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Wang B, Gao M, Yao Y, Shen H, Li H, Sun J, Wang L, Zhang X. Enhancing endometrial receptivity: the roles of human chorionic gonadotropin in autophagy and apoptosis regulation in endometrial stromal cells. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2024; 22:37. [PMID: 38576003 PMCID: PMC10993617 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-024-01205-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Inadequate endometrial receptivity often results in embryo implantation failure and miscarriage. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) is a key signaling molecule secreted during early embryonic development, which regulates embryonic maternal interface signaling and promotes embryo implantation. This study aimed to examine the impact of hCG on endometrial receptivity and its underlying mechanisms. An exploratory study was designed, and endometrial samples were obtained from women diagnosed with simple tubal infertility or male factor infertile (n = 12) and recurrent implantation failure (RIF, n = 10). Using reverse transcription-quantitative PCR and western blotting, luteinizing hormone (LH)/hCG receptor (LHCGR) levels and autophagy were detected in the endometrial tissues. Subsequently, primary endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) were isolated from these control groups and treated with hCG to examine the presence of LHCGR and markers of endometrial receptivity (HOXA10, ITGB3, FOXO1, LIF, and L-selectin ligand) and autophagy-related factors (Beclin1, LC3, and P62). The findings revealed that the expressions of receptivity factors, LHCGR, and LC3 were reduced in the endometrial tissues of women with RIF compared with the control group, whereas the expression of P62 was elevated. The administration of hCG to ESCs specifically activated LHCGR, stimulating an increase in the endometrial production of HOXA10, ITGB3, FOXO1, LIF and L-selectin ligands. Furthermore, when ESCs were exposed to 0.1 IU/mL hCG for 72 h, the autophagy factors Beclin1 and LC3 increased within the cells and P62 decreased. Moreover, the apoptotic factor Bax increased and Bcl-2 declined. However, when small interfering RNA was used to knock down LHCGR, hCG was less capable of controlling endometrial receptivity and autophagy molecules in ESCs. In addition, hCG stimulation enhanced the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and mTOR proteins. These results suggest that women with RIF exhibit lower levels of LHCGR and compromised autophagy function in their endometrial tissues. Thus, hCG/LHCGR could potentially improve endometrial receptivity by modulating autophagy and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Wang
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mingxia Gao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China.
| | - Ying Yao
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Haofei Shen
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hongwei Li
- The First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Sun
- Medical Laboratory Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Liyan Wang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xuehong Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The First Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
- Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine and Embryo, Gansu Province, Lanzhou, China.
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Popli P, Oestreich AK, Maurya VK, Rowen MN, Masand R, Holtzman MJ, Zhang Y, Lydon J, Akira S, Moley KH, Kommagani R. The autophagy protein, ATG14 safeguards against unscheduled pyroptosis activation to enable embryo transport during early pregnancy. bioRxiv 2024:2024.03.19.585812. [PMID: 38562843 PMCID: PMC10983954 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.19.585812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), characterized by two or more failed clinical pregnancies, poses a significant challenge to reproductive health. In addition to embryo quality and endometrial function, proper oviduct function is also essential for successful pregnancy establishment. Therefore, structural abnormalities or inflammation resulting from infection in the oviduct may impede the transport of embryos to the endometrium, thereby increasing the risk of miscarriage. However, the precise cellular mechanisms that maintain the structural and functional integrity of the oviduct are not studied yet. Here, we report that autophagy is critical for maintaining the oviduct homeostasis and keeping the inflammation under check to enable embryo transport. Specifically, the loss of the autophagy-related gene, Atg14 in the oviduct causes severe structural abnormalities compromising its cellular plasticity and integrity leading to the retention of embryos. Interestingly, the selective loss of Atg14 in oviduct ciliary epithelial cells did not impact female fertility, highlighting the specificity of ATG14 function in distinct cell types within the oviduct. Mechanistically, loss of Atg14 triggered unscheduled pyroptosis leading to inappropriate embryo retention and impeded embryo transport in the oviduct. Finally, pharmacological activation of pyroptosis in pregnant mice led to an impairment in embryo transport. Together, we found that ATG14 safeguards against unscheduled pyroptosis activation to enable embryo transport from the oviduct to uterus for the successful implantation. Of clinical significance, these findings provide possible insights on the underlying mechanism(s) of early pregnancy loss and might aid in developing novel prevention strategies using autophagy modulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pooja Popli
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Arin K. Oestreich
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Vineet K. Maurya
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Marina N. Rowen
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ramya Masand
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Michael J. Holtzman
- Department of Medicine and Department of Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Yong Zhang
- Department of Medicine and Department of Cell Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - John Lydon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Shizuo Akira
- Department of Host Defense, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases (RIMD), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
- Laboratory of Host Defense, World Premier Institute Immunology Frontier Research Center (WPI-IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Kelle H. Moley
- Department Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ramakrishna Kommagani
