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Tomic M, Vrtacnik Bokal E, Stimpfel M. Non-Invasive Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy and the Mystery of Genetic Material: A Review Article. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23073568. [PMID: 35408927 PMCID: PMC8998436 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23073568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/07/2022] Open
Abstract
This review focuses on recent findings in the preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) of embryos. Different preimplantation genetic tests are presented along with different genetic materials and their analysis. Original material concerning preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) was sourced by searching the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases in October and November 2021. The searches comprised keywords such as ‘preimplantation’, ‘cfDNA’; ‘miRNA’, ‘PGT-A’, ‘niPGT-A’, ‘aneuploidy’, ‘mosaicism’, ‘blastocyst biopsy’, ‘blastocentesis’, ‘blastocoel fluid’, ‘NGS’, ‘FISH’, and ‘aCGH’. Non-invasive PGT-A (niPGT-A) is a novel approach to the genetic analysis of embryos. The premise is that the genetic material in the spent embryo culture media (SECM) corresponds to the genetic material in the embryo cells. The limitations of niPGT-A are a lower quantity and lesser quality of the cell-free genetic material, and its unknown origin. The concordance rate varies when compared to invasive PGT-A. Some authors have also hypothesized that mosaicism and aneuploid cells are preferentially excluded from the embryo during early development. Cell-free genetic material is readily available in the spent embryo culture media, which provides an easier, more economic, and safer extraction of genetic material for analysis. The sampling of the SECM and DNA extraction and amplification must be optimized. The origin of the cell-free media, the percentage of apoptotic events, and the levels of DNA contamination are currently unknown; these topics need to be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maja Tomic
- Department of Human Reproduction, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.T.); (E.V.B.)
| | - Eda Vrtacnik Bokal
- Department of Human Reproduction, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.T.); (E.V.B.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Martin Stimpfel
- Department of Human Reproduction, Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (M.T.); (E.V.B.)
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence:
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Xu X, Li W, Zhang L, Ji Y, Qin J, Wang L, Wang M, Qi L, Xue J, Lv B, Zhang X, Xue Z. Effect of Sperm Cryopreservation on miRNA Expression and Early Embryonic Development. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:749486. [PMID: 35004670 PMCID: PMC8728010 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.749486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Although sperm preservation is a common means of personal fertility preservation, its effects on embryonic development potential need further investigation. The purpose of this study was to identify key microRNA (miRNA) in cryopreserved sperm and determine the changes of these miRNAs and their target genes during embryonic development using cryopreserved sperm. Moreover, the embryonic development potential of cryopreserved sperm was estimated in assisted reproductive technology (ART), where key miRNAs and target genes were validated in sperm and subsequent embryos. Clinical data of embryonic development from cryopreserved sperm indicated a significant decrease in fertilization rate in both in vitro fertilization (IVF) and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cases, as well as a reduction in blastocyst formation rate in ICSI cases. Meanwhile there was a significant increase in blocked embryo ratio of Day1, Day2, and Day3.5 embryos when frozen-thawed mouse sperm was used, compared with fresh mouse sperm, suggesting a potential negative effect of sperm cryopreservation on embryonic development. From frozen-thawed and fresh sperm in humans and mice, respectively, 21 and 95 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEmiRs) were detected. miR-148b-3p were downregulated in both human and mouse frozen-thawed sperm and were also decreased in embryos after fertilization using cryopreserved sperm. Target genes of miR-148b-3p, Pten, was identified in mouse embryos using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot (WB). In addition, common characters of cryopreservation of mouse oocytes compared with sperm were also detected; downregulation of miR-148b-3p was also confirmed in cryopreserved oocytes. In summary, our study suggested that cryopreservation of sperm could change the expression of miRNAs, especially the miR-148b-3p across humans and mice, and may further affect fertilization and embryo development by increasing the expression of Pten. Moreover, downregulation of miR-148b-3p induced by cryopreservation was conserved in mouse gametes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Xu
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Wanqiong Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lina Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yazhong Ji
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiaying Qin
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Wang
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingwen Wang
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Lingbin Qi
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinfeng Xue
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Bo Lv
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Xunyi Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhigang Xue
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
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Daneshvar M, Movahedin M, Salehi M, Noruzinia M. Alterations of miR-16, miR-let-7a and their target genes expression in human blastocysts following vitrification and re-vitrification. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:155. [PMID: 34627262 PMCID: PMC8501585 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00842-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Embryo cryopreservation is a widely used technique in infertility management and today is an essential part of assisted reproductive technology (ART). In some cases, re-vitrification can be applied to good quality supernumerary warmed embryos that have not been transferred in the present cycle. However, there is no study about re-vitrification impact on microRNA and gene expression in human embryos. The purpose of this study is to evaluate miR-16, miR-let7a and target genes expression in in vitro produced human blastocysts following re-vitrification.Day3 embryos obtained from ICSI cycles of fertile couples referring for family balancing program were biopsied and cultured individually. On the fourth day (post-ICSI) male ones (choices of their parents) were transferred and the females (good quality embryos) were donated for research. Donated embryos were cultured to blastocyst stage and assigned to three groups: fresh, vitrified and re-vitrification. Embryos were vitrified on Cryotech carriers. Then blastocysts of three groups were individually assessed for expression of miR-16, miR-let7a and target genes.The results showed that re-vitrification of human blastocysts did not affect the ability to re-expand in culture. In addition, significant decrease was observed in miR-16 and miR-let7a expression in re-vitrified group compared to fresh (p < 0.05). A significant upregulation of the target genes ITGβ3 and BCL-2 in re-vitrified and vitrified embryos was observed compared to the fresh group (p < 0.05). The expression of BAX as a pro-apoptotic gene showed a significant decrease in re-vitrification group comparing with the fresh one (P < 0.05).The results of this research indicated that re-vitrification of embryos changes the expression of miR-16, miR-let-7a and their target genes. These alterations include increased expression of BCl-2 and ITGβ3 genes which play important roles in embryo survival and implantation, respectively. Clinical proof of these effects requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Daneshvar
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mansoureh Movahedin
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Salehi
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehrdad Noruzinia
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
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Acuña-González RJ, Olvera-Valencia M, López-Canales JS, Lozano-Cuenca J, Osorio-Caballero M, Flores-Herrera H. MiR-191-5p is upregulated in culture media of implanted human embryo on day fifth of development. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2021; 19:109. [PMID: 34256783 PMCID: PMC8278618 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-021-00786-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Morphological features are the most common criteria used to select human embryos for transfer to a receptive uterine cavity. However, such characteristics are not valid for embryos in cellular arrest. Even aneuploid embryos can have normal morphology, and some euploid embryos have aberrant morphology. The aim of this study was to quantify the expression profile of hsa-miR-21-3p, -24-1-5p, -191-5p, and -372-5p in culture media on day 5 of in vitro embryo development, and compare the profiles of two groups of media classified by outcome: successful (n = 25) or unsuccessful (n = 25) implantation pregnancy. METHODS Fifty patients were accepted in the Department of Reproductive Biology of a Hospital in México City, based on the Institutional inclusion criteria for in vitro fertilization. Embryos were transferred to the women on day 5 of cultivation, and the culture media were collected. RNA was isolated from each culture medium with TRIzol reagent, and microRNA (miRNA) expression was detected through RT-PCR with specific primers. Expression bands were quantified by reading optical density. RESULTS There was a 5.2-fold greater expression of hsa-miR-191-5p in the pregnancy-related culture media (p ≤ 0.001) and a 1.6-fold greater level of hsa-miR-24-1-5p (p = 0.043) in the media corresponding to non-pregnant women. No significant difference existed between the two groups hsa-miR-21-3p (p = 0.38) or hsa-miR-372-5p (p = 0.41). CONCLUSIONS Regarding adequate in vitro embryo development, hsa-miR-191-5p could possibly represent a positive biomarker, while has-miR-24-1-5p may indicate poor prognosis. This former miRNA modulates IGF2BP-1 and IGF2R, associated with the implantation window. On the other hand, hsa-miR-24-1-5p may be related to a poor prognosis of human embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Josué Acuña-González
- Department of Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología "Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes" (INPerIER), Ciudad de México, México
- Department of Biología de la Reproducción, INPerIER, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Mercedes Olvera-Valencia
- Department of Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología "Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes" (INPerIER), Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - Jair Lozano-Cuenca
- Department of Fisiología y Desarrollo Celular, INPerIER, Ciudad de México, México
| | | | - Héctor Flores-Herrera
- Department of Immunobioquímica, Instituto Nacional de Perinatología "Isidro Espinosa de los Reyes" (INPerIER), Ciudad de México, México.
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Azizi E, Ghaffari Novin M, Naji M, Amidi F, Hosseinirad H, Shams Mofarahe Z. Effect of vitrification on biogenesis pathway and expression of development-related microRNAs in preimplantation mouse embryos. Cell Tissue Bank 2020; 22:103-114. [PMID: 33033964 DOI: 10.1007/s10561-020-09870-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Vitrification of embryos has been known as the most efficient cryopreservation method in assisted reproductive technology clinics. Vitrification of preimplantation embryo might be associated with altered gene expression profile and biochemical changes of vitrified embryos. Stringent regulation of gene expression in early embryonic stages is very critical for normal development. In the present study, we investigated the effect of vitrification on the canonical miRNA biogenesis pathway, and also the expression of developmental related miRNAs, in 8-cell and blastocyst mouse embryos. Although the expression pattern of the miRNA biogenesis pathway genes differed between 8-cell and blastocyst mouse embryos, vitrification did not affect the expression level of these genes in preimplantation embryos. The expression levels of miR-21 and let-7a were significantly decreased in vitrified 8-cell embryos and fresh blastocysts when compared with fresh 8-cell embryos. The expression of Stat3 was significantly reduced in blastocysts after vitrification. The alteration in the expression pattern of miRNAs, due to their mode of action, can affect broad downstream key developmental signaling pathways. Therefore, the blastocyst stage is the preferred point for embryo vitrification as they are less susceptible to cryo-damages regarding the stability of miRNAs related to the developmental and implantation competence of embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Azizi
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Marefat Ghaffari Novin
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Infertility and Reproductive Health Research Center (IRHRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Naji
- Urology and Nephrology Research Center (UNRC), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fardin Amidi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hossein Hosseinirad
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Shams Mofarahe
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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