Seminal plasma promotes decidualization of endometrial stromal fibroblasts in vitro from women with and without inflammatory disorders in a manner dependent on interleukin-11 signaling

STUDY QUESTION

Do seminal plasma (SP) and its constituents affect the decidualization capacity and transcriptome of human primary endometrial stromal fibroblasts (eSFs)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

SP promotes decidualization of eSFs from women with and without inflammatory disorders (polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis) in a manner that is not mediated through semen amyloids and that is associated with a potent transcriptional response, including the induction of interleukin (IL)-11, a cytokine important for SP-induced decidualization.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

Clinical studies have suggested that SP can promote implantation, and studies in vitro have demonstrated that SP can promote decidualization, a steroid hormone-driven program of eSF differentiation that is essential for embryo implantation and that is compromised in women with the inflammatory disorders PCOS and endometriosis.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

This is a cross-sectional study involving samples treated with vehicle alone versus treatment with SP or SP constituents. SP was tested for the ability to promote decidualization in vitro in eSFs from women with or without PCOS or endometriosis (n = 9). The role of semen amyloids and fractionated SP in mediating this effect and in eliciting transcriptional changes in eSFs was then studied. Finally, the role of IL-11, a cytokine with a key role in implantation and decidualization, was assessed as a mediator of the SP-facilitated decidualization.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

eSFs and endometrial epithelial cells (eECs) were isolated from endometrial biopsies from women of reproductive age undergoing benign gynecologic procedures and maintained in vitro. Assays were conducted to assess whether the treatment of eSFs with SP or SP constituents affects the rate and extent of decidualization in women with and without inflammatory disorders. To characterize the response of the endometrium to SP and SP constituents, RNA was isolated from treated eSFs or eECs and analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNAseq). Secreted factors in conditioned media from treated cells were analyzed by Luminex and ELISA. The role of IL-11 in SP-induced decidualization was assessed through Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/Cas-9-mediated knockout experiments in primary eSFs.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

SP promoted decidualization both in the absence and presence of steroid hormones (P < 0.05 versus vehicle) in a manner that required seminal proteins. Semen amyloids did not promote decidualization and induced weak transcriptomic and secretomic responses in eSFs. In contrast, fractionated SP enriched for seminal microvesicles (MVs) promoted decidualization. IL-11 was one of the most potently SP-induced genes in eSFs and was important for SP-facilitated decidualization.

LARGE SCALE DATA

RNAseq data were deposited in the Gene Expression Omnibus repository under series accession number GSE135640.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

This study is limited to in vitro analyses.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our results support the notion that SP promotes decidualization, including within eSFs from women with inflammatory disorders. Despite the general ability of amyloids to induce cytokines known to be important for implantation, semen amyloids poorly signaled to eSFs and did not promote their decidualization. In contrast, fractionated SP enriched for MVs promoted decidualization and induced a transcriptional response in eSFs that overlapped with that of SP. Our results suggest that SP constituents, possibly those associated with MVs, can promote decidualization of eSFs in an IL-11-dependent manner in preparation for implantation.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This project was supported by NIH (R21AI116252, R21AI122821 and R01AI127219) to N.R.R. and (P50HD055764) to L.C.G. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Semen inhibits Zika virus infection of cells and tissues from the anogenital region

Zika virus (ZIKV) causes severe birth defects and can be transmitted via sexual intercourse. Semen from ZIKV-infected individuals contains high viral loads and may therefore serve as an important vector for virus transmission. Here we analyze the effect of semen on ZIKV infection of cells and tissues derived from the anogenital region. ZIKV replicates in all analyzed cell lines, primary cells, and endometrial or vaginal tissues. However, in the presence of semen, infection by ZIKV and other flaviviruses is potently inhibited. We show that semen prevents ZIKV attachment to target cells, and that an extracellular vesicle preparation from semen is responsible for this anti-ZIKV activity. Our findings suggest that ZIKV transmission is limited by semen. As such, semen appears to serve as a protector against sexual ZIKV transmission, despite the availability of highly susceptible cells in the anogenital tract and high viral loads in this bodily fluid.

