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Mendoza M, Ballesteros A, Rendon-Correa E, Tonk R, Warren J, Snow AL, Stowell SR, Blois SM, Dveksler G. Modulation of galectin-9 mediated responses in monocytes and T-cells by pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 1. J Biol Chem 2024; 300:107638. [PMID: 39121996 PMCID: PMC11403483 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2024.107638] [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: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Successful pregnancy relies on a coordinated interplay between endocrine, immune, and metabolic processes to sustain fetal growth and development. The orchestration of these processes involves multiple signaling pathways driving cell proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, and immune regulation necessary for a healthy pregnancy. Among the molecules supporting placental development and maternal tolerance, the families of pregnancy-specific glycoproteins and galectins are of great interest in reproductive biology. We previously found that PSG1 can bind to galectin-1 (GAL-1). Herein, we characterized the interaction between PSG1 and other members of the galectin family expressed during pregnancy, including galectin-3, -7, -9, and -13 (GAL-3, GAL-7, GAL-9, and GAL-13). We observed that PSG1 binds to GAL-1, -3, and -9, with the highest apparent affinity seen for GAL-9, and that the interaction of PSG1 with GAL-9 is carbohydrate-dependent. We further investigated the ability of PSG1 to regulate GAL-9 responses in human monocytes, a murine macrophage cell line, and T-cells, and determined whether PSG1 binds to both carbohydrate recognition domains of GAL-9. Additionally, we compared the apparent affinity of GAL-9 binding to PSG1 with other known GAL-9 ligands in these cells, Tim-3 and CD44. Lastly, we explored functional conservation between murine and human PSGs by determining that Psg23, a highly expressed member of the murine Psg family, can bind some murine galectins despite differences in amino acid composition and domain structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirian Mendoza
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Angela Ballesteros
- Section on Sensory Physiology and Biophysics, National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Elizabeth Rendon-Correa
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Rohan Tonk
- Section on Sensory Physiology and Biophysics, National Institute on Deafness and other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - James Warren
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Andrew L Snow
- Department of Pharmacology and Molecular Therapeutics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Sean R Stowell
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sandra M Blois
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; Glyco-HAM, a cooperation of Universität Hamburg, Technology Platform Mass Spectrometry and University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gabriela Dveksler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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Khorami-Sarvestani S, Vanaki N, Shojaeian S, Zarnani K, Stensballe A, Jeddi-Tehrani M, Zarnani AH. Placenta: an old organ with new functions. Front Immunol 2024; 15:1385762. [PMID: 38707901 PMCID: PMC11066266 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1385762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The transition from oviparity to viviparity and the establishment of feto-maternal communications introduced the placenta as the major anatomical site to provide nutrients, gases, and hormones to the developing fetus. The placenta has endocrine functions, orchestrates maternal adaptations to pregnancy at different periods of pregnancy, and acts as a selective barrier to minimize exposure of developing fetus to xenobiotics, pathogens, and parasites. Despite the fact that this ancient organ is central for establishment of a normal pregnancy in eutherians, the placenta remains one of the least studied organs. The first step of pregnancy, embryo implantation, is finely regulated by the trophoectoderm, the precursor of all trophoblast cells. There is a bidirectional communication between placenta and endometrium leading to decidualization, a critical step for maintenance of pregnancy. There are three-direction interactions between the placenta, maternal immune cells, and the endometrium for adaptation of endometrial immune system to the allogeneic fetus. While 65% of all systemically expressed human proteins have been found in the placenta tissues, it expresses numerous placenta-specific proteins, whose expression are dramatically changed in gestational diseases and could serve as biomarkers for early detection of gestational diseases. Surprisingly, placentation and carcinogenesis exhibit numerous shared features in metabolism and cell behavior, proteins and molecular signatures, signaling pathways, and tissue microenvironment, which proposes the concept of "cancer as ectopic trophoblastic cells". By extensive researches in this novel field, a handful of cancer biomarkers has been discovered. This review paper, which has been inspired in part by our extensive experiences during the past couple of years, highlights new aspects of placental functions with emphasis on its immunomodulatory role in establishment of a successful pregnancy and on a potential link between placentation and carcinogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Khorami-Sarvestani
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Vanaki
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sorour Shojaeian
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medical Sciences, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Kayhan Zarnani
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Allan Stensballe
- Department of Health Science and Technology, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
- Clinical Cancer Research Center, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Mahmood Jeddi-Tehrani
- Monoclonal Antibody Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir-Hassan Zarnani
- Reproductive Immunology Research Center, Avicenna Research Institute, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Immunology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Kashiwagi H, Mariya T, Umemoto M, Ogawa S, Hirohashi Y, Fujibe Y, Kubo T, Someya M, Baba T, Ishioka S, Torigoe T, Saito T. Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein 6 is a potential novel diagnostic biomarker of placenta accreta spectrum. Med Mol Morphol 2024; 57:35-44. [PMID: 37831187 DOI: 10.1007/s00795-023-00371-y] [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: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Early diagnosis is essential for the safer perinatal management of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS). We used transcriptome analysis to investigate diagnostic maternal serum biomarkers and the mechanisms of PAS development. We analyzed eight formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded placental specimens from two placenta increta and three placenta percreta cases who underwent cesarean hysterectomy at Sapporo Medical University Hospital between 2013 and 2019. Invaded placental regions were isolated from the uterine myometrium and RNA was extracted. The transcriptome difference between normal placenta and PAS was analyzed by microarray analysis. The PAS group showed markedly decreased expression of placenta-specific genes such as LGALS13 and the pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSG) family. Term enrichment analysis revealed changes in genes related to cellular protein catabolic process, female pregnancy, autophagy, and metabolism of lipids. From the highly dysregulated genes in the PAS group, we investigated the expression of PSG family members, which are secreted into the intervillous space and can be detected in maternal serum from the early stage of pregnancy. The gene expression level of PSG6 in particular was progressively decreased from placenta increta to percreta. The PSG family, especially PSG6, is a potential biomarker for PAS diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazuki Kashiwagi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Tasuku Mariya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan.
