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Horvat Mercnik M, Schliefsteiner C, Sanchez-Duffhues G, Wadsack C. TGFβ signalling: a nexus between inflammation, placental health and preeclampsia throughout pregnancy. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:442-471. [PMID: 38519450 PMCID: PMC11215164 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae007] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is a unique and pivotal organ in reproduction, controlling crucial growth and cell differentiation processes that ensure a successful pregnancy. Placental development is a tightly regulated and dynamic process, in which the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily plays a central role. This family of pleiotropic growth factors is heavily involved in regulating various aspects of reproductive biology, particularly in trophoblast differentiation during the first trimester of pregnancy. TGFβ signalling precisely regulates trophoblast invasion and the cell transition from cytotrophoblasts to extravillous trophoblasts, which is an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-like process. Later in pregnancy, TGFβ signalling ensures proper vascularization and angiogenesis in placental endothelial cells. Beyond its role in trophoblasts and endothelial cells, TGFβ signalling contributes to the polarization and function of placental and decidual macrophages by promoting maternal tolerance of the semi-allogeneic foetus. Disturbances in early placental development have been associated with several pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (PE) which is one of the severe complications. Emerging evidence suggests that TGFβ is involved in the pathogenesis of PE, thereby offering a potential target for intervention in the human placenta. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This comprehensive review aims to explore and elucidate the roles of the major members of the TGFβ superfamily, including TGFβs, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), activins, inhibins, nodals, and growth differentiation factors (GDFs), in the context of placental development and function. The review focusses on their interactions within the major cell types of the placenta, namely trophoblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells, in both normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by PE throughout pregnancy. SEARCH METHODS A literature search was carried out using PubMed and Google Scholar, searching terms: 'TGF signalling preeclampsia', 'pregnancy TGF signalling', 'preeclampsia tgfβ', 'preeclampsia bmp', 'preeclampsia gdf', 'preeclampsia activin', 'endoglin preeclampsia', 'endoglin pregnancy', 'tgfβ signalling pregnancy', 'bmp signalling pregnancy', 'gdf signalling pregnancy', 'activin signalling pregnancy', 'Hofbauer cell tgfβ signalling', 'placental macrophages tgfβ', 'endothelial cells tgfβ', 'endothelium tgfβ signalling', 'trophoblast invasion tgfβ signalling', 'trophoblast invasion Smad', 'trophoblast invasion bmp', 'trophoblast invasion tgfβ', 'tgfβ preeclampsia', 'tgfβ placental development', 'TGFβ placental function', 'endothelial dysfunction preeclampsia tgfβ signalling', 'vascular remodelling placenta TGFβ', 'inflammation pregnancy tgfβ', 'immune response pregnancy tgfβ', 'immune tolerance pregnancy tgfβ', 'TGFβ pregnancy NK cells', 'bmp pregnancy NK cells', 'bmp pregnancy tregs', 'tgfβ pregnancy tregs', 'TGFβ placenta NK cells', 'TGFβ placenta tregs', 'NK cells preeclampsia', 'Tregs preeclampsia'. Only articles published in English until 2023 were used. OUTCOMES A comprehensive understanding of TGFβ signalling and its role in regulating interconnected cell functions of the main placental cell types provides valuable insights into the processes essential for successful placental development and growth of the foetus during pregnancy. By orchestrating trophoblast invasion, vascularization, immune tolerance, and tissue remodelling, TGFβ ligands contribute to the proper functioning of a healthy maternal-foetal interface. However, dysregulation of TGFβ signalling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PE, where the shallow trophoblast invasion, defective vascular remodelling, decreased uteroplacental perfusion, and endothelial cell and immune dysfunction observed in PE, are all affected by an altered TGFβ signalling. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The dysregulation of TGFβ signalling in PE has important implications for research and clinical practice. Further investigation is required to understand the underlying mechanisms, including the role of different ligands and their regulation under pathophysiological conditions, in order to discover new therapeutic targets. Distinguishing between clinically manifested subtypes of PE and studying TGFβ signalling in different placental cell types holistically is an important first step. To put this knowledge into practice, pre-clinical animal models combined with new technologies are needed. This may also lead to improved human research models and identify potential therapeutic targets, ultimately improving outcomes for affected pregnancies and reducing the burden of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gonzalo Sanchez-Duffhues
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Tissue-Specific BMP Signalling ISPA-HUCA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Christian Wadsack
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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Kobayashi H, Matsubara S, Yoshimoto C, Shigetomi H, Imanaka S. Current understanding of the pathogenesis of placenta accreta spectrum disorder with focus on mitochondrial function. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2024; 50:929-940. [PMID: 38544343 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15936] [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: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
AIM The refinement of assisted reproductive technology, including the development of cryopreservation techniques (vitrification) and ovarian stimulation protocols, makes frozen embryo transfer (FET) an alternative to fresh ET and has contributed to the success of assisted reproductive technology. Compared with fresh ET cycles, FET cycles were associated with better in vitro fertilization outcomes; however, the occurrence of pregnancy-induced hypertension, preeclampsia, and placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) was higher in FET cycles. PAS has been increasing steadily in incidence as a life-threatening condition along with cesarean rates worldwide. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of the pathogenesis of PAS and discuss future research directions. METHODS A literature search was performed in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. RESULTS Risk factors associated with PAS incidence include a primary defect of the decidua basalis or scar dehiscence, aberrant vascular remodeling, and abnormally invasive trophoblasts, or a combination thereof. Freezing, thawing, and hormone replacement manipulations have been shown to affect multiple cellular pathways, including cell proliferation, invasion, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and mitochondrial function. Molecules involved in abnormal migration and EMT of extravillous trophoblast cells are beginning to be identified in PAS placentas. Many of these molecules were also found to be involved in mitochondrial biogenesis and dynamics. CONCLUSION The etiology of PAS may be a multifactorial genesis with intrinsic predisposition (e.g., placental abnormalities) and certain environmental factors (e.g., defective decidua) as triggers for its development. A distinctive feature of this review is its focus on the potential factors linking mitochondrial function to PAS development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Kobayashi
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Kashihara, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
| | - Sho Matsubara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
- Department of Medicine, Kei Oushin Clinic, Nishinomiya, Japan
| | - Chiharu Yoshimoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Prefecture General Medical Center, Nara, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shigetomi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Aska Ladies Clinic, Nara, Japan
| | - Shogo Imanaka
- Department of Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Kashihara, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nara Medical University, Kashihara, Japan
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Chen Y, Zhang Y, Xie S, Zhou X, Zhu L, Cao Y. Establishment of a placental lncRNA-mRNA expression network for early-onset preeclampsia. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2024; 24:329. [PMID: 38678187 PMCID: PMC11055331 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-024-06481-4] [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: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed to establish a placental long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-mRNA expression network for early-onset preeclampsia (early-onset PE). METHODS The RNA sequencing data of the GSE14821 dataset were acquired. Several crucial lncRNAs and mRNAs were exerted based on the differential expression analysis of lncRNA and mRNA. By analyzing the differentially expressed lncRNA and mRNA, we constructed a regulatory network to explore the mechanism of the lncRNA in early onset preeclampsia. RESULTS A total of 4436 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) were identified in early-onset PE placenta samples compared with control placenta samples. Pearson correlation analysis revealed significant correlations between 3659 DElncRNAs and 372 DEmRNAs. KEGG analysis showed that the DEmRNAs were enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 pathways. Several well-known early-onset PE-related mRNAs, such as vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and VEGF receptor 1 (FLT1), were involved in the two pathways. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis and cis-regulatory analysis further suggested the involvement of the two pathways and potential DElncRNA-DEmRNA interactions in early-onset PE. Moreover, the upregulation of representative DElncRNAs, such as RP11-211G3.3 and RP11-65J21.3, and DEmRNAs, such as VEGFA and FLT1, were validated in clinical placenta samples from patients with early-onset PE by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Importantly, overexpression of RP11-65J21.3 significantly promoted the proliferation of HTR-8 trophoblast cells at 72 h after transfection. CONCLUSIONS In conclusion, we identified placental DElncRNAs of early-onset PE and established a DElncRNA-DEmRNA network that was closely related to the cytokine-cytokine receptor and HIF-1 pathways. Our results provide potential diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets for early-onset PE management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya Chen
- Obstetrics and Gynecology department, The first affiliated hospital of Anhui medical university, Hefei, 230000, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology department, The first affiliated hospital of Anhui medical university, Hefei, 230000, China
| | - Siyu Xie
- Obstetrics and Gynecology department, The first affiliated hospital of Anhui medical university, Hefei, 230000, China
| | - Xiangdong Zhou
- Obstetrics and Gynecology department, The first affiliated hospital of Anhui medical university, Hefei, 230000, China
| | - Lina Zhu
- Obstetrics and Gynecology department, The first affiliated hospital of Anhui medical university, Hefei, 230000, China
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Obstetrics and Gynecology department, The first affiliated hospital of Anhui medical university, Hefei, 230000, China.
