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Hamburg-Shields E, Mesiano S. The hormonal control of parturition. Physiol Rev 2024; 104:1121-1145. [PMID: 38329421 PMCID: PMC11380996 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00019.2023] [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: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Parturition is a complex physiological process that must occur in a reliable manner and at an appropriate gestation stage to ensure a healthy newborn and mother. To this end, hormones that affect the function of the gravid uterus, especially progesterone (P4), 17β-estradiol (E2), oxytocin (OT), and prostaglandins (PGs), play pivotal roles. P4 via the nuclear P4 receptor (PR) promotes uterine quiescence and for most of pregnancy exerts a dominant block to labor. Loss of the P4 block to parturition in association with a gain in prolabor actions of E2 are key transitions in the hormonal cascade leading to parturition. P4 withdrawal can occur through various mechanisms depending on species and physiological context. Parturition in most species involves inflammation within the uterine tissues and especially at the maternal-fetal interface. Local PGs and other inflammatory mediators may initiate parturition by inducing P4 withdrawal. Withdrawal of the P4 block is coordinated with increased E2 actions to enhance uterotonic signals mediated by OT and PGs to promote uterine contractions, cervix softening, and membrane rupture, i.e., labor. This review examines recent advances in research to understand the hormonal control of parturition, with focus on the roles of P4, E2, PGs, OT, inflammatory cytokines, and placental peptide hormones together with evolutionary biology of and implications for clinical management of human parturition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily Hamburg-Shields
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
| | - Sam Mesiano
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Cleveland, Ohio, United States
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Chen Z, Li J, Xu W, Wu X, Xiang F, Li X, Zhang M, Zheng J, Kang X, Wu R. Elevated expression of Toll-like receptor 4 and cytokines in both serum and myometrium at term may serve as promising biomarkers for uterine activation preceding labor. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1255925. [PMID: 37867523 PMCID: PMC10585141 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1255925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Increased inflammation and cytokine levels are considered risk factors and promoters of preterm birth (PTB). However, the regulatory mechanism of pregnancy-related inflammation remains unclear. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) plays a critical role in inflammatory responses in various diseases. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate whether TLR4 is involved in the inflammatory responses during uterine activation for labor, with the goal of identifying potential biomarkers for uterine activation at term. Materials and methods We used flow cytometry to detect TLR4 expression on CD14+ maternal blood monocytes in the first, second, and third trimesters. ELISA was employed to measure TLR4 and cytokines levels in the maternal serum of term non-labor (TNL), term labor (TL) women and LPS induced preterm labor and PBS injected controls. TLR4siRNA was transfected into the human myometrial smooth muscle cells (HMSMCs), which were subsequently treated with IL-1β. The mRNA and protein levels of TLR4, uterine contraction-related protein connexin 43 (CX43), oxytocin receptor (OTR), MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway, and cytokines were analyzed using qRT-PCR, western blotting, and immunohistochemistry. Results The study revealed TLR4 expression on CD14+ maternal blood monocytes was higher in the third trimester group compared to the first and second trimester groups (p<0.001). Maternal serum concentrations of TLR4 and cytokines were significantly higher in the TL group than the TNL group (p<0.001). TLR4, OTR, CX43, activated MAPK/NF-κB expression, and cytokines levels were upregulated in TL group, and similarly significantly higher in the LPS-induced preterm group than in the control group. Using the HMSMCs we demonstrated that TLR4siRNA transfection suppressed contractility. Interfering with TLR4 expression reduced the expression of OTR, CX43, cytokines, and MAPK/NF-κB activation. There was a significant positive relationship between TLR4 expression and the inflammatory status in the myometrium. ROC analysis indicated that TLR4 and cytokines may serve as potential biomarkers for predicting uterine activation for labor. Conclusion Our data suggest that TLR4 and cytokines can act as stimulators of uterine activation for labor at term. Furthermore, the MAPK/NF-κB pathway appears to be one of the potential signaling pathways mediating TLR4's regulation of parturition initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixi Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinpeng Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenjuan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaomei Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fenfen Xiang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Li
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengzhe Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiangdong Kang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Rong Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Putuo Hospital, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Arrowsmith S. Multiple pregnancies, the myometrium and the role of mechanical factors in the timing of labour. Curr Res Physiol 2023; 6:100105. [PMID: 38107788 PMCID: PMC10724211 DOI: 10.1016/j.crphys.2023.100105] [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: 05/08/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple pregnancy remains a relatively common occurrence, but it is associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes for the mother and her babies and presents unique challenges to healthcare providers. This review will briefly discuss multiple pregnancies, their aetiology and their problems, including preterm birth, before reviewing the processes leading to normal labour onset and how they may be different in a multiple pregnancy. The mechanisms by which mechanical factors i.e., uterine distension or 'stretch' contribute to uterine excitability and the timing of labour onset will be the major focus, and how over distention may pre-dispose multiple pregnancies to preterm birth. This includes current thinking around the role of mechano (stretch) sensitive ion channels in the myometrium and changes to other important regulators of excitability and contraction which have been identified from studies using in vitro and in vivo models of uterine stretch. Physiological stimuli arising from the fetus(es) and placenta(s) will also be discussed. In reviewing what we know about the myometrium in multiple pregnancy in humans, the focus will be on twin pregnancy as it is the most common type of multiple pregnancy and has been the most studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Arrowsmith
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, John Dalton Building, Chester Street, Manchester, M1 5GD, UK
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Kammala AK, Mosebarger A, Radnaa E, Rowlinson E, Vora N, Fortunato SJ, Sharma S, Safarzadeh M, Menon R. Extracellular Vesicles-mediated recombinant IL-10 protects against ascending infection-associated preterm birth by reducing fetal inflammatory response. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1196453. [PMID: 37600782 PMCID: PMC10437065 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1196453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Fetal inflammatory response mediated by the influx of immune cells and activation of pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB in feto-maternal uterine tissues is the major determinant of infection-associated preterm birth (PTB, live births < 37 weeks of gestation). Objective To reduce the incidence of PTB by minimizing inflammation, extracellular vesicles (EVs) were electroporetically engineered to contain anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 (eIL-10), and their efficacy was tested in an ascending model of infection (vaginal administration of E. coli) induced PTB in mouse models. Study design EVs (size: 30-170 nm) derived from HEK293T cells were electroporated with recombinant IL-10 at 500 volts and 125 Ω, and 6 pulses to generate eIL-10. eIL-10 structural characters (electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, ExoView [size and cargo content] and functional properties (co-treatment of macrophage cells with LPS and eIL-10) were assessed. To test efficacy, CD1 mice were vaginally inoculated with E. coli (1010CFU) and subsequently treated with either PBS, eIL-10 (500ng) or Gentamicin (10mg/kg) or a combination of eIL-10+gentamicin. Fetal inflammatory response in maternal and fetal tissues after the infection or treatment were conducted by suspension Cytometer Time of Flight (CyTOF) using a transgenic mouse model that express red fluorescent TdTomato (mT+) in fetal cells. Results Engineered EVs were structurally and functionally stable and showed reduced proinflammatory cytokine production from LPS challenged macrophage cells in vitro. Maternal administration of eIL-10 (10 µg/kg body weight) crossed feto-maternal barriers to delay E. coli-induced PTB to deliver live pups at term. Delay in PTB was associated with reduced feto-maternal uterine inflammation (immune cell infiltration and histologic chorioamnionitis, NF-κB activation, and proinflammatory cytokine production). Conclusions eIL-10 administration was safe, stable, specific, delayed PTB by over 72 hrs and delivered live pups. The delivery of drugs using EVs overcomes the limitations of in-utero fetal interventions. Protecting IL-10 in EVs eliminates the need for the amniotic administration of recombinant IL-10 for its efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananth Kumar Kammala
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Angela Mosebarger
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Enkhtuya Radnaa
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Emma Rowlinson
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Natasha Vora
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Stephen J. Fortunato
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Surendra Sharma
- Department of Pediatrics, Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Providence, RI, United States
| | - Melody Safarzadeh
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, United States
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Riaposova L, Kim SH, Hanyaloglu AC, Sykes L, MacIntyre DA, Bennett PR, Terzidou V. Prostaglandin F2α requires activation of calcium-dependent signalling to trigger inflammation in human myometrium. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1150125. [PMID: 37547305 PMCID: PMC10400332 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1150125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Preterm birth is one of the major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality across the world. Both term and preterm labour are preceded by inflammatory activation in uterine tissues. This includes increased leukocyte infiltration, and subsequent increase in chemokine and cytokine levels, activation of pro-inflammatory transcription factors as NF-κB and increased prostaglandin synthesis. Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) is one of the myometrial activators and stimulators. Methods Here we investigated the role of PGF2α in pro-inflammatory signalling pathways in human myometrial cells isolated from term non-labouring uterine tissue. Primary myometrial cells were treated with G protein inhibitors, calcium chelators and/or PGF2α. Nuclear extracts were analysed by TranSignal cAMP/Calcium Protein/DNA Array. Whole cell protein lysates were analysed by Western blotting. mRNA levels of target genes were analysed by RT-PCR. Results The results show that PGF2α increases inflammation in myometrial cells through increased activation of NF-κB and MAP kinases and increased expression of COX-2. PGF2α was found to activate several calcium/cAMP-dependent transcription factors, such as CREB and C/EBP-β. mRNA levels of NF-κB-regulated cytokines and chemokines were also elevated with PGF2α stimulation. We have shown that the increase in PGF2α-mediated COX-2 expression in myometrial cells requires coupling of the FP receptor to both Gαq and Gαi proteins. Additionally, PGF2α-induced calcium response was also mediated through Gαq and Gαi coupling. Discussion In summary, our findings suggest that PGF2α-induced inflammation in myometrial cells involves activation of several transcription factors - NF-κB, MAP kinases, CREB and C/EBP-β. Our results indicate that the FP receptor signals via Gαq and Gαi coupling in myometrium. This work provides insight into PGF2α pro-inflammatory signalling in term myometrium prior to the onset of labour and suggests that PGF2α signalling pathways could be a potential target for management of preterm labour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucia Riaposova
- Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The March of Dimes European Prematurity Research Centre at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sung Hye Kim
- Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The March of Dimes European Prematurity Research Centre at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aylin C. Hanyaloglu
- Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lynne Sykes
- Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The March of Dimes European Prematurity Research Centre at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The Parasol Foundation Centre for Women’s Health and Cancer Research, St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College Healthcare National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - David A. MacIntyre
- Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The March of Dimes European Prematurity Research Centre at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Phillip R. Bennett
- Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The March of Dimes European Prematurity Research Centre at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vasso Terzidou
- Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- The March of Dimes European Prematurity Research Centre at Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital National Health Service (NHS) Trust, London, United Kingdom
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Kyathanahalli C, Snedden M, Hirsch E. Is human labor at term an inflammatory condition?†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:23-40. [PMID: 36173900 PMCID: PMC10060716 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac182] [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: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Parturition at term in normal pregnancy follows a predictable sequence of events. There is some evidence that a state of inflammation prevails in the reproductive tissues during labor at term, but it is uncertain whether this phenomenon is the initiating signal for parturition. The absence of a clear temporal sequence of inflammatory events prior to labor casts doubt on the concept that normal human labor at term is primarily the result of an inflammatory cascade. This review examines evidence linking parturition and inflammation in order to address whether inflammation is a cause of labor, a consequence of labor, or a separate but related phenomenon. Finally, we identify and suggest ways to reconcile inconsistencies regarding definitions of labor onset in published research, which may contribute to the variability in conclusions regarding the genesis and maintenance of parturition. A more thorough understanding of the processes underlying normal parturition at term may lead to novel insights regarding abnormal labor, including spontaneous preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of the fetal membranes, and dysfunctional labor, and the role of inflammation in each.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandrashekara Kyathanahalli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Madeline Snedden
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Emmet Hirsch
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, Illinois, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Lin Z, Shi JL, Chen M, Zheng ZM, Li MQ, Shao J. CCL2: An important cytokine in normal and pathological pregnancies: A review. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1053457. [PMID: 36685497 PMCID: PMC9852914 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1053457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), also known as monocytic chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), is an integral chemotactic factor which recruits macrophages for the immune response. Together with its receptors (e.g., CCR2, ACKR1, and ACKR2), they exert noticeable influences on various diseases of different systems. At the maternal-fetal interface, CCL2 is detected to be expressed in trophoblasts, decidual tissue, the myometrium, and others. Meanwhile, existing reports have determined a series of physiological regulators of CCL2, which functions in maintaining normal recruitment of immunocytes, tissue remodeling, and angiogenesis. However, abnormal levels of CCL2 have also been reported to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia and preterm labor. In this review, we concentrate on CCL2 expression at the maternal-fetal interface, as well as its precise regulatory mechanisms and classic signaling pathways, to reveal the multidimensional aspects of CCL2 in pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi Lin
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia-Lu Shi
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Chen
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zi-Meng Zheng
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Qing Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- National Health Commision (NHC) Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jun Shao