| | - Mina Umemoto
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Shiori Ogawa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Yoshihiko Hirohashi
- Department of Pathology 1st, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Yuya Fujibe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Terufumi Kubo
- Department of Pathology 1st, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masayuki Someya
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Baba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Shinichi Ishioka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Torigoe
- Department of Pathology 1st, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, South 1 West 17, Chuo-ku, Sapporo, 060-8556, Japan
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Troncoso MF, Elola MT, Blidner AG, Sarrias L, Espelt MV, Rabinovich GA. The universe of galectin-binding partners and their functions in health and disease. J Biol Chem 2023; 299:105400. [PMID: 37898403 PMCID: PMC10696404 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2023.105400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 10/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Galectins, a family of evolutionarily conserved glycan-binding proteins, play key roles in diverse biological processes including tissue repair, adipogenesis, immune cell homeostasis, angiogenesis, and pathogen recognition. Dysregulation of galectins and their ligands has been observed in a wide range of pathologic conditions including cancer, autoimmune inflammation, infection, fibrosis, and metabolic disorders. Through protein-glycan or protein-protein interactions, these endogenous lectins can shape the initiation, perpetuation, and resolution of these processes, suggesting their potential roles in disease monitoring and treatment. However, despite considerable progress, a full understanding of the biology and therapeutic potential of galectins has not been reached due to their diversity, multiplicity of cell targets, and receptor promiscuity. In this article, we discuss the multiple galectin-binding partners present in different cell types, focusing on their contributions to selected physiologic and pathologic settings. Understanding the molecular bases of galectin-ligand interactions, particularly their glycan-dependency, the biochemical nature of selected receptors, and underlying signaling events, might contribute to designing rational therapeutic strategies to control a broad range of pathologic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- María F Troncoso
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB) Prof Alejandro C. Paladini, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María T Elola
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB) Prof Alejandro C. Paladini, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Ada G Blidner
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Luciana Sarrias
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB) Prof Alejandro C. Paladini, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María V Espelt
- Departamento de Química Biológica, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Instituto de Química y Fisicoquímica Biológicas (IQUIFIB) Prof Alejandro C. Paladini, CONICET-Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Gabriel A Rabinovich
- Laboratorio de Glicomedicina, Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
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Toprak K, Yıldız Z, Akdemir S, Esen K, Kada R, Can Güleç N, Omar B, Biçer A, Demirbağ R. Low pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein is associated with nondipper hypertension and increased risk of preeclampsia in pregnant women with newly diagnosed chronic hypertension. Scand J Clin Lab Invest 2023; 83:479-488. [PMID: 37887078 DOI: 10.1080/00365513.2023.2275083] [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: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Chronic hypertension is one of the major risk factors for preeclampsia. Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (PSG-1) is a protein that plays a critical role in fetomaternal immune modulation and has been shown to be closely associated with pregnancy adverse events such as preeclampsia. It is also known that PSG-1 and its source placenta are associated with many molecular pathways associated with blood pressure regulation. In addition, the nondipping pattern (NDP) of chronic hypertension has been shown to be an independent risk factor for preeclampsia. Dipper individuals experience a notable nighttime drop in blood pressure, typically around 10% or more compared to daytime levels, while nondipper individuals show a smaller nighttime blood pressure decrease, indicating potential circadian blood pressure regulation disruption. In this context, we aimed to reveal the relationship between PSG-1, NDP and preeclampsia in this study. A total of 304 pregnant women who were newly diagnosed in the first trimester and started on antihypertensive medication were included in this study. All subjects performed 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring twice throughout pregnancy, the first in the 1. trimester to confirm the diagnosis of hypertension and the second between 20+0 and 21+1 gestational weeks to determine the dipper-nondipper status of hypertension. Subjects were grouped as dipper and nondipper according to blood pressure, and groups were compared in terms of PSG-1 levels. In this study, low PSG-1 levels and NDP were independently associated with preeclampsia. Findings from this study suggest that PSG-1 may play an important role in the causal relationship between NDP and preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenan Toprak
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Zafer Yıldız
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Siverek State Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Selim Akdemir
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Siverek State Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Kamil Esen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Siverek State Hospital, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Rahime Kada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Nuran Can Güleç
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Bahadır Omar
- Department of Cardiology, Umraniye Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Asuman Biçer
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
| | - Recep Demirbağ
- Department of Cardiology, Faculty of Medicine, Harran University, Sanliurfa, Turkey
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Keighley LM, Lynch-Sutherland CF, Almomani SN, Eccles MR, Macaulay EC. Unveiling the hidden players: The crucial role of transposable elements in the placenta and their potential contribution to pre-eclampsia. Placenta 2023; 141:57-64. [PMID: 37301654 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.05.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The human placenta is a vital connection between maternal and fetal tissues, allowing for the exchange of molecules and modulation of immune interactions during pregnancy. Interestingly, some of the placenta's unique functions can be attributed to transposable elements (TEs), which are DNA sequences that have mobilised into the genome. Co-option throughout mammalian evolution has led to the generation of TE-derived regulators and TE-derived genes, some of which are expressed in the placenta but silenced in somatic tissues. TE genes encompass both TE-derived genes with a repeat element in the coding region and TE-derived regulatory regions such as alternative promoters and enhancers. Placental-specific TE genes are known to contribute to the placenta's unique functions, and interestingly, they are also expressed in some cancers and share similar functions. There is evidence to support that aberrant activity of TE genes may contribute to placental pathologies, cancer and autoimmunity. In this review, we highlight the crucial roles of TE genes in placental function, and how their dysregulation may lead to pre-eclampsia, a common and dangerous placental condition. We provide a summary of the functional TE genes in the placenta to offer insight into their significance in normal and abnormal human development. Ultimately, this review highlights an opportunity for future research to investigate the potential dysregulation of TE genes in the development of placental pathologies such as pre-eclampsia. Further understanding of TE genes and their role in the placenta could lead to significant improvements in maternal and fetal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura M Keighley
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand
| | - Chiemi F Lynch-Sutherland
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Suzan N Almomani
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Michael R Eccles
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand; Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, Level 2, 3A Symonds Street, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Erin C Macaulay
- Department of Pathology, Dunedin School of Medicine, University of Otago, Dunedin, 9054, New Zealand.