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Zhang J, Liu X, Gao Y. FTO protein regulates the TGF-β signalling pathway through RNA N6-methyladenosine modification to induce unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. FEBS J 2024; 291:1545-1559. [PMID: 38245815 DOI: 10.1111/febs.17053] [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: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed the involvement of RNA m6A modification in embryonic development; however, the relationship between aberrant RNA m6A modification and unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) remains unclear. In this study, we analysed the level of RNA m6A modification in trophoblasts using dot blot, RNA m6A quantification, and MeRIP assays. By integrating data from the GEO database, RNA-Seq, and MeRIP-Seq, we examined the aberrant expression of m6A methyltransferases and their downstream molecules in chorionic villus (placental) tissues. RNA pull-down, RIP, and electrophoretic mobility shift assay were used to analyse the binding relationship between the YTHDC1 protein and MEG3. Additionally, RNA stability and BrU immunoprecipitation chase assays were utilised to elucidate the regulation of MEG3 stability by YTHDC1. ChIP and DNA pull-down RNA experiments were performed to elucidate the mechanism by which MEG3 targets EZH2 to the TGF-β1 promoter. The results showed that the expression of the m6A demethylase FTO protein was significantly increased in URSA trophoblasts, leading to inhibition of the MEG3 m6A modification and weakening of the stabilising effect of the m6A binding protein YTHDC1 on MEG3. Furthermore, MEG3 was found to bind simultaneously with the EZH2 protein and the TGF-β1 gene promoter, enabling the localisation of EZH2 protein to the TGF-β1 gene promoter and subsequent inhibition of TGF-β1 gene expression. In summary, our findings elucidate the mechanism by which FTO protein regulates the MEG3-TGF-β signalling pathway, thereby suppressing trophoblast invasion and proliferation in URSA trophoblast cells. These findings provide new insights for the treatment of URSA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Zhang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University), China
| | - Xinqiong Liu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University), China
| | - Yali Gao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shenzhen People's Hospital (The Second Clinical Medical College, Jinan University), China
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Wang G, Dong R, Zhao H, Ye N, Wang J, Cheng J, Shi X, Luo L, Zhang T. The role of ERp29/FOS/EMT pathway in excessive apoptosis of placental trophoblast cells in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. Placenta 2024; 148:20-30. [PMID: 38346375 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2024.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal bile acid metabolism leading to changes in placental function during pregnancy. To determine whether endoplasmic reticulum protein 29 (ERp29) can mediate the pregnancy effects of cholestasis by altering the level of trophoblast cell apoptosis. METHODS ERp29 in serum of 66 intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) pregnant women and 74 healthy were detected by ELISA. Subcutaneous injection of ethinyl estradiol (E2) was used to induce ICP in pregnant rats. Taurocholic acid (TCA) was used to simulate the ICP environment, and TGF-β1 was added to induce the epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT) process. The scratch, migration, and invasion test were used to detect the EMT process. ERp29 overexpression/knockdown vector were constructed and transfected to verify the role of ERp29 in the EMT process. Downstream gene was obtained through RNA-seq. RESULTS Compared with the healthy pregnant women, the expression levels of ERp29 in serum of ICP pregnancy women were significantly increased (P < 0.001). ERp29 in the placenta tissue of the ICP pregnant rats increased significantly, and the level of apoptosis increased. The placental tissues of the ICP had high expression of E-cadherin and low expression of N-cadherin, snail1, vimentin. After HTR-8/SVneo cells were induced by TCA, EMT was inhibited, while the ERp29 increased. Cell and animal experiments showed that, knockdown of ERp29 reduced the inhibition of EMT, the ICP progress was alleviated. Overexpression of FOS salvaged the inhibitory effects of ERp29 on cell EMT. DISCUSSION The high level of ERp29 in placental trophoblast cells reduced FOS mRNA levels, inhibited the EMT process and aggravated the occurrence and development of ICP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gaoying Wang
- Affiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Ruirui Dong
- Affiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Haijian Zhao
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated Huai'an Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Huai'an, 223001, China
| | - Ningzhen Ye
- Affiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Affiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Jing Cheng
- Affiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, China
| | - Xinrui Shi
- Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214122, China
| | - Liang Luo
- Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital, Jiangnan University Medical Center, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214000, China.
| | - Ting Zhang
- Affiliated Women's Hospital of Jiangnan University, Jiangnan University, Wuxi, 214002, China.
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Romero-Córdoba S, Chirinos M, Noyola-Martínez N, Torres-Ramírez N, García-Olivares M, Aragón-Hernández JP, Ramírez-Camacho I, Zúñiga R, Larrea F, Halhali A, Barrera D. Transcriptional landscape of human trophoblast cells treated with calcitriol and TGF-β1. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2024; 579:112088. [PMID: 37832930 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Calcitriol and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) are unrelated molecules that regulate biological processes according to the genetic target, cell type, and context. Several studies have shown independent effects of calcitriol and TGF-βs on the placenta, but there is no information regarding the impact of their combination on these cells. Therefore, this study analyzed the effects of calcitriol, TGF-β1, and their combination in primary cultures of human trophoblast cells using a whole genome expression microarray. Data analysis revealed a set of differentially expressed genes induced by each treatment. Enrichment pathway analysis identified modulatory effects of calcitriol on genes related to metabolic processes such as vitamin D, steroid, and fat-soluble vitamins as well as antimicrobial and immune responses. In relation to TGF-β1, the analysis showed a few differentially expressed genes that were mainly associated with the neutrophil immune response. Lastly, the analysis revealed that the combination of calcitriol and TGF-β1 up-regulated genes involving both immunologic processes and the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, eicosanoids, and lipoxins, among others. In contrast, pathways down-regulated by the combination were mostly associated with the catabolic process of acylglycerols and peptides, PPAR signaling pathway, cellular response to low-density lipoprotein stimulus, renin angiotensin system and digestion, mobilization and transport of lipids. Consistent with these results, the combined treatment on human trophoblast cells induced the accumulation of intracellular neutral lipid droplets and stimulated both gene and protein expression of 15-hydroxyprostaglandin dehydrogenase. In conclusion, the results revealed that differentially expressed genes induced by the combination modified the transcriptional landscape compared to each treatment alone, mainly altering the storage, activity and metabolism of lipids, which might have an impact on placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Romero-Córdoba
- Departamento de Medicina Genómica y Toxicología Ambiental, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, 04510, Mexico; Departamento de Bioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, 14080, Mexico
| | - Mayel Chirinos
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción "Dr. Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, Ciudad de México, 14080, Mexico
| | - Nancy Noyola-Martínez
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción "Dr. Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, Ciudad de México, 14080, Mexico
| | - Nayeli Torres-Ramírez
- Departamento de Biología Celular, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, México, 04510, Mexico
| | - Mitzi García-Olivares
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción "Dr. Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, Ciudad de México, 14080, Mexico
| | - Juan Pablo Aragón-Hernández
- Departamento de la Unidad Tocoquirúrgica, Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea González", Ciudad de México, 14080, Mexico
| | - Ixchel Ramírez-Camacho
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción "Dr. Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, Ciudad de México, 14080, Mexico
| | - Rosa Zúñiga
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción "Dr. Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, Ciudad de México, 14080, Mexico
| | - Fernando Larrea
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción "Dr. Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, Ciudad de México, 14080, Mexico
| | - Ali Halhali
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción "Dr. Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, Ciudad de México, 14080, Mexico
| | - David Barrera
- Departamento de Biología de la Reproducción "Dr. Carlos Gual Castro", Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, México, Ciudad de México, 14080, Mexico.
