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Varley A, Koschinski A, Johnson MR, Zaccolo M. cAMP Compartmentalisation in Human Myometrial Cells. Cells 2023; 12:718. [PMID: 36899855 PMCID: PMC10001376 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050718] [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: 02/02/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm birth is the leading cause of childhood mortality and morbidity. A better understanding of the processes that drive the onset of human labour is essential to reduce the adverse perinatal outcomes associated with dysfunctional labour. Beta-mimetics, which activate the myometrial cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) system, successfully delay preterm labour, suggesting a key role for cAMP in the control of myometrial contractility; however, the mechanisms underpinning this regulation are incompletely understood. Here we used genetically encoded cAMP reporters to investigate cAMP signalling in human myometrial smooth muscle cells at the subcellular level. We found significant differences in the dynamics of the cAMP response in the cytosol and at the plasmalemma upon stimulation with catecholamines or prostaglandins, indicating compartment-specific handling of cAMP signals. Our analysis uncovered significant disparities in the amplitude, kinetics, and regulation of cAMP signals in primary myometrial cells obtained from pregnant donors compared with a myometrial cell line and found marked response variability between donors. We also found that in vitro passaging of primary myometrial cells had a profound impact on cAMP signalling. Our findings highlight the importance of cell model choice and culture conditions when studying cAMP signalling in myometrial cells and we provide new insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of cAMP in the human myometrium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Varley
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Academic Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Level 3, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH, UK
| | - Andreas Koschinski
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Sherrington Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
| | - Mark R. Johnson
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, Academic Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Level 3, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NH, UK
| | - Manuela Zaccolo
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Sherrington Building, Sherrington Road, Oxford OX1 3PT, UK
- Oxford NIHR Biomedical Research Centre, Oxford OX4 2PG, UK
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2
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Preterm labor is a distinct process from term labor following computational analysis of human myometrium. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2022; 226:106.e1-106.e16. [PMID: 34245680 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Revised: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The onset of the term human parturition involves myometrial gene expression changes to transform the uterus from a quiescent to a contractile phenotype. It is uncertain whether the same changes occur in the uterus during preterm labor. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to compare the myometrial gene expression between term and preterm labor and to determine whether the presence of acute clinical chorioamnionitis or twin gestation affects these signatures. STUDY DESIGN Myometrial specimens were collected during cesarean delivery from the following 7 different groups of patients: term not in labor (n=31), term labor (n=13), preterm not in labor (n=21), preterm labor with acute clinical chorioamnionitis (n=6), preterm labor with no acute clinical chorioamnionitis (n=9), twin preterm not in labor (n=8), and twin preterm labor with no acute clinical chorioamnionitis (n=5). RNA was extracted, reverse transcribed and quantitative polymerase chain reactions were performed on 44 candidate genes (with evidence for differential expression in human term labor) using the Fluidigm platform. Computational analysis was performed using 2-class unpaired Wilcoxon tests and principal component analysis. RESULTS Computational analysis revealed that gene expression in the preterm myometrium, irrespective of whether in labor or not in labor, clustered tightly and is clearly different from the term labor and term not-in-labor groups. This was true for both singleton and twin pregnancies. Principal component analysis showed that 57% of the variation was explained by 3 principal components. These 44 genes interact in themes of prostaglandin activity and inflammatory signaling known to be important during term labor, but are not a full representation of the myometrium transcriptional activity. CONCLUSION The myometrial contractions associated with preterm labor are associated with a pattern of gene expression that is distinct from term labor. Therefore, preterm labor may be initiated by a different myometrial process or processes outside the myometrium.
