1
|
Özdemir ES, Bulut Dİ, Sağlam ASY, İşgör B, Elmas Ç. The effect of folic acid supplementation and folate deficiency on embryo implantation. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100895. [PMID: 38824709 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2024.100895] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Implantation is a critical stage of pregnancy, which occurs in a short period of interaction between the receptive endometrium and the embryo. Folic acid (FA) is a synthetic derivative of folate and is recommended as a pre-conceptional supplement. However, the impact of different doses of FA supplementation and folate deficiency during the early stages of pregnancy requires further investigation. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible effects of FA supplementation and folate deficiency on expression of Estrogen Receptor Alpha (ER-α), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor-A (VEGFA), and Integrin alpha V and beta3 (Integrin αVβ3). A total of 32, 6-8-week old Wistar albino rats were divided into four groups of control, folate-deficiency, low-dose, and high-dose FA supplement groups. After five weeks of FA supplementation and folate deficiency model formation, mated rats were sacrificed on the 5th gestational day (GD), and implantation sites were collected. The expression of ER- α, VEGFA, and Integrin αVβ3 in the implantation sites were examined with immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR. The results revealed that the mRNA levels of ESR1, VEGFA, and Integrin αV and β3 were significantly increased in the high-dose FA group and significantly decreased in the folate deficiency group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Based on these results, it can be concluded that FA supplementation before pregnancy has positive effects on the maintenance of pregnancy, and folate deficiency may lead to implantation disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elif Seda Özdemir
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Deniz İrem Bulut
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Atiye Seda Yar Sağlam
- Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Belgin İşgör
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Atilim University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Çiğdem Elmas
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Gazi University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Almirón A, Lorenz V, Varayoud J, Durando M, Milesi MM. Perinatal Exposure to Glyphosate or a Commercial Formulation Alters Uterine Mechanistic Pathways Associated with Implantation Failure in Rats. TOXICS 2024; 12:590. [PMID: 39195693 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12080590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Perinatal exposure to a glyphosate-based herbicide (GBH) or its active ingredient, glyphosate (Gly), has been demonstrated to increase implantation failure in rats. This study investigates potential mechanisms of action, analyzing uterine preparation towards the receptive state. Pregnant Wistar rats (F0) were treated orally with GBH or Gly (3.8 and 3.9 mg Gly/kg/day, respectively) from gestational day (GD) 9 until weaning. Adult F1 females became pregnant and uterine samples were collected on GD5 (preimplantation period). Histomorphological uterine parameters were assessed. Immunohistochemistry was applied to evaluate cell proliferation and protein expression of estrogen receptors (ERα and ERβ), cell cycle regulators (PTEN, cyclin G1, p27, and IGF1R-α), and the Wnt5a/β-catenin/FOXA2/Lif pathway. Both GBH and Gly females showed increased stromal proliferation, associated with a high expression of ERs. Dysregulation of PTEN and cyclin G1 was also observed in the Gly group. Reduced gland number was observed in both groups, along with decreased expression of Wnt5a/β-catenin/FOXA2/Lif pathway in the glandular epithelium. Overall, GBH and Gly perinatal exposure disrupted intrinsic uterine pathways involved in endometrial proliferation and glandular function, providing a plausible mechanism for glyphosate-induced implantation failure by compromising uterine receptivity. Similar effects between GBH and Gly suggest the active principle mainly drives the adverse outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ailín Almirón
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
| | - Virginia Lorenz
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
| | - Jorgelina Varayoud
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
| | - Milena Durando
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
| | - María Mercedes Milesi
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
- Cátedra de Fisiología Humana, Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe S3000, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zang X, Gu S, Wang W, Shi J, Gan J, Hu Q, Zhou C, Ding Y, He Y, Jiang L, Gu T, Xu Z, Huang S, Yang H, Meng F, Li Z, Cai G, Hong L, Wu Z. Dynamic intrauterine crosstalk promotes porcine embryo implantation during early pregnancy. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2024; 67:1676-1696. [PMID: 38748354 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-023-2557-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 08/09/2024]
Abstract
Dynamic crosstalk between the embryo and mother is crucial during implantation. Here, we comprehensively profile the single-cell transcriptome of pig peri-implantation embryos and corresponding maternal endometrium, identifying 4 different lineages in embryos and 13 cell types in the endometrium. Cell-specific gene expression characterizes 4 distinct trophectoderm subpopulations, showing development from undifferentiated trophectoderm to polar and mural trophectoderm. Dynamic expression of genes in different types of endometrial cells illustrates their molecular response to embryos during implantation. Then, we developed a novel tool, ExtraCellTalk, generating an overall dynamic map of maternal-foetal crosstalk using uterine luminal proteins as bridges. Through cross-species comparisons, we identified a conserved RBP4/STRA6 pathway in which embryonic-derived RBP4 could target the STRA6 receptor on stromal cells to regulate the interaction with other endometrial cells. These results provide insight into the maternal-foetal crosstalk during embryo implantation and represent a valuable resource for further studies to improve embryo implantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xupeng Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Shengchen Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Wenjing Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Junsong Shi
- Yunfu Subcenter of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Yunfu, 527300, China
| | - Jianyu Gan
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Qun Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yue Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yanjuan He
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Lei Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ting Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Zheng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Sixiu Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Huaqiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Fanming Meng
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Nutrition, Institute of Animal Science, Guangdong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Zicong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Gengyuan Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China
| | - Linjun Hong
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China.
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China.
- Yunfu Subcenter of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Yunfu, 527300, China.
- Key Laboratory of South China Modern Biological Seed Industry, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Guangzhou, 510520, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Bozdemir N, Kablan T, Altintas MO, Sukur G, Cinar O, Uysal F. Altered DNA methylation and Dnmt expression in obese uterus may cause implantation failure. J Mol Histol 2024; 55:427-436. [PMID: 38850446 DOI: 10.1007/s10735-024-10212-6] [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: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
Obesity is defined by increased adipose tissue volume and has become a major risk factor for reproduction. Recent studies have revealed a substantial link between obesity and epigenetics. The epigenome is dynamically regulated mainly by DNA methylation. DNA methylation, which is controlled by DNA methyltransferases (Dnmts), has been widely studied because it is essential for imprinting and regulation of gene expression. In our previous study, we showed that the levels of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and global DNA methylation was dramatically altered in the testis and ovary of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice. However, the effect of HFD on Dnmts and global DNA methylation in mouse uterus has not yet been demonstrated. Therefore, in the present study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of HFD on the level of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a, Dnmt3b, Dnmt3l and global DNA methylation in uterus. Our results showed that HFD significantly altered the levels of Dnmts and global DNA methylation in the uterus. The total expression of Dnmt1, Dnmt3a and Dnmt3b was significantly upregulated, while level of Dnmt3l and global DNA methylation were dramatically decreased (p < 0.05). Furthermore, we observed that the expression of Dnmt3b and Dnmt3l was significantly increased in endometrium including gland and epithelium (p < 0.05). Although Dnmt3b was the only protein whose expression significantly increased, the level of global DNA methylation and Dnmt3l significantly decreased in stroma and myometrium (p < 0.05). In conclusion, our results show for the first time that obesity dramatically alters global DNA methylation and expression of Dnmts, and decreased DNA methylation and Dnmt expression may cause abnormal gene expression, especially in the endometrium.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nazlican Bozdemir
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Ankara Medipol University School of Medicine, Ankara, 06050, Turkey
| | - Tuba Kablan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Ankara Medipol University School of Medicine, Ankara, 06050, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Ozgen Altintas
- Department of Physiology, Ankara Medipol University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Physiology, Istanbul Medipol University Institute of Health Sciences, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Gozde Sukur
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ozgur Cinar
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Fatma Uysal
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Ankara Medipol University School of Medicine, Ankara, 06050, Turkey.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Xu R, Li Y, Li S, Wang N, Lin S, Du T, Wang F, Zhang X. The potential role of the prolyl isomerase Pin1 during blastocyst implantation and uterine decidualization in mice. FASEB J 2024; 38:e23839. [PMID: 39037418 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202400799r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2024] [Revised: 06/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
During early pregnancy in mice, the establishment of uterine receptivity and endometrial decidualization require the extensive proliferation and differentiation of endometrial epithelial cells or stromal cells. Pin1 has been suggested to act as a molecular 'timer' of the cell cycle and is involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation by binding many cell-cycle regulatory proteins. However, its physiological role during early pregnancy is still not fully understood. Here, we employed immunohistochemistry to determine the spatiotemporal pattern of Pin1 expression during early pregnancy. We found that Pin1 was mainly localized in subluminal stromal cells on day 4, in the decidual zone on days 5 to 8 of pregnancy and in artificial decidualization. Using a uterine stromal cell culture system, we found that progesterone, but not estrogen, induced the expression of Pin1 in a progesterone receptor-dependent manner. Inhibition of Pin1 in the uterus leads to impaired embryo implantation and decidualization in mice. Notably, a decrease in Pin1 activation affected the functional execution of several implantation- or decidualization-related factors. These findings provide new evidence for a previously unknown function of Pin1 in mediating embryo implantation and decidualization during successful pregnancy establishment and maintenance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Xu
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Institute of Artificial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei, China
| | - Yunzhi Li
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shupei Li
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Ning Wang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Shuai Lin
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Tianxi Du
- Laboratory Animal Center, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Fengsong Wang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiuhong Zhang
- School of Life Science, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Lee YG, Lee D, Cha H, Ahn J, Koo HS, Hwang SY, Lee G, Kang YJ. The therapeutic effects of vitamin D3 administration on the embryo implantation. Biomed Pharmacother 2024; 176:116853. [PMID: 38850663 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2024.116853] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Various adjuvants have been tested clinically for patients with problems with embryo implantation during in vitro fertilization (IVF)-embryo transfer (ET). Vitamin D3, an essential modulator of various physiological processes, has received attention as an important adjuvant for successful pregnancy, as many studies have shown a strong association between vitamin D deficiency and implantation failure and fetal growth restriction. However, vitamin D has been widely utilized in different protocols, resulting in non-reproducible and debatable outcomes. In the present study, we demonstrated that cyclic intrauterine administration of vitamin D3 increased endometrial receptivity and angiogenesis, which could be attributed to increased recruitment of uterus-resident natural killer cells. In particular, cyclic treatment of vitamin D3 promoted stable attachment of the embryo onto endometrial cells in vitro, suggesting its merit during the early stage of embryo implantation to support the initial maternal-fetal interactions. Our findings suggest that women with repeated implantation failure may benefit from the use of vitamin D3 as a risk-free adjuvant prior to IVF-ET procedures to improve the uterine environment, and make it favorable for embryo implantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Gyeong Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Life Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13448, South Korea
| | - Danbi Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Life Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13448, South Korea
| | - Hwijae Cha
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Life Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13448, South Korea; Department of Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Gangwon-do 24252, South Korea
| | - Jungho Ahn
- Department of Biochemistry, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13448, South Korea; Department of Microbiology, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13448, South Korea
| | - Hwa Seon Koo
- CHA Fertility Center Bundang, 59, Yatap-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13496, South Korea; Best of ME Fertility Clinic, 390 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul-si 06232, South Korea
| | - Sun-Young Hwang
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Life Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13448, South Korea
| | - Gaeun Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, School of Life Science, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13448, South Korea
| | - Youn-Jung Kang
- Department of Biochemistry, Research Institute for Basic Medical Science, School of Medicine, CHA University, 335 Pangyo-ro, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do 13448, South Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Bazer FW, Johnson GA. Early Embryonic Development in Agriculturally Important Species. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1882. [PMID: 38997994 PMCID: PMC11240814 DOI: 10.3390/ani14131882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 06/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The fertilization of oocytes ovulated by pigs, sheep, cows, and horses is not considered a limiting factor in successful establishment of pregnancy. Pig, sheep, and cow embryos undergo cleavage to the blastocyst stage, hatch from the zona pellucida, and undergo central-type implantation. Hatched blastocysts of pigs, sheep, and cows transition from tubular to long filamentous forms to establish surface area for exchange of nutrients and gases with the uterus. The equine blastocyst, surrounded by external membranes, does not elongate but migrates throughout the uterine lumen before attaching to the uterine luminal epithelium (LE) to begin implantation. Pregnancy recognition signaling in pigs requires the trophectoderm to express interleukin 1 beta, estrogens, prostaglandin E2, and interferon gamma. Sheep and cow conceptus trophectoderm expresses interferon tau that induces interferon regulatory factor 2 that inhibits transcription of estrogen and oxytocin receptors by uterine epithelia. This prevents oxytocin-induced luteolytic pulses of prostaglandin F2-alpha from regressing the corpora lutea, as well as ensuring the secretion of progesterone required for maintenance of pregnancy. The pregnancy recognition signal produced by equine blastocysts is not known. Implantation in these species requires interactions between extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and integrins as the conceptus undergoes apposition and firm attachment to the uterine LE. This review provides details with respect to early embryonic development and the transition from spherical to filamentous conceptuses in pigs, sheep, and cows, as well as pre-implantation development of equine blastocysts and implantation of the conceptuses.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fuller W. Bazer
- Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA
| | - Gregory A. Johnson
