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Yang HY, Leahy BD, Jang WD, Wei D, Kalma Y, Rahav R, Carmon A, Kopel R, Azem F, Venturas M, Kelleher CP, Cam L, Pfister H, Needleman DJ, Ben-Yosef D. BlastAssist: a deep learning pipeline to measure interpretable features of human embryos. Hum Reprod 2024; 39:698-708. [PMID: 38396213 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Can the BlastAssist deep learning pipeline perform comparably to or outperform human experts and embryologists at measuring interpretable, clinically relevant features of human embryos in IVF? SUMMARY ANSWER The BlastAssist pipeline can measure a comprehensive set of interpretable features of human embryos and either outperform or perform comparably to embryologists and human experts in measuring these features. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Some studies have applied deep learning and developed 'black-box' algorithms to predict embryo viability directly from microscope images and videos but these lack interpretability and generalizability. Other studies have developed deep learning networks to measure individual features of embryos but fail to conduct careful comparisons to embryologists' performance, which are fundamental to demonstrate the network's effectiveness. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION We applied the BlastAssist pipeline to 67 043 973 images (32 939 embryos) recorded in the IVF lab from 2012 to 2017 in Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center. We first compared the pipeline measurements of individual images/embryos to manual measurements by human experts for sets of features, including: (i) fertilization status (n = 207 embryos), (ii) cell symmetry (n = 109 embryos), (iii) degree of fragmentation (n = 6664 images), and (iv) developmental timing (n = 21 036 images). We then conducted detailed comparisons between pipeline outputs and annotations made by embryologists during routine treatments for features, including: (i) fertilization status (n = 18 922 embryos), (ii) pronuclei (PN) fade time (n = 13 781 embryos), (iii) degree of fragmentation on Day 2 (n = 11 582 embryos), and (iv) time of blastulation (n = 3266 embryos). In addition, we compared the pipeline outputs to the implantation results of 723 single embryo transfer (SET) cycles, and to the live birth results of 3421 embryos transferred in 1801 cycles. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS In addition to EmbryoScope™ image data, manual embryo grading and annotations, and electronic health record (EHR) data on treatment outcomes were also included. We integrated the deep learning networks we developed for individual features to construct the BlastAssist pipeline. Pearson's χ2 test was used to evaluate the statistical independence of individual features and implantation success. Bayesian statistics was used to evaluate the association of the probability of an embryo resulting in live birth to BlastAssist inputs. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The BlastAssist pipeline integrates five deep learning networks and measures comprehensive, interpretable, and quantitative features in clinical IVF. The pipeline performs similarly or better than manual measurements. For fertilization status, the network performs with very good parameters of specificity and sensitivity (area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) 0.84-0.94). For symmetry score, the pipeline performs comparably to the human expert at both 2-cell (r = 0.71 ± 0.06) and 4-cell stages (r = 0.77 ± 0.07). For degree of fragmentation, the pipeline (acc = 69.4%) slightly under-performs compared to human experts (acc = 73.8%). For developmental timing, the pipeline (acc = 90.0%) performs similarly to human experts (acc = 91.4%). There is also strong agreement between pipeline outputs and annotations made by embryologists during routine treatments. For fertilization status, the pipeline and embryologists strongly agree (acc = 79.6%), and there is strong correlation between the two measurements (r = 0.683). For degree of fragmentation, the pipeline and embryologists mostly agree (acc = 55.4%), and there is also strong correlation between the two measurements (r = 0.648). For both PN fade time (r = 0.787) and time of blastulation (r = 0.887), there's strong correlation between the pipeline and embryologists. For SET cycles, 2-cell time (P < 0.01) and 2-cell symmetry (P < 0.03) are significantly correlated with implantation success rate, while other features showed correlations with implantation success without statistical significance. In addition, 2-cell time (P < 5 × 10-11), PN fade time (P < 5 × 10-10), degree of fragmentation on Day 3 (P < 5 × 10-4), and 2-cell symmetry (P < 5 × 10-3) showed statistically significant correlation with the probability of the transferred embryo resulting in live birth. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION We have not tested the BlastAssist pipeline on data from other clinics or other time-lapse microscopy (TLM) systems. The association study we conducted with live birth results do not take into account confounding variables, which will be necessary to construct an embryo selection algorithm. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) will be necessary to determine whether the pipeline can improve success rates in clinical IVF. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS BlastAssist provides a comprehensive and holistic means of evaluating human embryos. Instead of using a black-box algorithm, BlastAssist outputs meaningful measurements of embryos that can be interpreted and corroborated by embryologists, which is crucial in clinical decision making. Furthermore, the unprecedentedly large dataset generated by BlastAssist measurements can be used as a powerful resource for further research in human embryology and IVF. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported by Harvard Quantitative Biology Initiative, the NSF-Simons Center for Mathematical and Statistical Analysis of Biology at Harvard (award number 1764269), the National Institute of Heath (award number R01HD104969), the Perelson Fund, and the Sagol fund for embryos and stem cells as part of the Sagol Network. The authors declare no competing interests. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Y Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Biophysics, Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Brian D Leahy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Applied Physics, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Won-Dong Jang
- Department of Computer Science, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Donglai Wei
- Department of Computer Science, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Yael Kalma
- Department of Reproduction and IVF, Lis Maternity Hospital Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Roni Rahav
- Department of Reproduction and IVF, Lis Maternity Hospital Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ariella Carmon
- Department of Reproduction and IVF, Lis Maternity Hospital Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rotem Kopel
- Department of Reproduction and IVF, Lis Maternity Hospital Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Foad Azem
- Department of Reproduction and IVF, Lis Maternity Hospital Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Marta Venturas
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Colm P Kelleher
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Liz Cam
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Hanspeter Pfister
- Department of Computer Science, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Daniel J Needleman
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Department of Applied Physics, Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Department of Reproduction and IVF, Lis Maternity Hospital Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Bercovich O, Klar G, Shaulov T, Almog B, Kalma Y, Rahav R, Azem F, Malcov M, Cohen Y. A clinical predictive model for live birth in women of advanced age undergoing PGT cycles. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2024; 309:1083-1090. [PMID: 38219242 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-023-07329-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The trend of delaying childbirth has resulted in a growing number of advanced-aged women who are opting for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT) to screen for monogenic diseases or structural chromosomal rearrangements (PGT-M and PGT-SR). This increase in demand necessitates the development of a clinical predictive model for live birth outcomes in these women. Therefore, the objective of this study is to construct a comprehensive predictive model that assesses the likelihood of achieving a successful live birth in advanced-aged women undergoing PGT-M and PGT-SR treatments. METHODS A retrospective cohort study of 37-45-year-old women undergoing preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disease or structural chromosomal rearrangement cycles from 2010 to 2021 was conducted at a university hospital reproductive centre. The purpose was to develop a clinical predictive model for live birth in these women. The main outcome studied was the cumulative live birth rate in the first or subsequent cycles. Developing a decision tree enabled a comprehensive study of clinical parameters and expected outcomes. RESULTS The analysis included 158 women undergoing 753 preimplantation genetic testing cycles. The cumulative live birth rate was 37.342% (59/158). Decision tree analysis revealed that women aged ≤ 40.1 or women > 40.1 with one or more top-quality transferable embryos in their first cycle had the best chance for a live baby (56% and 41%, respectively). Those older than 40.1 without top-quality embryos and seven or fewer dominant follicles had no live births. A Kaplan-Meier curve showed that for autosomal dominant diseases, there was a negligible increase in live birth rate after three cycles, compared to six cycles in autosomal recessive inheritance. CONCLUSION In older women, the chance of delivering after repeated cycles is higher in those with at least one top-quality unaffected embryo in their first preimplantation genetic testing cycle. Additional preimplantation genetic testing cycles after three in carriers of an autosomal dominant disorder and six in those with an autosomal recessive disorder should be considered prudently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Or Bercovich
- Helen Schneider Hospital for Women, Rabin Medical Center, Petach-Tikva, Israel.
- Racine In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Soraski Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel.
