Soluble Delta-like ligand 1 alters human endometrial epithelial cell adhesive capacity

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 694 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Van Sinderen ◽  
Jennifer Oyanedel ◽  
Ellen Menkhorst ◽  
Carly Cuman ◽  
Katarzyna Rainczuk ◽  
...  

The endometrium undergoes substantial morphological and functional changes to become receptive to embryo implantation and to enable establishment of a successful pregnancy. Reduced Delta-like ligand 1 (DLL1, Notch ligand) in the endometrium is associated with infertility. DLL1 can be cleaved by ‘a disintegrin and metalloprotease’ (ADAM) proteases to produce a soluble ligand that may act to inhibit Notch signalling. We used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to quantify soluble DLL1 in uterine lavages from fertile and infertile women in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. We also determined the cellular location and immunostaining intensity of ADAM12 and 17 in human endometrium throughout the cycle. Functional effects of soluble DLL1 in receptivity were analysed using in vitro adhesion and proliferation assays and gene expression analysis of Notch signalling targets. Soluble DLL1 was significantly increased in uterine lavage samples of infertile women compared with fertile women in the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. This coincided with significantly increased ADAM17 immunostaining detected in the endometrial luminal epithelium in the mid-secretory phase in infertile women. Soluble DLL1 significantly inhibited the adhesive capacity of endometrial epithelial cells via downregulation of helix–loop–helix and hairy/enhancer of split family member HES1 mRNA. Thus, soluble DLL1 may serve as a suitable target or potential biomarker for receptivity.

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leilani L. Santos ◽  
Cheuk Kwan Ling ◽  
Evdokia Dimitriadis

AbstractThe endometrium undergoes cyclic remodelling throughout the menstrual cycle in preparation for embryo implantation which occurs in a short window during the mid-secretory phase. It is during this short ‘receptive window’ that the endometrial luminal epithelium acquires adhesive capacity permitting blastocysts firm adhesion to the endometrium to establish pregnancy. Dysregulation in any of these steps can compromise embryo implantation resulting in implantation failure and infertility. Many factors contribute to these processes including TGF-β, LIF, IL-11 and proteases. Tripeptidyl peptidase 1 (TPP1) is a is a lysosomal serine-type protease however the contribution of the TPP1 to receptivity is unknown. We aimed to investigate the role of TPP1 in receptivity in humans.In the current study, TPP1 was expressed in both epithelial and stromal compartments of the endometrium across the menstrual cycle. Expression was confined to the cytoplasm of luminal and glandular epithelial cells and stromal cells. Staining of mid-secretory endometrial tissues of women with normal fertility and primary unexplained infertility showed reduced immunostaining intensity of TPP1 in luminal epithelial cells of infertile tissues compared to fertile tissues. By contrast, TPP1 levels in glandular epithelial and stromal cells were comparable in both groups in the mid-secretory phase. Inhibition of TPP1 using siRNA compromised HTR8/SVneo (trophoblast cell line) spheroid adhesion on siRNA-transfected Ishikawa cells (endometrial epithelial cell line) in vitro. This impairment was associated with decreased sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), BCL2 and p53 mRNA and unaltered, CD44, CDH1, CDH2, ITGB3, VEGF A, OSTEOPONTIN, MDM2, CASP4, MCL1, MMP2, ARF6, SGK1, HOXA-10, LIF, and LIF receptor gene expression between treatment groups. siRNA knockdown of TPP1 in primary human endometrial stromal cells did not affect decidualization nor the expression of decidualization markers prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (IGFBP1). Taken together, our data strongly suggests a role for TPP1 in endometrial receptivity via its effects on epithelial cell adhesion and suggests reduced levels associated with unexplained infertility may contribute to implantation failure.


Genes ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 574 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kadri Rekker ◽  
Signe Altmäe ◽  
Marina Suhorutshenko ◽  
Maire Peters ◽  
Juan F. Martinez-Blanch ◽  
...  

The endometrium undergoes extensive changes to prepare for embryo implantation and microRNAs (miRNAs) have been described as playing a significant role in the regulation of endometrial receptivity. However, there is no consensus about the miRNAs involved in mid-secretory endometrial functions. We analysed the complete endometrial miRNome from early secretory (pre-receptive) and mid-secretory (receptive) phases from fertile women and from patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) to reveal differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs in the mid-secretory endometrium. Furthermore, we investigated whether the overall changes during early to mid-secretory phase transition and with RIF condition could be reflected in blood miRNA profiles. In total, 116 endometrial and 114 matched blood samples collected from two different population cohorts were subjected to small RNA sequencing. Among fertile women, 91 DE miRNAs were identified in the mid-secretory vs. early secretory endometrium, while no differences were found in the corresponding blood samples. The comparison of mid-secretory phase samples between fertile and infertile women revealed 21 DE miRNAs from the endometrium and one from blood samples. Among discovered novel miRNAs, chr2_4401 was validated and showed up-regulation in the mid-secretory endometrium. Besides novel findings, we confirmed the involvement of miR-30 and miR-200 family members in mid-secretory endometrial functions.