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843-2471, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sakurai J, Oka S, Higuchi Y, Ohsawa S, Fujimori T. Effects of blastocyst elongation and implantation chamber formation on the alignment of the embryonic axis and uterine axis in mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1421222. [PMID: 38946796 PMCID: PMC11211524 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1421222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Embryo implantation involves a series of events that bring the embryo and maternal tissues into contact to support post-implantation development in mammals. During implantation, alignment of the embryonic-abembryonic (E-Ab) axis of the blastocyst with the mesometrial-antimesometrial (M-AM) axis of the uterus precedes post-implantation embryonic development and placentation. In the present study, we observed the morphological changes in blastocysts and the endometrial luminal epithelium (LE) that occur during the alignment of the embryonic and the uterine axes. We found that at the time that the blastocysts attached to the LE at the mural trophectoderm, the embryonic axis was not aligned with the uterine axis. Alignment of the embryonic E-Ab axis with the uterine M-AM axis occurred after E4.0, and the embryo was significantly elongated during the process. The depth of the implantation chamber (IC) correlated with the degree of alignment, suggesting that elongated embryos are oriented along the M-AM axis during IC formation. Transplantation of the Concanavalin A (Con A)-coated beads induced IC formation, and the alignment of two Con A-coated beads present in the same IC in the M-AM direction suggested that elongated materials can align along the M-AM axis. These data suggest that an elongated shape of the embryo and IC formation coordinate the alignment of the embryonic and uterine axes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jun Sakurai
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Deapartment of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Sanae Oka
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Yoko Higuchi
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Sonoko Ohsawa
- Model Organisms Facility, Trans-Scale Biology Center, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Fujimori
- Division of Embryology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Japan
- Deapartment of Basic Biology, School of Life Science, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, SOKENDAI, Okazaki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Goudarzi ST, Vousooghi N, Verdi J, Mehdizadeh A, Aslanian-Kalkhoran L, Yousefi M. Autophagy genes and signaling pathways in endometrial decidualization and pregnancy complications. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104223. [PMID: 38489930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104223] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Autophagy is a process that occurs in almost all eukaryotic cells and this process is controlled by several molecular processes. Its biological roles include the provision of energy, the maintenance of cell homeostasis, and the promotion of aberrant cell death. The importance of autophagy in pregnancy is gradually becoming recognized. In literature, it has been indicated that autophagy has three different effects on the onset and maintenance of pregnancy: embryo (embryonic development), feto-maternal immune crosstalk, and maternal (decidualization). In humans, proper decidualization is a major predictor of pregnancy accomplishment and it can be influenced by different factors. This review highlights the genes, pathways, regulation, and function of autophagy in endometrial decidualization and other involved factors in this process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Saeedeh Torabi Goudarzi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Vousooghi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Verdi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Mehdizadeh
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Lida Aslanian-Kalkhoran
- Department of Immunology, school of medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Chettiar V, Patel A, Chettiar SS, Jhala DD. Meta-analysis of endometrial transcriptome data reveals novel molecular targets for recurrent implantation failure. J Assist Reprod Genet 2024; 41:1417-1431. [PMID: 38456991 PMCID: PMC11143096 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-024-03077-x] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/09/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Gene expression analysis of the endometrium has been shown to be a useful approach for identifying the molecular signatures and pathways involved in recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Nevertheless, individual studies have limitations in terms of study design, methodology and analysis to detect minor changes in expression levels or identify novel gene signatures associated with RIF. METHOD To overcome this, we conducted an in silico meta-analysis of nine studies, the systematic collection and integration of gene expression data, utilizing rigorous selection criteria and statistical techniques to ensure the robustness of our findings. RESULTS Our meta-analysis successfully unveiled a meta-signature of 49 genes closely associated with RIF. Of these genes, 38 were upregulated and 11 downregulated in RIF patients' endometrium and believed to participate in key processes like cell differentiation, communication, and adhesion. GADD45A, IGF2, and LIF, known for their roles in implantation, were identified, along with lesser-studied genes like OPRK1, PSIP1, SMCHD1, and SOD2 related to female infertility. Many of these genes are involved in MAPK and PI3K-Akt pathways, indicating their role in inflammation. We also investigated to look for key miRNAs regulating these 49 dysregulated mRNAs as potential diagnostic biomarkers. Along with this, we went to associate protein-protein interactions of 49 genes, and we could recognize one cluster consisting of 11 genes (consisted of 22 nodes and 11 edges) with the highest score (p = 0.001). Finally, we validated some of the genes by qRT-PCR in our samples. CONCLUSION In summary, the meta-signature genes hold promise for improving RIF patient identification and facilitating the development of personalized treatment strategies, illuminating the multifaceted nature of this complex condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Venkatlaxmi Chettiar
- Department of Life Sciences, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Alpesh Patel
- GeneXplore Diagnostics and Research Centre PVT. LTD., Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | | | - Devendrasinh D Jhala
- Department of Zoology, School of Sciences, Gujarat University, Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Xin Q, Feng I, Yu G, Dean J. Stromal Pbrm1 mediates chromatin remodeling necessary for embryo implantation in the mouse uterus. J Clin Invest 2024; 134:e174194. [PMID: 38426493 PMCID: PMC10904057 DOI: 10.1172/jci174194] [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: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Early gestational loss occurs in approximately 20% of all clinically recognized human pregnancies and is an important cause of morbidity. Either embryonic or maternal defects can cause loss, but a functioning and receptive uterine endometrium is crucial for embryo implantation. We report that the switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) remodeling complex containing polybromo-1 (PBRM1) and Brahma-related gene 1 (BRG1) is essential for implantation of the embryonic blastocyst on the wall of the uterus in mice. Although preimplantation development is unaffected, conditional ablation of Pbrm1 in uterine stromal cells disrupts progesterone pathways and uterine receptivity. Heart and neural crest derivatives expressed 2 (Hand2) encodes a basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor required for embryo implantation. We identify an enhancer of the Hand2 gene in stromal cells that requires PBRM1 for epigenetic histone modifications/coactivator recruitment and looping with the promoter. In Pbrm1cKO mice, perturbation of chromatin assembly at the promoter and enhancer sites compromises Hand2 transcription, adversely affects fibroblast growth factor signaling pathways, prevents normal stromal-epithelial crosstalk, and disrupts embryo implantation. The mutant female mice are infertile and provide insight into potential causes of early pregnancy loss in humans.
Collapse
|
12
|
Nakazato M, Matsuzaki M, Okai D, Takeuchi E, Seki M, Takeuchi M, Fukui E, Matsumoto H. Arginine with leucine drives reactive oxygen species-mediated integrin α5β1 expression and promotes implantation in mouse blastocysts. PNAS NEXUS 2024; 3:pgae114. [PMID: 38525303 PMCID: PMC10959068 DOI: 10.1093/pnasnexus/pgae114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The implantation rate of in vitro fertilization (IVF)-derived blastocysts after embryo transfer remains low, suggesting that the inadequate expression of specific proteins in culture-induced IVF-derived blastocysts contributes to low implantation rates. Therefore, treatment with appropriate regulation may improve the blastocyst implantation ability. This study demonstrated that the combination of l-arginine (Arg) and l-leucine (Leu) exerts distinct effects on IVF-derived mouse blastocysts. Arg with Leu promotes blastocyst implantation, whereas Arg alone decreases the blastocyst ability. Integrin α5β1 expression was increased in blastocysts treated with Arg and Leu. Arg with Leu also increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and showed a positive correlation with integrin α5β1. Ascorbic acid, an antioxidant, decreased ROS and integrin α5β1 levels, which were elevated by Arg with Leu. Meanwhile, the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) in blastocysts did not differ between treatments. Glutathione peroxidase (GPx) is involved in ROS scavenging using glutathione (GSH) as a reductant. Arg with Leu decreased GPx4 and GSH levels in blastocysts, and blastocysts with higher ROS levels had lower GPx4 and GSH levels. In contrast, Arg alone increased the percentage of caspase-positive cells, indicating that Arg alone, which attenuated implantation ability, was associated with apoptosis. This study revealed that elevated ROS levels induced by Arg with Leu stimulated integrin α5β1 expression, thereby enhancing implantation capacity. Our results also suggest that ROS were not due to increased production by oxidative phosphorylation, but rather to a reduction in ROS degradation due to diminished GPx4 and GSH levels.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Momoka Nakazato
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, Department of Agrobiology and Bioresources, School of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
| | - Mumuka Matsuzaki
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, Department of Agrobiology and Bioresources, School of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
| | - Daiki Okai
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, Department of Agrobiology and Bioresources, School of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
| | - Eisaku Takeuchi
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, Department of Agrobiology and Bioresources, School of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
| | - Misato Seki
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, Department of Agrobiology and Bioresources, School of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
| | - Miki Takeuchi
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, Department of Agrobiology and Bioresources, School of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
| | - Emiko Fukui
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, Department of Agrobiology and Bioresources, School of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
| | - Hiromichi Matsumoto
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, Department of Agrobiology and Bioresources, School of Agriculture, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
- Center for Bioscience Research and Education, Utsunomiya University, Utsunomiya, Tochigi 321-8505, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Li Q, Song M, Cao K, Zhang Q. A Potential Role of CD82/KAI1 during Uterine Decidualization in Mice. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2024; 46:1799-1809. [PMID: 38534734 DOI: 10.3390/cimb46030118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The tumor metastasis suppressor gene CD82/KAI1 has been demonstrated to impact human trophoblast invasion and migration. Communication between trophoblasts and decidual stromal cells plays a crucial role in controlling the normal invasiveness of trophoblasts. However, whether CD82/KAI1 is involved in decidualization and what role it plays remain unclear. CD82/KAI1 demonstrates specific spatiotemporal expression patterns in stromal cells undergoing decidualization during pregnancy. This is observed in both naturally pregnant females post-implantation and pseudopregnant mice undergoing induced decidualization, as detected through in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence. CD82/KAI1 expression showed a significant time-dependent increase in cultured stromal cells after 24 and 48 h of progesterone (P4) and estrogen (E2) treatment. This was accompanied by a notable upregulation of decidualization markers, including cyclin D3 and PR. After transducing stromal cells with the adenovirus-overexpressing CD82/KAI1 for 48 h, the expression of cyclin D3 protein increased. Meanwhile, there was an attenuated expression of CD82/KAI1 due to an adenovirus siRNA knockdown, whereas cyclin D3 and PR expressions were not affected. Our findings suggest a potential role of CD82/KAI1 in regulating the process of decidualization, providing insights into stromal cell differentiation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qijun Li
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Mengyao Song
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Ke Cao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Qian Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
- Chongqing Engineering Research Center for Rodent Laboratory Animals, Chongqing 400016, China
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Li M, Han J, Yang N, Li X, Wu X. Transcriptome profiling reveals superovulation with the gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist trigger impaired embryo implantation in mice. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1354435. [PMID: 38469140 PMCID: PMC10925639 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1354435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Superovulation is a critical step in assisted reproductive technology, but the use of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as a trigger for superovulation can result in ovarian hyperstimulation. Thus, the use of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa) trigger has been increasingly adopted, although it has been associated with a higher rate of pregnancy failure compared to natural cycles. This study aimed to investigate the effect of GnRHa trigger on embryo implantation in a mouse model. Methods Mice in the superovulation (PG) group were administered 7.5 IU of PMSG, followed by the injection of 3.5 μg of GnRHa (Leuprorelin) 48 h later, while mice in the control group (CTR) mated naturally. We compared the number of oocytes, blastocysts, and corpus luteum between the two groups and the implantation sites after the transfer of natural blastocysts. Ovaries, uterus, and serum 2 and 4 days after mating were collected for qRT-PCR, transcriptome sequencing, and hormone assays. Results The PG group had more oocytes, blastocysts, and corpus luteum after superovulation than the CTR group. However, the mRNA expression of leukemia inhibitory factor (Lif) and the number of implantation sites were reduced in the PG group. The ELISA assay revealed that superovulation increased ovarian estrogen secretion. The transcriptome analysis showed that superphysiological estrogen led to a response of the uterus to a high estrogen signal, resulting in abnormal endometrium and extracellular matrix remodeling and up-regulation of ion transport and inflammation-related genes. Conclusion Our findings suggest that a combination of PMSG and GnRHa trigger impaired embryo implantation in mice, as the excessive uterine response to superphysiological estrogen levels can lead to the change of gene expression related to endometrial remodeling, abnormal expression of uterine ion transport genes and excessive immune-related genes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meng Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Technology Innovation Center of Cattle and Sheep Embryo, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Jingmei Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Nana Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Technology Innovation Center of Cattle and Sheep Embryo, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Xiangyun Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Technology Innovation Center of Cattle and Sheep Embryo, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| | - Xinglong Wu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hebei Technology Innovation Center of Cattle and Sheep Embryo, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding, China
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Luo Y, An C, Zhong K, Zhou P, Li D, Liu H, Guo Q, Wei W, Pan H, Min Z, Li R, Yu Y, Fan Y. Exploring the impacts of senescence on implantation and early embryonic development using totipotent cell-derived blastoids. J Adv Res 2024:S2090-1232(24)00073-0. [PMID: 38402947 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2024.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Advanced maternal age is associated with reduced implantation and pregnancy rates, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, and research models are limited. OBJECTIVES Here, we aim to elucidate the impacts of senescence on implantation ability by employing blastoids to construct a novel research model. METHODS We used a novel three-dimensional system with totipotent blastomere-like cells (TBLCs) to construct TBL-blastoids and established senescence-related embryo models derived from oxidative stress-induced TBLCs. RESULTS Morphological and transcriptomic analyses revealed that TBL-blastoids exhibited characteristic blastocyst morphology, cell lineages, and a higher consistency in developmental rate. TBL-blastoids demonstrated the ability to develop into postimplantation structures in vitro and successfully implanted into mouse uteri, inducing decidualization and forming embryonic tissues. Importantly, senescence impaired the implantation potential of TBL-blastoids, effectively mimicking the impaired implantation ability and reduced pregnancy rates associated with advanced age. Furthermore, analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in human homologous deciduae revealed enrichment in multiple fertility-related diseases and other complications of pregnancy. The genes implicated in these diseases and the common DEGs identified in the lineage-like cells of the two types of TBL-blastoids and deciduae may represent potential targets for addressing impaired implantation potential. CONCLUSION These results unveiled that TBL blastoids are an improved model for investigating implantation and early postimplantation, offering valuable insights into pregnancy-related disorders in women with advanced age and potential targets for therapeutic interventions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Chenrui An
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China
| | - Ke Zhong
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China
| | - Ping Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Dan Li
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hui Liu
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Qing Guo
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Wei Wei
- Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Hen Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Zheying Min
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China.