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Zhou X, Zhu H, Luo C, Xiao H, Zou X, Zou J, Zhang G. Targeting integrin α5β1 in urological tumors: opportunities and challenges. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1165073. [PMID: 37483505 PMCID: PMC10358839 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1165073] [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: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Urological tumors, such as prostate cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and bladder cancer, have shown a significant rise in prevalence in recent years and account for a significant proportion of malignant tumors. It has been established that metastasis to distant organs caused by urological tumors is the main cause of death, although the mechanisms underlying metastasis have not been fully elucidated. The fibronectin receptor integrin α5β1 reportedly plays an important role in distant metastasis and is closely related to tumor development. It is widely thought to be an important cancer mediator by interacting with different ligands, mediating tumor adhesion, invasion, and migration, and leading to immune escape. In this paper, we expound on the relationship and regulatory mechanisms of integrin α5β1 in these three cancers. In addition, the clinical applications of integrin α5β1 in these cancers, especially against treatment resistance, are discussed. Last but not least, the possibility of integrin α5β1 as a potential target for treatment is examined, with new ideas for future research being proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuming Zhou
- The First Clinical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Hezhen Zhu
- The First Clinical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Cong Luo
- The First Clinical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Huan Xiao
- The First Clinical College, Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
| | - Xiaofeng Zou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Jiangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Calculi Prevention, Ganzhou, China
| | - Junrong Zou
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Jiangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Calculi Prevention, Ganzhou, China
| | - Guoxi Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Institute of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China
- Jiangxi Engineering Technology Research Center of Calculi Prevention, Ganzhou, China
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Zhao F, Tallarek AC, Wang Y, Xie Y, Diemert A, Lu-Culligan A, Vijayakumar P, Kittmann E, Urbschat C, Bayo J, Arck PC, Farhadian SF, Dveksler GS, Garcia MG, Blois SM. A unique maternal and placental galectin signature upon SARS-CoV-2 infection suggests galectin-1 as a key alarmin at the maternal-fetal interface. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1196395. [PMID: 37475853 PMCID: PMC10354452 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1196395] [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: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic imposed a risk of infection and disease in pregnant women and neonates. Successful pregnancy requires a fine-tuned regulation of the maternal immune system to accommodate the growing fetus and to protect the mother from infection. Galectins, a family of β-galactoside-binding proteins, modulate immune and inflammatory processes and have been recognized as critical factors in reproductive orchestration, including maternal immune adaptation in pregnancy. Pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 1 (PSG1) is a recently identified gal-1 ligand at the maternal-fetal interface, which may facilitate a successful pregnancy. Several studies suggest that galectins are involved in the immune response in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients. However, the galectins and PSG1 signature upon SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination during pregnancy remain unclear. In the present study, we examined the maternal circulating levels of galectins (gal-1, gal-3, gal-7, and gal-9) and PSG1 in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2 before vaccination or uninfected women who were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and correlated their expression with different pregnancy parameters. SARS-CoV-2 infection or vaccination during pregnancy provoked an increase in maternal gal-1 circulating levels. On the other hand, levels of PSG1 were only augmented upon SARS-CoV-2 infection. A healthy pregnancy is associated with a positive correlation between gal-1 concentrations and gal-3 or gal-9; however, no correlation was observed between these lectins during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Transcriptome analysis of the placenta showed that gal-1, gal-3, and several PSG and glycoenzymes responsible for the synthesis of gal-1-binding glycotopes (such as linkage-specific N-acetyl-glucosaminyltransferases (MGATs)) are upregulated in pregnant women infected with SARS-CoV-2. Collectively, our findings identify a dynamically regulated "galectin-specific signature" that accompanies the SARS-CoV-2 infection and vaccination in pregnancy, and they highlight a potentially significant role for gal-1 as a key pregnancy protective alarmin during virus infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fangqi Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ann-Christin Tallarek
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yiru Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yiran Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Anke Diemert
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Alice Lu-Culligan
- Department of Immunobiology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Pavithra Vijayakumar
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Enrico Kittmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christopher Urbschat
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Juan Bayo
- Gene Therapy Laboratory, Instituto de Investigaciones en Medicina Traslacional, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) - Universidad Austral, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Petra C. Arck
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Shelli F. Farhadian
- Section of Infectious Diseases, Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Gabriela S. Dveksler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Mariana G. Garcia
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sandra M. Blois
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Jia L, Huang X, Peng H, Jia Y, Zhang R, Wei Y, Wei M, Wang R, Li H, He Q, Wang K. Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein 1-enriched exosomes are involved in the regulation of vascular endothelial cell function during pregnancy. Placenta 2023; 139:138-147. [PMID: 37392715 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2023.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pregnancy is a dynamic time period associated with significant physiological changes in the cardiovascular system. It is well known that during pregnancy, the placenta secretes a variety of molecular signals, including exosomes, into the maternal circulation to adapt to increased blood volume and maintain blood pressure at normotensive levels. METHODS In the present study, we compared the effects of exosomes derived from the peripheral blood serum of nonpregnant women (NP-Exo) and pregnant women with uncomplicated pregnancy (P-Exo) on endothelial cell function. We also analyzed the proteomic profiles of these two groups of exosomes and the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of exosome cargoes on vascular endothelial cell function. RESULTS We found that P-Exo were positively involved in regulating the function of human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) and promoting the release of nitric oxide (NO). Furthermore, we revealed that trophoblast-derived pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein 1 (PSG1)-enriched exosomes treatment induced the promotion of HUVEC proliferation and migration as well as the release of NO. In addition, we found that P-Exo maintained blood pressure at normal levels in mice. DISCUSSION These results suggested that PSG1-enriched exosomes derived from maternal peripheral blood regulate the function of vascular endothelial cells and play an important role in maintaining maternal blood pressure during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linyan Jia
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaojie Huang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Life Sciences and Technology, Tongji University, Shanghai, China; Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Hao Peng
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuanhui Jia
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruonan Zhang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yingying Wei
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mengtian Wei
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ruixue Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Han Li
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qizhi He
- Department of Pathology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
| | - Kai Wang
- Clinical and Translational Research Center, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Shanghai Institute of Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Gynecologic Oncology, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China.
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10
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Gumina DL, Su EJ. Mechanistic insights into the development of severe fetal growth restriction. Clin Sci (Lond) 2023; 137:679-695. [PMID: 37186255 PMCID: PMC10241202 DOI: 10.1042/cs20220284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR), which most commonly results from suboptimal placental function, substantially increases risks for adverse perinatal and long-term outcomes. The only "treatment" that exists is delivery, which averts stillbirth but does not improve outcomes in survivors. Furthermore, the potential long-term consequences of FGR to the fetus, including cardiometabolic disorders, predispose these individuals to developing FGR in their future pregnancies. This creates a multi-generational cascade of adverse effects stemming from a single dysfunctional placenta, and understanding the mechanisms underlying placental-mediated FGR is critically important if we are to improve outcomes and overall health. The mechanisms behind FGR remain unknown. However, placental insufficiency derived from maldevelopment of the placental vascular systems is the most common etiology. To highlight important mechanistic interactions within the placenta, we focus on placental vascular development in the setting of FGR. We delve into fetoplacental angiogenesis, a robust and ongoing process in normal pregnancies that is impaired in severe FGR. We review cellular models of FGR, with special attention to fetoplacental angiogenesis, and we highlight novel integrin-extracellular matrix interactions that regulate placental angiogenesis in severe FGR. In total, this review focuses on key developmental processes, with specific focus on the human placenta, an underexplored area of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diane L Gumina
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO, U.S.A
| | - Emily J Su
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, CO, U.S.A
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11
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Roles of N-linked glycosylation and glycan-binding proteins in placentation: trophoblast infiltration, immunomodulation, angiogenesis, and pathophysiology. Biochem Soc Trans 2023; 51:639-653. [PMID: 36929183 DOI: 10.1042/bst20221406] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
Protein N-linked glycosylation is a structurally diverse post-translational modification that stores biological information in a larger order of magnitude than other post-translational modifications such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination and acetylation. This gives N-glycosylated proteins a diverse range of properties and allows glyco-codes (glycan-related information) to be deciphered by glycan-binding proteins (GBPs). The intervillous space of the placenta is richly populated with membrane-bound and secreted glycoproteins. Evidence exists to suggest that altering the structural nature of their N-glycans can impact several trophoblast functions, which include those related to interactions with decidual cells. This review summarizes trophoblast-related activities influenced by N-glycan-GBP recognition, exploring how different subtypes of trophoblasts actively adapt to characteristics of the decidualized endometrium through cell-specific expression of N-glycosylated proteins, and how these cells receive decidua-derived signals via N-glycan-GBP interactions. We highlight work on how changes in N-glycosylation relates to the success of trophoblast infiltration, interactions of immunomodulators, and uterine angiogenesis. We also discuss studies that suggest aberrant N-glycosylation of trophoblasts may contribute to the pathogenesis of pregnancy complications (e.g. pre-eclampsia, early spontaneous miscarriages and hydatidiform mole). We propose that a more in-depth understanding of how N-glycosylation shapes trophoblast phenotype during early pregnancy has the potential to improve our approach to predicting, diagnosing and alleviating poor maternal/fetal outcomes associated with placental dysfunction.
