1
|
Battaglia R, Caponnetto A, Ferrara C, Fazzio A, Barbagallo C, Barbagallo D, Vento ME, Carli L, Kasapi E, Palini S, Sierka W, Valerio D, Longobardi S, D’Hooghe T, Di Pietro C. O-062 MicroRNAs in Blastocoel Fluid: a molecular signature for predicting human embryo implantation potential. Hum Reprod 2023; 38. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead093.076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study question
Can microRNA expression in blastocoel fluid (BF) predict embryo implantation potential?
Summary answer
Up-regulation of miR-106, miR-373, miR-301, miR-320 and miR-525-3p represents the molecular signature characterizing the embryos with high implantation capability.
What is known already
The discovery of DNA within the BF and in spent embryo culture media, has caused increased interest in the non-invasive preimplantation testing application for monogenic disorders and aneuploidies. Aneuploid embryos have a lower implantation potential, however, chromosomal abnormalities represent only a tiny percentage of the causes of implantation failure. MiRNAs can control all cellular pathways and are involved in pluripotency, self-renewal, and stemness, and their altered regulation affects different human diseases.
Study design, size, duration
From September 2018 to March 2022, 112 BFsampleswere collected from human embryos on the fifth day of development, before the blastocyst cryopreservation. The samples were classified according to blastocyst grade and the data on implantation outcome and term births were collected for the transferred embryos. We compared the expression profiles of 89 miRNAs, previously identified in BF, between 33 BF from implanted embryos and 30 from non-implanted ones, regardless of blastocyst grade.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
By custom-designed TaqMan Low-Density Array card (TLDA), we analyzed the expression of 89 miRNAs in 4 different BF samples simultaneously. Differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs were identified by Volcano plot and Significance Analysis of Microarrays (SAM) tests. Bioinformatic analysis was performed to identify the biological role of the DE miRNAs. To evaluate miRNA’s ability for predicting implantation, Pearson’s correlation analyses, classical univariate Receiver Operator Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, and the optimal cut-off value determination were performed.
Main results and the role of chance
We found five miRNAs, miR-106, miR-373, miR-301, miR-320 and miR-525-3pup-regulated in BF from implanted blastocysts. The identified miRNAs perform an important role during the first phases of embryo development suggesting that their up-regulation may reflect embryo health. Moreover, four of the five miRNAs showed significant correlation coefficients in both implanted and non-implanted blastocysts, indicating that their expression changes in the same way in the single sample and reflects the potentiality of the embryo to implant. Finally, ROC curve analysis confirmed that our miRNAs could be considered potential biomarkers for implantation.
Limitations, reasons for caution
Successful implantation requires a close dialogue between the embryo and the endometrium, mediated by different proteins and miRNAs produced by both the embryo and maternal tissues. Determining the quality of the embryo and its implantation potential is not sufficient to predict successful pregnancy outcomes.
Wider implications of the findings
This study represents the first report correlating miRNA profiles in BFand implantation and suggests that miRNA signature could become an accurate tool to evaluate embryo quality. It could be associated or replaced with the PGT-A to choose the most competent embryo and improve the outcome of assisted reproduction cycles.
Trial registration number
The study has been approved by theEthical Committee of Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Policlinico "G.Rodolico -San Marco" Catania.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Battaglia
- University of Catania, Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Catania , Italy
| | - A Caponnetto
- University of Catania, Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Catania , Italy
| | - C Ferrara
- University of Catania, Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Catania , Italy
| | - A Fazzio
- University of Catania, Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Catania , Italy
| | - C Barbagallo
- University of Catania, Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Catania , Italy
| | - D Barbagallo
- University of Catania, Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Catania , Italy
| | - M E Vento
- Cannizzaro Hospital, IVF Unit , Catania, Italy
| | - L Carli
- Wunschbaby Institut Feichtinger, Infertility clinic , Vienna, Austria
| | - E Kasapi
- EmbryoClinic - Hellenic Medical Research Institute, IVF center, Thessaloniki , Greece
| | - S Palini
- Cervesi Hospital Cattolica, IVF Unit , Cattolica, Italy
| | - W Sierka
- Gyncentrum Sp. z o.o., IVF Center, Katowice , Poland
| | - D Valerio
- Institute, Genetic Research IRG, Napoli , Italy
| | - S Longobardi
- Global Clinical Development, Merck Serono SpA , Roma, Italy
| | - T D’Hooghe
- Merck KGaA- Darmstadt- Germany, Development and Regeneration- Biomedical Sciences Group- KU Leuven University of Leuven, Leuven , Belgium
| | - C Di Pietro
- University of Catania, Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, Catania , Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Ferrara C, Battaglia R, Caponnetto A, Barbagallo C, Stella M, Vento ME, Borzì P, Scollo P, Lunelio F, Barbagallo D, Pernagallo S, Ragusa M, Di Pietro C. P-064 MicroRNAs as potential biomarkers for male infertility related to Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Hum Reprod 2023; 38. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead093.429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study question
Could microRNAs represent efficient biomarkers to evaluate male infertility and the tendency of develop testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs)?
