[Metabolomic profiling in culture media of day-5 human embryos]

The aim of this study was to determine the changes of metabolomic profiles in embryonic culture media (ECM) for the evaluation of quality and implantation potential of human embryos. ECM (n=163) were collected on day 5 before transfer or cryopreservation. Some embryos were used in preimplantation genetic screening for detection of aneuploidy karyotypes. Samples were subdivided into groups according to embryo morphological classification (by Gardner), genetic analysis and implantation data. ECM were extracted with methanol, precipitates were separated by centrifugation and metabolite production of individual embryo was analysed by LC-MS (the positive ion mode). After peak detection and retention time alignment, data were analysed using the PCA algorithm. MS fingerprinting analysis of embryo culture medium showed significant differences between morphologically divided groups. Intragroup comparisons did not reveal differences between subclasses. Genetic screening of embryos revealed 33 aneuploid karyotypes. It was shown that chromosome number did not affect the metabolite profiles comparing with the normal group. The culture media of embryos that were positive or negative for successful implantation showed specific signatures that allowed to distinguish embryos with different outcomes.The characterization of ECMs by LC-MS may facilitate more accurate selection of the best embryo for the implantation, improving single-embryo transfer and thus eliminating the risk and undesirable effects of multiple pregnancies.

[Comparative results of preimplantation genetic screening by array comparative genomic hybridization and new-generation sequencing]

Aneuploidies as quantitative chromosome abnormalities are a main cause of failed development of morphologically normal embryos, implantation failures, and early reproductive losses. Preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) allows a preselection of embryos with a normal karyotype, thus increasing the implantation rate and reducing the frequency of early pregnancy loss after IVF. Modern PGS technologies are based on a genome-wide analysis of the embryo. The first pilot study in Russia was performed to assess the possibility of using semiconductor new-generation sequencing (NGS) as a PGS method. NGS data were collected for 38 biopsied embryos and compared with the data from array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH). The concordance between the NGS and array-CGH data was 94.8%. Two samples showed the karyotype 47,XXY by array-CGH and a normal karyotype by NGS. The discrepancies may be explained by loss of efficiency of array-CGH amplicon labeling.

Transcription profile analysis of the endometrium revealed molecular markers of the personalized 'window of implantation' during in vitro fertilization

To determine the most informative markers for assessing the functional state of endometrium during the 'window of implantation' and creating a model for assessment of the readiness of endometrium for embryo implantation. Forty-seven women with tubal infertility and a successful IVF pregnancy participated in the study. Pipelle endometrial sample was performed during the supposed 'window of implantation' in natural cycle with subsequent histological study, and transcriptional profile of genes GPX3, PAEP, DPP4, TAGLN, HABP2, IMPA2, AQP3, HLA-DOB, MSX1, POSTN determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Differences in the level of mRNA expression of all the studied genes in the receptive endometrium were found in comparison to the prereceptive one, which allowed us to classify two functional states of the endometrium. The results of histological examination responded to the stage of maturation of the endometrium in 78.7% of cases. Receptive endometrial status can be determined based on the integral evaluation of mRNA expression level of 4 PAEP, DPP4, MSX1, and HLA-DOB genes. The model for determining a personalized `window implantation' is offered for practical application in ART.

[Twin reversed arterial perfusion syndrome in the monochorionic diamniotic placenta with the development of an acardiac fetus]

The article describes an acardiac fetus in a patient with monochorionic diamniotic twin pregnancy with reversed arterial perfusion syndrome at 30 weeks' gestation. It gives postmortem fetal computed tomographic and pathoanatomic data. Microarray of acardiac fetal tissues revealed that there was deletion of chromosome 19 - arr [hg19] 19p13.3q11 (260,911-23,005,001) x1; size, 23 Mbp; the signal level in about 30% of fetal tissue cells containing deletion.

[Genetic determinants of resistance of hospital-associated strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae to β-lactam antibiotics isolated in neonates]

According to the results of analysis of whole genome sequencing, the presence of genes having resistance to β-lactam antibiotics in hospital-associated strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae was studied. The strains were isolated from neonatal intensive care units. The data obtained were compared with the results of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of isolated microorganisms. Among other strains resistant to cephalosporins, the dominance of genes of CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases was shown. It was revealed that one of eight strains phenotypically resistant and moderately resistant to carbapenems have the blaOXA-48 carbapenemase gene.

Expression of immunomodulator gene mRNA in co-culture of mesenchymal stromal cells from the placenta and human mononuclear blood cells

The expression of mRNA of cytokines and immunoregulatory molecules characterizing the interaction of mesenchymal stromal cells from chorionic villi of postpartum placenta and allogenic mononuclear blood cells was studied during 3-day co-culturing of these cells. The expression of foxp3, il2ra, and il10 mRNA in floating mononuclear cells increased from day 1 to 3 in co-culture, which can refl ect the process of induction of regulatory T cells in the lymphocyte population under the action of mesenchymal stromal cells.