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12
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Mukherjee I, Singh S, Karmakar A, Kashyap N, Mridha AR, Sharma JB, Luthra K, Sharma RS, Biswas S, Dhar R, Karmakar S. New immune horizons in therapeutics and diagnostic approaches to Preeclampsia. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13670. [PMID: 36565013 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13670] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 11/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are one of the commonest maladies, affecting 5%-10% of pregnancies worldwide. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) identifies four categories of HDP, namely gestational hypertension (GH), Preeclampsia (PE), chronic hypertension (CH), and CH with superimposed PE. PE is a multisystem, heterogeneous disorder that encompasses 2%-8% of all pregnancy-related complications, contributing to about 9% to 26% of maternal deaths in low-income countries and 16% in high-income countries. These translate to 50 000 maternal deaths and over 500 000 fetal deaths worldwide, therefore demanding high priority in understanding clinical presentation, screening, diagnostic criteria, and effective management. PE is accompanied by uteroplacental insufficiency leading to vascular and metabolic changes, vasoconstriction, and end-organ ischemia. PE is diagnosed after 20 weeks of pregnancy in women who were previously normotensive or hypertensive. Besides shallow trophoblast invasion and inadequate remodeling of uterine arteries, dysregulation of the nonimmune system has been the focal point in PE. This results from aberrant immune system activation and imbalanced differentiation of T cells. Further, a failure of tolerance toward the semi-allogenic fetus results due to altered distribution of Tregs such as CD4+FoxP3+ or CD4+CD25+CD127(low) FoxP3+ cells, thereby creating a cytotoxic environment by suboptimal production of immunosuppressive cytokines like IL-10, IL-4, and IL-13. Also, intracellular production of complement protein C5a may result in decreased FoxP3+ regulatory T cells. With immune system dysfunction as a major driver in PE pathogenesis, it is logical that therapeutic targeting of components of the immune system with pharmacologic agents like anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating molecules are either being used or under clinical trial. Cholesterol synthesis inhibitors like Pravastatin may improve placental perfusion in PE, while Eculizumab (monoclonal antibody inhibiting C5) and small molecular inhibitor of C5a, Zilucoplan are under investigation. Monoclonal antibody against IL-17(Secukinumab) has been proposed to alter the Th imbalance in PE. Autologous Treg therapy and immune checkpoint inhibitors like anti-CTLA-4 are emerging as new candidates in immune horizons for PE management in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrani Mukherjee
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.,Amity Institute of Biotechnology (AIB), Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Sunil Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Abhibrato Karmakar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Neha Kashyap
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Asit Ranjan Mridha
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Jai Bhagwan Sharma
- Department of Pathology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Kalpana Luthra
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Radhey Shyam Sharma
- Ex-Head and Scientist G, Indian Council of Medical Research, New Delhi, India
| | - Subhrajit Biswas
- Amity Institute of Molecular Medicine & Stem Cell Research (AIMMSCR), Amity University, Noida, India
| | - Ruby Dhar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
| | - Subhradip Karmakar
- Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India
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13
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Kojima J, Ono M, Kuji N, Nishi H. Human Chorionic Villous Differentiation and Placental Development. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:8003. [PMID: 35887349 PMCID: PMC9325306 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23148003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
In humans, the placenta provides the only fetomaternal connection and is essential for establishing a pregnancy as well as fetal well-being. Additionally, it allows maternal physiological adaptation and embryonic immunological acceptance, support, and nutrition. The placenta is derived from extra-embryonic tissues that develop rapidly and dynamically in the first weeks of pregnancy. It is primarily composed of trophoblasts that differentiate into villi, stromal cells, macrophages, and fetal endothelial cells (FEC). Placental differentiation may be closely related to perinatal diseases, including fetal growth retardation (FGR) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), and miscarriage. There are limited findings regarding human chorionic villous differentiation and placental development because conducting in vivo studies is extremely difficult. Placental tissue varies widely among species. Thus, experimental animal findings are difficult to apply to humans. Early villous differentiation is difficult to study due to the small tissue size; however, a detailed analysis can potentially elucidate perinatal disease causes or help develop novel therapies. Artificial induction of early villous differentiation using human embryonic stem (ES) cells/induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells was attempted, producing normally differentiated villi that can be used for interventional/invasive research. Here, we summarized and correlated early villous differentiation findings and discussed clinical diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Masanori Ono
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tokyo Medical University, Tokyo 160-0023, Japan; (J.K.); (N.K.); (H.N.)
