1
|
Mavreli D, Theodora M, Avgeris M, Papantoniou N, Antsaklis P, Daskalakis G, Kolialexi A. First Trimester Maternal Plasma Aberrant miRNA Expression Associated with Spontaneous Preterm Birth. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232314972. [PMID: 36499299 PMCID: PMC9735892 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232314972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous Preterm Delivery (sPTD) is one of the leading causes of perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide. The present case−control study aims to detect miRNAs differentially expressed in the first trimester maternal plasma with the view to identify predictive biomarkers for sPTD, between 320/7 and 366/7 weeks, that will allow for timely interventions for this serious pregnancy complication. Small RNA sequencing (small RNA-seq) of five samples from women with a subsequent sPTD and their matched controls revealed significant down-regulation of miR-23b-5p and miR-125a-3p in sPTD cases compared to controls, whereas miR-4732-5p was significantly overexpressed. Results were confirmed by qRT-PCR in an independent cohort of 29 sPTD cases and 29 controls. Statistical analysis demonstrated that miR-125a is a promising early predictor for sPTL (AUC: 0.895; 95% CI: 0.814-0.972; p < 0.001), independent of the confounding factors tested, providing a useful basis for the development of a novel non-invasive predictive test to assist clinicians in estimating patient-specific risk.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Danai Mavreli
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 106 79 Athens, Greece
| | - Mariana Theodora
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 106 79 Athens, Greece
| | - Margaritis Avgeris
- Laboratory of Clinical Biochemistry–Molecular Diagnostics, Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “P. & A. Kyriakou” Children’s Hospital, 106 79 Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolas Papantoniou
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 106 79 Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Antsaklis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 106 79 Athens, Greece
| | - George Daskalakis
- 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 106 79 Athens, Greece
| | - Aggeliki Kolialexi
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Child Health, 106 79 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-210-7467462; Fax: +210-7795553
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Swieboda D, Johnson EL, Beaver J, Haddad L, Enninga EAL, Hathcock M, Cordes S, Jean V, Lane I, Skountzou I, Chakraborty R. Baby's First Macrophage: Temporal Regulation of Hofbauer Cell Phenotype Influences Ligand-Mediated Innate Immune Responses across Gestation. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 204:2380-2391. [PMID: 32213562 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1901185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The importance of fetal placental macrophages (Hofbauer cell [HCs]) is underscored by their appearance 18 d postconception and maintenance through term; however, how human HCs evolve during healthy pregnancy and how microenvironment and ontogeny impact phenotype and function remain unknown. In this study, we comprehensively classify human HCs ex vivo, interrogate phenotypic plasticity, and characterize antiviral immune responses through gestation. Activated HCs were abundant in early pregnancy and decreased by term; molecular signatures emphasize inflammatory phenotypes early in gestation. Frequency of HCs with regulatory phenotypes remained high through term. Furthermore, term HCs exhibited blunted responses to stimulation, indicating reduced plasticity. IFN-λ1 is a key placental IFN that appeared less protective than IFN-α, suggesting a potential weakness in antiviral immunity. Ligand-specific responses were temporally regulated: we noted an absence of inflammatory mediators and reduced antiviral gene transcription following RIG-I activation at term despite all HCs producing inflammatory mediators following IFN-γ plus LPS stimulation. Collectively, we demonstrate sequential, evolving immunity as part of the natural history of HCs through gestation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Swieboda
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322.,Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Erica L Johnson
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Jacob Beaver
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Lisa Haddad
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Elizabeth Ann L Enninga
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Matthew Hathcock
- Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905; and
| | - Sarah Cordes
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Valerie Jean
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Ivy Lane
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Ioanna Skountzou
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322
| | - Rana Chakraborty