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Cheng JC, Meng Q, Zhang Q, Zhang L, Chen J, Song T, Fang L, Sun YP. WNK1 mediates amphiregulin-induced MMP9 expression and cell invasion in human extravillous trophoblast cells. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2023; 576:112038. [PMID: 37544354 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2023.112038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The invasion of human extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells is a critical event required for a successful pregnancy. Amphiregulin, a ligand of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), has been shown to stimulate cell invasion in an immortalized human EVT cell line, HTR-8/SVneo. The with-no-lysine kinase 1 (WNK1) is involved in regulating cell invasion. It is known that WNK1 is expressed in the human placenta, but its role in human EVT cells remains unknown. In the present study, we show that AREG treatment phosphorylated WNK1 at Thr60 in both HTR-8/SVneo and primary human EVT cells. The stimulatory effect of AREG on WNK1 phosphorylation was mediated by the activation of PI3K/AKT, but not the ERK1/2 signaling pathway. AREG upregulated matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) but not MMP2. In addition, cell invasiveness was increased in response to the treatment of AREG. Using the siRNA-mediated knockdown approach, our results showed that the knockdown of WNK1 attenuated the AREG-induced upregulation of MMP9 expression and cell invasion. Moreover, the expression of WNK1 was downregulated in the placentas with preeclampsia, a disease resulting from insufficiency of EVT cell invasion during pregnancy. This study discovers the physiological function of WNK1 in human EVT cells and provides important insights into the regulation of MMP9 and cell invasion in human EVT cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Chien Cheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Qingxue Meng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lingling Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jiaye Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Tinglin Song
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Lanlan Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ying-Pu Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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Huang CC, Hsueh YW, Chang CW, Hsu HC, Yang TC, Lin WC, Chang HM. Establishment of the fetal-maternal interface: developmental events in human implantation and placentation. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1200330. [PMID: 37266451 PMCID: PMC10230101 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1200330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Early pregnancy is a complex and well-orchestrated differentiation process that involves all the cellular elements of the fetal-maternal interface. Aberrant trophoblast-decidual interactions can lead to miscarriage and disorders that occur later in pregnancy, including preeclampsia, intrauterine fetal growth restriction, and preterm labor. A great deal of research on the regulation of implantation and placentation has been performed in a wide range of species. However, there is significant species variation regarding trophoblast differentiation as well as decidual-specific gene expression and regulation. Most of the relevant information has been obtained from studies using mouse models. A comprehensive understanding of the physiology and pathology of human implantation and placentation has only recently been obtained because of emerging advanced technologies. With the derivation of human trophoblast stem cells, 3D-organoid cultures, and single-cell analyses of differentiated cells, cell type-specific transcript profiles and functions were generated, and each exhibited a unique signature. Additionally, through integrative transcriptomic information, researchers can uncover the cellular dysfunction of embryonic and placental cells in peri-implantation embryos and the early pathological placenta. In fact, the clinical utility of fetal-maternal cellular trafficking has been applied for the noninvasive prenatal diagnosis of aneuploidies and the prediction of pregnancy complications. Furthermore, recent studies have proposed a viable path toward the development of therapeutic strategies targeting placenta-enriched molecules for placental dysfunction and diseases.
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Chen J, Song T, Yang S, Meng Q, Han X, Wu Z, Cheng JC, Fang L. Snail mediates GDF-8-stimulated human extravillous trophoblast cell invasion by upregulating MMP2 expression. Cell Commun Signal 2023; 21:93. [PMID: 37143106 PMCID: PMC10158255 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-023-01107-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell invasion is a tightly regulated process that requires for a normal pregnancy. The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in EVT cell invasion. Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF-8), a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily, is expressed in the human placenta and promotes EVT cell invasion by upregulating the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2). However, the underlying molecular mechanism of GDF-8-induced MMP2 expression remains undetermined. Therefore, the present study aims to examine the role of Snail and Slug, the EMT-related transcriptional regulators, in GDF-8-stimulated MMP2 expression and cell invasion in HTR-8/SVneo human EVT cell line and primary cultures of human EVT cells. METHODS HTR-8/SVneo and primary cultures of human EVT cells were used to examine the effect of GDF-8 on MMP2 expression and explore the underlying mechanism. For gene silencing and overexpression, the HTR-8/SVneo cell line was used to make the experiments more technically feasible. The cell invasiveness was measured by Matrigel-coated transwell invasion assay. RESULTS GDF-8 stimulated MMP2 expression in both HTR-8/SVneo and primary EVT cells. The stimulatory effect of GDF-8 on MMP2 expression was blocked by the inhibitor of TGF-β type-I receptors, SB431542. Treatment with GDF-8 upregulated Snail and Slug expression in both HTR-8/SVneo and primary EVT cells. The stimulatory effects of GDF-8 on Snail and Slug expression were blocked by pretreatment of SB431542 and siRNA-mediated knockdown of SMAD4. Interestingly, using the siRNA knockdown approach, our results showed that Snail but not Slug was required for the GDF-8-induced MMP2 expression and cell invasion in HTR-8/SVneo cells. The reduction of MMP2 expression in the placentas with preeclampsia (PE) was also observed. CONCLUSIONS These findings discover the physiological function of GDF-8 in the human placenta and provide important insights into the regulation of MMP2 expression in human EVT cells. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaye Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Tinglin Song
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Sizhu Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Qingxue Meng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Xiaoyu Han
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Ze Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Jung-Chien Cheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China
| | - Lanlan Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, 450052, China.