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Parameshwar PK, Sagrillo-Fagundes L, Azevedo Portilho N, Pastor WA, Vaillancourt C, Moraes C. Engineered models for placental toxicology: Emerging approaches based on tissue decellularization. Reprod Toxicol 2022; 112:148-159. [PMID: 35840119 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.07.003] [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: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Recent increases in prescriptions and illegal drug use as well as exposure to environmental contaminants during pregnancy have highlighted the critical importance of placental toxicology in understanding and identifying risks to both mother and fetus. Although advantageous for basic science, current in vitro models often fail to capture the complexity of placental response, likely due to their inability to recreate and monitor aspects of the microenvironment including physical properties, mechanical forces and stiffness, protein composition, cell-cell interactions, soluble and physicochemical factors, and other exogenous cues. Tissue engineering holds great promise in addressing these challenges and provides an avenue to better understand basic biology, effects of toxic compounds and potential therapeutics. The key to success lies in effectively recreating the microenvironment. One strategy to do this would be to recreate individual components and then combine them. However, this becomes challenging due to variables present according to conditions such as tissue location, age, health status and lifestyle. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to influence cellular fate by working as a storage of factors. Decellularized ECM (dECM) is a recent tool that allows usage of the original ECM in a refurbished form, providing a relatively reliable representation of the microenvironment. This review focuses on using dECM in modified forms such as whole organs, scaffold sheets, electrospun nanofibers, hydrogels, 3D printing, and combinations as building blocks to recreate aspects of the microenvironment to address general tissue engineering and toxicology challenges, thus illustrating their potential as tools for future placental toxicology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Nathalia Azevedo Portilho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - William A Pastor
- Department of Biochemistry, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Cathy Vaillancourt
- INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, Québec, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Christopher Moraes
- Department of Biological and Biomedical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Rosalind & Morris Goodman Cancer Institute, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada; Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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15
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Eng ME, Imperio GE, Bloise E, Matthews SG. ATP-binding cassette (ABC) drug transporters in the developing blood-brain barrier: role in fetal brain protection. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:415. [PMID: 35821142 PMCID: PMC11071850 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04432-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The blood-brain barrier (BBB) provides essential neuroprotection from environmental toxins and xenobiotics, through high expression of drug efflux transporters in endothelial cells of the cerebral capillaries. However, xenobiotic exposure, stress, and inflammatory stimuli have the potential to disrupt BBB permeability in fetal and post-natal life. Understanding the role and ability of the BBB in protecting the developing brain, particularly with respect to drug/toxin transport, is key to promoting long-term brain health. Drug transporters, particularly P-gp and BCRP are expressed in early gestation at the developing BBB and have a crucial role in developmental homeostasis and fetal brain protection. We have highlighted several factors that modulate drug transporters at the developing BBB, including synthetic glucocorticoid (sGC), cytokines, maternal infection, and growth factors. Some factors have the potential to increase expression and function of drug transporters and increase brain protection (e.g., sGC, transforming growth factor [TGF]-β). However, others inhibit drug transporters expression and function at the BBB, increasing brain exposure to xenobiotics (e.g., tumor necrosis factor [TNF], interleukin [IL]-6), negatively impacting brain development. This has implications for pregnant women and neonates, who represent a vulnerable population and may be exposed to drugs and environmental toxins, many of which are P-gp and BCRP substrates. Thus, alterations in regulated transport across the developing BBB may induce long-term changes in brain health and compromise pregnancy outcome. Furthermore, a large portion of neonatal adverse drug reactions are attributed to agents that target or access the nervous system, such as stimulants (e.g., caffeine), anesthetics (e.g., midazolam), analgesics (e.g., morphine) and antiretrovirals (e.g., Zidovudine); thus, understanding brain protection is key for the development of strategies to protect the fetal and neonatal brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaret E Eng
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Bldg. Rm. 3207. 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
| | | | - Enrrico Bloise
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Bldg. Rm. 3207. 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Stephen G Matthews
- Department of Physiology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Medical Sciences Bldg. Rm. 3207. 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A8, Canada.
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health, Toronto, Canada.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
- Department of Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada.
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16
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Carter AM. Evolution of Placental Hormones: Implications for Animal Models. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:891927. [PMID: 35692413 PMCID: PMC9176407 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.891927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Human placenta secretes a variety of hormones, some of them in large amounts. Their effects on maternal physiology, including the immune system, are poorly understood. Not one of the protein hormones specific to human placenta occurs outside primates. Instead, laboratory and domesticated species have their own sets of placental hormones. There are nonetheless several examples of convergent evolution. Thus, horse and human have chorionic gonadotrophins with similar functions whilst pregnancy-specific glycoproteins have evolved in primates, rodents, horses, and some bats, perhaps to support invasive placentation. Placental lactogens occur in rodents and ruminants as well as primates though evolved through duplication of different genes and with functions that only partially overlap. There are also placental hormones, such as the pregnancy-associated glycoproteins of ruminants, that have no equivalent in human gestation. This review focusses on the evolution of placental hormones involved in recognition and maintenance of pregnancy, in maternal adaptations to pregnancy and lactation, and in facilitating immune tolerance of the fetal semiallograft. The contention is that knowledge gained from laboratory and domesticated mammals can translate to a better understanding of human placental endocrinology, but only if viewed in an evolutionary context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony M. Carter
- Cardiovascular and Renal Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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17
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Protocol for Increasing the Sensitivity of MS-Based Protein Detection in Human Chorionic Villi. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2022; 44:2069-2088. [PMID: 35678669 PMCID: PMC9164042 DOI: 10.3390/cimb44050140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2022] [Accepted: 05/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
An important step in the proteomic analysis of missing proteins is the use of a wide range of tissues, optimal extraction, and the processing of protein material in order to ensure the highest sensitivity in downstream protein detection. This work describes a purification protocol for identifying low-abundance proteins in human chorionic villi using the proposed “1DE-gel concentration” method. This involves the removal of SDS in a short electrophoresis run in a stacking gel without protein separation. Following the in-gel digestion of the obtained holistic single protein band, we used the peptide mixture for further LC–MS/MS analysis. Statistically significant results were derived from six datasets, containing three treatments, each from two tissue sources (elective or missed abortions). The 1DE-gel concentration increased the coverage of the chorionic villus proteome. Our approach allowed the identification of 15 low-abundance proteins, of which some had not been previously detected via the mass spectrometry of trophoblasts. In the post hoc data analysis, we found a dubious or uncertain protein (PSG7) encoded on human chromosome 19 according to neXtProt. A proteomic sample preparation workflow with the 1DE-gel concentration can be used as a prospective tool for uncovering the low-abundance part of the human proteome.
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Menkhorst E, Than NG, Jeschke U, Barrientos G, Szereday L, Dveksler G, Blois SM. Medawar's PostEra: Galectins Emerged as Key Players During Fetal-Maternal Glycoimmune Adaptation. Front Immunol 2022; 12:784473. [PMID: 34975875 PMCID: PMC8715898 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.784473] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lectin-glycan interactions, in particular those mediated by the galectin family, regulate many processes required for a successful pregnancy. Over the past decades, increasing evidence gathered from in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that members of the galectin family specifically bind to both intracellular and membrane bound carbohydrate ligands regulating angiogenesis, immune-cell adaptations required to tolerate the fetal semi-allograft and mammalian embryogenesis. Therefore, galectins play important roles in fetal development and placentation contributing to maternal and fetal health. This review discusses the expression and role of galectins during the course of pregnancy, with an emphasis on maternal immune adaptions and galectin-glycan interactions uncovered in the recent years. In addition, we summarize the galectin fingerprints associated with pathological gestation with particular focus on preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellen Menkhorst
