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Lu J, Zhang M, Liu Z, Guo L, Huang P, Xia W, Li J, Lv J, Cheung HH, Ding C, Li H, Huang B. NSUN2-Mediated m 5C Methylation Impairs Endometrial Receptivity. J Transl Med 2024; 104:100327. [PMID: 38237738 DOI: 10.1016/j.labinv.2024.100327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Impaired endometrial decidualization is the primary cause of recurrent implantation failure (RIF). RNA methylation modification, especially NSUN family mediated m5C, is crucial for various physiological events, such as maternal-to-zygotic transition, gametogenesis, embryonic development, organismal lifespan, and cell cycle. However, the regulatory mechanisms between NSUN family mediated m5C modification and RIF remain unknown. We acquired NSUN2 expression data of 15 human endometrium samples at proliferative and secretory stages from reproductive cell atlas. The overall pattern of m5C sites and genes was elucidated through m5C-BS-seq, whereas the overall m5C levels in different groups were revealed by dot blot assay. BrdU and western blotting assays were carried out to evaluate the role of NSUN2 in proliferation and autophagy. The effects of NSUN2-mediated m5C modification on embryo attachment were evaluated by an in vitro model of a confluent monolayer of Ishikawa cells cocultured with BeWo spheroids, and its downstream targets were evaluated by real-time reverse-transcription PCR and western blotting in Ishikawa cells. The molecular mechanism for NSUN2 regulating its downstream targets' expression was determined by Cut&Tag and coimmunoprecipitation assays. NSUN2 was increased in SOX9+ cells and widespread in epithelial cell type at the proliferative stage by previous single-cell RNA sequencing data. NSUN2 overexpression (NSUN2OE) in the Ishikawa cell line elevated m5C levels and promoted cell proliferation and autophagy. NSUN2OE reduced attachment efficiency of BeWo cell spheres. Overexpressed NSUN2 was found to increase STAT1 and MMP14 mRNA expressions by inducing exon skipping. NSUN2 interacted with CLDN4 through m5C modification, and NSUN2OE or NSUN2 knockdown resulted in a similar variation tendency of CLDN4. Overexpression of NSUN2 increased CLDN4 H3K9ac modification by downregulating SIRT4 expression at the protein level, leading to the upregulation of CLDN4 mRNA expression. Our results uncovered a novel intricate regulatory mechanism between NSUN2-mediated m5C and RIF and suggested a potential new therapeutic strategy for RIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiafeng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ming Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Zhenxing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Ling Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Peng Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Wenjuan Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jincheng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Jinghuan Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Hoi-Hung Cheung
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, SAR
| | - Chenyue Ding
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
| | - Boxian Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Suzhou Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, China.
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Jiang T, Xu X. Protective effect of Timosaponin AIII on Escherichia coli-induced endometritis in mice through inhibiting inflammatory response and regulating uterine microbiota structure. Int Immunopharmacol 2024; 130:111649. [PMID: 38367462 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2024.111649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Endometritis is a sort of general reproductive disease, which can lead to infertility in both humans and animals. Escherichia coli (E. coli) is recognised as the main bacterial etiology of endometritis among livestock and causes huge economic losses to dairy farming industry. Antibiotics are frequently used in the clinical treatment of endometritis; nevertheless, long-term use may result in adverse effects, including bacterial resistance and food safety concerns. TSAIII, one of the active pharmacological components of A. asphodeloides, has exhibited multiple biological activities, including anticancer, anti-angiogenesis, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the protective effects of TSAIII in E. coli-challenged endometritis remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the role of TSAIII in E. coli-induced endometritis in mice and elucidate its specific molecular mechanisms. In the present research, TSAIII treatment markedly alleviated the E. coli-induced uterine histopathological injury, and decreased myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels in uterine tissue. Our results further demonstrated that TSAIII improved uterine epithelial barrier function by restoring the expressions of tight junction proteins. Furthermore, TSAIII administration noticeably suppressed the activation of the TLR4/NF-κB pathway and the NLRP3 inflammasome. Importantly, we found that TSAIII could regulate the uterine microbiota structure and composition in E. coli-induced mouse endometritis. In conclusion, these data demonstrate that treatment with TSAIII protects against E. coli-induced endometritis via modulating uterine microbiota composition, inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, in addition to improving uterine epithelial barrier function. Therefore, the results of this study provide a new therapeutic to potentially prevent endometritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Jiang
- China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Jilin, China
| | - Xuesong Xu
- China-Japan Union Hospital, Jilin University, Jilin, China.