- Department of Gynecology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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Nicotine ameliorates inflammatory mediators in RU486 induced preterm labor model through activating cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway. Cytokine 2022; 160:156054. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.156054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2022] [Revised: 09/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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Zhang S, Ding J, Zhang Y, Liu S, Yang J, Yin T. Regulation and Function of Chemokines at the Maternal–Fetal Interface. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:826053. [PMID: 35938162 PMCID: PMC9354654 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.826053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful pregnancy requires the maternal immune system to tolerate the semi-allogeneic embryo. A good trophoblast function is also essential for successful embryo implantation and subsequent placental development. Chemokines are initially described in recruiting leukocytes. There are rich chemokines and chemokine receptor system at the maternal–fetal interface. Numerous studies have reported that they not only regulate trophoblast biological behaviors but also participate in the decidual immune response. At the same time, the chemokine system builds an important communication network between fetally derived trophoblast cells and maternally derived decidual cells. However, abnormal functions of chemokines or chemokine receptors are involved in a series of pregnancy complications. As growing evidence points to the roles of chemokines in pregnancy, there is a great need to summarize the available data on this topic. This review aimed to describe the recent research progress on the regulation and function of the main chemokines in pregnancy at the maternal–fetal interface. In addition, we also discussed the potential relationship between chemokines and pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sainan Zhang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University & Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
| | - Jinli Ding
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University & Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Su Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Reproductive Immunology for Peri-implantation, Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Su Liu, ; Jing Yang, ; Tailang Yin,
| | - Jing Yang
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University & Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Su Liu, ; Jing Yang, ; Tailang Yin,
| | - Tailang Yin
- Reproductive Medical Center, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University & Hubei Clinic Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Embryonic Development, Wuhan, China
- *Correspondence: Su Liu, ; Jing Yang, ; Tailang Yin,
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Hui Z, Dong QQ, Shu HP, Tu YC, Liao QQ, Yao LJ. Mechanistic insights into the renoprotective role of curcumin in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury: network pharmacology analysis and experimental validation. Bioengineered 2021; 12:11041-11056. [PMID: 34802380 PMCID: PMC8810021 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2021.2005916] [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] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (CP-AKI) is a severe complication in patients receiving CP chemotherapy. However, effective therapies for CP-AKI are currently lacking. Curcumin (CUR), a natural polyphenol, is extracted from the rhizome of turmeric and has been reported to have nephroprotective activity. However, the role of CUR in CP-AKI remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the mechanism of CUR in CP-AKI by combining a network pharmacology approach with experimental validations. The analysis revealed 176 potential targets of CUR based on the HERB database and 1,286 related targets of CP-AKI from the GeneCards, DrugBank, and OMIM databases. Further, 106 common targets of CUR against CP-AKI were obtained, and these common targets constructed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. In addition, the core targets were screened from the PPI network using Cytoscape. Molecular docking revealed that CUR displayed the best binding to AKT1. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis indicated that the primary biological processes of CUR against CP-AKI included cellular response to chemical stress and apoptotic regulation. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis suggested that the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway was most significantly enriched in CUR against CP-AKI. Western blotting and flow cytometry showed that CUR inhibited apoptosis induced by CP by activating the Akt signaling pathway in human kidney tubular epithelial cells (HK-2). Altogether, our findings demonstrated that CUR alleviated apoptosis by activating the Akt signaling pathway in CP-AKI in vitro. These data provide a scientific basis for future investigations into the clinical application of CUR against CP-AKI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhang Hui
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qing-Qing Dong
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Hua-Pan Shu
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu-Chi Tu
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Qian-Qian Liao
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Li-Jun Yao
- Department of Nephrology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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Martínez-Burnes J, Muns R, Barrios-García H, Villanueva-García D, Domínguez-Oliva A, Mota-Rojas D. Parturition in Mammals: Animal Models, Pain and Distress. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:2960. [PMID: 34679979 PMCID: PMC8532935 DOI: 10.3390/ani11102960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Parturition is a complex physiological process and involves many hormonal, morphological, physiological, and behavioural changes. Labour is a crucial moment for numerous species and is usually the most painful experience in females. Contrary to the extensive research in humans, there are limited pain studies associated with the birth process in domestic animals. Nonetheless, awareness of parturition has increased among the public, owners, and the scientific community during recent years. Dystocia is a significant factor that increases the level of parturition pain. It is considered less common in polytocous species because newborns' number and small size might lead to the belief that the parturition process is less painful than in monotocous animal species and humans. This review aims to provide elements of the current knowledge about human labour pain (monotocous species), the relevant contribution of the rat model to human labour pain, and the current clinical and experimental knowledge of parturition pain mechanisms in domestic animals that support the fact that domestic polytocous species also experience pain. Moreover, both for women and domestic animal species, parturition's pain represents a potential welfare concern, and information on pain indicators and the appropriate analgesic therapy are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julio Martínez-Burnes
- Animal Health Group, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Victoria City 87000, Tamaulipas, Mexico;
| | - Ramon Muns
- Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Hillsborough, Co Down BT26 6DR, Northern Ireland, UK;
| | - Hugo Barrios-García
- Animal Health Group, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Victoria City 87000, Tamaulipas, Mexico;
| | - Dina Villanueva-García
- Division of Neonatology, Hospital Infantil de México Federico Gómez, Mexico City 06720, Mexico;
| | - Adriana Domínguez-Oliva
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico;
| | - Daniel Mota-Rojas
- Neurophysiology, Behavior and Animal Welfare Assessment, DPAA, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana (UAM), Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City 04960, Mexico;
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12
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Huang Q, Jin X, Li P, Zheng Z, Jiang Y, Liu H. Elevated inflammatory mediators from the maternal-fetal interface to fetal circulation during labor. Cytokine 2021; 148:155707. [PMID: 34560611 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2021.155707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 09/04/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Elevated cytokines, like IL-1βand IL-6, are known to contribute to the pathogenesis of labor. However, the change of inflammatory mediators in maternal-fetal interface to fetal circulation is obscure. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS We investigated the changes of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and macrophage in maternal-fetal interface tissues and fetal circulation of women in labor vs. non-labor. Human myometrium, placenta, decidua, fetal membrane and umbilical blood were obtained from in-labor and non-in-labor women who eventually delivered live, singleton infants at term (>37 weeks gestation) by elective caesarean section. Luminex was used to measure the level of cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8) and chemokines (MCP-1, GM-CSF, MIP-1α, MIP-1β) in each sample (tissue and umbilical blood). Macrophage infiltration was demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS During labor, the level of cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-8 and chemokine MCP-1 and MIP-1β in myometrium is significantly higher (p < 0.05), than those obtained from non-laboring patients. This increase coincides with the influx of macrophage into the myometrium. In addition, IL-1β and IL-8 (p < 0.05) are also up regulated in fetal membrane during labor compared to non-labor. The cytokines do not change significantly in placenta and decidua tissue. In fetal circulation, IL-6 (p < 0.05) is up regulated in umbilical vein blood in labor group. IL-8 (p = 0.08) in umbilical vein also show an increasing trend during labor. CONCLUSIONS There are markedly elevated inflammatory mediators in maternal-fetal interface during labor. The increased maternal inflammatory factors released into the fetal circulation through placenta circulation at the time of labor. This increase coincides with the influx of macrophage into the pregnancy tissue, suggesting that the inflammatory response might play an important role in the onset of labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Huang
- Department of Obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Jin
- Department of Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pin Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanmin Jiang
- Department of Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huishu Liu
- Department of Obstetrics, First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, China; Department of Obstetrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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13
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Leimert KB, Xu W, Princ MM, Chemtob S, Olson DM. Inflammatory Amplification: A Central Tenet of Uterine Transition for Labor. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:660983. [PMID: 34490133 PMCID: PMC8417473 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.660983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
In preparation for delivery, the uterus transitions from actively maintaining quiescence during pregnancy to an active parturient state. This transition occurs as a result of the accumulation of pro-inflammatory signals which are amplified by positive feedback interactions involving paracrine and autocrine signaling at the level of each intrauterine cell and tissue. The amplification events occur in parallel until they reach a certain threshold, ‘tipping the scale’ and contributing to processes of uterine activation and functional progesterone withdrawal. The described signaling interactions all occur upstream from the presentation of clinical labor symptoms. In this review, we will: 1) describe the different physiological processes involved in uterine transition for each intrauterine tissue; 2) compare and contrast the current models of labor initiation; 3) introduce innovative models for measuring paracrine inflammatory interactions; and 4) discuss the therapeutic value in identifying and targeting key players in this crucial event for preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelycia B Leimert
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Wendy Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Magdalena M Princ
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Sylvain Chemtob
- Department of Pediatrics, Ophthalmology and Pharmacology, CHU Sainte-Justine Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - David M Olson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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14
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Hua R, Edey LF, O'Dea KP, Howe L, Herbert BR, Cheng W, Zheng X, MacIntyre DA, Bennett PR, Takata M, Johnson MR. CCR2 mediates the adverse effects of LPS in the pregnant mouse. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:445-455. [PMID: 31599921 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz188] [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: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In our earlier work, we found that intrauterine (i.u.) and intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of LPS (10-μg serotype 0111:B4) induced preterm labor (PTL) with high pup mortality, marked systemic inflammatory response and hypotension. Here, we used both i.u. and i.p. LPS models in pregnant wild-type (wt) and CCR2 knockout (CCR2-/-) mice on E16 to investigate the role played by the CCL2/CCR2 system in the response to LPS. Basally, lower numbers of monocytes and macrophages and higher numbers of neutrophils were found in the myometrium, placenta, and blood of CCR2-/- vs. wt mice. After i.u. LPS, parturition occurred at 14 h in both groups of mice. At 7 h post-injection, 70% of wt pups were dead vs. 10% of CCR2-/- pups, but at delivery 100% of wt and 90% of CCR2-/- pups were dead. Myometrial and placental monocytes and macrophages were generally lower in CCR2-/- mice, but this was less consistent in the circulation, lung, and liver. At 7 h post-LPS, myometrial ERK activation was greater and JNK and p65 lower and the mRNA levels of chemokines were higher and of inflammatory cytokines lower in CCR2-/- vs. wt mice. Pup brain and placental inflammation were similar. Using the IP LPS model, we found that all measures of arterial pressure increased in CCR2-/- but declined in wt mice. These data suggest that the CCL2/CCR2 system plays a critical role in the cardiovascular response to LPS and contributes to pup death but does not influence the onset of inflammation-induced PTL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renyi Hua
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Academic Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.,The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institute (IPMCH), School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Lydia F Edey
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Academic Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - Kieran P O'Dea
- Section of Anaesthetics, Pain Medicine, and Intensive Care, Faculty of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - Laura Howe
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Academic Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - Bronwen R Herbert
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Academic Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - Weiwei Cheng
- The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institute (IPMCH), School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Xia Zheng
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Academic Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - David A MacIntyre
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Philip R Bennett
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK
| | - Masao Takata
- The International Peace Maternity & Child Health Hospital of China Welfare Institute (IPMCH), School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai Municipal Key Clinical Specialty, Shanghai, China
| | - Mark R Johnson
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Academic Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
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15
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Transcription factors regulated by cAMP in smooth muscle of the myometrium at human parturition. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:997-1011. [PMID: 33860781 PMCID: PMC8106496 DOI: 10.1042/bst20201173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) contributes to maintenance of a quiescent (relaxed) state in the myometrium (i.e. uterine smooth muscle) during pregnancy, which most commonly has been attributed to activation of protein kinase A (PKA). PKA-mediated phosphorylation of cytosolic contractile apparatus components in myometrial smooth muscle cells (mSMCs) are known to promote relaxation. Additionally, PKA also regulates nuclear transcription factor (TF) activity to control expression of genes important to the labour process; these are mostly involved in actin-myosin interactions, cell-to-cell connectivity and inflammation, all of which influence mSMC transition from a quiescent to a contractile (pro-labour) phenotype. This review focuses on the evidence that cAMP modulates the activity of TFs linked to pro-labour gene expression, predominantly cAMP response element (CRE) binding TFs, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), activator protein 1 (AP-1) family and progesterone receptors (PRs). This review also considers the more recently described exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (EPAC) that may oppose the pro-quiescent effects of PKA, as well as explores findings from other cell types that have the potential to be of novel relevance to cAMP action on TF function in the myometrium.