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Galia Klar
- Racine In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Soraski Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Talya Shaulov
- Racine In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Soraski Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Benny Almog
- Racine In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Soraski Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Racine In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Soraski Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Roni Rahav
- Racine In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Soraski Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Foad Azem
- Racine In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Soraski Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mira Malcov
- Racine In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Soraski Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoni Cohen
- Racine In Vitro Fertilization Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Soraski Medical Centre, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Torre D, Francoeur NJ, Kalma Y, Gross Carmel I, Melo BS, Deikus G, Allette K, Flohr R, Fridrikh M, Vlachos K, Madrid K, Shah H, Wang YC, Sridhar SH, Smith ML, Eliyahu E, Azem F, Amir H, Mayshar Y, Marazzi I, Guccione E, Schadt E, Ben-Yosef D, Sebra R. Isoform-resolved transcriptome of the human preimplantation embryo. Nat Commun 2023; 14:6902. [PMID: 37903791 PMCID: PMC10616205 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-42558-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/15/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Human preimplantation development involves extensive remodeling of RNA expression and splicing. However, its transcriptome has been compiled using short-read sequencing data, which fails to capture most full-length mRNAs. Here, we generate an isoform-resolved transcriptome of early human development by performing long- and short-read RNA sequencing on 73 embryos spanning the zygote to blastocyst stages. We identify 110,212 unannotated isoforms transcribed from known genes, including highly conserved protein-coding loci and key developmental regulators. We further identify 17,964 isoforms from 5,239 unannotated genes, which are largely non-coding, primate-specific, and highly associated with transposable elements. These isoforms are widely supported by the integration of published multi-omics datasets, including single-cell 8CLC and blastoid studies. Alternative splicing and gene co-expression network analyses further reveal that embryonic genome activation is associated with splicing disruption and transient upregulation of gene modules. Together, these findings show that the human embryo transcriptome is far more complex than currently known, and will act as a valuable resource to empower future studies exploring development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denis Torre
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | | | - Yael Kalma
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel
| | - Ilana Gross Carmel
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel
| | - Betsaida S Melo
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Gintaras Deikus
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Kimaada Allette
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ron Flohr
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel
- CORAL - Center Of Regeneration and Longevity, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel
| | - Maya Fridrikh
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | | | - Kent Madrid
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Hardik Shah
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Ying-Chih Wang
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Shwetha H Sridhar
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Center for Advanced Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Melissa L Smith
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA
| | - Efrat Eliyahu
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Foad Azem
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel
| | - Hadar Amir
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel
| | - Yoav Mayshar
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, 7610001, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ivan Marazzi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Center for Epigenetics and Metabolism, University of California, Irvine, CA, 92697, USA
| | - Ernesto Guccione
- Center for OncoGenomics and Innovative Therapeutics (COGIT); Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Eric Schadt
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, 69978, Israel.
- CORAL - Center Of Regeneration and Longevity, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, 64239, Israel.
| | - Robert Sebra
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Center for Advanced Genomics Technology, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Icahn Genomics Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
- Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
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Gershoni M, Braun T, Hauser R, Barda S, Lehavi O, Malcov M, Frumkin T, Kalma Y, Pietrokovski S, Arama E, Kleiman SE. A pathogenic variant in the uncharacterized RNF212B gene results in severe aneuploidy male infertility and repeated IVF failure. HGG Adv 2023; 4:100189. [PMID: 37124137 PMCID: PMC10133878 DOI: 10.1016/j.xhgg.2023.100189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Quantitative and qualitative spermatogenic impairments are major causes of men's infertility. Although in vitro fertilization (IVF) is effective, some couples persistently fail to conceive. To identify causal variants in patients with severe male infertility factor and repeated IVF failures, we sequenced the exome of two consanguineous family members who underwent several failed IVF cycles and were diagnosed with low sperm count and motility. We identified a rare homozygous nonsense mutation in a previously uncharacterized gene, RNF212B, as the causative variant. Recurrence was identified in another unrelated, infertile patient who also faced repeated failed IVF treatments. scRNA-seq demonstrated meiosis-specific expression of RNF212B. Sequence analysis located a protein domain known to be associated with aneuploidy, which can explain multiple IVF failures. Accordingly, FISH analysis revealed a high aneuploidy rate in the patients' sperm cells and their IVF embryos. Finally, inactivation of the Drosophila orthologs significantly reduced male fertility. Given that members of the evolutionary conserved RNF212 gene family are involved in meiotic recombination and crossover maturation, our findings indicate a critical role of RNF212B in meiosis, genome stability, and in human fertility. Since recombination is completely absent in Drosophila males, our findings may indicate an additional unrelated role for the RNF212-like paralogs in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moran Gershoni
- ARO-The Volcani Center Institute of Animal Science, Bet Dagan, Israel
- Corresponding author
| | - Tslil Braun
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ron Hauser
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shimi Barda
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ofer Lehavi
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mira Malcov
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tsvia Frumkin
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shmuel Pietrokovski
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Corresponding author
| | - Eli Arama
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- Corresponding author
| | - Sandra E. Kleiman
- Racine IVF Unit and Male Fertility Clinic and Sperm Bank, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, affiliated with the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Corresponding author
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Malcov M, Blickstein O, Brabbing-Goldstein D, Reches A, Kalma Y, Fouks Y, Azem F, Cohen Y. The association between a carrier state of FMR1 premutation and numeric sex chromosome variations. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:683-688. [PMID: 36723762 PMCID: PMC10033765 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02730-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Women carriers of FMR1 premutation are at increased risk of early ovarian dysfunction and even premature ovarian insufficiency. The aim of this study was to examine a possible association between FMR1 permutation and numeric sex chromosome variations. METHODS A retrospective case-control study conducted in the reproductive center of a university-affiliated medical center. The primary outcome measure was the rate of sex chromosomal numerical aberrations, as demonstrated by haplotype analyses, in FMR1 premutation carriers compared to X-linked preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene defect (PGT-M) cycles for other indications that do not affect the ovarian follicles and oocytes. RESULTS A total of 2790 embryos with a final genetic analysis from 577 IVF PGT-M cycles were included in the final analysis. Mean age was similar between the groups, however, FMR1 carriers required more gonadotropins, and more women were poor responders with three or less oocytes collected. The ratio of embryos carrying a numeric sex chromosome variation was similar: 8.3% (138/1668) of embryos in the FMR1 group compared to 7.1% (80/1122) in the controls. A subgroup analysis based on age and response to stimulation has not demonstrated a significant difference either. CONCLUSIONS Although carriers of FMR1 premutation exhibit signs of reduced ovarian response, it does not seem to affect the rate of numeric sex chromosomal variation compared to women undergoing PGT-M for other indications. This suggests that the mechanism for chromosomal number aberrations in women at advanced maternal age are different to those FMR1 premutation carriers with poor ovarian reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mira Malcov
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ophir Blickstein
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Dana Brabbing-Goldstein
- Genetic Institute at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adi Reches
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Genetic Institute at Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yuval Fouks
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
- Boston IVF-The Eugin Group, Waltham, MA, USA
| | - Foad Azem
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoni Cohen
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
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Matot R, Kalma Y, Rahav R, Azem F, Amir H, Ben-Yosef D. Cleavage stage at compaction-a good predictor for IVF outcome. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2022; 161:997-1003. [PMID: 36495286 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.14619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To analyze whether cleavage stage at compaction, and not only kinetics, can serve as a reliable predictor for clinical outcome. METHODS A retrospective cohort study including 1194 embryos, classified by compaction initiation stage (Group 1: compaction at fewer than eight cells, Group 2: compaction at eight cells, Group 3: compaction at more than eight cells). Of these, 815 embryos were evaluated for morphokinetic preimplantation parameters, and 379 embryos were analyzed for clinical implantation following thawing and transfer of single blastocysts during the same period. RESULTS In total, 1194 embryos were analyzed. Embryos that underwent compaction from more than eight cells (Group 3) exhibited more synchronous cleavage compared with Groups 1 and 2 (at both S2 and S3; P < 0.001), and displayed a significantly lower fragmentation rate. The likelihood of obtaining top-quality blastocysts decreased by 73% and 44% when comparing Group 3 embryos with those of Groups 1 and 2, respectively, (P < 0.03). Clinical validation of the results shows that while compaction from fewer than eight cells barely produced blastocysts for transfer, compaction at eight or more cells is crucial for implantation and birth (birth rates 11.1% and 18.5% for Groups 2 and 3, respectively). CONCLUSION Cleavage stage at compaction has a direct effect on blastocyst quality and subsequent pregnancy, so can be included in newly developed deep learning models for embryo selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ran Matot
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Roni Rahav
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Foad Azem
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hadar Amir
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Fertility and IVF Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Affiliated to Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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7
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Israeli T, Preisler L, Kalma Y, Samara N, Levi S, Groutz A, Azem F, Amir H. P-475 Similar fertilization rates and preimplantation embryo development among testosterone-treated transgender men and cisgender women. Hum Reprod 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac107.447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study question
What are the effects of testosterone treatment on fertilization rates and preimplantation embryo development among transgender men who underwent fertility preservation?
Summary answer
Testosterone exposure among transgender men has no adverse impacts on fertilization rates and preimplantation embryo development and quality.