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Gynaecological Research Centre, The Women's Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Nandor Gabor Than
- Systems Biology of Reproduction Research Group, Institute of Enyzmology, Research Centre for Natural Sciences, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Udo Jeschke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Gabriela Barrientos
- Laboratorio de Medicina Experimental, Hospital Alemán-Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Laszlo Szereday
- Medical School, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - Gabriela Dveksler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Sandra M Blois
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Zambuto SG, Rattila S, Dveksler G, Harley BAC. Effects of Pregnancy-Specific Glycoproteins on Trophoblast Motility in Three-Dimensional Gelatin Hydrogels. Cell Mol Bioeng 2022; 15:175-191. [PMID: 35401843 PMCID: PMC8938592 DOI: 10.1007/s12195-021-00715-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Trophoblast invasion is a complex biological process necessary for establishment of pregnancy; however, much remains unknown regarding what signaling factors coordinate the extent of invasion. Pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSGs) are some of the most abundant circulating trophoblastic proteins in maternal blood during human pregnancy, with maternal serum concentrations rising to as high as 200-400 μg/mL at term. Methods Here, we employ three-dimensional (3D) trophoblast motility assays consisting of trophoblast spheroids encapsulated in 3D gelatin hydrogels to quantify trophoblast outgrowth area, viability, and cytotoxicity in the presence of PSG1 and PSG9 as well as epidermal growth factor and Nodal. Results We show PSG9 reduces trophoblast motility whereas PSG1 increases motility. Further, we assess bulk nascent protein production by encapsulated spheroids to highlight the potential of this approach to assess trophoblast response (motility, remodeling) to soluble factors and extracellular matrix cues. Conclusions Such models provide an important platform to develop a deeper understanding of early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha G. Zambuto
- grid.35403.310000 0004 1936 9991Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
| | - Shemona Rattila
- grid.265436.00000 0001 0421 5525Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - Gabriela Dveksler
- grid.265436.00000 0001 0421 5525Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA
| | - Brendan A. C. Harley
- grid.35403.310000 0004 1936 9991Department Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 110 Roger Adams Laboratory, 600 S. Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801 USA ,grid.35403.310000 0004 1936 9991Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801 USA
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Song W, Shi X, Liu K, Li R, Niu L, Su L, Wu H. Detection of mitochondrial coupling factor 6 in placental tissues from preeclamptic pregnancies and its influence on biological behavior of trophoblast cells. Exp Ther Med 2021; 22:1185. [PMID: 34475975 PMCID: PMC8406808 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.10619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased levels of mitochondrial coupling factor 6 (CF6) are present in the peripheral blood of patients with preeclamptic pregnancies, and are particularly evident in cases of early-onset or severe preeclampsia. The present study examined the location and expression levels of CF6 in the placental tissue and its effect on the biological behavior of trophoblast cells. Placental tissue microarrays, including placental villous cytotrophoblast and extravillous cytotrophoblast microarrays, were used to detect the location and relative expression levels of CF6 in the placenta using immunohistochemistry. It was found that CF6 was expressed in both the normal and preeclamptic placenta, but its levels were higher in the preeclamptic tissues. In addition, the effects of the hypoxic environment on the biological behaviors of trophoblast cells were investigated in the JAR and JEG-3 cell lines. Following induction of hypoxia, the expression levels of CF6 were increased. Moreover, exogenous addition of human recombinant CF6 attenuated cell invasion, but exerted no effect on cell proliferation. At the molecular level, the expression levels of MMP-2 were decreased and were accompanied with a reduction in cell invasion following addition of exogenous CF6. In conclusion, the increased expression levels of CF6 and its effects in reducing the invasive abilities of trophoblast cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of severe preeclampsia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanyu Song
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, P.R. China
| | - Xufeng Shi
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, P.R. China
| | - Kan Liu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, P.R. China
| | - Ranhong Li
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, P.R. China
| | - Leilei Niu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, P.R. China
| | - Lijun Su
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, P.R. China
| | - Haiying Wu
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Zhengzhou, Henan 450000, P.R. China
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21
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Rattila S, Kleefeldt F, Ballesteros A, Beltrame JS, L Ribeiro M, Ergün S, Dveksler G. Pro-angiogenic effects of pregnancy-specific glycoproteins in endothelial and extravillous trophoblast cells. Reproduction 2021; 160:737-750. [PMID: 33065549 DOI: 10.1530/rep-20-0169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
We previously reported that binding to heparan sulfate (HS) is required for the ability of the placentally secreted pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 1 (PSG1) to induce endothelial tubulogenesis. PSG1 is composed of four immunoglobulin-like domains but which domains of the protein bind to HS remains unknown. To analyze the interaction of PSG1 with HS, we generated several recombinant proteins, including the individual domains, chimeric proteins between two PSG1 domains, and mutants. Using flow cytometric and surface plasmon resonance studies, we determined that the B2 domain of PSG1 binds to HS and that the positively charged amino acids encompassed between amino acids 43-59 are required for this interaction. Furthermore, we showed that the B2 domain of PSG1 is required for the increase in the formation of tubes by endothelial cells (EC) including a human endometrial EC line and two extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cell lines and for the pro-angiogenic activity of PSG1 observed in an aortic ring assay. PSG1 enhanced the migration of ECs while it increased the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 in EVTs, indicating that the pro-angiogenic effect of PSG1 on these two cell types may be mediated by different mechanisms. Despite differences in amino acid sequence, we observed that all human PSGs bound to HS proteoglycans and confirmed that at least two other members of the family, PSG6 and PSG9, induce tube formation. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the pro-angiogenic activity of human PSGs and strongly suggest conservation of this function among all PSG family members.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shemona Rattila
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Florian Kleefeldt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Angela Ballesteros
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Jimena S Beltrame
- Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Reproduction, Centre for Pharmacological and Botanical Studies (CONICET - School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Maria L Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Reproduction, Centre for Pharmacological and Botanical Studies (CONICET - School of Medicine, University of Buenos Aires), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Süleyman Ergün
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Julius-Maximilians-University Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Gabriela Dveksler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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22
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Kang Q, Li W, Xiao J, Yu N, Fan L, Sha M, Ma S, Wu J, Chen S. Identification of potential crucial genes associated with early-onset preeclampsia via bioinformatic analysis. Pregnancy Hypertens 2021; 24:27-36. [PMID: 33640831 DOI: 10.1016/j.preghy.2021.02.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Early-onset preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication associated with high maternal and perinatal morbidity, mortality. Intense efforts have been made to elucidate the pathogenesis, but the molecular mechanism is still elusive. This study aimed to identify potential key genes related to early-onset preeclampsia, and to obtain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms of this disease. METHODS We performed a multi-step integrative bioinformatics analysis of microarray dataset GSE74341 downloaded from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database including 7 early-onset preeclampsia and 5 gestational age matched normotensive controls. The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using the "limma" package, and their potential functions were predicted by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis. Furthermore, the protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was obtained from the STRING database and the PPI network was visualized by Cytoscape software. Then, hub modules and hub genes were screened out from the PPI network, and enrichment analysis was performed for them. Also, validation of hub genes expression in early-onset PE was down by using microarray dataset GSE44711. RESULTS A total of 628 DEGs (256 down- and 372 up-regulated) were identified in early-onset PE compared to controls. A total of 4 significant hub modules and 26 significant hub genes were identified. CONCLUSION In conclusion, the DEGs related to cell-cell or cell-extracellular matrix interaction (ITGA5, SPP1, LUM, VCAN, APP), placenta metabolic or oxidative stress (CCR7, NT5E, CYBB) were predicted to be newly potential crucial genes that may play significant roles in the pathogenesis of early-onset PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingling Kang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Juan Xiao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Nan Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Lei Fan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Menghan Sha
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Songyan Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Jianli Wu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China
| | - Suhua Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei 430030, PR China.