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16
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Tersigni C, Vatish M, D'Ippolito S, Scambia G, Di Simone N. Abnormal uterine inflammation in obstetric syndromes: molecular insights into the role of chemokine decoy receptor D6 and inflammasome NLRP3. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 26:111-121. [PMID: 32030415 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The adaptation of the uterine environment into a favorable immunological and inflammatory milieu is a physiological process needed in normal pregnancy. A uterine hyperinflammatory state, whether idiopathic or secondary to hormonal or organic uterine disorders (polycystic ovary syndromes, endometriosis/adenomyosis and fibroids), negatively influences the interactions between decidua and trophoblast, early in gestation, and between chorion and decidua later in pregnancy. Abnormal activation of uterine inflammatory pathways not only contributes to the pathogenesis of the obstetric syndromes, i.e. recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), pre-term delivery (PTD) and pre-eclampsia (PE), but also to correlates with severity. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the knowledge of uterine molecular mechanisms of inflammatory modulation in normal pregnancy and obstetric syndromes (RPL, PTD and PE). In particular, we focus on two regulators of uterine/placental inflammation: the NLRP3 inflammasome and the chemokines decoy receptor D6. We performed comprehensive review of the literature in PubMed and Google Scholar databases from 1994 to 2018. The available evidence suggests that: (i) the expression of inflammasome NLRP3 is increased in the endometrium of women with unexplained RPL, in the chorioamniotic membranes of women with PTL and in the placenta of women with PE; (ii) there is a role for abnormal expression and function of D6 decoy receptor at the feto-maternal interface in cases of RPL and PTD and (iii) the function of placental D6 decoy receptor is impaired in PE. A wider comprehension of the inflammatory molecular mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the obstetric syndromes might lead to the identification of new potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Tersigni
- U.O.C. di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Manu Vatish
- Nuffield Department of Women's & Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, OX3 9DU, Oxford, UK
| | - Silvia D'Ippolito
- U.O.C. di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Giovanni Scambia
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy.,U.O.C. di Ginecologia Oncologica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Di Simone
- U.O.C. di Ostetricia e Patologia Ostetrica, Dipartimento di Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Rome 00168, Italy.,Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome 00168, Italy
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17
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Yulia A, Varley AJ, Singh N, Lei K, Tribe RM, Johnson MR. The interaction between protein kinase A and progesterone on basal and inflammation-induced myometrial oxytocin receptor expression. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0239937. [PMID: 33259490 PMCID: PMC7707466 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0239937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Our previous work has shown myometrial PKA activity declines in term and twin-preterm labour in association with an increase in the expression of the oxytocin receptor (OTR). Here we investigate the action of cAMP/PKA in basal conditions, with the addition of progesterone (P4) and/or IL-1β to understand how cAMP/PKA acts to maintain pregnancy and whether the combination of cAMP and P4 would be a viable therapeutic combination for the prevention of preterm labour (PTL). Further, given that we have previously found that cAMP enhances P4 action we wanted to test the hypothesis that changes in the cAMP effector system are responsible for the functional withdrawal of myometrial P4 action. Myometrial cells were grown from biopsies obtained from women at the time of elective Caesarean section before the onset of labour. The addition of forskolin, an adenylyl cyclase activator, repressed basal OTR mRNA levels at all doses and P4 only enhanced this effect at its highest dose. Forskolin repressed the IL-1β-induced increase in OTR mRNA and protein levels in a PKA-dependent fashion and repressed IL-1β-activation and nuclear transfer of NFκB and AP-1. P4 had similar effects and the combination P4 and forskolin had greater effects on OTR and NFκB than forskolin alone. While PKA knockdown had no effect on the ability of P4 to repress IL-1β-induced OTR expression it reversed the repressive effect of the combination of P4 and forskolin and resulted in a greater increase than observed with IL-1β alone. These studies suggest that cAMP acts via PKA to repress inflammation-driven OTR expression, but that when PKA activity is reduced, the combination of cAMP and P4 actually enhances the OTR response to inflammation, promoting the onset of labour and suggesting that changes in the cAMP effector system can induce a functional P4 withdrawal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Yulia
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice J. Varley
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Singh
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaiyu Lei
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel M. Tribe
- Department of Women and Children’s Health, School of Life Course Sciences, Kings College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark R. Johnson
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College School of Medicine, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
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18
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Changes in cAMP effector predominance are associated with increased oxytocin receptor expression in twin but not infection-associated or idiopathic preterm labour. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0240325. [PMID: 33253216 PMCID: PMC7703985 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We previously reported that at term pregnancy, a decline in myometrial protein kinase A (PKA) activity leads to an exchange protein activated by cyclic AMP (Epac1)-dependent increase in oxytocin receptor (OTR) expression, promoting the onset of labour. Here, we studied the changes in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) effector system present in different phenotypes of preterm labour (PTL). Myometrial biopsies obtained from women with phenotypically distinct forms of PTL and the levels of PKA and OTR were examined. Although we found similar changes in the cAMP effector pathway in all forms of PTL, only in the case of twin PTL (T-PTL) was myometrial OTR levels increased in association with these results. Although there were several changes in the mRNA levels of components of the cAMP synthetic pathway, the total myometrial cAMP levels did not change with the onset of any subtype of PTL. With regards to the expression of cAMP-responsive genes, we found that the mRNA levels of 4 of the 5 cAMP-down-regulated genes were increased in T-PTL, similar to our findings in term labour. These data signify that although changes in the cAMP effector system were common to all forms of PTL, only in T-PTL were OTR levels increased. Similarly, the mRNA levels of cAMP-repressed genes were only increased in T-PTL supporting the concept that the decline in PKA levels influences myometrial function driving the onset of T-PTL.