What is known already
Transmen are assigned female sex at birth but identify as men. This mismatch might induce distress that is termed gender dysphoria. Testosterone therapy induces “masculine” physical traits, suppresses “feminine” ones, and relieves gender dysphoria. More transmen present for testosterone therapy, their average age is decreasing, and many express the desire to have biological children. Therefore, understanding the effects of testosterone on fertility is crucial. Previous data suggest that despite testosterone treatment, the ovarian reserve and the in-vitro oocyte maturation are preserved among transmen. However, the fertility potential in terms of fertilization rate and early embryo development was not explored.
Study design, size, duration
This retrospective cohort study included 7 testosterone-treated transgender men and 34 cisgender women between April 2016 and November 2021.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
Testosterone-treated transgender men who cryopreserved embryos were compared to 10 fertile women who cryopreserved embryos and to 24 women who underwent IVF treatment due to unexplained or mechanical infertility. Statistical analyses compared assisted reproductive technology data and outcomes between the transgender men group and the two cisgender women groups. Morphokinetic and morphological parameters were compared between 210 embryos of transgender men and 411 embryos of cisgender women.
Main results and the role of chance
The transgender men (30.2±3.59 years) were significantly younger than the cisgender women who cryopreserved embryos (35.1±1.85 years; P = 0.005) and the cisgender women who underwent fertility treatment (33.8±3.23 years; P = 0.017). Among the transgender men, the mean length of testosterone exposure was 99.7±49.24 months (range 14-156 months) and the mean time of discontinuation of testosterone prior to stimulation was 6.57±2.14 months (range 4-10 months). After adjusting for the patient’s age, the fertilization rate was comparable between the transgender men and both cisgender women groups (P = 0.391 and 0.659). No significant differences in the number of cryopreserved embryos (7.2±5.09 and 3.5±2.66; P = 0.473) and the days on which they were frozen (P = 0.576) were observed between the transgender men and the fertile cisgender women. All morphokinetic parameters that were evaluated using time-lapse imaging, as well as the morphological characteristics, were comparable between transgender men and both groups of cisgender women.
Limitations, reasons for caution
All transgender men in our study discontinued the testosterone treatment before starting ovarian stimulation. Stopping hormonal therapy might cause considerable anguish and gender dysphoria. Therefore, further studies that include subjects who did not stop testosterone before fertility preservation are needed.
Wider implications of the findings
Transgender men have acceptable fertilization rates and normal preimplantation embryo development and quality after long-term testosterone treatment. Embryo cryopreservation is, therefore, a feasible and effective way for them to preserve their fertility for future biological parenting.
Trial registration number
Not applicable
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Affiliation(s)
- T Israeli
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel Aviv University, Obstetrics and Gynecology , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - L Preisler
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel Aviv University, Obstetrics and Gynecology , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Y Kalma
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel Aviv University, Obstetrics and Gynecology , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - N Samara
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel Aviv University, Obstetrics and Gynecology , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - S Levi
- Sami Shamoon college of engineering , Mathematics, Ashdod, Israel
| | - A Groutz
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel Aviv University, Obstetrics and Gynecology , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - F Azem
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel Aviv University, Obstetrics and Gynecology , Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - H Amir
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel Aviv University, Obstetrics and Gynecology , Tel Aviv, Israel
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8
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Shulman Y, Kalma Y, Malcov M, Kopel R, Azem F, Almog B, Cohen Y. P-124 The impact of Fragile x premutation carrier state on embryo morphokinetic development, A comparison between genetically normal and abnormal embryos. Hum Reprod 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac107.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Study question
Does inheritance of FMR1 pre mutant allele affect embryos morphokinetic development?
Summary answer
Embryos that inherit the FMR1 pre-mutant allele are of a lower morphokinetic quality at the blastocyte stage compared to those with the normal allele.
What is known already
Previous studies suggest lower oocyte yield and blastulation rate in FMR1 premutation carriers undergoing preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic diseases (PGT-M). Yet, data is lacking concerning embryo morphokinetic development in this group.
Study design, size, duration
Retrospective analysis, on 529 embryos from 126 in vitro fertilization (IVF)- PGT-M cycles of 39 FMR-1 premutation women carriers.
Participants/materials, setting, methods
Morphological and morphokinetic parameters acquired by the time-lapse monitoring system were compared between embryos carrying the FMR-1 permutated allele (FMR1 group n = 271) to those who inherited the normal allele (Normal group n = 258). Outcomes measures were embryos morphokinetic parameters up to day 3, the start of blasulation time (tSB) for day 5 embryos, and the rate of top-quality embryos at days 3 and 5.
Main results and the role of chance
No differences were found between the groups in all morphokinetic parameters from the time of ICSI until biopsy on day 3. Blastulation rate was comparable between the groups. However, FMR1 embryos exhibited delayed start of blastulation compared to the genetically normal embryos (median tSB 104.2 hrs (99.3-110.3) vs 101.6 hrs (94.5-106.7), P = 0.01) and had lower top quality embryo rate (25.6% vs 38.8%, P = 0.04).
Limitations, reasons for caution
This study is limited by its retrospective design and inability to assess CGG expansion in the embryo.
Wider implications of the findings
This study offers new insight into the impact of permutated FMR1 gene in the early stages of embryo development. Further studies are needed in order to apply these results in clinical decision-making.
Trial registration number
not applicable
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Shulman
- Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center- Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel-Aviv University, IVF Unit- Lis Maternity Hospital , Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Y Kalma
- Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, IVF Unit- Lis Maternity Hospital , Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - M Malcov
- Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center- Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel-Aviv University, IVF Unit- Lis Maternity Hospital , Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - R Kopel
- Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, IVF Unit- Lis Maternity Hospital , Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - F Azem
- Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center- Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel-Aviv University, IVF Unit- Lis Maternity Hospital , Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - B Almog
- Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center- Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel-Aviv University, IVF Unit- Lis Maternity Hospital , Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Y Cohen
- Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center- Sackler Faculty of Medicine- Tel-Aviv University, IVF Unit- Lis Maternity Hospital , Tel-Aviv, Israel
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Hoffman D, Kalma Y, Samara N, Haikin Herzberger E, Levi S, Azem F, Amir H. Maternal underweight does not adversely affect the outcomes of IVF/ICSI and frozen embryo transfer cycles or early embryo development. Gynecol Endocrinol 2022; 38:467-473. [PMID: 35471122 DOI: 10.1080/09513590.2022.2068522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare assisted reproductive technology (ART) outcomes and preimplantation embryo development between underweight and normal-weight women. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included 26 underweight women (body mass index [BMI] < 18.50 kg/m2) and 104 normal-weight women (BMI >20 and <24.9 kg/m2) who underwent a total of 204 in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) cycles and 358 fresh/frozen embryo transfers (ET) in our institution between January 2016 and December 2018. Statistical analyses compared selected ART outcomes (ovarian stimulation, fertilization, and pregnancy) between both weight groups. Morphokinetic and morphological parameters were also compared between 346 and 1467 embryos of underweight and normal-weight women, respectively. RESULTS The mean ± standard deviation age of the underweight and normal-weight women was similar (31.6 ± 4.17 vs 32.4 ± 3.59 years; p = .323). There were no differences in the peak estradiol levels, the number of retrieved oocytes, the number of metaphase II oocytes, and the oocyte maturity rates between the two groups. The IVF/ICSI fertilization rates and the number of embryos suitable for transfer or cryopreservation were similar for both groups. All morphokinetic parameters that were evaluated by means of time-lapse imaging as well as the morphological characteristics were comparable between low and normal BMI categories. There were no significant differences in pregnancy achievement, clinical pregnancy, live births, and miscarriage rates between the suboptimal and optimal weight women. CONCLUSION Underweight status has no adverse impacts on the outcomes of IVF/ICSI with either fresh or frozen ET or on preimplantation embryo development and quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dana Hoffman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Beilinson Hospital, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Racine IVF Unit, Fertility Institute, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nivin Samara
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Racine IVF Unit, Fertility Institute, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Einat Haikin Herzberger
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- IVF Unit, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel
| | - Sagi Levi
- Mathematics Unit, Sami Shamoon College of Engineering, Ashdod, Israel
| | - Foad Azem
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Racine IVF Unit, Fertility Institute, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hadar Amir
- Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Racine IVF Unit, Fertility Institute, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
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10
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Shulman Y, Kalma Y, Malcov M, Kopel R, Fouks Y, Azem F, Almog B, Cohen Y. The impact of fragile X premutation carrier status on embryo morphokinetic development. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:884-889. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.06.019] [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] [Received: 02/06/2022] [Revised: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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11
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Israeli T, Preisler L, Kalma Y, Samara N, Levi S, Groutz A, Azem F, Amir H. Similar fertilization rates and preimplantation embryo development among testosterone-treated transgender men and cisgender women. Reprod Biomed Online 2022; 45:448-456. [DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2022.04.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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12
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Cohen Y, Nattiv N, Avrham S, Fouks Y, Friedman MR, Hasson J, Kalma Y, Azem F, Malcov M, Almog B. A decision tree model for predicting live birth in FMR1 premutation carriers undergoing preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic/single gene defects. Reprod Biomed Online 2021; 43:680-686. [PMID: 34412974 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2021.06.009] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Can patient selection for successful preimplantation genetic testing for women who are fragile X (FMR1) premutation carriers be optimized using a decision tree analysis? This decision support tool enables a comprehensive study of a set of clinical parameters and the expected outcomes. DESIGN A retrospective case-control study analysing the results of 264 fresh and 21 frozen preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders/single gene defects (PGT-M) cycles in 64 FMR1 premutation carriers. Primary outcome was live birth per cycle start. Live birth rate was calculated for the start of the ovarian stimulation cycle. Fresh and frozen embryo transfers from the same cycle were included. RESULTS The decision tree model showed that the number of cytosine guanine (CGG) repeats was only a moderate predictor for live birth, whereas an age younger than 36 years was the best predictor for live birth, followed by a collection of 14 or more oocytes. These findings were supported by the results of the logistic regression, which found that only age and oocyte number were significantly associated with live birth (P = 0.005 and 0.017, respectively). CONCLUSIONS The number of CGG repeats is a relatively poor predictor for live birth in PGT-M cycles. FMR1 premutation carriers are no different from non-carriers. Age is the best identifier of live birth, followed by the number of retrieved oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoni Cohen
- Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel.