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10
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Wu Z, Fang L, Yang S, Gao Y, Wang Z, Meng Q, Dang X, Sun YP, Cheng JC. GDF-11 promotes human trophoblast cell invasion by increasing ID2-mediated MMP2 expression. Cell Commun Signal 2022; 20:89. [PMID: 35705978 PMCID: PMC9202197 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-022-00899-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Growth differentiation factor-11 (GDF-11), also known as bone morphogenetic protein-11, belongs to the transforming growth factor-beta superfamily. GDF-11 was first identified as an important regulator during embryonic development. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that GDF-11 regulates the development of various organs and its aberrant expressions are associated with the risk of cardiovascular diseases and cancers. Extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells invasion is a critical event for placenta development and needs to be finely regulated. However, to date, the biological function of GDF-11 in the human EVT cells remains unknown. METHODS HTR-8/SVneo, a human EVT cell line, and primary cultures of human EVT cells were used to examine the effect of GDF-11 on matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) expression. Matrigel-coated transwell invasion assay was used to examine cell invasiveness. A series of in vitro experiments were applied to explore the underlying mechanisms that mediate the effect of GDF-11 on MMP2 expression and cell invasion. RESULTS Treatment with GDF-11 stimulates MMP2 expression, in the HTR-8/SVneo and primary human EVT cells. Using a pharmacological inhibitor and siRNA-mediated knockdown approaches, our results demonstrated that the stimulatory effect of GDF-11 on MMP2 expression was mediated by the ALK4/5-SMAD2/3 signaling pathways. In addition, the expression of inhibitor of DNA-binding protein 2 (ID2) was upregulated by GDF-11 and that was required for the GDF-11-stimulated MMP2 expression and EVT cell invasion. CONCLUSIONS These findings discover a new biological function and underlying molecular mechanisms of GDF-11 in the regulation of human EVT cell invasion. Video Abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Wu
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Lanlan Fang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Sizhu Yang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Yibo Gao
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Qingxue Meng
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Xuan Dang
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Ying-Pu Sun
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China
| | - Jung-Chien Cheng
- Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, Center for Reproductive Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40 Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, 450052, Henan, China.
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11
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Hu H, Ma J, Li Z, Ding Z, Chen W, Peng Y, Tao Z, Chen L, Luo M, Wang C, Wang X, Li J, Zhong M. CyPA interacts with SERPINH1 to promote extracellular matrix production and inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition of trophoblast via enhancing TGF-β/Smad3 pathway in preeclampsia. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2022; 548:111614. [PMID: 35304192 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2022.111614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
We previously reported that cyclophilin A (CyPA) production is upregulated in preeclampsia (PE). Moreover, CyPA is known to induce PE-like features in pregnant mice and impair trophoblast invasiveness. In this study, we further illustrated the role of CyPA in PE. RNA-seq analysis, RT-qPCR, immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and western blotting of mouse placentae revealed that CyPA increased the levels of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, such as collagen I and fibronectin, and activated the TGF-β/Smad3 signaling pathway. Additionally, CyPA inhibited the expression of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (e.g., E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin) in mouse placentae. We then constructed stable overexpressing and knock-down CyPA cell models (using HTR8/SVneo cells) to clarify the molecular mechanism. We found that CyPA regulated the levels of ECM-related proteins and the EMT process through the TGF-β/Smad3 pathway. We also identified SERPINH1 as a putative CyPA-binding protein, using liquid chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry (LC-MS)/MS. SERPINH1 was found to be upregulated in the placentae of PE. Silencing SERPINH1 expression reversed the upregulation of ECM proteins and inhibition of the EMT process induced by the overexpression of CyPA. These findings revealed the functions of CyPA in the impaired invasiveness of trophoblasts in PE and indicated that CyPA and SERPINH1 may represent promising targets for the treatment of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyue Hu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhiju Li
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ziling Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenqian Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - You Peng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zixin Tao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Manling Luo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chichiu Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xuefei Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Jing Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Mei Zhong
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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12
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Li JY, Jin Y, Cao YM, Wu GM. MiR-140-5p exerts a protective function in pregnancy-induced hypertension via mediating TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. Hypertens Pregnancy 2022; 41:116-125. [PMID: 35354421 DOI: 10.1080/10641955.2022.2056195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Animal experiments showed that PIH rats had increased mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), but decreased litter size, number of viable fetuses, fetal weight, and placental weight. The higher Flt-1 and lower VEGF was observed in PIH rats with elevated TNF-α and IL-6 levels and decreased IL-10 levels. Treatment with agomiR-140-5p improved regarding the above indicators. Cell experiments demonstrated that miR-140-5p mimic increased cell invasion and migration abilities and decreased the activity of TGF-β/Smad pathway, while TGFBR1 can reverse the role of miR-140-5p mimic in trophoblasts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Yun Li
- Department of Obstetrics, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, China
| | - Yan Jin
- Department of Obstetrics, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, China
| | - Yan-Min Cao
- Department of Obstetrics, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, China
| | - Gui-Mei Wu
- Department of Obstetrics, Cangzhou Central Hospital, Cangzhou, Hebei, China
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13
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Fang L, Yan Y, Gao Y, Wu Z, Wang Z, Yang S, Cheng JC, Sun YP. TGF-β1 inhibits human trophoblast cell invasion by upregulating kisspeptin expression through ERK1/2 but not SMAD signaling pathway. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2022; 20:22. [PMID: 35101033 PMCID: PMC8802482 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-022-00902-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tightly regulation of extravillous cytotrophoblast (EVT) cell invasion is critical for the placentation and establishment of a successful pregnancy. Insufficient EVT cell invasion leads to the development of preeclampsia (PE) which is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal mortality and morbidity. Transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) and kisspeptin are expressed in the human placenta and have been shown to inhibit EVT cell invasion. Kisspeptin is a downstream target of TGF-β1 in human breast cancer cells. However, whether kisspeptin is regulated by TGF-β1 and mediates TGF-β1-suppressed human EVT cell invasion remains unclear. METHODS The effect of TGF-β1 on kisspeptin expression and the underlying mechanisms were explored by a series of in vitro experiments in a human EVT cell line, HTR-8/SVneo, and primary cultures of human EVT cells. Serum levels of TGF-β1 and kisspeptin in patients with or without PE were measured by ELISA. RESULTS TGF-β1 upregulates kisspeptin expression in HTR-8/SVneo cells and primary cultures of human EVT cells. Using pharmacological inhibitor and siRNA, we demonstrate that the stimulatory effect of TGF-β1 on kisspeptin expression is mediated via the ALK5 receptor. Treatment with TGF-β1 activates SMAD2/3 canonical pathways as well as ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT non-canonical pathways. However, only inhibition of ERK1/2 activation attenuates the stimulatory effect of TGF-β1 on kisspeptin expression. In addition, siRNA-mediated knockdown of kisspeptin attenuated TGF-β1-suppressed EVT cell invasion. Moreover, we report that serum levels of TGF-β1 and kisspeptin are significantly upregulated in patients with PE. CONCLUSIONS By illustrating the potential physiological role of TGF-β1 in the regulation of kisspeptin expression, our results may serve to improve current strategies used to treat placental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lanlan Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yang Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Yibo Gao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Ze Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Sizhu Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Jung-Chien Cheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
| | - Ying-Pu Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 40, Daxue Road, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
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14
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Lamptey J, Czika A, Aremu JO, Pervaz S, Adu-Gyamfi EA, Otoo A, Li F, Wang YX, Ding YB. The role of fascin in carcinogenesis and embryo implantation. Exp Cell Res 2021; 409:112885. [PMID: 34662557 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The cytoskeleton, with its actin bundling proteins, plays crucial roles in a host of cellular function, such as cancer metastasis, antigen presentation and trophoblast migration and invasion, as a result of cytoskeletal remodeling. A key player in cytoskeletal remodeling is fascin. Upregulation of fascin induces the transition of epithelial phenotypes to mesenchymal phenotypes through complex interaction with transcription factors. Fascin expression also regulates mitochondrial F-actin to promote oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) in some cancer cells. Trophoblast cells, on the other hand, exhibit similar physiological functions, involving the upregulation of genes crucial for its migration and invasion. Owing to the similar tumor-like characteristics among cancer and trophoblats, we review recent studies on fascin in relation to cancer and trophoblast cell biology; and based on existing evidence, link fascin to the establishment of the maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jones Lamptey
- School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China; Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research in Tropical Medicine, KCCR, UPO, Kumasi, Ghana.