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19
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Abstract
Term labour is a state of physiological inflammation orchestrated by multiple uterine tissues (both fetal and maternal). This physiological inflammation preceding and accompanying labour onset is characterized by an increase in cytokine and chemokine secretion by the fetal membranes, as well as uterine tissues (i.e., decidua and myometrium). Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines activate circulating maternal peripheral leukocytes as well as the uterine vascular endothelium to permit leukocyte infiltration into the uterus. This inflammatory milieu, in the absence of infection, is required for the initiation of labour as the uterine-infiltrated leukocytes secrete matrix metalloproteinases to induce fetal membrane rupture and cervical ripening as well as various labour mediators, which promote contractions of the myometrium. Myometrial activation at term and the onset of labour contractions are directly related to the changes in the ovarian/placental hormone progesterone and its downstream mediators (i.e., the progesterone receptors, PRA/B), which are also critical for maintenance of pregnancy. Our recent data provides direct evidence in support of local and functional P4 withdrawal in the uterine muscle (myometrium) via the activator protein-1 (AP-1) mediated pathway. This review outlines known mechanisms regulating activation of human labour, including progesterone and cytokine signaling. Understanding of the molecular mechanism of myometrial activation and labour onset could facilitate the development of new therapeutics for high-risk pregnant women to prevent premature uterine activation and preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oksana Shynlova
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Departments of Physiology and University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Lubna Nadeem
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Jianhong Zhang
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Caroline Dunk
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stephen Lye
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada; Departments of Physiology and University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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20
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Coleman M, Orvis A, Wu TY, Dacanay M, Merillat S, Ogle J, Baldessari A, Kretzer NM, Munson J, Boros-Rausch AJ, Shynlova O, Lye S, Rajagopal L, Adams Waldorf KM. A Broad Spectrum Chemokine Inhibitor Prevents Preterm Labor but Not Microbial Invasion of the Amniotic Cavity or Neonatal Morbidity in a Non-human Primate Model. Front Immunol 2020; 11:770. [PMID: 32425945 PMCID: PMC7203489 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.00770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukocyte activation within the chorioamniotic membranes is strongly associated with inflammation and preterm labor (PTL). We hypothesized that prophylaxis with a broad-spectrum chemokine inhibitor (BSCI) would downregulate the inflammatory microenvironment induced by Group B Streptococcus (GBS, Streptococcus agalactiae) to suppress PTL and microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity (MIAC). To correlate BSCI administration with PTL and MIAC, we used a unique chronically catheterized non-human primate model of Group B Streptococcus (GBS)-induced PTL. In the early third trimester (128–138 days gestation; ~29–32 weeks human pregnancy), animals received choriodecidual inoculations of either: (1) saline (N = 6), (2) GBS, 1–5 × 108 colony forming units (CFU)/ml; N = 5), or (3) pre-treatment and daily infusions of a BSCI (10 mg/kg intravenous and intra-amniotic) with GBS (1–5 × 108 CFU/ml; N = 4). We measured amniotic cavity pressure (uterine contraction strength) and sampled amniotic fluid (AF) and maternal blood serially and cord blood at delivery. Cesarean section was performed 3 days post-inoculation or earlier for PTL. Data analysis used Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum and one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni correction. Saline inoculation did not induce PTL or infectious sequelae. In contrast, GBS inoculation typically induced PTL (4/5, 80%), MIAC and fetal bacteremia (3/5; 60%). Remarkably, PTL did not occur in the BSCI+GBS group (0/4, 0%; p = 0.02 vs. GBS), despite MIAC and fetal bacteremia in all cases (4/4; 100%). Compared to the GBS group, BSCI prophylaxis was associated with significantly lower cytokine levels including lower IL-8 in amniotic fluid (p = 0.03), TNF-α in fetal plasma (p < 0.05), IFN-α and IL-7 in the fetal lung (p = 0.02) and IL-18, IL-2, and IL-7 in the fetal brain (p = 0.03). Neutrophilic chorioamnionitis was common in the BSCI and GBS groups, but was more severe in the BSCI+GBS group with greater myeloperoxidase staining (granulocyte marker) in the amnion and chorion (p < 0.05 vs. GBS). Collectively, these observations indicate that blocking the chemokine response to infection powerfully suppressed uterine contractility, PTL and the cytokine response, but did not prevent MIAC and fetal pneumonia. Development of PTL immunotherapies should occur in tandem with evaluation for AF microbes and consideration for antibiotic therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Coleman
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Austyn Orvis
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Tsung-Yen Wu
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Matthew Dacanay
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Sean Merillat
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jason Ogle
- Washington National Primate Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Audrey Baldessari
- Washington National Primate Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Nicole M Kretzer
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Jeff Munson
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | | | - Oksana Shynlova
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen Lye
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.,Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Center for Global Infectious Disease Research, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
| | - Kristina M Adams Waldorf
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States.,Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States
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21
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Myometrial activation: Novel concepts underlying labor. Placenta 2020; 92:28-36. [PMID: 32056784 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Term labour is a state of physiological inflammation orchestrated by multiple uterine tissues (both fetal and maternal). This physiological inflammation preceding and accompanying labour onset is characterized by an increase in cytokine and chemokine secretion by the fetal membranes, as well as uterine tissues (i.e., decidua and myometrium). Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines activate circulating maternal peripheral leukocytes as well as the uterine vascular endothelium to permit leukocyte infiltration into the uterus. This inflammatory milieu, in the absence of infection, is required for the initiation of labour as the uterine-infiltrated leukocytes secrete matrix metalloproteinases to induce fetal membrane rupture and cervical ripening as well as various labour mediators, which promote contractions of the myometrium. Myometrial activation at term and the onset of labour contractions are directly related to the changes in the ovarian/placental hormone progesterone and its downstream mediators (i.e., the progesterone receptors, PRA/B), which are also critical for maintenance of pregnancy. Our recent data provides direct evidence in support of local and functional P4 withdrawal in the uterine muscle (myometrium) via the activator protein-1 (AP-1) mediated pathway. This review outlines known mechanisms regulating activation of human labour, including progesterone and cytokine signaling. Understanding of the molecular mechanism of myometrial activation and labour onset could facilitate the development of new therapeutics for high-risk pregnant women to prevent premature uterine activation and preterm birth.
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22
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23
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Oh KJ, Hong JS, Romero R, Yoon BH. The frequency and clinical significance of intra-amniotic inflammation in twin pregnancies with preterm labor and intact membranes. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2019; 32:527-541. [PMID: 29020827 PMCID: PMC5899042 DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2017.1384460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/21/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this study is to evaluate the frequency and clinical significance of intra-amniotic inflammation in twin pregnancies with preterm labor and intact membranes. STUDY DESIGN Amniotic fluid (AF) was retrieved from both sacs in 90 twin gestations with preterm labor and intact membranes (gestational age between 20 and 34 6/7 weeks). Preterm labor was defined as the presence of painful regular uterine contractions, with a frequency of at least 2 every 10 min, requiring hospitalization. Fluid was cultured and assayed for matrix metalloproteinase-8. Intra-amniotic inflammation was defined as an AF matrix metalloproteinase-8 concentration >23 ng/mL. RESULTS The prevalence of intra-amniotic inflammation for at least 1 amniotic sac was 39% (35/90), while that of proven intra-amniotic infection for at least one amniotic sac was 10% (9/90). Intra-amniotic inflammation without proven microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity was found in 29% (26/90) of the cases. Intra-amniotic inflammation was present in both amniotic sacs for 22 cases, in the presenting amniotic sac for 12 cases, and in the non-presenting amniotic sac for one case. Women with intra-amniotic inflammation observed in at least one amniotic sac and a negative AF culture for microorganisms had a significantly higher rate of adverse pregnancy outcome than those with a negative AF culture and without intra-amniotic inflammation (lower gestational age at birth, shorter amniocentesis-to-delivery interval, and significant neonatal morbidity). Importantly, there was no significant difference in pregnancy outcome between women with intra-amniotic inflammation and a negative AF culture and those with a positive AF culture. CONCLUSION Intra-amniotic inflammation is present in 39% of twin pregnancies with preterm labor and intact membranes and is a risk factor for impending preterm delivery and adverse outcome, regardless of the presence or absence of bacteria detected using cultivation techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Joon Oh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Joon-Seok Hong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam-si, Korea
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and Detroit, Michigan, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Bo Hyun Yoon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
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Mendelson CR, Gao L, Montalbano AP. Multifactorial Regulation of Myometrial Contractility During Pregnancy and Parturition. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:714. [PMID: 31708868 PMCID: PMC6823183 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The steroid hormones progesterone (P4) and estradiol-17β (E2), produced by the placenta in humans and the ovaries in rodents, serve crucial roles in the maintenance of pregnancy, and the initiation of parturition. Because of their critical importance for species survival, the mechanisms whereby P4 and its nuclear receptor (PR) maintain myometrial quiescence during pregnancy, and for the decline in P4/PR and increase in E2/estrogen receptor (ER) function leading to parturition, are multifaceted, cooperative, and redundant. These actions of P4/PR include: (1) PR interaction with proinflammatory transcription factors, nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), and activating protein 1 (AP-1) bound to promoters of proinflammatory and contractile/contraction-associated protein (CAP) genes and recruitment of corepressors to inhibit NF-κB and AP-1 activation of gene expression; (2) upregulation of inhibitors of proinflammatory transcription factor activation (IκBα, MKP-1); (3) induction of transcriptional repressors of CAP genes (e.g., ZEB1). In rodents and most other mammals, circulating maternal P4 levels remain elevated throughout most of pregnancy and decline precipitously near term. By contrast, in humans, circulating P4 levels and myometrial PR levels remain elevated throughout pregnancy and into labor. However, even in rodents, wherein P4 levels decline near term, P4 levels remain higher than the Kd for PR binding. Thus, parturition is initiated in all species by a series of molecular events that antagonize the P4/PR maintenance of uterine quiescence. These events include: direct interaction of inflammatory transcription factors (e.g., NF-κB, AP-1) with PR; increased expression of P4 metabolizing enzymes; increased expression of truncated/inhibitory PR isoforms; altered expression of PR coactivators and corepressors. This article will review various mechanisms whereby P4 acting through PR isoforms maintains myometrial quiescence during pregnancy as well as those that underlie the decline in PR function leading to labor. The roles of P4- and E2-regulated miRNAs in the regulation and integration of these mechanisms will also be considered.
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25
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Lappas M. Runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) deficiency attenuates inflammation-induced pro-inflammatory and pro-labour mediators in myometrium. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2018; 473:61-71. [PMID: 29330113 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2017] [Revised: 01/02/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Identifying new targets that regulate myometrial activation are required to develop effective treatments to stop preterm labor. Inflammation, which can be induced by sterile or infective insults, plays a role in initiating and maintaining uterine contractions. Several high throughput transcription screening studies have identified an upregulation of runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) mRNA expression in myometrium with labor. The role of RUNX1 in labor, however, is not known. We report increased RUNX1 during late gestation which was further augmented in labor, suggesting that RUNX1 may be involved in the transition of the myometrium from a quiescent into a contractile state in preparation for labor. By inhibiting the expression of RUNX1, we have established that RUNX1 induces the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, contraction-associated proteins OXR and PTGFR, the uterotonic PGF2α, and the ECM remodelling enzyme MMP9. Targeting RUNX1 may be a novel approach to prevent preterm labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martha Lappas
- Obstetrics, Nutrition and Endocrinology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Mercy Perinatal Research Centre, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
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26
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Copley Salem C, Ulrich C, Quilici D, Schlauch K, Buxton ILO, Burkin H. Mechanical strain induced phospho-proteomic signaling in uterine smooth muscle cells. J Biomech 2018; 73:99-107. [PMID: 29661501 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2018.03.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Mechanical strain associated with the expanding uterus correlates with increased preterm birth rates. Mechanical signals result in a cascading network of protein phosphorylation events. These signals direct cellular activities and may lead to changes in contractile phenotype and calcium signaling. In this study, the complete phospho-proteome of uterine smooth muscle cells subjected to mechanical strain for 5 min was compared to un-strained controls. Statistically significant, differential phosphorylation events were annotated by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis to elucidate mechanically induced phosphorylation networks. Mechanical strain leads to the direct activation of ERK1/2, HSPB1, and MYL9, in addition to phosphorylation of PAK2, vimentin, DOCK1, PPP1R12A, and PTPN11 at previously unannotated sites. These results suggest a novel network reaction to mechanical strain and reveal proteins that participate in the activation of contractile mechanisms leading to preterm labor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Copley Salem
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, United States
| | - Craig Ulrich
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, United States
| | - David Quilici
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Mick Hitchcock Proteomics Center, United States; University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, United States
| | - Karen Schlauch
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry, United States
| | - Iain L O Buxton
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, United States
| | - Heather Burkin
- University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, United States.