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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Chadchan SB, Popli P, Liao Z, Andreas E, Dias M, Wang T, Gunderson SJ, Jimenez PT, Lanza DG, Lanz RB, Foulds CE, Monsivais D, DeMayo FJ, Yalamanchili HK, Jungheim ES, Heaney JD, Lydon JP, Moley KH, O'Malley BW, Kommagani R. A GREB1-steroid receptor feedforward mechanism governs differential GREB1 action in endometrial function and endometriosis. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1947. [PMID: 38431630 PMCID: PMC10908778 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46180-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Cellular responses to the steroid hormones, estrogen (E2), and progesterone (P4) are governed by their cognate receptor's transcriptional output. However, the feed-forward mechanisms that shape cell-type-specific transcriptional fulcrums for steroid receptors are unidentified. Herein, we found that a common feed-forward mechanism between GREB1 and steroid receptors regulates the differential effect of GREB1 on steroid hormones in a physiological or pathological context. In physiological (receptive) endometrium, GREB1 controls P4-responses in uterine stroma, affecting endometrial receptivity and decidualization, while not affecting E2-mediated epithelial proliferation. Of mechanism, progesterone-induced GREB1 physically interacts with the progesterone receptor, acting as a cofactor in a positive feedback mechanism to regulate P4-responsive genes. Conversely, in endometrial pathology (endometriosis), E2-induced GREB1 modulates E2-dependent gene expression to promote the growth of endometriotic lesions in mice. This differential action of GREB1 exerted by a common feed-forward mechanism with steroid receptors advances our understanding of mechanisms that underlie cell- and tissue-specific steroid hormone actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangappa B Chadchan
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Pooja Popli
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zian Liao
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Eryk Andreas
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Michelle Dias
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tianyuan Wang
- Integrative Bioinformatics, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Stephanie J Gunderson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Patricia T Jimenez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Denise G Lanza
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Rainer B Lanz
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Charles E Foulds
- Lester and Sue Smith Breast Center, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Diana Monsivais
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Francesco J DeMayo
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Hari Krishna Yalamanchili
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute, Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Emily S Jungheim
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fienberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 77030, USA
| | - Jason D Heaney
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - John P Lydon
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kelle H Moley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Bert W O'Malley
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Ramakrishna Kommagani
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Li Z, Dai F, Zhu R, Zhang Y, Chen J, Chen L, Liu H, Cheng Y. Dysregulation of CREB5 Impairs Decidualization and Maternal-Fetal Interactions by Inhibiting Autophagy in Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion. Reprod Sci 2024:10.1007/s43032-024-01474-2. [PMID: 38424407 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01474-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinically, recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is a pregnancy illness that is difficult to treat. Impaired decidualization is a documented cause of RSA, but the etiology and mechanism are still unknown. cAMP-responsive element binding protein 5 (CREB5) is a member of the ATF/CREB family. CREB5 has been reported to be related to pathological pregnancy, but there are few related studies on this topic in patients with RSA, and the underlying mechanism is unclear. METHODS We collected decidual tissues from RSA patients and healthy pregnant women to measure the expression level of CREB5, PRL, IGFBP1, ATG5, LC3B, and SQSTM/p62. Then, the changes in CREB5 expression and autophagy levels were measured in human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) during decidualization. The expression levels of PRL and IGFBP1 were tested in sh-CREB5/ov-CREB5 hESCs after decidualization induction, and the autophagy level in sh-CREB5/ov-CREB5 hESCs was measured without decidualization induction. The decidualization ability of sh-CREB5 and ov-CREB5 hESCs treated with an autophagy inducer or inhibitor was measured. To investigate the effect of CREB5 in hESCs on the invasion and migration of HTR8/SVneo cells, we performed a coculture experiment. Finally, we examined the expression of CREB5 and autophagy key proteins in mouse decidual tissues by constructing an abortion mouse model. RESULTS In our study, we found that the expression of CREB5 was unusually elevated in the uterine decidua of RSA patients, but the expression of PRL, IGFBP1, and autophagy were decreased. During the decidualization of hESCs, the expression of CREB5 gradually decreases in a time-dependent manner with increasing autophagy. Moreover, by knocking down or overexpressing CREB5 in hESCs, it was found that CREB5 can impair decidualization and reduce autophagy in hESCs. Furthermore, the damage caused by CREB5 in terms of decidualization can be reversed by the addition of an autophagy inducer (rapamycin). In addition, CREB5 can increase the secretion of proteins (IL-1β and TGF-β1) in hESCs to inhibit trophoblast invasion and migration. CONCLUSIONS Our data support the supposition that CREB5 disturbs the decidualization of endometrial stromal cells and interactions at the maternal-fetal interface by inhibiting autophagy and that its abnormal upregulation and dysfunction may lead to RSA. It may function as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for RSA. Similarly, we found that in the spontaneous abortion mouse model, the expression of CREB5 in the decidual tissue of the abortion group was significantly increased, and autophagy was decreased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhidian Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Fangfang Dai
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Ronghui Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuwei Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Chen
- Caidian District People's Hospital of Wuhan, Wuhan, Hubei, 430100, People's Republic of China
| | - Liping Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China
| | - Hua Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yanxiang Cheng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, 99 Zhang Zhidong Road, Wuhan, Hubei, 430060, People's Republic of China.
