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Habiba M, Guo SW, Benagiano G. In Memory of Ivo Brosens: Reflections on the Pathophysiology of Neonatal Uterine Bleeding. Gynecol Obstet Invest 2023; 88:257-266. [PMID: 37494891 DOI: 10.1159/000533123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The occurrence of vaginal bleeding in early neonatal life has been observed for centuries and was considered a consequence of the sudden drop in circulating hormones following birth. As such, neonatal uterine bleeding was dismissed as having no clinical significance. Interest in the phenomenon was renewed when a new theory suggested a link between neonatal uterine bleeding (NUB) and accelerated endometrial maturation. This theory was based on the observation of a higher incidence of NUB in babies born post-term or after pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction, preeclampsia, or blood group incompatibility. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to review of available evidence on the pathogenesis of NUB. METHOD Review of available literature using Medline search (August 2022, no limit on start date or language) to identify articles that may link NUB with features of the uterus and/or endometrium. OUTCOME The fetal endometrial responses differ from that of the adult. In the fetus, the endometrium features progestogenic response only in a minority of cases. The endometrium in most newborn girls does not exhibit secretory or decidual changes which indicate lack of progesterone response. Most newborn girls do not have visible bleeding. Animal studies linked exogenous progestogen exposure during the period of organogenesis to poor endometrial gland development, progesterone resistance, and to alterations of reproductive performance. Although the fetal endometrium may not exhibit a full proliferative response, it is clearly sensitive to circulating estrogens. Molecular mechanisms involved in NUB may include "ontogenetic progesterone resistance." CONCLUSION AND OUTLOOK Endometrial development and its response to withdrawal of hormones at birth varies and may be affected by intrauterine stressors and gestational age. Factors that affect endometrial development during fetal life and in preterm neonates can have implications on future reproductive performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marwan Habiba
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Leicester and University Hospitals of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Sun-Wei Guo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Research Institute, Shanghai Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Giuseppe Benagiano
- Department of Maternal and Child Health Gynecology & Urology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Sapienza, University of Rome, Rome, Italy
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2
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Li Y, Zhou W, Li L, Li JW, Li T, Huang C, Lazaro-Camp VJ, Kavlashvili T, Zhang Y, Reyes H, Li Y, Dai D, Zhu W, Meng X, Leslie KK, Yang S. Enhancing progestin therapy via HDAC inhibitors in endometrial cancer. Am J Cancer Res 2022; 12:5029-5048. [PMID: 36504895 PMCID: PMC9729913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Uterine endometrial cancer (EC) incidence and deaths are on the rise. Hormone therapy, a traditional treatment regimen for this disease, uses progesterone and its synthetic analogue, progestin, to induce cell differentiation, apoptosis, and inhibition of invasion. This therapy is highly effective for progesterone receptor (PR) positive tumors in the short term. However, responsiveness decreases over time due to loss of PR expression; acquired resistance leads to treatment failure and poor prognosis. Primary resistance occurs in advanced, PR-negative tumors. Regardless, progestin therapy can be effective if the PR downregulation mechanism is reversed and if functional PR expression is restored. Using histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), we inhibited cell proliferation in three EC cell lines and restored functional PR expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Two HDACi were tested using an endometrial xenograft tumor model: entinostat, an oral drug, and romidepsin, an IV drug. In vitro and in vivo studies support that entinostat decreased EC tumor growth, induced differentiation, and increased expression of the PR-targeted gene, PAEP. These findings supported the approval of a new NIH NCTN clinical trial, NRG-GY011, which concluded that dual treatment of MPA and entinostat, decreased expression of the proliferation marker, Ki67, but did not increase PR expression relative to single treatment with MPA in this short-term study. Therefore, a more potent HDACi, romidepsin, was investigated. Romidepsin treatment inhibited tumor growth and enhanced progestin treatment efficacy. More importantly, PR, PAEP, and KIAA1324 expressions were upregulated. Using a chromatin immunoprecipitation assay, we verified that HDACi can reverse PR downregulation mechanisms in mice models. Other potential drug efficacy markers, such as CD52, DLK1, GALNT9, and GNG2, were identified by transcriptome analysis and verified by q-PCR. Many of the upregulated drug efficacy markers predict favorable patient outcomes, while downregulated genes predict worse survival. Here, our current data suggests that romidepsin is a more potent HDACi that has the potential to achieve more robust upregulation of PR expression and may be a more promising candidate for future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA,Department of Gynecology, First Hospital of Jilin UniversityChangchun 130021, Jilin, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chongqing Health Center for Women and ChildrenChongqing 401147, China
| | - Long Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA,The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong UniversityXi’an 710061, Shanxi, China
| | - John W Li
- Department of Pathology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Tianyue Li
