Comprehensive Comparison of Amnion Stromal Cells and Chorion Stromal Cells by RNA-Seq

Population structure and selective signature of Kirghiz sheep by Illumina Ovine SNP50 BeadChip

Objective

By assessing the genetic diversity and associated selective traits of Kirghiz sheep (KIR), we aim to uncover the mechanisms that contribute to sheep's adaptability to the Pamir Plateau environment.

Methods

This study utilized Illumina Ovine SNP50 BeadChip data from KIR residing in the Pamir Plateau, Qira Black sheep (QBS) inhabiting the Taklamakan Desert, and commonly introduced breeds including Dorper sheep (DOR), Suffolk sheep (SUF), and Hu sheep (HU). The data was analyzed using principal component analysis, phylogenetic analysis, population admixture analysis, kinship matrix analysis, linkage disequilibrium analysis, and selective signature analysis. We employed four methods for selective signature analysis: fixation index (Fst), cross-population extended homozygosity (XP-EHH), integrated haplotype score (iHS), and nucleotide diversity (Pi). These methods aim to uncover the genetic mechanisms underlying the germplasm resources of Kirghiz sheep, enhance their production traits, and explore their adaptation to challenging environmental conditions.

Results

The test results unveiled potential selective signals associated with adaptive traits and growth characteristics in sheep under harsh environmental conditions, and annotated the corresponding genes accordingly. These genes encompass various functionalities such as adaptations associated with plateau, cold, and arid environment (ETAA1, UBE3D, TLE4, NXPH1, MAT2B, PPARGC1A, VEGFA, TBX15 and PLXNA4), wool traits (LMO3, TRPS1, EPHA5), body size traits (PLXNA2, EFNA5), reproductive traits (PPP3CA, PDHA2, NTRK2), and immunity (GATA3).

Conclusion

Our study identified candidate genes associated with the production traits and adaptation to the harsh environment of the Pamir Plateau in Kirghiz sheep. These findings provide valuable resources for local sheep breeding programs. The objective of this study is to offer valuable insights for the sustainable development of the Kirghiz sheep industry.

Deciphering maternal-fetal cross-talk in the human placenta during parturition using single-cell RNA sequencing

Labor is a complex physiological process requiring a well-orchestrated dialogue between the mother and fetus. However, the cellular contributions and communications that facilitate maternal-fetal cross-talk in labor have not been fully elucidated. Here, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was applied to decipher maternal-fetal signaling in the human placenta during term labor. First, a single-cell atlas of the human placenta was established, demonstrating that maternal and fetal cell types underwent changes in transcriptomic activity during labor. Cell types most affected by labor were fetal stromal and maternal decidual cells in the chorioamniotic membranes (CAMs) and maternal and fetal myeloid cells in the placenta. Cell-cell interaction analyses showed that CAM and placental cell types participated in labor-driven maternal and fetal signaling, including the collagen, C-X-C motif ligand (CXCL), tumor necrosis factor (TNF), galectin, and interleukin-6 (IL-6) pathways. Integration of scRNA-seq data with publicly available bulk transcriptomic data showed that placenta-derived scRNA-seq signatures could be monitored in the maternal circulation throughout gestation and in labor. Moreover, comparative analysis revealed that placenta-derived signatures in term labor were mirrored by those in spontaneous preterm labor and birth. Furthermore, we demonstrated that early in gestation, labor-specific, placenta-derived signatures could be detected in the circulation of women destined to undergo spontaneous preterm birth, with either intact or prelabor ruptured membranes. Collectively, our findings provide insight into the maternal-fetal cross-talk of human parturition and suggest that placenta-derived single-cell signatures can aid in the development of noninvasive biomarkers for the prediction of preterm birth.

Fucoxanthin Enhances the Antifibrotic Potential of Placenta-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in a CCl4-induced Mouse Model of Liver

BACKGROUND

The effectiveness of fucoxanthin (Fx) in liver diseases has been reported due to its anti-inflammatory and antifibrotic effects. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based therapy has also been proposed as a promising strategy for liver fibrosis treatment. Recent studies have shown that the co-administration of MSCs and drugs demonstrates a pronounced effect on liver fibrosis.

AIM

This study aimed to determine the therapeutic potential of placenta-derived MSCs (PD-MSCs) in combination with Fx to treat liver fibrosis and evaluate their impact on the main links of liver fibrosis pathogenesis.

METHODS

After PD-MSCs isolation and identification, outbred ICR/CD1 mice were divided into five groups: Control group, CCl4 group (CCl4), Fx group (CCl4+Fx), PD-MSCs group (CCl4+MSCs) and cotreatment group (CCl4+MSCs+Fx). Biochemical histopathological investigations were performed. Semiquantitative analysis of the alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA+), matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-9+, MMP-13+), tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1+) areas, and the number of positive cells in them were studied by immunohistochemical staining. Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β), hepatic growth factor (HGF), procollagen-1 (COL1α1) in liver homogenate and proinflammatory cytokines in blood serum were determined using an enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

Compared to the single treatment with PD-MSCs or Fx, their combined administration significantly reduced liver enzyme activity, the severity of liver fibrosis, the proinflammatory cytokine levels, TGF-β level, α-SMA+, TIMP-1+ areas and the number of positive cells in them, and increased HGF level, MMP-13+, and MMP-9+ areas.

CONCLUSION

Fx enhanced the therapeutic potential of PD-MSCs in CCl4-induced liver fibrosis, but more investigations are necessary to understand the mutual impact of PD-MSCs and Fx.

Bioinformatics Analysis Identified miR-584-5p and Key miRNA-mRNA Networks Involved in the Osteogenic Differentiation of Human Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells

Human periodontal ligament cells (PDLCs) play an important role in periodontal tissue stabilization and function. In the process of osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs, the regulation of molecular signal pathways are complicated. In this study, the sequencing results of three datasets on GEO were used to comprehensively analyze the miRNA-mRNA network during the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. Using the GSE99958 and GSE159507, a total of 114 common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 62 up-regulated genes and 52 down-regulated genes. GO enrichment analysis was performed. The up-regulated 10 hub genes and down-regulated 10 hub genes were screened out by protein-protein interaction network (PPI) analysis and STRING in Cytoscape. Similarly, differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) were selected by limma package from GSE159508. Then, using the miRwalk website, we further selected 11 miRNAs from 16 DEMs that may have a negative regulatory relationship with hub genes. In vitro RT-PCR verification revealed that nine DEMs and 18 hub genes showed the same trend as the RNA-seq results during the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs. Finally, using miR-584-5p inhibitor and mimics, it was found that miR-584-5p negatively regulates the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs in vitro. In summary, the present results found several potential osteogenic-related genes and identified candidate miRNA-mRNA networks for the further study of osteogenic differentiation of PDLSCs.