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3
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Liao Z, Tang S, Nozawa K, Shimada K, Ikawa M, Monsivais D, Matzuk M. Affinity-tagged SMAD1 and SMAD5 mouse lines reveal transcriptional reprogramming mechanisms during early pregnancy. eLife 2024; 12:RP91434. [PMID: 38536963 PMCID: PMC10972565 DOI: 10.7554/elife.91434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Endometrial decidualization, a prerequisite for successful pregnancies, relies on transcriptional reprogramming driven by progesterone receptor (PR) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-SMAD1/SMAD5 signaling pathways. Despite their critical roles in early pregnancy, how these pathways intersect in reprogramming the endometrium into a receptive state remains unclear. To define how SMAD1 and/or SMAD5 integrate BMP signaling in the uterus during early pregnancy, we generated two novel transgenic mouse lines with affinity tags inserted into the endogenous SMAD1 and SMAD5 loci (Smad1HA/HA and Smad5PA/PA). By profiling the genome-wide distribution of SMAD1, SMAD5, and PR in the mouse uterus, we demonstrated the unique and shared roles of SMAD1 and SMAD5 during the window of implantation. We also showed the presence of a conserved SMAD1, SMAD5, and PR genomic binding signature in the uterus during early pregnancy. To functionally characterize the translational aspects of our findings, we demonstrated that SMAD1/5 knockdown in human endometrial stromal cells suppressed expressions of canonical decidual markers (IGFBP1, PRL, FOXO1) and PR-responsive genes (RORB, KLF15). Here, our studies provide novel tools to study BMP signaling pathways and highlight the fundamental roles of SMAD1/5 in mediating both BMP signaling pathways and the transcriptional response to progesterone (P4) during early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zian Liao
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Graduate Program of Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Suni Tang
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Kaori Nozawa
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka UniversityOsakaJapan
| | - Diana Monsivais
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
| | - Martin Matzuk
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Graduate Program of Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of MedicineHoustonUnited States
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4
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Liao Z, Tang S, Nozawa K, Shimada K, Ikawa M, Monsivais D, Matzuk MM. Affinity-tagged SMAD1 and SMAD5 mouse lines reveal transcriptional reprogramming mechanisms during early pregnancy. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.09.25.559321. [PMID: 38106095 PMCID: PMC10723262 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.25.559321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Endometrial decidualization, a prerequisite for successful pregnancies, relies on transcriptional reprogramming driven by progesterone receptor (PR) and bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-SMAD1/SMAD5 signaling pathways. Despite their critical roles in early pregnancy, how these pathways intersect in reprogramming the endometrium into a receptive state remains unclear. To define how SMAD1 and/or SMAD5 integrate BMP signaling in the uterus during early pregnancy, we generated two novel transgenic mouse lines with affinity tags inserted into the endogenous SMAD1 and SMAD5 loci (Smad1HA/HA and Smad5PA/PA). By profiling the genome-wide distribution of SMAD1, SMAD5, and PR in the mouse uterus, we demonstrated the unique and shared roles of SMAD1 and SMAD5 during the window of implantation. We also showed the presence of a conserved SMAD1, SMAD5, and PR genomic binding signature in the uterus during early pregnancy. To functionally characterize the translational aspects of our findings, we demonstrated that SMAD1/5 knockdown in human endometrial stromal cells suppressed expressions of canonical decidual markers (IGFBP1, PRL, FOXO1) and PR-responsive genes (RORB, KLF15). Here, our studies provide novel tools to study BMP signaling pathways and highlight the fundamental roles of SMAD1/5 in mediating both BMP signaling pathways and the transcriptional response to progesterone (P4) during early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zian Liao
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Graduate Program of Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Suni Tang
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kaori Nozawa
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Diana Monsivais
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Martin M. Matzuk
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Graduate Program of Genetics and Genomics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
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Li L, Ge H, Zhou J, Wang J, Wang L. Polycystic ovary syndrome and adverse pregnancy outcomes: potential role of decidual function. Drug Discov Ther 2024; 17:378-388. [PMID: 38148009 DOI: 10.5582/ddt.2023.01096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder affecting fertility and mental health among women of reproductive age. In addition to anovulation and hyperandrogenism, patients also experience metabolic issues, such as insulin resistance, obesity, and dyslipidemia, as well as chronic low-grade inflammation throughout the body. Recent studies have shown that even with assisted reproductive technology to treat anovulatory issues, patients with PCOS still have higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes and abortion compared to normal pregnancies. These findings suggest that PCOS may impair the endometrium and disrupt the onset and maintenance of healthy pregnancies. Decidualization is a crucial step in the process of healthy pregnancy, during which endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) differentiate into secretory decidual stromal cells (DSCs) regulated by hormones and local metabolism. This article comprehensively reviews the pathological processes of PCOS and the mechanisms involved in its impaired decidualization. In addition, we explore how PCOS increases the incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). By gaining a better understanding of the adverse effects of PCOS on pregnancy and its specific mechanisms, we hope to provide a theoretical basis for reducing APO and improving the live birth rate among women with PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisha Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Hanting Ge
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jing Zhou
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Ling Wang
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- The Academy of Integrative Medicine of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine-related Diseases, Shanghai, China
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Kohno T, Kojima T. Atypical Macropinocytosis Contributes to Malignant Progression: A Review of Recent Evidence in Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer Cells. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14205056. [PMID: 36291839 PMCID: PMC9599675 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14205056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary A novel type of macropinocytosis has been identified as a trigger for the malignant progression of endometrial cancer. Transiently reducing epithelial barrier homeostasis leads to macropinocytosis by splitting between adjacent cells in endometrioid endometrial cancer. Macropinocytosis causes morphological changes in well-differentiated to poorly differentiated cancer cells. Inhibition of macropinocytosis promotes a persistent dormant state in the intrinsic KRAS-mutated cancer cell line Sawano. This review focuses on the mechanisms of atypical macropinocytosis and its effects on cellular function, and it describes the physiological processes involved in inducing resting conditions in endometrioid endometrial cancer cells. Abstract Macropinocytosis is an essential mechanism for the non-specific uptake of extracellular fluids and solutes. In recent years, additional functions have been identified in macropinocytosis, such as the intracellular introduction pathway of drugs, bacterial and viral infection pathways, and nutritional supplement pathway of cancer cells. However, little is known about the changes in cell function after macropinocytosis. Recently, it has been reported that macropinocytosis is essential for endometrial cancer cells to initiate malignant progression in a dormant state. Macropinocytosis is formed by a temporary split of adjacent bicellular junctions of epithelial sheets, rather than from the apical surface or basal membrane, as a result of the transient reduction of tight junction homeostasis. This novel type of macropinocytosis has been suggested to be associated with the malignant pathology of endometriosis and endometrioid endometrial carcinoma. This review outlines the induction of malignant progression of endometrial cancer cells by macropinocytosis based on a new mechanism and the potential preventive mechanism of its malignant progression.