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Goudarzi ST, Vousooghi N, Verdi J, Mehdizadeh A, Aslanian-Kalkhoran L, Yousefi M. Autophagy genes and signaling pathways in endometrial decidualization and pregnancy complications. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104223. [PMID: 38489930 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Autophagy is a process that occurs in almost all eukaryotic cells and this process is controlled by several molecular processes. Its biological roles include the provision of energy, the maintenance of cell homeostasis, and the promotion of aberrant cell death. The importance of autophagy in pregnancy is gradually becoming recognized. In literature, it has been indicated that autophagy has three different effects on the onset and maintenance of pregnancy: embryo (embryonic development), feto-maternal immune crosstalk, and maternal (decidualization). In humans, proper decidualization is a major predictor of pregnancy accomplishment and it can be influenced by different factors. This review highlights the genes, pathways, regulation, and function of autophagy in endometrial decidualization and other involved factors in this process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saeedeh Torabi Goudarzi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasim Vousooghi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Javad Verdi
- Department of Applied Cell Sciences, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Mehdizadeh
- Hematology and Oncology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Lida Aslanian-Kalkhoran
- Department of Immunology, school of medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran; Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Yousefi
- Immunology Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
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Zhou QM, Zheng L. Research progress on the relationship between Paneth cells-susceptibility genes, intestinal microecology and inflammatory bowel disease. World J Clin Cases 2023; 11:8111-8125. [PMID: 38130785 PMCID: PMC10731169 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i34.8111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a disorder of the immune system and intestinal microecosystem caused by environmental factors in genetically susceptible people. Paneth cells (PCs) play a central role in IBD pathogenesis, especially in Crohn's disease development, and their morphology, number and function are regulated by susceptibility genes. In the intestine, PCs participate in the formation of the stem cell microenvironment by secreting antibacterial particles and play a role in helping maintain the intestinal microecology and intestinal mucosal homeostasis. Moreover, PC proliferation and maturation depend on symbiotic flora in the intestine. This paper describes the interactions among susceptibility genes, PCs and intestinal microecology and their effects on IBD occurrence and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Ming Zhou
- Department of Nephrology, Lanxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Lanxi 321100, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Lie Zheng
- Department of Gastroenterology, Shaanxi Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Xi’an 710003, Shaanxi Province, China
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Samare-Najaf M, Neisy A, Samareh A, Moghadam D, Jamali N, Zarei R, Zal F. The constructive and destructive impact of autophagy on both genders' reproducibility, a comprehensive review. Autophagy 2023; 19:3033-3061. [PMID: 37505071 PMCID: PMC10621263 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2023.2238577] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Reproduction is characterized by a series of massive renovations at molecular, cellular, and tissue levels. Recent studies have strongly tended to reveal the involvement of basic molecular pathways such as autophagy, a highly conserved eukaryotic cellular recycling, during reproductive processes. This review comprehensively describes the current knowledge, updated to September 2022, of autophagy contribution during reproductive processes in males including spermatogenesis, sperm motility and viability, and male sex hormones and females including germ cells and oocytes viability, ovulation, implantation, fertilization, and female sex hormones. Furthermore, the consequences of disruption in autophagic flux on the reproductive disorders including oligospermia, azoospermia, asthenozoospermia, teratozoospermia, globozoospermia, premature ovarian insufficiency, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, and other disorders related to infertility are discussed as well.Abbreviations: AKT/protein kinase B: AKT serine/threonine kinase; AMPK: AMP-activated protein kinase; ATG: autophagy related; E2: estrogen; EDs: endocrine disruptors; ER: endoplasmic reticulum; FSH: follicle stimulating hormone; FOX: forkhead box; GCs: granulosa cells; HIF: hypoxia inducible factor; IVF: in vitro fertilization; IVM: in vitro maturation; LCs: Leydig cells; LDs: lipid droplets; LH: luteinizing hormone; LRWD1: leucine rich repeats and WD repeat domain containing 1; MAP1LC3: microtubule associated protein 1 light chain 3; MAPK: mitogen-activated protein kinase; MTOR: mechanistic target of rapamycin kinase; NFKB/NF-kB: nuclear factor kappa B; P4: progesterone; PCOS: polycystic ovarian syndrome; PDLIM1: PDZ and LIM domain 1; PI3K: phosphoinositide 3-kinase; PtdIns3P: phosphatidylinositol-3-phosphate; PtdIns3K: class III phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase; POI: premature ovarian insufficiency; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SCs: Sertoli cells; SQSTM1/p62: sequestosome 1; TSGA10: testis specific 10; TST: testosterone; VCP: vasolin containing protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Samare-Najaf
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Kerman Regional Blood Transfusion Center, Kerman, Iran
| | - Asma Neisy
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ali Samareh
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Delaram Moghadam
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Navid Jamali
- Department of Laboratory Sciences, Sirjan School of Medical Sciences, Sirjan, Iran
| | - Reza Zarei
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Zal
- Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