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322; .,Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mayo Clinic, Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905.,Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Alix School of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Suman P, Malhotra SS, Gupta SK. LIF-STAT signaling and trophoblast biology. JAKSTAT 2013; 2:e25155. [PMID: 24416645 PMCID: PMC3876431 DOI: 10.4161/jkst.25155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2013] [Accepted: 05/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic growth factor that regulates several biological functions. This review focuses on the LIF-dependent STAT activation and its impact on modulation of trophoblast functions during embryo implantation. LIF is mainly produced by the maternal endometrium at the time of implantation while its receptors are present both on the endometrium and trophoblasts. It might influence blastocyst attachment through STAT3 activation and expression of integrins. After attachment of the blastocyst, trophoblasts undergo proliferation and differentiation into invasive EVTs and non-invasive STBs. Under in vitro conditions, LIF regulates all these processes through activation of STAT- and MAPK-dependent signaling pathways. The observations that LIF and STAT3 knockout mice are infertile further strengthen the notion about the critical involvement of LIF-mediated signaling during embryo implantation. Hence, a better understanding of LIF-STAT signaling would help in improving fertility as use of LIF in in vitro blastocyst culture improves the implanting ability of blastocyst after IVF.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pankaj Suman
- Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory; National Institute of Immunology; Aruna Asaf Ali Marg; New Delhi, India
| | - Sudha Saryu Malhotra
- Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory; National Institute of Immunology; Aruna Asaf Ali Marg; New Delhi, India
| | - Satish Kumar Gupta
- Reproductive Cell Biology Laboratory; National Institute of Immunology; Aruna Asaf Ali Marg; New Delhi, India
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Enquobahrie DA, Williams MA, Qiu C, Muhie SY, Slentz-Kesler K, Ge Z, Sorenson T. Early pregnancy peripheral blood gene expression and risk of preterm delivery: a nested case control study. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2009; 9:56. [PMID: 20003277 PMCID: PMC2799378 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2393-9-56] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2009] [Accepted: 12/10/2009] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Preterm delivery (PTD) is a significant public health problem associated with greater risk of mortality and morbidity in infants and mothers. Pathophysiologic processes that may lead to PTD start early in pregnancy. We investigated early pregnancy peripheral blood global gene expression and PTD risk. Methods As part of a prospective study, ribonucleic acid was extracted from blood samples (collected at 16 weeks gestational age) from 14 women who had PTD (cases) and 16 women who delivered at term (controls). Gene expressions were measured using the GeneChip® Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 Array. Student's T-test and fold change analysis were used to identify differentially expressed genes. We used hierarchical clustering and principle components analysis to characterize signature gene expression patterns among cases and controls. Pathway and promoter sequence analyses were used to investigate functions and functional relationships as well as regulatory regions of differentially expressed genes. Results A total of 209 genes, including potential candidate genes (e.g. PTGDS, prostaglandin D2 synthase 21 kDa), were differentially expressed. A set of these genes achieved accurate pre-diagnostic separation of cases and controls. These genes participate in functions related to immune system and inflammation, organ development, metabolism (lipid, carbohydrate and amino acid) and cell signaling. Binding sites of putative transcription factors such as EGR1 (early growth response 1), TFAP2A (transcription factor AP2A), Sp1 (specificity protein 1) and Sp3 (specificity protein 3) were over represented in promoter regions of differentially expressed genes. Real-time PCR confirmed microarray expression measurements of selected genes. Conclusions PTD is associated with maternal early pregnancy peripheral blood gene expression changes. Maternal early pregnancy peripheral blood gene expression patterns may be useful for better understanding of PTD pathophysiology and PTD risk prediction.
Collapse
|
5
|
Murphy SP, Tayade C, Ashkar AA, Hatta K, Zhang J, Croy BA. Interferon gamma in successful pregnancies. Biol Reprod 2009; 80:848-59. [PMID: 19164174 PMCID: PMC2849832 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.108.073353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2008] [Revised: 10/01/2008] [Accepted: 01/07/2009] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Interferon gamma (IFNG) is a proinflammatory cytokine secreted in the uterus during early pregnancy. It is abundantly produced by uterine natural killer cells in maternal endometrium but also by trophoblasts in some species. In normal pregnancies of mice, IFNG plays critical roles that include initiation of endometrial vasculature remodeling, angiogenesis at implantation sites, and maintenance of the decidual (maternal) component of the placenta. In livestock and in humans, deviations in these processes are thought to contribute to serious gestational complications, such as fetal loss or preeclampsia. Interferon gamma has broader roles in activation of innate and adaptive immune responses to viruses and tumors, in part through upregulating transcription of genes involved in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and antigen processing/presentation. Despite this, rodent and human trophoblast cells show dampened responses to IFNG that reflect the resistance of these cells to IFNG-mediated activation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II transplantation antigen expression. Lack of MHC class II antigens on trophoblasts is thought to facilitate survival of the semiallogeneic conceptus in the presence of maternal lymphocytes. This review describes the dynamic roles of IFNG in successful pregnancy and briefly summarizes data on IFNG in gestational pathologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shawn P. Murphy
