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Yuan J, Li J, Du S, Wen Y, Wang Y, Lang YF, Wu R, Yan QG, Zhao S, Huang X, Zhao Q, Cao SJ. Revealing the lethal effects of Pasteurella multocida toxin on multiple organ systems. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1459124. [PMID: 39257615 PMCID: PMC11385013 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1459124] [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: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pasteurella multocida toxin (PMT) is one of the most important virulence factors of Pasteurella multocida type D. Pasteurella multocida infection has caused enormous economic losses in the pig farming industry. Although it is well known that this bacterial infection causes progressive atrophic rhinitis, its effects on other organ tissues in pigs are unclear. In this study, PMT was expressed and purified, and the cytotoxic effects of PMT on four types of swine cells, LLC-PK1, PAM, IPEC, and ST, were investigated. LLC-PK1 exhibited the highest sensitivity to the cytotoxic effects of PMT. Our studies revealed that a PMT concentration of 0.1 μg/kg can lead to weight loss, whereas a PMT concentration of 0.5 μg/kg can lead to death in mice. PMT causes damage to the intestines, kidneys, lungs, livers, and spleens of mice. Furthermore, PMT caused acute death in pigs at treatment concentrations greater than 5 μg/kg; at PMT concentration of 2.5 μg/kg, weight loss occurred until death. PMT mainly caused damage to the hearts, lungs, livers, spleens and kidneys of pigs. The organ coefficient showed that damage to the heart and kidneys was the most severe and caused the renal pelvis and renal pyramid to dissolve and become cavitated. Pathology revealed hemorrhage in the lungs, liver, and spleen, and the kidneys were swollen and vacuolated, which was consistent with the damaged target organs in the mice. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that PMT is extremely toxic in vitro and in vivo, causing damage to various organs of the body, especially the kidneys and lungs. This study provides a theoretical basis for the in-depth exploration of the cytotoxic effects of PMT on target organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin Yuan
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Jinfeng Li
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Senyan Du
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiping Wen
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiping Wang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi-Fei Lang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Rui Wu
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi-Gui Yan
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Shan Zhao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiaobo Huang
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - Qin Zhao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
| | - San-Jie Cao
- Research Center for Swine Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
- Engineering Research Center of Southwest Animal Disease Prevention and Control Technology, Ministry of Education, Chengdu, China
- Sichuan Science-Observation Experimental Station of Veterinary Drugs and Veterinary Diagnostic Technique, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Chengdu, China
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2
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Poh QH, Rai A, Cross J, Greening DW. HB-EGF-loaded nanovesicles enhance trophectodermal spheroid attachment and invasion. Proteomics 2024; 24:e2200145. [PMID: 38214697 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.202200145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
The ability of trophectodermal cells (outer layer of the embryo) to attach to the endometrial cells and subsequently invade the underlying matrix are critical stages of embryo implantation during successful pregnancy establishment. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been implicated in embryo-maternal crosstalk, capable of reprogramming endometrial cells towards a pro-implantation signature and phenotype. However, challenges associated with EV yield and direct loading of biomolecules limit their therapeutic potential. We have previously established generation of cell-derived nanovesicles (NVs) from human trophectodermal cells (hTSCs) and their capacity to reprogram endometrial cells to enhance adhesion and blastocyst outgrowth. Here, we employed a rapid NV loading strategy to encapsulate potent implantation molecules such as HB-EGF (NVHBEGF). We show these loaded NVs elicit EGFR-mediated effects in recipient endometrial cells, activating kinase phosphorylation sites that modulate their activity (AKT S124/129, MAPK1 T185/Y187), and downstream signalling pathways and processes (AKT signal transduction, GTPase activity). Importantly, they enhanced target cell attachment and invasion. The phosphoproteomics and proteomics approach highlight NVHBEGF-mediated short-term signalling patterns and long-term reprogramming capabilities on endometrial cells which functionally enhance trophectodermal-endometrial interactions. This proof-of-concept study demonstrates feasibility in enhancing the functional potency of NVs in the context of embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Hui Poh
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Chemistry, School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Alin Rai
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathon Cross
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David W Greening
- Molecular Proteomics, Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Cardiovascular Research, Translation and Implementation, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Baker Department of Cardiometabolic Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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3
