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Lewis EL, Reichenberger ER, Anton L, Gonzalez MV, Taylor DM, Porrett PM, Elovitz MA. Regulatory T cell adoptive transfer alters uterine immune populations, increasing a novel MHC-II low macrophage associated with healthy pregnancy. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1256453. [PMID: 37901247 PMCID: PMC10611509 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1256453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Intrauterine fetal demise (IUFD) - fetal loss after 20 weeks - affects 6 pregnancies per 1,000 live births in the United States, and the majority are of unknown etiology. Maternal systemic regulatory T cell (Treg) deficits have been implicated in fetal loss, but whether mucosal immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface contribute to fetal loss is under-explored. We hypothesized that the immune cell composition and function of the uterine mucosa would contribute to the pathogenesis of IUFD. To investigate local immune mechanisms of IUFD, we used the CBA mouse strain, which naturally has mid-late gestation fetal loss. We performed a Treg adoptive transfer and interrogated both pregnancy outcomes and the impact of systemic maternal Tregs on mucosal immune populations at the maternal-fetal interface. Treg transfer prevented fetal loss and increased an MHC-IIlow population of uterine macrophages. Single-cell RNA-sequencing was utilized to precisely evaluate the impact of systemic Tregs on uterine myeloid populations. A population of C1q+, Trem2+, MHC-IIlow uterine macrophages were increased in Treg-recipient mice. The transcriptional signature of this novel uterine macrophage subtype is enriched in multiple studies of human healthy decidual macrophages, suggesting a conserved role for these macrophages in preventing fetal loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L. Lewis
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Erin R. Reichenberger
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Lauren Anton
- Center for Research on Reproduction and Women’s Health, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michael V. Gonzalez
- Center for Cytokine Storm Treatment & Laboratory, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Center for Applied Genomics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Deanne M. Taylor
- Department of Biomedical and Health Informatics, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Paige M. Porrett
- Department of Surgery, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Michal A. Elovitz
- Women’s Biomedical Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, United States
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Li B, Duan H, Wang S, Wu J, Li Y. Gradient Boosting Machine Learning Model for Defective Endometrial Receptivity Prediction by Macrophage-Endometrium Interaction Modules. Front Immunol 2022; 13:842607. [PMID: 35603216 PMCID: PMC9120433 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.842607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background A receptive endometrium is a prerequisite for successful embryo implantation. Mounting evidence shows that nearly one-third of infertility and implantation failures are caused by defective endometrial receptivity. This study pooled 218 subjects from multiple datasets to investigate the association of the immune infiltration level with reproductive outcome. Additionally, macrophage-endometrium interaction modules were constructed to explore an accurate and cost-effective approach to endometrial receptivity assessment. Methods Immune-infiltration levels in 4 GEO datasets (n=218) were analyzed and validated through meta-analysis. Macrophage-endometrium interaction modules were selected based on the weighted gene co-expression network in GSE58144 and differentially expressed genes dominated by GSE19834 dataset. Xgboost, random forests, and regression algorithms were applied to predictive models. Subsequently, the efficacy of the models was compared and validated in the GSE165004 dataset. Forty clinical samples (RT-PCR and western blot) were performed for expression and model validation, and the results were compared to those of endometrial thickness in clinical pregnancy assessment. Results Altered levels of Mϕs infiltration were shown to critically influence embryo implantation. The three selected modules, manifested as macrophage-endometrium interactions, were enrichment in the immunoreactivity, decidualization, and signaling functions and pathways. Moreover, hub genes within the modules exerted significant reproductive prognostic effects. The xgboost algorithm showed the best performance among the machine learning models, with AUCs of 0.998 (95% CI 0.994-1) and 0.993 (95% CI 0.979-1) in GSE58144 and GSE165004 datasets, respectively. These results were significantly superior to those of the other two models (random forest and regression). Similarly, the model was significantly superior to ultrasonography (endometrial thickness) with a better cost-benefit ratio in the population. Conclusion Successful embryo implantation is associated with infiltration levels of Mϕs, manifested in genetic modules involved in macrophage-endometrium interactions. Therefore, utilizing the hub genes in these modules can provide a platform for establishing excellent machine learning models to predict reproductive outcomes in patients with defective endometrial receptivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohan Li