| | - Rong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yang Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; National Clinical Research Center for Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction, Ministry of Education, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China; Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
| | - Yong Fan
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China.
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Shibata S, Endo S, Nagai LAE, H. Kobayashi E, Oike A, Kobayashi N, Kitamura A, Hori T, Nashimoto Y, Nakato R, Hamada H, Kaji H, Kikutake C, Suyama M, Saito M, Yaegashi N, Okae H, Arima T. Modeling embryo-endometrial interface recapitulating human embryo implantation. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadi4819. [PMID: 38394208 PMCID: PMC10889356 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi4819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
The initiation of human pregnancy is marked by the implantation of an embryo into the uterine environment; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we developed hormone-responsive endometrial organoids (EMO), termed apical-out (AO)-EMO, which emulate the in vivo architecture of endometrial tissue. The AO-EMO comprise an exposed apical epithelium surface, dense stromal cells, and a self-formed endothelial network. When cocultured with human embryonic stem cell-derived blastoids, the three-dimensional feto-maternal assembloid system recapitulates critical implantation stages, including apposition, adhesion, and invasion. Endometrial epithelial cells were subsequently disrupted by syncytial cells, which invade and fuse with endometrial stromal cells. We validated this fusion of syncytiotrophoblasts and stromal cells using human blastocysts. Our model provides a foundation for investigating embryo implantation and feto-maternal interactions, offering valuable insights for advancing reproductive medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shun Shibata
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Research and Development Division, Rohto Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Osaka 544-8666, Japan
| | - Shun Endo
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Luis A. E. Nagai
- Laboratory of Computational Genomics, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Eri H. Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Akira Oike
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Norio Kobayashi
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Akane Kitamura
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Takeshi Hori
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Yuji Nashimoto
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Ryuichiro Nakato
- Laboratory of Computational Genomics, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Hirotaka Hamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kaji
- Department of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Systems Engineering, Institute of Biomaterials and Bioengineering, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 101-0062, Japan
| | - Chie Kikutake
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Mikita Suyama
- Division of Bioinformatics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masatoshi Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Nobuo Yaegashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| | - Hiroaki Okae
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
- Department of Trophoblast Research, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto 862-0973, Japan
| | - Takahiro Arima
- Department of Informative Genetics, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai 980-8575, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Di X, Duan Z, Ma Y, Song X, Hao Y, Li G, Tan Z, Lou Y, Lin X. Jiawei Shoutai Pill promotes decidualization by regulating the SGK1/ENaC pathway in recurrent spontaneous abortion. JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY 2024; 318:116939. [PMID: 37479068 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Jiawei Shoutai Pill (JWSTW) is a traditional herbal formula for recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA). Although JWSTW significantly improves the clinical symptoms of RSA patients, its molecular mechanism remains unclear. AIM OF STUDY This study evaluated the expression and function of the serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase 1/epithelial sodium channel (SGK1/ENaC) pathway and decidualization level in RSA patients and mice. It also investigated the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of JWSTW. MATERIALS AND METHODS 30 early RSA patients and 30 normal pregnant women undergoing induced abortion during the same period were included in the study. Decidual tissues were collected, and HE staining, immunohistochemistry, Western blot, and RT-PCR were used to detect protein and mRNA expression levels of SGK1, ENaC-a, estrogen Rreceptor β (ERβ), and progesterone receptor (PR) in patients' decidual tissues. Protein expression levels of prolactin receptor (PRLR) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1) were also detected. A classical RSA mouse model was constructed, and the mice were randomly divided into four groups: normal, model, dydrogesterone (DQYT) (0.33 g/kg/d), and JWSTW (1.66 g/kg/d). The normal and model groups received the same volume of distilled water by gavage for 8 and 14 days after pregnancy. On the 14th day of pregnancy, the embryonic loss rate of each group, the number of offspring born to naturally delivered mice, and the protein or mRNA expression levels of key factors of the SGK1/ENaC pathway (SGK1, ENaC-a, ERβ, and PR), decidual proliferation marker (Ki67), mesenchymal-epithelial transition (E-cadherin and Vimentin), and decidualization markers (PRLR and IGFBP-1) in mouse decidual tissue on the eighth day of pregnancy were observed. RESULTS The decidual tissue structure of RSA patients was abnormal. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed significantly reduced positive expression of SGK1, ENaC-a, ERβ, and PR proteins in the decidual tissue of RSA patients (P < 0.001). Western blot and RT-PCR analyses demonstrated significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression of SGK1, ENaC-a, ERβ, and PR in the decidual tissue of RSA patients (all P < 0.05). Additionally, protein expression of PRLR and IGFBP-1 was significantly reduced (both P < 0.001). The RSA mouse model exhibited a significant increase in embryo loss rate and decreased litter size (both P < 0.001). Treatment with DQYT and JWSTW rescued the embryo loss rate and litter size to varying extents (all P < 0.05). The protein or mRNA expression levels of SGK1, ENaC-a, ERβ, PR, Ki67, E-cadherin, vimentin, PRLR, and IGFBP-1 in RSA mice were improved to different degrees after treatment with DQYT and JWSTW (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Abnormal SGK1/ENaC signaling pathway regulation is closely associated with early endometrial damage in RSA patients. JWSTW promotes endometrial proliferation and mesenchymal-epithelial transition through the SGK1/ENaC signaling pathway, improving endometrial shedding. Consequently, JWSTW is a potential treatment for RSA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqian Di
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050091, China.
| | - Zibo Duan
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050091, China.
| | - Yucong Ma
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050091, China.
| | - Xiaodan Song
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050091, China.
| | - Yanzhi Hao
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Integrative Medicine on Liver-Kidney Patterns, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050091, China.
| | - Guolei Li
- Hebei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China.
| | - Zhanwang Tan
- Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China.
| | - Yingying Lou
- Hebei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China.
| | - Xiaohua Lin
- Hebei Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University of Chinese Medicine, Shijiazhuang, Hebei, 050011, China.
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Alves-Pimenta S, Colaço B, Oliveira PA, Venâncio C. Development Features on the Selection of Animal Models for Teratogenic Testing. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2753:67-104. [PMID: 38285334 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3625-1_3] [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] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
Today, the use of animal models from different species continues to represent a fundamental step in teratogenic testing, despite the increase in alternative solutions that provide an important screening to the enormous quantity of new substances that aim to enter the market every year. The maintenance of these models is due to the sharing of similar development processes with humans, and in this way they represent an important contribution to the safety in the use of the compounds tested. Furthermore, the application of advances in embryology to teratology, although hampered by the complexity of reproductive processes, continues to prove the importance of sensitivity during embryonic and fetal development to detect potential toxicity, inducing mortality/abortion and malformations.In this chapter, essential periods of development in different models are outlined, highlighting the similarities and differences between species, the advantages and disadvantages of each group, and specific sensitivities for teratogenic testing. Models can be divided into invertebrate species such as earthworms of the species Eisenia fetida/Eisenia andrei, Caenorhabditis elegans, and Drosophila melanogaster, allowing for rapid results and minor ethical concerns. Vertebrate nonmammalian species Xenopus laevis and Danio rerio are important models to assess teratogenic potential later in development with fewer ethical requirements. Finally, the mammalian species Mus musculus, Rattus norvegicus, and Oryctolagus cuniculus, phylogenetically closer to humans, are essential for the assessment of complex specialized processes, occurring later in development.Regulations for the development of toxicology tests require the use of mammalian species. Although ethical concerns and costs limit their use in large-scale screening. On the other hand, invertebrate and vertebrate nonmammalian species are increasing as alternative animal models, as these organisms combine low cost, less ethical requirements, and culture conditions compatible with large-scale screening. Their main advantage is to allow high-throughput screening in a whole-animal context, in contrast to the in vitro techniques, not dependent on the prior identification of a target. Better knowledge of the development pathways of animal models will allow to maximize human translation and reduce the number of animals used, leading to a selection of compounds with an improved safety profile and reduced time to market for new drugs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Alves-Pimenta
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Bruno Colaço
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Paula A Oliveira
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production (Inov4Agro), University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Carlos Venâncio
- Department of Animal Science, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (CECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
- Animal and Veterinary Research Centre (CECAV), Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Sciences (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
- Institute for Innovation, Capacity Building and Sustainability of Agri-food Production (Inov4Agro), University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
| |
Collapse
|
19
|
Frankfurter D, Kliman H. Progress on the Endometrium. Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am 2023; 50:677-694. [PMID: 37914487 DOI: 10.1016/j.ogc.2023.09.002] [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] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The endometrium is a dynamic tissue that facilitates mammalian internal reproduction and thus, the ability to deliver live born progeny that are more easily protected from predators. This tissue is unique in its ability to undergo cyclic regeneration and destruction in the absence of pregnancy. Ovarian steroids guide endometrial proliferation and maturation promoting its receptivity and selectivity with regards to blastocyst implantation. It is decidualization, terminal stromal maturation, that prevents the trophoblast from breeching containment of the uterus and allows for endometrial sloughing should pregnancy not occur. Endometrial pathology is highly variable and therefore a wide array of diagnostic measures are required for its interrogation. There remains no single test that can distinguish between all potential issues and it is critical that appropriate and evidence-based endometrial assessment is carried out. Emerging data on developmental markers, inflammatory mediators, and bacterial profiling offer hope that conditions including endometriosis, cancer, infertility, and implantation failure will be more easily and less invasively diagnosed. This will allow for a more timely and targeted approach to intervention. Accordingly, assessing novel measures requires an evidence-based approach prior to their mass utilization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Frankfurter
- Yale Meidcal School, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale Fertility Center, 200 West Campus Drive, 2nd Floor, Orange, CT 06477, USA.