Summary answer
The up-regulation of miR-193a-5p, miR-93-5p and let-7c-5p in TGCT patients with impaired spermiogram could represent a molecular signature of male infertility related to TGCTs.
What is known already
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most recurrent tumors in young men with the highest incidence between the ages of 20 and 40 years and represent more than 60% of all cancers diagnosed in this age range. Several studies have shown a correlation between TGCTs and infertility, not only because infertility could be a consequence of testicular damage due to TGCTs but also because infertility may represent a risk factor for TGCTs. Therefore, it is important to find valid biomarkers that could be used to specifically identify infertility related to an increased risk of developing TGCTs.
Study design, size, duration
From March 2021 to January 2023, we collected 44 seminal plasma samples: 17 from TGCT patients who were undergoing sperm cryopreservation prior to chemotherapy, 14 with impaired spermiogram (IS) and 3 with normal spermiogram (NS) and 27 from control patients, 16 with IS and 11 with NS, undergoing assisted fertilization techniques. We evaluated the potential role of miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers, analyzing the differential expression of 84 miRNAs in relation to cancer, infertility and both.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
Semen samples were placed 30’/37 °C, seminal plasma was purified using density-gradient centrifugation and stored at -80 °C. RNA was purified by Qiagen miRNeasy Serum/Plasma Kit and analyzed by miRCURY LNA miRNA SYBR®Green PCR_SerumPlasma, 96-well plate. We applied the 2−ΔΔCT method and statistical significance was evaluated by Significance Analysis of Microarrays, screened by p-values ≤ 0.05. We performed a Pearson correlation analysis applying two-sided p-values. miRTarBASE, MIENTURNET and Cytoscape were used for bioinformatics analysis.
Main results and the role of chance
In the four comparisons, we found 9 differentially expressed microRNAs. In particular, miR-221-3p, miR-222-3p, miR-204-5p and miR-205-5p down regulation would appear to be related to infertility, regardless to the cancer. Conversely, all TGCT patients shown an up-regulation of miR-376c-3p. Interestingly, up-regulation of miR-193a-5p, miR-93-5p and let-7c-5p specifically discriminates the infertile cancer patients vs other categories. Moreover, these three miRNAs showed a significant positive correlation both in cancer patients with impaired spermiogram and in infertile controls. This correlation demonstrates that their expression changes in the same way in the single samples and strongly suggests their role as early biomarkers of TGCT patients with impaired spermiogram. From the KEGG pathway analysis has emerged that DE miRNAs are involved in several signaling pathway, such as MAPK, mTOR, p53, PI3K-Akt, AMPK, FoxO, JAK-STAT, Ras, Estrogen signaling pathways, as well as cell cycle and cellular senescence. Moreover, from the Diseases Ontology analysis we found than those miRNAs are involved in germ cell tumor, male reproductive organ cancer, prostate cancer, male infertility and azoospermia.
Limitations, reasons for caution
The data must be validated by single assays in higher number of samples. These experiments are currently ongoing.
Wider implications of the findings
Three of the DE miRNAs are overexpressed in TGCT with impaired spermiogram patients. Specifically, they are over-expressed in TGCT with impaired spermiogram compared to infertile controls, so they may represent specific biomarkers able to discriminate, among the young men with infertility, those with higher risk of develop testicular cancer.
