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Ku CW, Ong LS, Goh JP, Allen J, Low LW, Zhou J, Tan TC, Lee YH. Defects in protective cytokine profiles in spontaneous miscarriage in the first trimester. F S Sci 2023; 4:36-46. [PMID: 36096448 DOI: 10.1016/j.xfss.2022.09.003] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study differences in cytokine expression profiles between women with ongoing pregnancy and those experiencing spontaneous miscarriage, among women who presented with threatened miscarriage before week 16 of gestation. DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING Academic hospital. PATIENT(S) In this prospective cohort study, 155 pregnant women, comprising normal pregnant women recruited from antenatal clinics (n = 97) and women with threatened miscarriage recruited from an emergency walk-in clinic (n = 58). INTERVENTION(S) None. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Sixty-five serum cytokines quantified using multiplex immunoassay correlated with miscarriage outcomes. RESULT(S) Among women presenting with threatened miscarriage, those who eventually miscarried had significantly lower levels of interleukin (IL)-2, IL-12p70, IL-17A, B-cell-activating factor, B lymphocyte chemoattractant, basic nerve growth factor, interferon-γ, tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, thymic stromal lymphopoietin, and tumor necrosis factor-α and higher levels of vascular endothelial growth factor A, IL-21, and stromal cell-derived factor 1α than those with ongoing pregnancy. Comparisons between normal pregnancies and women with threatened miscarriage who eventually miscarried revealed significant differences across 7 cytokines: B-cell-activating factor; B lymphocyte chemoattractant; basic nerve growth factor; IL-17A; fractalkine/CX3CL1; vascular endothelial growth factor A; and CCL22. Vascular endothelial growth factor A exhibited a negative correlation with the progesterone level (r = -0.270). The cluster of significant cytokines alludes to T cell proliferation, B-cell proliferation, natural killer cell-mediated cytotoxicity, and apoptosis as important pathways that determine pregnancy outcomes. Bioinformatic analysis further revealed alteration of the suppressor of cytokine signaling proteins family of Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription signaling axis by cytokines as a plausible key molecular mechanism in spontaneous miscarriage. CONCLUSION(S) This study demonstrates that the regulated balance between the proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways is crucial to maintaining pregnancy. A better understanding of the cytokines associated with immunomodulatory effects may lead to novel targets for the prediction and treatment of spontaneous miscarriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chee Wai Ku
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore; Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | | | - Jody Paige Goh
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore
| | | | - Louise Wenyi Low
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore; Obstetrics and Gynecology-Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Jieliang Zhou
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore; Obstetrics and Gynecology-Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Thiam Chye Tan
- Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore; Obstetrics and Gynecology-Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore
| | - Yie Hou Lee
- Obstetrics and Gynecology-Academic Clinical Program, Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore; Translational 'Omics and Biomarkers Group, KK Research Centre, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
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Osokine I, Siewiera J, Rideaux D, Ma S, Tsukui T, Erlebacher A. Gene silencing by EZH2 suppresses TGF-β activity within the decidua to avert pregnancy-adverse wound healing at the maternal-fetal interface. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110329. [PMID: 35108527 PMCID: PMC8833843 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A little-appreciated feature of early pregnancy is that embryo implantation and placental outgrowth do not evoke wound-healing responses in the decidua, the specialized endometrial tissue that surrounds the conceptus. Here, we provide evidence that this phenomenon is partly due to an active program of gene silencing mediated by EZH2, a histone methyltransferase that generates repressive histone 3 lysine 27 trimethyl (H3K27me3) histone marks. We find that pregnancies in mice with EZH2-deficient decidual stromal cells frequently fail by mid-gestation, with the decidua showing ectopic myofibroblast formation, peri-embryonic collagen deposition, and gene expression profiles associated with transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-driven fibroblast activation and fibrogenic extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Analogous responses are observed when the mutant decidua is surgically wounded, while blockade of TGF-β receptor signaling inhibits the defects and improves reproductive outcomes. Together, these results highlight a critical feature of reproductive success and have implications for the context-specific control of TGF-β-mediated wound-healing responses elsewhere in the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Osokine
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue Medical Sciences, S-1057B, San Francisco, CA 94143-0451, USA
| | - Johan Siewiera
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue Medical Sciences, S-1057B, San Francisco, CA 94143-0451, USA
| | - Damon Rideaux
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue Medical Sciences, S-1057B, San Francisco, CA 94143-0451, USA
| | - Stephany Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue Medical Sciences, S-1057B, San Francisco, CA 94143-0451, USA
| | - Tatsuya Tsukui
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Adrian Erlebacher
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue Medical Sciences, S-1057B, San Francisco, CA 94143-0451, USA; Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Biomedical Sciences Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Bakar ImmunoX Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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Gao Q, Ma C, Meng S, Wang G, Xing Q, Xu Y, He X, Wang T, Cao Y. Exploration of molecular features of PCOS with different androgen levels and immune-related prognostic biomarkers associated with implantation failure. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:946504. [PMID: 36060967 PMCID: PMC9439868 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.946504] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the most common heterogeneous reproductive disease afflicting women of childbearing age, has been recognized as a chronic inflammatory disease recently. Most PCOS patients have hyperandrogenism, indicating a poor prognosis and poor pregnancy outcomes. The molecular mechanism underlying PCOS development is still unknown. In the present study, we investigated the gene expression profiling characteristics of PCOS with hyperandrogenism (HA) or without hyperandrogenism (NHA) and identified immune-related factors that correlated with embryo implantation failure. METHODS PCOS and recurrent implantation failure (RIF) microarray datasets were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. ClueGO software was used to perform enrichment analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in PCOS with varying androgen levels. The Weighted Co-Expression Network Analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify co-expressed modules and shared gene signatures between HA PCOS and RIF. Moreover, the upregulated DEGs of HA PCOS and RIF were intersected with shared gene signatures screening by WGCNA to excavate further key prognostic biomarkers related to implantation failure of HA PCOS. The selected biomarker was verified by qRT-PCR. RESULTS A total of 271 DEGs were found in HA PCOS granulosa cell samples, and 720 DEGs were found in NHA PCOS. According to CuleGO enrichment analysis, DEGs in HA PCOS are enriched in immune activation and inflammatory response. In contrast, DEGs in NHA PCOS are enriched in mesenchymal cell development and extracellular space. Using WGCNA analysis, we discovered 26 shared gene signatures between HA PCOS and RIF, which were involved in corticosteroid metabolism, bone maturation and immune regulation. DAPK2 was furtherly screened out and verified to be closely related with the development of HA PCOS, acting as an independent predictor biomarker of the embryo implantation failure. DAPK2 expression was negatively correlated to the embryo implantation rate (r=-0.474, P=0.003). The immune infiltration results suggested that upregulated DAPK2 expression was closely related with NK cell infiltration and macrophage M2, playing an essential role in the pathogenesis of implantation failure in HA PCOS. CONCLUSION Our research revealed the expression profiling of PCOS with different androgen levels and identified DAPK2 as a critical prognostic biomarker for implantation failure in PCOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinyu Gao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Cong Ma
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Shuyu Meng
- Molecular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, MN, United States
| | - Guanxiong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Qiong Xing
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Yuping Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Xiaojin He
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health and Genetics (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Biopreservation and Artificial Organs, Anhui Provincial Engineering Research Center (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
| | - Tianjuan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Tianjuan Wang, ; Yunxia Cao,
| | - Yunxia Cao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
- National Health Commission (NHC) Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- Key Laboratory of Population Health Across Life Cycle (Anhui Medical University), Hefei, China
- *Correspondence: Tianjuan Wang, ; Yunxia Cao,