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Geisert RD, Johns DN, Pfeiffer CA, Sullivan RM, Lucas CG, Simintiras CA, Redel BK, Wells KD, Spencer TE, Prather RS. Gene editing provides a tool to investigate genes involved in reproduction of pigs. Mol Reprod Dev 2023; 90:459-468. [PMID: 35736243 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23620] [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: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology provides a method to generate loss-of-function studies to investigate, in vivo, the specific role of specific genes in regulation of reproduction. With proper design and selection of guide RNAs (gRNA) designed to specifically target genes, CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing allows investigation of factors proposed to regulate biological pathways involved with establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. The advantages and disadvantages of using the current gene editing technology in a large farm species is discussed. CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing of porcine conceptuses has generated new perspectives for the regulation of endometrial function during the establishment of pregnancy. The delicate orchestration of conceptus factors facilitates an endometrial proinflammatory response while regulating maternal immune cell migration and expansion at the implantation site is essential for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. Recent developments and use of endometrial epithelial "organoids" to study endometrial function in vitro provides a future method to screen and target specific endometrial genes as an alternative to generating a gene edited animal model. With continuing improvements in gene editing technology, future researchers will be able to design studies to enhance our knowledge of mechanisms essential for early development and survival of the conceptus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodney D Geisert
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Destiny N Johns
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Caroline A Pfeiffer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Riley M Sullivan
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Caroline G Lucas
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | | | - Bethany K Redel
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Kevin D Wells
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
| | - Randall S Prather
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri, USA
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4
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Hong L, Zang X, Hu Q, He Y, Xu Z, Xie Y, Gu T, Yang H, Yang J, Shi J, Zheng E, Huang S, Xu Z, Liu D, Cai G, Li Z, Wu Z. Uterine luminal-derived extracellular vesicles: potential nanomaterials to improve embryo implantation. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:79. [PMID: 36882792 PMCID: PMC9990359 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-01834-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Most pregnancy losses worldwide are caused by implantation failure for which there is a lack of effective therapeutics. Extracellular vesicles are considered potential endogenous nanomedicines because of their unique biological functions. However, the limited supply of ULF-EVs prevents their development and application in infertility diseases such as implantation failure. In this study, pigs were used as a human biomedical model, and ULF-EVs were isolated from the uterine luminal. We comprehensively characterized the proteins enriched in ULF-EVs and revealed their biological functions in promoting embryo implantation. By exogenously supplying ULF-EVs, we demonstrated that ULF-EVs improve embryo implantation, suggesting that ULF-EVs are a potential nanomaterial to treat implantation failure. Furthermore, we identified that MEP1B is important in improving embryo implantation by promoting trophoblast cell proliferation and migration. These results indicated that ULF-EVs can be a potential nanomaterial to improve embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linjun Hong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China. .,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xupeng Zang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Qun Hu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanjuan He
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiqian Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanshe Xie
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Gu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Huaqiang Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Yang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Junsong Shi
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Yunfu Subcenter of Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Yunfu, 527300, People's Republic of China
| | - Enqin Zheng
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Sixiu Huang
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Xu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Dewu Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Gengyuan Cai
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China
| | - Zicong Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China. .,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhenfang Wu
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China. .,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Agro-Animal Genomics and Molecular Breeding, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China. .,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China. .,State Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Breeding, Guangzhou, 510642, People's Republic of China.
