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Mitchell A, Lipecki J, Muter J, Lucas E, Makwana K, Fishwick K, Odendaal J, Hawkes A, Vrljicak P, Brosens J, Ott S. P-436 EndoTime: Non-categorical timing estimates for luteal endometrium. Hum Reprod 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac107.411] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study question
Can expression measurements of a small panel of genes be used to develop a continuous, non-categorical model for the improvement of endometrial biopsy timing accuracy?
Summary answer
Measuring expression levels of six genes (IL2RB, IGFBP1, CXCL14, DPP4, GPX3, and SLC15A2) is sufficient to obtain and assess substantially more accurate timing estimates.
What is known already
Commercially available endometrial timing approaches based on gene expression require much larger gene sets and use a categorical approach that classifies samples as pre-receptive, receptive, or post-receptive.
Study design, size, duration
Gene expression was measured by RT-qPCR in different sample sets, comprising a total of 664 endometrial biopsies obtained 4 to 12 days after a self-reported positive home ovulation test. A further 36 endometrial samples were profiled by RT-qPCR as well as RNA-sequencing.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
A computational procedure, named ‘EndoTime’, was established that models the temporal profile of each gene and estimates the timing of each sample. Iterating these steps, temporal profiles are gradually refined as sample timings are being updated, and confidence in timing estimates is increased. After convergence, the method reports updated timing estimates for each sample while preserving the overall distribution of time points.
Main results and the role of chance
The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used to confirm that ordering samples by EndoTime estimates yields sharper temporal expression profiles for held-out genes (not used when determining sample timings) than ordering the same expression values by patient-reported times (GPX3 : p < 0.005; CXCL14 : p < 2.7e-6; DPP4 : p < 3.7e-13). Pearson correlation between EndoTime estimates for the same sample set but based on RT-qPCR or RNA-sequencing data showed high degree of congruency between the two (p = 8.6e-10, R-squared = 0.687). Estimated timings did not differ significantly between control subjects and patients with recurrent pregnancy loss or recurrent implantation failure (p > 0.05).
Limitations, reasons for caution
Timing estimates are informed by glandular gene expression and will only represent the temporal state of other endometrial cell types if in synchrony with the epithelium. Additionally, methods that estimate the day of ovulation are still required as these data are essential inputs in our method.
Wider implications of the findings
Our method is the first to assay the temporal state of endometrial samples on a continuous domain, enabling accurate temporal profiling of any gene in luteal phase biopsies for a wide range of research applications and, potentially, clinical use. It is freely available, open-source software including supporting data sets.
Trial registration number
Not applicable
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mitchell
- The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School , Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - J Lipecki
- The University of Warwick, School of Life Sciences , Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - J Muter
- The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School , Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - E Lucas
- The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School , Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - K Makwana
- The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School , Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - K Fishwick
- The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School , Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - J Odendaal
- The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School , Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - A Hawkes
- The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School , Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - P Vrljicak
- The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School , Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - J Brosens
- The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School , Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - S Ott
- The University of Warwick, Warwick Medical School , Warwick, United Kingdom
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Harden S, Muter J, Chen Q, Lee Y, Brosens J, Lucas E. O-302 Lower expression of AHCY is associated with increased miscarriage risk. Hum Reprod 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac106.095] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study question
Are alterations in the transcript levels of genes from the methionine cycle associated with maternal associated miscarriage risk?
Summary answer
Lower expression of AHCY is associated with a greater number of prior pregnancy losses
What is known already
Around 15% of pregnancies end in miscarriage, and the risk of recurrence increases with each pregnancy loss. Aberrant differentiation (decidualization) of endometrial stromal cells into specialised decidual cells to accommodate implantation is a key maternal factor for miscarriage risk.
Our previous work identified secretory changes in cysteine and methionine metabolites upon decidualization. The methionine cycle contributes to vital cellular functions, including producing methionine for proliferation, regulating cell differentiation, and S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) production. SAM is required for protein, RNA and DNA methylation, thereby influencing pathways at the metabolic, epigenetic, and proteomic levels. AHCY clears S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), reducing its inhibition of methylation.