- Infertility Research Centre, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Nakashima A, Furuta A, Yamada K, Yoshida-Kawaguchi M, Yamaki-Ushijima A, Yasuda I, Ito M, Yamashita S, Tsuda S, Yoneda S, Cheng S, Sharma S, Shima T. The Role of Autophagy in the Female Reproduction System: For Beginners to Experts in This Field. Biology 2023; 12:biology12030373. [PMID: 36979065 PMCID: PMC10045718 DOI: 10.3390/biology12030373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is a fundamental process involved in regulating cellular homeostasis. Autophagy has been classically discovered as a cellular process that degrades cytoplasmic components non-selectively to produce energy. Over the past few decades, this process has been shown to work in energy production, as well as in the reduction of excessive proteins, damaged organelles, and membrane trafficking. It contributes to many human diseases, such as neurodegenerative diseases, carcinogenesis, diabetes mellitus, development, longevity, and reproduction. In this review, we provide important information for interpreting results related to autophagic experiments and present the role of autophagy in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Akitoshi Nakashima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-76-434-7357
| | - Atsushi Furuta
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Kiyotaka Yamada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Mihoko Yoshida-Kawaguchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Akemi Yamaki-Ushijima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Ippei Yasuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Masami Ito
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yamashita
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Sayaka Tsuda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yoneda
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Shibin Cheng
- Departments of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02905, USA
| | - Surendra Sharma
- Departments of Pediatrics, Women and Infants Hospital of Rhode Island, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI 02905, USA
| | - Tomoko Shima
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Toyama Autophagy Team in Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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Citrinovitz ACM, Hauke J, Jauckus J, Langhans CD, Schwarz K, Zorn M, Strowitzki T, Okun JG, Germeyer A. Glucose and fatty acids catabolism during in vitro decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells. J Assist Reprod Genet 2022; 39:2689-97. [PMID: 36308613 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-022-02637-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The differentiation of endometrial stromal cells, named decidualization, is essential for the proper formation of the materno-fetal interphase. One important feature of decidualization is the increased glucose consumption and its utilization by endometrial cells to produce energy. Besides glucose, fatty acids are another important energy source for living cells and it has been described that endometrial stromal cells rely on the proper function of the oxidation of fatty acids for the correct decidualization. It is, however, unknown whether the turn-over of fatty acid degradation is modified during decidualization. Furthermore, it is also unknown how the final products of glucose and fatty acid catabolism are related to the function of the tricarboxylic acid cycle for the efficient ATP production. In this study, we evaluated the content levels of different intermediate metabolites and the expression of the key enzymes related to the degradation of glucose and fatty acids during the in vitro decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells. Our results suggest that human endometrial stromal cells undergo energetic metabolic changes during decidualization and that decidualizing and non-decidualizing cells differ in the level of activation of different metabolic pathways and, probably, in the use of intermediate metabolites.
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10
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Zhu Y, Zhang Z, Ma Z, Deng W, Zhang Y, Wu Q. Autophagy markers are dysregulated in the endometrial tissues of patients with unexplained repeated implantation failure. Mol Reprod Dev 2022; 89:655-660. [PMID: 36468838 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Endometrium decidualization is a complex biological process, which includes the interplay of transcription factors, cytokines, cell cycle regulators, and other signaling pathways. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this process are not fully elucidated to date. In this study, we aimed to investigate the possible association between autophagy and recurrent implantation failure (RIF). A total of 81 genes were downregulated and 231 genes were upregulated in the RIF group compared with the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Further, Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway were analyzed, and we found that some autophagy markers, for example, LC3-II, LAMP2, and HIF-1α were significantly increased, whereas P62 was drastically downregulated in the RIF group. Similar results were observed in proteins level; and the autophagy puncta were also markedly enhanced in the endometrial tissues of RIF patients. Autophagy is closely associated with the RIF occurs and may be involved in the pathogenesis of RIF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanchang Zhu
- Fertility Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China.,Fertility Center, Shenzhen Hengsheng Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Zhiqin Zhang
- Fertility Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhuanhong Ma
- Fertility Center, Shenzhen Hengsheng Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weifen Deng
- Fertility Center, Shenzhen Hengsheng Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yaou Zhang
- Key Lab in Healthy Science and Technology, Division of Life Science, Graduate School at Shenzhen, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiongfang Wu
- Fertility Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, China
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Li J, Zhang S, Zhang Y, Dai Y, Zhang Y, Yang A, Hong F, Pan Y. Atg9A-mediated mitophagy is required for decidual differentiation of endometrial stromal cells. Reprod Biol 2022; 22:100707. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2022.100707] [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] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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12