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Singh N, Herbert B, Sooranna G, Shah NM, Das A, Sooranna SR, Johnson MR. Is there an inflammatory stimulus to human term labour? PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256545. [PMID: 34464407 PMCID: PMC8407546 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 08/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Inflammation is thought to play a pivotal role in the onset of term and some forms of preterm labour. Although, we recently found that myometrial inflammation is a consequence rather than a cause of term labour, there are several other reproductive tissues, including amnion, choriodecidua parietalis and decidua basalis, where the inflammatory stimulus to labour may occur. To investigate this, we have obtained amnion, choriodecidual parietalis and decidua basalis samples from women at various stages of pregnancy and spontaneous labour. The inflammatory cytokine profile in each tissue was determine by Bio-Plex Pro® cytokine multiplex assays and quantitative RT-PCR. Active motif assay was used to study transcription activation in the choriodecidua parietalis. Quantitative RT-PCR was use to study the pro-labour genes (PGHS-2, PGDH, OTR and CX43) in all of the tissues at the onset of labour and oxytocin (OT) mRNA expression in the choriodecidual parietalis and decidua basalis. Statistical significance was ascribed to a P value <0.05. In the amnion and choriodecidua parietalis, the mRNA levels of various cytokines decreased from preterm no labour to term no labour samples, but the protein levels were unchanged. The choriodecidua parietalis showed increase in the protein levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the term early labour samples. In the amnion and decidua basalis, the protein levels of several cytokines rose in term established labour. The multiples of the median derived from the 19-plex cytokine assay were greater in term early labour and term established labour samples from the choriodecidua parietalis, but only in term established labour for myometrium. These data suggest that the inflammatory stimulus to labour may begin in the choriodecidua parietalis, but the absence of any change in prolabour factor mRNA levels suggests that the cytokines may act on the myometrium where we observed changes in transcription factor activation and increases in prolabour gene expression in earlier studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Singh
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Bronwen Herbert
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Garvin Sooranna
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nishel M. Shah
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ananya Das
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suren R. Sooranna
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark R. Johnson
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
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Yulia A, Singh N, Varley AJ, Lei K, Markovic D, Sooranna SR, Johnson MR. PKA and AKIP1 interact to mediate cAMP-driven COX-2 expression: A potentially pivotal interaction in preterm and term labour. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252720. [PMID: 34166397 PMCID: PMC8224895 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Previously, we showed that cAMP increased COX-2 expression in myometrial cells via MAPK. Here, we have extended these observations, using primary myometrial cell cultures to show that the cAMP agonist, forskolin, enhances IL-1β-driven COX-2 expression. We then explored the role of A-kinase interacting protein (AKIP1), which modulates the effect of PKA on p65 activation. AKIP1 knockdown reversed the effect of forskolin, such that its addition inhibited IL-1β-induced COX-2 mRNA expression and reduced the IL-1β-induced increase in nuclear levels of p65 and c-jun. Forskolin alone and with IL-1β increased IκBα mRNA expression suggesting that in the context of inflammation and in the presence of AKIP1, cAMP enhances p65 activation. AKIP1 knockdown reversed these changes. Interestingly, AKIP1 knockdown had minimal effect on the ability of forskolin to repress either basal OTR expression or IL-1β-stimulated OTR mRNA expression. AKIP1 was up-regulated by IL-1β, but not stretch and was repressed by cAMP. The mRNA expression of AKIP1 increased in early labour in tandem with an increase in COX-2 mRNA and protein. AKIP1 protein levels were also increased with inflammation and stretch-induced preterm labour. Our results identify a second important cAMP effector-switch occurring at term in human myometrium and suggest that a hitherto unrecognized interaction may exist between AKIP1, NFκB and AP-1. These data add to the proposition that cAMP acts as a key regulator of human myometrial contractility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Yulia
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Natasha Singh
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Alice J. Varley
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kaiyu Lei