| | - Harvey Kliman
- Yale University School of Medicine, Kliman Laboratories, Reproductive and Placental Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, 310 Cedar Street, FMB 225, New Haven, CT 06510, USA. https://twitter.com/placentatalk
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
Jiang M, Huang L, Wang Y, Wang Y, Kang Q, Chen C, Hu Y, Li J, Wang T. Yueliang Yin Ameliorates Endometrial Receptivity in Mice with Embryo Implantation Failure by Reducing Pyroptosis and Activating BDNF/TrkB Pathway. Mol Nutr Food Res 2023; 67:e2300339. [PMID: 37797178 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202300339] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE Endometrial receptivity plays a vital role in embryonic implantation. Yueliang Yin is a marketed solid drink in China, also known as Bushen Cuyun Recipe (BCR), that is, assumed to have a therapeutic effect on infertility by improving endometrial receptivity. This study investigates the effects and mechanisms of BCR in protecting the endometrium. METHODS AND RESULTS Mice with mifepristone-induced embryo implantation failure that exhibited a decreased implantation sites number, thinner endometrium, reduced endometrial glands number, and poor pinopode expression levels are treated with BCR, and these mentioned conditions significantly improves afterward. Molecular docking shows that the main active components kaempferol, quercetin, and hesperetin of BCR stably bound to gasdermin D (GSDMD). Experimental results demonstrate that levels of GSDMD, cleaved caspase-1 and leucine-rich repeat, and pyrin domain-containing 3 and IL-1β levels in model mice are significantly decreased and expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tyrosine protein kinase B (TrkB) expression levels are significantly elevated after BCR treatments, and that the DNA damage is significantly reversed in BCR-treated mice. CONCLUSIONS BCR is potent and effective in ameliorating endometrial receptivity. The potential mechanisms of BCR on endometrial receptivity may mediate by activating BDNF/TrkB pathway activation and protecting endometrial cells' protection against pyroptosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mei Jiang
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ling Huang
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yuxi Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yao Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
- National Key Laboratory of Efficacy and Mechanism on Chinese Medicine for Metabolic Diseases, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Qianjun Kang
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Cong Chen
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Yujie Hu
- Ziqiang Vocational School of Shaanxi Province, Shaanxi Province, 721000, China
| | - Jialin Li
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| | - Ting Wang
- Beijing Research Institute of Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029, China
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Marquardt RM, Tran DN, Lessey BA, Rahman MS, Jeong JW. Epigenetic Dysregulation in Endometriosis: Implications for Pathophysiology and Therapeutics. Endocr Rev 2023; 44:1074-1095. [PMID: 37409951 PMCID: PMC10638603 DOI: 10.1210/endrev/bnad020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Endometriosis is a prevalent gynecological condition associated with pelvic pain and infertility. Despite more than a century of research, the etiology of endometriosis still eludes scientific consensus. This lack of clarity has resulted in suboptimal prevention, diagnosis, and treatment options. Evidence of genetic contributors to endometriosis is interesting but limited; however, significant progress has been made in recent years in identifying an epigenetic role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis through clinical studies, in vitro cell culture experiments, and in vivo animal models. The predominant findings include endometriosis-related differential expression of DNA methyltransferases and demethylases, histone deacetylases, methyltransferases, and demethylases, and regulators of chromatin architecture. There is also an emerging role for miRNAs in controlling epigenetic regulators in the endometrium and endometriosis. Changes in these epigenetic regulators result in differential chromatin organization and DNA methylation, with consequences for gene expression independent of a genetic sequence. Epigenetically altered expression of genes related to steroid hormone production and signaling, immune regulation, and endometrial cell identity and function have all been identified and appear to play into the pathophysiological mechanisms of endometriosis and resulting infertility. This review summarizes and critically discusses early seminal findings, the ever-growing recent evidence of epigenetic contributions to the pathophysiology of endometriosis, and implications for proposed epigenetically targeted therapeutics.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ryan M Marquardt
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Biology, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, MI, USA
| | - Dinh Nam Tran
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Bruce A Lessey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wake Forest Baptist Health, Winston-Salem, NC, USA
| | - Md Saidur Rahman
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Jae-Wook Jeong
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Wang HQ, Liu Y, Li D, Liu JY, Jiang Y, He Y, Zhou JD, Wang ZL, Tang XY, Zhang Y, Zhen X, Cao ZW, Sheng XQ, Yang CF, Yue QL, Ding LJ, Hu YL, Hu ZB, Li CJ, Yan GJ, Sun HX. Maternal and embryonic signals cause functional differentiation of luminal epithelial cells and receptivity establishment. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2376-2392.e6. [PMID: 37643613 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.08.004] [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: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Embryo implantation requires temporospatial maternal-embryonic dialog. Using single-cell RNA sequencing for the uterus from 2.5 to 4.5 days post-coitum (DPC) and bulk sequencing for the corresponding embryos of 3.5 and 4.0 DPC pregnant mice, we found that estrogen-responsive luminal epithelial cells (EECs) functionally differentiated into adhesive epithelial cells (AECs) and supporting epithelial cells (SECs), promoted by progesterone. Along with maternal signals, embryonic Pdgfa and Efna3/4 signaling activated AECs and SECs, respectively, enhancing the attachment of embryos to the endometrium and furthering embryo development. This differentiation process was largely conserved between humans and mice. Notably, the developmental defects of SOX9-positive human endometrial epithelial cells (similar to mouse EEC) were related to thin endometrium, whereas functional defects of SEC-similar unciliated epithelial cells were related to recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Our findings provide insights into endometrial luminal epithelial cell development directed by maternal and embryonic signaling, which is crucial for endometrial receptivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Quan Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Dong Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Jing-Yu Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yuanlin He
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China
| | - Ji-Dong Zhou
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhi-Long Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xin-Yi Tang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xin Zhen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhi-Wen Cao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Xiao-Qiang Sheng
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Chao-Fan Yang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Qiu-Ling Yue
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Li-Jun Ding
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ya-Li Hu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Zhi-Bin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Chao-Jun Li
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China.
| | - Gui-Jun Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; Department of Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
| | - Hai-Xiang Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210008, China.
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Chan HY, Tran HM, Breen J, Schjenken JE, Robertson SA. The endometrial transcriptome transition preceding receptivity to embryo implantation in mice. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:590. [PMID: 37794337 PMCID: PMC10552439 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09698-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Receptivity of the uterus is essential for embryo implantation and progression of mammalian pregnancy. Acquisition of receptivity involves major molecular and cellular changes in the endometrial lining of the uterus from a non-receptive state at ovulation, to a receptive state several days later. The precise molecular mechanisms underlying this transition and their upstream regulators remain to be fully characterized. Here, we aimed to generate a comprehensive profile of the endometrial transcriptome in the peri-ovulatory and peri-implantation states, to define the genes and gene pathways that are different between these states, and to identify new candidate upstream regulators of this transition, in the mouse. RESULTS High throughput RNA-sequencing was utilized to identify genes and pathways expressed in the endometrium of female C57Bl/6 mice at estrus and on day 3.5 post-coitum (pc) after mating with BALB/c males (n = 3-4 biological replicates). Compared to the endometrium at estrus, 388 genes were considered differentially expressed in the endometrium on day 3.5 post-coitum. The transcriptional changes indicated substantial modulation of uterine immune and vascular systems during the pre-implantation phase, with the functional terms Angiogenesis, Chemotaxis, and Lymphangiogenesis predominating. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software predicted the activation of several upstream regulators previously shown to be involved in the transition to receptivity including various cytokines, ovarian steroid hormones, prostaglandin E2, and vascular endothelial growth factor A. Our analysis also revealed four candidate upstream regulators that have not previously been implicated in the acquisition of uterine receptivity, with growth differentiation factor 2, lysine acetyltransferase 6 A, and N-6 adenine-specific DNA methyltransferase 1 predicted to be activated, and peptidylprolyl isomerase F predicted to be inhibited. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that the transcriptome of a receptive uterus is vastly different to the non-receptive uterus and identifies several genes, regulatory pathways, and upstream drivers not previously associated with implantation. The findings will inform further research to investigate the molecular mechanisms of uterine receptivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hon Yeung Chan
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Ha M Tran
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - James Breen
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - John E Schjenken
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- Hunter Medical Research Institute, Infertility and Reproduction Research Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, 2305, Australia
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- The Robinson Research Institute, School of Biomedicine, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Hiraoka T, Osuga Y, Hirota Y. Current perspectives on endometrial receptivity: A comprehensive overview of etiology and treatment. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2023; 49:2397-2409. [PMID: 37527810 DOI: 10.1111/jog.15759] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) remains a challenging problem in assisted reproductive technology (ART). Further insights into uterine abnormalities that can disturb embryo implantation should be obtained. This review provides an overview of the effects of organic and non-organic uterine disorders on endometrial receptivity. The results suggest that various uterine pathologies can lead to defective embryo implantation via multiple mechanisms. In particular, uterine adenomyosis dysregulates molecular and cellular interactions that are vital for successful embryo implantation with a background of chronic inflammation, which may be alleviated by pretreatment with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist. Uterine myomas can cause endometrial deformation and adverse alterations in uterine contractility. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of myomectomy remains debated, and endometrial polyp removal may be considered, particularly in patients with RIF. Chronic endometritis abrogates the appropriate uterine immunological environment critical for embryo implantation. Abnormal endometrial microbiota have been suggested to influence endometrial receptivity; however, supporting evidence is currently scarce. Platelet-rich plasma therapy may be a potential treatment for thin endometria; nevertheless, further validation is required. Endometrial receptivity analysis can detect dysregulation of the window of implantation, and new non-invasive methods for predicting endometrial receptivity have recently been proposed. However, numerous issues still need to be fully clarified. Further clinical and basic studies are necessary to investigate the pathophysiology of defective endometrial receptivity and identify optimal treatments for patients undergoing ART, especially those with RIF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Takehiro Hiraoka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yutaka Osuga
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Hirota
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Abdelkareem AO, Iews MS, Ait-Allah AS, Rasheed SM, Helmy YA, Habte R, Abdelhafez FF, Bedaiwy MA. Immunohistochemistry of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor and Integrin αVβ3 in Mouse Endometrium Following Kisspeptin-54 Ovulation Trigger. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:3084-3091. [PMID: 37126206 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-023-01243-7] [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: 12/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Kisspeptin (KP) is a group of hypothalamic neuropeptides encoded by KISS-1 gene. KP-54, a 54-amino-acid peptide, helps regulate the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and plays a potential role in implantation. C57BL/6 J female mice were superovulated via intraperitoneal injection of 5 International Units (IU) pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (day 1). Forty-eight hours later, mice (5/group) were injected with phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) (group A), 5 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) (group B), or 3 nmol KP-54 (group C). On day 7, mice were euthanized and uteri excised to create paraformaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded sections that were immunostained for the implantation markers: leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and integrin αVβ3 (ITG αVβ3). Slides were scored for intensity of staining in endometrial glandular epithelium (GE) and stromal cells (SCs) via histoscore (H-score). Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test followed by the Mann-Whitney U test for pairwise comparisons. LIF expression was significantly higher in GE and SCs of mice triggered with KP-54 compared to placebo (P = .009 for both), but only higher than hCG trigger group in SCs (P = .009). Meanwhile, ITG αVβ3 expression was significantly higher in SCs of mice triggered with KP-54 compared to placebo (P = .028). In conclusion, using KP-54 as an ovulation trigger resulted in higher expression of the implantation markers LIF and ITG αVβ3 in mice endometrium compared to hCG or placebo. This suggests a potential role for KP-54 trigger in improving embryo implantation in clinical IVF. However, further studies are needed to correlate these results with clinical implantation rates and pregnancy outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amr O Abdelkareem
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud S Iews
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, Egypt
| | - Abdou S Ait-Allah
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Salah M Rasheed
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Yasser A Helmy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, Egypt
| | - Ruth Habte
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Faten F Abdelhafez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt
| | - Mohamed A Bedaiwy
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Li X, Liu T, Chen J, Tang J, Zhang W, Du J, Li L, Huang L. Field-of-view optimized and constrained undistorted single-shot study of intravoxel incoherent motion and diffusion-weighted imaging of the uterus during the menstrual cycle: a prospective study. Diagn Interv Radiol 2023; 29:656-663. [PMID: 37555386 PMCID: PMC10679544 DOI: 10.4274/dir.2023.232188] [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: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to compare the variability of the uterus during the menses phase (MP), follicular phase (FP), and luteal phase (LP) of the menstrual cycle using intravoxel incoherent motion diffusion-weighted imaging (IVIM-DWI). METHODS This prospective study was conducted at the Guangdong Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between January 2022 and January 2023. Women of childbearing age (18-45 years) with appropriate progesterone levels were included in this study. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging and IVIM-DWI scans were performed during the MP, FP, and LP. The differences in IVIM-DWI-derived parameters between these phases were then compared, and the overlap was quantitatively described. RESULTS The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and pure molecular diffusion coefficient (D) values from the endometrium, uterine junctional zone (UJZ), and myometrium indicated statistical differences between the MP and FP and the MP and LP (ADC: endometrium, both P < 0.001; UJZ, P = 0.008 and P < 0.001, respectively; myometrium, P = 0.033 and P = 0.006, respectively; D: endometrium, both P < 0.001; UJZ, P = 0.008 and P = 0.006, respectively; myometrium, P = 0.041 and P = 0.045, respectively). The perfusion-related diffusion coefficient (D*) values from the myometrium indicated statistical differences between the FP and MP and the FP and LP (D*: myometrium, P = 0.049 and P = 0.009, respectively). The overlapping endometrium ratios between the MP and FP or LP were lower than 50% in the ADC and D values (ADC: overlapping of MP and FP: 33.33%, overlapping of MP and LP: 23.33%; D: overlapping of MP and FP: 40.00%, overlapping of MP and LP: 43.33%). CONCLUSION The ADC and IVIM-derived parameters indicated differences in the uterus in diverse phases of the menstrual cycle, especially in the endometrium in relation to ADC and D values.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodan Li
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuhai, China
| | - Tianzhu Liu
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jun Chen
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuhai, China
| | - Jiahui Tang
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuhai, China
| | - Wanchun Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuhai, China
| | - Juan Du
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuhai, China
| | - Lina Li
- Department of Gynecology, Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuhai, China
| | - Lesheng Huang
- Department of Radiology, Guangdong Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhuhai, China
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Ahmadi H, Aghebati-Maleki L, Rashidiani S, Csabai T, Nnaemeka OB, Szekeres-Bartho J. Long-Term Effects of ART on the Health of the Offspring. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:13564. [PMID: 37686370 PMCID: PMC10487905 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241713564] [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: 08/17/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Assisted reproductive technologies (ART) significantly increase the chance of successful pregnancy and live birth in infertile couples. The different procedures for ART, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), intrauterine insemination (IUI), and gamete intrafallopian tube transfer (GIFT), are widely used to overcome infertility-related problems. In spite of its inarguable usefulness, concerns about the health consequences of ART-conceived babies have been raised. There are reports about the association of ART with birth defects and health complications, e.g., malignancies, high blood pressure, generalized vascular functional disorders, asthma and metabolic disorders in later life. It has been suggested that hormonal treatment of the mother, and the artificial environment during the manipulation of gametes and embryos may cause genomic and epigenetic alterations and subsequent complications in the health status of ART-conceived babies. In the current study, we aimed to review the possible long-term consequences of different ART procedures on the subsequent health status of ART-conceived offspring, considering the confounding factors that might account for/contribute to the long-term consequences.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Ahmadi
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
| | - Leili Aghebati-Maleki
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665931, Iran;
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz 5165665931, Iran
| | - Shima Rashidiani
- Department of Medical Biochemistry, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Timea Csabai
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Human Reproduction, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Obodo Basil Nnaemeka
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Pécs University, 7621 Pécs, Hungary;
| | - Julia Szekeres-Bartho
- Department of Medical Biology and Central Electron Microscope Laboratory, Medical School, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary; (H.A.); (T.C.)