| | - Armin Czika
- School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - John Ogooluwa Aremu
- Department of Human Anatomy and Histoembryology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People's Republic of China
| | - Sadaf Pervaz
- School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Enoch Appiah Adu-Gyamfi
- School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Antonia Otoo
- School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yu-Bin Ding
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
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15
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Cheng JC, Fang L, Li Y, Thakur A, Hoodless PA, Guo Y, Wang Z, Wu Z, Yan Y, Jia Q, Gao Y, Han X, Yu Y, Sun YP. G protein-coupled estrogen receptor stimulates human trophoblast cell invasion via YAP-mediated ANGPTL4 expression. Commun Biol 2021; 4:1285. [PMID: 34773076 PMCID: PMC8589964 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-021-02816-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insufficient invasion of trophoblast cells into the uterine decidua is associated with preeclampsia (PE). G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) is a membrane estrogen receptor involved in non-genomic estrogen signaling. GPER is expressed in human trophoblast cells and downregulated GPER levels are noted in PE. However, to date, the role of GPER in trophoblast cells remains largely unknown. Here, we applied RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) to HTR-8/SVneo human trophoblast cells in response to G1, an agonist of GPER, and identified angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) as a target gene of GPER. Treatment of trophoblast cells with G1 or 17β-estradiol (E2) activated Yes-associated protein (YAP), the major downstream effector of the Hippo pathway, via GPER but in a mammalian STE20-like protein kinase 1 (MST1)-independent manner. Using pharmacological inhibitors as well as loss- and gain-of-function approaches, our results revealed that YAP activation was required for GPER-stimulated ANGPTL4 expression. Transwell invasion assays demonstrated that activation of GPER-induced ANGPTL4 promoted cell invasion. In addition, the expression levels of GPER, YAP, and ANGPTL4 were downregulated in the placenta of patients with PE. Our findings reveal a mechanism by which GPER exerts its stimulatory effect on human trophoblast cell invasion by upregulating YAP-mediated ANGPTL4 expression. Cheng, Fan, Li et al. identified ANGPTL4 as a G1-induced target gene of GPER/YAP in HRT8 cells using RNA-seq and highlighted its importance in regulating trophoblast cell invasion. The authors also reported GPER downregulation in the placenta and lower estradiol levels in patients who developed preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Chien Cheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Lanlan Fang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yuxi Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Avinash Thakur
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 1L3.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
| | - Pamela A Hoodless
- Terry Fox Laboratory, BC Cancer Agency, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V5Z 1L3.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4.,School of Biomedical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6T 1Z4
| | - Yanjie Guo
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Zhen Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ze Wu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yang Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Qiongqiong Jia
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yibo Gao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xiaoyu Han
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Yiping Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ying-Pu Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Henan Key Laboratory of Reproduction and Genetics, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 450052, Zhengzhou, China.
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16
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Yang D, Dai F, Yuan M, Zheng Y, Liu S, Deng Z, Tan W, Chen L, Zhang Q, Zhao X, Cheng Y. Role of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 in Regulating Fetal-Maternal Immune Tolerance in Normal and Pathological Pregnancy. Front Immunol 2021; 12:689181. [PMID: 34531852 PMCID: PMC8438197 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.689181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is composed of three isoforms, TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3. TGF-β1 is a cytokine with multiple biological functions that has been studied extensively. It plays an important role in regulating the differentiation of immune cells and maintaining immune cell functions and immune homeostasis. Pregnancy is a carefully regulated process. Controlled invasion of trophoblasts, precise coordination of immune cells and cytokines, and crosstalk between trophoblasts and immune cells play vital roles in the establishment and maintenance of normal pregnancy. In this systematic review, we summarize the role of TGF-β1 in regulating fetal-maternal immune tolerance in healthy and pathological pregnancies. During healthy pregnancy, TGF-β1 induces the production of regulatory T cells (Tregs), maintains the immunosuppressive function of Tregs, mediates the balance of M1/M2 macrophages, and regulates the function of NK cells, thus participating in maintaining fetal-maternal immune tolerance. In addition, some studies have shown that TGF-β1 is dysregulated in patients with recurrent spontaneous abortion or preeclampsia. TGF-β1 may play a role in the occurrence and development of these diseases and may be a potential target for the treatment of these diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongyong Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Fangfang Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mengqin Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yajing Zheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shiyi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhimin Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wei Tan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Qianjie Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaomiao Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanxiang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, China
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17
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Lamptey J, Li F, Adu-Gyamfi EA, Chen XM, Czika A, Otoo A, Liu TH, Wang YX, Ding YB. Downregulation of fascin in the first trimester placental villi is associated with early recurrent miscarriage. Exp Cell Res 2021; 403:112597. [PMID: 33862100 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112597] [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: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Inadequate trophoblast proliferation, shallow invasion and exaggerated rate of trophoblast apoptosis are implicated in early recurrent miscarriage (ERM). However, the mechanistic bases of this association have not been fully established. We aimed at investigating the involvement of fascin, an actin-bundling protein, in trophoblast activities and ERM. We found that fascin was downregulated in the cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) and distal cytotrophoblasts (DCTs) of ERM placentae. Knockdown of fascin altered cellular and nucleolar morphology, and inhibited the proliferation but increased apoptosis of trophoblastic HTR8/SVneo cells. Furthermore, fascin knockdown decreased the expression of transcription factors such as Snail1/2, Twist and Zeb1/2, mesenchymal molecules such as Vimentin and N-cadherin, and the protein expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylates signal transducer and activator of transcript 3 (STAT3). Exposure of HTR-8/SVneo cells to hypoxia reoxygenation (H/R) decreased fascin expression to affect the cells' invasion. Our results indicate for the first time that the downregulation of fascin is involved in the pathogenesis of early recurrent miscarriage; and hence a potential therapeutic target against the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jones Lamptey
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Fangfang Li
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Enoch Appiah Adu-Gyamfi
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Xue-Mei Chen
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Armin Czika
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Antonia Otoo
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Tai-Hang Liu
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- Department of Genetics, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China; The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China.
| | - Yu-Bin Ding
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, PR China.
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18
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Gorbunova OL, Shirshev SV. Role of Kisspeptin in Regulation of Reproductive and Immune Reactions. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 85:839-853. [PMID: 33045946 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297920080015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
The work is focused on physiological role of the hormone kisspeptin produced by neurons of the hypothalamus anterior zone, which is a key regulator of reproduction processes. Role of the hormone in transmission of information on metabolic activity and induction of the secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) by the hypothalamus that determines gestation processes involving fertilization, placentation, fetal development, and child birth is considered. The literature data on molecular mechanisms and effects of kisspeptin on reproductive system including puberty initiation are summarized and analyzed. In addition, attention is paid to hormone-mediated changes in the cardiovascular system in pregnant women. For the first time, the review examines the effect of kisspeptin on functional activity of immune system cells presenting molecular mechanisms of the hormone signal transduction on the level of lymphoid cells that lead to the immune tolerance induction. In conclusion, a conceptual model is presented that determines the role of kisspeptin as an integrator of reproductive and immune functions during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- O L Gorbunova
- Perm Federal Research Center, Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, 614081, Russia.