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Gomez-Lopez N, Garcia-Flores V, Chin PY, Groome HM, Bijland MT, Diener KR, Romero R, Robertson SA. Macrophages exert homeostatic actions in pregnancy to protect against preterm birth and fetal inflammatory injury. JCI Insight 2021; 6:146089. [PMID: 34622802 PMCID: PMC8525593 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.146089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/20/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Macrophages are commonly thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of preterm labor by amplifying inflammation — but a protective role has not previously been considered to our knowledge. We hypothesized that given their antiinflammatory capability in early pregnancy, macrophages exert essential roles in maintenance of late gestation and that insufficient macrophages may predispose individuals to spontaneous preterm labor and adverse neonatal outcomes. Here, we showed that women with spontaneous preterm birth had reduced CD209+CD206+ expression in alternatively activated CD45+CD14+ICAM3– macrophages and increased TNF expression in proinflammatory CD45+CD14+CD80+HLA-DR+ macrophages in the uterine decidua at the materno-fetal interface. In Cd11bDTR/DTR mice, depletion of maternal CD11b+ myeloid cells caused preterm birth, neonatal death, and postnatal growth impairment, accompanied by uterine cytokine and leukocyte changes indicative of a proinflammatory response, while adoptive transfer of WT macrophages prevented preterm birth and partially rescued neonatal loss. In a model of intra-amniotic inflammation–induced preterm birth, macrophages polarized in vitro to an M2 phenotype showed superior capacity over nonpolarized macrophages to reduce uterine and fetal inflammation, prevent preterm birth, and improve neonatal survival. We conclude that macrophages exert a critical homeostatic regulatory role in late gestation and are implicated as a determinant of susceptibility to spontaneous preterm birth and fetal inflammatory injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nardhy Gomez-Lopez
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, US Department of Health and Human Services; Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.,Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Valeria Garcia-Flores
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, US Department of Health and Human Services; Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and
| | - Peck Yin Chin
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Holly M Groome
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Melanie T Bijland
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kerrilyn R Diener
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.,University of South Australia Cancer Research Institute, Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Roberto Romero
- Perinatology Research Branch, Division of Obstetrics and Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Division of Intramural Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, US Department of Health and Human Services; Bethesda, Maryland, and Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA.,Center for Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, Michigan, USA.,Detroit Medical Center, Detroit, Michigan, USA
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
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Bao H, Sun Y, Yang N, Deng N, Ni Z, Tang Y, Li G, Du L, Wang YL, Chen D, Wang H, Kong S. Uterine Notch2 facilitates pregnancy recognition and corpus luteum maintenance via upregulating decidual Prl8a2. PLoS Genet 2021; 17:e1009786. [PMID: 34460816 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1009786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2021] [Revised: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The maternal recognition of pregnancy is a necessary prerequisite for gestation maintenance through prolonging the corpus luteum lifespan and ensuring progesterone production. In addition to pituitary prolactin and placental lactogens, decidual derived prolactin family members have been presumed to possess luteotropic effect. However, there was a lack of convincing evidence to support this hypothesis. Here, we unveiled an essential role of uterine Notch2 in pregnancy recognition and corpus luteum maintenance. Uterine-specific deletion of Notch2 did not affect female fertility. Nevertheless, the expression of decidual Prl8a2, a member of the prolactin family, was downregulated due to Notch2 ablation. Subsequently, we interrupted pituitary prolactin function to determine the luteotropic role of the decidua by employing the lipopolysaccharide-induced prolactin resistance model, or blocking the prolactin signaling by prolactin receptor-Fc fusion protein, or repressing pituitary prolactin release by dopamine receptor agonist bromocriptine, and found that Notch2-deficient females were more sensitive to these stresses and ended up in pregnancy loss resulting from abnormal corpus luteum function and insufficient serum progesterone level. Overexpression of Prl8a2 in Notch2 knockout mice rescued lipopolysaccharide-induced abortion, highlighting its luteotropic function. Further investigation adopting Rbpj knockout and DNMAML overexpression mouse models along with chromatin immunoprecipitation assay and luciferase analysis confirmed that Prl8a2 was regulated by the canonical Notch signaling. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that decidual prolactin members, under the control of uterine Notch signaling, assisted pituitary prolactin to sustain corpus luteum function and serum progesterone level during post-implantation phase, which was conducive to pregnancy recognition and maintenance. Progesterone secreted from the corpus luteum in the ovary is indispensable to pregnancy maintenance in both rodents and humans. Therefore, prolonged corpus luteum lifespan and sustainable progesterone production is a prerequisite for a successful pregnancy. In rodents, in addition to pituitary prolactin and placental lactogens, decidual derived factors have been presumed to possess luteotropic effects during the post-implantation stage. In this study, utilizing a mouse model with uterine specific deletion of Notch2, which displayed decreased level of decidual prolactin member Prl8a2, combined with multiple approaches to interrupt the pituitary prolactin signal, we demonstrated that decidual derived Prl8a2 assisted pituitary prolactin to sustain corpus luteum function and serum progesterone level during post-implantation phase, which was conducive to pregnancy recognition and maintenance. In addition, the expression of decidual Prl8a2 was under the direct control of the canonical Notch pathway. Together, we herein provide convincing evidence that decidual produced Prl8a2, modulated by uterine canonical Notch signaling, exhibits luteotropic functions and contributes to pregnancy maintenance.
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Pan ML, Chen LR, Chen KH. The Risk of Subsequent Miscarriage in Pregnant Women with Prior Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: A Nationwide Population-Based Study. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:ijerph18168253. [PMID: 34444016 PMCID: PMC8394863 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18168253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Objective: To assess the risk of subsequent miscarriage in pregnant women with a prior diagnosis of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). Methods: Using a nationwide, population-based database (Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database) during 1998-2012, the study retrieved 1,000,000 randomly-sampled insured citizens as research subjects. The women with a diagnosis of pre-pregnancy PCOS (n = 13,562) who had chromosomal anomalies, artificial abortion, inconsistent diagnoses, and who were initially diagnosed with PCOS at >45 or <15 year-old were excluded, respectively. The records of gynecologic ultrasonography and/or blood tests were checked to verify the accuracy of the diagnoses of both PCOS and miscarriage (ICD-9 CM codes). After pregnancy, every woman with prior PCOS was age-matched to four women without prior PCOS. Results: Pregnant women with prior PCOS (the case group; n = 1926) and those without prior PCOS (the control group; n = 7704) were compared. The incidence of subsequent miscarriage was much higher in the case group compared with the control group (33.80% vs. 4.09%, p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the risk of subsequent miscarriage was significantly higher in the case group than the control group (odds ratio [OR] 11.98; 95% CI 10.34-13.87, p < 0.0001), and the result remained similar while adjusted with covariates (adjusted OR 11.97; 95% CI 10.27-13.95, p < 0.0001). In the case group, the patient who used metformin had a lower risk of subsequent miscarriage (adjusted OR 9.53; 95% CI 6.69-13.57) when compared with those who did not receive metformin treatment (adjusted OR 12.13; 95% CI 10.38-14.18). Conclusion: For pregnant women, a pre-pregnancy diagnosis of PCOS is an independent and significant risk factor for subsequent miscarriage. The risk of subsequent miscarriage is reduced by about 1/4 for the PCOS patients who undergo metformin treatment compared with those who do not.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mei-Lien Pan
- Institute of Information Science, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan;
| | - Li-Ru Chen
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 104, Taiwan;
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan
| | - Kuo-Hu Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taipei Tzu-Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu-Chi Medical Foundation, Taipei 231, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien 700, Taiwan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +886-2-6628-9779; Fax: +886-2-6628-9009
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Mohamed Khosroshahi L, Parhizkar F, Kachalaki S, Aghebati-Maleki A, Aghebati-Maleki L. Immune checkpoints and reproductive immunology: Pioneers in the future therapy of infertility related Disorders? Int Immunopharmacol 2021; 99:107935. [PMID: 34304000 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2021.107935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
As co-stimulatory receptors, immune checkpoint molecules are found on the surface of various immune cells and transduce inhibitory signals following ligand binding. The most studied members in this regard include PD-1, TIM-3, and CTLA-4. The physiological part immune checkpoints possess is the prevention of dangerous immune attacks towards self-antigens throughout an immune response, which takes place through the negative regulation of the effector immune cells, through the induction of T-cell exhaustion, for instance. It has recently been suggested that each checkpoint reduces immunoactivation via distinct intracellular mechanisms of signaling. Regulators of immune checkpoints are supposed to participate actively in immune defense mechanisms against infections, preventing autoimmunity, transplantation, and tumor immune evasion. In pregnancy, as an active immunotolerance mechanism which is also natural, the maternal immune system encounters two simultaneous challenges; in addition to accepting the semi-allogeneic fetus, the maternal immune system should also prevent infections. In this regard, the part immune checkpoint molecules possess is particularly interesting. Herein, the current understanding of such part in reproductive immunology is described.