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Suren R. Sooranna
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark R. Johnson
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
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5
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Kozakiewicz ML, Grotegut CA, Howlett AC. Endocannabinoid System in Pregnancy Maintenance and Labor: A Mini-Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:699951. [PMID: 34220722 PMCID: PMC8242576 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.699951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The endocannabinoid system (ECS) is a cell-signaling system present in multiple organ systems and is an integral part of sustaining the microenvironment necessary for early pregnancy success and maintenance. It plays a significant role in embryo development, transport and implantation as well as placentation. The current theory behind the initiation of term labor is that it is a complex, multifactorial process involving sex steroid hormones, prostaglandin production and interplay at the maternal-fetal interface resulting in increased expression of receptors and gap junctions that promote uterine activation. There is increasing evidence that, in addition to early pregnancy events, the ECS plays a regulatory role in pregnancy maintenance and the timing of labor. This review presents an overview of the ECS in pregnancy that focuses on late gestation and parturition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa L. Kozakiewicz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section on Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Chad A. Grotegut
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Section on Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
| | - Allyn C. Howlett
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, United States
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6
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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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7
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Bianchi E, Sun Y, Almansa-Ordonez A, Woods M, Goulding D, Martinez-Martin N, Wright GJ. Control of oviductal fluid flow by the G-protein coupled receptor Adgrd1 is essential for murine embryo transit. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1251. [PMID: 33623007 PMCID: PMC7902839 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-21512-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Dysfunction of embryo transport causes ectopic pregnancy which affects approximately 2% of conceptions in the US and Europe, and is the most common cause of pregnancy-related death in the first trimester. Embryo transit involves a valve-like tubal-locking phenomenon that temporarily arrests oocytes at the ampullary-isthmic junction (AIJ) where fertilisation occurs, but the mechanisms involved are unknown. Here we show that female mice lacking the orphan adhesion G-protein coupled receptor Adgrd1 are sterile because they do not relieve the AIJ restraining mechanism, inappropriately retaining embryos within the oviduct. Adgrd1 is expressed on the oviductal epithelium and the post-ovulatory attenuation of tubal fluid flow is dysregulated in Adgrd1-deficient mice. Using a large-scale extracellular protein interaction screen, we identified Plxdc2 as an activating ligand for Adgrd1 displayed on cumulus cells. Our findings demonstrate that regulating oviductal fluid flow by Adgrd1 controls embryo transit and we present a model where embryo arrest at the AIJ is due to the balance of abovarial ciliary action and the force of adovarial tubal fluid flow, and in wild-type oviducts, fluid flow is gradually attenuated through Adgrd1 activation to enable embryo release. Our findings provide important insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in embryo transport in mice. Lack of correct embryo transport can cause ectopic pregnancy. Here, the authors show that female mice lacking the adhesion G-protein coupled receptor Adgrd1 are infertile, due to embryos being trapped in the ampulla as the result of dysregulated oviductal fluid flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrica Bianchi
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Yi Sun
- Receptor Discovery Group, Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics Department, San Francisco, CA, USA.,Institute of Cardiovascular Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Michael Woods
- Mouse Production Team, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - David Goulding
- Electron and Advanced Light Microscopy Suite, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nadia Martinez-Martin
- Receptor Discovery Group, Microchemistry, Proteomics and Lipidomics Department, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Gavin J Wright
- Cell Surface Signalling Laboratory, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Cambridge, UK. .,Department of Biology, Hull York Medical School, York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, Wentworth Way, York, UK.