- János Szentágothai Research Centre, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- Endocrine Studies, Centre of Excellence, Pécs University, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- National Laboratory of Human Reproduction, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
- MTA—PTE Human Reproduction Research Group, 7624 Pecs, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Gualdoni GS, Barril C, Jacobo PV, Pacheco Rodríguez LN, Cebral E. Involvement of metalloproteinase and nitric oxide synthase/nitric oxide mechanisms in early decidual angiogenesis-vascularization of normal and experimental pathological mouse placenta related to maternal alcohol exposure. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1207671. [PMID: 37670932 PMCID: PMC10476144 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1207671] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Successful pregnancy for optimal fetal growth requires adequate early angiogenesis and remodeling of decidual spiral arterioles during placentation. Prior to the initiation of invasion and endothelial replacement by trophoblasts, interactions between decidual stromal cells and maternal leukocytes, such as uterine natural killer cells and macrophages, play crucial roles in the processes of early maternal vascularization, such as proliferation, apoptosis, migration, differentiation, and matrix and vessel remodeling. These placental angiogenic events are highly dependent on the coordination of several mechanisms at the early maternal-fetal interface, and one of them is the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and endothelial nitric oxide synthases (NOSs). Inadequate balances of MMPs and nitric oxide (NO) are involved in several placentopathies and pregnancy complications. Since alcohol consumption during gestation can affect fetal growth associated with abnormal placental development, recently, we showed, in a mouse model, that perigestational alcohol consumption up to organogenesis induces fetal malformations related to deficient growth and vascular morphogenesis of the placenta at term. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge of the early processes of maternal vascularization that lead to the formation of the definitive placenta and the roles of angiogenic MMP and NOS/NO mechanisms during normal and altered early gestation in mice. Then, we propose hypothetical defective decidual cellular and MMP and NOS/NO mechanisms involved in abnormal decidual vascularization induced by perigestational alcohol consumption in an experimental mouse model. This review highlights the important roles of decidual cells and their MMP and NOS balances in the physiological and pathophysiological early maternal angiogenesis-vascularization during placentation in mice.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Elisa Cebral
- Laboratorio de Reproducción y Fisiología Materno-Embrionaria, Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tecnológicas (CONICET), Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental (DBBE), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| |
Collapse
|
29
|
Ye Q, Li H, Xu B, He Z, Yan X. Butyrate Improves Porcine Endometrial Epithelial Cell Receptivity via Enhancing Acetylation of Histone H3K9. Mol Nutr Food Res 2023; 67:e2200703. [PMID: 37417211 DOI: 10.1002/mnfr.202200703] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
SCOPE Uterine receptivity is a major restriction of embryo implantation and survival, and the endometrial luminal epithelium serves as the transient gateway for uterine receptivity and embryo implantation. Butyrate is reported to promote the success of embryo implantation, but the effects and mechanism of butyrate on uterine receptivity are still unknown. METHODS AND RESULTS Porcine endometrial epithelial cells (PEECs) are used as a model, and the cellular receptivity changes, metabolism, and gene expression profiles influenced by butyrate are analyzed. The study finds that butyrate improves receptive changes in PEECs, including inhibiting proliferation, exhibiting more pinocytosis on the cell surface, and increasing adhesiveness to porcine trophoblast cells. In addition, butyrate increases prostaglandin synthesis and markedly impacts purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, and the FoxO signaling pathway. siRNA to inhibit the expression of FoxO1 and chromatin immunoprecipitation-sequencing (ChIP-seq) of H3K9ac are used to demonstrate that the H3K9ac/FoxO1/PCNA pathway can contribute to the effects of cell proliferation inhibition and uterine receptivity improvement induced by butyrate. CONCLUSION The findings reveal that butyrate improves endometrial epithelial cell receptivity by enhancing the acetylation of histone H3K9, which shows nutritional regulation and therapeutic potential for poor uterine receptivity and difficulty in embryo implantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianhong Ye
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Animal, Breeding and Sustainable Production, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pig Precision Feeding and Feed Safety Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Haoyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Animal, Breeding and Sustainable Production, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pig Precision Feeding and Feed Safety Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Baoyang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Animal, Breeding and Sustainable Production, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pig Precision Feeding and Feed Safety Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Ziyi He
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Animal, Breeding and Sustainable Production, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pig Precision Feeding and Feed Safety Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| | - Xianghua Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, Frontiers Science Center for Animal, Breeding and Sustainable Production, College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
- Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Pig Precision Feeding and Feed Safety Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, 430070, China
| |
Collapse
|
30
|
Muhandiram S, Dissanayake K, Orro T, Godakumara K, Kodithuwakku S, Fazeli A. Secretory Proteomic Responses of Endometrial Epithelial Cells to Trophoblast-Derived Extracellular Vesicles. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11924. [PMID: 37569298 PMCID: PMC10418763 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241511924] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Synchronized crosstalk between the embryo and endometrium during the periconception period is integral to pregnancy establishment. Increasing evidence suggests that the exchange of extracellular vesicles (EVs) of both embryonic and endometrial origin is a critical component of embryo-maternal communication during peri-implantation. Here, we investigated whether embryonic signals in the form of EVs can modulate the endometrial epithelial cell secretome. Receptive endometrial analog RL95-2 cells were supplemented with trophoblast analog JAr cell-derived EVs, and the secretory protein changes occurring in the RL95-2 cells were analyzed using mass spectrometry. EVs of non-trophoblastic origin (HEK 293 cells) were used as the control EV source to supplement endometrial cells. Trophoblast cell-derived EVs enriched endometrial epithelial cell secretions with proteins that support embryo development, attachment, or implantation, whereas control EVs were unable to induce the same effect. The present study suggests that embryonic signals in the form of EVs may prime receptive endometrial epithelial cells to enrich their secretory proteome with critical proteomic molecules with functional importance for periconception milieu formation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Subhashini Muhandiram
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (S.M.); (K.D.); (T.O.); (K.G.); (S.K.)
| | - Keerthie Dissanayake
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (S.M.); (K.D.); (T.O.); (K.G.); (S.K.)
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila St. 14B, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Peradeniya, Kandy 20400, Sri Lanka
| | - Toomos Orro
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (S.M.); (K.D.); (T.O.); (K.G.); (S.K.)
| | - Kasun Godakumara
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (S.M.); (K.D.); (T.O.); (K.G.); (S.K.)
| | - Suranga Kodithuwakku
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (S.M.); (K.D.); (T.O.); (K.G.); (S.K.)
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Kandy 20400, Sri Lanka
| | - Alireza Fazeli
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006 Tartu, Estonia; (S.M.); (K.D.); (T.O.); (K.G.); (S.K.)
