav3.2, Cav3.1, and Cav1.2. In conclusion, miR-26a-5p regulated the initiation of PTB by targeting TRPC3 and regulating intracellular Ca2+ levels. This study provides a promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for PTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Tong Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Hong Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Quan Na
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
| | - Sishi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, P.R. China
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Sengul M, Karadas B, Acar-Sahan S, Simsek F, Horoz E, Özok IC, Temiz T. Functional and Histological Changes in Umbilical Artery and Myometrium Isolated from IUGR Complicated Pregnancies. Fetal Pediatr Pathol 2023; 42:845-859. [PMID: 37578058 DOI: 10.1080/15513815.2023.2245892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the relaxation responses mediated by L-type Ca2+ channels and big-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (BKCa) channels and histological changes in the human umbilical artery (HUA) and myometrium smooth muscle isolated from pregnancies complicated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).Methods: The muscle reactivity and the histology of the smooth muscle of the HUA and myometrium retrieved from 14 women with IUGR and 14 controls were investigated by the isolated tissue bath and immunohistochemical method.Results: In HUA, the maximum relaxation responses and pD2 values of nifedipine and NS11021 (BKCa channel opener) were significantly increased and significant histopathological changes are observed in the IUGR group.Conclusions: The pathogenesis of IUGR might be associated with the impairment in the functional responses of L-type Ca2+ channels and BKCa channels in HUA smooth muscle. The increased staining of myometrium and UC with HIF-1α in IUGR may indicate apoptosis, histological damage, and impaired fetal growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Sengul
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Izmir, Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey
| | - Baris Karadas
- Department of Pharmacology Izmir, Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey
| | - Selin Acar-Sahan
- Department of Pharmacology Izmir, Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey
| | - Fatma Simsek
- Department of Histology and Embryology Izmir, Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey
| | - Ersan Horoz
- Department of Pharmacology Izmir, Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey
| | - Işık Cem Özok
- Department of Pharmacology Izmir, Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey
| | - Tijen Temiz
- Department of Pharmacology Izmir, Izmir Katip Celebi University Faculty of Medicine, Turkey
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Shynlova O, Nadeem L, Lye S. Progesterone control of myometrial contractility. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2023; 234:106397. [PMID: 37683774 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106397] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
During pregnancy, the primary function of the uterus is to be quiescent and not contract, which allows the growing fetus to develop and mature. A uterine muscle layer, myometrium, is composed of smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Before the onset of labor contractions, the uterine SMCs experience a complex biochemical and molecular transformation involving the expression of contraction-associated proteins. Labor is initiated when genes in SMCs are activated in response to a combination of hormonal, inflammatory and mechanical signals. In this review, we provide an overview of molecular mechanisms regulating the process of parturition in humans, focusing on the hormonal control of the myometrium, particularly the steroid hormone progesterone. The primary reason for discussing the regulation of myometrial contractility by progesterone is the importance of the clinical problem of preterm birth. It is thought that the hormonal mechanisms regulating premature uterine contractions represent an untimely triggering of the normal events occurring during term parturition. Yet, our knowledge of the complex and redundant hormonal pathways controlling uterine contractile activity leading to delivery of the neonate remains incomplete. Finally, we introduce recent animal studies using a novel class of drugs, Selective Progesterone Receptor Modulators, targeting progesterone signaling to prevent premature myometrial contractions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Shynlova
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto M5G 1X5, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, M5S 1A1, Canada; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, M5S 1A1, Canada.
| | - Lubna Nadeem
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto M5G 1X5, Canada
| | - Stephen Lye
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto M5G 1X5, Canada; Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, M5S 1A1, Canada; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, M5S 1A1, Canada
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