- Department of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Center, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hua Duan
- Department of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Center, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Sha Wang
- Department of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Center, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jiajing Wu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Yazhu Li
- Department of Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Center, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Beijing, China
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Zhang L, Cao L, Feng P, Han X, Yang L. Complement regulation in ovine lymph nodes during early pregnancy. Exp Ther Med 2021; 23:166. [PMID: 35069847 PMCID: PMC8753979 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.11089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
A fetus changes immune responses in the uterus and the maternal immune system, and lymph nodes are associated with regulating maternal adaptive immunity. Complement activation is associated with abnormal pregnancy in mice and humans. The aim of the present study was to explore the expression levels of complement components in maternal lymph nodes during early pregnancy in sheep. Maternal inguinal lymph nodes were sampled on day 16 of the estrous cycle, and days 13, 16 and 25 of gestation in ewes. Reverse transcription-quantitative PCR, western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses were used to detect the expression levels of complement components C1q, C1r, C1s, C2, C3, C4a, C5b and C9 in the lymph nodes. The results revealed that the protein and mRNA levels of C1q, C1s and C5b were enhanced during early pregnancy, and that C1r and C4a were upregulated at day 25 of pregnancy. The mRNA and protein levels of C2 and C9 peaked at day 16 of pregnancy, but C3 was decreased at day 25 of pregnancy. C3 protein was located in the subcapsular sinuses and lymph sinuses of the maternal lymph node. In summary, the present study detected changes in the expression levels of complement components in maternal lymph nodes, which may be associated with maternal immune regulation during early pregnancy in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leying Zhang
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, P.R. China
| | - Lidong Cao
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, P.R. China
| | - Pengfei Feng
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, P.R. China
| | - Xu Han
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, P.R. China
| | - Ling Yang
- Department of Animal Science, School of Life Sciences and Food Engineering, Hebei University of Engineering, Handan, Hebei 056038, P.R. China
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Jena MK, Nayak N, Chen K, Nayak NR. Role of Macrophages in Pregnancy and Related Complications. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 2019; 67:295-309. [PMID: 31286151 PMCID: PMC7140981 DOI: 10.1007/s00005-019-00552-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Macrophages (MФs) are the leukocytes produced from differentiation of monocytes and are located in almost all tissues of human body. They are involved in various processes, such as phagocytosis, innate and adaptive immunity, proinflammatory (M1) and anti-inflammatory (M2) activity, depending on the tissue microenvironment. They play a crucial role in pregnancy, and their dysfunction or alteration of polarity is involved in pregnancy disorders, like preeclampsia, recurrent spontaneous abortion, infertility, intrauterine growth restriction, and preterm labor. About 50-60% of decidual leukocytes are natural killer (NK) cells followed by MФs (the second largest population). MФs are actively involved in trophoblast invasion, tissue and vascular remodeling during early pregnancy, besides their role as major antigen-presenting cells in the decidua. These cells have different phenotypes and polarities in different stages of pregnancy. They have also been observed to enhance tumor growth by their anti-inflammatory activity (M2 type) and prevent immunogenic rejection. Targeted alteration of polarity (M1-M2 or vice versa) could be a major focus in the future treatment of pregnancy complications. This review is focused on the role of MФs in pregnancy, their involvement in pregnancy disorders, and decidual MФs as possible therapeutic targets for the treatment of pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manoj K Jena
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA.
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bioengineering and Biosciences, Lovely Professional University (LPU), Phagwara, Punjab, India.