- Department of Pathophysiology, Institute of Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, University of Tartu, Ravila St. 14B, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Kim M, Lee J, Cai L, Choi H, Oh D, Jawad A, Hyun SH. Neurotrophin-4 promotes the specification of trophectoderm lineage after parthenogenetic activation and enhances porcine early embryonic development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1194596. [PMID: 37519302 PMCID: PMC10373506 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1194596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), a neurotrophic factor, appears to affect early embryonic development because it is secreted not only by neurons but also by oviductal and uterine epithelial cells. However, no studies have characterized the effects of NT-4 on early embryonic development in pigs. In this study, we applied the experimental model of parthenogenetic-activation (PA)-derived embryos. Herein, we investigated the effect of NT-4 supplementation during the in vitro culture (IVC) of embryos, analyzed the transcription levels of specific genes, and outlined the first cell lineage specification for porcine PA-derived blastocysts. We confirmed that NT-4 and its receptor proteins were localized in both the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE) in porcine blastocysts. Across different concentrations (0, 1, 10, and 100 ng/mL) of NT-4 supplementation, the optimal concentration of NT-4 to improve the developmental competence of porcine parthenotes was 10 ng/mL. NT-4 supplementation during porcine IVC significantly (p < 0.05) increased the proportion of TE cells by inducing the transcription of TE lineage markers (CDX2, PPAG3, and GATA3 transcripts). NT-4 also reduced blastocyst apoptosis by regulating the transcription of apoptosis-related genes (BAX and BCL2L1 transcripts) and improved blastocyst quality via the interaction of neurotrophin-, Hippo-yes-associated protein (Hippo-YAP) and mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway. Additionally, NT-4 supplementation during IVC significantly (p < 0.05) increased YAP1 transcript levels and significantly (p < 0.01) decreased LATS2 transcript levels, respectively, in the porcine PA-derived blastocysts. We also confirmed through fluorescence intensity that the YAP1 protein was significantly (p < 0.001) increased in the NT-4-treated blastocysts compared with that in the control. NT-4 also promoted differentiation into the TE lineage rather than into the ICM lineage during porcine early embryonic development. In conclusion, 10 ng/mL NT-4 supplementation enhanced blastocyst quality by regulating the apoptosis- and TE lineage specification-related genes and interacting with neurotrophin-, Hippo-YAP-, and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway during porcine in vitro embryo development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mirae Kim
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Joohyeong Lee
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Lian Cai
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Veterinary Biosecurity and Protection, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyerin Choi
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Dongjin Oh
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Ali Jawad
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Hwan Hyun
- Veterinary Medical Center and College of Veterinary Medicine, Laboratory of Veterinary Embryology and Biotechnology (VETEMBIO), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine (ISCRM), Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
- Graduate School of Veterinary Biosecurity and Protection, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Yao K, Fang L, Sun Y. The transcriptional foundations of interferon-λ-mediated endometrial cell to uterine receptivity. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 90:e13718. [PMID: 37382172 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Interferon-λ (IFN-λ) is a novel non-redundant regulator that participates in the fetal-maternal immune interaction, including immune regulation, uterine receptivity, cell migration and adhesion, and endometrium apoptosis. However, the exact transcriptional foundation for endometrial signaling of IFN-λ is not completely understood, and studies regarding IFN-λ to implantation failure in vivo are limited. METHOD OF STUDY The gene expression profile of human endometrial Ishikawa cell line treated with IFN-λ or IFN-α (100 ng/mL) for 6 h was analyzed using RNA-sequencing. Real-time qPCR, western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests were used to validate these sequencing data. An in vivo IFN-λ knock-down mouse pregnancy model was performed, and the phenotype analysis and the intrauterine biomarkers detection were applied with the uterus samples. RESULTS High levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) were detected for genes previously associated with endometrial receptivity, including LIF, AXL, CRYAB, EPHB2, CCL5, and DDX58, following IFN-λ treatment. Moreover, the data indicated IFN-λ reduced pro-inflammatory gene activity compared with IFN-α, including members of the ISG, TNF, SP100 and interleukin genes. The in vivo mouse pregnancy model showed that inhibition of intrauterine IFN-λ results in aberrant epithelial phenotype and significantly decreases the embryo implantation rates and derails normal uterine receptivity. CONCLUSIONS These findings demonstrate the antagonistic and agonistic roles of IFNs in the endometrial cell, suggesting a selective role of IFN-λ in endometrial receptivity and immunological tolerance regulation. Moreover, the findings provide valuable insight into potential biomarkers related to endometrial receptivity and facilitate an understanding of the molecular changes observed during infertility treatment and contraception usage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kezhen Yao
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Li Fang
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Department of Reproductive Endocrinology, Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Meng X, Chen C, Qian J, Cui L, Wang S. Energy metabolism and maternal-fetal tolerance working in decidualization. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1203719. [PMID: 37404833 PMCID: PMC10315848 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1203719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
One pivotal aspect of early pregnancy is decidualization. The decidualization process includes two components: the differentiation of endometrial stromal cells to decidual stromal cells (DSCs), as well as the recruitment and education of decidual immune cells (DICs). At the maternal-fetal interface, stromal cells undergo morphological and phenotypic changes and interact with trophoblasts and DICs to provide an appropriate decidual bed and tolerogenic immune environment to maintain the survival of the semi-allogeneic fetus without causing immunological rejection. Despite classic endocrine mechanism by 17 β-estradiol and progesterone, metabolic regulations do take part in this process according to recent studies. And based on our previous research in maternal-fetal crosstalk, in this review, we elaborate mechanisms of decidualization, with a special focus on DSC profiles from aspects of metabolism and maternal-fetal tolerance to provide some new insights into endometrial decidualization in early pregnancy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Liyuan Cui
- *Correspondence: Songcun Wang, ; Liyuan Cui,
| | | |
Collapse
|
34
|
Kim YS, Yuan J, Dewar A, Borg JP, Threadgill DW, Sun X, Dey SK. An unanticipated discourse of HB-EGF with VANGL2 signaling during embryo implantation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2302937120. [PMID: 37155852 PMCID: PMC10193979 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2302937120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Implantation is the first direct encounter between the embryo and uterus during pregnancy, and Hbegf is the earliest known molecular signaling for embryo-uterine crosstalk during implantation. The downstream effectors of heparin-binding EGF (HB-EGF) in implantation remain elusive due to the complexity of EGF receptor family. This study shows that the formation of implantation chamber (crypt) triggered by HB-EGF is disrupted by uterine deletion of Vangl2, a key planar cell polarity component (PCP). We found that HB-EGF binds to ERBB2 and ERBB3 to recruit VANGL2 for tyrosine phosphorylation. Using in vivo models, we show that uterine VAGL2 tyrosine phosphorylation is suppressed in Erbb2/Erbb3 double conditional knockout mice. In this context, severe implantation defects in these mice lend support to the critical role of HB-EGF-ERBB2/3-VANGL2 in establishing a two-way dialogue between the blastocyst and uterus. In addition, the result addresses an outstanding question how VANGL2 is activated during implantation. Taken together, these observations reveal that HB-EGF regulates the implantation process by influencing uterine epithelial cell polarity comprising VANGL2.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yeon Sun Kim
- Center of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH45299
| | - Jia Yuan
- Center of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH45299
| | - Amanda Dewar
- Center of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH45299
| | - Jean-Paul Borg
- Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Marseille, Aix Marseille Univ UM105, Inst Paoli Calmettes, UMR7258 CNRS, U1068 INSERM, Cell Polarity, Cell Signalling and Cancer - Equipe labellisée Ligue Contre le Cancer, 13009Marseille, France
- Institut Universitaire de France, 73231Paris, France
| | - David W. Threadgill
- Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Texas A & M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - Xiaofei Sun
- Center of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH45299
| | - Sudhansu K. Dey
- Center of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH45299
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Ko EJ, Shin JE, Lee JY, Ryu CS, Hwang JY, Kim YR, Ahn EH, Kim JH, Kim NK. Association of Polymorphisms in FSHR, INHA, ESR1, and BMP15 with Recurrent Implantation Failure. Biomedicines 2023; 11:biomedicines11051374. [PMID: 37239044 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11051374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) refers to two or more unsuccessful in vitro fertilization embryo transfers in the same individual. Embryonic characteristics, immunological factors, and coagulation factors are known to be the causes of RIF. Genetic factors have also been reported to be involved in the occurrence of RIF, and some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) may contribute to RIF. We examined SNPs in FSHR, INHA, ESR1, and BMP15, which have been associated with primary ovarian failure. A cohort of 133 RIF patients and 317 healthy controls consisting of all Korean women was included. Genotyping was performed by Taq-Man genotyping assays to determine the frequency of the following polymorphisms: FSHR rs6165, INHA rs11893842 and rs35118453, ESR1 rs9340799 and rs2234693, and BMP15 rs17003221 and rs3810682. The differences in these SNPs were compared between the patient and control groups. Our results demonstrate a decreased prevalence of RIF in subjects with the FSHR rs6165 A>G polymorphism [AA vs. AG adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 0.432; confidence interval (CI) = 0.206-0.908; p = 0.027, AA+AG vs. GG AOR = 0.434; CI = 0.213-0.885; p = 0.022]. Based on a genotype combination analysis, the GG/AA (FSHR rs6165/ESR1 rs9340799: OR = 0.250; CI = 0.072-0.874; p = 0.030) and GG-CC (FSHR rs6165/BMP15 rs3810682: OR = 0.466; CI = 0.220-0.987; p = 0.046) alleles were also associated with a decreased RIF risk. Additionally, the FSHR rs6165GG and BMP15 rs17003221TT+TC genotype combination was associated with a decreased RIF risk (OR = 0.430; CI = 0.210-0.877; p = 0.020) and increased FSH levels, as assessed by an analysis of variance. The FSHR rs6165 polymorphism and genotype combinations are significantly associated with RIF development in Korean women.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eun-Ju Ko
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Shin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Center of CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam 13520, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung-Yong Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Soo Ryu
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Young Hwang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Center of CHA Gangnam Medical Center, CHA University, Seoul 06125, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Ran Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Center of CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam 13520, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Hee Ahn
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Center of CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam 13520, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hyang Kim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Center of CHA Bundang Medical Center, CHA University, Seongnam 13520, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Keun Kim
- Department of Biomedical Science, College of Life Science, CHA University, Seongnam 13488, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
36
|
Park W, Park J, Park S, Lim W, Song G. Picolinafen exposure induces ROS accumulation and calcium depletion, leading to apoptosis in porcine embryonic trophectoderm and uterine luminal epithelial cells during the peri-implantation period. Theriogenology 2023; 201:12-23. [PMID: 36809717 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 02/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
Abstract
The global use of herbicides accounts for more than 48% of total pesticide usage. Picolinafen is a pyridine carboxylic acid herbicide that is predominantly used to control broadleaf weeds in wheat, barley, corn, and soybeans. Despite its widespread use in agriculture, its toxicity in mammals has rarely been studied. In this study, we first identified the cytotoxic effects of picolinafen on porcine trophectoderm (pTr) and luminal epithelial (pLE) cells, which are involved in the implantation process during early pregnancy. Picolinafen treatment significantly decreased the viability of pTr and pLE cells. Our results demonstrate that picolinafen increased the number of sub-G1 phase cells and early/late apoptosis. In addition, picolinafen disrupted mitochondrial function and resulted in the accumulation of intracellular ROS, leading to a reduction in calcium levels in both the mitochondria and cytoplasm of pTr and pLE cells. Moreover, picolinafen was found to significantly inhibit the migration of pTr. These responses were accompanied by the activation of the MAPK and PI3K signal transduction pathways by picolinafen. Our data suggest that the deleterious effects of picolinafen on the viability and migration of pTr and pLE cells might impair their implantation potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Wonhyoung Park
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Junho Park
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunwoo Park
- Department of Plant & Biomaterials Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, 52725, Republic of Korea
| | - Whasun Lim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
| | - Gwonhwa Song
- Institute of Animal Molecular Biotechnology and Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Ogo FM, Siervo GEML, Praxedes AM, Vieira HR, da Silva Scarton SR, Bitencourt ATG, Arena AC, Simão ANC, Guerra MT, de Freitas Mathias PC, Fernandes GSA. Gestational exposure to continuous light impairs the development of the female reproductive system in adult Wistar rat offspring. Birth Defects Res 2023; 115:710-721. [PMID: 36929866 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.2161] [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: 05/15/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It has been suggested that maternal exposure to constant light during the gestational period could be considered as a chronic stressor, impairing offspring development by interfering in neuroendocrine and behavior responses. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate whether maternal exposure to continuous light during pregnancy affects the adult reproductive system in the female offspring. MATERIALS AND METHODS Pregnant Wistar rats were allocated into light-dark (LD) group, exposed to light and dark photoperiod during gestation, and the light-light (LL) group, exposed to a photoperiod of constant light during gestation. After birth, pups were maintained under normal light-dark photoperiod until adulthood. At postnatal day 90, blood was collected from the female offspring, to analyze plasma luteinizing hormone (LH) and progesterone levels, and the uterus and ovaries were harvested for morphometric, histological, and oxidative stress evaluations. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Female exposure to continuous light during the intrauterine period resulted in the adult reduction of LH and increased progesterone plasma levels, and uterine injuries a higher number of endometrial glands and reduced levels of antioxidant enzymes, such as glutathione reductase and glutathione S-transferase. In these experimental conditions, gestational continuous light exposure disturbs sex hormone balance and reduces the antioxidant enzymatic activity in the uterus of female offspring in adult life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Mithie Ogo
- Department of General Biology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Londrina, Brazil.,Department of Pathological Sciences, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Glaucia Eloisa Munhoz Lion Siervo
- Department of General Biology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Londrina, Brazil.,Department of Pathological Sciences, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Ana Maria Praxedes
- Laboratory of Secretion Cell Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cell Biology, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Henrique Rodrigues Vieira
- Laboratory of Secretion Cell Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cell Biology, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | - Suellen Ribeiro da Silva Scarton
- Department of General Biology, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Londrina, Brazil.,Department of Pathological Sciences, Biological Sciences Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Londrina, Brazil
| | | | - Arielle Cristina Arena
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista - Botucatu (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Andréa Name Colado Simão
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Analysis and Toxicology, Health Center, State University of Londrina - UEL, Londrina, Brazil
| | - Marina Trevizan Guerra
- Department of Cell Biology, Embryology and Histology, Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul - UFMS, Três Lagoas, Brazil
| | - Paulo Cesar de Freitas Mathias
- Laboratory of Secretion Cell Biology, Department of Biotechnology, Genetics and Cell Biology, State University of Maringá, Maringá, Brazil
| | | |
Collapse
|
38
|
Li B, Yan YP, He YY, Liang C, Li MY, Wang Y, Yang ZM. IHH, SHH, and primary cilia mediate epithelial-stromal cross-talk during decidualization in mice. Sci Signal 2023; 16:eadd0645. [PMID: 36853961 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.add0645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
The establishment of pregnancy depends on interactions between the epithelial and stromal cells of the endometrium that drive the decidual reaction that remodels the stroma and enables embryo implantation. Decidualization in mice also depends on ovarian hormones and the presence of a blastocyst. Hedgehog signaling is transduced by primary cilia in many tissues and is involved in epithelial-stromal cross-talk during decidualization. We found that primary cilia on mouse uterine stromal cells increased in number and length during early pregnancy and were required for decidualization. In vitro and in vivo, progesterone promoted stromal ciliogenesis and the production of Indian hedgehog (IHH) in the epithelium and Sonic hedgehog (SHH) in the stroma. Blastocyst-derived TNF-α also induced epithelial IHH, which stimulated the production of SHH in the stroma through a mechanism that may involve the release of arachidonic acid from epithelial cells. In the stroma, SHH activated canonical Hedgehog signaling through primary cilia and promoted decidualization through a mechanism that depended on interleukin-11 (IL-11) and primary cilia. Our findings identify a primary cilia-dependent network that controls endometrial decidualization and suggest primary cilia as a candidate therapeutic target for endometrial diseases.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountain Region, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ya-Ping Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Yu-Ying He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Chen Liang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Meng-Yuan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Ying Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| | - Zeng-Ming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction in the Plateau Mountain Region, College of Animal Science, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China.,College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, China
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin-Stimulated Interleukin-4-Induced-1 (IL4I1) Promotes Human Decidualization via Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043163. [PMID: 36834576 PMCID: PMC9959871 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Decidualization is necessary for the successful establishment of early pregnancy in rodents and humans. Disturbed decidualization results in recurrent implantation failure, recurrent spontaneous abortion, and preeclampsia. Tryptophan (Trp), one of the essential amino acids in humans, has a positive effect on mammalian pregnancy. Interleukin 4-induced gene 1 (IL4I1) is a recently identified enzyme that can metabolize L-Trp to activate aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). Although IDO1-catalyzed kynurenine (Kyn) from Trp has been shown to enhance human in vitro decidualization via activating AHR, whether IL4I1-catalyzed metabolites of Trp are involved in human decidualization is still unknown. In our study, human chorionic gonadotropin stimulates IL4I1 expression and secretion from human endometrial epithelial cells through ornithine decarboxylase-induced putrescine production. Either IL4I1-catalyzed indole-3-pyruvic acid (I3P) or its metabolite indole-3-aldehyde (I3A) from Trp is able to induce human in vitro decidualization by activating AHR. As a target gene of AHR, Epiregulin induced by I3P and I3A promotes human in vitro decidualization. Our study indicates that IL4I1-catalyzed metabolites from Trp can enhance human in vitro decidualization through AHR-Epiregulin pathway.
