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Manoharan A, Ballambattu VB, Palani R. Genetic architecture of preeclampsia. Clin Chim Acta 2024; 558:119656. [PMID: 38583550 DOI: 10.1016/j.cca.2024.119656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Aarthi Manoharan
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, Kirumampakkam, Puducherry 607403, India.
| | | | - Ramya Palani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aarupadai Veedu Medical College and Hospital, Vinayaka Mission's Research Foundation (DU), Kirumampakkam, Puducherry 607403, India
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2
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Ning N, Luo D, Xia W, Mou G, Zhao J, Zhang J, Li C, Wang H, Li J. Dysregulation of TMEM16A impairs oviductal transport of embryos. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2023; 325:C623-C632. [PMID: 37458439 DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00031.2023] [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: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Ectopic pregnancy is an acute abdominalgia in obstetrics and gynecology, especially in fallopian tubal pregnancy. The ion channel protein transmembrane protein 16A (TMEM16A) is widely distributed in various tissues, even in the oviduct. In this study, we showed that TMEM16A was expressed in the human fallopian tube and was upregulated in patients with tubal pregnancy. By measuring isolated fallopian tube tissues, we found that TMEM16A was involved in regulating not only the contraction of muscle strips but also the beat frequency of cilia. In addition, pharmacological activation or inhibition of TMEM16A could lead to retention of embryos in oviducts. Moreover, the embryos in oviducts were delayed in development and some of them had malformations and deletions. The total number of embryos in the oviducts and uterus was significantly less than that of the control group. Furthermore, we detected changes in the level of m6A methylation, where the relevant writers and readers were reduced in tubal tissues from tubal pregnancies. In m6A mRNA methylation, writers catalyze the addition of methyl groups to cytosine residues and readers bind to the methyl groups and affect gene translation. In human fallopian tube epithelial cell line FTE187, we found that interference with methyltransferase 3 (METTL3) expression increased TMEM16A, suggesting that TMEM16A might be regulated by m6A methylation. In general, our study revealed a novel regulatory point for embryo transport and development, introducing a new role for the diagnosis and treatment of tubal pregnancy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The ion channel protein TMEM16A is expressed in the epithelium and smooth muscle of the human fallopian tube and is upregulated in patients with tubal pregnancy. TMEM16A is involved in regulating the smooth muscle contraction and the cilia beating. Dysregulated TMEM16A may result in embryo retention in the oviduct and delayed early embryo development. Our study reveals a new regulatory point for embryo transport and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nannan Ning
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Dan Luo
- Department of Breast Surgery, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wei Xia
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangjing Mou
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiangli Zhao
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Cheng Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Institute of Reproduction and Development, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongchun Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
- Shandong Engineering Research Center of Biomarker and Artificial Intelligence Application, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingxin Li
- Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
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3
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Wray S, Prendergast C, Arrowsmith S. Calcium-Activated Chloride Channels in Myometrial and Vascular Smooth Muscle. Front Physiol 2021; 12:751008. [PMID: 34867456 PMCID: PMC8637852 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2021.751008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
In smooth muscle tissues, calcium-activated chloride channels (CaCC) provide the major anionic channel. Opening of these channels leads to chloride efflux and depolarization of the myocyte membrane. In this way, activation of the channels by a rise of intracellular [Ca2+], from a variety of sources, produces increased excitability and can initiate action potentials and contraction or increased tone. We now have a good mechanistic understanding of how the channels are activated and regulated, due to identification of TMEM16A (ANO1) as the molecular entity of the channel, but key questions remain. In reviewing these channels and comparing two distinct smooth muscles, myometrial and vascular, we expose the differences that occur in their activation mechanisms, properties, and control. We find that the myometrium only expresses “classical,” Ca2+-activated, and voltage sensitive channels, whereas both tonic and phasic blood vessels express classical, and non-classical, cGMP-regulated CaCC, which are voltage insensitive. This translates to more complex activation and regulation in vascular smooth muscles, irrespective of whether they are tonic or phasic. We therefore tentatively conclude that although these channels are expressed and functionally important in all smooth muscles, they are probably not part of the mechanisms governing phasic activity. Recent knockdown studies have produced unexpected functional results, e.g. no effects on labour and delivery, and tone increasing in some but decreasing in other vascular beds, strongly suggesting that there is still much to be explored concerning CaCC in smooth muscle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan Wray