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27
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Lim R, Lappas M. NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) regulates inflammation-induced pro-labor mediators in human myometrial cells. Am J Reprod Immunol 2018; 79:e12825. [PMID: 29430761 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Inflammation plays a major role in preterm birth. Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor pyrin domain-containing-3 (NLRP3) plays a role in inflammatory diseases. The aims of this study were to determine the effect of term labor on the expression of NLRP3 in human myometrium and the effect of NLRP3 silencing on pro-labor mediators in myometrial cells. METHOD OF STUDY NLRP3 expression was assessed in myometrium from non-laboring and laboring women by qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Human primary myometrial cells were transfected with NLRP3 siRNA (siNLRP3), treated with pro-inflammatory cytokines and toll-like receptor (TLR) ligands, and assayed for pro-inflammatory mediators' expression. RESULTS NLRP3 expression was higher in myometrium after term spontaneous labor and by TNF, IL1B, fsl-1, and flagellin. In siNLRP3-transfected cells, there was a significant decrease in the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL1A, IL6), chemokines (CXCL8, CCL2), and adhesion molecules (ICAM1 and VCAM1) stimulated with IL1B, TNF, or TLR ligands; decrease in IL1B-stimulated PTGS2 and PTGFR mRNA expression and PGF2α release; and increase in TNF-stimulated myometrial gel shrinkage as assessed by an in vitro cell contraction assay. CONCLUSION NLRP3 is increased with labor in myometrial, and knockdown of NLRP3 is associated with an attenuation of inflammation-induced expression of pro-inflammatory and pro-labor mediators in human myometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratana Lim
- Obstetrics, Nutrition and Endocrinology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal Research Centre, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
| | - Martha Lappas
- Obstetrics, Nutrition and Endocrinology Group, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Mercy Perinatal Research Centre, Mercy Hospital for Women, Heidelberg, VIC, Australia
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28
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Islam MS, Akhtar MM, Segars JH, Castellucci M, Ciarmela P. Molecular targets of dietary phytochemicals for possible prevention and therapy of uterine fibroids: Focus on fibrosis. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2018; 57:3583-3600. [PMID: 28609115 DOI: 10.1080/10408398.2016.1245649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Uterine fibroids (myomas or leiomyomas) are common benign tumors of reproductive aged women. Fibroids are clinically apparent in 20-50% of women, and cause abnormal uterine bleeding, abdominal pain and discomfort, pregnancy complications and infertility. Unfortunately, limited numbers of medical treatment are available but no effective preventive strategies exist. Moreover, the benefits of medical treatments are tempered by lack of efficacy or serious adverse side effects. Fibrosis has recently been recognized as a key pathological event in leiomyoma development and growth. It is defined by the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). ECM plays important role in making bulk structure of leiomyoma, and ECM-rich rigid structure is believed to be a cause of abnormal bleeding and pelvic pain/pressure. Dietary phytochemicals are known to regulate fibrotic process in different biological systems, and being considered as potential tool to manage human health. At present, very few dietary phytochemicals have been studied in uterine leiomyoma, and they are mostly known for their antiproliferative effects. Therefore, in this review, our aim was to introduce some dietary phytochemicals that could target fibrotic processes in leiomyoma. Thus, this review could serve as useful resource to develop antifibrotic drugs for possible prevention and treatment of uterine fibroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Soriful Islam
- a Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine , Faculty of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche , Ancona , Italy.,b Biotechnology and Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Botany , University of Rajshahi , Rajshahi , Bangladesh
| | - Most Mauluda Akhtar
- a Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine , Faculty of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche , Ancona , Italy.,c Department of Clinical and Molecular Sciences , Faculty of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche , Ancona , Italy
| | - James H Segars
- d Howard W. and Georgeanna Seegar Jones Division of Reproductive Sciences, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics , Johns Hopkins School of Medicine , Baltimore , Maryland , USA
| | - Mario Castellucci
- a Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine , Faculty of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche , Ancona , Italy
| | - Pasquapina Ciarmela
- a Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine , Faculty of Medicine, Università Politecnica delle Marche , Ancona , Italy.,e Department of Information Engineering , Università Politecnica delle Marche , Ancona , Italy
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29
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Hadley EE, Richardson LS, Torloni MR, Menon R. Gestational tissue inflammatory biomarkers at term labor: A systematic review of literature. Am J Reprod Immunol 2017; 79. [PMID: 29076197 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 10/04/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Parturition at term is characterized by inflammatory overload in both feto-maternal tissues. Despite the large number of individual studies on changes in inflammatory biomarkers linked to labor, a comprehensive profile of them in each of the uterine compartments is not available to better understand their mechanistic contributions to labor. This systematic review investigated the pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers reported in intra-uterine tissues (amnion, chorion, decidua, placenta, and myometrium) at term labor. We conducted a systematic review of studies on pro- and anti-inflammatory biomarkers (mRNA and/or protein) reported in feto-maternal tissues during normal human term labor, published in English (1980-2016), in 3 electronic data bases. From a total of 3712 citations, 172 were included for final review. Each tissue expresses a unique set of biomarkers at the time of term labor, but there is significant overlap between tissues. All tissues had IL-6, IL-8, IL-1β, COX-2, PGE-2, TNF-α, and hCAP18 in common at term labor. Common and unique inflammatory biomarkers are expressed in various feto-maternal compartments at term labor. Increase in pro-inflammatory markers in all gestational tissue signifies their harmonious functional role in promoting labor. Anti-inflammatory markers at term labor are hardly reported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily E Hadley
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Perinatal Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Lauren S Richardson
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Perinatal Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Maria R Torloni
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Federal University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine & Perinatal Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX, USA
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30
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Singh N, Herbert B, Sooranna GR, Orsi NM, Edey L, Dasgupta T, Sooranna SR, Yellon SM, Johnson MR. Is myometrial inflammation a cause or a consequence of term human labour? J Endocrinol 2017; 235:69-83. [PMID: 28765265 DOI: 10.1530/joe-17-0318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Myometrial inflammation is thought to have a pivotal role in the onset of term and some forms of preterm labour. This is based on the comparison of samples taken from women undergoing term elective CS prior to the onset of labour with those taken from women in established labour. Consequently, it is not clear whether myometrial inflammation is a cause or a consequence of labour. Our objective is to test the hypothesis that myometrial inflammation is a consequence of the onset of labour. To test this hypothesis, we have obtained myometrial samples from women at various stages of pregnancy and spontaneous labour and studied the activation of the AP-1 (c-Jun) and NFκB (p65) systems, cytokine mRNA expression and protein levels and inflammatory cell infiltration and activation. We found that the activation of p65 declined from preterm to term not in labour samples and thereafter increased in early and established labour. Cytokine mRNA expression and protein levels increased in established labour only. Using flow cytometry of myometrial tissue, we found that the number of neutrophils did increase with the onset of labour, but on tissue section, these were seen to be intravascular and not infiltrating into the myometrium. These data suggest that myometrial inflammation is a consequence rather than a cause of term labour.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Singh
- Chelsea and Westminster HospitalLondon, UK
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyImperial College London, London, UK
| | - Bronwen Herbert
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyImperial College London, London, UK
| | - Gavin R Sooranna
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyImperial College London, London, UK
| | - Nicolas M Orsi
- Leeds Institute of Cancer & PathologyWellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Lydia Edey
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyImperial College London, London, UK
| | - Tathagata Dasgupta
- Leeds Institute of Cancer & PathologyWellcome Trust Brenner Building, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK
| | - Suren R Sooranna
- Chelsea and Westminster HospitalLondon, UK
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyImperial College London, London, UK
| | - Steven M Yellon
- Longo Center for Perinatal BiologyLoma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, California, USA
| | - Mark R Johnson
- Chelsea and Westminster HospitalLondon, UK
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental BiologyImperial College London, London, UK
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31
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Garg D, Ng SSM, Baig KM, Driggers P, Segars J. Progesterone-Mediated Non-Classical Signaling. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2017; 28:656-668. [PMID: 28651856 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2017.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 79] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Progesterone is essential for pregnancy maintenance and menstrual cycle regulation. Hormone action has been primarily ascribed to the well-characterized classical signaling pathway involving ligand binding, activation of nuclear progesterone receptors (PRs), and subsequent activation of genes containing progesterone response elements (PREs). Recent studies have revealed progesterone actions via non-classical signaling pathways, often mediated by non-genomic signaling. Progesterone signaling, in conjunction with growth factor signaling, impacts on the function of growth factors and regulates important physiological actions such as cell growth and remodeling, as well as apoptosis. This review focuses on non-classical progesterone signaling pathways, both including and excluding PR, and highlights how research in this area will provide a better understanding of progesterone actions and may inform novel therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deepika Garg
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maimonides Medical Center, Brooklyn, New York, NY 11219, USA
| | - Sinnie Sin Man Ng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Reproductive Sciences and Women's Health Research, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - K Maravet Baig
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Reproductive Sciences and Women's Health Research, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
| | - Paul Driggers
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Reproductive Sciences and Women's Health Research, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
| | - James Segars
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Division of Reproductive Sciences and Women's Health Research, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
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32
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Prediction of spontaneous preterm delivery in asymptomatic twin pregnancies using cervical length and granulocyte elastase. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2017; 56:188-191. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2016.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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33
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El-Azzamy H, Balogh A, Romero R, Xu Y, LaJeunesse C, Plazyo O, Xu Z, Price TG, Dong Z, Tarca AL, Papp Z, Hassan SS, Chaiworapongsa T, Kim CJ, Gomez-Lopez N, Than NG. Characteristic Changes in Decidual Gene Expression Signature in Spontaneous Term Parturition. J Pathol Transl Med 2017; 51:264-283. [PMID: 28226203 PMCID: PMC5445200 DOI: 10.4132/jptm.2016.12.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2016] [Revised: 12/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The decidua has been implicated in the “terminal pathway” of human term parturition, which is characterized by the activation of pro-inflammatory pathways in gestational tissues. However, the transcriptomic changes in the decidua leading to terminal pathway activation have not been systematically explored. This study aimed to compare the decidual expression of developmental signaling and inflammation-related genes before and after spontaneous term labor in order to reveal their involvement in this process. Methods Chorioamniotic membranes were obtained from normal pregnant women who delivered at term with spontaneous labor (TIL, n = 14) or without labor (TNL, n = 15). Decidual cells were isolated from snap-frozen chorioamniotic membranes with laser microdissection. The expression of 46 genes involved in decidual development, sex steroid and prostaglandin signaling, as well as pro- and anti-inflammatory pathways, was analyzed using high-throughput quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Chorioamniotic membrane sections were immunostained and then semi-quantified for five proteins, and immunoassays for three chemokines were performed on maternal plasma samples. Results The genes with the highest expression in the decidua at term gestation included insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1), galectin-1 (LGALS1), and progestogen-associated endometrial protein (PAEP); the expression of estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1), homeobox A11 (HOXA11), interleukin 1β (IL1B), IL8, progesterone receptor membrane component 2 (PGRMC2), and prostaglandin E synthase (PTGES) was higher in TIL than in TNL cases; the expression of chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 (CCL2), CCL5, LGALS1, LGALS3, and PAEP was lower in TIL than in TNL cases; immunostaining confirmed qRT-PCR data for IL-8, CCL2, galectin-1, galectin-3, and PAEP; and no correlations between the decidual gene expression and the maternal plasma protein concentrations of CCL2, CCL5, and IL-8 were found. Conclusions Our data suggests that with the initiation of parturition, the decidual expression of anti-inflammatory mediators decreases, while the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and steroid receptors increases. This shift may affect downstream signaling pathways that can lead to parturition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haidy El-Azzamy