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7
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Ganieva U, Schneiderman S, Bu P, Beaman K, Dambaeva S. IL-22 regulates endometrial regeneration by enhancing tight junctions and orchestrating extracellular matrix. Front Immunol 2022; 13:955576. [PMID: 36091010 PMCID: PMC9453595 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.955576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The uterine endometrium uniquely regenerates after menses, postpartum, or after breaks in the uterine layer integrity throughout women’s lives. Direct cell–cell contacts ensured by tight and adherens junctions play an important role in endometrial integrity. Any changes in these junctions can alter the endometrial permeability of the uterus and have an impact on the regeneration of uterine layers. Interleukin 22 (IL-22) is a cytokine that is recognized for its role in epithelial regeneration. Moreover, it is crucial in controlling the inflammatory response in mucosal tissues. Here, we studied the role of IL-22 in endometrial recovery after inflammation-triggered abortion. Fecundity of mice was studied in consecutive matings of the same animals after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) (10 µg per mouse)-triggered abortion. The fecundity rate after the second mating was substantially different between IL-22 knockout (IL-22−/−) (9.1%) and wild-type (WT) (71.4%) mice (p < 0.05), while there was no difference between the groups in the initial mating, suggesting that IL-22 deficiency might be associated with secondary infertility. A considerable difference was observed between IL-22−/− and WT mice in the uterine clearance following LPS-triggered abortion. Gross examination of the uteri of IL-22−/− mice revealed non-viable fetuses retained inside the horns (delayed clearance). In contrast, all WT mice had completed abortion with total clearance after LPS exposure. We also discovered that IL-22 deficiency is associated with a decreased expression of tight junctions (claudin-2 and claudin-10) and cell surface pathogen protectors (mucin-1). Moreover, IL-22 has a role in the remodeling of the uterine tissue in the inflammatory environment by regulating epithelial–mesenchymal transition markers called E- and N-cadherin. Therefore, IL-22 contributes to the proper regeneration of endometrial layers after inflammation-triggered abortion. Thus, it might have a practical significance to be utilized as a treatment option postpartum (enhanced regeneration function) and in secondary infertility caused by inflammation (enhanced barrier/protector function).
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Affiliation(s)
- Umida Ganieva
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology, and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Sylvia Schneiderman
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Pengli Bu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Kenneth Beaman
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology, and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Svetlana Dambaeva
- Center for Cancer Cell Biology, Immunology, and Infection, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
- Clinical Immunology Laboratory, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science, North Chicago, IL, United States
- *Correspondence: Svetlana Dambaeva,
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Grund SC, Wu XX, Müller D, Wennemuth G, Grümmer R. Impact of endometrial claudin-3 deletion on murine implantation, decidualization and embryo development. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:984-997. [PMID: 35863769 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac143] [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: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The composition of cell contacts in the endometrium plays an important role in the process of embryo implantation and the establishment of pregnancy. In previous studies, we showed an induction of the tight junction protein claudin-3 in the developing decidua from 6.5 dpc onwards. To evaluate the role if this specific claudin-3 distribution, we here evaluated the effect of an endometrial claudin-3 deletion in implantation and embryo development in claudin-3 knockout mice. Claudin-3 KO mice were fertile but revealed a slightly reduced amount of implantation sites as well as of litter size. Though implantation sites showed morphologically regularly developed embryos and deciduas, depth of ectoplacental cone invasion was reduced in tendency compared to controls. The weight of the implantation sites on 6.5 and 8.5 dpc as well as the weight of the embryos on 17.5 dpc, but not of the placentas, was significantly reduced in claudin-3 KO mice due to a maternal effect. This could be due to an impairment of decidualization as substantiated by a downregulation of the transcription of various decidua-associated genes in the early implantation sites of claudin-3 KO mice. The fact that claudin-3 KO mice are nevertheless fertile possibly may be compensated by the presence of other claudins like claudin-4 and claudin-10.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne C Grund
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Xin Xin Wu
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Dominik Müller
- Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Nephrology and Metabolic Diseases Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Gunther Wennemuth
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
| | - Ruth Grümmer
- Department of Anatomy, University Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany
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9
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The Role of Connexin in Ophthalmic Neovascularization and the Interaction between Connexin and Proangiogenic Factors. J Ophthalmol 2022; 2022:8105229. [PMID: 35783340 PMCID: PMC9242797 DOI: 10.1155/2022/8105229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of new blood vessels is an important physiological process that occurs during development. When the body is injured, new blood vessel formation helps the body recuperate by supplying more oxygen and nutrients. However, this mechanism can have a negative effect. In ophthalmologic diseases, such as corneal new blood vessels, neonatal vascular glaucoma, and diabetes retinopathy, the formation of new blood vessels has become a critical component in patient survival. Connexin is a protein that regulates the cellular and molecular material carried by cells. It has been demonstrated that it is widely expressed in vascular endothelial cells, where it forms a slit connection between adjacent cells to promote cell-cell communication via hemichannels, as well as substance exchange into intracellular environments. Numerous studies have demonstrated that connexin in vascular endothelial cells plays an important role in angiogenesis and vascular leakage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect between the angiogenesis-associated factor and the connexin. It also reveals the effect of connexin on ophthalmic neovascularization.