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23
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Mészáros B, Sámano-Sánchez H, Alvarado-Valverde J, Čalyševa J, Martínez-Pérez E, Alves R, Shields DC, Kumar M, Rippmann F, Chemes LB, Gibson TJ. Short linear motif candidates in the cell entry system used by SARS-CoV-2 and their potential therapeutic implications. Sci Signal 2021; 14:eabd0334. [PMID: 33436497 PMCID: PMC7928535 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.abd0334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The first reported receptor for SARS-CoV-2 on host cells was the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). However, the viral spike protein also has an RGD motif, suggesting that cell surface integrins may be co-receptors. We examined the sequences of ACE2 and integrins with the Eukaryotic Linear Motif (ELM) resource and identified candidate short linear motifs (SLiMs) in their short, unstructured, cytosolic tails with potential roles in endocytosis, membrane dynamics, autophagy, cytoskeleton, and cell signaling. These SLiM candidates are highly conserved in vertebrates and may interact with the μ2 subunit of the endocytosis-associated AP2 adaptor complex, as well as with various protein domains (namely, I-BAR, LC3, PDZ, PTB, and SH2) found in human signaling and regulatory proteins. Several motifs overlap in the tail sequences, suggesting that they may act as molecular switches, such as in response to tyrosine phosphorylation status. Candidate LC3-interacting region (LIR) motifs are present in the tails of integrin β3 and ACE2, suggesting that these proteins could directly recruit autophagy components. Our findings identify several molecular links and testable hypotheses that could uncover mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 attachment, entry, and replication against which it may be possible to develop host-directed therapies that dampen viral infection and disease progression. Several of these SLiMs have now been validated to mediate the predicted peptide interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bálint Mészáros
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany.
| | - Hugo Sámano-Sánchez
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | - Jesús Alvarado-Valverde
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
- Collaboration for joint PhD degree between EMBL and Heidelberg University, Faculty of Biosciences
| | - Jelena Čalyševa
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
- Collaboration for joint PhD degree between EMBL and Heidelberg University, Faculty of Biosciences
| | - Elizabeth Martínez-Pérez
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
- Laboratorio de bioinformática estructural, Fundación Instituto Leloir, C1405BWE Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Renato Alves
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany
| | - Denis C Shields
- School of Medicine, University College Dublin, Dublin 4, Ireland
| | - Manjeet Kumar
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany.
| | - Friedrich Rippmann
- Computational Chemistry & Biology, Merck KGaA, Frankfurter Str. 250, 64293 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Lucía B Chemes
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biotecnológicas "Dr. Rodolfo A. Ugalde", IIB-UNSAM, IIBIO-CONICET, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, CP1650 San Martín, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Toby J Gibson
- Structural and Computational Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg 69117, Germany.
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24
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Hou J, Yan D, Liu Y, Huang P, Cui H. The Roles of Integrin α5β1 in Human Cancer. Onco Targets Ther 2020; 13:13329-13344. [PMID: 33408483 PMCID: PMC7781020 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s273803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix has important roles in tissue integrity and human health. Integrins are heterodimeric cell surface receptors that are composed by two non-covalently linked alpha and beta subunits that mainly participate in the interaction of cell-cell adhesion and cell-extracellular matrix and regulate cell motility, adhesion, differentiation, migration, proliferation, etc. In mammals, there have been eighteen α subunits and 8 β subunits and so far 24 distinct types of αβ integrin heterodimers have been identified in humans. Integrin α5β1, also known as the fibronectin receptor, is a heterodimer with α5 and β1 subunits and has emerged as an essential mediator in many human carcinomas. Integrin α5β1 alteration is closely linked to the progression of several types of human cancers, including cell proliferation, angiogenesis, tumor metastasis, and cancerogenesis. In this review, we will introduce the functions of integrin α5β1 in cancer progression and also explore its regulatory mechanisms. Additionally, the potential clinical applications as a target for cancer imaging and therapy are discussed. Collectively, the information reviewed here may increase the understanding of integrin α5β1 as a potential therapeutic target for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianbing Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China
| | - Du Yan
- Chongqing University Central Hospital, Chongqing Emergency Medical Center, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China
| | - Yudong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongjuan Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Key Laboratory for Sericulture Biology and Genetic Breeding, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Cancer Center, Medical Research Institute, Southwest University, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China.,Chongqing Engineering and Technology Research Centre for Silk Biomaterials and Regenerative Medicine, Chongqing 400716, People's Republic of China
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25
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Adu-Gyamfi EA, Czika A, Gorleku PN, Ullah A, Panhwar Z, Ruan LL, Ding YB, Wang YX. The Involvement of Cell Adhesion Molecules, Tight Junctions, and Gap Junctions in Human Placentation. Reprod Sci 2020; 28:305-320. [PMID: 33146876 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00364-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 10/19/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Placentation is a major determinant of the success of pregnancy. It is regulated by several factors such as cell adhesion molecules, tight junctions, and gap junctions. The cell adhesion molecules are integrins, cadherins, immunoglobulins, nectins, and selectins. The tight junctions are composed of claudins, occludin, and junction adhesion molecule proteins while the gap junctions are composed of connexins of varying molecular weights. During placentation, some of these molecules regulate trophoblast proliferation, trophoblast fusion, trophoblast migration, trophoblast invasion, trophoblast-endothelium adhesion, glandular remodeling, and spiral artery remodeling. There is a dysregulated placental expression of some of these molecules during obstetric complications. We have, hereby, indicated the expression patterns of the subunits of each of these molecules in the various trophoblast subtypes and in the decidua, and have highlighted their involvement in physiological and pathological placentation. The available evidence points to the relevance of these molecules as distinguishing markers of the various trophoblast lineages and as potential therapeutic targets in the management of malplacentation-mediated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enoch Appiah Adu-Gyamfi
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Box 197, No. 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Armin Czika
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Box 197, No. 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Philip Narteh Gorleku
- Department of Medical Imaging, School of Medical Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Republic of Ghana
| | - Amin Ullah
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Box 197, No. 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Zulqarnain Panhwar
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Box 197, No. 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Ling-Ling Ruan
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Box 197, No. 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu-Bin Ding
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Box 197, No. 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- Department of Reproductive Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Box 197, No. 1 Yixueyuan Rd, Chongqing, 400016, People's Republic of China.