| | - Noga Nattiv
- Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
| | - Sarit Avrham
- Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
| | - Yuval Fouks
- Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
| | - Michal Rosenberg Friedman
- Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
| | - Joseph Hasson
- Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
| | - Foad Azem
- Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
| | - Mira Malcov
- Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
| | - Benny Almog
- Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 64239, Israel
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Bayerl J, Ayyash M, Shani T, Manor YS, Gafni O, Massarwa R, Kalma Y, Aguilera-Castrejon A, Zerbib M, Amir H, Sheban D, Geula S, Mor N, Weinberger L, Naveh Tassa S, Krupalnik V, Oldak B, Livnat N, Tarazi S, Tawil S, Wildschutz E, Ashouokhi S, Lasman L, Rotter V, Hanna S, Ben-Yosef D, Novershtern N, Viukov S, Hanna JH. Principles of signaling pathway modulation for enhancing human naive pluripotency induction. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:1549-1565.e12. [PMID: 33915080 PMCID: PMC8423434 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2021.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Isolating human MEK/ERK signaling-independent pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) with naive pluripotency characteristics while maintaining differentiation competence and (epi)genetic integrity remains challenging. Here, we engineer reporter systems that allow the screening for defined conditions that induce molecular and functional features of human naive pluripotency. Synergistic inhibition of WNT/β-CATENIN, protein kinase C (PKC), and SRC signaling consolidates the induction of teratoma-competent naive human PSCs, with the capacity to differentiate into trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and extraembryonic naive endodermal (nEND) cells in vitro. Divergent signaling and transcriptional requirements for boosting naive pluripotency were found between mouse and human. P53 depletion in naive hPSCs increased their contribution to mouse-human cross-species chimeric embryos upon priming and differentiation. Finally, MEK/ERK inhibition can be substituted with the inhibition of NOTCH/RBPj, which induces alternative naive-like hPSCs with a diminished risk for deleterious global DNA hypomethylation. Our findings set a framework for defining the signaling foundations of human naive pluripotency. Inhibition of SRC, PKC, and WNT consolidates human naive pluripotency induction Competitiveness of p53 depleted human PSCs in cross-species chimeric embryos Opposing net effect for ACTIVIN and WNT on mouse versus human naive pluripotency 2i and ERKi independent alternative human naive-like PSC conditions
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Bayerl
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
| | - Muneef Ayyash
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Tom Shani
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yair Shlomo Manor
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ohad Gafni
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Rada Massarwa
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Wolfe PGD‑Stem Cell Laboratory, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel‑Aviv, Israel
| | | | - Mirie Zerbib
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Hadar Amir
- Wolfe PGD‑Stem Cell Laboratory, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel‑Aviv, Israel
| | - Daoud Sheban
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Shay Geula
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Nofar Mor
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Leehee Weinberger
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Segev Naveh Tassa
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Vladislav Krupalnik
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Bernardo Oldak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Nir Livnat
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Shadi Tarazi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Shadi Tawil
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Emilie Wildschutz
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Shahd Ashouokhi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Lior Lasman
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Varda Rotter
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Suhair Hanna
- Department of Pediatrics, Rambam Hospital, Haifa, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD‑Stem Cell Laboratory, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel‑Aviv, Israel.
| | - Noa Novershtern
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
| | - Sergey Viukov
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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14
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Shulman Y, Almog B, Kalma Y, Fouks Y, Azem F, Cohen Y. Effects of letrozole or tamoxifen coadministered with a standard stimulation protocol on fertility preservation among breast cancer patients. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:743-750. [PMID: 33409757 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-02030-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [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: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the effects of letrozole or tamoxifen coadministration on fertility preservation treatment outcomes. METHODS Retrospective cohort study of 118 breast cancer patients undergoing fertility preservation treatment between 2008 and 2018. Patients who received letrozole (n = 36) or tamoxifen (n = 30) were compared to controls (n = 52) who underwent standard ovarian stimulation protocols. The primary outcome measures included the number of retrieved oocytes, mature oocytes (MII), fertilization, and top-quality embryo rates. The secondary outcome measures included duration of stimulation, gonadotropin dose and peak estradiol level. RESULTS The number of oocytes retrieved, MII oocytes, fertilization rate, duration of stimulation, or gonadotropin dose were similar in the letrozole and tamoxifen groups, compared to controls. Top-quality embryo rate was lower in the tamoxifen group compared to controls (25% vs 39.4%, respectively, P = 0.034). The abnormal fertilization rate was higher in the letrozole group compared to controls (7.8% vs 3.60%, respectively, P = 0.015). A stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that letrozole and peak estradiol were significantly associated with abnormal fertilization (OR 11.94; 95% CI 2.35-60.4, P = 0.003 for letrozole and OR 1.075; 95% CI 1.024-1.12, P = 0.004 per 100 unit change in estradiol). CONCLUSIONS There may be a negative effect of letrozole or tamoxifen on fertilization and embryo quality, in fertility preservation cycles. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Shulman
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, 6 Weizmann Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel.