- Department of Women and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Clodagh Prendergast
- Department of Women and Children's Health, Institute of Life Course and Medical Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Arrowsmith
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, United Kingdom
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4
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Motomura K, Romero R, Galaz J, Miller D, Done B, Arenas-Hernandez M, Garcia-Flores V, Tao L, Tarca AL, Gomez-Lopez N. Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Modulates the Transcriptome of the Myometrium and Cervix in Late Gestation. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:2246-2260. [PMID: 33650091 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00454-6] [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: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a critical hormone for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. hCG administration prevents the onset of preterm labor in mice; yet, the transcriptomic changes associated with this tocolytic effect that take place in the myometrium and cervix have not been elucidated. Herein, we implemented both discovery and targeted approaches to investigate the transcriptome of the myometrium and cervix after hCG administration. Pregnant mice were intraperitoneally injected with 10 IU of hCG on 13.0, 15.0, and 17.0 days post coitum, and the myometrium and cervix were collected. RNA sequencing was performed to determine differentially expressed genes, enriched biological processes, and impacted KEGG pathways. Multiplex qRT-PCR was performed to investigate the expression of targeted contractility- and inflammation-associated transcripts. hCG administration caused the differential expression of 720 genes in the myometrium. Among the downregulated genes, enriched biological processes were primarily associated with regulation of transcription. hCG administration downregulated key contractility genes, Gja1 and Oxtr, but upregulated the prostaglandin-related genes Ptgfr and Ptgs2 and altered the expression of inflammation-related genes in the myometrium. In the cervix, hCG administration caused differential expression of 3348 genes that were related to inflammation and host defense, among others. The downregulation of key contractility genes and upregulation of prostaglandin-related genes were also observed in the cervix. Thus, hCG exerts tocolytic and immunomodulatory effects in late gestation by altering biological processes in the myometrium and cervix, which should be taken into account when considering hCG as a potential treatment to prevent the premature onset of labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichiro Motomura
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.,Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Jose Galaz
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Derek Miller
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Bogdan Done
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Marcia Arenas-Hernandez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Li Tao
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Adi L Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Department of Computer Science, Wayne State University College of Engineering, Detroit, MI, USA.
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, US Department of Health and Human Services (NICHD/NIH/DHHS), Detroit, MI, USA. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA. .,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology, and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.
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5
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Hyuga S, Parry RC, Danielsson J, Vink J, Fu XW, Wu A, Dan W, Yim PD, Gallos G. Anoctamin 1 antagonism potentiates conventional tocolytic-mediated relaxation of pregnant human uterine smooth muscle. J Physiol Sci 2021; 71:7. [PMID: 33618673 PMCID: PMC9352361 DOI: 10.1186/s12576-021-00792-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently available tocolytic agents are not effective treatment for preterm labor beyond 48 h. A major reason is the development of maternal side effects which preclude the maintenance of an effective steady-state drug concentration. One strategy that can mitigate these side effects is utilizing synergistic drug combinations to reduce the drug concentrations necessary to elicit a clinical effect. We have previously shown that three anoctamin 1 (ANO1) antagonists mediate potent relaxation of precontracted human uterine smooth muscle (USM). In this