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Gillis-Buck E, Miller H, Sirota M, Sanders SJ, Ntranos V, Anderson MS, Gardner JM, MacKenzie TC. Extrathymic Aire-expressing cells support maternal-fetal tolerance. Sci Immunol 2021; 6:eabf1968. [PMID: 34272228 PMCID: PMC9363019 DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.abf1968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Healthy pregnancy requires tolerance to fetal alloantigens as well as syngeneic embryonic and placental antigens. Given the importance of the autoimmune regulator (Aire) gene in self-tolerance, we investigated the role of Aire-expressing cells in maternal-fetal tolerance. We report that maternal ablation of Aire-expressing (Aire +) cells during early mouse pregnancy caused intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in both allogeneic and syngeneic pregnancies. This phenotype is immune mediated, as IUGR was rescued in Rag1-deficient mice, and involved a memory response, demonstrated by recurrence of severe IUGR in second pregnancies. Single-cell RNA sequencing demonstrated that Aire + cell depletion in pregnancy results in expansion of activated T cells, particularly T follicular helper cells. Unexpectedly, selective ablation of either Aire-expressing medullary thymic epithelial cells or extrathymic Aire-expressing cells (eTACs) mapped the IUGR phenotype exclusively to eTACs. Thus, we report a previously undescribed mechanism for the maintenance of maternal-fetal immune homeostasis and demonstrate that eTACs protect the conceptus from immune-mediated IUGR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Gillis-Buck
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Haleigh Miller
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Diabetes Center University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Marina Sirota
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stephan J Sanders
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Vasilis Ntranos
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Bakar Computational Health Sciences Institute, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Diabetes Center University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mark S Anderson
- Diabetes Center University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - James M Gardner
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Diabetes Center University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Tippi C MacKenzie
- Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Center for Maternal-Fetal Precision Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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9
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Ali S, Majid S, Niamat Ali M, Taing S. Evaluation of T cell cytokines and their role in recurrent miscarriage. Int Immunopharmacol 2020; 82:106347. [PMID: 32143004 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2020.106347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [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: 06/17/2019] [Revised: 02/08/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Recurrent miscarriage (RM) is defined as two or more consecutive pregnancy losses that affect approximately 5% of conceived women worldwide. RM is a multi-factorial reproductive problem and has been associated with parental chromosomal abnormalities, embryonic chromosomal rearrangements, uterine anomalies, autoimmune disorders, endocrine dysfunction, thrombophilia, life style factors, and maternal infections. However, the exact cause is still undecided in remaining 50% of cases. Immunological rejection of the embryo due to exacerbated maternal immune reaction against paternal embryonic antigens has been set forth as one of the significant reason for RM. The accurate means that shield the embryo during normal pregnancy from the attack of maternal immune network and dismissal are inadequately implicit. However, it is suggested that the genetically irreconcilable embryo escapes maternal immune rejection due to communication among many vital cytokines exuded at maternal-embryonic interface both by maternal and embryonic cells. Previous investigations suggested the Th1/Th2 dominance in altered immunity of RM patients, according to which the allogenic embryo flees maternal T cell reaction by inclining the Th0 differentiation toward Th2 pathway resulting into diminished pro-inflammatory Th1 immunity. However, recently pro-inflammatory Th17 cells and immunoregulatory Treg cells have been discovered as essential immune players in RM besides Th1/Th2 components. Cytokines are believed to develop a complicated regulatory network so as to establish a state of homeostasis between the semi-allogenic embryo and the maternal immune system. However, an adverse imbalance among cytokines at maternal-embryonic interface perhaps due to their gene polymorphisms may render immunoregulatory means not enough to re-establish homeostasis and thus may collapse pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shafat Ali
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, 190006 Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Sabhiya Majid
- Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College, Srinagar, J&K, India
| | - Md Niamat Ali
- Cytogenetics and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Centre of Research for Development, University of Kashmir, 190006 Srinagar, J&K, India.
| | - Shahnaz Taing
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Government Medical College Associated Lalla Ded Hospital, Srinagar, J&K, India
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Wahid HH, Chin PY, Sharkey DJ, Diener KR, Hutchinson MR, Rice KC, Moldenhauer LM, Robertson SA. Toll-Like Receptor-4 Antagonist (+)-Naltrexone Protects Against Carbamyl-Platelet Activating Factor (cPAF)-Induced Preterm Labor in Mice. Am J Pathol 2020; 190:1030-1045. [PMID: 32084361 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2020.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 12/24/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Spontaneous preterm labor is frequently caused by an inflammatory response in the gestational tissues elicited by either infectious or sterile agents. In sterile preterm labor, the key regulators of inflammation are not identified, but platelet-activating factor (PAF) is implicated as a potential rate-limiting effector agent. Since Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 can amplify PAF signaling, we evaluated whether TLR4 contributes to inflammation and fetal loss in a mouse model of PAF-induced sterile preterm labor, and whether a small-molecule TLR4 inhibitor, (+)-naltrexone, can mitigate adverse PAF-induced effects. The administration of carbamyl (c)-PAF caused preterm labor and fetal loss in wild-type mice but not in TLR4-deficient mice. Treatment with (+)-naltrexone prevented preterm delivery and alleviated fetal demise in utero elicited after cPAF administered by i.p. or intrauterine routes. Pups born after cPAF and (+)-naltrexone treatment exhibited comparable rates of postnatal survival and growth to carrier-treated controls. (+)-Naltrexone suppressed the cPAF-induced expression of inflammatory cytokine genes Il1b, Il6, and Il10 in the decidua; Il6, Il12b, and Il10 in the myometrium; and Il1b and Il6 in the placenta. These data demonstrate that the TLR4 antagonist (+)-naltrexone inhibits the inflammatory cascade induced by cPAF, preventing preterm birth and perinatal death. The inhibition of TLR4 signaling warrants further investigation as a candidate strategy for fetal protection and delay of preterm birth elicited by sterile stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanan H Wahid
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peck Yin Chin
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - David J Sharkey
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kerrilyn R Diener
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; School of Pharmacy and Medical Science, University of South Australia, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Mark R Hutchinson
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia; Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Nanoscale BioPhotonics, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Kenner C Rice
- Drug Design and Synthesis Section, National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, Maryland
| | - Lachlan M Moldenhauer
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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11
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El-Sherbini MS, Abd El-Aal AA, El-Sherbiny WS, Attia SS, Abdel Aziz IZ, Nasr GM, Salama MS, Badr MS. Toxoplasmosis and abortion: pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines gene expression of the host immune cells. Egypt J Med Hum Genet 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s43042-019-0006-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
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12
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Warren BD, Ahn SH, McGinnis LK, Grzesiak G, Su RW, Fazleabas AT, Christenson LK, Petroff BK, Petroff MG. Autoimmune Regulator is required in female mice for optimal embryonic development and implantation†. Biol Reprod 2019; 100:1492-1504. [PMID: 30770532 PMCID: PMC6561863 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 06/02/2018] [Revised: 11/18/2018] [Accepted: 02/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE) regulates central immune tolerance by inducing expression of tissue-restricted antigens in thymic medullary epithelial cells, thereby ensuring elimination of autoreactive T cells. Aire mutations in humans and targeted Aire deletion in mice result in multiorgan autoimmune disease, known in humans as autoimmune polyglandular syndrome type 1 (APS-1). APS-1 is characterized by the presence of adrenal insufficiency, chronic mucosal candidiasis, and/or hypoparathyroidism. Additionally, females often present with gonadal insufficiency and infertility. Aire-deficiency (KO) in mice results in oophoritis and age-dependent depletion of follicular reserves. Here, we found that while the majority of young 6-week-old Aire-KO females had normal follicular reserves, mating behavior, and ovulation rates, 50% of females experienced embryonic loss between gestation day (GD) 5.5 and 7.5 that could not be attributed to insufficient progesterone production or decidualization. The quality of GD0.5 embryos recovered from Aire KO mice was reduced, and when cultured in vitro, embryos displayed limited developmental capacity in comparison to those recovered from wild-type (WT) mice. Further, embryos flushed from Aire KO dams at GD3.5 were developmentally delayed in comparison to WT controls and had reduced trophoblastic outgrowth in vitro. We conclude that AIRE does not play a direct role in uterine decidualization. Rather, reduced fertility of Aire-deficient females is likely due to multiple factors, including oophoritis, delayed preimplantation development, and compromised implantation. These effects may be explained by autoimmune targeting of the ovary, embryo, or both. Alternatively, altered embryonic development could be due to a direct role for AIRE in early embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bryce D Warren
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Soo H Ahn
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Lynda K McGinnis
- Department of Physiology and Integrative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Geoffrey Grzesiak
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Ren-Wei Su
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Asgerally T Fazleabas
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, College of Human Medicine, Michigan State University, Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA
| | - Lane K Christenson
- Department of Physiology and Integrative Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Brian K Petroff
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Margaret G Petroff
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
- Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
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Abstract
The role of the immune system in term (TL) and preterm labor (PTL) is unknown. Despite the fact that globally, PTL remains the most important cause of childhood mortality. Infection, typically of the fetal membranes, termed chorioamnionitis, is the best-understood driver of PTL, but the mechanisms underpinning other causes, including idiopathic and stretch-induced PTL, are unclear, but may well involve activation of the maternal immune system. The final common pathway of placental dysfunction, fetal membrane rupture, cervical dilation and uterine contractions are highly complex processes. At term, choriodecidual rather than myometrial inflammation is thought to drive the onset of labor and similar findings are present in different types of PTL including idiopathic PTL. Although accumulated data has confirmed an association between the immune response and preterm birth, there is yet a need to understand if this response is an initiator or a consequence of tissue-level dysregulation. This review focuses on the potential role of macrophages and T cells in innate and adaptive immunity relevant to preterm birth in humans and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences University of Vermont, Larner College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA.