Study design, size, duration
Endometrial biopsies (n = 250) were collected during the luteal phase (LH + 6-11). Patients were grouped based on their miscarriage history. Accordingly, expression of genes from the methionine cycle were quantified using RT-qPCR.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
Endometrial biopsies were obtained, with written informed consent, from women attending the Implantation Clinic at University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, following transvaginal ultrasounds to exclude uterine pathology. Isolated RNA was converted into cDNA. Expression of AHCY, AMD1, BHMT2, CBS, MAT2A, MAT2B, and MTR were normalised to L19. Statistical analysis was performed in Graphpad Prism; with significance accepted at p < 0.05. AHCY was silenced in an endometrial cell line to determine its effect on decidualization.
Main results and the role of chance
This study reports a distinct reduction in expression of methionine cycle genes (MAT2A, AHCY, AMD1, MTR, BHMT2) in the late-luteal phase of the cycle consistent with a reduction in proliferation.
By plotting percentile graphs based on the statistical distribution in gene expression for each day of the luteal phase, comparisons have been made between groups.
AHCY expression is significantly reduced in patients with increasing number of prior miscarriages, particularly between 0-2 and 5+ previous miscarriages (p = 0.0334). Neither patient age nor BMI are a factor in this reduced expression.
In contrast, there is a stromal specific increase in AHCY upon decidualization in vitro, suggesting it is required in the decidua. Silencing AHCY in an endometrial cell line significantly reduces PRL expression upon decidualization. Reduction in AHCY may lead to a decreased “methylation potential” as SAH cannot be cleared. SAH accumulation inhibits methylation, and limits SAM production, thus compounding its effect.
Decreased methylation potential could prevent differentiation of the stromal compartment, resulting in lower levels of PRL, and altering decidual timing. Therefore, an embryo may implant into a tissue primed for disintegration, resulting a miscarriage.
In summary, AHCY may contribute to aberrant decidualization augmenting the risk of miscarriage.
Limitations, reasons for caution
Results are based on endometrial biopsies from an implantation clinic, therefore studies into biopsies from women with normal reproductive histories should also be analysed. Further functional studies are needed to ascertain the mechanism of action of AHCY in miscarriage.
Wider implications of the findings
This study identified that a decrease in AHCY in whole endometrial tissue is associated with increased risk of miscarriage. Further, silencing AHCY perturbed decidual marker expression. Thus, AHCY may act as a biomarker for atypical decidualization, and the clearance of SAH may be a potential treatment.
Trial registration number
N/A
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Affiliation(s)
- S Harden
- University of Warwick, Division of Biomedical Sciences, coventry , United Kingdom
| | - J Muter
- University of Warwick, Division of Biomedical Sciences, coventry , United Kingdom
| | - Q Chen
- Agency for Science and Technology and Research, Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology , Singapore, Singapore Rep. of
| | - Y.H Lee
- Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology, Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine , Singapore, Singapore Rep. of
| | - J Brosens
- University of Warwick, Division of Biomedical Sciences, coventry , United Kingdom
| | - E Lucas
- University of Warwick, Division of Biomedical Sciences, coventry , United Kingdom
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Grewal K, Lee Y, Smith A, Brosens J, Al-Memar M, Bourne T, Kundu S, MacInytre D, Bennett P. O-129 Lactobacillus deplete vaginal microbial composition is associated with chromosomally normal miscarriage and local inflammation. Hum Reprod 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deab126.054] [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: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study question
To investigate the vaginal microbial composition and the local immune response in chromosomally normal and abnormal miscarriages and compare this to uncomplicated pregnancies delivering at term.
Summary answer
We show that euploid miscarriage is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of Lactobacillus spp. deplete vaginal microbial communities compared to aneuploid miscarriage.
What is known already
Emerging evidence supports the role of the vaginal microbiota in adverse pregnancy outcome, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. A dominance of Lactobacillus spp. in pregnancy provides protection against pathogenic bacteria by producing lactic acid and antimicrobial compounds. A depletion in Lactobacillus spp. is often linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes.Current work also implicates the reproductive tract microbiota as a key modulator of local inflammatory and immune pathways. We have previously shown that miscarriage is associated with vaginal dysbiosis but without knowledge of the cytogenetic status of those miscarriages or the local immune profile.