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5
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Han K, Yue Y, Wang W, Wang F, Chai W, Zhao S, Yu M. Lewis x-carrying O-glycans are candidate modulators for conceptus attachment in pigs†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:292-303. [PMID: 36401880 PMCID: PMC7614189 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful attachment of conceptus to the uterine luminal epithelium (LE) is crucial for establishing a functional placenta in pigs. However, the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. The uterine LE-conceptus interface is enriched in various glycoconjugates essential to implantation. Using MALDI-MS profiling, we identified for the first time the O-glycan repertoire of pig endometrium during the conceptus attachment stage. The expression pattern of blood group A, O(H), Lewis x, y, a, b (Lex, Ley, Lea, and Leb), the sialylated and sulfated Lex antigens in the uterine LE-conceptus interface was assessed using immunofluorescence assays. Notably, the Lex-carrying O-glycans exhibited a temporal-spatial expression pattern. They were absent in the endometrium on estrous cycle days but strongly and spatially presented in the conceptus and uterine LE to which the conceptus apposes during the early conceptus attachment stage. In addition, Lex-carrying O-glycans were co-localized with secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1), a well-characterized factor that plays a role in promoting conceptus attachment through interacting with integrin αVβ3 and integrin αVβ6. Meanwhile, the immunoprecipitation assays revealed an interaction between the Lex-carrying O-glycans and SPP1, integrin αV, and integrin β6. Furthermore, we provided evidence that the β1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 (B4GALT1) gene is a potential regulator for Lex antigen expression in the uterine LE-conceptus interface during the early conceptus attachment stage. In conclusion, our findings show that Lex-carrying O-glycans, presumably dependent on B4GALT1 gene expression, might modulate conceptus attachment by interacting with the SPP1-integrin receptor complex in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Han
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Yulu Yue
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Weiwei Wang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Feiyu Wang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Wengang Chai
- Glycosciences Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Shuhong Zhao
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Mei Yu
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
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6
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Choe K, Pak U, Pang Y, Hao W, Yang X. Advances and Challenges in Spatial Transcriptomics for Developmental Biology. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13010156. [PMID: 36671541 PMCID: PMC9855858 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Development from single cells to multicellular tissues and organs involves more than just the exact replication of cells, which is known as differentiation. The primary focus of research into the mechanism of differentiation has been differences in gene expression profiles between individual cells. However, it has predominantly been conducted at low throughput and bulk levels, challenging the efforts to understand molecular mechanisms of differentiation during the developmental process in animals and humans. During the last decades, rapid methodological advancements in genomics facilitated the ability to study developmental processes at a genome-wide level and finer resolution. Particularly, sequencing transcriptomes at single-cell resolution, enabled by single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq), was a breath-taking innovation, allowing scientists to gain a better understanding of differentiation and cell lineage during the developmental process. However, single-cell isolation during scRNA-seq results in the loss of the spatial information of individual cells and consequently limits our understanding of the specific functions of the cells performed by different spatial regions of tissues or organs. This greatly encourages the emergence of the spatial transcriptomic discipline and tools. Here, we summarize the recent application of scRNA-seq and spatial transcriptomic tools for developmental biology. We also discuss the limitations of current spatial transcriptomic tools and approaches, as well as possible solutions and future prospects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyongho Choe
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Unil Pak
- College of Landscape Architecture, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin 150040, China
| | - Yu Pang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Wanjun Hao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
| | - Xiuqin Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +86-451-55191738
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7
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Wang W, Cao C, Zhang B, Wang F, Deng D, Cao J, Li H, Yu M. Integrating Transcriptomic and ChIP-Seq Reveals Important Regulatory Regions Modulating Gene Expression in Myometrium during Implantation in Pigs. Biomolecules 2022; 13:biom13010045. [PMID: 36671430 PMCID: PMC9856092 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010045] [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: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The myometrium is the outer layer of the uterus. Its contraction and steroidogenic activities are required for embryo implantation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its functions remain unknown in pigs. The myometrium includes the inner circular muscle (CM) and the outer longitudinal muscle (LM) layers. In this study, we collected the CM and LM samples from the mesometrial side (named M) of the uterus on days 12 (pre-implantation stage) and 15 (implantation stage) of pregnancy and day 15 of the estrous cycle. The transcriptomic results revealed distinct differences between the uterine CM and LM layers in early pregnancy: the genes expressed in the LM layer were mainly related to contraction pathways, whereas the transcriptional signatures in the CM layer on day 15 of pregnancy were primarily involved in the immune response processes. Subsequent comparisons in the CM layer between pregnant and cyclic gilts show that the transcriptional signatures of the CM layer are implantation-dependent. Next, we investigated the genome-wide profiling of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) and histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4me3) in pig uterine CM and LM layers. The genomic regions that had transcriptional activity and were associated with the expression of genes in the two layers were characterized. Taken together, the regulatory regions identified in the study may contribute to modulating the gene expression in pig uterine CM and LM layers during implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwei Wang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Caiqin Cao