study, we aimed to determine whether a combination of sub-relaxatory doses of tocolytic drugs in current clinical use [the L-type voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) blocker, nifedipine (NIF); and the β2-adrenergic (β2AR) agonist, terbutaline (TRB)] will potentiate USM relaxation with two ANO1 antagonists [benzbromarone (BB) and MONNA (MN)]. OBJECTIVE This study sought to examine the synergistic potency and mechanistic basis of two ANO1 antagonists with currently available tocolytic drugs. Functional endpoints assessed included relaxation of pre-contracting pregnant human USM tissue, inhibition of intracellular calcium release, and reduction of spontaneous transient inward current (STIC) recordings in human uterine smooth muscle cells. METHODS Human myometrial strips and primary human USM cells were used in organ bath and calcium flux experiments with different combinations of sub-threshold doses of ANO1 antagonists and terbutaline or nifedipine to determine if ANO1 antagonists potentiate tocolytic drugs. RESULTS The combination of sub-threshold doses of two ANO1 antagonists and current tocolytic drugs demonstrate a significant degree of synergy to relax human pregnant USM compared to the effects achieved when these drugs are administered individually. CONCLUSION A combination of sub-threshold doses of VGCC blocker and β2AR agonist with ANO1 antagonists potentiates relaxation of oxytocin-induced contractility and calcium flux in human USM ex vivo. Our findings may serve as a foundation for novel tocolytic drug combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Hyuga
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 622 W. 168th St. P&S Box 46, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Robert C Parry
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 622 W. 168th St. P&S Box 46, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Jennifer Danielsson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 622 W. 168th St. P&S Box 46, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Joy Vink
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Xiao Wen Fu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 622 W. 168th St. P&S Box 46, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Amy Wu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 622 W. 168th St. P&S Box 46, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - William Dan
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 622 W. 168th St. P&S Box 46, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Peter D Yim
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 622 W. 168th St. P&S Box 46, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - George Gallos
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, 622 W. 168th St. P&S Box 46, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
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6
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Vink J, Yu V, Dahal S, Lohner J, Stern-Asher C, Mourad M, Davis G, Xue Z, Wang S, Myers K, Kitajewski J, Chen X, Wapner RJ, Ananth CV, Sheetz M, Gallos G. Extracellular Matrix Rigidity Modulates Human Cervical Smooth Muscle Contractility-New Insights into Premature Cervical Failure and Spontaneous Preterm Birth. Reprod Sci 2021; 28:237-251. [PMID: 32700284 PMCID: PMC9344974 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00268-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB), a major cause of infant morbidity and mortality, must involve premature cervical softening/dilation for a preterm vaginal delivery to occur. Yet, the mechanism behind premature cervical softening/dilation in humans remains unclear. We previously reported the non-pregnant human cervix contains considerably more cervical smooth muscle cells (CSMC) than historically appreciated and the CSMC organization resembles a sphincter. We hypothesize that premature cervical dilation leading to sPTB may be due to (1) an inherent CSMC contractility defect resulting in sphincter failure and/or (2) altered cervical extracellular matrix (ECM) rigidity which influences CSMC contractility. To test these hypotheses, we utilized immunohistochemistry to confirm this CSMC phenotype persists in the human pregnant cervix and then assessed in vitro arrays of contractility (F:G actin ratios, PDMS pillar arrays) using primary CSMC from pregnant women with and without premature cervical failure (PCF). We show that CSMC from pregnant women with PCF do not have an inherent CSMC contractility defect but that CSMC exhibit decreased contractility when exposed to soft ECM. Given this finding, we used UPLC-ESI-MS/MS to evaluate collagen cross-link profiles in the cervical tissue from non-pregnant women with and without PCF and found that women with PCF have decreased collagen cross-link maturity ratios, which correlates to softer cervical tissue. These findings suggest having soft cervical ECM may lead to decreased CSMC contractile tone and a predisposition to sphincter laxity that contributes to sPTB. Further studies are needed to explore the interaction between cervical ECM properties and CSMC cellular behavior when investigating the pathophysiology of sPTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joy Vink
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168th St. PH16-66, New York, NY, 10032, USA.