| | - S V Shirshev
- Perm Federal Research Center, Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Perm, 614081, Russia
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Dai Z, Sheng F, Sun N, Ji Y, Liao Q, Sun S, Yang F, Li W. Caveolin-1 promotes trophoblast cell invasion through the focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signalling pathway during early human placental development. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 31:1057-1067. [PMID: 30944060 DOI: 10.1071/rd18296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal implantation and placental development depend on the appropriate differentiation and invasion of trophoblast cells. Inadequate trophoblast cell invasion results in pregnancy-related disorders, which endanger both mother and fetus; however, the mechanism of early placental development has not been fully explained. In this study we conducted gene expression profile analysis using mouse placental tissues at different developmental stages (embryonic day (E)7.5, E14.5 and E19.5) using series tests of cluster (STC) and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) signalling pathway-related gene expression levels were verified using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot. The results showed that caveolin-1 (Cav1) was downregulated in the placenta of unexplained spontaneous abortion subjects compared with that of induced abortion. Furthermore, by modulating CAV1 expression levels, CAV1 was shown to promote human trophoblast cell proliferation, migration and invasion by activating the FAK signalling pathway. These results indicate that CAV1 and the FAK signalling pathway are crucial for early placental development, which sheds new light on our understanding of the mechanisms of human trophoblast cell invasion and early development of the placenta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhihui Dai
- Department of Medical Genetics, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Fei Sheng
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Ningxia Sun
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Yixuan Ji
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China
| | - Qiuying Liao
- Department of Medical Genetics, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Shuhan Sun
- Department of Medical Genetics, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China
| | - Fu Yang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200433, China; and Corresponding authors. Emails: ;
| | - Wen Li
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, 200003, China; and Corresponding authors. Emails: ;
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20
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miR-18a Contributes to Preeclampsia by Downregulating Smad2 (Full Length) and Reducing TGF-β Signaling. MOLECULAR THERAPY-NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 22:542-556. [PMID: 33230456 PMCID: PMC7566009 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The study investigated the regulation of Smad2 by miR-18a and its role in preeclampsia (PE). Bioinformatics analysis showed that both Smad2 and Smad3 were the predicted targets for miR-18a. Mass spectrum analysis showed that two mature Smad2 isoforms existed in human placenta: full length, Smad2(FL), and that lacking exon3, Smad2(Δexon3). The protein level of Smad2(FL), but not Smad2(Δexon3) or Smad3, was significantly increased in severe PE (sPE) placenta, which was inversely correlated with the level of miR-18a. Elevated Smad2(FL) phosphorylation level appeared in sPE placenta, and Smad2 was colocalized with miR-18a in various subtypes of trophoblasts in human placenta. Smad2(FL) was validated as the direct target of miR-18a in HTR8/SVneo cells. miR-18a enhanced trophoblast cell invasion, which was blocked by the overexpression of Smad2(FL). Furthermore, overexpression of miR-18a repressed Smad2 activation and the inhibition of trophoblast cell invasion by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β). In conclusion, our results suggest that miR-18a inhibits the expression of Smad2(FL), but not Smad2(Δexon3) or Smad3, which can reduce TGF-β signaling, leading to the enhancement of trophoblast cell invasion. A lack of miR-18a, which results in the upregulation of Smad2(FL), contributes to the development of PE.
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21
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Jia Y, Xie H, Zhang J, Ying H. Induction of TGF-β receptor I expression in a DNA methylation-independent manner mediated by DNMT3A downregulation is involved in early-onset severe preeclampsia. FASEB J 2020; 34:13224-13238. [PMID: 32794622 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000253rr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/09/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Preeclampsia, especially early-onset severe preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although it has been well known that the pathophysiology of early-onset severe preeclampsia begins with abnormal placentation and aberrant activation of TGF-β signaling inhibits trophoblast cell invasion, the mechanisms underlying dysregulation of TGF-β signaling in early-onset severe preeclampsia remain elusive to date. Here, we revealed that induction of TGFBR1/TGF-β signaling mediated by DNMT3A downregulation plays a critical role in early-onset severe preeclampsia. Our results show that DNMT3A downregulation elevates TGFBR1 expression in trophoblast cells. Moreover, inhibition of TGFBR1 and TGF-β/Smad signaling can rescue the deficiencies of trophoblast cell migration and invasion caused by DNMT3A knockdown. Mechanistically, DNMT3A suppresses the transcription of TGFBR1 through recruiting EZH2 to its promoter but not changing DNA methylation of TGFBR1 promoter. In human samples, we detected lowly expressed DNMT3A, highly expressed TGFBR1 and hyperactivation of TGF-β/Smad signaling in decidua-embedded extravillous trophoblasts in early-onset severe preeclampsia, which provides the clinical evidence for the correlation between DNMT3A and TGFBR1. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that DNA methylation-independent induction of TGFBR1 mediated by DNMT3A downregulation is relevant to the development of early-onset severe preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanhui Jia
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Xie
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiqin Zhang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, the Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Ying
- Department of Obstetrics, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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22
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Zheng W, Chen A, Yang H, Hong L. MicroRNA-27a inhibits trophoblast cell migration and invasion by targeting SMAD2: Potential role in preeclampsia. Exp Ther Med 2020; 20:2262-2269. [PMID: 32765703 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2020.8924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe idiopathic obstetric complication that occurs worldwide. Insufficient trophoblast invasion is a characteristic of the pathogenesis of PE. MicroRNA-27a (miR-27a) has been reported to be highly expressed in PE placentas. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of miR-27a in the pathogenesis of PE. The expression level of miR-27a was evaluated in the placenta and serum from patients with PE and healthy pregnant women. Cell Counting Kit-8 and flow cytometry assays were performed to detect human HTR-8/SVneo trophoblast proliferation and apoptosis after miR-27a overexpression or inhibition. In addition, Transwell assays were used to measure cell migration and invasion. A luciferase reporter assay was performed to determine the interaction between miR-27a and SMAD2. The present results suggested that miR-27a expression level was significantly increased in PE placentas and serum. In addition, miR-27a overexpression suppressed cell migratory and invasive abilities, impaired proliferation and promoted apoptosis in human trophoblasts. It was demonstrated that miR-27a may target SMAD and contribute to trophoblast invasion. Collectively, the results of the present study suggested that miR-27a inhibited trophoblast cell migration and invasion by targeting SMAD2, thus presenting a promising therapeutic target for PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfei Zheng
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443000, P.R. China
| | - Aihua Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443000, P.R. China
| | - Huaijie Yang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The People's Hospital of China Three Gorges University, Yichang, Hubei 443000, P.R. China
| | - Li Hong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
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23
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Brkić J, Dunk C, Shan Y, O'Brien JA, Lye P, Qayyum S, Yang P, Matthews SG, Lye SJ, Peng C. Differential Role of Smad2 and Smad3 in the Acquisition of an Endovascular Trophoblast-Like Phenotype and Preeclampsia. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:436. [PMID: 32733385 PMCID: PMC7362585 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
During placental development, cytotrophoblast progenitor cells differentiate into the syncytiotrophoblast and invasive extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). Some EVTs further differentiate into endovascular trophoblasts (enEVTs) which exhibit endothelial-like properties. Abnormal placental development, including insufficient enEVT-mediated remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries, is thought to be a precipitating factor in the onset of preeclampsia (PE), a pregnancy-related hypertensive disorder. Several members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) superfamily, such as TGF-βs, Nodal, and Activin have been reported to either promote or inhibit the invasive EVT pathway. These ligands signal through serine/threonine receptor complexes to activate downstream signaling mediators, Smad2 and Smad3. In this study, we determined Smad2 and Smad3 expression pattern in placenta and their effects on trophoblast invasion and differentiation. Total Smad2/3 levels were relatively constant across gestation while the ratio of active phosphorylated forms to their total levels varied with gestational stages, with a higher pSmad2/total Smad2 in later gestation and a higher pSmad3/total Smad3 in early gestation. Immunofluorescent staining revealed that pSmad3 was localized in nuclei of EVTs in anchoring villi. On the other hand, pSmad2 was mostly absent in this invasive EVT population. In addition, pSmad3/total Smad3, but not pSmad2/total Smad2, was significantly lower in both early onset and late onset PE cases, as compared to gestational age-matched controls. Functional studies carried out using a first trimester trophoblast cell line, HTR-8/SVneo, and first trimester human placental explants showed that Smad2 and Smad3 had differential roles in the invasive pathway. Specifically, siRNA-mediated knockdown of Smad2 resulted in an increase in trophoblast invasion and an upregulation of mRNA levels of enEVT markers while the opposite was observed with Smad3 knockdown. In addition, Smad2 siRNA accelerated the EVT outgrowth in first trimester placental explants while the Smad3 siRNA reduced the outgrowth of EVTs when compared to the control. Furthermore, knockdown of Smad2 enhanced, whereas overexpression of Smad2 suppressed, the ability of trophoblasts to form endothelial-like networks. Conversely, Smad3 had opposite effects as Smad2 on network formation. These findings suggest that Smad2 and Smad3 have opposite functions in the acquisition of an enEVT-like phenotype and defects in Smad3 activation are associated with PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Brkić