SOD2 gene polymorphism and muscle damage markers in elite athletes

Exercise-induced oxidative stress is a state that primarily occurs in athletes involved in high-intensity sports when pro-oxidants overwhelm the antioxidant defense system to oxidize proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. During exercise, oxidative stress is linked to muscle metabolism and muscle damage, because exercise increases free radical production. The T allele of the Ala16Val (rs4880 C/T) polymorphism in the mitochondrial superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) gene has been reported to reduce SOD2 efficiency against oxidative stress. In the present study we tested the hypothesis that the SOD2 TT genotype would be underrepresented in elite athletes involved in high-intensity sports and associated with increased values of muscle and liver damage biomarkers. The study involved 2664 Caucasian (2262 Russian and 402 Polish) athletes. SOD2 genotype and allele frequencies were compared to 917 controls. Muscle and liver damage markers [creatine kinase (CK), creatinine, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP)] were examined in serum from 1444 Russian athletes. The frequency of the SOD2 TT genotype (18.6%) was significantly lower in power/strength athletes (n = 524) compared to controls (25.0%, p = 0.0076) or athletes involved in low-intensity sports (n = 180; 33.9%, p < 0.0001). Furthermore, the SOD2 T allele was significantly associated with increased activity of CK (females: p = 0.0144) and creatinine level (females: p = 0.0276; males: p = 0.0135) in athletes. Our data show that the SOD2 TT genotype might be unfavorable for high-intensity athletic events.

Actn3 genotype is associated with testosterone levels of athletes

α-Actinin-3 (ACTN3) has been proposed to regulate skeletal muscle differentiation and hypertrophy through its interaction with the signalling protein calcineurin. Since the inhibition of calcineurin potentiates the production of testosterone, we hypothesized that α-actinin-3 deficiency (predicted from the ACTN3 XX genotype) may influence serum levels of testosterone of athletes.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the association of ACTN3 gene R577X polymorphism with resting testosterone levels in athletes.

METHODS

A total of 209 elite Russian athletes from different sports (119 males, 90 females) were genotyped for ACTN3 gene R577X polymorphism by real-time PCR. Resting testosterone was examined in serum of athletes using enzyme immunoassay.

RESULTS

The mean testosterone levels were significantly higher in both males and females with the ACTN3 R allele than in XX homozygotes (males: RR: 24.9 (5.7), RX: 21.8 (5.5), XX: 18.6 (4.9) ng · mL(-1), P = 0.0071; females: RR: 1.43 (0.6), RX: 1.21 (0.71), XX: 0.79 (0.66) ng · mL(-1), P = 0.0167).

CONCLUSIONS

We found that the ACTN3 R allele was associated with high levels of testosterone in athletes, and this may explain, in part, the association between the ACTN3 RR genotype, skeletal muscle hypertrophy and power athlete status.

Protamine and fertilin mRNA: potential biomarkers of assisted reproductive technology outcomes

We studied the relationship between the levels of protamines 1 and 2 (PRM1 and PRM2) and fertilin-β (ADAM-2) mRNA expression and outcomes of infertility treatment using assisted reproductive technologies was studied. Analysis of the relationships between the outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer and profiles of the expression of seminal genes PRM1, PRM2, ADAM-2 mRNA, evaluated by reverse transcription quantitative PCR was carried out in 79 couples. Significant differences in the expression of seminal PRM1, PRM2, ADAM-2 mRNA were detected in couples with different outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer. The levels of seminal gene expression are potential predictors of the efficiency of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer.

[Immunogenetic predictors of a rapid virologic response to antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C]

AIM

To determine the correlation between interleukin 28B (IL28B) gene polymorphism in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC), the presence or absence a rapid virologic response to antiviral therapy, and a number of immunological characteristics as a basis for a personalized approach to treating the patients.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Seventeen CHC patients infected with hepatitis C virus genotype 1b were examined and underwent genetic testing for IL28B gene polymorphism for rs12979860 (CC, CT or TT genotypes) and rs8099917 (TT, TG or GG genotypes) using the modified method of adjacent samples, which revealed single nucleotide substitutions in the genes. Their immunological parameters were identified by a flow cytometry technique by taking into account whether a rapid virologic response had been achieved.

RESULTS

The key phenomena of a rapid virologic response in the representatives of different IL28B genotypes are the nonspecific proliferative activity of blood natural killer cells before treatment, as well as the count of regulatory T cells before and 4 weeks after therapy start.

CONCLUSION

To predict the efficiency of antiviral therapy for CHC, it is desirable to supplement genetic studies with immunological data.

Analysis of HI0220 protein from Haemophilus influenzae, a novel structural and functional analog of ArcB protein from Escherichia coli

A Haemophilus influenzae gene encoding a protein with high homology to ArcB receptor protein from Escherichia coli has been cloned. An error in the previously reported sequence of this gene has been found, thus increasing its open reading frame. The cloned gene comprising the entire open reading frame restores oxygen-dependent regulation of succinate dehydrogenase in an ArcB-deficient E. coli strain. Thus, this gene is a functional analog of ArcB from E. coli. By screening partially sequenced bacterial genomes using the BLAST program, proteins with high homology to ArcB protein from E. coli were found in Salmonella typhi, Yersinia pestis, Vibrio cholerae, and Pasteurella multocida. Comparison of these proteins with ArcB protein from E. coli and H. influenzae revealed conserved amino acid regions. Transmembrane helix II was shown to be highly homologous in all the ArcB-type proteins. The involvement of this region in ArcB-mediated oxygen-dependent regulation is suggested.