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Mei J, Sheng X, Yan Y, Cai X, Zhang C, Tian J, Zhang M, Zhou J, Shan H, Huang C. Decreased Krüppel-like factor 4 in adenomyosis impairs decidualization by repressing autophagy in human endometrial stromal cells. BMC Mol Cell Biol 2022; 23:24. [PMID: 35761172 PMCID: PMC9238063 DOI: 10.1186/s12860-022-00425-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Poor decidualization and abnormal autophagy conditions in the endometria of adenomyosis patients have been reported previously. However, the specific regulatory mechanism of decidualization in adenomyosis and its relationship with autophagy levels have not been clarified. Methods Endometrial tissues from adenomyosis patients and uteri from an adenomyosis mouse model were collected for the detection of different expression patterns of KLF4 and autophagy markers (LC3-B/LC3-A and Beclin-1) compared with control groups. Human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) isolated from adenomyosis and control endometrial tissues were employed to elucidate the biological functions of KLF4 in autophagy and decidualization. Gene expression regulation was examined by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), western blotting and luciferase reporter assays. In addition, DNA promoter-protein interactions were examined by chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)/PCR assay and avidin–biotin conjugate DNA precipitation (ABCD) assay. Results KLF4 expression was decreased in endometrial tissues from adenomyosis patients compared with those from fertile controls, especially in stromal compartments. The opposite results were observed for autophagy marker (LC3-B/LC3-A and Beclin-1) expression. At the same time, KLF4 reversed the poor decidualization of hESCs from adenomyosis patients. In addition, KLF4 could induce hESC decidualization by promoting the autophagy level. Mechanistically, KLF4 bound to a conserved site in the autophagy-related 5 (ATG5) promoter region and promoted ATG5 expression. Similar expression patterns of KLF4 and autophagy markers were detected in adenomyotic mice. Conclusions KLF4 overexpression increases the autophagy level of hESCs by transcriptionally promoting ATG5 expression, and abnormally decreased KLF4 in adenomyosis impairs hESC decidualization by repressing autophagy. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12860-022-00425-6.
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13
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Liu C, Wu B, Liu W, Li W. Role of autophagy in male and female fertility. Current Opinion in Physiology 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2022.100611] [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: 11/08/2022]
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14
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Qin XY, Shen HH, Zhou WJ, Mei J, Lu H, Tan XF, Zhu R, Zhou WH, Li DJ, Zhang T, Ye JF, Li MQ. Insight of Autophagy in Spontaneous Miscarriage. Int J Biol Sci 2022; 18:1150-1170. [PMID: 35173545 PMCID: PMC8771834 DOI: 10.7150/ijbs.68335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
In some cases of spontaneous miscarriage (SM), the exact etiology cannot be determined. Autophagy, which is responsible for cellular survival under stress conditions, has also been implicated in many diseases. Recently, it is also surmised to be correlated with SM. However, the detailed mechanism remains elusive. In fact, there are several essential steps during pregnancy establishment and maintenance: trophoblasts invasion, placentation, decidualization, enrichment and infiltration of decidua immune cells (e.g., natural killer, macrophage and T cells). Accordingly, upstream molecules and downstream effects of autophagy are discussed in these processes, respectively. Of note, autophagy regulates the crosstalk between these cells at the maternal-fetal interface as well. Aberrant autophagy is found in villi, decidual stromal cells, peripheral blood mononuclear cells in SM patients, although the findings are inconsistent among different studies. Furthermore, potential treatments targeting autophagy are included, during which rapamycin and vitamin D are hot-spots in recent literatures. To conclude, a moderately activated autophagy is deeply involved in pregnancy, suggesting that autophagy should be a regulator and promising target for treating SM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Yun Qin
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui-Hui Shen
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Jie Zhou
- Center of Reproductive Medicine of Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Jie Mei
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medicine School, Nanjing, 210000, People's Republic of China
| | - Han Lu
- Departments of Assisted Reproduction, Xin Hua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200092, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiao-Fang Tan
- Reproductive Medicine Centre, Affiliated Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong, 226006, People's Republic of China
| | - Rui Zhu
- Center for Human Reproduction and Genetics, Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou 215002, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Hui Zhou
- Medicine Centre for Human Reproduction, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, People's Republic of China
| | - Da-Jin Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Zhang
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiang-Feng Ye
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, 229899, Singapore
| | - Ming-Qing Li
- Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Shanghai Medical School, Fudan University, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China
- NHC Key Lab of Reproduction Regulation, Shanghai Institute for Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Technologies, Fudan University, Shanghai 201203, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Shanghai, 200080, People's Republic of China
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Park H, Cho M, Do Y, Park JK, Bae SJ, Joo J, Ha KT. Autophagy as a Therapeutic Target of Natural Products Enhancing Embryo Implantation. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2021; 15:53. [PMID: 35056110 DOI: 10.3390/ph15010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Infertility is an emerging health issue worldwide, and female infertility is intimately associated with embryo implantation failure. Embryo implantation is an essential process during the initiation of prenatal development. Recent studies have strongly suggested that autophagy in the endometrium is the most important factor for successful embryo implantation. In addition, several studies have reported the effects of various natural products on infertility improvement via the regulation of embryo implantation, embryo quality, and endometrial receptivity. However, it is unclear whether natural products can improve embryo implantation ability by regulating endometrial autophagy. Therefore, we performed a literature review of studies on endometrial autophagy, embryo implantation, natural products, and female infertility. Based on the information from these studies, this review suggests a new treatment strategy for female infertility by proposing natural products that have been proven to be safe and effective as endometrial autophagy regulators; additionally, we provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between the regulation of endometrial autophagy by natural products and female infertility, with an emphasis on embryo implantation.