| | - Mark R Johnson
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Surgery & Cancer, Imperial College, London, United Kingdom
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Hojo T, Piotrowska-Tomala KK, Jonczyk AW, Lukasik K, Jankowska K, Okuda K, Witek KJ, Skarzynski DJ. Receptor interacting protein kinases-dependent necroptosis as a new, potent mechanism for elimination of the endothelial cells during luteolysis in cow. Theriogenology 2019; 128:193-200. [PMID: 30776689 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.01.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2018] [Revised: 12/04/2018] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Necroptosis is an alternative form of programmed cell death regulated by receptor-interacting protein kinase (RIPK) 1 and 3-dependent. In the present study, to clarify if necroptosis in luteal endothelial cells (LECs) participates and contributes for bovine luteolysis, we investigated RIPK1 and RIPK3 localization in luteal tissue and their expression in cultured LECs after treatment with selected immune factors - mediators of luteolytic action of prostaglandin F2α (PGF). In addition, effects of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF; 2.3 nM) in combination with interferon γ (IFNG; 2.5 nM), and/or nitric oxide donor - NONOate (100 μM) on viability and CASP3 activity in the cultured LECs were investigated. Furthermore, effects of a RIPK1 inhibitor (necrostatin-1, Nec-1; 50 μM) on RIPKs and CASPs expression, were evaluated. Localization of RIPK1 and RIPK3 protein in the cultured LECs were determined. In cultured LECs, expression of RIPKs mRNA were up-regulated by TNF + IFNG at 12 h, and by PGF (1 μM) or NONOate at 24 h, respectively (P < 0.05). Although NONOate decreased cell viability, it prevented TNF + IFNG-stimulated CASP3 activity in cultured LECs. Nec-1 prevented TNF + IFNG-induced RIPK1 and CASP3 mRNA expression at 12 h and prevented RIPK3 mRNA expression. These findings suggest that RIPKs-dependent necroptosis which are induced by TNF + IFNG, PGF or NO could be potent mechanism responsible for LECs cell death and disappearance of luteal capillaries in regressing bovine CL.
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Bruno V, Svensson-Arvelund J, Rubér M, Berg G, Piccione E, Jenmalm MC, Ernerudh J. Effects of low molecular weight heparin on the polarization and cytokine profile of macrophages and T helper cells in vitro. Sci Rep 2018; 8:4166. [PMID: 29520033 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-22418-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is widely used in recurrent miscarriage treatment. The anti-coagulant effects are established, while immunological effects are not fully known. Our aim was to assess LMWH effects on activation and polarization of central regulatory immune cells from healthy women, and on placenta tissues from women undergoing elective abortions. Isolated blood monocytes and T helper (Th) cells under different activation and polarizing conditions were cultured with or without LMWH. Flow cytometry showed that LMWH exposure induced increased expression of HLA-DR and CD206 in macrophages. This phenotype was associated with increased secretion of Th17-associated CCL20, and decreased secretion of CCL2 (M2-associated) and CCL22 (Th2), as measured by multiplex bead array. In accordance, LMWH exposure to Th cells reduced the proportion of CD25highFoxp3+ regulatory T-cells, intensified IFN-γ secretion and showed a tendency to increase the lymphoblast proportions. Collectively, a mainly pro-inflammatory effect was noted on two essential tolerance-promoting cells. Although the biological significancies of these in vitro findings are uncertain and need to be confirmed in vivo, they suggest the possibility that immunological effects of LMWH may be beneficial mainly at an earlier gestational age to provide an appropriate implantation process in women with recurrent miscarriage.
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Rizzuto G, Tagliani E, Manandhar P, Erlebacher A, Bakardjiev AI. Limited Colonization Undermined by Inadequate Early Immune Responses Defines the Dynamics of Decidual Listeriosis. Infect Immun 2017; 85:e00153-17. [PMID: 28507070 DOI: 10.1128/IAI.00153-17] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes causes foodborne systemic disease in pregnant women, which can lead to preterm labor, stillbirth, or severe neonatal disease. Colonization of the maternal decidua appears to be an initial step in the maternal component of the disease as well as bacterial transmission to the placenta and fetus. Host-pathogen interactions in the decidua during this early stage of infection remain poorly understood. Here, we assessed the dynamics of L. monocytogenes infection in primary human decidual organ cultures and in the murine decidua in vivo A high inoculum was necessary to infect both human and mouse deciduas, and the data support the existence of a barrier to initial colonization of the murine decidua. If successful, however, colonization in both species was followed by significant bacterial expansion associated with an inability of the decidua to mount appropriate innate cellular immune responses. The innate immune deficits included the failure of bacterial foci to attract macrophages and NK cells, cell types known to be important for early defenses against L. monocytogenes in the spleen, as well as a decrease in the tissue density of inflammatory Ly6Chi monocytes in vivo These results suggest that the infectivity of the decidua is not the result of an enhanced recruitment of L. monocytogenes to the gestational uterus but rather is due to compromised local innate cellular immune responses.
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Bruno V, Rizzacasa B, Pietropolli A, Capogna MV, Massoud R, Ticconi C, Piccione E, Cortese C, Novelli G, Amati F. OLR1 and Loxin Expression in PBMCs of Women with a History of Unexplained Recurrent Miscarriage: A Pilot Study. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2017; 21:363-372. [PMID: 28409654 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2016.0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [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: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of OLR1 and its alternative splicing isoform Loxin in unexplained recurrent miscarriage (uRM). METHODS Sixty-three women of reproductive age were recruited and were divided into four groups: 18 pregnant and 23 non-pregnant women with uRM, and 12 pregnant and 10 non-pregnant women with physiological pregnancies. Complementary DNA derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) was analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR to evaluate the expression of OLR1 and Loxin. Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDLs) were assayed from serum by a commercially available kit. RESULTS Pregnant uRM women presented with a higher, though not significant, OLR1/Loxin ratio and a higher ox-LDLs serum level (p ≤ 0.05) compared with pregnant control women. OLR1 and Loxin levels were significantly decreased in non-pregnant uRM women compared with the control (OLR1: 0.00018 vs. 0.00043, p ≤ 0.005; Loxin: 0.00018 vs. 0.00060, p ≤ 0.005, respectively). Loxin expression decreased by about two-thirds (p ≤ 0.005) in pregnant women compared with non-pregnant control women. A higher expression of OLR1 in pregnant women compared with non-pregnant women with uRM (p ≤ 0.05) was observed, but no variation in Loxin expression was observed. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study show an association of peripheral OLR1 and Loxin expression levels in uRM women, and they suggest the possible existence of an uncontrolled oxidative stress in these women in the first trimester of pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Bruno
- 1 Academic Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Rome Tor Vergata and Department of Surgery, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tor Vergata University Hospital , Rome, Italy .,2 Department of Surgery, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome , Italy
| | - Barbara Rizzacasa
- 3 Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Genetics, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy
| | - Adalgisa Pietropolli
- 1 Academic Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Rome Tor Vergata and Department of Surgery, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tor Vergata University Hospital , Rome, Italy .,2 Department of Surgery, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome , Italy
| | - Maria Vittoria Capogna
- 1 Academic Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Rome Tor Vergata and Department of Surgery, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tor Vergata University Hospital , Rome, Italy .,2 Department of Surgery, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome , Italy
| | - Renato Massoud
- 4 Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Tor Vergata University Hospital , Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo Ticconi
- 1 Academic Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Rome Tor Vergata and Department of Surgery, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tor Vergata University Hospital , Rome, Italy .,2 Department of Surgery, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome , Italy
| | - Emilio Piccione
- 1 Academic Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Rome Tor Vergata and Department of Surgery, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tor Vergata University Hospital , Rome, Italy .,2 Department of Surgery, Section of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Tor Vergata University Hospital, Rome , Italy
| | - Claudio Cortese
- 4 Department of Experimental Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Tor Vergata University Hospital , Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Novelli
- 3 Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Genetics, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Amati
- 3 Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Genetics, University of Rome Tor Vergata , Rome, Italy
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Rovani MT, Ilha GF, Gasperin BG, Nóbrega JE, Siddappa D, Glanzner WG, Antoniazzi AQ, Bordignon V, Duggavathi R, Gonçalves PBD. Prostaglandin F2α-induced luteolysis involves activation of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and inhibition of AKT signaling in cattle. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:486-94. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2016] [Accepted: 03/20/2017] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
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Sena GC, Freitas-Lima LC, Merlo E, Podratz PL, de Araújo JF, Brandão PA, Carneiro MT, Zicker MC, Ferreira AV, Takiya CM, de Lemos Barbosa CM, Morales MM, Santos-Silva AP, Miranda-Alves L, Silva IV, Graceli JB. Environmental obesogen tributyltin chloride leads to abnormal hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function by disruption in kisspeptin/leptin signaling in female rats. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2017; 319:22-38. [DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2017.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Revised: 01/27/2017] [Accepted: 01/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
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Hirabayashi H, Kawashima K, Okimura T, Tateno A, Suzuki A, Asakuma S, Isobe N, Obitsu T, Sugino T, Kushibiki S. Effect of nutrient levels during the far-off period on postpartum productivity in dairy cows. Anim Sci J 2016; 88:1162-1170. [DOI: 10.1111/asj.12743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2016] [Revised: 09/11/2016] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Haruhi Hirabayashi