- Department of Pathology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Cheng Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA,Jiangsu Vocational College of MedicineYancheng 224000, Jiangsu, China
| | | | - Tamar Kavlashvili
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA,Department of Biochemistry, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, NashvilleTN 37232, USA
| | - Yuping Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Henry Reyes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA,Department of OB/GYN, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, The University at BuffaloNY 14260, USA
| | - Yujun Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Donghai Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - William Zhu
- Department of Pathology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Xiangbing Meng
- Department of Pathology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA,Carver College of Medicine and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA
| | - Kimberly K Leslie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA,Carver College of Medicine and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of New MexicoNM 87106, USA
| | - Shujie Yang
- Department of Pathology, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA,Carver College of Medicine and Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of IowaIowa City, IA 52242, USA
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Dhakal P, Spencer TE. Generation and analysis of Prss28 and Prss29 deficient mice using CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing. Mol Reprod Dev 2021; 88:482-489. [PMID: 33973295 PMCID: PMC8530251 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Glands of the uterus are essential for the establishment of pregnancy in mice and their products regulate embryo implantation and stromal cell decidualization critical for pregnancy establishment. Forkhead box A2 (FOXA2) is expressed specifically in the glands and a critical regulator of their differentiation, development and function. Progesterone and FOXA2 regulate members of a serine proteinase gene family (Prss28 and Prss29). Here, CRISPR-Cas9 genome-editing was used to create mice with a heterozygous or homozygous deletion of Prss28 or/and Prss29 to determine their biological roles in uterine function. Female mice lacking Prss28 and Prss29 or both developed normally and were fertile without alterations in uterine histoarchitecture, uterine gland number, or and gene expression. Thus, Prss28 and Prss29 are dispensable for female fertility and do not impact endometrial gland development or uterine function mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pramod Dhakal
- Division of Animal Sciences, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Thomas E. Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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4
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Yarygina NK, Asaturova AV, Yarygin KN. Human Uterine Rudiments: Histological and Immunohistochemical Study. Bull Exp Biol Med 2021; 171:87-93. [PMID: 34057616 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-021-05178-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Extensive studies of the rudimental tissues taken from patients with aplasia of the uterus and vagina are aimed at elucidation of the mechanisms of the genesis of these malformations and at the search of the ways of their correction. We performed a histological examination of human uterine rudiments and immunohistochemical analysis of the expression of estrogen and progesterone receptors, VEGF, and stem/progenitor cell markers in these tissues. We found that the rudimental tissues show signs of disorganized histogenesis, but retain activity and contain cells expressing estrogen and progesterone receptors and VEGF as well as poorly differentiated precursor cells or stem cells. The presented data contribute to the in-depth studies of the mechanisms of formation of uterine rudiments and development of methods of their correction.
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Affiliation(s)
- N K Yarygina
- V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia.
- V. N. Orekhovich Research Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia.
| | - A V Asaturova
- V. I. Kulakov National Medical Research Center of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Perinatology, Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - K N Yarygin
- V. N. Orekhovich Research Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Moscow, Russia
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5
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Nteeba J, Varberg KM, Scott RL, Simon ME, Iqbal K, Soares MJ. Poorly controlled diabetes mellitus alters placental structure, efficiency, and plasticity. BMJ Open Diabetes Res Care 2020; 8:8/1/e001243. [PMID: 32595139 PMCID: PMC7322553 DOI: 10.1136/bmjdrc-2020-001243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The hemochorial placenta provides a critical barrier at the maternal-fetal interface to modulate maternal immune tolerance and enable gas and nutrient exchange between mother and conceptus. Pregnancy outcomes are adversely affected by diabetes mellitus; however, the effects of poorly controlled diabetes on placental formation, and subsequently fetal development, are not fully understood. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Streptozotocin was used to induce hyperglycemia in pregnant rats for the purpose of investigating the impact of poorly controlled diabetes on placental formation and fetal development. The experimental paradigm of hypoxia exposure in the pregnant rat was also used to assess properties of placental plasticity. Euglycemic and hyperglycemic rats were exposed to ambient conditions (~21% oxygen) or hypoxia (10.5% oxygen) beginning on gestation day (gd) 6.5 and sacrificed on gd 13.5. To determine whether the interaction of hyperglycemia and hypoxia was directly altering trophoblast lineage development, rat trophoblast stem (TS) cells were cultured in high glucose (25 mM) and/or exposed to low oxygen (0.5% to 1.5%). RESULTS Diabetes caused placentomegaly and placental malformation, decreasing placental efficiency and fetal size. Elevated glucose disrupted rat TS cell differentiation in vitro. Evidence of altered trophoblast differentiation was also observed in vivo, as hyperglycemia affected the junctional zone transcriptome and interfered with intrauterine trophoblast invasion and uterine spiral artery remodeling. When exposed to hypoxia, hyperglycemic rats showed decreased proliferation and ectoplacental cone development on gd 9.5 and complete pregnancy loss by gd 13.5. Furthermore, elevated glucose concentrations inhibited TS cell responses to hypoxia in vitro. CONCLUSIONS Overall, these results indicate that alterations in placental development, efficiency, and plasticity could contribute to the suboptimal fetal outcomes in offspring from pregnancies complicated by poorly controlled diabetes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jackson Nteeba
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Kaela M Varberg
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Regan L Scott
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Mikaela E Simon
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Michael J Soares
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Center for Perinatal Research, Children's Mercy Research Institute, Children's Mercy, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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6
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Soares MJ, Varberg KM, Iqbal K. Hemochorial placentation: development, function, and adaptations. Biol Reprod 2019; 99:196-211. [PMID: 29481584 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioy049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 101] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2018] [Accepted: 02/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Placentation is a reproductive adaptation that permits fetal growth and development within the protected confines of the female reproductive tract. Through this important role, the placenta also determines postnatal health and susceptibility to disease. The hemochorial placenta is a prominent feature in primate and rodent development. This manuscript provides an overview of the basics of hemochorial placental development and function, provides perspectives on major discoveries that have shaped placental research, and thoughts on strategies for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Soares
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA and the Center for Perinatal Research, Children΄s Research Institute, Children΄s Mercy, Kansas City, Missouri, USA
| | - Kaela M Varberg
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproduction and Perinatal Research and the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
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7
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Rumi MAK, Singh P, Roby KF, Zhao X, Iqbal K, Ratri A, Lei T, Cui W, Borosha S, Dhakal P, Kubota K, Chakraborty D, Vivian JL, Wolfe MW, Soares MJ. Defining the Role of Estrogen Receptor β in the Regulation of Female Fertility. Endocrinology 2017; 158:2330-2343. [PMID: 28520870 PMCID: PMC5505218 DOI: 10.1210/en.2016-1916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2016] [Accepted: 05/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Estrogens are essential hormones for the regulation of fertility. Cellular responses to estrogens are mediated by estrogen receptor α (ESR1) and estrogen receptor β (ESR2). In mouse and rat models, disruption of Esr1 causes infertility in both males and females. However, the role of ESR2 in reproductive function remains undecided because of a wide variation in phenotypic observations among Esr2-mutant mouse strains. Regulatory pathways independent of ESR2 binding to its cognate DNA response element have also been implicated in ESR2 signaling. To clarify the regulatory roles of ESR2, we generated two mutant rat models: one with a null mutation (exon 3 deletion, Esr2ΔE3) and the other with an inframe deletion selectively disrupting the DNA binding domain (exon 4 deletion, Esr2ΔE4). In both models, we observed that ESR2-mutant males were fertile. ESR2-mutant females exhibited regular estrous cycles and could be inseminated by wild-type (WT) males but did not become pregnant or pseudopregnant. Esr2-mutant ovaries were small and differed from WT ovaries by their absence of corpora lutea, despite the presence of follicles at various stages of development. Esr2ΔE3- and Esr2ΔE4-mutant females exhibited attenuated preovulatory gonadotropin surges and did not ovulate in response to a gonadotropin regimen effective in WT rats. Similarities of reproductive deficits in Esr2ΔE3 and Esr2ΔE4 mutants suggest that DNA binding-dependent transcriptional function of ESR2 is critical for preovulatory follicle maturation and ovulation. Overall, the findings indicate that neuroendocrine and ovarian deficits are linked to infertility observed in Esr2-mutant rats.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. A. Karim Rumi
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Prabhakar Singh
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Katherine F. Roby
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Xiao Zhao
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Khursheed Iqbal
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Anamika Ratri
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Tianhua Lei
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Wei Cui
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Shaon Borosha
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Pramod Dhakal
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Kaiyu Kubota
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Damayanti Chakraborty
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Jay L. Vivian
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Michael W. Wolfe
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
| | - Michael J. Soares
- Institute for Reproductive Health and Regenerative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas 66160