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Yang D, Liu A, Zhang Y, Nan S, Yin R, Lei Q, Zhu H, Chen J, Han L, Ding M, Ding Y. Essential Role of CRIM1 on Endometrial Receptivity in Goat. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:5323. [PMID: 34070207 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22105323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
In domestic ruminants, endometrial receptivity is related to successful pregnancy and economic efficiency. Despite several molecules having been reported in the past regarding endometrial receptivity regulation, much regarding the mechanism of endometrial receptivity regulation remains unknown due to the complex nature of the trait. In this work, we demonstrated that the cysteine-rich transmembrane bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) regulator 1 (CRIM1) served as a novel regulator in the regulation of goat endometrial receptivity in vitro. Our results showed that hormones and IFN-τ increased the expression of CRIM1 in goat endometrial epithelial cells (EECs). Knockdown of CRIM1 via specific shRNA hindered cell proliferation, cell adhesion and prostaglandins (PGs) secretion and thus derailed normal endometrial receptivity. We further confirmed that receptivity defect phenotypes due to CRIM1 interference were restored by ATG7 overexpression in EECs while a loss of ATG7 further impaired receptivity phenotypes. Moreover, our results showed that changing the expression of ATG7 affected the reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Moreover, mR-143-5p was shown to be a potential upstream factor of CRIM1-regulated endometrial receptivity in EECs. Overall, these results suggest that CRIM1, as the downstream target of miR-143-5p, has effects on ATG7-dependent autophagy, regulating cell proliferation, cell adhesion and PG secretion, and provides a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of early pregnancy failure and for improving the success rates of artificial reproduction.
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17
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Zhang Y, Gao R, Zhang L, Geng Y, Chen Q, Chen X, Liu X, Mu X, Ding Y, Wang Y, He J. AMPK/mTOR downregulated autophagy enhances aberrant endometrial decidualization in folate-deficient pregnant mice. J Cell Physiol 2021; 236:7376-7389. [PMID: 33959973 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Existing evidence suggests that adverse pregnancy outcomes are closely related to dietary factors. Folate plays an important role in neural tube formation and fetal growth, folate deficiency is a major risk factor of birth defects. Our early studies showed that folate deficiency could impair enddecidualization, however, the mechanism is still unclear. Dysfunctional autophagy is associated with many diseases. Here, we aimed to evaluate the adverse effect of folate deficiency on endometrial decidualization, with a particular focus on endometrial cell autophagy. Mice were fed with no folate diet in vivo and the mouse endometrial stromal cell was cultured in a folate-free medium in vitro. The decrease of the number of endometrial autophagosomes and the protein expressions of autophagy in the folate-deficient group indicated that autophagosome formation, autophagosome-lysosome fusion, and lysosomal degradation were inhibited. Autophagic flux examination using mCherry-GFP-LC3 transfection showed that the fusion of autophagosomes with lysosomes was inhibited by folate deficiency. Autophagy inducer rapamycin could reverse the impairment of folate deficiency on endometrial decidualization. Moreover, folate deficiency could reduce autophagy by disrupting AMPK/mTOR signaling, resulting in aberrant endometrial decidualization and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Further co-immunoprecipitation examination showed that decidual marker protein Hoxa10 could interact with autophagic marker protein Cathepsin L, and the interaction was notably reduced by folate deficiency. In conclusion, AMPK/mTOR downregulated autophagy was essential for aberrant endometrial decidualization in early pregnant mice, which could result in adverse pregnancy outcomes. This provided some new clues for understanding the causal mechanisms of birth defects induced by folate deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, College of Public Health and Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Rufei Gao
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, College of Public Health and Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, College of Public Health and Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yanqing Geng
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Qiutong Chen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, College of Public Health and Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xuemei Chen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, College of Public Health and Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xueqing Liu
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, College of Public Health and Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Xinyi Mu
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yubin Ding
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, College of Public Health and Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Yingxiong Wang
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- College of Basic Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
| | - Junlin He
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, College of Public Health and Administration, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
- Joint International Research, Laboratory of Reproduction & Development, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, PR China
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Popli P, Sun AJ, Kommagani R. The Multifaceted Role of Autophagy in Endometrium Homeostasis and Disease. Reprod Sci 2021. [PMID: 33877643 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-021-00587-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Autophagy is a conserved fundamental cellular process with a primary function of catabolizing harmful or surplus cellular contents such as protein aggregates, dysfunctional/long-lived organelles, intracellular pathogens, and storage nutrients. An increasing body of evidence reveals that basal autophagy is essential for maintaining endometrial homeostasis and mediating endometrial-specific functions, including menstrual cycle, embryo implantation, and decidualization. However, perturbed levels of autophagy can lead to severe endometrial pathologies, including endometriosis, endometrial hyperplasia, endometrial cancer, adenomyosis, and leiomyoma. This review highlights the most recent findings on the activity, regulation, and function of autophagy in endometrium physiology and pathology. Understanding the mechanistic roles of autophagy in endometrium homeostasis and disease is key to developing novel therapeutic strategies for endometrium-related infertility and malignancies.