Collapse
|
40
|
Soylu H, Aksu K, Golal E, Ustunel I, Izgut-Uysal VN, Acar N. Expression of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) in mouse uterus during the peri-implantation period. Biotech Histochem 2023; 98:132-139. [PMID: 36245360 DOI: 10.1080/10520295.2022.2127156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor- 2 (Nrf2) is a nuclear transcription factor that facilitates transcription of genes for detoxification enzymes and antioxidant proteins. We investigated the distribution and expression of Nrf2 during the peri-implantation period. We detected Nrf2 in uteri of mice during estrus (control) and on days 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of pregnancy using immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blotting. Nrf2 immunostaining was significantly greater on days 1, 5 and 6 of pregnancy compared to controls, and on days 4 and 8 of pregnancy; western blotting results were consistent with immunohistochemical observations. Nrf2 mRNA levels on days 5 and 8 were significantly higher than for control uteri. Increased expression of Nrf2 on days 1, 5 and 6 of pregnancy may be important for uterine receptivity, implantation and decidualization by protecting the developing embryo and uterus from the adverse effects of oxidative stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hakan Soylu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Duzce University, Duzce, Turkey
| | - Kubra Aksu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ezgi Golal
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ismail Ustunel
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - V Nimet Izgut-Uysal
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey.,Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Nuray Acar
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
41
|
DNA Methylation and Histone Modification Are the Possible Regulators of Preimplantation Blastocyst Activation in Mice. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:494-525. [PMID: 35641857 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00988-x] [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: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Under ovarian hormone control, dormant blastocysts obtain implantation capacity (known as blastocyst activation) through their global gene expression. After the activated blastocysts communicate with the receptive uterus, the implantation-competent blastocysts start the implantation. Although dormant and activated blastocysts have different gene expression levels, the regulatory mechanisms underlying these transcriptions remain unclear. Hence, this study aimed to analyze epigenetic marks in dormant and activated blastocysts. In mice, blastocyst dormancy is artificially induced by daily progesterone injection without estrogen supplementation after peri-implantation ovariectomy; when estrogen is administered concomitantly, blastocyst activation and implantation occur. These phenomena demonstrate a mouse model of delayed implantation. We collected dormant and activated blastocysts from a delayed implantation mouse model. RNA-seq, methylated DNA immunoprecipitation (MeDIP)-seq, and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq for H3K4 me3 and H3K27 me3 were performed using dormant and activated blastocysts. Cell cycle-related transcripts were affected during blastocyst activation. DNA methylations were accumulated in downregulated genes in the activated blastocysts. Histone H3 trimethylations were globally altered between the dormant and activated blastocysts. Dormant and activated blastocysts have unique methylation patterns on DNA and histone H3, with high correlation to gene expression. DNA methylation and histone modification can regulate preimplantation blastocyst activation.
Collapse
|
42
|
Xu H, Yi T, Liu M, Gao R, Liu X, He J, Ding Y, Geng Y, Mu X, Wang Y, Chen X. Exposure to Benzo(a)pyrene promotes proliferation and inhibits differentiation of stromal cells in mice during decidualization. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 251:114531. [PMID: 36641866 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.114531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The environmental pollutant Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) has an adverse effect on the reproductive performance of mammals. We previously showed that BaP treatment during early pregnancy damages endometrial morphology and impairs embryo implantation. Endometrial decidualization at the implantation site (IS) after embryo implantation is crucial for pregnancy maintenance and placental development. The balance between proliferation and differentiation in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) is a crucial event of decidualization, which is regulated by the cell cycle. Here, we report that abnormal decidualization caused by BaP is associated with cell cycle disturbance of stromal cells. The mice in the treatment group were gavaged with 0.2 mg/kg/day BaP from day 1-8 of pregnancy, while those in control were gavaged with corn oil in parallel. BaP damaged the decidualization of ESCs and reduced the number of polyploid cells. Meanwhile, BaP up-regulated the expression of Ki67 and PCNA, affecting the differentiation of stromal cells. The cell cycle progression analysis during decidualization in vivo and in vitro showed that BaP induced polyploid cells deficiency with enhanced expressions of CyclinA(E)/CDK2, CyclinD/CDK4 and CyclinB/CDK1, which promote the transformation of cells from G1 to S phase and simultaneously activate the G2/M phase. The above results indicated that BaP exposure accelerates cell cycle progression, promotes ESC proliferation, inhibits differentiation, and impedes proper decidualization and polyploidy development. Thus, the imbalance of ESC proliferation and differentiation would be an important mechanism for BaP-induced defective decidualization.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hanting Xu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Ting Yi
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Chongqing Tongnan Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Chongqing 402660, PR China
| | - Min Liu
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; School of Public Health and Management, Chongqing Three Gorges Medical College, Chongqing 404120, PR China
| | - Rufei Gao
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Xueqing Liu
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Junlin He
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Yubin Ding
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Yanqing Geng
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Xinyi Mu
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Yingxiong Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, PR China; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Childrens' Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 401147, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Chen Q, Shan D, Xie Y, Luo X, Wu Y, Chen Q, Dong R, Hu Y. Single cell RNA sequencing research in maternal fetal interface. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 10:1079961. [PMID: 36704195 PMCID: PMC9871254 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1079961] [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: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The maternal-fetal interface is an essential environment for embryonic growth and development, and a successful pregnancy depends on the dynamic balance of the microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface. Single-cell sequencing, which unlike bulk sequencing that provides averaged data, is a robust method for interpreting the cellular and molecular landscape at single-cell resolution. With the support of single-cell sequencing, the issue of maternal-fetal interface heterogeneity during pregnancy has been more deeply elaborated and understood, which is important for a deeper understanding of physiological and pathological pregnancy. In this paper, we analyze the recent studies of single-cell transcriptomics in the maternal-fetal interface, and provide new directions for understanding and treating various pathological pregnancies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qian Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Qian Chen, ; Yayi Hu,
| | - Dan Shan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Yupei Xie
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Xingrong Luo
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuxia Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiuhe Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Ruihong Dong
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
| | - Yayi Hu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China,Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Sichuan University, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China,Qingbaijiang Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Chengdu, China,*Correspondence: Qian Chen, ; Yayi Hu,
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Cai X, Jiang Y, Cao Z, Zhang M, Kong N, Yu L, Tang Y, Kong S, Deng W, Wang H, Sun J, Ding L, Jiang R, Sun H, Yan G. Mst1-mediated phosphorylation of Nur77 improves the endometrial receptivity in human and mice. EBioMedicine 2023; 88:104433. [PMID: 36623453 PMCID: PMC9841229 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2022.104433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Successful embryo implantation requires the attachment of a blastocyst to the receptive endometrial epithelium, which was disturbed in the women with recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Endometrial β3-integrin was the most important adhesion molecule contributing to endometrial receptivity in both humans and mice. Nur77 has been proven indispensable for fertility in mice, here we explore the role of Nur77 on embryo-epithelial adhesion and potential treatment to embryo implantation failure. METHODS The expression and location of Mst1 and Nur77 in endometrium from fertile women and RIF patients were examined by IHC, qRT-PCR and Western blotting. In vitro kinase assay following with LC-MS/MS were used to identify the phosphorylation site of Nur77 activated by Mst1. The phosphorylated Nur77 was detected by phos-tag SDS-PAGE assay and specific antibody against phospho-Nur77-Thr366. The effect of embryo-epithelium interaction was determined in the BeWo spheroid or mouse embryo adhesion assay, and delayed implantation mouse model. RNA-seq was used to explore the mechanism by which Nur77 derived peptide promotes endometrial receptivity. FINDINGS Endometrial Mammalian sterile 20 (STE20)-like kinase 1 (Mst1) expression level was decreased in the women with RIF than that in the fertile control group, while Mst1 activation in the epithelial cells promoted trophoblast-uterine epithelium adhesion. The effect of Nur77 mediated trophoblast-uterine epithelium adhesion was facilitated by active Mst1. Mechanistically, mst1 promotes the transcription activity of Nur77 by phosphorylating Nur77 at threonine 366 (T366), and consequently increased downstream target β3-integrin expression. Furthermore, a Nur77-derived peptide containing phosphorylated T366 markedly promoted mouse embryo attachment to Ishikawa cells ([4 (2-4)] vs [3 (2-4)]) and increased the embryo implantation rate (4 vs 1.4) in a delayed implantation mouse model by regulating integrin signalling. Finally, it is observed that the endometrial phospho-Nur77 (T366) level is decreased by 80% in the women with RIF. INTERPRETATION In addition to uncovering a potential regulatory mechanism of Mst1/Nur77/β3-integrin signal axis involved in the regulation of embryo-epithelium interaction, our finding provides a novel marker of endometrial receptivity and a potential therapeutic agent for embryo implantation failure. FUNDING National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC1004400), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82171653, 82271698, 82030040, 81971387 and 30900727), and National Institutes of Health grants (R01HL103869).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Cai
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhiwen Cao
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Mei Zhang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Na Kong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lina Yu
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yedong Tang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR China
| | - Shuangbo Kong
- Reproductive Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR China
| | - Wenbo Deng
- Reproductive Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR China
| | - Haibin Wang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, PR China
| | - Jianxin Sun
- Department of Medicine, Center for Translational Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, USA
| | - Lijun Ding
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China,Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ruiwei Jiang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Haixiang Sun
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Guijun Yan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, China; Center for Molecular Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China; State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Nanjing University, 210032 Nanjing, China.