Study design, size, duration
This study was a prospective observational cohort study based at Queen Charlotte’s & Chelsea Hospital, Early Pregnancy Unit, London between March 2014-February 2019. Vaginal swabs were collected from the posterior vaginal fornix of 167 patients.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
We used 16S rRNA gene based metataxonomics to interrogate the vaginal microbiota in a cohort of 167 women, 93 miscarriage patients (54 euploid and 39 aneuploid using molecular cytogenetics) and 74 women who delivered at term and correlate this with the aneuploidy status of the miscarriages. We also measured the concentrations of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-18 and IL-10 in cervical vaginal fluid using Human Magnetic Luminex Screening Assay (8-plex).
Main results and the role of chance
We show that euploid miscarriage is associated with a significantly higher prevalence of Lactobacillus spp. deplete vaginal microbial communities compared to aneuploid miscarriage (P=0.008). In women having Lactobacillus spp. deplete vaginal microbial communities, euploid miscarriage associates with higher concentrations of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-8, IL-6 (P<0.001, P=0.01 and P<0.001 respectively) and lower concentrations of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL10 (P<0.001) when compared to viable term pregnancy. We identified Prevotella bivia and Streptococcus as particularly common in euploid miscarriage and as drivers of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α). Co-occurrence network analyses revealed low levels of co-occurrence between Lactobacillus crispatus and other organisms and strong co-occurrence between Streptococcal species. Our data show a combination of both an adverse vaginal microbiota and a cytokine response to it influences early pregnancy outcome. Although this may be a reflection of intrinsic maternal immune response, it appears that the cytokine response is largely driven by the bacterial taxa present in the vagina, which presents an opportunity for specific, directed intervention. The negative co-occurrence between L.crispatus and all other organisms suggests a possible therapeutic role for probiotics containing this organism. The influence of Streptococci also suggests a potential benefit of targeted antibiotics with probiotics for some patients.
Limitations, reasons for caution
There were no longitudinal samples in this cohort and our results are based on the assumption that the vaginal microbial composition is stable throughout the first trimester.Future longitudinal studies with larger sample sizes are needed to corroborate these findings and provide insights to the mechanisms that trigger the inflammatory response.
Wider implications of the findings
These findings support the hypothesis that the vaginal microbiota plays an important aetiological role in euploid miscarriage and may represent a target to modify the risk of pregnancy loss.
Trial registration number
n/a
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Affiliation(s)
- K Grewal
- Imperial College London, Metabolism- Digestion and Reproduction, London, United Kingdom
| | - Y Lee
- Imperial College London, Metabolism- Digestion and Reproduction, London, United Kingdom
| | - A Smith
- University West of England, Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - J Brosens
- University of Warwick, Division of Biomedical Sciences, Warwick, United Kingdom
| | - M Al-Memar
- Imperial College London, Metabolism- Digestion and Reproduction, London, United Kingdom
| | - T Bourne
- Imperial College London, Metabolism- Digestation and Reproduction, London, United Kingdom
| | - S Kundu
- Imperial College London, Metabolism- Digestion and Reproduction, London, United Kingdom
| | - D MacInytre
- Imperial College London, Metabolism- Digestation and Reproduction, London, United Kingdom