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Chadchan SB, Popli P, Maurya VK, Kommagani R. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, is required for human endometrial stromal cell decidualization†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:336-343. [PMID: 33205194 PMCID: PMC7717150 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) first appeared in December 2019 and rapidly spread throughout the world. The SARS-CoV-2 virus enters the host cells by binding to the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Although much of the focus is on respiratory symptoms, recent reports suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can cause pregnancy complications such as pre-term birth and miscarriages; and women with COVID-19 have had maternal vascular malperfusion and decidual arteriopathy in their placentas. Here, we report that the ACE2 protein is expressed in both endometrial epithelial and stromal cells in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, and the expression increases in stromal cells in the secretory phase. It was observed that the ACE2 mRNA and protein abundance increased during primary human endometrial stromal cell (HESC) decidualization. Furthermore, HESCs transfected with ACE2-targeting siRNA impaired the full decidualization response, as evidenced by a lack of morphology change and lower expression of the decidualization markers PRL and IGFBP1. Additionally, in mice during pregnancy, the ACE2 protein was expressed in the uterine epithelial cells, and stromal cells increased through day 6 of pregnancy. Finally, progesterone induced Ace2 mRNA expression in mouse uteri more than vehicle or estrogen. These data establish a role for ACE2 in endometrial physiology, suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may be able to enter endometrial stromal cells and elicit pathological manifestations in women with COVID-19, including an increased risk of early pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangappa B Chadchan
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Pooja Popli
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Vineet K Maurya
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Ramakrishna Kommagani
- Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA
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Nakashima A, Shima T, Aoki A, Kawaguchi M, Yasuda I, Tsuda S, Yoneda S, Yamaki-Ushijima A, Cheng SB, Sharma S, Saito S. Molecular and immunological developments in placentas. Hum Immunol 2021; 82:317-24. [PMID: 33581928 DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2021.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Revised: 01/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Cytotrophoblasts differentiate in two directions during early placentation: syncytiotrophoblasts (STBs) and extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs). STBs face maternal immune cells in placentas, and EVTs, which invade the decidua and uterine myometrium, face the cells in the uterus. This situation, in which trophoblasts come into contact with maternal immune cells, is known as the maternal-fetal interface. Despite fetuses and fetus-derived trophoblast cells being of the semi-allogeneic conceptus, fetuses and placentas are not rejected by the maternal immune system because of maternal-fetal tolerance. The acquired tolerance develops during normal placentation, resulting in normal fetal development in humans. In this review, we introduce placental development from the viewpoint of molecular biology. In addition, we discuss how the disruption of placental development could lead to complications in pregnancy, such as hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, or miscarriage.
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21
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Chadchan SB, Maurya VK, Popli P, Kommagani R. The SARS-CoV-2 receptor, Angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is required for human endometrial stromal cell decidualization. bioRxiv 2020. [PMID: 32607509 DOI: 10.1101/2020.06.23.168252] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is SARS-CoV-2 receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE 2) expressed in the human endometrium during the menstrual cycle, and does it participate in endometrial decidualization? SUMMARY ANSWER ACE2 protein is highly expressed in human endometrial stromal cells during the secretory phase and is essential for human endometrial stromal cell decidualization. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY ACE2 is expressed in numerous human tissues including the lungs, heart, intestine, kidneys and placenta. ACE2 is also the receptor by which SARS-CoV-2 enters human cells. STUDY DESIGN SIZE DURATION Proliferative (n = 9) and secretory (n = 6) phase endometrium biopsies from healthy reproductive-age women and primary human endometrial stromal cells from proliferative phase endometrium were used in the study. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS SETTING METHODS ACE2 expression and localization were examined by qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence in both human endometrial samples and mouse uterine tissue. The effect of ACE2 knockdown on morphological and molecular changes of human endometrial stromal cell decidualization were assessed. Ovariectomized mice were treated with estrogen or progesterone to determine the effects of these hormones on ACE2 expression. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In human tissue, ACE2 protein is expressed in both endometrial epithelial and stromal cells in the proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle, and expression increases in stromal cells in the secretory phase. The ACE2 mRNA ( P < 0.0001) and protein abundance increased during primary human endometrial stromal cell (HESC) decidualization. HESCs transfected with ACE2 -targeting siRNA were less able to decidualize than controls, as evidenced by a lack of morphology change and lower expression of the decidualization markers PRL and IGFBP1 ( P < 0.05). In mice during pregnancy, ACE2 protein was expressed in uterine epithelial and stromal cells increased through day six of pregnancy. Finally, progesterone induced expression of Ace2 mRNA in mouse uteri more than vehicle or estrogen ( P < 0.05). LARGE SCALE DATA N/A. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION Experiments assessing the function of ACE2 in human endometrial stromal cell decidualization were in vitro . Whether SARS-CoV-2 can enter human endometrial stromal cells and affect decidualization have not been assessed. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Expression of ACE2 in the endometrium allow SARS-CoV-2 to enter endometrial epithelial and stromal cells, which could impair in vivo decidualization, embryo implantation, and placentation. If so, women with COVID-19 may be at increased risk of early pregnancy loss. STUDY FUNDINGS/COMPETING INTERESTS This study was supported by National Institutes of Health / National Institute of Child Health and Human Development grants R01HD065435 and R00HD080742 to RK and Washington University School of Medicine start-up funds to RK. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.