- Preterm Birth Prevention Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Victoria Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168th St. PH16-66, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Sudip Dahal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168th St. PH16-66, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - James Lohner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Conrad Stern-Asher
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168th St. PH16-66, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Mirella Mourad
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168th St. PH16-66, New York, NY, 10032, USA
- Preterm Birth Prevention Center, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Davis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rowan University School of Osteopathic Medicine, Camden, NJ, USA
| | - Zenghui Xue
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Shuang Wang
- Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Kristin Myers
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Jan Kitajewski
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Xiaowei Chen
- Department of Pathology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Ronald J Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, 622 West 168th St. PH16-66, New York, NY, 10032, USA
| | - Cande V Ananth
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Rutgers School of Public Health, Piscataway, NJ, USA
- Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Piscataway, NJ, USA
| | - Michael Sheetz
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - George Gallos
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
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7
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Ma X, Zhao P, Wakle-Prabagaran M, Amazu C, Malik M, Wu W, Wang H, Wang Y, England SK. Microelectrode array analysis of mouse uterine smooth muscle electrical activity†. Biol Reprod 2020; 102:935-942. [PMID: 31768528 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 10/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Uterine contractions are important for various functions of the female reproductive cycle. Contractions are generated, in part, by electrical coupling of smooth muscle cells of the myometrium, the main muscle layer of the uterus. Aberrant myometrial electrical activity can lead to uterine dysfunction. To better understand and treat conditions associated with aberrant activity, it is crucial to understand the mechanisms that underlie normal activity. Here, we used microelectrode array (MEA) to simultaneously record and characterize myometrial electrical activities at high spatial and temporal resolution. Mouse myometrial longitudinal muscle tissue was isolated at different stages throughout the estrous cycle and placed on an 8×8 MEA. Electrical activity was recorded for 10 min at a sampling rate of 12.5 kHz. We used a spike-tracking algorithm to independently analyze each channel and developed a pipeline to quantify the amplitude, duration, frequency, and synchronicity of the electrical activities. Electrical activities in estrous were more synchronous, and had shorter duration, higher frequency, and lower amplitude than electrical activities in non-estrous. We conclude that MEA can be used to detect differential patterns of myometrial electrical activity in distinct estrous cycle stages. In the future, this methodology can be used to assess different physiological and pathological states and evaluate therapeutic agents that regulate uterine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofeng Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Peinan Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Monali Wakle-Prabagaran
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Chinwendu Amazu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Manasi Malik
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Wenjie Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Physics, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA and
| | - Yong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Department of Radiology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Sarah K England
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.,Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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8
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9
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Danielsson J, Kuforiji AS, Yocum GT, Zhang Y, Xu D, Gallos G, Emala CW. Agonism of the TMEM16A calcium-activated chloride channel modulates airway smooth muscle tone. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2019; 318:L287-L295. [PMID: 31747299 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00552.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
TMEM16A (anoctamin 1) is an important calcium-activated chloride channel in airway smooth muscle (ASM). We have previously shown that TMEM16A antagonists such as benzbromarone relax ASM and have proposed TMEM16A antagonists as novel therapies for asthma treatment. However, TMEM16A is also expressed on airway epithelium, and TMEM16A agonists are being investigated as novel therapies for cystic fibrosis. There are theoretical concerns that agonism of TMEM16A on ASM could lead to bronchospasm, making them detrimental as airway therapeutics. The TMEM16A agonist Eact induced a significant contraction of human ASM and guinea pig tracheal rings in an ex vivo organ bath model. Pretreatment with two different TMEM16A antagonists, benzbromarone or T16Ainh-A01, completely attenuated these Eact-induced contractions. Pretreatment with Eact alone augmented the maximum acetylcholine contraction. Pretreatment