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Botao Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Feiyu Wang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Dadong Deng
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Jianhua Cao
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hua Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Molecular Design and Precise Breeding, Foshan University, Foshan 528225, China
| | - Mei Yu
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
- Correspondence:
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8
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Sun Y, Yang Y, Jiang Z, Wang F, Han K, Hong L, Cao J, Yu M. C/EBP-β contributes to pig endometrial LE receptivity by targeting cell remodeling genes during implantation. Reproduction 2022; 164:269-281. [PMID: 36099329 DOI: 10.1530/rep-22-0270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
In brief Transforming the endometrial luminal epithelium (LE) into a receptive state is a requisite event for successful embryo implantation. This study suggests the role of a transcription factor in regulating endometrial LE receptivity. Abstract The endometrial luminal epithelium (LE) undergoes extensive remodeling during implantation to establish receptivity of the uterus in response to the conceptus signals, such as interleukin 1β (IL1B). But the mechanisms remain to be fully understood. This study investigated the role of CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein β (C/EBP-β) in regulating pig endometrial LE receptivity. Our results showed that C/EBP-β was expressed and activated only in the endometrial LE in an implantation-dependent manner. In addition, C/EBP-β was highly activated at the pre-attachment stage compared to the attachment stage, and its activation was correlated with the expression of IL1B-dependent extracellular signal-regulated kinases1/2-p90 ribosomal S6 kinase signaling axis. Subsequent chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-sequencing analysis revealed that the binding of C/EBP-β within the promoter was positively associated with the transcription of genes related to cell remodeling. One such gene is matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP8), which is responsible for extracellular matrix degradation. The expression of MMP8 was abundant at the pre-attachment stage but dramatically declined at the attachment stage in the endometrial LE. Consistent with C/EBP-β, the expression and activation of MMP8 were limited to the endometrial LE in an implantation-dependent manner. Using ChIP-qPCR and electrophoresis mobility shift assay approaches, we demonstrated that C/EBP-β regulated the expression of the MMP8 gene during implantation. Furthermore, we detected that MMP8 and one of its substrates, type II collagen, showed a mutually exclusive expression pattern in pig endometrial LE during implantation. Our findings indicate that C/EBP-β plays a role in pig endometrial LE receptivity by regulating cell remodeling-related genes, such as MMP8, in response to conceptus signals during implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Sun
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yifen Yang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Ziran Jiang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Feiyu Wang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Kun Han
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Linjun Hong
- National Engineering Research Center for Breeding Swine Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jianhua Cao
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mei Yu
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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9
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Luminal and Glandular Epithelial Cells from the Porcine Endometrium maintain Cell Type-Specific Marker Gene Expression in Air-Liquid Interface Culture. Stem Cell Rev Rep 2022; 18:2928-2938. [PMID: 35849251 PMCID: PMC9622560 DOI: 10.1007/s12015-022-10410-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Two different types of epithelial cells constitute the inner surface of the endometrium. While luminal epithelial cells line the uterine cavity and build the embryo-maternal contact zone, glandular epithelial cells form tubular glands reaching deeply into the endometrial stroma. To facilitate investigations considering the functional and molecular differences between the two populations of epithelial cells and their contribution to reproductive processes, we aimed at establishing differentiated in vitro models of both the luminal and the glandular epithelium of the porcine endometrium using an air–liquid interface (ALI) approach. We first tested if porcine luminal endometrium epithelial cells (PEEC-L) reproducibly form differentiated epithelial monolayers under ALI conditions by monitoring the morphology and the trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TEER). Subsequently, luminal (PEEC-L) and glandular epithelial cells (PEEC-G) were consecutively isolated from the endometrium of the uterine horn. Both cell types were characterized by marker gene expression analysis immediately after isolation. Cells were separately grown at the ALI and assessed by means of histomorphometry, TEER, and marker gene expression after 3 weeks of culture. PEEC-L and PEEC-G formed polarized monolayers of differentiated epithelial cells with a moderate TEER and in vivo-like morphology at the ALI. They exhibited distinct patterns of functional and cell type-specific marker gene expression after isolation and largely maintained these patterns during the culture period. The here presented cell culture procedure for PEEC-L and -G offers new opportunities to study the impact of embryonic signals, endocrine effectors, and reproductive toxins on both porcine endometrial epithelial cell types under standardized in vitro conditions.