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8
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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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9
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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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Singh N, Herbert B, Sooranna G, Das A, Sooranna SR, Yellon SM, Johnson MR. Distinct preterm labor phenotypes have unique inflammatory signatures and contraction associated protein profiles†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:1031-1045. [PMID: 31411323 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 06/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Preterm labor (PTL) is the predominant cause of childhood morbidity and mortality. It has several phenotypes, each with a distinct etiology often involving inflammation. Here, in samples of reproductive tissues obtained in early PTL from women with phenotypically defined PTL, we examined the presence and distribution of inflammation and its relationship with prolabor gene expression. In chorioamnionitis (CA-PTL), cytokine protein concentrations were increased across all tissues; in idiopathic (I-PTL), the inflammatory changes were limited to the choriodecidua; inflammation was not a feature of placental abruption (PA-PTL). CA-PTL was associated with activation of p65 in the myometrium and AP-1 in the choriodecidua, and PA-PTL with CREB in the choriodecidua. In the myometrium, PGHS-2 mRNA level was increased in CA- and I-PTL; in the amnion, PGHS-2 mRNA level was higher in PA- and I-PTL, while in CA-PTL, OT, OTR mRNA, and CX-43 expression were increased. In the choriodecidua, PGHS-2 mRNA level was unchanged, but in CA and I-PTL, OT mRNA level were increased and OTR was reduced. These data show that CA-PTL is associated with widespread inflammation and prolabor gene expression. In contrast, in I-PTL, inflammation is limited to the choriodecidua, with discrete increases in PGHS-2 in the amnion and OT in the choriodecidua. Inflammation is not a feature of PA-PTL, which is associated with increased OT and OTR in the amnion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Singh
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Bronwen Herbert
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Sooranna
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anya Das
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Suren R Sooranna
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Steven M Yellon
- Longo Center for Perinatal Biology, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, Loma Linda, CA, USA
| | - Mark R Johnson
- Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, United Kingdom.,Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, London, United Kingdom
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11
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Herbert BR, Markovic D, Georgiou E, Lai PF, Singh N, Yulia A, Johnson MR. Aminophylline and progesterone prevent inflammation-induced preterm parturition in the mouse†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:813-822. [PMID: 31295341 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although progesterone (P4) supplementation is the most widely used therapy for the prevention of preterm labor (PTL), reports of its clinical efficacy have been conflicting. We have previously shown that the anti-inflammatory effects of P4 can be enhanced by increasing intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels in primary human myometrial cells. Here, we have examined whether adding aminophylline (Am), a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor that increases intracellular cAMP levels, to P4 might improve its efficacy using in vivo and in vitro models of PTL. In a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced PTL, we found that the combination of P4 and Am delayed the onset of LPS-induced PTL, while the same dose of P4 and Am alone had no effect. Pup survival was not improved by either agent alone or in combination. Myometrial prolabor and inflammatory cytokine gene expression was reduced, but the reduction was similar in P4 and P4/Am treated mice. There was no effect of the combination of P4 and Am on an ex vivo assessment of myometrial contractility. In human myometrial cells and myometrial tissue explants, we found that the combination had marked anti-inflammatory effects, reducing cytokine and COX-2 mRNA and protein levels to a greater extent than either agent alone. These data suggest that the combination of P4 and Am has a more potent anti-inflammatory effect than either agent alone and may be an effective combination in women at high-risk of PTL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bronwen R Herbert
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Danijela Markovic
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ektoras Georgiou
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Pei F Lai
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Natasha Singh
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Angela Yulia
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark R Johnson
- Imperial College Parturition Research Group, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, Academic Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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12
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Singh N, Bonney E, McElrath T, Lamont RF. Prevention of preterm birth: Proactive and reactive clinical practice-are we on the right track? Placenta 2020; 98:6-12. [PMID: 32800387 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2020.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2019] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Preterm birth remains the major cause of death and disability among children under the age of five. In developing countries antenatal preterm birth prevention clinics are set up to provide cervical length surveillance and/or treatment modalities such as cerclage or progesterone for those women with identified risk factors such as previous cervical treatment or preterm birth. However, 85% of women have no risk factors for PTB and currently there is no biomarker to screen women early in pregnancy. Women will present unexpectedly in threatened preterm labour and we have no choice but to adopt a re-active approach to their care by using predication and preparation strategies such as fetal fibronectin, tocolytic therapy and steroids. Despite these strategies approximately 15-20% of these women will give birth preterm before 34 weeks. There is a urgent need to re-design primary, secondary and tertiary prevention strategies for spontaneous preterm labour (sPTL) in singleton pregnancies aimed at identifying and addressing key gaps in clinical practice and research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Singh
- Department of Obstetrics, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital and Imperial College London, UK.