Evolution of gag and gp41 in Patients Receiving Ritonavir-Boosted Protease Inhibitors

Several groups have proposed that genotypic determinants in gag and the gp41 cytoplasmic domain (gp41-CD) reduce protease inhibitor (PI) susceptibility without PI-resistance mutations in protease. However, no gag and gp41-CD mutations definitively responsible for reduced PI susceptibility have been identified in individuals with virological failure (VF) while receiving a boosted PI (PI/r)-containing regimen. To identify gag and gp41 mutations under selective PI pressure, we sequenced gag and/or gp41 in 61 individuals with VF on a PI/r (n = 40) or NNRTI (n = 20) containing regimen. We quantified nonsynonymous and synonymous changes in both genes and identified sites exhibiting signal for directional or diversifying selection. We also used published gag and gp41 polymorphism data to highlight mutations displaying a high selection index, defined as changing from a conserved to an uncommon amino acid. Many amino acid mutations developed in gag and in gp41-CD in both the PI- and NNRTI-treated groups. However, in neither gene, were there discernable differences between the two groups in overall numbers of mutations, mutations displaying evidence of diversifying or directional selection, or mutations with a high selection index. If gag and/or gp41 encode PI-resistance mutations, they may not be confined to consistent mutations at a few sites.

Mucosal stromal fibroblasts markedly enhance HIV infection of CD4+ T cells

Understanding early events of HIV transmission within mucosal tissues is vital for developing effective prevention strategies. Here, we report that primary stromal fibroblasts isolated from endometrium, cervix, foreskin, male urethra, and intestines significantly increase HIV infection of CD4+ T cells-by up to 37-fold for R5-tropic HIV and 100-fold for X4-tropic HIV-without themselves becoming infected. Fibroblasts were more efficient than dendritic cells at trans-infection and mediate this response in the absence of the DC-SIGN and Siglec-1 receptors. In comparison, mucosal epithelial cells secrete antivirals and inhibit HIV infection. These data suggest that breaches in the epithelium allow external or luminal HIV to escape an antiviral environment to access the infection-favorable environment of the stromal fibroblasts, and suggest that resident fibroblasts have a central, but previously unrecognized, role in HIV acquisition at mucosal sites. Inhibiting fibroblast-mediated enhancement of HIV infection should be considered as a novel prevention strategy.

Evaluation of 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography in rat models with hepatocellular carcinoma with liver cirrhosis

Liver cirrhosis is a predominant risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the exact mechanism of the progression from cirrhosis to cancer remains unclear. The uptake of 2-[(18)F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ((18)F-FDG) is widely used as a marker of increased glucose metabolism to monitor the progression of cancer with positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). Here we investigated the feasibility of using (18)F-FDG PET/CT in the diethylnitrosamine (DEN) mediated experimental hepatocellular carcinoma model. Rats received weekly intraperitoneal injections of DEN for 16 weeks for induction of HCC. We recorded starting from 0 days or 0 weeks after the last DEN injection. The weight and survival rate of rats were then measured. Also, an (18)F-FDG PET scan and serum analysis were performed at minus 2, 0, plus 2, and plus 4 weeks after the last DEN injection. The body weight of rats was maintained between 350 g and 370 g during 14 and 20 weeks, and the rats were euthanized at 35 days after the last DEN injection. The serum levels of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), and alkaline phosphate (ALP) were significantly higher at zero weeks after the last DEN injection. The (18)F-FDG uptake for the quantitative evaluation of HCC was done by measuring the region of interest (ROI). At minus two weeks after the last DEN injection, the ROI of rats had significantly increased compared to the normal group, in a time-dependent manner. These results suggest that FDG uptake serves as a good screening test to evaluate the feasibility of DEN-induced HCC.

