Research progress on ANXA5 in recurrent pregnancy loss

Identification of functional SNP associated with sperm quality in porcine ANXA5 that contributes to the growth of immature Sertoli cell

AnnexinA5 (ANXA5) has been identified as a positional candidate gene for reproduction and fertility traits in boars, but its role in testicular tissue development, as well as genetic variations remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of ANXA5 in the growth of swine Sertoli cells and identify its functional variations. Firstly, the expression of porcine ANXA5 in different tissues was detected by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and its effect on the proliferation of Sertoli cells was evaluated by CCK8, EdU, flow cytometry analyses and qRT-PCR. Then, putative causative variants were screened by integrating in silico analysis and DNA sequencing, and the subsequent association analysis was performed in Largewhite boars. Lastly, dual luciferase reporter assay was used to clarify the effect of specific SNP or ESR1 on ANXA5 transcription. The results showed that ANXA5 expressed in all the detected tissues, promoted proliferation of Sertoli cells by advancing cell cycle progression from the G1 to S phase and encouraging expression of PCNA. Putative causative variants, including two ns-SNPs within the coding region, and three closely linked SNPs in the promoter region were identified. Statistical analysis showed that the frequency of the T allele at g.-676 T > C, A allele at g.-674C > A, and T allele at g.-105G > T were each 0.75, the heterozygotes of Yorkshire boars had greater sperm motility as compared to TT, AA, and TT animals (p < 0.05). Luciferase reporter analysis suggested g.-105G > T and ESR1 modulated ANXA5 transcription. Taken together, this study demonstrated ANXA5 affected swine immature Sertoli cells growth and g.-105G > T was a candidate genetic marker for reproductive trait of boar.

Assessing the impact of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances on pregnancy loss: An environmental-wide association study in Northwest China

BACKGROUND

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are emerging environmental contaminants with potential metabolic and endocrine-disrupting properties that may affect women's reproductive health. However, their specific role in pregnancy loss remains relatively understudied.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to assess the association between exposure to multiple PFAS and the association with pregnancy loss (PL) in a population from Northwest China using an environment-wide association study (EWAS) approach.

METHODS

A case-control study was conducted at a university-affiliated reproductive center, enrolling 348 women with a history of PL and 320 controls with at least one live birth and no history of pregnancy loss. Serum concentrations of ten PFAS were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) following a standardized extraction and purification protocol. Demographic and clinical data were collected via a structured questionnaire. An elastic net regression model (ENRM) was employed for variable selection, identifying PFASs to be included in the subsequent EWAS analysis. Associations between individual PFAS and PL were then evaluated using logistic regression, and EWAS was utilized to explore the overall associations between PFAS mixture exposure and PL, accounting for potential interactions and multicollinearity.

RESULTS

The EWAS identified five PFASs-PFPeS, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA-with significantly higher exposure odds in pregnancy loss cases versus live birth controls (adjusted ORs: 1.82 [1.31-2.62], 1.34 [1.19-1.51], 1.73 [1.46-2.07], 1.33 [1.14-1.56], and 1.73 [1.40-2.15], respectively). Subgroup analyses confirmed robust associations, with PFOA consistently linked to elevated exposure odds across demographic and clinical strata.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates a significant association between exposure to multiple PFAS, notably PFPeS, PFHxS, PFOA, PFOS, and PFNA, and an increased risk of pregnancy loss in a Northwest Chinese population. The particularly robust association observed with PFOA across diverse subgroups underscores its potential as a significant environmental risk factor for PL. These findings highlight the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to develop strategies for reducing PFAS exposure among women of reproductive age.

ANXA5: related mechanisms of osteogenesis and additional biological functions

Annexin A5 (ANXA5), also known as Annexin V, is a calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding protein and has a high affinity with phosphatidylserine (PS). This characteristic facilitates its involvement in a wide range of biological functions, including vesicle transport, the formation of mineral phases in the extracellular matrix, anticoagulation and antithrombotic, the inhibition of tumor growth, and apoptosis regulation. ANXA5 plays a role in anti-inflammatory and antithrombotic properties. It also has protective effects on the nervous system. ANXA5 has been reported to facilitate osteogenic differentiation and take part in chondrocyte apoptosis and mineralization. More and more attention is paid to the potential of ANXA5 for bone defect repair. Most current studies on ANXA5 mainly concentrate on immune disorders, pregnancy disorders and serve as a biomarker for various diseases as well as apoptosis detection. However, there is still a lack of systematic studies on ANXA5 involving multiple tissues, including bone, cartilage, vessels, and nerves in the process of bone regeneration. Our study aims to summarize the biological functions in bone tissue and the related signaling pathways of ANXA5. This work provides a theoretical foundation for applying ANXA5 in clinical orthopedics in the future.