| | - Neha Nayak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Kang Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
| | - Nihar R Nayak
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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Sheng YR, Hu WT, Wei CY, Tang LL, Liu YK, Liu YY, Qiu JP, Li DJ, Zhu XY. Insights of efferocytosis in normal and pathological pregnancy. Am J Reprod Immunol 2019; 82:e13088. [PMID: 30614132 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/31/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Efferocytosis, which is known as the phagocytic clearance of dying cells by professional as well as non-professional phagocytes, including a great number of intracellular/extracellular factors and signals, is interrelated with the immune system, contributing to local and systemic homeostasis, especially in tissues with high constitutive rates of apoptosis. Accumulating studies have indicated that immune dysregulation is associated with the pathogenesis of the female reproductive system, which causes preeclampsia (PE), recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA), ruptured ectopic pregnancy, and so on. And some studies have revealed the pleiotropic and essential role of efferocytosis in these obstetrical disorders. More specifically, the occurrence and development of these diseases were in connection with some efferocytosis-related factors and signals, such as C1q, MBL, and IL-33/ST2. In this review, we systematically review the diverse impacts of efferocytosis in immune system and discuss its relevance to normal and pathological pregnancy. These findings may instruct future basic researches as well as clinical applications of efferocytosis-related factors and signals as latent predictors or therapeutic targets on the obstetrical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan-Ran Sheng
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Ting Hu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Chun-Yan Wei
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling-Li Tang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Kai Liu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu-Yin Liu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jian-Ping Qiu
- Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Da-Jin Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Yong Zhu
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, IRD, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, China
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Lu J, Kishore U. C1 Complex: An Adaptable Proteolytic Module for Complement and Non-Complement Functions. Front Immunol 2017; 8:592. [PMID: 28596769 PMCID: PMC5442170 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2017.00592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Complement C1 is the defining component of the classical pathway. Within the C1qC1r2C1s2 complex, C1q functions as a molecular scaffold for C1r2C1s2 and C1q binding to its ligands activates these two serine proteases. The classic C1q ligands are antigen-bound antibodies and activated C1s cleaves C4 and C2 to initiate the complement cascade. Recent studies suggest broad C1 functions beyond the complement system. C1q binds to the Frizzled receptors to activate C1s, which cleaves lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 to trigger aging-associated Wnt receptor signaling. C1q binds to apoptotic cells and the activated C1 proteases cleave nuclear antigens. C1s also cleaves MHC class I molecule and potentially numerous other proteins. The diversity of C1q ligands and C1 protease substrates renders C1 complex versatile and modular so that it can adapt to multiple molecular and cellular processes besides the complement system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhua Lu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and Immunology Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Uday Kishore
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, UK
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Agostinis C, Tedesco F, Bulla R. Alternative functions of the complement protein C1q at embryo implantation site. J Reprod Immunol 2016; 119:74-80. [PMID: 27687635 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2016.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2016] [Revised: 09/01/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Complement component C1q is one of the recognition molecules of the complement system which can serve several functions unrelated to complement activation. This molecule is produced at foeto-maternal interface by macrophages as wells as by decidual endothelial cells and invading trophoblast. Foetal trophoblast cells migrating through the decidua in the early stages of pregnancy synthesize and express C1q on their surface, which is actively involved in promoting trophoblast endovascular and interstitial invasion of the decidua. These functions are mediated by two cell surface receptors, gC1qR and α4β1 integrin, which promote trophoblast adhesion and migration through the activation of ERK1/2 MAPKs. C1q-/- mice manifest increased frequency of foetal resorption, reduced foetal weight, and smaller litter size when compared to their wild-type counterparts, suggesting that defective local production of C1q may be involved in pregnancy disorders, such as pre-eclampsia. C1q acts also as a strong angiogenic factor and promotes neovascularization. These studies suggest novel and unexpected roles of this complement component in physiological and pathological pregnancies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Agostinis
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS Burlo Garofolo, 34137, Trieste, Italy
| | | | - Roberta Bulla
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, 34127, Trieste, Italy.
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Kouser L, Madhukaran SP, Shastri A, Saraon A, Ferluga J, Al-Mozaini M, Kishore U. Emerging and Novel Functions of Complement Protein C1q. Front Immunol 2015; 6:317. [PMID: 26175731 PMCID: PMC4484229 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2015.00317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 113] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/02/2015] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Complement protein C1q, the recognition molecule of the classical pathway, performs a diverse range of complement and non-complement functions. It can bind various ligands derived from self, non-self, and altered self and modulate the functions of immune and non-immune cells including dendritic cells and microglia. C1q involvement in the clearance of apoptotic cells and subsequent B cell tolerance is more established now. Recent evidence appears to suggest that C1q plays an important role in pregnancy where its deficiency and dysregulation can have adverse effects, leading to preeclampsia, missed abortion, miscarriage or spontaneous loss, and various infections. C1q is also produced locally in the central nervous system, and has a protective role against pathogens and possible inflammatory functions while interacting with aggregated proteins leading to neurodegenerative diseases. C1q role in synaptic pruning, and thus CNS development, its anti-cancer effects as an immune surveillance molecule, and possibly in aging are currently areas of extensive research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lubna Kouser
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London , Uxbridge , UK
| | - Shanmuga Priyaa Madhukaran
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London , Uxbridge , UK ; Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute for Advanced Studies, School of Life Sciences , Secunderabad , India
| | - Abhishek Shastri
- St. Ann's Hospital, Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust , Poole , UK
| | - Anuvinder Saraon
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London , Uxbridge , UK
| | - Janez Ferluga
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London , Uxbridge , UK
| | - Maha Al-Mozaini
- Department of Infection and Immunity, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre , Riyadh , Saudi Arabia
| | - Uday Kishore
- Centre for Infection, Immunity and Disease Mechanisms, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London , Uxbridge , UK
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