| | - Benny Almog
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, 6 Weizmann Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, 6 Weizmann Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yuval Fouks
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, 6 Weizmann Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Foad Azem
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, 6 Weizmann Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoni Cohen
- IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, 6 Weizmann Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
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15
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Leahy BD, Jang WD, Yang HY, Struyven R, Wei D, Sun Z, Lee KR, Royston C, Cam L, Kalma Y, Azem F, Ben-Yosef D, Pfister H, Needleman D. Automated Measurements of Key Morphological Features of Human Embryos for IVF. Med Image Comput Comput Assist Interv 2020; 12265:25-35. [PMID: 33313603 PMCID: PMC7732604 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-59722-1_3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
A major challenge in clinical In-Vitro Fertilization (IVF) is selecting the highest quality embryo to transfer to the patient in the hopes of achieving a pregnancy. Time-lapse microscopy provides clinicians with a wealth of information for selecting embryos. However, the resulting movies of embryos are currently analyzed manually, which is time consuming and subjective. Here, we automate feature extraction of time-lapse microscopy of human embryos with a machine-learning pipeline of five convolutional neural networks (CNNs). Our pipeline consists of (1) semantic segmentation of the regions of the embryo, (2) regression predictions of fragment severity, (3) classification of the developmental stage, and object instance segmentation of (4) cells and (5) pronuclei. Our approach greatly speeds up the measurement of quantitative, biologically relevant features that may aid in embryo selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- B D Leahy
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - W-D Jang
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - H Y Yang
- Harvard Graduate Program in Biophysics, Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - R Struyven
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - D Wei
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - Z Sun
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - K R Lee
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - C Royston
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - L Cam
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - Y Kalma
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - F Azem
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - D Ben-Yosef
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - H Pfister
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
| | - D Needleman
- School of Engineering and Applied Sciences,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology,Harvard University, Cambridge MA 02138, USA
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Fouks Y, Hamilton E, Cohen Y, Hasson J, Kalma Y, Azem F. In-vitro maturation of oocytes recovered during cryopreservation of pre-pubertal girls undergoing fertility preservation. Reprod Biomed Online 2020; 41:869-873. [PMID: 32843309 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2020.07.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2020] [Revised: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION In-vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes recovered during ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is often practised, although it is still considered experimental. To date, only a few studies have examined the success of this maturation process in pre-menarche girls. The aim of this study was to examine the outcomes of IVM of oocytes recovered during OTC in pre-menarche patients scheduled for onco-therapy. DESIGN A retrospective cohort study in a tertiary university-affiliated hospital. A total of 93 patients aged 0-25 years who underwent OTC as part of onco-fertility preservation between 2007 and 2019 were included in the study. Oocytes were recovered from the medium after OTC and matured over 48 h. Oocyte development and maturation rate were recorded and compared between different age groups. RESULTS Patient's age was not correlated linearly with the total number of mature oocytes R = 0.2. The absolute maturation rate in post-menarche and pre-menarche patients differed significantly (38.0% versus 25.3%, respectively; P > 0.001), whereas the degeneration rate of the oocytes did not (39.8% versus 33.5%; P = 0.167). The pre-menarche group had significantly lower mean number of metaphase II oocytes compared with the post-menarche group (2.8 [±2.3] versus 5.6 [±4.6]; P = 0.01; 95% CI -4.62 to -0.46). Oocytes recovered from patients aged 1-5 years demonstrated low maturation rate. CONCLUSIONS Oocytes recovered from pre-menarche girls, and especially those younger than the age of 5 years who undergo fertility preservation, have a lower chance of reaching maturity in IVM compared with older women. This may indicate a need for alternative methods for preserving fertility in these young patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuval Fouks
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Division, Tel-Aviv Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel.
| | - Emily Hamilton
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Division, Tel-Aviv Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel
| | - Yoni Cohen
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Division, Tel-Aviv Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel
| | - Joseph Hasson
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Division, Tel-Aviv Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Division, Tel-Aviv Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel
| | - Foad Azem
- Lis Maternity Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fertility Division, Tel-Aviv Medical Center affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, 6 Weizmann Street, Tel-Aviv 6423906, Israel
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17
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Kalma Y, Bar-El L, Asaf-Tisser S, Malcov M, Reches A, Hasson J, Amir H, Azem F, Ben-Yosef D. Optimal timing for blastomere biopsy of 8-cell embryos for preimplantation genetic diagnosis. Hum Reprod 2019; 33:32-38. [PMID: 29165686 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dex343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [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: 06/17/2017] [Accepted: 11/16/2017] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION What is the optimal timing for blastomere biopsy during the 8-cell stage, at which embryos will have the best implantation potential? SUMMARY ANSWER Fast-cleaving embryos that are biopsied during the last quarter (Q4) of the 8-cell stage and are less affected by the biopsy procedure, and their implantation potential is better than that of embryos biopsied earlier during the 8-cell stage (Q1-Q3). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Blastomer biopsy from cleavage-stage embryos is usually performed on the morning of Day 3 when the embryos are at the 6- to 8-cell stage and is still the preferred biopsy method for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for monogentic disorders or chromosomal translocations. Human embryos usually remain at the 8-cell stage for a relatively long 'arrest phase' in which cells grow, duplicate their DNA and synthesize various proteins in preparation for the subsequent division. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION This is a retrospective cohort study. The study group (195 embryos) included all 8-cell stage embryos that underwent blastomere biopsy for PGD for monogenetic disorders and chromosomal translocations in our unit between 2012-2014 and cultured in the EmbryoScope until transfer. The control group (115 embryos) included all embryos that underwent intracytoplasmic sperm injection without a biopsy during the same period. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The 8-cell stage was divided into four quarters: the first 5 h post-t8 (Q1), 5-10 h post-t8 (Q2), 10-15 h post-t8 (Q3) and at 15-20 h post-t8 (Q4). Non-biopsied control embryos were divided into four equivalent quarters. Embryos were evaluated for timing of developmental events following biopsy including timing of first cleavge after biopsy, timing of comapction (tM) and start of blastulation (tSB). Timing of these events were compared between PGD and control embryos, as well as with 56 PGD implanted embryos with Known Implantation Data (PGD-KID-positive embryos). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Embryos that were biopsied during Q3 (10-15 h from entry into 8-cell stage) were delayed in all three subsequent developmental events, including first cleavage after biopsy, compaction and start of blastulation. In contrast, these events occurred exactly at the same time as in the control group, in embryos that were biopsied during Q1, Q2 or Q4 of the 8-cell stage. The results show also that embryos that were biopsied during Q1, Q2 or Q3 of the 8-cell stage demonstrated a significant delay from the biopsied implanted embryos already in t8 as well as in tM and tSB. However, embryos that were biopsied during Q4 demonstrated dynamics similar to those of the biopsied implanted embryos in t8 and tM, and a delay was noticed only in the last stage of tSB. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION This is a retrospective study that is limited to the timing of biopsy that is routinely performed in the IVF lab. A prospective study in which biopsy will be performed at a desired timing is needed in order to differ between the effect of biopsy itself and the cleavage rate of the embryo. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Our findings showed that blastomere biopsy can be less harmful to further development if it is carried out during a critical period of embryonic growth, i.e during Q4 of the 8-cell stage. They also demonstrated the added value of time-lapse microscopy for determining the optimal timing for blastomere biopsy. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was funded by the routine budget of our IVF unit. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Kalma
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizmann 6, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - L Bar-El
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizmann 6, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - S Asaf-Tisser
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizmann 6, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - M Malcov
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizmann 6, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - A Reches
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizmann 6, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - J Hasson
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizmann 6, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - H Amir
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizmann 6, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - F Azem
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizmann 6, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - D Ben-Yosef
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Weizmann 6, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Cell Biology and Development, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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18
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Weingarten-Gabbay S, Nir R, Lubliner S, Sharon E, Kalma Y, Weinberger A, Segal E. Systematic interrogation of human promoters. Genome Res 2019; 29:171-183. [PMID: 30622120 PMCID: PMC6360817 DOI: 10.1101/gr.236075.118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Despite much research, our understanding of the architecture and cis-regulatory elements of human promoters is still lacking. Here, we devised a high-throughput assay to quantify the activity of approximately 15,000 fully designed sequences that we integrated and expressed from a fixed location within the human genome. We used this method to investigate thousands of native promoters and preinitiation complex (PIC) binding regions followed by in-depth characterization of the sequence motifs underlying promoter activity, including core promoter elements and TF binding sites. We find that core promoters drive transcription mostly unidirectionally and that sequences originating from promoters exhibit stronger activity than those originating from enhancers. By testing multiple synthetic configurations of core promoter elements, we dissect the motifs that positively and negatively regulate transcription as well as the effect of their combinations and distances, including a 10-bp periodicity in the optimal distance between the TATA and the initiator. By comprehensively screening 133 TF binding sites, we find that in contrast to core promoters, TF binding sites maintain similar activity levels in both orientations, supporting a model by which divergent transcription is driven by two distinct unidirectional core promoters sharing bidirectional TF binding sites. Finally, we find a striking agreement between the effect of binding site multiplicity of individual TFs in our assay and their tendency to appear in homotypic clusters throughout the genome. Overall, our study systematically assays the elements that drive expression in core and proximal promoter regions and sheds light on organization principles of regulatory regions in the human genome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shira Weingarten-Gabbay
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Ronit Nir
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Shai Lubliner
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Eilon Sharon
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Adina Weinberger
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Eran Segal
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel.,Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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19