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Zhang D, Wang Z, Luo X, Guo H, Qiu G, Gong Y, Gao H, Cui S. Cysteine dioxygenase and taurine are essential for embryo implantation by involving in E 2-ERα and P 4-PR signaling in mouse. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2023; 14:6. [PMID: 36604722 PMCID: PMC9814424 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00804-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Taurine performs multiple physiological functions, and the maintenance of taurine level for most mammals relies on active uptake from diet and endogenous taurine synthesis through its synthesis enzymes, including cysteine dioxygenase (CDO). In addition, uterus tissue and uterus fluid are rich in taurine, and taurine synthesis is regulated by estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4), the key hormones priming embryo-uterine crosstalk during embryo implantation, but the functional interactions and mechanisms among which are largely unknown. The present study was thus proposed to identify the effects of CDO and taurine on embryo implantation and related mechanisms by using Cdo knockout (KO) and ovariectomy (OVX) mouse models. RESULTS The uterine CDO expression was assayed from the first day of plugging (d 1) to d 8 and the results showed that CDO expression level increased from d 1 to d 4, followed by a significant decline on d 5 and persisted to d 8, which was highly correlated with serum and uterine taurine levels, and serum P4 concentration. Next, Cdo KO mouse was established by CRISPER/Cas9. It was showed that Cdo deletion sharply decreased the taurine levels both in serum and uterus tissue, causing implantation defects and severe subfertility. However, the implantation defects in Cdo KO mice were partly rescued by the taurine supplementation. In addition, Cdo deletion led to a sharp decrease in the expressions of P4 receptor (PR) and its responsive genes Ihh, Hoxa10 and Hand2. Although the expression of uterine estrogen receptor (ERα) had no significant change, the levels of ERα induced genes (Muc1, Ltf) during the implantation window were upregulated after Cdo deletion. These accompanied by the suppression of stroma cell proliferation. Meanwhile, E2 inhibited CDO expression through ERα and P4 upregulated CDO expression through PR. CONCLUSION The present study firstly demonstrates that taurine and CDO play prominent roles in uterine receptivity and embryo implantation by involving in E2-ERα and P4-PR signaling. These are crucial for our understanding the mechanism of embryo implantation, and infer that taurine is a potential agent for improving reproductive efficiency of livestock industry and reproductive medicine.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Di Zhang
- grid.268415.cCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.268415.cJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhijuan Wang
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuan Luo
- grid.22935.3f0000 0004 0530 8290State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, 100193 Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongzhou Guo
- grid.268415.cCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.268415.cJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Guobin Qiu
- grid.268415.cCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.268415.cJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuneng Gong
- grid.268415.cCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.268415.cJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Hongxu Gao
- grid.268415.cCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.268415.cJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China
| | - Sheng Cui
- grid.268415.cCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.268415.cJiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009 People’s Republic of China ,grid.268415.cInstitute of Reproduction and Metabolism, Yangzhou University, 225009 Jiangsu, People’s Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Seki M, Takeuchi E, Fukui E, Matsumoto H. Upregulation of iNOS and phosphorylated eNOS in the implantation-induced blastocysts of mice. Reprod Med Biol 2023; 22:e12545. [PMID: 37841392 PMCID: PMC10568119 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 08/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aimed to examine expressions of iNOS and phosphorylated eNOS (p-eNOS) in implantation-induced blastocysts. We also examined the upstream of p-eNOS. Methods To address the protein expressions in implantation-induced blastocysts, we performed immunohistochemical analysis using a delayed implantation mouse model. Immunostaining for iNOS, p-eNOS, and p-Akt was done. To address the relationship between p-eNOS and p-Akt, activated blastocysts were treated with an Akt inhibitor, MK-2206. Results iNOS expression was at low levels in dormant blastocysts, whereas the expression was significantly increased in the activated blastocysts. Double staining of p-eNOS and p-Akt in individual blastocysts showed colocalization of p-eNOS and p-Akt of the trophectoderm. p-eNOS and p-Akt expressions were at low levels in dormant blastocysts, whereas both of them were significantly increased in the activated blastocysts. Both dormant and activated blastocysts showed significant positive correlations between p-eNOS and p-Akt. MK-2206 treatment for activated blastocysts showed that blastocysts with lower p-Akt had significantly lower p-eNOS levels. Conclusions iNOS and p-eNOS, Ca2+ independent NOS, are upregulated by E2 in the blastocysts during implantation activation. Furthermore, p-eNOS is upregulated in implantation-induced blastocysts downstream of p-Akt.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Misato Seki
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, School of AgricultureUtsunomiya UniversityUtsunomiya, TochigiJapan
| | - Eisaku Takeuchi
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, School of AgricultureUtsunomiya UniversityUtsunomiya, TochigiJapan
| | - Emiko Fukui
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, School of AgricultureUtsunomiya UniversityUtsunomiya, TochigiJapan
- Center for Bioscience Research and EducationUtsunomiya UniversityUtsunomiya, TochigiJapan
| | - Hiromichi Matsumoto
- Laboratory of Animal Breeding and Reproduction, Division of Animal Science, School of AgricultureUtsunomiya UniversityUtsunomiya, TochigiJapan
- Center for Bioscience Research and EducationUtsunomiya UniversityUtsunomiya, TochigiJapan
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Xia X, Zhang Y, Cao M, Yu X, Gao L, Qin L, Wu W, Cui Y, Liu J. Adverse effect of assisted reproductive technology-related hyperoestrogensim on the secretion and absorption of uterine fluid in superovulating mice during the peri-implantation period. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:859204. [PMID: 36950692 PMCID: PMC10027003 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.859204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanism of hyperoestrogensim elicited by ovulation induction affects endometrial receptivity and leads to embryo implantation abnormality or failure. STUDY DESIGN Establishment of ovulation induction mouse model. Changes in mouse body weight, ovarian weight, serum E2 level and oestrous cycle were observed. During the peri-implantation period, morphological changes in the mouse uterus and implantation sites and the localization and protein levels of oestrogen receptors ERα and ERβ, the tight junction factors CLDN3 and OCLN, the aquaporins AQP3, AQP4 and AQP8, and the sodium channel proteins SCNN1α, SCNN1β and SCNN1γ were observed. The expression and cellular localization of ERα, CLDN3, AQP8 and SCNN1 β in RL95-2 cell line were also detected by western blotting and immunofluorescence. RESULTS Ovarian and body weights were significantly higher in the 5 IU and 10 IU groups than in the CON group. The E2 level was significantly higher in the 10 IU group than in the CON group. The mice in the 10 IU group had a disordered oestrous cycle and were in oestrus for a long time. At 5.5 dpc, significantly fewer implantation sites were observed in the 10 IU group than in the CON (p<0.001) and 5 IU (p<0.05) groups. The probability of abnormal implantation and abortion was higher in the 10 IU group than in the CON and 5 IU groups. CLDN3, OCLN, AQP8 and SCNN1β in the mouse endometrium were localized on the luminal epithelium and glandular epithelium and expression levels were lower in the 10 IU group than in the CON group. The protein expression level of ERα was increased by 50% in the 10 IU group compared to the CON group. The expressions of CLDN3, AQP8, SCNN1β in RL95-2 cell line were significantly depressed by the superphysiological E2, ERα agonist or ERβ agonist, which could be reversed by the oestrogen receptor antagonist. CONCLUSION ART-induced hyperoestrogenism reduces CLDN3, AQP8 and SCNN1β expression through ERα, thereby destroying tight junctions and water and sodium channels in the endometrial cavity epithelium, which may cause abnormal implantation due to abnormal uterine fluid secretion and absorption.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xinru Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meng Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiang Yu
- Department of Pediatrics, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lianju Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yugui Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiayin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Clinical Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jiayin Liu,
| |
Collapse
|
48
|
Lu L, Chen Y, Yang Z, Liang S, Zhu S, Liang X. Expression and Regulation of a Novel Decidual Cells-Derived Estrogen Target during Decidualization. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010302. [PMID: 36613747 PMCID: PMC9820648 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
During decidualization in rodents, uterine stromal cells undergo extensive reprogramming to differentiate into distinct cell types, forming primary decidual zones (PDZs), secondary decidual zones (SDZs), and layers of undifferentiated stromal cells. The formation of secondary decidual zones is accompanied by extensive angiogenesis. During early pregnancy, besides ovarian estrogen, de novo synthesis of estrogen in the uterus is essential for the progress of decidualization. However, the molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Studies have shown that Cystatin B (Cstb) is highly expressed in the decidual tissue of the uterus, but the regulation and mechanism of Cstb in the process of decidualization have not been reported. Our results showed that Cstb was highly expressed in mouse decidua and artificially induced deciduoma via in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence. Estrogen stimulates the expression of Cstb through the Estrogen receptor (ER)α. Moreover, in situ synthesis of estrogen in the uterus during decidualization regulates the expression of Cstb. Silencing the expression of Cstb affects the migration ability of stromal cells. Knockdown Cstb by siRNA significantly inhibits the expression of Dtprp, a marker for mouse decidualization. Our study identifies a novel estrogen target, Cstb, during decidualization and reveals that Cstb may play a pivotal role in angiogenesis during mouse decidualization via the Angptl7.
Collapse
|
49
|
Fatmous M, Rai A, Poh QH, Salamonsen LA, Greening DW. Endometrial small extracellular vesicles regulate human trophectodermal cell invasion by reprogramming the phosphoproteome landscape. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:1078096. [PMID: 36619864 PMCID: PMC9813391 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1078096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
A series of cyclical events within the uterus are crucial for pregnancy establishment. These include endometrial regeneration following menses, under the influence of estrogen (proliferative phase), then endometrial differentiation driven by estrogen/progesterone (secretory phase), to provide a microenvironment enabling attachment of embryo (as a hatched blastocyst) to the endometrial epithelium. This is followed by invasion of trophectodermal cells (the outer layer of the blastocyst) into the endometrium tissue to facilitate intrauterine development. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) released by endometrial epithelial cells during the secretory phase have been shown to facilitate trophoblast invasion; however, the molecular mechanisms that underline this process remain poorly understood. Here, we show that density gradient purified sEVs (1.06-1.11 g/ml, Alix+ and TSG101+, ∼180 nm) from human endometrial epithelial cells (hormonally primed with estrogen and progesterone vs. estrogen alone) are readily internalized by a human trophectodermal stem cell line and promote their invasion into Matrigel matrix. Mass spectrometry-based proteome analysis revealed that sEVs reprogrammed trophectoderm cell proteome and their cell surface proteome (surfaceome) to support this invasive phenotype through upregulation of pro-invasive regulators associated with focal adhesions (NRP1, PTPRK, ROCK2, TEK), embryo implantation (FBLN1, NIBAN2, BSG), and kinase receptors (EPHB4/B2, ERBB2, STRAP). Kinase substrate prediction highlighted a central role of MAPK3 as an upstream kinase regulating target cell proteome reprogramming. Phosphoproteome analysis pinpointed upregulation of MAPK3 T204/T202 phosphosites in hTSCs following sEV delivery, and that their pharmacological inhibition significantly abrogated invasion. This study provides novel molecular insights into endometrial sEVs orchestrating trophoblast invasion, highlighting the microenvironmental regulation of hTSCs during embryo implantation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Monique Fatmous
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Microbiology, Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, La Trobe University (LTU), Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Alin Rai
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, LTU, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Qi Hui Poh
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, LTU, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, LTU, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Lois A. Salamonsen
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia,Department of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - David W. Greening
- Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Baker Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, LTU, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, LTU, Melbourne, VIC, Australia,*Correspondence: David W. Greening,
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Jia S, Wilbourne J, Crossen MJ, Zhao F. Morphogenesis of the female reproductive tract along antero-posterior and dorso-ventral axes is dependent on Amhr2+ mesenchyme in mice†. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1477-1489. [PMID: 36130202 PMCID: PMC9752753 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphogenesis of the female reproductive tract is regulated by the mesenchyme. However, the identity of the mesenchymal lineage that directs the morphogenesis of the female reproductive tract has not been determined. Using in vivo genetic cell ablation, we identified Amhr2+ mesenchyme as an essential mesenchymal population in patterning the female reproductive tract. After partial ablation of Amhr2+ mesenchymal cells, the oviduct failed to develop its characteristic coiling due to decreased epithelial proliferation and tubule elongation during development. The uterus displayed a reduction in size and showed decreased cellular proliferation in both epithelial and mesenchymal compartments. More importantly, in the uterus, partial ablation of Amhr2+ mesenchyme caused abnormal lumen shape and altered the direction of its long axis from the dorsal-ventral axis to the left-right axis (i.e., perpendicular to the dorsal-ventral axis). Despite these morphological defects, epithelia underwent normal differentiation into secretory and ciliated cells in the oviduct and glandular epithelial cells in the uterus. These results demonstrated that Amhr2+ mesenchyme can direct female reproductive tract morphogenesis by regulating epithelial proliferation and lumen shape without affecting the differentiation of epithelial cell types.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Jia
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jillian Wilbourne
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - McKenna J Crossen
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Fei Zhao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| |
Collapse
|