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Andrea Balogh
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Immunology, Eotvos Lorand University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and 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
| | - Yi Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
| | | | - Olesya Plazyo
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Zhonghui Xu
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Theodore G Price
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Zhong Dong
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Adi L Tarca
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Zoltan Papp
- Maternity Private Department, Kutvolgyi Clinical Block, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Sonia S Hassan
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Tinnakorn Chaiworapongsa
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Chong Jai Kim
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Pathology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Pathology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
| | - Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nandor Gabor Than
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD/NIH/DHHS, Bethesda, MD, and Detroit, MI, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, School of Medicine, Detroit, MI, USA.,Maternity Private Department, Kutvolgyi Clinical Block, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.,Systems Biology of Reproduction Lendulet Research Group, Institute of Enzymology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.,First Department of Pathology and Experimental Cancer Research, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary
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34
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Sivarajasingam SP, Imami N, Johnson MR. Myometrial cytokines and their role in the onset of labour. J Endocrinol 2016; 231:R101-R119. [PMID: 27647860 DOI: 10.1530/joe-16-0157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2016] [Accepted: 09/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Human labour is an inflammatory event, physiologically driven by an interaction between hormonal and mechanical factors and pathologically associated with infection, bleeding and excessive uterine stretch. The initiation and communicators of inflammation is still not completely understood; however, a key role for cytokines has been implicated. We summarise the current understanding of the nature and role of cytokines, chemokines and hormones and their involvement in signalling within the myometrium particularly during labour.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Sivarajasingam
- Department of Surgery and CancerImperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
| | - N Imami
- Department of MedicineImperial College London, London, UK
| | - M R Johnson
- Department of Surgery and CancerImperial College London, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK
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Bonney EA, Krebs K, Saade G, Kechichian T, Trivedi J, Huaizhi Y, Menon R. Differential senescence in feto-maternal tissues during mouse pregnancy. Placenta 2016; 43:26-34. [PMID: 27324096 PMCID: PMC5527294 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2016.04.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human studies show that fetal membranes have a limited lifespan and undergo telomere-dependent cellular senescence that is augmented by oxidative stress and mediated by p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK). Further, these studies suggest that fetal membranes are anatomically and physiologically positioned to transmit senescence signals that may initiate parturition at term. METHODS Longitudinal evaluation of feto-maternal tissues from mouse pregnancies was undertaken to determine the molecular progression of senescence during normal pregnancy. On days 10-18 of gestation, C57BL/6 mice were euthanized. Fetal membranes, placenta, and decidua/uterus were collected. Tissues were examined for Telomere length (TL) and the presence of Phosphorylated (P) p38MAPK and p53, p21 and senescence associated β-Galactosidase (SA- β-Gal). FINDINGS Linear regression modeling of observed telomere length as a function of gestational age revealed that beta (β), the slope of the linear regression was negative and significantly different from zero for each tissue (fetal membranes, β = -0.1901 ± 0.03125, p < 0.0001; placenta β = -0.09000 ± 0.03474, p = 0.0135; decidua/uterus β = -0.1317 ± 0.03264, p = 0.0003). Progressive activation p38MAPK was observed in all tissues from days 10 to day18, with the highest activation observed in fetal membranes. Activation of p53 was progressive in fetal membranes. In contrast, active p53 was constitutive in placenta and decidua/uterus throughout gestation. Detection of p21 indicated that pro-senescent change was higher in all compartments on day 18 as compared to other days. The number of SA-β-Gal positive cells increased in fetal membranes as gestation progressed. However, in placenta and uterus and decidua/uterus SA-β-Gal was seen only in days 15 and 18. CONCLUSIONS Telomere dependent p38 and p53 mediated senescence progressed in mouse fetal membranes as gestation advanced. Although senescence is evident, telomere dependent events were not dominant in placenta or decidua/uterus. Fetal membrane senescence may significantly contribute to mechanisms of parturition at term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05404, USA
| | - Kendall Krebs
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT 05404, USA
| | - George Saade
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
| | - Talar Kechichian
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
| | - Jayshil Trivedi
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
| | - Yin Huaizhi
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA.
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Menon R, Bonney EA, Condon J, Mesiano S, Taylor RN. Novel concepts on pregnancy clocks and alarms: redundancy and synergy in human parturition. Hum Reprod Update 2016; 22:535-60. [PMID: 27363410 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmw022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The signals and mechanisms that synchronize the timing of human parturition remain a mystery and a better understanding of these processes is essential to avert adverse pregnancy outcomes. Although our insights into human labor initiation have been informed by studies in animal models, the timing of parturition relative to fetal maturation varies among viviparous species, indicative of phylogenetically different clocks and alarms; but what is clear is that important common pathways must converge to control the birth process. For example, in all species, parturition involves the transition of the myometrium from a relaxed to a highly excitable state, where the muscle rhythmically and forcefully contracts, softening the cervical extracellular matrix to allow distensibility and dilatation and thus a shearing of the fetal membranes to facilitate their rupture. We review a number of theories promulgated to explain how a variety of different timing mechanisms, including fetal membrane cell senescence, circadian endocrine clocks, and inflammatory and mechanical factors, are coordinated as initiators and effectors of parturition. Many of these factors have been independently described with a focus on specific tissue compartments.In this review, we put forth the core hypothesis that fetal membrane (amnion and chorion) senescence is the initiator of a coordinated, redundant signal cascade leading to parturition. Whether modified by oxidative stress or other factors, this process constitutes a counting device, i.e. a clock, that measures maturation of the fetal organ systems and the production of hormones and other soluble mediators (including alarmins) and that promotes inflammation and orchestrates an immune cascade to propagate signals across different uterine compartments. This mechanism in turn sensitizes decidual responsiveness and eventually promotes functional progesterone withdrawal in the myometrium, leading to increased myometrial cell contraction and the triggering of parturition. Linkage of these processes allows convergence and integration of the gestational clocks and alarms, prompting a timely and safe birth. In summary, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of the mediators that contribute to the timing of human labor. Integrating these concepts will provide a better understanding of human parturition and ultimately improve pregnancy outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramkumar Menon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Perinatal Research, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., MRB, Room 11.138, Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, 792 College Parkway, Fanny Allen Campus, Suite 101, Colchester, Burlington, VT 05446, USA
| | - Jennifer Condon
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Perinatal Research Branch, NICHD, Detroit, MI 48201, USA
| | - Sam Mesiano
- Department of Reproductive Biology and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University, 11100 Euclid Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Robert N Taylor
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical Center Boulevard, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA
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Jiang L, Yan Q, Liu RH, Zhang L. Preventive and therapeutic effect of N-Acetyl-l-cysteine on infection-associated preterm labor in mice. ASIAN PAC J TROP MED 2016; 9:197-200. [DOI: 10.1016/j.apjtm.2016.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2015] [Revised: 12/20/2015] [Accepted: 12/30/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Adams Waldorf KM, Singh N, Mohan AR, Young RC, Ngo L, Das A, Tsai J, Bansal A, Paolella L, Herbert BR, Sooranna SR, Gough GM, Astley C, Vogel K, Baldessari AE, Bammler TK, MacDonald J, Gravett MG, Rajagopal L, Johnson MR. Uterine overdistention induces preterm labor mediated by inflammation: observations in pregnant women and nonhuman primates. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015; 213:830.e1-830.e19. [PMID: 26284599 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2015.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2015] [Revised: 07/13/2015] [Accepted: 08/10/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Uterine overdistention is thought to induce preterm labor in women with twin and multiple pregnancies, but the pathophysiology remains unclear. We investigated for the first time the pathogenesis of preterm birth associated with rapid uterine distention in a pregnant nonhuman primate model. STUDY DESIGN A nonhuman primate model of uterine overdistention was created using preterm chronically catheterized pregnant pigtail macaques (Macaca nemestrina) by inflation of intraamniotic balloons (N = 6), which were compared to saline controls (N = 5). Cesarean delivery was performed due to preterm labor or at experimental end. Microarray, quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, Luminex (Austin, TX), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were used to measure messenger RNA (mRNA) and/or protein levels from monkey (amniotic fluid, myometrium, maternal plasma) and human (amniocytes, amnion, myometrium) tissues. Statistical analysis employed analysis of covariance and Wilcoxon rank sum. Biomechanical forces were calculated using the law of Laplace. RESULTS Preterm labor occurred in 3 of 6 animals after balloon inflation and correlated with greater balloon volume and uterine wall stress. Significant elevations of inflammatory cytokines and prostaglandins occurred following uterine overdistention in an "inflammatory pulse" that correlated with preterm labor (interleukin [IL]-1β, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, IL-6, IL-8, CCL2, prostaglandin E2, prostaglandin F2α, all P < .05). A similar inflammatory response was observed in amniocytes in vitro following mechanical stretch (IL1β, IL6, and IL8 mRNA multiple time points, P < .05), in amnion of women with polyhydramnios (IL6 and TNF mRNA, P < .05) and in amnion (TNF-α) and myometrium of women with twins in early labor (IL6, IL8, CCL2, all P < .05). Genes differentially expressed in the nonhuman primate after balloon inflation and in women with polyhydramnios and twins are involved in tissue remodeling and muscle growth. CONCLUSION Uterine overdistention by inflation of an intraamniotic balloon is associated with an inflammatory pulse that precedes and correlates with preterm labor. Our results indicate that inflammation is an early event after a mechanical stress on the uterus and leads to preterm labor when the stress is sufficiently great. Further, we find evidence of uterine tissue remodeling and muscle growth as a common, perhaps compensatory, response to uterine distension.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Natasha Singh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Aarthi R Mohan
- Department of Cancer and Surgery, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Roger C Young
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN
| | - Lisa Ngo
- Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Ananya Das
- Department of Cancer and Surgery, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jesse Tsai
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Aasthaa Bansal
- Pharmaceutical Outcomes Research and Policy Program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Louis Paolella
- School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Bronwen R Herbert
- Department of Cancer and Surgery, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suren R Sooranna
- Department of Cancer and Surgery, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - G Michael Gough
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Cliff Astley
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Keith Vogel
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Audrey E Baldessari
- Washington National Primate Research Center, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Theodor K Bammler
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - James MacDonald