Some fungal endophytes from vegetable crops and their anti-oomycete activities against tomato late blight

AIMS

To isolate endophytic fungi from vegetable plants and examine their in vivo anti-oomycete activity against Phytophthora infestans in tomato plants.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Endophytic fungi were isolated from surface-sterilized plant tissues and anti-oomycete activity was measured by in vivo assay using tomato seedlings. Endophytic fungi showing potent anti-oomycete activity were identified by morphological characteristics and nuclear ribosomal ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 sequence analysis. A total of 152 isolates were obtained from 66 healthy tissue samples of cucumber, red pepper, tomato, pumpkin and Chinese cabbage and the fermentation broths of 23 isolates showed potent in vivo anti-oomycete activity against tomato late blight with control values over 90%. The Fusarium oxysporum strain EF119, which was isolated from roots of red pepper, showed the most potent disease control efficacy against tomato late blight. In dual-culture tests, it inhibited the growth of Pythium ultimum, P. infestans and Phytophthora capsici.

CONCLUSIONS

Among endophytic fungi isolated from healthy tissues of vegetable plants, F. oxysporum EF119 showed the most potent in vivo anti-oomycete activity against tomato late blight and in vitro anti-oomycete activity against several oomycete pathogens.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

Endophytic fungi showing anti-oomycete activity in vitro and in vivo may be used as biocontrol agents particularly of tomato late blight.

Chronic deep brain stimulation of subthalamic and anterior thalamic nuclei for controlling refractory partial epilepsy

OBJECTIVES

Experimental data and case reports of intractable epilepsy patients treated with deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the internal nuclei suggest a considerable anticonvulsant effect. We intended to describe the results of DBS on subthalamic nuclei and anterior thalamic nuclei (STN and ATN) from our patients and to evaluate the long-term efficiency and safety of DBS for controlling intractable epilepsy.

METHODS

Six patients with refractory epilepsy and inadequate for surgery were implanted with DBS electrodes (3 in STN and 3 in ATN, respectively), switched on after a week of insertion followed by chronological observation. Seizure counts were monitored and compared with pre-implantation baseline.

RESULTS

There was significant clinical improvement in respect of reduction of seizure frequency as well as the alleviation of ictal severity in almost patients. The mean reduction in seizure frequency was 62.3% (49.1% from STN vs. 75.4% from ATN). Except one patient (patient 3) with accidental infection on the right anterior chest, no complication or withdrawal of DBS was seen during our study.

CONCLUSION

DBS on STN and ATN demonstrated their clear efficiency and relative safety comparable or superior to previous studies during long term follow-up. Subsequent, well designed studies warrant the further increase of the knowledge about antiepileptic effect of DBS.

Comparison of castability and surface roughness of commercially pure titanium and cobalt-chromium denture frameworks

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Titanium is a biocompatible material, but it is not widely used in clinical dentistry for conventional removable denture frameworks. Little research exists on its applicability.

PURPOSE

This study compared the casting accuracy and roughness of titanium and cobalt-chromium denture frameworks.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Twenty Kennedy Class II, Division 1 removable partial denture frameworks were fabricated with commercially pure titanium (n = 10) and a cobalt-chromium alloy (n = 10). The casting accuracy of each framework was determined by visual, radiographic, and microscopic methods. The roughness of each polished framework surface was analyzed with atomic force microscopy.

RESULTS

The clinical fit, porosities, and microporosities of both types of metal frameworks were qualitatively similar. The surface roughness of polished pure titanium and cobalt-chromium frameworks was 104.43 +/- 69.24 nm and 133.91 +/- 40.92 nm, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant (P >.05).

CONCLUSION

The clinical fit, porosity, and surface roughness of the titanium and cobalt-chromium frameworks fabricated for this study were comparable.

Comparison of oral sensory function in complete denture and implant-supported prosthesis wearers

In order to compare the differences of part of the oral sensory functions among natural dentition, complete denture wearers and implant-supported prostheses wearers, tactile and pressure awareness was measured. Tactile sense was estimated by the thickness perception threshold between upper and lower dentition. Sensibility of pressure feeling was evaluated by threshold of lateral loading on tooth. Within this limited experiment, it could be concluded that an osseointegrated root form implant helped towards restoration of oral sensory functions.