- Gunma Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station; Maebashi Gunma Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science; University of Tsukuba; Ibaraki Japan
| | | | - Tomoko Okimura
- Toyama Prefectural Agricultural; Forestry and Fisheries Research Center; Toyama Japan
| | - Ayane Tateno
- Tochigi Livestock and Dairy Research Center; Tochigi Japan
| | - Akitsu Suzuki
- The National Federation of Dairy Cooperative Associations (ZENRAKUREN); Tokyo Japan
| | - Sadaki Asakuma
- Hokkaido Agricultural Research Center; Sapporo Hokkaido Japan
| | - Naoki Isobe
- Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Faculty of Applied Biological Science; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Taketo Obitsu
- Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Faculty of Applied Biological Science; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Toshihisa Sugino
- Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Faculty of Applied Biological Science; Hiroshima University; Hiroshima Japan
| | - Shiro Kushibiki
- National Institute of Livestock and Grassland Science; Ibaraki Japan
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Science; University of Tsukuba; Ibaraki Japan
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Polo J, Andersen UV, Nielsen JM, Ródenas J, Crenshaw JD, Campbell JM, Rodríguez C. The Effects of BioThrive for Peripartum Mares and Their Neonatal Foals From Birth to 60 Days of Age. J Equine Vet Sci 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2016.01.019] [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: 10/22/2022]
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Kerk J, Dördelmann M, Bartels DB, Brinkhaus MJ, Dammann CEL, Dörk T, Dammann O. MUltiplex Measurement of Cytokine/Receptor Gene Polymorphisms and interaction Between Interleukin-10 (-1082) Genotype and Chorioamnionitis in Extreme Preterm Delivery. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 13:350-6. [PMID: 16814164 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsgi.2006.04.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2005] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To establish a multiplex amplification refractory mutation system (ARMS) in fluid and dried whole blood, and to perform a pilot study to examine the role for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of inflammation-associated genes (interleukin [IL]-1 and -10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNFA], and toll-like receptor-4 [TLR4]) and their interaction with clinical chorioamnionitis (CAM) in prematurity. METHODS We established a quadruplex ARMS to detect the four above SNPs. Fifty-four women delivered at gestational age less than 32 weeks and 83 healthy female volunteers were genotyped. We compared (1) mothers of preterm infants with volunteers, and (2) women delivered before 29 weeks' gestation (n = 29) with those delivered at 29 to 31 completed weeks (n = 25). RESULTS Multiplex ARMS is feasible using both fluid and dried whole blood. We found no overall differences in genotype and allele frequencies between mothers of preterm infants and volunteers. Among women who had a preterm delivery, those with both CAM and IL10(-1082)*G allele, the risk for delivery before 29 weeks was markedly increased (odds ratio [OR] 22, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5 - 191). CONCLUSION The presence of both CAM and IL10(-1082)*G might play a role in extreme preterm delivery less than 29 weeks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Kerk
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Schander JA, Correa F, Bariani MV, Blanco J, Cymeryng C, Jensen F, Wolfson ML, Franchi AM. A role for the endocannabinoid system in premature luteal regression and progesterone withdrawal in lipopolysaccharide-induced early pregnancy loss model. Mol Hum Reprod 2016; 22:800-808. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaw050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
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Hummitzsch K, Anderson RA, Wilhelm D, Wu J, Telfer EE, Russell DL, Robertson SA, Rodgers RJ. Stem cells, progenitor cells, and lineage decisions in the ovary. Endocr Rev 2015; 36:65-91. [PMID: 25541635 PMCID: PMC4496428 DOI: 10.1210/er.2014-1079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2014] [Accepted: 12/15/2014] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Exploring stem cells in the mammalian ovary has unleashed a Pandora's box of new insights and questions. Recent evidence supports the existence of stem cells of a number of the different cell types within the ovary. The evidence for a stem cell model producing mural granulosa cells and cumulus cells is strong, despite a limited number of reports. The recent identification of a precursor granulosa cell, the gonadal ridge epithelial-like cell, is exciting and novel. The identification of female germline (oogonial) stem cells is still very new and is currently limited to just a few species. Their origins and physiological roles, if any, are unknown, and their potential to produce oocytes and contribute to follicle formation in vivo lacks robust evidence. The precursor of thecal cells remains elusive, and more compelling data are needed. Similarly, claims of very small embryonic-like cells are also preliminary. Surface epithelial cells originating from gonadal ridge epithelial-like cells and from the mesonephric epithelium at the hilum of the ovary have also been proposed. Another important issue is the role of the stroma in guiding the formation of the ovary, ovigerous cords, follicles, and surface epithelium. Immune cells may also play key roles in developmental patterning, given their critical roles in corpora lutea formation and regression. Thus, while the cellular biology of the ovary is extremely important for its major endocrine and fertility roles, there is much still to be discovered. This review draws together the current evidence and perspectives on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja Hummitzsch
- Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (K.H., D.L.R., S.A.R., R.J.R.), School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, Robinson Research Institute, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia 5005; Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health (R.A.A.), The University of Edinburgh, The Queens Medical Research Institute, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, United Kingdom; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology (D.W.), Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia 3800; Bio-X Institutes (J.W.), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; and Institute of Cell Biology and Centre for Integrative Physiology (E.E.T), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9XE, United Kingdom
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Song M, Liu Y, Lee JJ, Che TM, Soares-Almeida JA, Chun JL, Campbell JM, Polo J, Crenshaw JD, Seo SW, Pettigrew JE. Spray-dried plasma attenuates inflammation and improves pregnancy rate of mated female mice1. J Anim Sci 2015; 93:298-305. [DOI: 10.2527/jas.2014-7259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
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Abstract
Infection-induced inflammation, frequently associated with increased production of proinflammatory cytokines, is considered a significant contributor to preterm birth. A G protein-coupled cannabinoid receptor 2 (CB2), encoded by Cnr2, is expressed in various immune cells and was shown to modulate immune responses. We show here that Cnr2, but not Cnr1, deficient mice are resistant to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-driven preterm birth and suppression of serum progesterone levels. After LPS challenge, Cnr2(-/-) mice exhibited increased serum levels of IL-10 with decreased IL-6 levels. These changes were associated with reduced LPS-induced Ptgs2 expression at the maternal-conceptus interface on day 16 of pregnancy. LPS stimulation of Cnr2(-/-) dendritic cells in vitro resulted in increased IL-10 with reduced IL-6 production and correlated with increased cAMP accumulation. Collectively, our results suggest that increased IL-10 production occurring via augmented cAMP accumulation represents a potential mechanism for the resistance of Cnr2(-/-) mice to LPS-induced preterm birth. These results may have clinical relevance, because currently, there are limited options to prevent preterm birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Sun
- Division of Reproductive Sciences (X.S., Y.L., S.K.D.), Perinatal Institute, and Division of Cellular and Molecular Immunology (M.C., C.L.K., S.D.), Cincinnati Children's Research Foundation, Cincinnati, Ohio 45229
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27
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Talbott H, Delaney A, Zhang P, Yu Y, Cushman RA, Cupp AS, Hou X, Davis JS. Effects of IL8 and immune cells on the regulation of luteal progesterone secretion. Reproduction 2014; 148:21-31. [PMID: 24686456 DOI: 10.1530/rep-13-0602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have suggested that chemokines may mediate the luteolytic action of prostaglandin F2α (PGF). Our objective was to identify chemokines induced by PGF in vivo and to determine the effects of interleukin 8 (IL8) on specific luteal cell types in vitro. Mid-cycle cows were injected with saline or PGF, ovaries were removed after 0.5-4 h, and expression of chemokine was analyzed by qPCR. In vitro expression of IL8 was analyzed after PGF administration and with cell signaling inhibitors to determine the mechanism of PGF-induced chemokine expression. Purified neutrophils were analyzed for migration and activation in response to IL8 and PGF. Purified luteal cell types (steroidogenic, endothelial, and fibroblast cells) were used to identify which cells respond to chemokines. Neutrophils and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were cocultured with steroidogenic cells to determine their effect on progesterone production. IL8, CXCL2, CCL2, and CCL8 transcripts were rapidly increased following PGF treatment in vivo. The stimulatory action of PGF on IL8 mRNA expression in vitro was prevented by inhibition of p38 and JNK signaling. IL8, but not PGF, TNF, or TGFB1, stimulated neutrophil migration. IL8 had no apparent action in purified luteal steroidogenic, endothelial, or fibroblast cells, but stimulated ERK phosphorylation in neutrophils. In coculture experiments neither IL8 nor activated neutrophils altered basal or LH-stimulated luteal cell progesterone synthesis. In contrast, activated PBMCs inhibited LH-stimulated progesterone synthesis from cultured luteal cells. These data implicate a complex cascade of events during luteolysis, involving chemokine signaling, neutrophil recruitment, and immune cell action within the corpus luteum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather Talbott
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5870, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyOlson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USADepartment of Pathology and MicrobiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture-U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterClay Center, Nebraska 68933-0166, USADepartment of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USAVA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System and Olson Center for Women's HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983255 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USADepartment of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5870, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyOlson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USADepartment of Pathology and MicrobiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture-U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterClay Center, Nebraska 68933-0166, USADepartment of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USAVA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System and Olson Center for Women's HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983255 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USA