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Caroline Dunk
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yanan Shan
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Phetcharawan Lye
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Sheza Qayyum
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Peifeng Yang
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | | - Stephen J. Lye
- Lunenfeld Tanenbaum Research Institute, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Chun Peng
- Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Centre for Research in Biomolecular Interactions, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Chun Peng
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24
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Dobaño C, Bardají A, Kochar S, Kochar SK, Padilla N, López M, Unger HW, Ome-Kaius M, Castellanos ME, Arévalo-Herrera M, Hans D, Martínez-Espinosa FE, Bôtto-Menezes C, Malheiros A, Desai M, Casellas A, Chitnis CE, Rogerson S, Mueller I, Menéndez C, Requena P. Blood cytokine, chemokine and growth factor profiling in a cohort of pregnant women from tropical countries. Cytokine 2019; 125:154818. [PMID: 31514106 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2019.154818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
The immune status of women changes during and after pregnancy, differs between blood compartments at delivery and is affected by environmental factors particularly in tropical areas endemic for multiple infections. We quantified the plasma concentration of a set of thirty-one TH1, TH2, TH17 and regulatory cytokines, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and growth factors (altogether biomarkers), in a cohort of 540 pregnant women from five malaria-endemic tropical countries. Samples were collected at recruitment (first antenatal visit), delivery (periphery, cord and placenta) and postpartum, allowing a longitudinal analysis. We found the lowest concentration of biomarkers at recruitment and the highest at postpartum, with few exceptions. Among them, IL-6, HGF and TGF-β had the highest levels at delivery, and even higher concentrations in the placenta compared to peripheral blood. Placental concentrations were generally higher than peripheral, except for eotaxin that was lower. We also compared plasma biomarker concentrations between the tropical cohort and a control group from Spain at delivery, presenting overall higher biomarker levels the tropical cohort, particularly pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Only IL-6 presented lower levels in the tropical group. Moreover, a principal component analysis of biomarker concentrations at delivery showed that women from Spain grouped more homogenously, and that IL-6 and IL-8 clustered together in the tropical cohort but not in the Spanish one. Plasma cytokine concentrations correlated with Plasmodium antibody levels at postpartum but not during pregnancy. This basal profiling of immune mediators over gestation and in different compartments at delivery is important to subsequently understand response to infections and clinical outcomes in mothers and infants in tropical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlota Dobaño
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer del Rosselló, 132, 08036 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Azucena Bardají
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer del Rosselló, 132, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Swati Kochar
- Medical College, PBM Hospital, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001, India
| | - Sanjay K Kochar
- Medical College, PBM Hospital, Bikaner, Rajasthan 334001, India
| | - Norma Padilla
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, 18 Avenida 11-95, Guatemala 01015, Guatemala
| | - Marta López
- Department of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, CIBER-ER, Carrer del Rosselló, 149, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Holger W Unger
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 378, Madang 511, Papua New Guinea
| | - Maria Ome-Kaius
- Papua New Guinea Institute of Medical Research, P.O. Box 378, Madang 511, Papua New Guinea
| | - Maria Eugenia Castellanos
- Centro de Estudios en Salud, Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, 18 Avenida 11-95, Guatemala 01015, Guatemala
| | | | - Dhiraj Hans
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110067, India
| | - Flor E Martínez-Espinosa
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, s/n - Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM 69040-000, Brazil; Instituto Leônidas e Maria Deane, Rua Teresina, 476 - Adrianópolis, Manaus 69.057-070, Brazil
| | - Camila Bôtto-Menezes
- Fundação de Medicina Tropical Dr. Heitor Vieira Dourado, Av. Pedro Teixeira, s/n - Dom Pedro, Manaus, AM 69040-000, Brazil; Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, 69850-000, R. Bloco Um e Três, 4-40 - Platô do Piquiá, Boca do Acre, AM 69850-000, Brazil
| | - Adriana Malheiros
- Instituto de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Av. Jauary Marinho - Setor Sul - Coroado, Manaus, AM, Brazil
| | - Meghna Desai
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Parasitic Diseases and Malaria, Malaria Branch, 1600 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA
| | - Aina Casellas
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer del Rosselló, 132, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Chetan E Chitnis
- International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi, Delhi 110067, India; Malaria Parasite Biology and Vaccines Unit, Institut Pasteur, 25-28 Rue du Dr Roux, 75015 Paris, France
| | | | - Ivo Mueller
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, 1G, Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Clara Menéndez
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer del Rosselló, 132, 08036 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Pilar Requena
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic - Universitat de Barcelona, Carrer del Rosselló, 132, 08036 Barcelona, Spain; Departmento de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Farmacia, Campus de Cartuja, 18071 Granada, Spain.
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25
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Hong L, Liu R, Qiao X, Wang X, Wang S, Li J, Wu Z, Zhang H. Differential microRNA Expression in Porcine Endometrium Involved in Remodeling and Angiogenesis That Contributes to Embryonic Implantation. Front Genet 2019; 10:661. [PMID: 31402929 PMCID: PMC6677090 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: In western swine breeds, up to 30% of embryonic losses occur during early pregnancy, and the majority of embryonic losses happens during implantation. In this period, maternal recognition of pregnancy begins to occur and blastocysts undergo dramatic morphologic changes. As with other species, changes in the uterine environment plays an important role in the process of embryo implantation in pigs. Erhualian (ER) pigs, one of the Chinese Taihu swine breeds, are known to have the highest litter size in the world. Experiments demonstrated that the greater embryonic survival on gestation day (GD) 12 in Chinese Taihu pigs is one important factor that contributes to enhanced litter size. This is largely controlled by maternal genes. In this study, endometrial samples were collected from pregnant Landrace×Large Yorkshire (LL) sows (parity 3) and ER sows (parity 3) on GD12 and the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the endometrium were compared between ER and LL using miRNA-seq technology. Results: A total of 288 miRNAs were identified in the pig endometrium, including 202 previously known and 86 novel miRNAs. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis revealed that highly abundant miRNAs might affect endometrial remodeling. Comparison between LL and ER sows revealed that 96 known miRNAs were differentially expressed between the two groups (including 78 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated miRNAs in ER compared to LL). Bioinformatics analysis showed that the target genes of some differentially expressed miRNAs were involved in pathways related to angiogenesis, proliferation, apoptosis, and tissue remodeling, which play critical roles in implantation by regulating endometrial structural changes and secretions of hormones, growth factors, and nutrients. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that insulin-like growth factor-1 protein expression was directly inhibited by miR-206. The lower expression of miR-206 in ER compared to LL might facilitate the angiogenesis of the endometrium during embryo implantation. Conclusions: The identified miRNAs that are differentially expressed in the endometrium of ER and LL pigs will contribute to the understanding of the role of miRNAs in embryonic implantation and the molecular mechanisms of the highest embryonic survival in Chinese ER pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linjun Hong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ruize Liu
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, United States
| | - Xiwu Qiao
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingwang Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shouqi Wang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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26
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Bioinformatics approach reveals the critical role of TGF-β signaling pathway in pre-eclampsia development. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2019; 240:130-138. [PMID: 31280059 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.06.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pre-eclampsia is a common pregnancy complication, affecting 5-8% of pregnancies worldwide. The specific mechanism of pre-eclampsia remains unclear. OBJECTIVE In this study, we aimed to apply bioinformatics approach to reveal related pathways or genes involving in the development of pre-eclampsia. STUDY DESIGN The gene expression profiles of GSE9984 and GSE4707 were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes analysis was performed by GEO2R. The Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID) was applied to analyze the functional enrichment, gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway of the differentially expressed genes. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) was conducted using the software GSEA v3.0. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) relationships were evaluated by the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) and network visualization was constructed by the Cytoscape. Cell count kits-8 (CCK-8), transwell migration assay and tube formation assay were performed. RESULTS A total of 160 common differentially expressed genes were extracted. Transforming growth factor (TGF) beta signaling pathway was shown to be notable in the development of pre-eclampsia. ENG, a key gene of TGF-β signaling pathway, inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of both HTR-8/SVneo cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), and additionally suppressed the capillary formation of HUVECs. CONCLUSION Bioinformatics approach combined with cell experiments in this study revealed that TGF-β signaling pathway was critical for the development of pre-eclampsia, and efficient biomarkers underlying this pathway need to be further investigated.