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10
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Tian Q, He JP, Zhu C, Zhu QY, Li YG, Liu JL. Revisiting the Transcriptome Landscape of Pig Embryo Implantation Site at Single-Cell Resolution. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:796358. [PMID: 35602598 PMCID: PMC9114439 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.796358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Litter size is one of the most economically important traits in commercial pig farming. It has been estimated that approximately 30% of porcine embryos are lost during the peri-implantation period. Despite rapid advances over recent years, the molecular mechanism underlying embryo implantation in pigs remains poorly understood. In this study, the conceptus together with a small amount of its surrounding endometrial tissues at the implantation site was collected and subjected to single-cell RNA-seq using the 10x platform. Because embryo and maternal endometrium were genetically different, we successfully dissected embryonic cells from maternal endometrial cells in the data according to single nucleotide polymorphism information captured by single-cell RNA-seq. Undoubtedly, the interaction between trophoblast cells and uterine epithelial cells represents the key mechanism of embryo implantation. Using the CellChat tool, we revealed cell-cell communications between these 2 cell types in terms of secreted signaling, ECM-receptor interaction and cell-cell contact. Additionally, by analyzing the non-pregnant endometrium as control, we were able to identify global gene expression changes associated with embryo implantation in each cell type. Our data provide a valuable resource for deciphering the molecular mechanism of embryo implantation in pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yu-Gu Li
- *Correspondence: Yu-Gu Li, ; Ji-Long Liu,
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11
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Han K, Wang F, Yue Y, Tan X, Tian M, Miao Y, Zhao S, Dong W, Yu M. Glycomics reveal that ST6GAL1-mediated sialylation regulates uterine lumen closure during implantation. Cell Prolif 2021; 55:e13169. [PMID: 34957619 PMCID: PMC8780930 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13169] [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: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives Implantation failure is a major cause of prenatal mortality. The uterine lumen closure contributes to embryo adhesion to the uterus, but its underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Our previous study has reported that endometrial fold extension can lead to uterine lumen closure in pigs. The objective of this study was to reveal molecular mechanisms of the uterine lumen closure by characterizing the molecular basis of the endometrial fold extension during implantation in pigs. Materials and methods Uterine and endometrium tissues during implantation were collected in pigs. MALDI‐TOF MS was used to characterize the N‐glycomic profiles. Histochemistry, siRNA transfection, Western blotting, lectin immumoprecipitation, mass spectrometry and assays of wounding healing and cell aggregation were performed to investigate the molecular basis. Results We observed that uterine luminal epithelium (LE) migrated collectively during endometrial fold extension. For the first time, we identified a large number of N‐glycan compositions from endometrium during implantation using MALDI‐TOF MS. Notably, the α2,6‐linked sialic acid and ST6GAL1 were highly expressed in uterine LE when the endometrial folds extended greatly. Subsequently, the role of ST6GAL1‐mediated 2,6‐sialylation in collective epithelial migration was demonstrated. Finally, we found that ST6GAL1‐mediated α2,6‐sialylation of E‐cadherin may participate in collective migration of uterine LE. Conclusions The study reveals a mechanism of uterine lumen closure by identifying that ST6GAL1‐mediated α2,6‐sialylation of cell adhesion molecules contributes to endometrial fold extension through regulating collective migration of uterine LE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Han
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Feiyu Wang
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yulu Yue
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Xihong Tan
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Miao Tian
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yiliang Miao
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China.,Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biology, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuhong Zhao
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Weijie Dong
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Dalian Medical University, Dalian, China
| | - Mei Yu
- Key Lab of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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12
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Xie Y, Liu G, Zang X, Hu Q, Zhou C, Li Y, Liu D, Hong L. Differential Expression Pattern of Goat Uterine Fluids Extracellular Vesicles miRNAs during Peri-Implantation. Cells 2021; 10:cells10092308. [PMID: 34571957 PMCID: PMC8470123 DOI: 10.3390/cells10092308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Revised: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Early pregnancy failure occurs when a mature embryo attaches to an unreceptive endometrium. During the formation of a receptive endometrium, extracellular vesicles (EVs) of the uterine fluids (UFs) deliver regulatory molecules such as small RNAs to mediate intrauterine communication between the embryo and the endometrium. However, profiling of small RNAs in goat UFs’ EVs during pregnancy recognition (day 16) has not been carried out. In this study, EVs were isolated from UFs on day 16 of the estrous cycle or gestation. They were isolated by Optiprep™ Density G radient (ODG) and verified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and Western blotting. Immunostaining demonstrated that CD63 was present both in the endometrial epithelium and glandular epithelium, and stain intensity was greater in the pregnant endometrium compared to the non-pregnant endometrium. Small RNA sequencing revealed that UFs’ EVs contained numerous sRNA families and a total of 106 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs). Additionally, 1867 target genes of the DEMs were obtained, and miRNA–mRNA interaction networks were constructed. GO and KEGG analysis showed that miRNAs were significantly associated with the formation of a receptive endometrium and embryo implantation. In addition, the fluorescence in situ hybridization assay (FISH) showed that chi-miR-451-5p was mainly expressed in stromal cells of the endometrium and a higher level was detected in the endometrial luminal epithelium in pregnant states. Moreover, the dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that chi-miR-451-5p directly binds to PSMB8 and may play an important role in the formation of a receptive endometrium and embryo implantation. In conclusion, these results reveal that UFs’ EVs contain various small RNAs that may be vital in the formation of a receptive endometrium and embryo implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanshe Xie
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.X.); (G.L.); (X.Z.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.)