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10
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Yang D, Yin R, Lei Q, Zhu J, Nan S, Ma N, Zhu H, Chen J, Han L, Ding M, Ding Y. Baicalin alleviates endometrial inflammatory injury through regulation of tight junction proteins. Food Funct 2022; 13:6522-6533. [PMID: 35640273 DOI: 10.1039/d2fo00594h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Endometritis is the foremost reason for reduced reproductive performance, which impedes the establishment of pregnancy in ruminants. Baicalin is extensively acknowledged as a tocolytic drug. However, the preventive effect of baicalin on endometrial inflammatory injury remains unclear. The present study aimed to determine the potential benefits of baicalin on endometrial inflammatory injury in animal and cellular models. The results showed that baicalin alleviated the impairment of tight junctions (TJs) and inflammation in the endometrium induced by LPS treatment. Baicalin increased claudin 3 (CLDN3) and tight junction protein 1 (TJP1) levels in a dose-dependent manner in endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) accompanied by autophagy activation with or without LPS treatment. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that baicalin pretreatment prompted MAP1LC3B-positive structures to surround TJ proteins in the cytoplasm and decreased the abnormal aggregation of CLDN3 and TJP1 in the cytosol of EECs. Activation or blockage of autophagy using pharmacologic methods affected the redistribution of TJ proteins by baicalin pretreatment with LPS treatment. The role of autophagy in the modulation of TJ proteins was also confirmed by ATG7 and TFEB overexpression, as evidenced by accelerated redistribution of CLDN3 and TJP1 from the EEC cytosol to the membrane and a loss of membranous CLDN2 in EECs. These data demonstrate that baicalin influences the redistribution of TJ proteins to maintain the barrier function during LPS-induced endometrial inflammatory injury by regulating autophagy and provides a new therapeutic to potentially prevent embryo loss and endometritis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diqi Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Ruiling Yin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Qianghui Lei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Jiandi Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Sha Nan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Ning Ma
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Hongmei Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Jianguo Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Li Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Mingxing Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
| | - Yi Ding
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China.
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11
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Yang T, Zhao J, Liu F, Li Y. Lipid metabolism and endometrial receptivity. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 28:858-889. [PMID: 35639910 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Obesity has now been recognized as a high-risk factor for reproductive health. Although remarkable advancements have been made in ART, a considerable number of infertile obese women still suffer from serial implantation failure, despite the high quality of embryos transferred. Although obesity has long been known to exert various deleterious effects on female fertility, the underlying mechanisms, especially the roles of lipid metabolism in endometrial receptivity, remain largely elusive. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review summarizes current evidence on the impacts of several major lipids and lipid-derived mediators on the embryonic implantation process. Emerging methods for evaluating endometrial receptivity, for example transcriptomic and lipidomic analysis, are also discussed. SEARCH METHODS The PubMed and Embase databases were searched using the following keywords: (lipid or fatty acid or prostaglandin or phospholipid or sphingolipid or endocannabinoid or lysophosphatidic acid or cholesterol or progesterone or estrogen or transcriptomic or lipidomic or obesity or dyslipidemia or polycystic ovary syndrome) AND (endometrial receptivity or uterine receptivity or embryo implantation or assisted reproductive technology or in vitro fertilization or embryo transfer). A comprehensive literature search was performed on the roles of lipid-related metabolic pathways in embryo implantation published between January 1970 and March 2022. Only studies with original data and reviews published in English were included in this review. Additional information was obtained from references cited in the articles resulting from the literature search. OUTCOMES Recent studies have shown that a fatty acids-related pro-inflammatory response in the embryo-endometrium boundary facilitates pregnancy via mediation of prostaglandin signaling. Phospholipid-derived mediators, for example endocannabinoids, lysophosphatidic acid and sphingosine-1-phosphate, are associated with endometrial receptivity, embryo spacing and decidualization based on evidence from both animal and human studies. Progesterone and estrogen are two cholesterol-derived steroid hormones that synergistically mediate the structural and functional alterations in the uterus ready for blastocyst implantation. Variations in serum cholesterol profiles throughout the menstrual cycle imply a demand for steroidogenesis at the time of window of implantation (WOI). Since 2002, endometrial transcriptomic analysis has been serving as a diagnostic tool for WOI dating. Numerous genes that govern lipid homeostasis have been identified and, based on specific alterations of lipidomic signatures differentially expressed in WOI, lipidomic analysis of endometrial fluid provides a possibility for non-invasive diagnosis of lipids alterations during the WOI. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Given that lipid metabolic dysregulation potentially plays a role in infertility, a better understanding of lipid metabolism could have significant clinical implications for the diagnosis and treatment of female reproductive disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianli Yang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Jing Zhao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Feng Liu
- National Clinical Research Center for Metabolic Diseases, Metabolic Syndrome Research Center, and Key Laboratory of Diabetes Immunology, Ministry of Education, The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China
| | - Yanping Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, P.R. China.,Clinical Research Center for Women's Reproductive Health in Hunan Province, Changsha, P.R. China
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Shimada H, Kohno T, Konno T, Okada T, Saito K, Shindo Y, Kikuchi S, Tsujiwaki M, Ogawa M, Matsuura M, Saito T, Kojima T. The Roles of Tricellular Tight Junction Protein Angulin-1/Lipolysis-Stimulated Lipoprotein Receptor (LSR) in Endometriosis and Endometrioid-Endometrial Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:6341. [PMID: 34944960 PMCID: PMC8699113 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13246341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/04/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Tight junction proteins play roles beyond permeability barriers functions and control cell proliferation and differentiation. The relation between tight junctions and the signal transduction pathways affects cell growth, invasion and migration. Abnormality of tight junction proteins closely contributes to epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and malignancy of various cancers. Angulin-1/lipolysis-stimulated lipoprotein receptor (LSR) forms tricellular contacts that has a barrier function. Downregulation of angulin-1/LSR correlates with the malignancy in various cancers, including endometrioid-endometrial carcinoma (EEC). These alterations have been shown to link to not only multiple signaling pathways such as Hippo/YAP, HDAC, AMPK, but also cell metabolism in ECC cell line Sawano. Moreover, loss of angulin-1/LSR upregulates claudin-1, and loss of apoptosis stimulating p53 protein 2 (ASPP2) downregulates angulin-1/LSR. Angulin-1/LSR and ASPP2 concentrate at both midbody and centrosome in cytokinesis. In EEC tissues, angulin-1/LSR and ASPP2 are reduced and claudin-2 is overexpressed during malignancy, while in the tissues of endometriosis changes in localization of angulin-1/LSR and claudin-2 are seen. This review highlights how downregulation of angulin-1/LSR promotes development of endometriosis and EEC and discusses about the roles of angulin-1/LSR and its related proteins, including claudins and ASPP2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Shimada
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (H.S.); (T.K.); (T.O.); (K.S.); (Y.S.)