Trial registration number
Not applicable
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Ferrara
- University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science , Catania, Italy
| | - R Battaglia
- University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science , Catania, Italy
| | - A Caponnetto
- University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science , Catania, Italy
| | - C Barbagallo
- University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science , Catania, Italy
| | - M Stella
- University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science , Catania, Italy
| | - M E Vento
- Cannizzaro Hospital, IVF Unit , Catania, Italy
| | - P Borzì
- Cannizzaro Hospital, IVF Unit , Catania, Italy
| | - P Scollo
- Cannizzaro Hospital, IVF Unit , Catania, Italy
| | - F Lunelio
- Cannizzaro Hospital, IVF Unit , Catania, Italy
| | - D Barbagallo
- University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science , Catania, Italy
| | - S Pernagallo
- DESTINA Genomica S.L., Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud PTS , Granada, Spain
| | - M Ragusa
- University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science , Catania, Italy
| | - C Di Pietro
- University of Catania, Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Science , Catania, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Battaglia R, Palini S, Vento ME, La Ferlita A, Lo Faro MJ, Caroppo E, Borzì P, Falzone L, Barbagallo D, Ragusa M, Scalia M, D'Amato G, Scollo P, Musumeci P, Purrello M, Gravotta E, Di Pietro C. Identification of extracellular vesicles and characterization of miRNA expression profiles in human blastocoel fluid. Sci Rep 2019; 9:84. [PMID: 30643155 PMCID: PMC6331601 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-36452-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, for the first time, we demonstrated the presence of microRNAs and extracellular vesicles in human blastocoel fluid. The bioinformatic and comparative analyses identified the biological function of blastocoel fluid microRNAs and suggested a potential role inside the human blastocyst. We found 89 microRNAs, expressed at different levels, able to regulate critical signaling pathways controlling embryo development, such as pluripotency, cell reprogramming, epigenetic modifications, intercellular communication, cell adhesion and cell fate. Blastocoel fluid microRNAs reflect the miRNome of embryonic cells and their presence, associated with the discovery of extracellular vesicles, inside blastocoel fluid, strongly suggests their important role in mediating cell communication among blastocyst cells. Their characterization is important to better understand the earliest stages of embryogenesis and the complex circuits regulating pluripotency. Moreover, blastocoel fluid microRNA profiles could be influenced by blastocyst quality, therefore, microRNAs might be used to assess embryo potential in IVF cycles.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R Battaglia
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - S Palini
- Reproductive and IVF Unit- PTA "F Jaia", Department of Maternal and Child Health, Conversano, Italy.,IVF Unit Cervesi Hospital Cattolica, Cattolica, RN, Italy
| | - M E Vento
- IVF Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - A La Ferlita
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M J Lo Faro
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy.,IPCF-CNR, viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 37, 98158, Messina, Italy
| | - E Caroppo
- Reproductive and IVF Unit- PTA "F Jaia", Department of Maternal and Child Health, Conversano, Italy
| | - P Borzì
- IVF Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - L Falzone
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - D Barbagallo
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M Ragusa
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.,Oasi Research Institute - IRCCS, Troina, Italy
| | - M Scalia
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - G D'Amato
- Reproductive and IVF Unit- PTA "F Jaia", Department of Maternal and Child Health, Conversano, Italy
| | - P Scollo
- IVF Unit, Cannizzaro Hospital, Catania, Italy
| | - P Musumeci
- Dipartimento di Fisica e Astronomia, Università di Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - M Purrello
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy
| | - E Gravotta
- Merck Serono s.p.a. Medical Affairs Department, Fertility, Endocrinology and General Medicine, Roma, Italy
| | - C Di Pietro
- Department of Biomedical and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Barbagallo D, Piro S, Ragusa M, Di Pietro C, Purrello F, Purrello M. A molecular systems biomedicine approach to Diabetes: characterization, prioritization and network analysis of new candidate genes from the apoptotic machinery. N Biotechnol 2010. [DOI: 10.1016/j.nbt.2010.01.066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
5
|
Di Pietro C, Vento M, Ragusa M, Barbagallo D, Guglielmino MR, Maniscalchi T, Duro LR, Tomasello L, Majorana A, De Palma A, Borzì P, Scollo P, Purrello M. Expression analysis of TFIID in single human oocytes: new potential molecular markers of oocyte quality. Reprod Biomed Online 2008; 17:338-49. [PMID: 18765004 DOI: 10.1016/s1472-6483(10)60217-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Molecular characterization of human female gametes should make it easier to understand the basis of certain infertility disorders. Biologically significant mRNAs have been analysed in single oocytes to search for molecular biomarkers of oocyte quality. Initial analysis was focused on mRNA for proteins involved in cell growth and cycle control, specifically those encoding members of the general transcription apparatus such as the subunits of the general transcription factor TFIID. This heteromultimeric protein, comprising about 15 subunits, is the most important general transcription factor of the second class. These proteins are essential for the initiation of transcription of protein-coding genes, so they must be present in mature oocytes for mRNA synthesis during the first phases of embryonic development. Semi-quantitative reverse transcriptionpolymerase chain reaction was used to identify different TFIID subunits in single oocytes and to search for differences in expression as compared with control tissues. The data show that the mRNAs for most TFIID subunits are indeed synthesized in oocytes, but their expression profiles differ markedly. TATAbox-binding protein associated factor 4B (TAF4B), TAF5 and TATAbox-binding protein-like 2 (TBPL2) are expressed at higher levels in oocytes than in control tissues. It is suggested that they could be used as biomarkers of oocyte quality.