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Michael G Gravett
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity and Stillbirth, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Lakshmi Rajagopal
- Department of Pediatrics and Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Seattle Children's Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Mark R Johnson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Gillespie SL, Christian LM, Neal JL. A proposed bio-panel to predict risk for spontaneous preterm birth among African American women. Med Hypotheses 2015; 85:558-64. [PMID: 26279199 PMCID: PMC4661115 DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2015.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 07/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth (PTB), or birth prior to 37 weeks gestation, impacts 11.5% of U.S. deliveries. PTB results in significant morbidity and mortality among affected children and imposes a large societal financial burden. Racial disparities in PTB are alarming. African American women are at more than 1.5 times the risk for PTB than white women. Unfortunately, the medical community's ability to predict who is at risk for PTB is extremely limited. History of a prior PTB remains the strongest predictor during a singleton gestation. Cervical length and fetal fibronectin measurement are helpful tools. However, usefulness is limited, particularly among the 95% of U.S. women currently pregnant and lacking a history of PTB. Therefore, preventive therapies do not reach a great number of women who may benefit from them. This manuscript, in response to the pressing need for predictors of PTB risk and elimination of racial disparities in PTB, presents a proposed bio-panel for use in predicting risk for spontaneous PTB among African American women. This bio-panel, measured each trimester, includes stimulated production of interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-1 receptor antagonist (Ra), soluble(s) TNF receptor(R) 1, and sTNFR2, and cortisol responsiveness. We hypothesize that greater IL-1β and TNF-α production, decreased IL-1Ra, sTNFR1, and sTNFR2 production, and decreased cortisol responsiveness at each time point as well as a more expedient alignment with this unfavorable profile over time will be associated with PTB. The choice to focus on inflammatory parameters is supported by data highlighting a crucial role for inflammation in labor. Specific inflammatory mediators have been chosen due to their potential importance in preterm labor among African American women. The bio-panel also focuses on inflammatory regulation (i.e., cytokine production upon ex vivo stimulation), which is hypothesized to provide insight into potential in vivo leukocyte responses and potential for initiation of a preterm inflammatory cascade. Production of receptor antagonists is also considered, as pro-inflammatory mediator effects can be greatly influenced by their balance with respective antagonists. Finally, leukocyte responsiveness to cortisol is included as a measure of cortisol's ability to convey anti-inflammatory signals. The development of a bio-panel predictive of risk for spontaneous PTB among African American women would represent a significant advancement. Available preventive therapies, namely progesterone supplementation, could be delivered to women deemed at risk. Further, the identification of biological predictors of PTB may uncover novel targets for preventive therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lisa M Christian
- College of Nursing, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Department of Psychiatry, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States; The Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States; Department of Psychology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, United States
| | - Jeremy L Neal
- School of Nursing, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, United States
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Xiao W, Beibei F, Guangsi S, Yu J, Wen Z, Xi H, Youjia X. Iron overload increases osteoclastogenesis and aggravates the effects of ovariectomy on bone mass. J Endocrinol 2015; 226:121-34. [PMID: 26116610 DOI: 10.1530/joe-14-0657] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/22/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Postmenopausal osteoporosis is a metabolic disease associated with estrogen deficiency. The results of numerous studies have revealed the positive correlation between iron accumulation and postmenopausal osteoporotic status. Although the results of previous studies have indicated that estrogen or iron alone have an effect on bone metabolism, their combined effects are not well defined. Using an in vivo mouse model, we found that bone mass was minimally affected by an excess of iron in the presence of estrogen. Once the source of estrogen was removed (ovariectomy), iron accumulation significantly decreased bone mass. These effects were accompanied by fluctuations in the level of oxidative stress. To determine whether these effects were related to bone formation or bone resorption, primary osteoblasts (OBs), RAW264.7 cells, and bone-marrow-derived macrophages were used for in vitro experiments. We found that iron accumulation did inhibit the activity of OBs. However, estrogen had little effect on this inhibition. In contrast, iron promoted osteoclast differentiation through the production of reactive oxygen species. Estrogen, a powerful reactive oxygen scavenger, suppressed this effect in osteoclasts. Our data provided direct evidence that iron affected the bone mass only in the absence of estrogen. The inhibitory effect of estrogen on iron-induced osteopenia was particularly relevant to bone resorption rather than bone formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wang Xiao
- Departments of OrthopaedicsGynaecologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedic Research InstitutionSoochow University, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of MedicineNew York University School of Medicine, 10016 New York, New York, USA
| | - Fei Beibei
- Departments of OrthopaedicsGynaecologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedic Research InstitutionSoochow University, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of MedicineNew York University School of Medicine, 10016 New York, New York, USA
| | - Shen Guangsi
- Departments of OrthopaedicsGynaecologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedic Research InstitutionSoochow University, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of MedicineNew York University School of Medicine, 10016 New York, New York, USA
| | - Jiang Yu
- Departments of OrthopaedicsGynaecologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedic Research InstitutionSoochow University, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of MedicineNew York University School of Medicine, 10016 New York, New York, USA
| | - Zhang Wen
- Departments of OrthopaedicsGynaecologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedic Research InstitutionSoochow University, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of MedicineNew York University School of Medicine, 10016 New York, New York, USA
| | - Huang Xi
- Departments of OrthopaedicsGynaecologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedic Research InstitutionSoochow University, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of MedicineNew York University School of Medicine, 10016 New York, New York, USA
| | - Xu Youjia
- Departments of OrthopaedicsGynaecologyThe Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 1055 Sanxiang Road, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of Orthopaedic Research InstitutionSoochow University, 215004 Suzhou, ChinaDepartment of MedicineNew York University School of Medicine, 10016 New York, New York, USA
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Rajagopal SP, Hutchinson JL, Dorward DA, Rossi AG, Norman JE. Crosstalk between monocytes and myometrial smooth muscle in culture generates synergistic pro-inflammatory cytokine production and enhances myocyte contraction, with effects opposed by progesterone. Mol Hum Reprod 2015; 21:672-86. [PMID: 26002969 PMCID: PMC4518137 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gav027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2014] [Accepted: 05/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Both term and preterm parturition are characterized by an influx of macrophages and neutrophils into the myometrium and cervix, with co-incident increased peripheral blood monocyte activation. Infection and inflammation are strongly implicated in the pathology of preterm labour (PTL), with progesterone considered a promising candidate for its prevention or treatment. In this study, we investigated the effect of monocytes on myometrial smooth muscle cell inflammatory cytokine production both alone and in response to LPS, a TLR4 agonist used to trigger PTL in vivo. We also investigated the effect of monocytes on myocyte contraction. Monocytes, isolated from peripheral blood samples from term pregnant women, were cultured alone, or co-cultured with PHM1-41 myometrial smooth muscle cells, for 24 h. In a third set of experiments, PHM1-41 myocytes were cultured for 24 h in isolation. Cytokine secretion was determined by ELISA or multiplex assays. Co-culture of monocytes and myocytes led to synergistic secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines including IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1, with the secretion being further enhanced by LPS (100 ng/ml). The synergistic secretion of IL-6 and IL-8 from co-cultures was mediated in part by direct cell–cell contact, and by TNF. Conditioned media from co-cultures stimulated contraction of PHM1-41 myocytes, and the effect was inhibited by progesterone. Both progesterone and IL-10 inhibited LPS-stimulated IL-6 and IL-8 secretion from co-cultures, while progesterone also inhibited chemokine secretion. These data suggest that monocytes infiltrating the myometrium at labour participate in crosstalk that potentiates pro-inflammatory cytokine secretion, an effect that is enhanced by LPS, and can augment myocyte contraction. These effects are all partially inhibited by progesterone.
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Affiliation(s)
- S P Rajagopal
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - J L Hutchinson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - D A Dorward
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - A G Rossi
- MRC Centre for Inflammation Research, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - J E Norman
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
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Xu C, Liu W, You X, Leimert K, Popowycz K, Fang X, Wood SL, Slater DM, Sun Q, Gu H, Olson DM, Ni X. PGF2α modulates the output of chemokines and pro-inflammatory cytokines in myometrial cells from term pregnant women through divergent signaling pathways. Mol Hum Reprod 2015; 21:603-14. [PMID: 25882540 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gav018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2014] [Accepted: 04/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) plays a critical role in the initiation and process of parturition. Since human labor has been described as an inflammatory event, we investigated the role of PGF2α in the inflammatory process using cultured human uterine smooth muscle cells (HUSMCs) isolated from term pregnant women as a model. Using a multiplex assay, HUSMCs treated with PGF2α changed their output of a number of cytokines and chemokines, with a distinct response pattern that differed between HUSMCs isolated from the upper and lower segment region of the uterus. Confirmatory enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) showed that PGF2α stimulated increased output of interleukin (IL) 1β, IL6, IL8 (CXCL8) and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP1, also known as chemokine (c-c motif) ligand 2, CCL2) by HUSMCs isolated from both upper and lower uterine segments. In contrast, PGF2α inhibited tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) release by HUMSCs from the lower uterine segment while the output of TNFα was undetectable in the upper segment. Small interfering (si) RNA mediated knockdown of the PGF2α receptor prevented the changes in cytokine and chemokine output by the HUSMCs. Since the PGF2α receptor (PTGFR) couples via the Gq protein and subsequently activates the phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC) signaling pathways, we examined the role of these pathways in PGF2α modulation of the cytokines. Inhibition of PLC and PKC reversed the effects of PGF2α. PGF2α activated multiple signaling pathways including extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1/2, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate 3-kinase (PI3K), P38, calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) and NF-κB signaling. Inhibition of ERK reversed PGF2α-induced IL1β, IL6 and CCL2 output, while inhibition of PI3K blocked the effect of PGF2α on IL6, CXCL8 and CCL2 output and inhibition of NF-κB reversed PGF2α-induced IL1β and CCL2 output. NFAT was involved in PGF2α modulation of CCL2 and TNFα output. In conclusion, our results support a role of PGF2α in creating an inflammatory environment during the late stage of human pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Xu
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China Departments of Physiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G2S2, Canada
| | - Weina Liu
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Xingji You
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Kelycia Leimert
- Departments of Physiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G2S2, Canada
| | - Krystyn Popowycz
- Departments of Physiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G2S2, Canada
| | - Xin Fang
- Departments of Physiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G2S2, Canada
| | - Stephen L Wood
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N1N4, Canada
| | - Donna M Slater
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N1N4, Canada Departments of Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary, Calgary T2N1N4, Canada
| | - Qianqian Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - Hang Gu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Changhai Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
| | - David M Olson
- Departments of Physiology, Obstetrics & Gynecology, and Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G2S2, Canada
| | - Xin Ni
- Department of Physiology, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
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Liong S, Lappas M. The Stress-responsive Heme Oxygenase (HO)-1 Isoenzyme is Increased in Labouring Myometrium where it Regulates Contraction-associated Proteins. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 74:62-76. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/16/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stella Liong
- Mercy Perinatal Research Centre; Mercy Hospital for Women; Heidelberg Vic. Australia
- Obstetrics, Nutrition and Endocrinology Group; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. Australia