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27
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New Insights into the Process of Placentation and the Role of Oxidative Uterine Microenvironment. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2019; 2019:9174521. [PMID: 31341539 PMCID: PMC6615000 DOI: 10.1155/2019/9174521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Accepted: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
For a successful pregnancy to occur, a predecidualized receptive endometrium must be invaded by placental differentiated cells (extravillous trophoblast cells (EVTs)) and, at the same time, continue decidualization. EVT invasion is aimed at anchoring the placenta to the maternal uterus and ensuring local blood supply increase necessary to provide normal placental and foetal development. The first is achieved by migrating through the maternal endometrium and deeper into the myometrium, while the second by transforming uterine spiral arteries into large vessels. This process is a tightly regulated battle comprising interests of both the mother and the foetus. Invading EVTs are required to perform a scope of functions: move, adhere, proliferate, differentiate, interact, and digest the extracellular matrix (ECM); tolerate hypoxia; transform the maternal spiral arteries; and die by apoptosis. All these functions are modulated by their surrounding microenvironment: oxygen, soluble factors (e.g., cytokines, growth factors, and hormones), ECM proteins, and reactive oxygen species. A deeper comprehension of oxidative uterine microenvironment contribution to trophoblast function will be addressed in this review.
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Belyakova KL, Stepanova OI, Sheveleva AR, Mikhailova VA, Sokolov DI, Sel'kov SA. Interaction of NK Cells, Trophoblast, and Endothelial Cells during Angiogenesis. Bull Exp Biol Med 2019; 167:169-176. [PMID: 31183653 DOI: 10.1007/s10517-019-04484-2] [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: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
We studied changes in angiogenesis during contact interaction of natural killer cells and endothelial cells in the presence of secretory products of trophoblast cells activated by various cytokines. Activated trophoblast regulates angiogenesis by producing soluble factors that affect endothelial cells either directly or indirectly through activation of proangiogenic activity of natural killer cells. A stimulating effect of the trophoblast supernatants activated by IL-1β and an inhibitory effect of trophoblast supernatants activated by IL-6 and TGFβ for the formation of tube-like structures by endothelial cells were revealed. During contact culturing, natural killer cells increased the length of tube-like structures formed by endothelial cells. The trophoblast activated by IL-1β affects angiogenesis both directly through the production of proangiogenic factors and indirectly through activation of the proangiogenic potential of natural killer cells. Trophoblast activated by IFNγ affects angiogenesis only by stimulating the proangiogenic potential of natural killer cells. Under conditions of contact interaction of natural killer cells and endothelial cells, soluble factors of trophoblast activated by IL-6 or TGFβ attenuated the angiogenesis-stimulating effect of natural killer cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Belyakova
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductology, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - O I Stepanova
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductology, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - A R Sheveleva
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductology, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - V A Mikhailova
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductology, St. Petersburg, Russia
| | - D I Sokolov
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductology, St. Petersburg, Russia.
| | - S A Sel'kov
- D. O. Ott Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductology, St. Petersburg, Russia
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Yoon JD, Hwang SU, Kim M, Lee G, Jeon Y, Hyun SH. GDF8 enhances SOX2 expression and blastocyst total cell number in porcine IVF embryo development. Theriogenology 2019; 129:70-76. [PMID: 30825707 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Growth differentiation factor 8 (GDF8) is a member of the transforming growth factor-β family and a physiological regulator. According to recent studies, GDF8 can be detected in follicular fluid and the uterus, suggesting that GDF8 may affect preimplantation embryonic development and act in a paracrine manner to improve the success of late-blastocyst implantation in vivo. We investigated the effect of GDF8 supplementation during in vitro culture (IVC) of porcine embryos derived from in vitro fertilization (IVF) and parthenogenetic activation (PA) on cleavage, blastocyst formation rate, and total cell number and analysed gene transcription levels and cell linage specification in the resulting blastocysts. First, the concentration of GDF8 in porcine oviductal fluid was determined to be 139.8 pg/mL. Then, 0, 0.2, 2, or 20 ng/mL GDF8 was added to embryos throughout the entire IVC period. Our results showed that supplementation with GDF8 during porcine preimplantation embryo IVC enhanced blastocyst formation and total cell number and altered the transcriptional patterns of genes that regulate pluripotency and cavitation. Furthermore, using differential immunostaining, we demonstrated that supplementation with GDF8 enhanced the expression of the genuine inner cell mass (ICM) marker SOX2 and the ICM/trophectoderm ratio, improving IVF blastocyst quality. In conclusion, for the first time, we demonstrated the presence of the in vivo oviductal factor GDF8 in oviductal fluid. Furthermore, we found that GDF8 supplementation at 0.2 ng/mL increased the blastocyst total cell number and ICM/trophectoderm ratio by inducing the transcription of genes involved in developmental competence and the expression of genuine ICM marker SOX2 during porcine IVF embryo development in vitro.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junchul David Yoon
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology, Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea; Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Seon-Ung Hwang
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology, Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea; Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Mirae Kim
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology, Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea; Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea
| | - Gabsang Lee
- Institute for Cell Engineering, Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yubyeol Jeon
- Laboratory of Theriogenology and Reproductive Biotechnologies, College of Veterinary Medicine, Chonbuk National University, 79 Gobong-ro, Iksan, Jeolabuk-do, 54596, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sang-Hwan Hyun
- Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology, Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea; Institute of Stem Cell & Regenerative Medicine, Chungbuk National University, 1 Chungdae-ro, Seowon-gu, Cheongju, 28644, Republic of Korea.
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Yi Y, Cheng JC, Klausen C, Leung PC. TGF-β1 inhibits human trophoblast cell invasion by upregulating cyclooxygenase-2. Placenta 2018; 68:44-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2018.06.313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 06/13/2018] [Accepted: 06/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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Cheng JC, Yi Y, Chang HM, Leung PC. TGF-β1 up-regulates cadherin-11 expression through Snail: A potential mechanism for human trophoblast cell differentiation. Cell Signal 2018; 43:55-61. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2017.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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