- Departments of Obstetrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (M.O.); (M.M.); (T.S.)
| | - Takayuki Kohno
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (H.S.); (T.K.); (T.O.); (K.S.); (Y.S.)
| | - Takumi Konno
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (H.S.); (T.K.); (T.O.); (K.S.); (Y.S.)
| | - Tadahi Okada
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (H.S.); (T.K.); (T.O.); (K.S.); (Y.S.)
- Departments of Obstetrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (M.O.); (M.M.); (T.S.)
| | - Kimihito Saito
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (H.S.); (T.K.); (T.O.); (K.S.); (Y.S.)
- Departments of Obstetrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (M.O.); (M.M.); (T.S.)
| | - Yuma Shindo
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (H.S.); (T.K.); (T.O.); (K.S.); (Y.S.)
| | - Shin Kikuchi
- Department of Anatomy, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan;
| | - Mitsuhiro Tsujiwaki
- Department of Pathology, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan;
| | - Marie Ogawa
- Departments of Obstetrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (M.O.); (M.M.); (T.S.)
| | - Motoki Matsuura
- Departments of Obstetrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (M.O.); (M.M.); (T.S.)
| | - Tsuyoshi Saito
- Departments of Obstetrics, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (M.O.); (M.M.); (T.S.)
| | - Takashi Kojima
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan; (H.S.); (T.K.); (T.O.); (K.S.); (Y.S.)
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Zhang T, Guo S, Zhou H, Wu Z, Liu J, Qiu C, Deng G. Endometrial extracellular matrix rigidity and IFNτ ensure the establishment of early pregnancy through activation of YAP. Cell Prolif 2021; 54:e12976. [PMID: 33393124 PMCID: PMC7849163 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In mammals, early pregnancy is a critical vulnerable period during which complications may arise, including pregnancy failure. Establishment of a maternal endometrial acceptance phenotype is a prerequisite for semiheterogeneous embryo implantation, comprising the rate‐limiting step of early pregnancy. Methods Confocal fluorescence, immunohistochemistry and western blot for nuclear and cytoplasmic protein were used to examine the activation of yes‐associated protein (YAP) in uterine tissue and primary endometrial cells. The target binding between miR16a and YAP was verified by dual‐luciferase reporter gene assay. The mouse pregnancy model and pseudopregnancy model were used to investigate the role of YAP in the maternal uterus during early pregnancy in vivo. Results We showed that YAP translocates into the nucleus in the endometrium of cattle and mice during early pregnancy. Mechanistically, YAP acts as a mediator of ECM rigidity and cell density, which requires the actomyosin cytoskeleton and is partially dependent on the Hippo pathway. Furthermore, we found that the soluble factor IFNτ, which is a ruminant pregnancy recognition factor, also induced activation of YAP by reducing the expression of miR‐16a. Conclusions This study revealed that activation of YAP is necessary for early pregnancy in bovines because it induced cell proliferation and established an immunosuppressive local environment that allowed conceptus implantation into the uterine epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuai Guo
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Han Zhou
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhimin Wu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Junfeng Liu
- College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Changwei Qiu
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ganzhen Deng
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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14
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Jiang NX, Li XL. The Complicated Effects of Extracellular Vesicles and Their Cargos on Embryo Implantation. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:681266. [PMID: 34149619 PMCID: PMC8213030 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.681266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
As a rate-limiting step in pregnancy, embryo implantation is highly dependent on intercellular communication. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are newly identified to be important in the course of intercellular communication. EVs have been isolated from a wide variety of biofluids and tissues, including plasma, liver, uterine, semen, embryo, etc. The present and future use of EVs not only as biomarkers, but also as targeting drug delivery system, is promisingly pave the way for advanced comprehension of implantation failure in reproductive diseases. However, as the precise mechanisms of EVs in embryo implantation has not been elucidated yet. Herein, we summarize the current knowledge on the diverse effects of EVs from various sources and their cargos such as microRNA, long non-coding RNA, protein, etc. on embryo implantation, and the potential mechanisms of EVs in reproductive diseases such as recurrent implantation failure, polycystic ovary syndrome and endometriosis. It is essential to note that many of the biologically plausible functions of EVs in embryo implantation discussed in present literatures still need further research in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan-Xing Jiang
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xue-Lian Li
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
- *Correspondence: Xue-Lian Li,
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15
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Li T, Greenblatt EM, Shin ME, Brown TJ, Chan C. Cargo small non-coding RNAs of extracellular vesicles isolated from uterine fluid associate with endometrial receptivity and implantation success. Fertil Steril 2020; 115:1327-1336. [PMID: 33272614 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.10.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To optimize a method of isolating extracellular vesicles (EVs) from uterine fluid and to characterize small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) from the EVs, with the goal of identifying novel receptivity-associated biomarkers. DESIGN Longitudinal study comparing sncRNA expression profiles from endometrial EVs. SETTING University-affiliated, hospital-based fertility clinic. PATIENT(S) Healthy volunteers with no history of infertility (Group A) and women receiving controlled ovarian stimulation (COS)-in vitro fertilization treatment (Group B). INTERVENTIONS(S) In Group A, EVs were isolated from uterine fluid obtained on luteinizing hormone (LH)+2 and LH+7 in one natural menstrual cycle. In Group B, EVs were isolated from uterine fluid obtained on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)+2 and hCG+7 in one COS cycle. RNAs extracted from EVs were profiled using next-generation sequencing. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Differential EV-sncRNAs between LH+2 and LH+7 (Group A), between hCG+2 and hCG+7 (Group B), and between pregnant and nonpregnant in vitro fertilization cycles (Group B). RESULT(S) Ultracentrifugation was validated as the most efficient method to isolate EVs from uterine fluid. We identified 12 endometrial EV-sncRNAs (11 microRNAs and 1 piwi-interacting RNA) as receptivity-associated transcripts conserved in both natural and COS cycles. These sncRNAs were associated strongly with biological functions related to immune response, extracellular matrix, and cell junction. Within COS cycles, we also identified a group of EV-sncRNAs that exhibited differential expression in patients who conceived versus those who did not, with hsa-miR-362-3p most robustly overexpressed in the nonpregnant patients. CONCLUSION(S) This study is the first to profile comprehensively sncRNAs in endometrial EVs from uterine fluid and identify sncRNA biomarkers of endometrial receptivity and implantation success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiantian Li
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ellen M Greenblatt
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Theodore J Brown
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Crystal Chan
- Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Mount Sinai Fertility, Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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16
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Kamal DAM, Ibrahim SF, Mokhtar MH. Effects of Testosterone on the Expression of Connexin 26 and Connexin 43 in the Uterus of Rats During Early Pregnancy. In Vivo 2020; 34:1863-1870. [PMID: 32606156 PMCID: PMC7439866 DOI: 10.21873/invivo.11981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIM It was hypothesized that testosterone could affect the distribution and expression of connexin 26 and connexin 43 in the uterus. Thus, the effects of testosterone on these parameters in the uterus during the uterine receptivity period were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS Intact pregnant rats were administered 1 mg/kg/day testosterone alone or in combination with flutamide, finasteride or anastrozole, subcutaneously on day-1 of pregnancy till day 3. The rats were sacrificed at day 4 of pregnancy, which was considered as the uterine receptivity period for determining the expression and distribution of connexin 26 and connexion 43 by immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS Treatment with 1 mg/kg/day testosterone increased connexin 26 and decreased connexin 43 mRNA expression and protein distribution in the uterus of early pregnancy rats. CONCLUSION Changes in the uterine connexin 26 and connexin 43 expression by testosterone could disrupt embryo implantation, resulting in early pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Datu Agasi Mohd Kamal
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Therapeutics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia
| | - Siti Fatimah Ibrahim
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Helmy Mokhtar
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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17
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Konrad L, Dietze R, Riaz MA, Scheiner-Bobis G, Behnke J, Horné F, Hoerscher A, Reising C, Meinhold-Heerlein I. Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Endometriosis-When Does It Happen? J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9061915. [PMID: 32570986 PMCID: PMC7357060 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9061915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an important process of cell remodeling characterized by the gradual loss of the epithelial phenotype and progressive gain of a mesenchymal phenotype. EMT is not an all-or-nothing process, but instead a transition of epithelial to mesenchymal cells with intermediate cell states. Recently, EMT was described in endometriosis, and many EMT-specific pathways like Twist, Snail, Slug, Zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1/2 (ZEB1/2), E/N-cadherin, keratins, and claudins are involved. However, as pointed out in this review, a comparison of the eutopic endometrium of women with and without endometriosis yielded only subtle changes of these EMT markers. Furthermore, only very few alterations in cell-cell contacts could be found but without changes in the epithelial phenotype. This suggests only a partial EMT which is not a prerequisite for the detachment of endometrial cells and, thus, not critical for the first step(s) in the pathogenesis of endometriosis. In contrast, the majority of changes in the EMT-related marker expression were found in the ectopic endometrium, especially in the three endometriotic entities, ovarian, peritoneal, and deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE), compared with the eutopic endometrium. In this review, we examine the most important EMT pathways described in endometriosis and propose that partial EMT might result from the interaction of endometrial implants with their surrounding microenvironment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutz Konrad
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-641-985-45282
| | - Raimund Dietze
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Tumor Research (IMT), Philipps University of Marburg, 35037 Marburg, Germany;
| | - Muhammad A. Riaz
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Georgios Scheiner-Bobis
- Institute for Veterinary-Physiology and -Biochemistry, School of Veterinary Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, 35390 Gießen, Germany;
| | - Judith Behnke
- Department of General Pediatrics and Neonatalogy, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Universities of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center (UGMLC), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), 35392 Giessen, Germany;
| | - Fabian Horné
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Alena Hoerscher
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Christoph Reising
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
| | - Ivo Meinhold-Heerlein
- Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (M.A.R.); (F.H.); (A.H.); (C.R.); (I.M.-H.)