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Warshaviak M, Kalma Y, Carmon A, Samara N, Dviri M, Azem F, Ben-Yosef D. The Effect of Advanced Maternal Age on Embryo Morphokinetics. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2019; 10:686. [PMID: 31708867 PMCID: PMC6823873 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2019.00686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2019] [Accepted: 09/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To compare the morphokinetic parameters of pre-implantation development between embryos of women of advanced maternal age (AMA) and young women. Methods: Time-lapse microscopy was used to compare morphokinetic variables between 495 embryos of AMA women ≥ age 42 years and 653 embryos of young patients (<age 38 years) who underwent IVF in our unit. Developmental events annotated and analyzed include observed cell divisions in correlation to the timing of fertilization, synchrony of the second (s2) and third cell cycles (s3) and the duration to the second (cc2) and third cleavages (cc3). Results: No significant differences were observed in cleavage times between the embryos of AMA and the control embryos. Interestingly, the older embryos appear to be more prone to developmental arrest (a higher percentage of embryos of older women arrested at 4-7 cells resulting in less embryos reaching the 8-cell stage (66% vs. 72%, respectively), though this difference did not reach a significance at least during the first 3 days of development (p > 0.05). Conclusions: While early morphokinetic parameters do not reflect dynamics unique to embryos of older women, a tendency toward developmental arrest was observed, which would likely be even more pronounced at later stages of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Warshaviak
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Fertility Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Fertility Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ariela Carmon
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Fertility Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nivin Samara
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Fertility Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Dviri
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Fertility Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Foad Azem
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Fertility Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Fertility Institute, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Department of Cell Biology and Development, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
- *Correspondence: Dalit Ben-Yosef
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20
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Amir H, Barbash-Hazan S, Kalma Y, Frumkin T, Malcov M, Samara N, Hasson J, Reches A, Azem F, Ben-Yosef D. Time-lapse imaging reveals delayed development of embryos carrying unbalanced chromosomal translocations. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 36:315-324. [PMID: 30421343 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1361-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 06/21/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to compare the morphokinetic parameters of embryos carrying balanced chromosomal translocations with those carrying unbalanced chromosomal translocations using time-lapse microscopy. METHODS The study group included 270 embryos that underwent biopsies on day 3 for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for chromosomal translocations in our unit between 2013 and 2015. All embryos were incubated under time-lapse microscopy and evaluated for timing of developmental events up to day 5. The timing of these events was compared between balanced and unbalanced embryos, potentially viable and nonviable variants, and maternal versus paternal inheritance of the translocation. RESULTS The PGD analysis found that 209 (77%) of the 270 biopsied embryos carried an unbalanced translocation. Embryos carrying unbalanced translocations, which are expected to lead to implantation failure or miscarriage, cleaved less synchronously and were delayed in time of cleavage to the 4-cell stage (t4) and in time of start of blastulation (tSB) compared with balanced embryos (P < 0.05). Furthermore, embryos carrying nonviable translocations demonstrated a significant delay at the time of pronuclei fading (tPNf) compared with those carrying potentially viable translocations (P < 0.05). Embryos whose unbalanced translocations were of maternal origin were significantly delayed in most of the morphokinetic parameters (including tPNf, t2, t3, t4, t6, t7, t8, cc2, s2, and tSB) compared with embryos carrying balanced translocations (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Embryos carrying unbalanced chromosomal translocations mainly of maternal origin undergo delayed development and asynchronous cleavage that may lead to implantation failure or miscarriage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadar Amir
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shiri Barbash-Hazan
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tsvia Frumkin
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mira Malcov
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Nivin Samara
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Joseph Hasson
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adi Reches
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Foad Azem
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- IVF Lab & Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, 6 Weizman Street, 6423906, Tel Aviv, Israel. .,Department of Cell Biology and Development, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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21
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Amir H, Hazan SB, Kalma Y, Cohen T, Frumkin T, Malcov M, Reches A, Hasson J, Azem F, Ben-Yosef D. Time-lapse imaging reveals delayed development of embryos carrying unbalanced chromosomal translocations. Fertil Steril 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2017.07.453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Levo M, Avnit-Sagi T, Lotan-Pompan M, Kalma Y, Weinberger A, Yakhini Z, Segal E. Systematic Investigation of Transcription Factor Activity in the Context of Chromatin Using Massively Parallel Binding and Expression Assays. Mol Cell 2017; 65:604-617.e6. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molcel.2017.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2016] [Revised: 11/28/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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Yedid N, Kalma Y, Malcov M, Amit A, Kariv R, Caspi M, Rosin-Arbesfeld R, Ben-Yosef D. The effect of a germline mutation in the APC gene on β-catenin in human embryonic stem cells. BMC Cancer 2016; 16:952. [PMID: 28010732 PMCID: PMC5180406 DOI: 10.1186/s12885-016-2809-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 09/24/2015] [Accepted: 09/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Most cases of colorectal cancer (CRC) are initiated by inactivation mutations in the APC gene, which is a negative regulator of the Wnt-β-catenin pathway. Patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) inherit a germline mutation in one APC allele, and loss of the second allele leads to the development of polyps that will turn malignant if not removed. It is not fully understood which molecular mechanisms are activated by APC loss and when the loss of the second APC allele occurs. Methods Two FAP human embryonic stem cell (hESCs) lines were derived from APC mutated embryos following pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for FAP. These FAP-hESCs were cultured in vitro and following extended culture: 1) β-catenin expression was analyzed by Western blot analysis; 2) Wnt-β-catenin/TCF-mediated transcription luciferase assay was performed; 3) cellular localization of β-catenin was evaluated by immunoflorecence confocal microscopy; and 4) DNA sequencing of the APC gene was performed. Results We have established a novel human in-vitro model for studying malignant transformation, using hESCs that carry a germline mutation in the APC gene following PGD for FAP. Extended culturing of FAP1 hESCs led to activation of the Wnt signaling pathway, as demonstrated by enhanced β-catenin/TCF-mediated activity. Additionally, β-catenin showed a distinct perinuclear distribution in most (91 %) of the FAP1 hESCs high passage colonies. DNA sequencing of the whole gene detected several polymorphisms in FAP1 hESCs, however, no somatic mutations were discovered in the APC gene. On the other hand, no changes in β-catenin were detected in the FAP2 hESCs, demonstrating the natural diversity of the human FAP population. Conclusions Our results describe the establishment of novel hESC lines from FAP patients with a predisposition for cancer mutation. These cells can be maintained in culture for long periods of time and may serve as a platform for studying the initial molecular and cellular changes that occur during early stages of malignant transformation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12885-016-2809-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nofar Yedid
- Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mira Malcov
- Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ami Amit
- Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Revital Kariv
- Departmant of Gastroenterology, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Michal Caspi
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Rina Rosin-Arbesfeld
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Immunology, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel. .,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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24
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Bar-El L, Kalma Y, Malcov M, Schwartz T, Raviv S, Cohen T, Amir H, Cohen Y, Reches A, Amit A, Ben-Yosef D. Blastomere biopsy for PGD delays embryo compaction and blastulation: a time-lapse microscopic analysis. J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:1449-1457. [PMID: 27696105 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0813-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to explore the effect of blastomere biopsy for preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) on the embryos' dynamics, further cleavage, development, and implantation. METHODS The study group included 366 embryos from all PGD treatments (September 2012 to June 2014) cultured in the EmbryoScope™ time-lapse monitoring system. The control group included all intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) embryos cultured in EmbryoScope™ until day 5 during the same time period (385 embryos). Time points of key embryonic events were analyzed with an EmbryoViewer™. RESULTS Most (88 %) of the embryos were biopsied at ≥8 cells. These results summarize the further dynamic development of the largest cohort of biopsied embryos and demonstrate that blastomere biopsy of cleavage-stage embryos significantly delayed compaction and blastulation compared to the control non-biopsied embryos. This delay in preimplanation developmental events also affected postimplantation development as observed when the dynamics of non-implanted embryos (known implantation data (KID) negative) were compared to those of implanted embryos (KID positive). CONCLUSION Analysis of morphokinetic parameters enabled us to explore how blastomere biopsy interferes with the dynamic sequence of developmental events. Our results show that biopsy delays the compaction and the blastulation of the embryos, leading to a decrease in implantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liron Bar-El
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Mira Malcov
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tamar Schwartz
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shaul Raviv
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Tania Cohen
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Hadar Amir
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Yoni Cohen
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Adi Reches
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Ami Amit
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- IVF Lab and Wolfe PGD-Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, 6 Weizman Street, Tel Aviv, Israel. .,Department of Cell Biology and Development, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
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Shpiz A, Ben-Yosef D, Kalma Y. Impaired function of trophoblast cells derived from translocated hESCs may explain pregnancy loss in women with balanced translocation (11;22). J Assist Reprod Genet 2016; 33:1493-1499. [PMID: 27503403 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-016-0781-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/20/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of the study was to study whether the trophoblasts carrying unbalanced translocation 11,22 [t(11;12)] display abnormal expression of trophoblastic genes and impaired functional properties that may explain implantation failure. METHODS t(11;22) hESCs and control hESCs were differentiated in vitro into trophoblast cells in the presence of BMP4, and trophoblast vesicles (TBVs) were created in suspension. The expression pattern of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) genes was compared between translocated and control TBVs. The functional properties of the TBVs were evaluated by their attachment to endometrium cells (ECC1) and invasion through trans-well inserts. RESULTS TBVs derived from control hESCs expressed EVT genes from functioning trophoblast cells. In contrast, TBVs differentiated from the translocated hESC line displayed impaired expression of EVT genes. Moreover, the number of TBVs that were attached to endometrium cells was significantly lower compared to the controls. Correspondingly, invasiveness of trophoblast-differentiated translocated cells was also significantly lower than that of the control cells. CONCLUSIONS These results may explain the reason for implantation failure in couple carriers of t(11;22). They also demonstrate that translocated hESCs comprise a valuable in vitro human model for studying the mechanisms underlying implantation failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Shpiz
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. .,Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel.