Use of laser Doppler flowmetry for estimation of the depth of burns

The trend for treatment of deep second degree burns and third degree burns is toward early excision and skin grafting. The ability to predict burn depth accurately as early as possible is important for early excision and skin grafting. This study, prospectively evaluated the ability of laser Doppler flow measurements, obtained within 72 hours after burn injury, to predict the depth of burn wounds. A Periflux system 4001 laser Doppler flowmeter was used to measure the cutaneous microflow circulation of 100 selected points of burn wounds on 44 inpatients and of 1680 selected points on 120 volunteers from March of 1993 to February of 1994. The mean value of superficial second degree burns checked by laser Doppler was 194.6 perfusion units (PU). The value of deep second degree burns was 59.7 PU, and the value of third degree burns was 5.1 PU. The mean normal cutaneous blood flow of 120 volunteers (control group) was between 4 and 9 PU, except on the head, neck, hand, and foot. Blood flow of more than 100 PU correctly predicted (90.2 percent of cases) a superficial second degree burn. Blood flow between 100 and 10 PU correctly predicted (96.2 percent of cases) a deep second degree dermal burn. That of less than 10 PU correctly predicted (100 percent of cases) a third degree burn. There was also a significant correlation between initial flow measurements and the depth of burn wounds. We conclude that laser Doppler flow measurements performed early after burn injury are useful in predicting the depth of burn wounds. Laser Doppler flowmetry has the advantage of being easy to use and noninvasive and of providing immediate results for early determination of burn depth. Laser Doppler flowmetry is useful in selecting patients for early excision and grafting of burn wounds.

Mapping of the human body skin with laser Doppler flowmetry

The purpose of this study was to evaluate cutaneous blood flow in the human body to better establish normal flow ranges and to determine whether the location, side of the body, sex, and age affect the flow range at seven different sites. From March 1993 to February 1994 a Periflux system 4001 laser Doppler flowmeter was used to measure the cutaneous microflow circulation of 1,680 selected points in 120 volunteers. The mean normal cutaneous blood flow of 120 volunteers was between 4 and 9 perfusion units (PU) except in the head, neck, hand, and foot. Mean cutaneous blood flow measurements were as follows: the upper arm, 6.6 +/- 1.20 PU (mean +/- SE); the forearm, 6.7 +/- 1.95 PU; the thorax, 7.1 +/- 1.72 PU; the flank, 6.3 +/- 1.23 PU; the abdomen, 5.3 +/- 1.79 PU; the thigh, 4.8 +/- 1.34 PU; the lower leg, 4.6 +/- 1.39 PU (p < 0.05). The blood flow of the thorax was highest and was 54% higher than the lower leg. The group of teenagers had the highest cutaneous blood flow, with an average value of 6.9 +/- 0.62 PU. The group of subjects in their sixties proved to have the lowest cutaneous blood flow-32% less than the teenagers. Gender differences were not noted. There were no significant differences in blood flow in regard to the side of the body.

[The effect of patient teaching on compliance with sick role behavior of diabetic patients]

This study examined the effect of patient teaching on Compliance with sick role behavior in diabetic patients. The purpose was to improve diabetic patients Compliance by D.M. patient teaching. The study objectives were to determine the effect of patient teaching on Compliance with sick role behavior, and factors influencing compliance with sick role behavior of diabetic patients. The subjects, consisting of 52 diabetic patients diagnosed in the C. and other hospitals in K. city were divided into experimental and control groups. Data were gathered from July 25th to September 3rd, 1988 through interviews by questionnaires, measurement of blood sugar level by Reflux. D.M. Patient teaching was defined as informational intervention of social support by the nurse. A booklet representing patient education and questionnaires were developed by the investigator, and were tested for Content validity, and reliability by Item Analysis: Cronbachs alpha for any instrument to measure variables was patient Compliance .83, perceived health belief .65, diabetic knowledge .70. Analysis of data were done by paired t-test, t-test, Anova, Pearson correlation, and Stepwise multiple regression. The results of the study may be summarized as follows: 1. The effect of patient teaching on Compliance with sick role behavior, on diabetic Knowledge and health belief was Confirmed by significant differences between the experimental and the control group before and after the experiments. (P = 000 P = 006, P = 004).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)