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- C Di Pietro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Sezione di Biologia Generale, Biologia Cellulare, Genetica molecolare, Unità di Biologia Genomica e dei Sistemi Complessi, Genetica, Bioinformatica, Università di Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
6
|
Vasta V, Pennisi P, Lanza M, Barbagallo D, Bella M, Priolo A. Intramuscular fatty acid composition of lambs given a tanniniferous diet with or without polyethylene glycol supplementation. Meat Sci 2007; 76:739-45. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2007.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2006] [Revised: 02/15/2007] [Accepted: 02/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
|
7
|
Camussi R, Barbagallo D, Guj G, Stella F. Transverse and longitudinal scaling laws in homogeneous and non-homogeneous low Re γ turbulence. Small-Scale Structures in Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic and Magnetohydrodynamic Turbulence 2007:171-178. [DOI: 10.1007/bfb0102414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
|
8
|
Lanza M, Bella M, Priolo A, Barbagallo D, Galofaro V, Landi C, Pennisi P. Lamb meat quality as affected by a natural or artificial milk feeding regime. Meat Sci 2006; 73:313-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meatsci.2005.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2005] [Revised: 07/13/2005] [Accepted: 12/15/2005] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
9
|
Arena P, Fortuna L, Frasca M, Patanè L, Barbagallo D, Alessandro C. LEARNING HIGH-LEVEL SENSORS FROM REFLEXES VIA SPIKING NETWORKS IN ROVING ROBOTS. IFAC Proceedings Volumes 2006; 39:701-706. [DOI: 10.3182/20060906-3-it-2910.00117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
|
10
|
Barbagallo D. The challenges of managing a global software engineering capability: theory to practice. 2005 Australian Software Engineering Conference 2005. [DOI: 10.1109/aswec.2005.47] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
|
11
|
Camussi R, Guj G, Barbagallo D, Prischich D. Experimental characterization of the aeroacoustic behavior of a low speed wind tunnel. 6th Aeroacoustics Conference and Exhibit 2000. [DOI: 10.2514/6.2000-1986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
| | - G. Guj
- Roma III, Univ., Rome, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
12
|
Stella F, Guj G, Barbagallo D. A general approach for multiple-sensor hot-wire probes. Meas Sci Technol 1997; 8:422-428. [DOI: 10.1088/0957-0233/8/4/009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
|
13
|
Coiro DP, Nicolosi F, Amendola A, Barbagallo D, Paparone L, Beccio S, Castelli P, Limone S. Experiments and Numerical Investigation on a Multi-Component Airfoil Employed in a Racing Car Wing. SAE Technical Paper Series 1997:970411. [DOI: 10.4271/970411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
|
14
|
Camussi R, Barbagallo D, Guj G. Experimental analysis of transverse intermittency in a turbulent jet flow. Experiments in Fluids 1997; 22:268-270. [DOI: 10.1007/s003480050047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
|
15
|
Camussi R, Barbagallo D, Guj G, Stella F. Transverse and longitudinal scaling laws in non-homogeneous low Re turbulence. Physics of Fluids 1996; 8:1181-1191. [DOI: 10.1063/1.868909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
Abstract
The statistical properties of the velocity fluctuation components at moderate Reλ are studied in homogeneous and non-homogeneous turbulence by an experimental technique. Measurements are performed by means of a hot-wire anemometer with X-probe downstream of a screen for several positions, x/M=9 up to 109, where M is the screen mesh size, with Reλ ranging from 37 to 82. The homogeneity of the flow is analyzed by means of velocity measurements in different transverse positions and a direct evaluation of the local isotropy of the flow is performed by means of velocity spectra. The scaling properties of the statistical moments of the structure functions up to the order of six, are investigated in the extreme positions by means of the extended self-similarity (ESS) method and the intermittency exponents are detected for both homogeneous and non-homogeneous flow conditions. A comparison of the longitudinal and transverse intermittency exponents as functions of the position is then performed and discussed in addition to the analysis of the transition from the anomalous to a regular scaling for small spatial separation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R. Camussi
- Dipartimento di Meccanica e Automatica, Terza Universitá di Roma, Via Segre 60, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - D. Barbagallo
- Italian Aerospace Research Center (C.I.R.A.), Via Maiorise 1, 81043 Capua, Italy
| | - G. Guj
- Dipartimento di Meccanica e Automatica, Terza Universitá di Roma, Via Segre 60, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - F. Stella
- Dipartimento Meccanica e Aeronautica, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184 Rome, Italy
| |
Collapse
|