| | - Yael Kalma
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
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Levo M, Zalckvar E, Sharon E, Dantas Machado AC, Kalma Y, Lotan-Pompan M, Weinberger A, Yakhini Z, Rohs R, Segal E. Corrigendum: Unraveling determinants of transcription factor binding outside the core binding site. Genome Res 2015; 25:1410.2. [PMID: 26330574 PMCID: PMC4561500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
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Shpiz A, Kalma Y, Frumkin T, Telias M, Carmon A, Amit A, Ben-Yosef D. Human embryonic stem cells carrying an unbalanced translocation demonstrate impaired differentiation into trophoblasts: an in vitro model of human implantation failure. Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 21:271-80. [PMID: 25391299 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gau104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Carriers of the balanced translocation t(11;22), the most common reciprocal translocation in humans, are at high risk of creating gametes with unbalanced translocation, leading to repeated miscarriages. Current research models for studying translocated embryos and the biological basis for their implantation failure are limited. The aim of this study was to elucidate whether human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) carrying the unbalanced chromosomal translocation t(11;22) can provide an explanation for repeated miscarriages of unbalanced translocated embryos. Fluorescent in situ hybridization and karyotype analysis were performed to analyze the t(11;22) in embryos during PGD and in the derived hESC line. The hESC line was characterized by RT-PCR and FACS analysis for pluripotent markers. Directed differentiation to trophoblasts was carried out by bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). Trophoblast development was analyzed by measuring β-hCG secretion, by β-hCG immunostaining and by gene expression of trophoblastic markers. We derived the first hESC line carrying unbalanced t(11;22), which showed the typical morphological and molecular characteristics of a hESC line. Control hESCs differentiated into trophoblasts secreted increasing levels of β-hCG and concomitantly expressed the trophoblast genes, CDX2, TP63, KRT7, ERVW1, CGA, GCM1, KLF4 and PPARG. In contrast, differentiated translocated hESCs displayed reduced and delayed secretion of β-hCG concomitant with impaired expression of the trophoblastic genes. The reduced activation of trophoblastic genes may be responsible for the impaired trophoblastic differentiation in t(11;22)-hESCs, associated with implantation failure in unbalanced t(11;22) embryos. Our t(11;22) hESCs are presented as a valuable human model for studying the mechanisms underlying implantation failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Shpiz
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Y Kalma
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - T Frumkin
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - M Telias
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - A Carmon
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - A Amit
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - D Ben-Yosef
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
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Sharon E, van Dijk D, Kalma Y, Keren L, Manor O, Yakhini Z, Segal E. Probing the effect of promoters on noise in gene expression using thousands of designed sequences. Genome Res 2014; 24:1698-706. [PMID: 25030889 PMCID: PMC4199362 DOI: 10.1101/gr.168773.113] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Genetically identical cells exhibit large variability (noise) in gene expression, with important consequences for cellular function. Although the amount of noise decreases with and is thus partly determined by the mean expression level, the extent to which different promoter sequences can deviate away from this trend is not fully known. Here, we present a high-throughput method for measuring promoter-driven noise for thousands of designed synthetic promoters in parallel. We use it to investigate how promoters encode different noise levels and find that the noise levels of promoters with similar mean expression levels can vary more than one order of magnitude, with nucleosome-disfavoring sequences resulting in lower noise and more transcription factor binding sites resulting in higher noise. We propose a kinetic model of gene expression that takes into account the nonspecific DNA binding and one-dimensional sliding along the DNA, which occurs when transcription factors search for their target sites. We show that this assumption can improve the prediction of the mean-independent component of expression noise for our designed promoter sequences, suggesting that a transcription factor target search may affect gene expression noise. Consistent with our findings in designed promoters, we find that binding-site multiplicity in native promoters is associated with higher expression noise. Overall, our results demonstrate that small changes in promoter DNA sequence can tune noise levels in a manner that is predictable and partly decoupled from effects on the mean expression levels. These insights may assist in designing promoters with desired noise levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eilon Sharon
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - David van Dijk
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Leeat Keren
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Ohad Manor
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Zohar Yakhini
- Agilent Laboratories, Santa Clara, California 95051, USA; Computer Science Department, Technion, Haifa 32000, Israel
| | - Eran Segal
- Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel; Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel;
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Gafni O, Weinberger L, Mansour AA, Manor YS, Chomsky E, Ben-Yosef D, Kalma Y, Viukov S, Maza I, Zviran A, Rais Y, Shipony Z, Mukamel Z, Krupalnik V, Zerbib M, Geula S, Caspi I, Schneir D, Shwartz T, Gilad S, Amann-Zalcenstein D, Benjamin S, Amit I, Tanay A, Massarwa R, Novershtern N, Hanna JH. Derivation of novel human ground state naive pluripotent stem cells. Nature 2013; 504:282-6. [PMID: 24172903 DOI: 10.1038/nature12745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 781] [Impact Index Per Article: 71.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2013] [Accepted: 10/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells are isolated from the inner cell mass of blastocysts, and can be preserved in vitro in a naive inner-cell-mass-like configuration by providing exogenous stimulation with leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) and small molecule inhibition of ERK1/ERK2 and GSK3β signalling (termed 2i/LIF conditions). Hallmarks of naive pluripotency include driving Oct4 (also known as Pou5f1) transcription by its distal enhancer, retaining a pre-inactivation X chromosome state, and global reduction in DNA methylation and in H3K27me3 repressive chromatin mark deposition on developmental regulatory gene promoters. Upon withdrawal of 2i/LIF, naive mouse ES cells can drift towards a primed pluripotent state resembling that of the post-implantation epiblast. Although human ES cells share several molecular features with naive mouse ES cells, they also share a variety of epigenetic properties with primed murine epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs). These include predominant use of the proximal enhancer element to maintain OCT4 expression, pronounced tendency for X chromosome inactivation in most female human ES cells, increase in DNA methylation and prominent deposition of H3K27me3 and bivalent domain acquisition on lineage regulatory genes. The feasibility of establishing human ground state naive pluripotency in vitro with equivalent molecular and functional features to those characterized in mouse ES cells remains to be defined. Here we establish defined conditions that facilitate the derivation of genetically unmodified human naive pluripotent stem cells from already established primed human ES cells, from somatic cells through induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell reprogramming or directly from blastocysts. The novel naive pluripotent cells validated herein retain molecular characteristics and functional properties that are highly similar to mouse naive ES cells, and distinct from conventional primed human pluripotent cells. This includes competence in the generation of cross-species chimaeric mouse embryos that underwent organogenesis following microinjection of human naive iPS cells into mouse morulas. Collectively, our findings establish new avenues for regenerative medicine, patient-specific iPS cell disease modelling and the study of early human development in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ohad Gafni
- 1] The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel [2]
| | - Leehee Weinberger
- 1] The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel [2]
| | - Abed AlFatah Mansour
- 1] The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel [2]
| | - Yair S Manor
- 1] The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel [2]
| | - Elad Chomsky
- 1] The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel [2] The Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel [3] The Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel [4]
| | - Dalit Ben-Yosef
- 1] Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel [2] The Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Sackler Medical School, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
| | - Yael Kalma
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Sergey Viukov
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Itay Maza
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Asaf Zviran
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Yoach Rais
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Zohar Shipony
- 1] The Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel [2] The Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Zohar Mukamel
- 1] The Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel [2] The Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Vladislav Krupalnik
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Mirie Zerbib
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Shay Geula
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Inbal Caspi
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Dan Schneir
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Tamar Shwartz
- Wolfe PGD Stem Cell Lab, Racine IVF Unit, Lis Maternity Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Shlomit Gilad
- The Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine (INCPM), Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Daniela Amann-Zalcenstein
- The Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine (INCPM), Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Sima Benjamin
- The Israel National Center for Personalized Medicine (INCPM), Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Ido Amit
- The Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Amos Tanay
- 1] The Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel [2] The Department of Computer Science and Applied Mathematics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Rada Massarwa
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Noa Novershtern
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- The Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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Schiffenbauer YS, Kalma Y, Trubniykov E, Gal-Garber O, Weisz L, Halamish A, Sister M, Berke G. A cell chip for sequential imaging of individual non-adherent live cells reveals transients and oscillations. Lab Chip 2009; 9:2965-72. [PMID: 19789751 DOI: 10.1039/b904778f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Advances in molecular cell biology, medical research, and drug development are driving a growing need for technologies that enable imaging the dynamics of molecular and physiological processes simultaneously in numerous non-adherent living cells. Here we describe a platform technology and software--the CKChip system--that enables continuous, fluorescence-based imaging of thousands of individual living cells, each held at a given position ("address") on the chip. The system allows for sequential monitoring, manipulation and kinetic analyses of the effects of drugs, biological response modifiers and gene expression in both adherent and non-adherent cells held on the chip. Here we present four specific applications that demonstrate the utility of the system including monitoring kinetics of reactive oxygen species generation, assessing the intracellular enzymatic activity, measuring calcium flux and the dynamics of target cell killing induced by conjugated cytotoxic T-lymphocytes. We found large variations among individual cells in the overall amplitude of their response to stimuli, as well as in kinetic parameters such as time of onset, initial rate and decay of the response, and frequency and amplitude of oscillations. These variations probably reflect the heterogeneity of even cloned cell populations that would have gone undetected in bulk cell measurements. We demonstrate the utility of the system in providing kinetic parameters of complex cellular processes such as Ca++ influx, transients and oscillations in numerous individual cells. The CKChip opens up new opportunities in cell-based research, in particular for acquiring fluorescence-based, kinetic data from multiple, individual non-adherent cells.