| | - Abigail Delaney
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5870, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyOlson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USADepartment of Pathology and MicrobiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture-U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterClay Center, Nebraska 68933-0166, USADepartment of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USAVA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System and Olson Center for Women's HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983255 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USA
| | - Pan Zhang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5870, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyOlson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USADepartment of Pathology and MicrobiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture-U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterClay Center, Nebraska 68933-0166, USADepartment of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USAVA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System and Olson Center for Women's HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983255 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USA
| | - Yangsheng Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5870, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyOlson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USADepartment of Pathology and MicrobiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture-U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterClay Center, Nebraska 68933-0166, USADepartment of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USAVA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System and Olson Center for Women's HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983255 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USA
| | - Robert A Cushman
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5870, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyOlson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USADepartment of Pathology and MicrobiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture-U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterClay Center, Nebraska 68933-0166, USADepartment of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USAVA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System and Olson Center for Women's HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983255 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USA
| | - Andrea S Cupp
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5870, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyOlson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USADepartment of Pathology and MicrobiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture-U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterClay Center, Nebraska 68933-0166, USADepartment of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USAVA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System and Olson Center for Women's HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983255 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USA
| | - Xiaoying Hou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5870, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyOlson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USADepartment of Pathology and MicrobiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture-U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterClay Center, Nebraska 68933-0166, USADepartment of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USAVA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System and Olson Center for Women's HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983255 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USA
| | - John S Davis
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular BiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5870, USADepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyOlson Center for Women's Health, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USADepartment of Pathology and MicrobiologyUniversity of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-5900, USAUnited States Department of Agriculture-U.S. Meat Animal Research CenterClay Center, Nebraska 68933-0166, USADepartment of Animal ScienceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska 68583-0908, USAVA Nebraska Western Iowa Health Care System and Olson Center for Women's HealthDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, 983255 Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska 68198-3255, USA
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Arck P, Solano ME, Walecki M, Meinhardt A. The immune privilege of testis and gravid uterus: same difference? Mol Cell Endocrinol 2014; 382:509-520. [PMID: 24076096 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2013.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2013] [Revised: 08/30/2013] [Accepted: 09/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The fetus in the gravid uterus and the developing spermatogenic cells in the adult testis both comprise special challenges for the host immune system. Protection of the neoantigens of the fetus and male germ cells from immune attack, defined as immune privilege, is fundamental for the propagation of species. Immune privilege is not simply the absence of leukocytes, but involves immune and non-immune cells acting synergistically together at multiple levels to create a unique tolerogenic environment. A number of the pathways are shared by the testis and gravid uterus. Amongst them steroid hormones, namely testosterone in the male and progesterone in the female, seem to function as key molecules that govern the local production of immunoregulatory factors which finally control the overall immune environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Arck
- Laboratory for Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - María Emilia Solano
- Laboratory for Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg, 20246 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Magdalena Walecki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35385 Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, 35385 Giessen, Germany.
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29
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Abstract
The interferons (IFNs) form part of the large family of glycoproteins known as cytokines. They are secreted by host cells as a line of defence against pathogens and certain tumours. IFNs affect cell proliferation and differentiation and also play a very important role in the functioning of the immune system. Miscarriage in both humans has been associated with higher levels of IFN, particularly IFN-γ. However, this cytokine is evidently vital in successful murine pregnancies since it is involved in maintaining the decidual layer in addition to remodelling of the vasculature in the uterus. The effects of IFN on human pregnancies are more difficult to study. Hence, there is still a lot more to be discovered in the hope of reaching a definite conclusion regarding the impact of IFN.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Micallef
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta , Msida , Malta , and
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30
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Alijotas-reig J, Garrido-gimenez C. Current Concepts and New Trends in the Diagnosis and Management of Recurrent Miscarriage. Obstet Gynecol Surv 2013; 68:445-66. [DOI: 10.1097/ogx.0b013e31828aca19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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31
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Arck PC, Hecher K. Fetomaternal immune cross-talk and its consequences for maternal and offspring's health. Nat Med 2013; 19:548-56. [PMID: 23652115 DOI: 10.1038/nm.3160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 398] [Impact Index Per Article: 36.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2012] [Accepted: 03/06/2013] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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32
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Bonney EA. Demystifying animal models of adverse pregnancy outcomes: touching bench and bedside. Am J Reprod Immunol 2013; 69:567-84. [PMID: 23448345 DOI: 10.1111/aji.12102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2013] [Accepted: 01/28/2013] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
This represents an overview of the use of animal models to study the adverse pregnancy outcomes seen in humans. The purpose is to entice clinicians to utilize some of this information to seek out the literature and have more meaningful and profitable discussions with their academic colleagues and enhance transdisciplinary research in reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Bonney
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, USA.
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33
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Gonzalez JM, Romero R, Girardi G. Comparison of the mechanisms responsible for cervical remodeling in preterm and term labor. J Reprod Immunol 2013; 97:112-9. [PMID: 23312455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2012.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2012] [Revised: 07/19/2012] [Accepted: 07/20/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of term and preterm cervical remodeling is essential to prevent prematurity. Is preterm cervical remodeling caused by the same mechanisms that cause cervical remodeling at term, and are these changes accelerated in time? This question has been pondered by obstetricians seeking strategies to prevent preterm labor for many years. Mice represent an informative model of preterm birth. Thus, in this review we discuss the recent findings from mouse models that identify and characterize the initiators and cellular effectors of cervical remodeling at term and preterm labor/delivery. These studies suggest that similarities and differences exist between term and preterm cervical remodeling. Complement is an initiator or mediator in preterm labor/delivery, but is not involved in the physiological process that leads to term delivery. Therefore, complememt constitutes a specific and selective target for potentially preventing preterm delivery, thus improving neonatal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan M Gonzalez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI, USA
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34
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Abstract
Work on the mechanisms of fetomaternal tolerance has undergone a renaissance in recent years, and the general outlines of a solution to this long-standing paradox of 'transplantation' immunology have come into view. Here, we discuss several mechanisms, recently described in mice, that either minimize the activation of maternal T cells with fetal or placental specificity, or minimize the possibility that such T cells, if activated, are able to harm the fetus. The T cell response to antigens expressed by the conceptus serves as a paradigm for the study of tissue-specific immune tolerance and is relevant to the pathogenesis of immune-mediated pregnancy complications.