Whole exome sequencing identifies a novel mutation in Annexin A4 that is associated with recurrent spontaneous abortion

Background

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a multifactorial disease, the exact causes of which are still unknown. Environmental, maternal, and genetic factors have been shown to contribute to this condition. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of mutations in the ANXA4 gene in patients with RSA.

Methods

Genomic DNA was extracted from 325 patients with RSA and 941 control women with a normal reproductive history for whole-exome sequencing (WES). The detected variants were annotated and filtered, and the pathogenicity of the variants was predicted through the SIFT online tool, functional enrichment analyses, Sanger sequencing validation, prediction of changes in protein structure, and evolutionary conservation analysis. Furthermore, plasmid construction, Western blotting, RT-qPCR, and cell migration, invasion and adhesion assays were used to detect the effects of ANXA4 mutations on protein function.

Results

An ANXA4 mutation (p.G8D) in 1 of the 325 samples from patients with RSA (RSA-219) was identified through WES. This mutation was not detected in 941 controls or included in public databases. Evolutionary conservation analysis revealed that the amino acid residue affected by the mutation (p.G8D) was highly conserved among 13 vertebrate species, and the SIFT program and structural modeling analysis predicted that this mutation was harmful. Furthermore, functional assays revealed that this mutation could inhibit cell migration, invasion and adhesion.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that an unreported novel ANXA4 mutation (p.G8D) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of RSA and may contribute to the genetic diagnosis of RSA.

Augmentation of hepatocellular carcinoma malignancy by annexin A5 through modulation of invasion and angiogenesis

BACKGROUND

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) continues to play a substantial role in cancer-related morbidity and mortality, largely owing to its pronounced tumor heterogeneity and propensity for recurrence. This underscores the pressing need for in-depth examination of its highly malignant mechanisms. Annexin A5 (ANXA5), recognized as a hallmark tumor protein, has emerged as a focal point of interest because of its ambiguous function and mechanism in HCC prognosis. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of ANXA5 in the malignant progression of human HCC cells by employing an integrative approach that combines conventional experimental methods with RNA sequencing.

METHODS

Differences in ANXA5 expression between HCC tissues and corresponding nontumor tissues were evaluated using immunofluorescence (n = 25). Correlation analysis was subsequently performed to assess the association between ANXA5 expression and clinicopathological features (n = 65). The role of ANXA5 in human HCC cell lines with ANXA5 gene knockout and overexpression was explored in vitro using migration and invasion assays and Ki-67 indices and in vivo based on node mice xenograft model. A tube formation assay using human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) was conducted to demonstrate the angiogenic effects of ANXA5 in HCC. Single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing was used to further investigate the underlying mechanisms involved.

RESULTS

This study revealed that ANXA5 is highly expressed in patients with HCC and correlates with poor prognosis. Assays for migration, invasion, and proliferation based on ANXA5 gene knockout and overexpression systems in human HCC cell lines have demonstrated that ANXA5 enhances HCC malignancy in vitro and in vivo. Tube formation assays of HUVECs indicated that ANXA5 facilitates angiogenesis and recruits endothelial cells to HCC cells. Single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data analysis further confirmed that ANXA5 expression in HCC is associated with hepatocyte metabolism, immune response activation, and various oncogenic signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed a meaningful association between elevated ANXA5 expression in tumor tissues and an unfavorable prognosis in patients with HCC. In addition, ANXA5 promotes HCC malignancy by promoting invasion and angiogenesis. Thus, ANXA5 has emerged as a promising therapeutic target for HCC and has the potential to improve patient outcomes.

