Integrated microRNA and secretome analysis of human endometrial organoids reveal the miR-3194-5p/Aquaporin/S100A9 module in regulating trophoblast functions

Bioinformatic identification of signature miRNAs associated with fetoplacental vascular dysfunction in gestational diabetes mellitus

Background

Intrauterine exposure to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) poses significant risks to fetal development and future metabolic health. Despite its clinical importance, the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in fetoplacental vascular endothelial cell (VEC) programming in the context of GDM remains elusive. This study aims to identify signature miRNA genes involved in this process using bioinformatics analysis via multiple algorithms.

Methods

The dataset used in this study was acquired from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). Firstly, differentially expressed miRNA genes (DEMGs) were evaluated using limma package. Thereafter, an enrichment analysis of DEMGs was performed. Then, the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and support vector machine (SVM) were used as the other algorithms for screening candidate signature miRNA genes. Genes from the intersection of limma, LASSO, and SVM genes were used as the final signature miRNA genes. The receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC), the nomogram diagram, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), and signature miRNAs-target genes interaction network were implemented further to explore the features and functions of signature genes.

Results

A total of 32 DEMGs, with 21 upregulated and 11 downregulated miRNA genes, were obtained from limma analysis. LASSO and SVM analyses identified 15 and 12 candidate signature miRNA genes, respectively. After the intersection of genes from limma, LASSO, and SVM analyses, MIR34A and MIR186 were found as the final signature genes related to fetoplacental VEC programming. MIR34A and MIR186 were highly expressed and were associated with an increased risk of fetoplacental VEC programming in GDM mothers. The area under the curve (AUC) of ROC for MIR34A and MIR186 were 0.960 and 0.935, respectively. GSEA analysis revealed that these signature genes positively participate in cellular processes related to VEC migration, cell differentiation, angiogenesis, programmed cell death, and inflammatory response. Finally, miRNAs-target genes interaction network analysis provides the interaction of signature miRNAs and their critical target genes, which may help further studies for miR-34a and miR-186 in GDM.

Conclusions

MIR34A and MIR186 are novel signature miRNA genes related to fetoplacental VEC programming that may represent critical genes associated with placental function and fetal programming under GDM conditions.

Organoid development and applications in gynecological cancers: the new stage of tumor treatment

Gynecologic cancers (GCs), including cervical cancer (CC), ovarian cancer (OC), endometrial cancer (EC), as well as vulvar and vaginal cancers, represent major health threats to women, with increasing incidence rates observed globally. Conventional treatments, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy, are often hindered by challenges such as drug resistance and recurrence, contributing to high mortality rates. Organoid technology has emerged as a transformative tool in cancer research, offering in vitro models that closely replicate the tumor cell architecture and heterogeneity of primary cancers. Tumor-derived organoids preserve the histological and molecular characteristics of the original tumors, making them invaluable for studying tumor biology, molecular pathways, and the tumor immune microenvironment. Furthermore, organoids play a crucial role in biomarker discovery, drug screening, and the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. In contrast to traditional cell lines and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models, gynecologic cancer organoids accurately mirror the genetic mutations and specific gene expression profiles of primary tumors. This review provides an overview of recent advancements in the development of gynecologic cancer organoid models, highlighting their contributions to understanding disease mechanisms, facilitating drug discovery, and advancing precision medicine. It also addresses the potential and challenges of organoid technology, with a focus on its role in advancing personalized treatment approaches for GCs.

Bioengineering approaches for the endometrial research and application

The endometrium undergoes a series of precise monthly changes under the regulation of dynamic levels of ovarian hormones that are characterized by repeated shedding and subsequent regeneration without scarring. This provides the potential for wound healing during endometrial injuries. Bioengineering materials highlight the faithful replication of constitutive cells and the extracellular matrix that simulates the physical and biomechanical properties of the endometrium to a larger extent. Significant progress has been made in this field, and functional endometrial tissue bioengineering allows an in-depth investigation of regulatory factors for endometrial and myometrial defects in vitro and provides highly therapeutic methods to alleviate obstetric and gynecological complications. However, much remains to be learned about the latest progress in the application of bioengineering technologies to the human endometrium. Here, we summarize the existing developments in biomaterials and bioengineering models for endometrial regeneration and improving the female reproductive potential.