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Kalma Y, Granot I, Gnainsky Y, Or Y, Czernobilsky B, Dekel N, Barash A. Endometrial biopsy-induced gene modulation: first evidence for the expression of bladder-transmembranal uroplakin Ib in human endometrium. Fertil Steril 2008; 91:1042-9, 1049.e1-9. [PMID: 18355812 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2008.01.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2007] [Revised: 01/11/2008] [Accepted: 01/11/2008] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore the possibility that endometrial injury modulates the expression of specific genes that may increase uterine receptivity. DESIGN Controlled clinical study. SETTING Clinical IVF unit and academic research center. PATIENT(S) IVF patients with 28- to 30-day menstrual cycles. INTERVENTION(S) Endometrial biopsies from two groups of patients were collected on days 20-21 of their spontaneous menstrual cycle. The experimental, but not the control, group underwent biopsies on days 11-13 and 21-24 of their preceding cycle. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S) Global endometrial gene expression and specific analysis of uroplakin Ib (UPIb) mRNA level throughout the menstrual cycle. RESULT(S) Local injury modulated the expression of a wide variety of genes. One of the prominently up-regulated genes was the bladder transmembranal protein, UPIb, whose expression by the endometrium is shown here for the first time. Endometrial UPIb mRNA increases after biopsy in the same cycle wct 2with an additional elevation in the following cycle. Immunohistochemical analysis localized the UPIb protein to the glandular-epithelial cells. Genes encoding other membrane proteins such as adipose differentiation-related protein and mucin 1, transmembrane, were also up-regulated. CONCLUSION(S) The biopsy-induced increase in the expression of UPIb and other genes encoding membrane proteins supports the possible importance of the membrane structure and stability during implantation. The specific role of UPIb in uterine receptivity should be elucidated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Kalma
- Department of Biological Regulation, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Abstract
The coordinated function of the different compartments of the follicle, the oocyte and the somatic cumulus/granulosa cells, is enabled by the presence of a network of cell-to-cell communication generated by gap junctions. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is the most abundant gap junction protein expressed by the ovarian follicle. The expression of Cx43 is subjected to the control of gonadotropins as follows: FSH up-regulates, whereas LH down-regulates its levels. The aim of this study was to explore the mechanism by which LH reduces the levels of Cx43 and to identify the signal transduction pathway involved in this process. The effect of LH was studied in vitro using isolated intact ovarian follicles. The possible mediators of LH-induced Cx43 down-regulation were examined by incubating the follicles with LH in the presence or absence of inhibitors of protein kinase A (PKA) and of MAPK signaling pathways. Our experiments revealed a 3-h half-life of Cx43 in both control and LH-treated follicles, suggesting that LH did not affect the rate of Cx43 degradation. We further demonstrated that the level of Cx43 mRNA was not significantly influenced by this gonadotropin. However, upon LH administration, [(35)S]methionine incorporation into Cx43 protein was remarkably reduced. The LH-induced arrest of Cx43 synthesis was counteracted by inhibitors of both the PKA and the MAPK cascades. We show herein that LH inhibits Cx43 expression by reducing its rate of translation and that this effect is mediated by both PKA and MAPK.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yael Kalma
- Department of Biological Regulation, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
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Polager S, Kalma Y, Berkovich E, Ginsberg D. E2Fs up-regulate expression of genes involved in DNA replication, DNA repair and mitosis. Oncogene 2002; 21:437-46. [PMID: 11821956 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1205102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 205] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2001] [Revised: 10/29/2001] [Accepted: 10/29/2001] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The E2F family of transcription factors plays a pivotal role in the regulation of cell proliferation in higher eukaryotes. We used DNA microarrays and cell lines containing either inducible E2F-1 or inducible E2F-3 to identify novel E2F target genes. Our data indicate that E2F up-regulates the expression of genes not previously described as E2F target genes. A number of these E2F-regulated genes are involved in DNA replication, DNA repair and mitosis. These results suggest that E2F affects cell cycle progression both at S phase and during mitosis. Furthermore, our findings indicate that E2F-dependent gene activation may contribute to the cellular response to DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shirley Polager
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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Nili E, Cojocaru GS, Kalma Y, Ginsberg D, Copeland NG, Gilbert DJ, Jenkins NA, Berger R, Shaklai S, Amariglio N, Brok-Simoni F, Simon AJ, Rechavi G. Nuclear membrane protein LAP2β mediates transcriptional repression alone and together with its binding partner GCL (germ-cell-less). J Cell Sci 2001; 114:3297-307. [PMID: 11591818 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.114.18.3297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 143] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [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: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
LAP2β is an integral membrane protein of the nuclear envelope involved in chromatin and nuclear architecture. Using the yeast two-hybrid system, we have cloned a novel LAP2β-binding protein, mGCL, which contains a BTB/POZ domain and is the mouse homologue of the Drosophila germ-cell-less (GCL) protein. In Drosophila embryos, GCL was shown to be essential for germ cell formation and was localized to the nuclear envelope. Here, we show that, in mammalian cells, GCL is co-localized with LAP2β to the nuclear envelope. Nuclear fractionation studies reveal that mGCL acts as a nuclear matrix component and not as an integral protein of the nuclear envelope. Recently, mGCL was found to interact with the DP3α component of the E2F transcription factor. This interaction reduced the transcriptional activity of the E2F-DP heterodimer, probably by anchoring the complex to the nuclear envelope. We demonstrate here that LAP2β is also capable of reducing the transcriptional activity of the E2F-DP complex and that it is more potent than mGCL in doing so. Co-expression of both LAP2β and mGCL with the E2F-DP complex resulted in a reduced transcriptional activity equal to that exerted by the pRb protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Nili
- Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Department, Division of Hematology, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel-Hashomer and the Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel
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Kalma Y, Marash L, Lamed Y, Ginsberg D. Expression analysis using DNA microarrays demonstrates that E2F-1 up-regulates expression of DNA replication genes including replication protein A2. Oncogene 2001; 20:1379-87. [PMID: 11313881 DOI: 10.1038/sj.onc.1204230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [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: 10/11/2000] [Revised: 12/19/2000] [Accepted: 01/03/2001] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The transcription factor E2F-1 plays a pivotal role in the regulation of G1/S transition in higher eukaryotes cell cycle. We used a cell line containing an inducible E2F-1 and oligonucleotide microarray analysis to identify novel E2F target genes. We show that E2F-1 up-regulates the expression of a number of genes coding for components of the DNA replication machinery. Among them is the gene coding for the 32 Kd subunit of replication protein A (RPA2). Replication protein A is the most abundant single strand DNA binding complex and it is essential for DNA replication. We demonstrate that RPA2 is a novel E2F target gene whose expression can be directly regulated by E2F-1 via E2F binding sites in its promoter. In addition, expression of Topoisomerase IIalpha and subunit IV of DNA polymerase alpha is also up-regulated upon E2F-1 induction. Taken together, these results provide novel links between components of the DNA replication machinery and the cell growth regulatory pathway involving the Rb tumor suppressor and E2F.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Kalma
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 76100, Israel
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