| | - Martha Lappas
- Mercy Perinatal Research Centre; Mercy Hospital for Women; Heidelberg Vic. Australia
- Obstetrics, Nutrition and Endocrinology Group; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; University of Melbourne; Melbourne Vic. Australia
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Izumi G, Koga K, Nagai M, Urata Y, Takamura M, Harada M, Hirata T, Hirota Y, Ogawa K, Inoue S, Fujii T, Osuga Y. Cyclic Stretch Augments Production of Neutrophil Chemokines, Matrix Metalloproteinases, and Activin A in Human Endometrial Stromal Cells. Am J Reprod Immunol 2015; 73:501-6. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.12359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2014] [Accepted: 01/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gentaro Izumi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; The University of Tokyo; Tokyo Japan
| | - Kaori Koga
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; The University of Tokyo; Tokyo Japan
| | - Miwako Nagai
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; The University of Tokyo; Tokyo Japan
| | - Yoko Urata
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; The University of Tokyo; Tokyo Japan
| | | | - Miyuki Harada
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; The University of Tokyo; Tokyo Japan
| | - Tetsuya Hirata
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; The University of Tokyo; Tokyo Japan
| | - Yasushi Hirota
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; The University of Tokyo; Tokyo Japan
| | - Kenji Ogawa
- Chemical Genetics Laboratory; RIKEN; Saitama Japan
| | - Satoshi Inoue
- Anti-Aging Medicine; The University of Tokyo; Tokyo Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Fujii
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; The University of Tokyo; Tokyo Japan
| | - Yutaka Osuga
- Obstetrics and Gynecology; The University of Tokyo; Tokyo Japan
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Pabona JMP, Zhang D, Ginsburg DS, Simmen FA, Simmen RCM. Prolonged pregnancy in women is associated with attenuated myometrial expression of progesterone receptor co-regulator Krüppel-like Factor 9. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2015; 100:166-74. [PMID: 25313913 PMCID: PMC4283014 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2014-2846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Late-term pregnancy may lead to maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Mice null for the progesterone receptor co-regulator Krüppel-like Factor 9 (KLF9) exhibit delayed parturition and increased incidence of neonatal deaths. OBJECTIVE Our aim is to evaluate the contribution of myometrial KLF9 to human parturition. DESIGN Myometrial biopsies were obtained from women with term (>37 to ≤41 wk) and late-term (>41 wk) pregnancies during cesarean delivery and assessed for gene and protein expression. Human myometrial cells transfected with nontargeting or KLF9 small interfering RNAs (siRNA) were treated with the progesterone antagonist RU486 and analyzed for pro-inflammatory chemokine/cytokine gene expression. SETTING The study took place in a University-affiliated tertiary care hospital and University research laboratory. PATIENTS Term patients (n = 8) were in spontaneous active labor whereas late-term patients (n = 5) were either in or were induced to active labor, prior to elective cesarean delivery. OUTCOME MEASURES Steroid hormone receptor, contractility, and inflammation-associated gene expression in myometrial biopsies and in siKLF9-transfected, RU486-treated human myometrial cells was associated with KLF9 expression levels. RESULTS Myometrium from women with late-term pregnancy showed lower KLF9, total PGR, and PGR-A/PGR-B isoform expression. Transcript levels of select chemokines/cytokines were up- (CSF3, IL1, IL12A, TGFB2) and down- (CCL3, CCL5, CXCL1, CXCL5, IL15) regulated in late-term relative to term myometrium. Knock-down of KLF9 expression in RU486-treated human myometrial cells modified the expression of PGR and labor-associated cytokines, relative to control siRNA-treated cells. CONCLUSIONS Myometrial KLF9 may contribute to the onset of human parturition through its regulation of PGR expression and inflammatory signaling networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Mark P Pabona
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics (J.M.P.P., F.A.S., R.C.M.S.), University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (D.Z., D.S.G.), Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, Pennsylvania 19013
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Zhang L, Wang L, Jiang J, Zheng D, Liu S, Liu C. Lipopolysaccharides upregulate calcium concentration in mouse uterine smooth muscle cells through the T-type calcium channels. Int J Mol Med 2014; 35:784-90. [PMID: 25573237 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2014.2054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2014] [Accepted: 12/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection is a significant cause of preterm birth. Abnormal changes in intracellular calcium signals are the ultimate triggers of early uterine contractions that result in preterm birth. T‑type calcium channels play an important role in the pathogenesis of cancer, as well as endocrine and cardiovascular diseases. However, there are limited studies on their role in uterine contractions and parturition. In the present study, mouse uterine smooth muscle cells were isolated and treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) to mimic the microenvironment of uterine infection in vitro to investigate the role of T‑type calcium channels in the process of infection‑induced preterm birth. The results from quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis showed that LPS significantly induced the expression of the Cav3.1 and Cav3.2 subtypes of T‑type calcium channels. Measurements of intracellular calcium concentration showed a significant increase in response to LPS. However, these effects can be reversed by T‑type calcium channel blockers. Western blot analysis further indicated that LPS induced the activation of the nuclear factor (NF)‑κB signaling pathway, and endothelin‑1 (ET‑1) was significantly upregulated, whereas NF‑κB inhibitors significantly inhibited the LPS‑induced upregulation of Cav3.1, Cav3.2 and ET‑1 expression. In addition, ET‑1 directly induced Cav3.1 and Cav3.2 expression, whereas ET‑1 antagonists inhibited the LPS‑induced upregulation of Cav3.1 and Cav3.2 expression. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that infection triggers the upregulation of T‑type calcium channels and promotes calcium influx. This process relies on the activation of the NF‑κB/ET‑1 signaling pathway. The T‑type calcium channel is expected to become an effective target for the prevention of infection‑induced preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, P.R. China
| | - Lin Wang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, P.R. China
| | - Jingyi Jiang
- Clinical, Medical and Pharmaceutical College, China Medical University, Shenyang 110002, P.R. China
| | - Dongming Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, P.R. China
| | - Sishi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, P.R. China
| | - Caixia Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, P.R. China
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Gomez-Lopez N, Tong WC, Arenas-Hernandez M, Tanaka S, Hajar O, Olson DM, Taggart MJ, Mitchell BF. Chemotactic activity of gestational tissues through late pregnancy, term labor, and RU486-induced preterm labor in Guinea pigs. Am J Reprod Immunol 2014; 73:341-52. [PMID: 25329235 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 09/23/2014] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Is increased leukocyte chemotactic activity (CA) from gestational tissues necessary for term or preterm labor in guinea pigs? METHOD OF STUDY Tissue extracts were prepared from pregnant guinea pig decidua-myometrium, cervix, fetal membranes (amniochorion), and placenta during early third trimester (n = 8), term not in labor (TNL, n = 5), and term spontaneous labor (TL, n = 6), RU486-induced preterm labor (PTL, n = 6), or controls (cPTL, n = 5). Leukocyte CA was assessed using a modified Boyden chamber assay. Extract chemokine and maternal progesterone concentrations were quantified by enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS Only the extracts from amniochorion demonstrated increased CA through late gestation and labor. In contrast, CA was decreased in extracts from amniochorion and cervix from animals after RU486-induced PTL. Maternal progesterone concentrations remained high in all groups. CONCLUSION Leukocyte CA of intrauterine tissues is increased in term spontaneous labor. However, RU486-induced preterm labor occurs in the absence of increased CA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Perinatology Research Branch, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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Du MR, Wang SC, Li DJ. The integrative roles of chemokines at the maternal-fetal interface in early pregnancy. Cell Mol Immunol 2014; 11:438-48. [PMID: 25109684 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2014.68] [Citation(s) in RCA: 145] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Revised: 06/29/2014] [Accepted: 07/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryos express paternal antigens that are foreign to the mother, but the mother provides a special immune milieu at the fetal-maternal interface to permit rather than reject the embryo growth in the uterus until parturition by establishing precise crosstalk between the mother and the fetus. There are unanswered questions in the maintenance of pregnancy, including the poorly understood phenomenon of maternal tolerance to the allogeneic conceptus, and the remarkable biological roles of placental trophoblasts that invade the uterine wall. Chemokines are multifunctional molecules initially described as having a role in leukocyte trafficking and later found to participate in developmental processes such as differentiation and directed migration. It is increasingly evident that the gestational uterine microenvironment is characterized, at least in part, by the differential expression and secretion of chemokines that induce selective trafficking of leukocyte subsets to the maternal-fetal interface and regulate multiple events that are closely associated with normal pregnancy. Here, we review the expression and function of chemokines and their receptors at the maternal-fetal interface, with a special focus on chemokine as a key component in trophoblast invasiveness and placental angiogenesis, recruitment and instruction of immune cells so as to form a fetus-supporting milieu during pregnancy. The chemokine network is also involved in pregnancy complications.
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Lee YH, Shynlova O, Lye SJ. Stretch-induced human myometrial cytokines enhance immune cell recruitment via endothelial activation. Cell Mol Immunol 2014; 12:231-42. [PMID: 24882387 DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2014.39] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2014] [Revised: 04/16/2014] [Accepted: 05/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous term labour is associated with amplified inflammatory events in the myometrium including cytokine production and leukocyte infiltration; however, potential mechanisms regulating such events are not fully understood. We hypothesized that mechanical stretch of the uterine wall by the growing fetus facilitates peripheral leukocyte extravasation into the term myometrium through the release of various cytokines by uterine myocytes. Human myometrial cells (hTERT-HM) were subjected to static mechanical stretch; stretch-conditioned media was collected and analysed using 48-plex Luminex assay and ELISA. Effect of stretch-conditioned media on cell adhesion molecule expression of human uterine microvascular endothelial cells (UtMVEC-Myo) was detected by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and flow cytometry; functional assays testing leukocyte-endothelial interactions: adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells and transendothelial migration of calcein-labelled primary human neutrophils as well as migration of THP-1 monocytic cells were assessed by fluorometry. The current in vitro study demonstrated that mechanical stretch (i) directly induces secretion of multiple cytokines and chemokines by hTERT-HM cells (IL-6, CXCL8, CXCL1, migration inhibitory factor (MIF), VEGF, G-CSF, IL-12p70, bFGF and platelet-derived growth factor subunit B (PDGF-bb), P<0.05); stretch-induced cytokines (ii) enhance leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium of the surrounding uterine microvasculature by (iii) inducing the expression of endothelial cell adhesion molecules and (iv) directing the transendothelial migration of peripheral leukocytes. (vi) Chemokine-neutralizing antibodies and broad-spectrum chemokine inhibitor block leukocyte migration. Our data provide a proof of mechanical regulation for leukocyte recruitment from the uterine blood vessels to the myometrium, suggesting a putative mechanism for the leukocyte infiltrate into the uterus during labour and postpartum involution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Hui Lee
- 1] Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada [2] Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Oksana Shynlova
- 1] Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada [2] Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Stephen J Lye
- 1] Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Canada [2] Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada [3] Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Lannon SMR, Vanderhoeven JP, Eschenbach DA, Gravett MG, Adams Waldorf KM. Synergy and interactions among biological pathways leading to preterm premature rupture of membranes. Reprod Sci 2014; 21:1215-27. [PMID: 24840939 DOI: 10.1177/1933719114534535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) occurs in 1% to 2% of births. Impact of PPROM is greatest in low- and middle-income countries where prematurity-related deaths are most common. Recent investigations identify cytokine and matrix metalloproteinase activation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis as primary pathways to PPROM. These biological processes are initiated by heterogeneous etiologies including infection/inflammation, placental bleeding, uterine overdistention, and genetic polymorphisms. We hypothesize that pathways to PPROM overlap and act synergistically to weaken membranes. We focus our discussion on membrane composition and strength, pathways linking risk factors to membrane weakening, and future research directions to reduce the global burden of PPROM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophia M R Lannon
- Department Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | | | - David A Eschenbach
- Department Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michael G Gravett
- Department Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Global Alliance to Prevent Prematurity & Stillbirth, Seattle, WA, USA
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