| | - Elizabeth Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
| | - Tom McElrath
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ronald F Lamont
- Division of Surgery, University College London, Northwick Park Institute of Medical Research Campus, London, UK
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Stanfield Z, Amini P, Wang J, Yi L, Tan H, Chance MR, Koyutürk M, Mesiano S. Interplay of transcriptional signaling by progesterone, cyclic AMP, and inflammation in myometrial cells: implications for the control of human parturition. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:408-422. [PMID: 31211832 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2019] [Accepted: 05/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Parturition involves cellular signaling changes driven by the complex interplay between progesterone (P4), inflammation, and the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) pathway. To characterize this interplay, we performed comprehensive transcriptomic studies utilizing eight treatment combinations on myometrial cell lines and tissue samples from pregnant women. We performed genome-wide RNA-sequencing on the hTERT-HM${}^{A/B}$ cell line treated with all combinations of P4, forskolin (FSK) (induces cAMP), and interleukin-1$\beta$ (IL-1$\beta$). We then performed gene set enrichment and regulatory network analyses to identify pathways commonly, differentially, or synergistically regulated by these treatments. Finally, we used tissue similarity index (TSI) to characterize the correspondence between cell lines and tissue phenotypes. We observed that in addition to their individual anti-inflammatory effects, P4 and cAMP synergistically blocked specific inflammatory pathways/regulators including STAT3/6, CEBPA/B, and OCT1/7, but not NF$\kappa$B. TSI analysis indicated that FSK + P4- and IL-1$\beta$-treated cells exhibit transcriptional signatures highly similar to non-laboring and laboring term myometrium, respectively. Our results identify potential therapeutic targets to prevent preterm birth and show that the hTERT-HM${}^{A/B}$ cell line provides an accurate transcriptional model for term myometrial tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Mark R Chance
- Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics.,Department of Nutrition.,Case Comprehensive Cancer Center
| | - Mehmet Koyutürk
- Center for Proteomics and Bioinformatics.,Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
| | - Sam Mesiano
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics.,Department of Reproductive Biology.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
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The role of semen and seminal plasma in inducing large-scale genomic changes in the female porcine peri-ovulatory tract. Sci Rep 2020; 10:5061. [PMID: 32193402 PMCID: PMC7081221 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-60810-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 02/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Semen modifies the expression of genes related to immune function along the porcine female internal genital tract. Whether other pathways are induced by the deposition of spermatozoa and/or seminal plasma (SP), is yet undocumented. Here, to determine their relative impact on the uterine and tubal transcriptomes, microarray analyses were performed on the endocervix, endometrium and endosalpinx collected from pre-ovulatory sows 24 h after either mating or artificial insemination (AI) with specific ejaculate fractions containing spermatozoa or sperm-free SP. After enrichment analysis, we found an overrepresentation of genes and pathways associated with sperm transport and binding, oxidative stress and cell-to-cell recognition, such as PI3K-Akt, FoxO signaling, glycosaminoglycan biosynthesis and cAMP-related transcripts, among others. Although semen (either after mating or AI) seemed to have the highest impact along the entire genital tract, our results demonstrate that the SP itself also modifies the transcriptome. The detected modifications of the molecular profiles of the pre/peri-ovulatory endometrium and endosalpinx suggest an interplay for the survival, transport and binding of spermatozoa through, for instance the up-regulation of the Estrogen signaling pathway associated with attachment and release from the oviductal reservoir.