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poutry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Guangbin Liu
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.X.); (G.L.); (X.Z.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.)
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poutry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Xupeng Zang
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.X.); (G.L.); (X.Z.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.)
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poutry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Qun Hu
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.X.); (G.L.); (X.Z.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.)
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poutry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Chen Zhou
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.X.); (G.L.); (X.Z.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.)
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poutry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yaokun Li
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.X.); (G.L.); (X.Z.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.)
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poutry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Dewu Liu
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.X.); (G.L.); (X.Z.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.)
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poutry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (L.H.)
| | - Linjun Hong
- College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (Y.X.); (G.L.); (X.Z.); (Q.H.); (C.Z.); (Y.L.)
- National Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Livestock and Poutry, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (D.L.); (L.H.)
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13
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Mesa AM, Mao J, Medrano TI, Bivens NJ, Jurkevich A, Tuteja G, Cooke PS, Rosenfeld CS. Spatial Transcriptomics analysis of uterine gene expression in enhancer of Zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2) conditional knockout mice. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:1126-1139. [PMID: 34344022 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Histone proteins undergo various modifications that alter chromatin structure, including addition of methyl groups. Enhancer of homolog 2 (EZH2), is a histone methyltransferase that methylates lysine residue 27, and thereby, suppresses gene expression. EZH2 plays integral role in the uterus and other reproductive organs. We have previously shown that conditional deletion of uterine EZH2 results in increased proliferation of luminal and glandular epithelial cells, and RNAseq analyses reveal several uterine transcriptomic changes in Ezh2 conditional (c) knockout (KO) mice that can affect estrogen signaling pathways. To pinpoint the origin of such gene expression changes, we used the recently developed spatial transcriptomics (ST) method with the hypotheses that Ezh2cKO mice would predominantly demonstrate changes in epithelial cells and/or ablation of this gene would disrupt normal epithelial/stromal gene expression patterns. Uteri were collected from ovariectomized adult WT and Ezh2cKO mice and analyzed by ST. Asb4, Cxcl14, Dio2, and Igfbp5 were increased, Sult1d1, Mt3, and Lcn2 were reduced in Ezh2cKO uterine epithelium vs. WT epithelium. For Ezh2cKO uterine stroma, differentially expressed key hub genes included Cald1, Fbln1, Myh11, Acta2, and Tagln. Conditional loss of uterine Ezh2 also appears to shift the balance of gene expression profiles in epithelial vs. stromal tissue toward uterine epithelial cell and gland development and proliferation, consistent with uterine gland hyperplasia in these mice. Current findings provide further insight into how EZH2 may selectively affect uterine epithelial and stromal compartments. Additionally, these transcriptome data might provide the mechanistic understanding and valuable biomarkers for human endometrial disorders with epigenetic underpinnings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Mesa
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA.,Grupo de Investigación en Agrociencias, Biodiversidad y Territorio - GAMMA, Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias, Universidad de Antioquia UdeA, Calle 70 N° 52-21, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Jiude Mao
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Theresa I Medrano
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Nathan J Bivens
- Genomics Technology, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Alexander Jurkevich
- Advanced Light Microscopy Core Facility, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011, USA
| | - Paul S Cooke
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA
| | - Cheryl S Rosenfeld
- Christopher S. Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Biomedical Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, USA.,Data Science and Informatics Institute, University of Missouri, Columbia; MO 65211, USA.,Thompson Center for Autism and Neurobehavioral Disorders, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, 65211, USA
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