| | - P Bennett
- Imperial College London, Metabolism- Digestation and Reproduction, London, United Kingdom
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Tan CW, Lee YH, Choolani M, Tan HH, Griffith L, Chan J, Chuang PC, Wu MH, Lin YJ, Tsai SJ, Rahmati M, Petitbarat M, Dubanchet S, Bensussan A, Chaouat G, Ledee N, Bissonnette L, Haouzi D, Monzo C, Traver S, Bringer S, Faidherbe J, Perrochia H, Ait-Ahmed O, Dechaud H, Hamamah S, Ibrahim MG, de Arellano MLB, Sachtleben M, Chiantera V, Frangini S, Younes S, Schneider A, Plendl J, Mechsner S, Ono M, Hamai H, Chikawa A, Teramura S, Takata R, Sugimoto T, Iwahashi K, Ohhama N, Nakahira R, Shigeta M, Park IH, Lee KH, Sun HG, Kim SG, Lee JH, Kim YY, Kim HJ, Jeon GH, Kim CM, Bocca S, Wang H, Anderson S, Yu L, Horcajadas J, Oehninger S, Bastu E, Mutlu MF, Celik C, Yasa C, Dural O, Buyru F, Quintana F, Cobo A, Remohi J, Ferrando M, Matorras R, Bermejo A, Iglesias C, Cerrillo M, Ruiz M, Blesa D, Simon C, Garcia-Velasco JA, Chamie L, Ribeiro DMF, Riboldi M, Pereira R, Rosa MB, Gomes C, de Mello PH, Fettback P, Domingues T, Cambiaghi A, Soares ACP, Kimati C, Motta ELA, Serafini P, Hapangama DK, Valentijn AJ, Al-Lamee H, Palial K, Drury JA, von Zglinicki T, Saretzki G, Gargett CE, Liao CY, Lee KH, Sung YJ, Li HY, Morotti M, Remorgida V, Venturini PL, Ferrero S, Nabeta M, Iki A, Hashimoto H, Koizumi M, Matsubara Y, Hamada K, Fujioka T, Matsubara K, Kusanagi Y, Nawa A, Zanatta A, Riboldi M, da Rocha AM, Guerra JL, Cogliati B, Pereira R, Motta ELA, Serafini P, Bianchi PDM, Zanatta A, Riboldi M, da Rocha AM, Cogliati B, Guerra JL, Pereira R, Motta ELA, Serafini P, Prieto B, Exposito A, Mendoza R, Rabanal A, Matorras R, Bedaiwy M, Yi L, Dahoud W, Liu J, Hurd W, Falcone T, Biscotti C, Mesiano S, Sugiyama R, Nakagawa K, Nishi Y, Kuribayashi Y, Akira S, Germeyer A, Rosner S, Jauckus J, Strowitzki T, von Wolff M, Khan KN, Kitajima M, Fujishita A, Nakashima M, Masuzaki H, Kajihara T, Ishihara O, Brosens J, Ledee N, Petitbarat M, Rahmati M, Vezmar K, Savournin V, Dubanchet S, Chaouat G, Balet R, Bensussan A, Chaouat G, Lee YH, Loh SF, Tannenbaum SR, Chan JKY, Scarella A, Chamy V, Devoto L, Abrao M, Sovino H, Krasnopolskaya K, Popov A, Kabanova D, Beketova A, Ivakhnenko V, Shohayeb A, Wahba A, Abousetta A, al-inany H, Wahba A, El Daly A, Zayed M, Kvaskoff M, Han J, Missmer SA, Navarro P, Meola J, Ribas CP, Paz CP, Ferriani RA, Donabela FC, Tafi E, Maggiore ULR, Scala C, Remorgida V, Venturini PL, Ferrero S, Hackl J, Strehl J, Wachter D, Dittrich R, Cupisti S, Hildebrandt T, Lotz L, Attig M, Hoffmann I, Renner S, Hartmann A, Beckmann MW, Urquiza F, Ferrer C, Incera E, Azpiroz A, Junovich G, Pappalardo C, Guerrero G, Pasqualini S, Gutierrez G, Corti L, Sanchez AM, Bordignon PP, Santambrogio P, Levi S, Persico P, Vigano P, Papaleo E, Ferrari S, Candiani M, van der Houwen LEE, Schreurs AMF, Lambalk CB, Schats R, Hompes PGA, Mijatovic V, Xu SY, Li J, Chen XY, Chen SQ, Guo LY, Mathew D, Nunes Q, Lane B, Fernig D, Hapangama D, Lind T, Hammarstrom M, Golmann D, Rodriguez-Wallberg K, Hestiantoro A, Cakra A, Aulia A, Al-Inany H, Houston B, Farquhar C, Abousetta A, Tagliaferri V, Gagliano D, Immediata V, Tartaglia C, Zumpano A, Campagna G, Lanzone A, Guido M, Matsuzaki S, Darcha C, Botchorishvili R, Pouly JL, Mage G, Canis M, Shivhare SB, Bulmer JN, Innes BA, Hapangama DK, Lash GE, de Graaff AA, Zandstra H, Smits LJ, Van Beek JJ, Dunselman GAJ, Bozdag G, Calis PT, Demiralp DO, Ayhan B, Igci N, Yarali H, Acar N, Er H, Ozmen A, Ustunel I, Korgun ET, Kuroda K, Kuroda M, Arakawa A, Kitade M, Brosens AI, Brosens JJ, Takeda S, Yao T. Endometriosis, endometrium, implantation and fallopian tube. Hum Reprod 2013. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/det211] [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: 10/26/2022] Open
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