of A/J mice in vivo with nebulized Eact caused an augmentation of methacholine-induced increases in airway resistance measured by the forced oscillatory technique (flexiVent). Pretreatment with the TMEM16A antagonist benzbromarone significantly attenuated methacholine-induced increases in airway resistance. In in vitro cellular studies, TMEM16A was found to be expressed more abundantly in ASM compared with epithelial cells in culture (8-fold higher in ASM). Eact caused an increase in intracellular calcium in human ASM cells that was completely attenuated by pretreatment with benzbromarone. Eact acutely depolarized the plasma membrane potential of ASM cells, which was attenuated by benzbromarone or nifedipine. The TMEM16A agonist Eact modulates ASM contraction in both ex vivo and in vivo models, suggesting that agonism of TMEM16A may lead to clinically relevant bronchospasm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aisha S Kuforiji
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Gene T Yocum
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Dingbang Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - George Gallos
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Charles W Emala
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Hyuga S, Danielsson J, Vink J, Fu XW, Wapner R, Gallos G. Functional comparison of anoctamin 1 antagonists on human uterine smooth muscle contractility and excitability. J Smooth Muscle Res 2019; 54:28-42. [PMID: 29937453 PMCID: PMC6013749 DOI: 10.1540/jsmr.54.28] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Pre-term birth is a major health care challenge
throughout the world, and preterm labor represents a potentially reversible
component of this problem. Current tocolytics do not improve preterm labor
beyond 48 h. We have previously shown that anoctamin 1 (ANO1) channel blockade
results in relaxation of pre-contracted human uterine smooth muscle (USM). Three
drug classes with reported medicinal effects in humans also have members with
ANO1 antagonism. In this study, we compared the ability of representatives from
these 3 classes to reduce human USM contractility and excitability.
Objective: This study sought to examine the comparative potency
of 3 ANO1 antagonists on pregnant human USM relaxation, contraction frequency
reduction, inhibition of intracellular calcium release and membrane
hyperpolarization. Methods: Experiments were performed using: 1)
Ex vivo organ bath (human pregnant tissue), 2)
Oxytocin-induced calcium flux (in vitro human USM cells) and 3)
Membrane potential assay (in vitro human USM cells).
Results: Benzbromarone (BB) demonstrated the greatest potency
among the compounds tested with respect to force, frequency inhibition, reducing
calcium elevation and depolarizing membrane potential. Conclusion:
While all 3 ANO1 antagonists attenuate pregnant human uterine tissue
contractility and excitability, BB is the most potent tocolytic drug. Our
findings may serve as a foundation for future structure-function analyses for
novel tocolytic drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunsuke Hyuga
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Jennifer Danielsson
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Joy Vink
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Xiao Wen Fu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - Ronald Wapner
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
| | - George Gallos
- Department of Anesthesiology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY
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The Myometrium: From Excitation to Contractions and Labour. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2019; 1124:233-263. [PMID: 31183830 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-5895-1_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2022]
Abstract
We start by describing the functions of the uterus, its structure, both gross and fine, innervation and blood supply. It is interesting to note the diversity of the female's reproductive tract between species and to remember it when working with different animal models. Myocytes are the overwhelming cell type of the uterus (>95%) and our focus. Their function is to contract, and they have an intrinsic pacemaker and rhythmicity, which is modified by hormones, stretch, paracrine factors and the extracellular environment. We discuss evidence or not for pacemaker cells in the uterus. We also describe the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in some detail, as it is relevant to calcium signalling and excitability. Ion channels, including store-operated ones, their contributions to excitability and action potentials, are covered. The main pathway to excitation is from depolarisation opening voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. Much of what happens downstream of excitability is common to other smooth muscles, with force depending upon the balance of myosin light kinase and phosphatase. Mechanisms of maintaining Ca2+ balance within the myocytes are discussed. Metabolism, and how it is intertwined with activity, blood flow and pH, is covered. Growth of the myometrium and changes in contractile proteins with pregnancy and parturition are also detailed. We finish with a description of uterine activity and why it is important, covering progression to labour as well as preterm and dysfunctional labours. We conclude by highlighting progress made and where further efforts are required.
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Maduro MR. A Potentially New Tocolytic Agent. Reprod Sci 2018; 25:1529-1530. [PMID: 30326820 DOI: 10.1177/1933719118802730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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