JPT2 Affects Trophoblast Functions and Macrophage Polarization and Metabolism, and Acts as a Potential Therapeutic Target for Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a pregnancy-related condition with complex etiology. Trophoblast dysfunction and abnormal macrophage polarization and metabolism are associated with RSA; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Jupiter microtubule-associated homolog 2 (JPT2) is essential for calcium mobilization; however, its role in RSA remains unclear. In this study, it is found that the expression levels of JPT2, a nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate-binding protein, are decreased in the villous tissues of patients with RSA and placental tissues of miscarried mice. Mechanistically, it is unexpectedly found that abnormal JPT2 expression regulates trophoblast function and thus involvement in RSA via c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling, but not via calcium mobilization. Specifically, on the one hand, JPT2 deficiency inhibits trophoblast adhesion, migration, and invasion by inhibiting the JNK/atypical chemokine receptor 3 axis. On the other hand, trophoblast JPT2 deficiency contributes to M1 macrophage polarization by promoting the accumulation of citrate and reactive oxygen species via inhibition of the JNK/interleukin-6 axis. Self-complementary adeno-associated virus 9-JPT2 treatment alleviates embryonic resorption in abortion-prone mice. In summary, this study reveals that JPT2 mediates the remodeling of the immune microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for RSA.

Regulatory role of human endometrial gland secretome on macrophage differentiation

The human endometrial gland plays a vital role in maternal immune tolerance and placental development. Decidual macrophages are the major phagocytic cells that regulate tissue remodeling during pregnancy. This study examines the regulatory effect of endometrial gland secretome on macrophage polarization and functions using endometrial organoid. We demonstrated that endometrial organoids treated with hormones mimicking the environment of the secretory phase/early pregnancy polarize macrophages to acquire a decidua-like macrophage phenotype, including higher expressions of decidual macrophage markers, reduced phagocytic capacity and altered cytokine secretion. The results indicated that endometrial gland secretomes are critical for maintaining macrophage homeostasis at the maternal-fetal interface.

FKBP5 regulates trophoblast-macrophage crosstalk in recurrent spontaneous abortion through PI3K/AKT and NF-κB signaling pathways

FK506-binding protein 5 (FKBP5) contributes to many diseases; However, it remains unclear whether FKBP5 is relevant to recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) and the mechanisms by which it is involved in maternal-fetal immunological tolerance. Placental tissue was collected in women with normal pregnancy and RSA and examined for FKBP5 expression. Human trophoblast cell lines and THP-1-derived M0 macrophages were used to explore the role of FKBP5 in RSA and its mechanism. The role of FKBP5 on pregnancy outcomes was assessed using a mouse model of miscarriage. This study found that upregulation of FKBP5 at the placental interface is involved in the pathogenesis of RSA by depressing trophoblast function and promoting M1-type macrophage polarization. First, FKBP5 expression was upregulated in the villi of RSA, and FKBP5 regulated trophoblast function by inhibiting HAPLN1 expression through suppression of PI3K/AKT signaling. In addition, FKBP5 inhibited trophoblast IL-6 secretion by suppressing PI3K/AKT signaling, thereby promoting macrophage polarization toward the M1 phenotype. Meanwhile, FKBP5 was significantly elevated in decidual macrophages from patients with RSA and promoted M1 macrophage polarization via ROS/NF-κB signaling and further inhibited trophoblast function. Finally, FKBP5 inhibitors improved embryo resorption rate in miscarried mice. In conclusion, FKBP5 is essential in maintaining pregnancy and trophoblast-macrophage crosstalk in the maternal-fetal interface, which may be a potential target for diagnosing and treating RSA.