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Hebeda CB, Sandri S, Benis CM, de Paula-Silva M, Loiola RA, Reutelingsperger C, Perretti M, Farsky SHP. Annexin A1/Formyl Peptide Receptor Pathway Controls Uterine Receptivity to the Blastocyst. Cells 2020; 9:cells9051188. [PMID: 32403233 PMCID: PMC7291299 DOI: 10.3390/cells9051188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Embryo implantation into the uterine wall is a highly modulated, complex process. We previously demonstrated that Annexin A1 (AnxA1), which is a protein secreted by epithelial and inflammatory cells in the uterine microenvironment, controls embryo implantation in vivo. Here, we decipher the effects of recombinant AnxA1 in this phenomenon by using human trophoblast cell (BeWo) spheroids and uterine epithelial cells (Ishikawa; IK). AnxA1-treated IK cells demonstrated greater levels of spheroid adherence and upregulation of the tight junction molecules claudin-1 and zona occludens-1, as well as the glycoprotein mucin-1 (Muc-1). The latter effect of AnxA1 was not mediated through IL-6 secreted from IK cells, a known inducer of Muc-1 expression. Rather, these effects of AnxA1 involved activation of the formyl peptide receptors FPR1 and FPR2, as pharmacological blockade of FPR1 or FPR1/FPR2 abrogated such responses. The downstream actions of AnxA1 were mediated through the ERK1/2 phosphorylation pathway and F-actin polymerization in IK cells, as blockade of ERK1/2 phosphorylation reversed AnxA1-induced Muc-1 and claudin-1 expression. Moreover, FPR2 activation by AnxA1 induced vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion by IK cells, and the supernatant of AnxA1-treated IK cells evoked angiogenesis in vitro. In conclusion, these data highlight the role of the AnxA1/FPR1/FPR2 pathway in uterine epithelial control of blastocyst implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina B. Hebeda
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.H.); (S.S.); (C.M.B.); (M.d.P.-S.); (R.A.L.)
| | - Silvana Sandri
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.H.); (S.S.); (C.M.B.); (M.d.P.-S.); (R.A.L.)
| | - Cláudia M. Benis
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.H.); (S.S.); (C.M.B.); (M.d.P.-S.); (R.A.L.)
| | - Marina de Paula-Silva
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.H.); (S.S.); (C.M.B.); (M.d.P.-S.); (R.A.L.)
| | - Rodrigo A. Loiola
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.H.); (S.S.); (C.M.B.); (M.d.P.-S.); (R.A.L.)
| | - Chris Reutelingsperger
- Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Part of Maastricht University Medical Center, Part of Maastricht University, 6211 LK Maastricht, The Netherlands;
| | - Mauro Perretti
- The William Harvey Research Institute, Queen Mary University of London, London EC1M 6BQ, UK;
| | - Sandra H. P. Farsky
- Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analyses, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Sao Paulo, São Paulo CEP 05508-000, Brazil; (C.B.H.); (S.S.); (C.M.B.); (M.d.P.-S.); (R.A.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +55-(11)-3091-2197
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19
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Kaushik T, Mishra R, Singh RK, Bajpai S. Role of connexins in female reproductive system and endometriosis. J Gynecol Obstet Hum Reprod 2020; 49:101705. [PMID: 32018041 DOI: 10.1016/j.jogoh.2020.101705] [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: 06/28/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Gap junction form channels between the cells and facilitate the function of cellular cross talk. Connexins, the gap junction proteins play an essential role in female reproductive health and its expression anomalies are correlated with female reproductive disorders like polycystic ovarian syndrome, recurrent miscarriage, pre-term birth and endometriosis. Endometriosis is a chronic gynecologic disorder caused by ectopic endometrial lesions growing outside the uterine cavity. Embryonic implantation is adversely affected in case of endometriosis leading to infertility. Endometriosis also interferes with ovulatory functions, reduces fertilization and impaires blastocyst implantation. There lies a lacunae in understanding of the role of gap junctions protein connexins in endometriosis. Therefore, this study discusses the role of connexins in improving female fertility by taming the processes of oogenesis, germ line development, uterine receptivity, placental growth, implantation, decidualization and concludes by focusing the role of connexins in endometriosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tripti Kaushik
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnolgy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali, 304022, Rajasthan, India
| | - Rakesh Mishra
- Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (inStem), NCBS Campus, Bengaluru, 560065, Karnataka, India
| | - Rakesh K Singh
- Department of Biochemistry, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Surabhi Bajpai
- Department of Bioscience and Biotechnolgy, Banasthali Vidyapith, Banasthali, 304022, Rajasthan, India.