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Butler TA, Paul JW, Smith R. Non-conventional signalling in human myometrium by conventional pathways: looking back for a synergistic future. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2019.11.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
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17
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Amini P, Wilson R, Wang J, Tan H, Yi L, Koeblitz WK, Stanfield Z, Romani AMP, Malemud CJ, Mesiano S. Progesterone and cAMP synergize to inhibit responsiveness of myometrial cells to pro-inflammatory/pro-labor stimuli. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 479:1-11. [PMID: 30118888 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2018] [Revised: 08/13/2018] [Accepted: 08/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Progesterone (P4) acting through the P4 receptor (PR) isoforms, PR-A and PR-B, promotes uterine quiescence for most of pregnancy, in part, by inhibiting the response of myometrial cells to pro-labor inflammatory stimuli. This anti-inflammatory effect is inhibited by phosphorylation of PR-A at serine-344 and -345 (pSer344/345-PRA). Activation of the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway also promotes uterine quiescence and myometrial relaxation. This study examined the cross-talk between P4/PR and cAMP signaling to exert anti-inflammatory actions and control pSer344/345-PRA generation in myometrial cells. In the hTERT-HMA/B immortalized human myometrial cell line P4 inhibited responsiveness to interleukin (IL)-1β and forskolin (increases cAMP) and 8-Br-cAMP increased this effect in a concentration-dependent and synergistic manner that was mediated by activation of protein kinase A (PKA). Forskolin also inhibited the generation of pSer344/345-PRA and expression of key contraction-associated genes. Generation of pSer344/345-PRA was catalyzed by stress-activated protein kinase/c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK). Forskolin inhibited pSer344/345-PRA generation, in part, by increasing the expression of dual specificity protein phosphatase 1 (DUSP1), a phosphatase that inactivates mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) including SAPK/JNK. P4/PR and forskolin increased DUSP1 expression. The data suggest that P4/PR promotes uterine quiescence via cross-talk and synergy with cAMP/PKA signaling in myometrial cells that involves DUSP1-mediated inhibition of SAPK/JNK activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyvand Amini
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Rachel Wilson
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Junye Wang
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Huiqing Tan
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Lijuan Yi
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - William K Koeblitz
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Zachary Stanfield
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Andrea M P Romani
- Department of Physiology & Biophysics, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Charles J Malemud
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sam Mesiano
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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Jurek B, Neumann ID. The Oxytocin Receptor: From Intracellular Signaling to Behavior. Physiol Rev 2018; 98:1805-1908. [DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00031.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 408] [Impact Index Per Article: 68.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The many facets of the oxytocin (OXT) system of the brain and periphery elicited nearly 25,000 publications since 1930 (see FIGURE 1 , as listed in PubMed), which revealed central roles for OXT and its receptor (OXTR) in reproduction, and social and emotional behaviors in animal and human studies focusing on mental and physical health and disease. In this review, we discuss the mechanisms of OXT expression and release, expression and binding of the OXTR in brain and periphery, OXTR-coupled signaling cascades, and their involvement in behavioral outcomes to assemble a comprehensive picture of the central and peripheral OXT system. Traditionally known for its role in milk let-down and uterine contraction during labor, OXT also has implications in physiological, and also behavioral, aspects of reproduction, such as sexual and maternal behaviors and pair bonding, but also anxiety, trust, sociability, food intake, or even drug abuse. The many facets of OXT are, on a molecular basis, brought about by a single receptor. The OXTR, a 7-transmembrane G protein-coupled receptor capable of binding to either Gαior Gαqproteins, activates a set of signaling cascades, such as the MAPK, PKC, PLC, or CaMK pathways, which converge on transcription factors like CREB or MEF-2. The cellular response to OXT includes regulation of neurite outgrowth, cellular viability, and increased survival. OXTergic projections in the brain represent anxiety and stress-regulating circuits connecting the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, amygdala, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, or the medial prefrontal cortex. Which OXT-induced patterns finally alter the behavior of an animal or a human being is still poorly understood, and studying those OXTR-coupled signaling cascades is one initial step toward a better understanding of the molecular background of those behavioral effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin Jurek
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Inga D. Neumann
- Department of Behavioural and Molecular Neurobiology, Institute of Zoology, University of Regensburg, Regensburg, Germany
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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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Bafor EE, Rowan EG, Edrada-Ebel R. Metabolomics-Coupled Functional Pharmacology of Chlorophyll Compounds Isolated From the Leaves of Ficus Exasperata Vahl (Moraceae) Provides Novel Pathways on Myometrial Activity. Reprod Sci 2017; 25:923-937. [DOI: 10.1177/1933719117732159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Enitome E. Bafor
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
| | - Edward G. Rowan
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - RuAngelie Edrada-Ebel
- Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
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