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26
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Kammerer R, Ballesteros A, Bonsor D, Warren J, Williams JM, Moore T, Dveksler G. Equine pregnancy-specific glycoprotein CEACAM49 secreted by endometrial cup cells activates TGFB. Reproduction 2020; 160:685-694. [PMID: 33065543 PMCID: PMC11404722 DOI: 10.1530/rep-20-0277] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2020] [Accepted: 08/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In early equine pregnancy, a highly invasive trophoblast cell subpopulation, the chorionic girdle cells, invade the endometrium and form endometrial cups (EC). These cells express classical MHC molecules, thereby stimulating a humoral and cellular immune response, resulting in a massive accumulation of maternal CD4+ and CD8+ T cells around the EC. Nevertheless, no immediate destruction of endometrial cups by maternal lymphoid cells occurs, presumably due to immune tolerance. Although the environment of EC is rich in TGFB and in FOXP3+, CD4+ T cells, the mechanisms leading to tolerance have not been elucidated. Recently, we discovered that equine trophoblast cells secrete pregnancy-specific glycoproteins (PSGs). Since human and murine PSGs activate latent TGFB, we hypothesized that equine PSGs may have a similar activity. We performed plasmon surface resonance experiments to show that equine PSG CEACAM49 can directly bind to the latency-associated peptide (LAP) of both TGFB1 and TGFB2. We then found that the binding of CEACAM49 leads to the activation of TGFB1 as determined by both ELISA and cell-based assays. Furthermore, the activation of TGFB is a unique function of PSGs within the human CEA family, because CEACAM1, 3, 5, 6, 8 do not activate this cytokine. This finding further strengthens the classification of CEACAM49 as an equine PSG. Based on our results, we hypothesize that activation of latent TGFB in the EC environment by equine PSGs secreted by invasive trophoblast cells, could contribute to the generation of regulatory T cells (Tregs) to maintain immune tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Kammerer
- Institute of Immunology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Greifswald-Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Angela Ballesteros
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - Daniel Bonsor
- Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - James Warren
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
| | - John M Williams
- School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Tom Moore
- School of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Gabriela Dveksler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University, Bethesda, Maryland, USA
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27
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Gonzalez-Villarreal CA, Quiroz-Reyes AG, Islas JF, Garza-Treviño EN. Colorectal Cancer Stem Cells in the Progression to Liver Metastasis. Front Oncol 2020; 10:1511. [PMID: 32974184 PMCID: PMC7468493 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.01511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality. Tumorigenesis is a dynamic process wherein cancer stem cells (CSCs) and their microenvironment promote initiation, progression, and metastasis. Metastatic colonization is an inefficient process that is very complex and is poorly understood; however, in most cases, metastatic disease is not curable, and resistance mechanisms tend to develop against conventional treatments. An understanding of the underlying mechanisms and factors that contribute to the development of metastasis in CRC can aid in the search for specific therapeutic targets for improving standard treatments. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding tumor biology and the use of stroma cells as prognostic factors and inflammatory inducers associated with the use of tumor microenvironments as a promoter of cancer metastasis. Moreover, we look into the importance of CSC, pericytes, and circulating tumor cells as mechanisms that lead to liver metastasis, and we also focus on the cellular and molecular pathways that modulate and regulate epithelial–mesenchymal transition. Finally, we discuss a novel therapeutic target that can potentially eliminate CSCs as a CRC treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Adriana G Quiroz-Reyes
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquimica y Medicina Molecular, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
| | - Jose F Islas
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquimica y Medicina Molecular, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
| | - Elsa N Garza-Treviño
- Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquimica y Medicina Molecular, San Nicolás de los Garza, Mexico
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28
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Expression of Pregnancy Specific β-1 Glycoprotein 1 in Cervical Cancer Cells. Arch Med Res 2020; 51:504-514. [PMID: 32546445 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2020.05.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2019] [Revised: 04/25/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cervical Cancer (CC) is a worldwide public health concern associated with genetic alterations, among these the gain of the 19q chromosome harboring the Pregnancy Specific Glycoproteins (PSG) gene family. These proteins play a critical role in pregnancy, with participation in immunotolerance, angiogenesis, and invasion processes, which are also observed in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the molecular alterations of PSG1 and its relationship with CC. METHODS PSG1 Copy Number Variation (CNV) was evaluated in 31 CC and eight normal cervical tissues by qPCR. PSG1 expression was correlated with HPV detection and IL-10 and TGF-β expression in CC samples. Finally, PSG1 protein expression was evaluated by immunofluorescence in CC cell lines, by immunohistochemistry in a tissue microarray, and by immunoblotting in the sera of women with normal cervix, pre-invasive lesions, and CC. RESULTS PSG1 showed a gain of 25.6% in CNV and gene expression in CC. There was a lack of PSG1 expression in normal cervical epithelium and positive immunostaining in 57% of CC tissues, while all CC cell lines expressed PSG1. Finally, PSG1 was immunodetected in 90% of pre-invasive lesions and in all CC serum samples, but not in healthy women. PSG1 expression correlates with the expression of IL-10 and TGF-β in CC tissues, but not with the presence of HPV. CONCLUSION These data show evidence of the differential expression of PSG1 in CC that could explain its participation in tumor-biology and immunotolerance mechanisms. Further, its immunodetection could provide early detection of this cancer.
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29
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Mendoza M, Lu D, Ballesteros A, Blois SM, Abernathy K, Feng C, Dimitroff CJ, Zmuda J, Panico M, Dell A, Vasta GR, Haslam SM, Dveksler G. Glycan characterization of pregnancy-specific glycoprotein 1 and its identification as a novel Galectin-1 ligand. Glycobiology 2020; 30:895-909. [PMID: 32280962 DOI: 10.1093/glycob/cwaa034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Revised: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Pregnancy-specific beta 1 glycoprotein (PSG1) is secreted from trophoblast cells of the human placenta in increasing concentrations as pregnancy progresses, becoming one of the most abundant proteins in maternal serum in the third trimester. PSG1 has seven potential N-linked glycosylation sites across its four domains. We carried out glycomic and glycoproteomic studies to characterize the glycan composition of PSG1 purified from serum of pregnant women and identified the presence of complex N-glycans containing poly LacNAc epitopes with α2,3 sialyation at four sites. Using different techniques, we explored whether PSG1 can bind to galectin-1 (Gal-1) as these two proteins were previously shown to participate in processes required for a successful pregnancy. We confirmed that PSG1 binds to Gal-1 in a carbohydrate-dependent manner with an affinity of the interaction of 0.13 μM. In addition, we determined that out of the three N-glycosylation-carrying domains, only the N and A2 domains of recombinant PSG1 interact with Gal-1. Lastly, we observed that the interaction between PSG1 and Gal-1 protects this lectin from oxidative inactivation and that PSG1 competes the ability of Gal-1 to bind to some but not all of its glycoprotein ligands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirian Mendoza
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
| | - Dongli Lu
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2BU, UK
| | - Angela Ballesteros
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics Section, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Sandra M Blois
- Experimental and Clinical Research Center, Charité Campus Buch, Lindenberger Weg 80, 13125 Berlin, Germany.,Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute for Medical Immunology, Augustenburger Platz 1, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Kelsey Abernathy
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W Baltimore St S, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Chiguang Feng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W Baltimore St S, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Charles J Dimitroff
- Translational Medicine, Translational Glycobiology Institute, FIU, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th St, Miami, FL 33199, USA
| | - Jonathan Zmuda
- Biosciences Division, Thermo Fisher Scientific, 7335 Executive Way, Frederick MD 21704, USA
| | - Maria Panico
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2BU, UK
| | - Anne Dell
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2BU, UK
| | - Gerardo R Vasta
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, 655 W Baltimore St S, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
| | - Stuart M Haslam
- Department of Life Sciences, Imperial College London, South Kensington, London SW7 2BU, UK
| | - Gabriela Dveksler
- Department of Pathology, Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Rd, Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
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