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Whitby S, Zhou W, Dimitriadis E. Alterations in Epithelial Cell Polarity During Endometrial Receptivity: A Systematic Review. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:596324. [PMID: 33193109 PMCID: PMC7652731 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.596324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Abnormal endometrial receptivity is one of the major causes of embryo implantation failure and infertility. The plasma membrane transformation (PMT) describes the collective morphological and molecular alterations occurring to the endometrial luminal epithelium across the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle to facilitate implantation. Dysregulation of this process directly affects endometrial receptivity and implantation. Multiple parallels between these alterations to confer endometrial receptivity in women have been drawn to those seen during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in tumorigenesis. Understanding these similarities and differences will improve our knowledge of implantation biology, and may provide novel therapeutic targets to manage implantation failure. METHODS A systematic review was performed using the Medline (Ovid), Embase, and Web of Science databases without additional limits. The search terms used were "(plasma membrane* or cell membrane*) and transformation*" and "endometrium or endometrial." Research studies on the PMT or its regulation in women, discussing either the endometrial epithelium, decidualized stroma, or both, were eligible for inclusion. RESULTS A total of 198 articles were identified. Data were extracted from 15 studies that matched the inclusion criteria. Collectively, these included studies confirmed the alterations occurring to the endometrial luminal epithelium during the PMT are similar to those seen during the EMT. Such similarities included alterations to the actin cytoskeleton remodeling of adherens junctions, integrin expression and epithelial-stromal communication. These were also some differences between these processes, such as the regulation of tight junctions and mucins, which need to be further researched. CONCLUSIONS This review raised the prospect of shared and distinct mechanisms existing in PMT and EMT. Further investigation into similarities between the PMT in the endometrium and the EMT in tumorigenesis may provide new mechanistic insights into PMT and new targets for the management of implantation failure and infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Whitby
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Wei Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Evdokia Dimitriadis
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Gynaecology Research Centre, Royal Women’s Hospital, Parkville, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Evdokia Dimitriadis,
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Dai FF, Bao AY, Luo B, Zeng ZH, Pu XL, Wang YQ, Zhang L, Xian S, Yuan MQ, Yang DY, Liu SY, Cheng YX. Identification of differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways involved in endometriosis by integrated bioinformatics analysis. Exp Ther Med 2019; 19:264-272. [PMID: 31853298 PMCID: PMC6909483 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2019.8214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease characterized by the presence and growth of endometrial tissue outside the uterus, including the pelvis and abdominal cavity. This condition causes various clinical symptoms, such as non-menstrual pelvic pain, dysmenorrhea and infertility, seriously affecting the health and quality of life of women. To date, the specific mechanism and the key molecules of endometriosis remain uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the development and persistence of the disease. A number of mRNA expression profile datasets (namely GSE11691, GSE23339, GSE25628 and GSE78851) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. These gene expression profiles were normalized, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified by integrated bioinformatics analysis. A total of 103 DEGs were screened upon excluding the genes that exhibited inconsistency of expression (P<0.05). Furthermore, the Gene Ontology analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis, and construction of protein-protein interaction networks of DEGs were performed using online software. The results revealed that the DEGs were closely associated with cell migration, adherens junction and hypoxia-inducible factor signaling. In addition, immunohistochemical assay results were found to be consistent with the bioinformatics results. The present study may help us understand underlying molecular mechanisms and the development of endometriosis, which has a great clinical significance for early diagnosis of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang-Fang Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, P.R. China
| | - An-Yu Bao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Bing Luo
- Department of Pathology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Zi-Hang Zeng
- Department of Oncology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430071, P.R. China
| | - Xiao-Li Pu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei 442000, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Qing Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Shu Xian
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Meng-Qin Yuan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Dong-Yong Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Shi-Yi Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
| | - Yan-Xiang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430060, P.R. China
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Ek M, Roth B, Valentin L, Nordengren J, Ohlsson B. Autoantibodies common in patients with gastrointestinal diseases are not found in patients with endometriosis: A cross-sectional study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2019; 240:370-374. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2019.05.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/23/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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Kohno T, Konno T, Kojima T. Role of Tricellular Tight Junction Protein Lipolysis-Stimulated Lipoprotein Receptor (LSR) in Cancer Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E3555. [PMID: 31330820 PMCID: PMC6679224 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20143555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Revised: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining a robust epithelial barrier requires the accumulation of tight junction proteins, LSR/angulin-1 and tricellulin, at the tricellular contacts. Alterations in the localization of these proteins temporarily cause epithelial barrier dysfunction, which is closely associated with not only physiological differentiation but also cancer progression and metastasis. In normal human endometrial tissues, the endometrial cells undergo repeated proliferation and differentiation under physiological conditions. Recent observations have revealed that the localization and expression of LSR/angulin-1 and tricellulin are altered in a menstrual cycle-dependent manner. Moreover, it has been shown that endometrial cancer progression affects these alterations. This review highlights the differences in the localization and expression of tight junction proteins in normal endometrial cells and endometrial cancers and how they cause functional changes in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takayuki Kohno
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan.
| | - Takumi Konno
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
| | - Takashi Kojima
- Department of Cell Science, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo 060-8556, Japan
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Dolat L, Valdivia RH. A renewed tool kit to explore Chlamydia pathogenesis: from molecular genetics to new infection models. F1000Res 2019; 8. [PMID: 31249676 PMCID: PMC6589931 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.18832.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia trachomatis is the most prevalent sexually transmitted bacterial pathogen and the leading cause of preventable blindness in the developing world.
C. trachomatis invades the epithelium of the conjunctiva and genital tract and replicates within an intracellular membrane-bound compartment termed the inclusion. To invade and replicate in mammalian cells,
Chlamydia remodels epithelial surfaces by reorganizing the cytoskeleton and cell–cell adhesions, reprograms membrane trafficking, and modulates cell signaling to dampen innate immune responses. If the infection ascends to the upper female genital tract, it can result in pelvic inflammatory disease and tissue scarring.
C. trachomatis infections are associated with infertility, ectopic pregnancies, the fibrotic disorder endometriosis, and potentially cancers of the cervix and uterus. Unfortunately, the molecular mechanisms by which this clinically important human pathogen subverts host cellular functions and causes disease have remained relatively poorly understood because of the dearth of molecular genetic tools to study
Chlamydiae and limitations of both
in vivo and
in vitro infection models. In this review, we discuss recent advances in the experimental molecular tool kit available to dissect
C. trachomatis infections with a special focus on
Chlamydia-induced epithelial barrier disruption by regulating the structure, function, and dynamics of epithelial cell–cell junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lee Dolat
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
| | - Raphael H Valdivia
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, USA
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