ANXA5 and VEGFA Gene Variants in Women with Early Pregnancy Losses from North Macedonia

Early pregnancy loss (EPL) is the most common pregnancy complication, found in approximately 15% of all clinically recognized pregnancy complications. Up to date, various maternal as well as fetal factors are reported as a cause of EPLs. However, in approximately 50% of EPL cases, the exact cause is not clearly identified and these cases are referred as idiopathic. The aim of our study was to examine the association of four distinct variants in the ANXA5 gene and two variants within the VEGFA gene in a cohort of women with EPLs from North Macedonia. This group was compared to a control group of women matched by ethnic background without pregnancy loss and at least one live birth. We also aimed to establish an effective and cost-efficient method for their detection based on multiplex single-base extension. Among 190 women experiencing EPLs, and 190 samples from women without a history of pregnancy loss (control group), our results demonstrated a statistically significant prevalence of heterozygotes for the M2/ANXA5 haplotype in women with EPLs, compared to the control group (p=0.0006). In the analyses comparing genotypic frequencies for the variants in the VEGFA gene, higher frequencies were generally observed among women experiencing EPLs, however without statistical significance. Our study aligns with multiple studies showing that M2 and M1 ANXA5 haplotypes are more prevalent in patients with pregnancy loss and presents an affordable genotyping technique for the specific ANXA5 and VEGFA variants.

Genes of Inflammation and Placental Function GWAS Associated with Idiopathic Recurrent Miscarriage in the Kazakh Population

BACKGROUND

The loss of two or more pregnancies is considered recurrent miscarriage (RM). One of the causes of this pathology is the occurrence of mutations both in pleiotropic and pathway-specific regulators and in structural genes. The simplest type of such mutations is single nucleotide polymorphisms.

AIMS

The aim of the study is to study the relationship between gene polymorphisms of anti- and pro-inflammatory cytokines - interferon-gamma (T874A), interleukin (IL1B) (C3954T), IL6 (G572C) and IL10 (G1082A); placental function, apoptosis and angiogenesis - apolipoprotein C-III (APOC3) (G5163C), kinase insert domain receptor (A1719T, G1192A), P53 (Arg72Pro) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) (C1697G) with the development of idiopathic RM (iRM) in the Kazakh population.

SETTINGS AND DESIGN

This was a case-control study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Molecular genetic studies were performed by TaqMan using a single site-specific amplification and real-time genotyping method in 302 women with iRM and 300 with normal reproduction. DNA isolation from the biomaterial was carried out using kits containing binding magnetic particles. Both samples were analysed for alleles and genotypes for the studied polymorphisms.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

For statistical data processing, Pearson's criterion, confidence interval (CI) and probability value were taken into account.

RESULTS

It was found that the carriage of unfavourable genotypes (G/C, C/C) for the G5163C polymorphism of the APOC3 gene increases the risk of developing iRM by three times (odds ratio = 3.0; 95% CI = 2.24-4.07). Other studied polymorphisms in the genes of ILs, interferon, P53 proapoptotic protein, kinase domain receptor and STAT3 transcription activator were not associated with RM.

CONCLUSION

Significant associations of APOC3 gene genotypes with the development of iRM in the Kazakh population indicate the involvement of the placental system, which is realised by vascularisation defects and defective embryo implantation and leads to early pregnancy termination.

Profilin1 regulates trophoblast invasion and macrophage differentiation

Unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) has been associated with the dysfunction of trophoblasts and decidual macrophages. Current evidence suggests that profilin1 (PFN1) plays an important role in many biological processes. However, little is currently known on whether PFN1 is related to URSA. The location of PFN1 was detected by immunohistochemistry. The level of PFN1 were detected by qRT-PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry. The proliferation of trophoblasts was detected by CCK8 and EdU assays. Apoptosis of trophoblasts was detected by TUNEL assays. The migration and invasion ability of trophoblasts were assessed by the wound-healing test and transwell test. Macrophages were cultured in trophoblast conditioned medium and the polarization of macrophages was detected. PFN1 expression was observed in in cytotrophoblasts, syncytiotrophoblasts, and extravillous trophoblasts and decreased in the villous tissue of URSA patients. The migration and invasion ability and cell viability of trophoblastic cell lines that underwent PFN1 knockdown significantly decreased, and apoptosis increased. Opposite findings were observed following the overexpression of PFN1 in trophoblastic cells. In addition, PFN1 could regulate trophoblast function through PI3K/AKT signal transduction rather than MAPK signaling pathways. In addition, this study also found that knockdown of PFN1 in trophoblast promotes TNF-α secretion to induce macrophage polarization to M1 phenotype, mediated by the NF- κ B signaling pathway.