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35
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Nancy P, Tagliani E, Tay CS, Asp P, Levy DE, Erlebacher A. Chemokine gene silencing in decidual stromal cells limits T cell access to the maternal-fetal interface. Science 2012; 336:1317-21. [PMID: 22679098 DOI: 10.1126/science.1220030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 296] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The chemokine-mediated recruitment of effector T cells to sites of inflammation is a central feature of the immune response. The extent to which chemokine expression levels are limited by the intrinsic developmental characteristics of a tissue has remained unexplored. We show in mice that effector T cells cannot accumulate within the decidua, the specialized stromal tissue encapsulating the fetus and placenta. Impaired accumulation was in part attributable to the epigenetic silencing of key T cell-attracting inflammatory chemokine genes in decidual stromal cells, as evidenced by promoter accrual of repressive histone marks. These findings give insight into mechanisms of fetomaternal immune tolerance, as well as reveal the epigenetic modification of tissue stromal cells as a modality for limiting effector T cell trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrice Nancy
- Department of Pathology, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
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36
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Abstract
The discovery of dynamic populations of regulatory T cells in the corpus luteum opens new possibilities for immune regulation of early pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Robertson
- Robinson Institute, School of Paediatrics and Reproductive Health, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
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37
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Abstract
Stress can cause pregnancy failure but it is unclear how the mother's neuroendocrine system responds to stress to impair mechanisms establishing implantation. We analysed stress-evoked hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responses in early pregnant mice. HPA axis secretory responses to immune stress in early-mid pregnancy were strong and similar to that in virgins, although activation of hypothalamic vasopressin neurones, rather than corticotrophin-releasing hormone neurones, may be more important in the stress response in pregnancy. The site and mode of detrimental glucocorticoid action in pregnancy is not established. Because circulating prolactin is important for progesterone secretion and pregnancy establishment, we also hypothesised that stress negatively impacts on prolactin and its neuroendocrine control systems in early pregnant mice. Basal prolactin secretion was profoundly inhibited by either immune or fasting stress in early pregnancy. Prolactin release is inhibited by tonic dopamine release from tuberoinfundibular (TIDA) neurones. However, immune stress did not increase TIDA neurone activity in the median eminence in pregnant mice [measured by 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) content and the DOPAC:dopamine ratio]. By contrast, both immune stress and fasting caused weak induction of Fos in TIDA neurones. However, Fos induction does not always reflect dopamine secretion. Taken together, the data suggest that the stress-evoked profound reduction in prolactin secretion does not involve substantially increased dopamine activity as anticipated. In pregnancy, there was also attenuated recruitment of parvocellular paraventricular nucleus neurones and increased activation of brainstem noradrenergic nuclei after immune stress, indicating that other mechanisms may be involved in the suppression of prolactin secretion. In summary, low prolactin and increased circulating glucocorticoids together may partly explain how a mother's endocrine system mediates stress-induced pregnancy failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- V J Parker
- Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
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38
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Paris JJ, Brunton PJ, Russell JA, Frye CA. Immune stress in late pregnant rats decreases length of gestation and fecundity, and alters later cognitive and affective behaviour of surviving pre-adolescent offspring. Stress 2011; 14:652-64. [PMID: 21995525 PMCID: PMC3376536 DOI: 10.3109/10253890.2011.628719] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Immune challenge during pregnancy is associated with preterm birth and poor perinatal development. The mechanisms of these effects are not known. 5α-Pregnan-3α-ol-20-one (3α,5α-THP), the neuroactive metabolite of progesterone, is critical for neurodevelopment and stress responses, and can influence cognition and affective behaviours. To develop an immune challenge model of preterm birth, pregnant Long-Evans rat dams were administered lipopolysaccharide [LPS; 30 μg/kg/ml, intraperitoneal (IP)], interleukin-1β (IL-1β; 1 μg/rat, IP) or vehicle (0.9% saline, IP) daily on gestational days 17-21. Compared to control treatment, prenatal LPS or IL-1β reduced gestational length and the number of viable pups born. At 28-30 days of age, male and female offspring of mothers exposed to prenatal IL-1β had reduced cognitive performance in the object recognition task compared to controls. In females, but not males, prenatal IL-1β reduced anxiety-like behaviour, indicated by entries to the centre of an open field. In the hippocampus, progesterone turnover to its 5α-reduced metabolites was lower in prenatally exposed IL-1β female, but not in male offspring. IL-1β-exposed males and females had reduced oestradiol content in hippocampus, medial prefrontal cortex and diencephalon compared to controls. Thus, immune stress during late pregnancy reduced gestational length and negatively impacted birth outcomes, hippocampal function and central neurosteroid formation in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason J Paris
- Department of Psychology, University at Albany-SUNY, Albany, NY 12222, USA
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39
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Abstract
Antigen-presenting molecules vary between individuals of the same species, making it more difficult for pathogens to evade immune recognition and spread through the whole population. As a result of this genetic diversity, transplants between individuals are recognized as foreign and are rejected. This alloreactivity turns placental viviparity into a major immunological challenge. The maternal immune system has to balance the opposing needs of maintaining robust immune reactivity to protect both mother and fetus from invading pathogens, while at the same time tolerating highly immunogenic paternal alloantigens in order to sustain fetal integrity. Regulatory T cells are responsible for the establishment of tolerance by modulating the immune response, and uterine natural killer cells direct placentation by controlling trophoblast invasion. A variety of other cell types, including decidual stromal cells, dendritic cells, and immunomodulatory multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells, are found at the fetal-maternal interface. These cells conspire to establish a suitable environment for fetal development without compromising systemic immunity. Defects in any of these components can lead to gestational failure despite successful fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alba Munoz-Suano
- Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Medical Research Council, Cambridge, UK
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40
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Douglas AJ. Mother-offspring dialogue in early pregnancy: impact of adverse environment on pregnancy maintenance and neurobiology. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2011; 35:1167-77. [PMID: 20688125 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2010.07.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2010] [Revised: 07/21/2010] [Accepted: 07/25/2010] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The mother-offspring dialogue begins even before implantation and is essential to signal pregnancy, establish robust contact, and maintain embryo growth and development. Any circumstance that disrupts the dialogue risks pregnancy problems. A new look at how stress impacts on pregnancy involves its adverse effects on the key pregnancy hormones of progesterone and prolactin. These effects have far-reaching consequences on pregnancy maintenance, maternal anxiety and embryo programming. This review focuses on early pregnancy and how stress might compromise the multi-layer, two-way communication between mother and embryo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alison J Douglas
- Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology, Centre for Integrative Physiology, University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
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41
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Spanel-Borowski K. Five different phenotypes of endothelial cell cultures from the bovine corpus luteum: present outcome and role of potential dendritic cells in luteolysis. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2011; 338:38-45. [PMID: 21371521 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2011] [Accepted: 02/21/2011] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Progress in understanding the background of structural luteolysis depends on insights into the physiological function of innate immunity (INIM), in particular the presence of dendritic cells (DCs) in the corpus luteum (CL). For this reason, the cultures of five endothelial cell-like phenotypes derived from the bovine CL and their long-lasting analysis (morphology, function, and origin) become important. Types 1 and 2 represent microvascular endothelial cells with cytokeratin (CK) expression, assumed to be danger-sensing cells. Types 3 and 4 express features of common endothelial cells. Type 5 indicates a steroidogenic cell type, which could be derived from steroidogenic CK(+) cells in the CL of development after loss of CK expression. Type 5 is a promising candidate to become a mature DC. It might act with the microvascular CK(+) cell/type 1 like a luteovascular unit, which connects INIM with adaptive/cell-mediated immunity (ADIM) in structural luteolysis.
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42
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Friebe A, Douglas AJ, Solano E, Blois SM, Hagen E, Klapp BF, Clark DA, Arck PC. Neutralization of LPS or blockage of TLR4 signaling prevents stress-triggered fetal loss in murine pregnancy. J Mol Med (Berl) 2011; 89:689-99. [PMID: 21387177 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-011-0743-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2010] [Revised: 02/09/2011] [Accepted: 02/10/2011] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Maternal stress can cause loss of both histocompatible (syngeneic) and histoincompatible (semiallogeneic) embryos in pregnant mice. Stress increases abortogenic Th1 cytokines and reduces levels of anti-abortogenic Th2 cytokines, progesterone levels, and T regulatory cell activity. While physiological levels of interferon-γ promote vascular remodeling at the feto-maternal interface, an overshooting Th1 cytokine response requires a Toll-like receptor (TLR)-mediated "danger signal" such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Interestingly, stress can enhance permeability of mucosal membranes to entry of bacterial products and promote transmucosal migration of commensal bacteria. We hypothesized that bacterial component such as LPS may provide the danger signal through which stress triggers maternal immune activation, subsequently resulting in fetal rejection. Blocking the TLR4 receptor for LPS or neutralization of LPS using bactericidal permeability increasing protein abrogate fetal loss due to sonic stress challenge in DBA/2J-mated CBA/J mice. These treatments prevented stress-triggered immune responses in the decidua, upregulated Treg cells, and reduced the frequency of mature dendritic cells in uterine-draining lymph nodes but not in the uterus. Interestingly, anti-TLR4 treatment only partly ameliorated stress-induced endocrine responses, such as increased hypothalamic corticotropin releasing hormone and vasopressin mRNA expression but not decrease of serum progesterone. Galectin-1 knock-out mice were more susceptible to stress-triggered complete implantation failure rather than fetal loss, which was also abolished by LPS neutralization. Insights provided in this paper shed new light on the mechanisms by which stress affects pregnancy outcome and introduce microbial-derived LPS as a mediator within the cascade of stress-triggered immune and endocrine events during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid Friebe
- Department of Psychiatry, Ruhr-University Bochum, Alexandrinenstraße, Bochum, Germany.