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Lee B, Shin H, Oh JE, Park J, Park M, Yang SC, Jun JH, Hong SH, Song H, Lim HJ. An autophagic deficit in the uterine vessel microenvironment provokes hyperpermeability through deregulated VEGFA, NOS1, and CTNNB1. Autophagy 2020; 17:1649-1666. [PMID: 32579471 DOI: 10.1080/15548627.2020.1778292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The uterus undergoes vascular changes during the reproductive cycle and pregnancy. Steroid hormone deprivation induces macroautophagy/autophagy in major uterine cell types. Herein, we explored the functions of uterine autophagy using the Amhr2-Cre-driven atg7 deletion model. Deletion of Atg7 was confirmed by functional deficit of autophagy in uterine stromal, myometrial, and vascular smooth muscle cells, but not in endothelial cells. atg7d/d uteri exhibited enhanced stromal edema accompanied by dilation of blood vessels. Ovariectomized atg7d/d uteri showed decreased expression of endothelial junction-related proteins, such as CTNNB1/beta-catenin, with increased vascular permeability, and increased expression of VEGFA and NOS1. Nitric oxide (NO) was shown to mediate VEGFA-induced vascular permeability by targeting CTNNB1. NO involvement in maintaining endothelial junctional stability in atg7d/d uteri was confirmed by the reduction in extravasation following treatment with a NOS inhibitor. We also showed that atg7d/d uterine phenotype improved the fetal weight:placental weight ratio, which is one of the indicators of assessing the status of preeclampsia. We showed that autophagic deficit in the uterine vessel microenvironment provokes hyperpermeability through the deregulation of VEGFA, NOS1, and CTNNB1.Abbreviations: ACTA2: actin, alpha 2, smooth muscle, aortic; Amhr2: anti-Mullerian hormone type 2 receptor; ANGPT1: angiopoietin 1; ATG: autophagy-related; CDH5: cadherin 5; CLDN5: claudin 5; COL1A1: collagen, type I, alpha 1; CSPG4/NG2: chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan 4; CTNNB1: catenin (cadherin associated protein), beta 1; DES: desmin; EDN1: endothelin 1; EDNRB: endothelin receptor type B; F3: coagulation factor III; KDR/FLK1/VEGFR2: kinase insert domain protein receptor; LYVE1: lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1; MAP1LC3B: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta; MCAM/CD146: melanoma cell adhesion molecule; MYL2: myosin, light polypeptide 2, regulatory, cardiac, slow; MYLK: myosin, light polypeptide kinase; NOS1/nNOS: nitric oxide synthase 1, neuronal; NOS2/iNOS: nitric oxide synthase 2, inducible; NOS3/eNOS: nitric oxide synthase 3, endothelial cell; OVX: ovariectomy; PECAM1/CD31: platelet/endothelial cell adhesion molecule 1; POSTN: periostin, osteoblast specific factor; SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; TEK/Tie2: TEK receptor tyrosine kinase; TJP1/ZO-1: tight junction protein 1; TUBB1, tubulin, beta 1 class VI; USC: uterine stromal cell; VEGFA: vascular endothelial growth factor A; VSMC: vascular smooth muscle cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bora Lee
- Department of Biomedical Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Hyejin Shin
- Department of Biomedical Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Ji-Eun Oh
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Jaekyoung Park
- Department of Biomedical Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
| | - Mira Park
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Seung Chel Yang
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Jin-Hyun Jun
- Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science, Eulji University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea.,Department of Senior Healthcare, BK21 Plus Program, Eulji Medi-Bio Research Institute, Graduate School, Eulji University, Daejeon, Korea
| | - Seok-Ho Hong
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Kangwon-do, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Haengseok Song
- Department of Biomedical Science, CHA University, Seongnam, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
| | - Hyunjung Jade Lim
- Department of Biomedical Science & Technology, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea.,Department of Veterinary Medicine, Konkuk University, Seoul, Korea
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