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Goad J, Ko YA, Kumar M, Syed SM, Tanwar PS. Differential Wnt signaling activity limits epithelial gland development to the anti-mesometrial side of the mouse uterus. Dev Biol 2017; 423:138-151. [PMID: 28153546 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.01.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2016] [Revised: 01/17/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In mice, implantation always occurs towards the antimesometrial side of the uterus, while the placenta develops at the mesometrial side. What determines this particular orientation of the implanting blastocyst remains unclear. Uterine glands are critical for implantation and pregnancy. In this study, we showed that uterine gland development and active Wnt signaling activity is limited to the antimesometrial side of the uterus. Dkk2, a known antagonist of Wnt signaling, is only present at the mesometrial side of the uterus. Imaging of whole uterus, thick uterine sections (100-1000µm), and individual glands revealed that uterine glands are simple tubes with branches that are directly connected to the luminal epithelium and are only present towards the antimesometrial side of the uterus. By developing a unique mouse model targeting the uterine epithelium, we demonstrated that Wnt/β-catenin signaling is essential for prepubertal gland formation and normal implantation, but dispensable for postpartum gland development and regeneration. Our results for the first time have provided a probable explanation for the antimesometrial bias for implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyoti Goad
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Yi-An Ko
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Manish Kumar
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Shafiq M Syed
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia
| | - Pradeep S Tanwar
- School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales 2308, Australia.
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Farah O, Biechele S, Rossant J, Dufort D. Porcupine-dependent Wnt signaling controls stromal proliferation and endometrial gland maintenance through the action of distinct WNTs. Dev Biol 2016; 422:58-69. [PMID: 27965056 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.11.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2016] [Revised: 11/07/2016] [Accepted: 11/30/2016] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Wnt signaling has been shown to be important in orchestrating proper development of the female reproductive tract. In the uterus, six members of the Wnt family are expressed in the neonatal endometrium and deletion of individual Wnt genes often leads to similar phenotypes, suggesting an interaction of these genes in uterine development and function. Furthermore, Wnts may have complementary functions, which could mask the identification of their individual functional role in single gene deletions. To circumvent this issue, we have generated a deletion of the Porcupine homolog within the female reproductive tract using progesterone receptor-Cre mice (PgrCre/+); preventing Wnt secretion from the producing cells. We show that Porcupine-dependent Wnt signaling, unlike previously reported, is dispensable for postnatal gland formation but is required for post-pubertal gland maintenance as well as for stromal cell proliferation. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that WNT7a is sufficient to restore post-pubertal endometrial gland formation. Although WNT5a did not restore gland formation, it rescued stromal cell proliferation; up-regulating several secreted factors including Fgf10 and Ihh. Our results further elucidate the roles of Wnt signaling in uterine development and function as well as provide an ideal system to address individual Wnt functions in the uterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar Farah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Steffen Biechele
- Center for Reproductive Sciences, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, 35 Medical Center Way, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Janet Rossant
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Dufort
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Department of Biology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
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10
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Abstract
The progesterone receptor (PGR) is a ligand-activated transcription factor with key roles in the regulation of female fertility. Much has been learned of the actions of PGR signaling through the use of pharmacologic inhibitors and genetic manipulation, using mouse mutagenesis. Characterization of rats with a null mutation at the Pgr locus has forced a reexamination of the role of progesterone in the regulation of the female reproductive cycle. We generated two Pgr mutant rat models, using genome editing. In both cases, deletions yielded a null mutation resulting from a nonsense frame-shift and the emergence of a stop codon. Similar to Pgr null mice, Pgr null rats were infertile because of deficits in sexual behavior, ovulation, and uterine endometrial differentiation. However, in contrast to the reported phenotype of female mice with disruptions in Pgr signaling, Pgr null female rats exhibit robust estrous cycles. Cyclic changes in vaginal cytology, uterine histology, serum hormone levels, and wheel running activity were evident in Pgr null female rats, similar to wild-type controls. Furthermore, exogenous progesterone treatment inhibited estrous cycles in wild-type female rats but not in Pgr-null female rats. As previously reported, pharmacologic antagonism supports a role for PGR signaling in the regulation of the ovulatory gonadotropin surge, a result at variance with experimentation using genetic ablation of PGR signaling. To conclude, our findings in the Pgr null rat challenge current assumptions and prompt a reevaluation of the hormonal control of reproductive cyclicity.
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