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43
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Braunschweig A, Poehlmann TG, Busch S, Schleussner E, Markert UR. Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3) and Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling (SOCS3) Balance Controls Cytotoxicity and IL-10 Expression in Decidual-Like Natural Killer Cell Line NK-92. Am J Reprod Immunol 2011; 66:329-35. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2011.00989.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
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44
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Renaud SJ, Cotechini T, Quirt JS, Macdonald-Goodfellow SK, Othman M, Graham CH. Spontaneous pregnancy loss mediated by abnormal maternal inflammation in rats is linked to deficient uteroplacental perfusion. J Immunol 2010; 186:1799-808. [PMID: 21187445 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1002679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 99] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Abnormal maternal inflammation during pregnancy is associated with spontaneous pregnancy loss and intrauterine fetal growth restriction. However, the mechanisms responsible for these pregnancy outcomes are not well understood. In this study, we used a rat model to demonstrate that pregnancy loss resulting from aberrant maternal inflammation is closely linked to deficient placental perfusion. Administration of LPS to pregnant Wistar rats on gestational day 14.5, to induce maternal inflammation, caused fetal loss in a dose-dependent manner 3-4 h later, and surviving fetuses were significantly growth restricted. Pregnancy loss was associated with coagulopathy, structural abnormalities in the uteroplacental vasculature, decreased placental blood flow, and placental and fetal hypoxia within 3 h of LPS administration. This impairment in uteroplacental hemodynamics in LPS-treated rats was linked to increased uterine artery resistance and reduced spiral arteriole flow velocity. Pregnancy loss induced by LPS was prevented by maternal administration of the immunoregulatory cytokine IL-10 or by blocking TNF-α activity after treatment with etanercept (Enbrel). These results indicate that alterations in placental perfusion are responsible for fetal morbidities associated with aberrant maternal inflammation and support a rationale for investigating a potential use of immunomodulatory agents in the prevention of spontaneous pregnancy loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Renaud
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada K7L3N6
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Douglas AJ. Baby on board: do responses to stress in the maternal brain mediate adverse pregnancy outcome? Front Neuroendocrinol 2010; 31:359-76. [PMID: 20546772 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2010.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2010] [Revised: 05/17/2010] [Accepted: 05/18/2010] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Stress and adverse environmental surroundings result in suboptimal conditions in a pregnant mother such that she may experience poor pregnancy outcome including complete pregnancy failure and preterm labor. Furthermore her developing baby is at risk of adverse programming, which confers susceptibility to long term ill health. While some mechanisms at the feto-maternal interface underlying these conditions are understood, the underlying cause for their adverse adaptation is often not clear. Progesterone plays a key role at many levels, including control of neuroendocrine responses to stress, procuring the required immune balance and controlling placental and decidual function, and lack of progesterone can explain many of the unwanted consequences of stress. How stress that is perceived by the mother inhibits progesterone secretion and action is beginning to be investigated. This overview of maternal neuroendocrine responses to stress throughout pregnancy analyses how they interact to compromise progesterone secretion and precipitate undesirable effects in mother and offspring.
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Erlebacher A. Immune surveillance of the maternal/fetal interface: controversies and implications. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2010; 21:428-34. [PMID: 20304670 PMCID: PMC2892024 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2010.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [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: 11/23/2009] [Revised: 02/04/2010] [Accepted: 02/05/2010] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
How the fetal 'allograft' avoids rejection during pregnancy remains a major unresolved immunological paradox. Recent work has suggested that fetomaternal tolerance is in fact maintained by a number of redundant mechanisms, but their relative importance has remained poorly defined. In this paper, I discuss an emerging controversy regarding the ability of maternal T cells to mediate fetal rejection at a time when they appear to be ignorant of fetal and placental antigens. This paradox within a paradox highlights two major research directions in the field of reproductive immunology that, when ultimately reconciled, promise to give significant insight into mechanisms of impaired fertility and compromised fetal and maternal health.
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Li Wang, Zeng Chan Wang, Cui Xie, Xiao Feng Liu, Mao Sheng Yang. Genome-wide screening for risk loci of idiopathic recurrent miscarriage in a Han Chinese population: a pilot study. Reprod Sci 2010; 17:578-584. [PMID: 20305137 DOI: 10.1177/1933719110364248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
The etiology of recurrent miscarriage (RM) is extremely heterogeneous, including genetic, immunologic, anatomic, endocrinological, and infectious anomalies. About 50% of RM is unexplained or poorly understood, which is called idiopathic recurrent miscarriage (IRM). The primary aim of this study was to identify the genetic loci that might be susceptible to IRM. Forty-four Han Chinese patients with IRM during the first trimester of their pregnancies and 44 healthy sex- and ethnic-matched controls were enrolled in this study. A case-control and genome-wide study was performed and 430 polymorphic microsatellite markers were analyzed. Three loci, 6q27 (D6S446, P = .028), 9q33.1 (D9S1776, P = .037), and Xp22.11 (DXS1226, P = .008), significantly associated with IRM were found. This work identified 3 genetic regions that might harbor genes predisposed to IRM and provided new insights for future genetic and etiological study of IRM. Further study is required to confirm it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Laboratory of Disorder Genes and Pharmacogenomics Research Center, Institute of Life Sciences, Chongqing University of Medical Sciences, Chongqing, People's Republic of China
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Abstract
Blastocyst implantation is a process of interaction between embryo and the uterus. To understand this process, this review tries to summarize what blastocyst implantation essential factors (BIEFs) play what roles, as well as where in the uterus and at what stage of implantation process. Addition of more new data to this kind of compilation of information will help the development of diagnosis and treatment of infertility caused by implantation failure. The major, important cells of the endometrial cells that interact with invading blastocyst (trophoblast) are luminal epithelial cells, stromal cells (decidual cells) and resident immune cells. BIEFs regulate these cells to successfully maintain pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Yoshinaga
- Reproductive Sciences Branch, Center for Population Research, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, DHHS, MD 20892-7510, USA.
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Abstract
Much of our knowledge of human uterine physiology and pathology has been extrapolated from the study of diverse animal models, as there is no ideal system for studying human uterine biology in vitro. Although it remains debatable whether mouse models are the most suitable system for investigating human uterine function(s), gene-manipulated mice are considered by many the most useful tool for mechanistic analysis, and numerous studies have identified many similarities in female reproduction between the two species. This Review brings together information from studies using animal models, in particular mouse models, that shed light on normal and pathologic aspects of uterine biology and pregnancy complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunjung Jade Lim
- Department of Biomedical Science and Technology, IBST, RCTC, Konkuk University, 1 Hwayang-dong, Kwangjin-gu, Seoul 143-701, Korea.
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Robertson SA. Immune regulation of conception and embryo implantation-all about quality control? J Reprod Immunol 2010; 85:51-7. [PMID: 20347158 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2010.01.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 90] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2009] [Revised: 01/29/2010] [Accepted: 01/30/2010] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Medawar's hypotheses for explaining maternal immune tolerance of the semi-allogeneic fetus are now proven incorrect or insufficient. The mother's immune response is not passive, suppressed, indolent or physically constrained in pregnancy. Instead, her immune system is centrally engaged with all steps of the reproductive process from conception to embryo implantation and placental development. Emerging studies show that immune cells are positioned and equipped to sense antigens and other signals originating in seminal fluid, the embryo and placental trophoblast. The immune response appears competent to utilise this information to discriminate the reproductive fitness and compatibility of the male partner and the integrity and developmental competence of the conceptus tissue. Since the immune response is modulated by the individual's infectious, inflammatory, stress, nutritional and metabolic status, immune influence on progression or disruption of pregnancy may be further influenced by environmental stressors and resource availability. This opinion paper advances the view that the immune system operates in pregnancy to integrate these signals and to exert executive quality control to either accommodate or reject the conceptus. It is argued that 'immune-mediated quality control' would facilitate optimal female reproductive investment and maximise offspring fitness, and thereby explain the evolutionary advantage of maternal immune awareness of the conceptus tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Robertson
- Research Centre for Reproductive Health, Discipline of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005 Australia.
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