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Chandrakant Tayade
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Ali A. Ashkar
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University Health Sciences Centre, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kota Hatta
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Anatomy and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jianhong Zhang
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Anatomy and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - B. Anne Croy
- Departments of Microbiology and Immunology and Anatomy and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Than NG, Erez O, Wildman DE, Tarca AL, Edwin SS, Abbas A, Hotra J, Kusanovic JP, Gotsch F, Hassan SS, Espinoza J, Papp Z, Romero R. Severe preeclampsia is characterized by increased placental expression of galectin-1. J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med 2008; 21:429-42. [PMID: 18570123 DOI: 10.1080/14767050802041961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Galectin-1 is a major anti-inflammatory protein expressed by the placenta and immune cells that can bias the character of inflammatory responses toward the Th2 type. Galectin-1 is expressed in immune privileged sites, it can facilitate immune tolerance and tumor immune escape, and it has been successfully used for the suppression of experimental autoimmune diseases as well as graft-versus-host disease in murine models. We propose that an abnormal immune response in some pregnancy complications may be associated with changes in placental expression of galectin-1. To test this hypothesis, we studied placental galectin-1 mRNA and protein expression and localization in women with preeclampsia (PE) and in those who delivered a small-for-gestational age (SGA) neonate. STUDY DESIGN This cross-sectional study included pregnant women matched for gestational age at delivery in the following groups: (1) severe PE (n = 10), (2) severe PE complicated with SGA (n = 10), (3) SGA without PE (n = 10), and (4) controls (n = 10). Galectin-1 mRNA and protein were localized in placentas by in situ hybridization and immunofluorescence microscopy. Galectin-1 mRNA expression was determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and galectin-1 protein content by Western blot. Non-parametric statistics were used for analysis. RESULT (1) In normal term placentas, galectin-1 mRNA or immunofluorescence signals were detected in the trophoblasts, villous stromal cells, Hofbauer cells, endothelial cells of the villous blood vessels, and the villous stroma. (2) Placental galectin-1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in severe PE (with or without SGA) than in controls (1.47-fold, p = 0.004; 1.44-fold, p = 0.003, respectively) and in SGA (1.68-fold, p = 0.001; 1.64-fold, p = 0.001, respectively). (3) Trophoblasts in placentas of patients with severe PE had the most intense galectin-1 immunostaining. CONCLUSIONS (1) We report for the first time the placental expression and localization of galectin-1 mRNA and demonstrate that the protein is abundantly present in third trimester human placentas. (2) Placental galectin-1 expression is higher in severe PE than in normal pregnancy regardless of the presence of SGA. (3) However, it is not altered in SGA without PE. We propose that the increased placental expression of galectin-1 in patients with severe PE may represent a fetal response to an exaggerated systemic maternal inflammation; thus, galectin-1 may be implicated in maternal-fetal immune tolerance in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nandor Gabor Than
- Perinatology Research Branch, NICHD, NIH, DHHS, Detroit, Michigan 48201, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Boyle K, Robb L. The role of SOCS3 in modulating leukaemia inhibitory factor signalling during murine placental development. J Reprod Immunol 2007; 77:1-6. [PMID: 17408753 PMCID: PMC2289801 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2007.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2006] [Revised: 02/08/2007] [Accepted: 02/16/2007] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cytokines are an integral part of the adaptive and innate immune responses. The signalling pathways triggered by receptor engagement translate exposure to cytokine into a coordinated biological response. To contain these responses, the initiation, duration and magnitude of the signal is controlled at multiple levels. Suppressor of cytokine signalling (SOCS) proteins act in a negative feedback loop to inhibit signal transduction. Mice with a deletion of SOCS3 die at midgestion due to placental insufficiency. SOCS3-null placentae have increased numbers of mature trophoblast giant cells, disruption of the labyrinthine layer and a decrease in the spongiotrophoblast layer. Genetic crosses have revealed that the phenotype is due to dysregulation of signalling downstream of the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) receptor alpha (LIFRalpha) and that the ligand responsible for this, LIF, is produced by embryonic tissues and acts in a paracrine fashion. These observations highlight the role of LIF as an extrinsic factor regulating trophoblast differentiation in vivo. The creation of mice with conditional deletion of SOCS3 in different tissues has also uncovered critical roles for SOCS3 in the regulation of IL-6, G-CSF and leptin signalling.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kristy Boyle
- The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | |
Collapse
|