2001 ◽  
Vol 86 (12) ◽  
pp. 5964-5972
Author(s):  
Antonis Makrigiannakis ◽  
George Coukos ◽  
Anastasia Mantani ◽  
Prokopis Prokopakis ◽  
Geoffrey Trew ◽  
...  

The Wilms’ tumor suppressor gene (WT1) encodes a zinc-finger containing transcription factor that is selectively expressed in the developing urogenital tract and functions as a tissue-specific developmental regulator. In addition to its gene-regulatory function through DNA binding properties, WT-1 also regulates transcription by formation of protein-protein complexes. These properties place WT-1 as a major regulator of cell growth and differentiation. In view of these observations, we studied WT1 mRNA and protein in human endometrial extracts and in endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) differentiating into decidual cells in vitro, by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. WT1 protein expression was also studied in situ in the proliferative and the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle in the early pregnant state. Analysis by PCR of total RNA prepared from human ESCs demonstrated the presence of WT1 mRNA and four WT1 mRNA splice variants. Western blot analysis of nuclear protein extracts from ESCs yielded one immunoreactive protein of the expected size (approximately 52–54 kDa) recognized by the WT1 antibody. Immunohistochemical staining showed that WT1 protein is localized only to nuclei of human endometrial stromal cells. It remains constant in the proliferative and the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and is increased remarkably during decidualization in early pregnancy. ESCs decidualized in vitro were investigated for WT-1 expression, which confirmed that decidualizing stimuli (E2, medroxy-progesterone-acetate, and relaxin for 12 d or cAMP and progesterone for 1–4 d) induced WT-1 mRNA (P < 0.05) and increased protein levels (P < 0.05). These data indicate that in humans the WT1 gene is expressed in ESCs and its mRNA and protein levels remain constant in the proliferative and the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle and that WT1 mRNA and protein expression increases significantly in ESCs when these cells differentiate into decidual cells.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 274
Author(s):  
K. C. Choi ◽  
E. B. Jeung

The endometrium is hostile to embryo implantation except during the window of receptivity. A change in endometrial gene expression is required for the development of receptivity. The uterine calcium balance is crucial for physiological functioning, including smooth muscle contraction and embryo implantation. The location of cytoplasmic calcium-related proteins (CRP) include the calcium transporters 1 (CaT1), calbindin-D9k/-D28k (CaBP- 9k/28k), plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase 1b (PMCA1b), sodium/calcium exchangers (NCX1), and potassium-dependent Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCKX3). The expressions of these CRP and their potential roles in the uterus of human during the menstrual cycle remain to be clarified. Thus, in this current study, the expression patterns of CRP were examined for their roles in the human uterus during the menstrual cycle. Human endometrial tissues were collected by curettage from women undergoing hysteroscopy for investigation of tubal patency or tubal ligation. Approval was given by the Human Ethics Committee at SCH Medical Center, Bucheon, and signed consent was obtained in every case. Human uterus (total n = 51) were divided into 3 groups: menstrual, proliferative, and secretory phase. Reverse-transcription PCR and Western blot analysis were applied to measure the level of CRP mRNA and protein, respectively. During the menstrual cycle of human, the expression levels of CaT1 mRNA and protein were increased 5-fold at proliferative phase (Days 6 to 13) compared with secretory phase in the endometrium of uterus. The expression of CaBP-28k mRNA and protein was less 2-fold during the proliferative phase (Days 6 to 13) than during the secretory phase (Days 16 to 28). However, the expressions of NCX1, NCKX3, and PMCA1b mRNA and protein were not altered during cycle, whereas the expression of CaBP-9k was not observed in the uterus of human. In addition, spatial expression of CRP was detected by immunohistochemistry Uterine CRP was abundantly localized in the cytoplasm of the luminal and glandular epithelial cells during menstrual cycle. Taken together, these results indicate that uterine CRP is abundantly expressed in the uterus, suggesting that uterine expression of CRP might be involved in reproductive function during the menstrual cycle in human.


2010 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 73
Author(s):  
N. Hannan ◽  
P. Paiva ◽  
K. L. Meehan ◽  
C. Hincks ◽  
L. J. F. Rombauts ◽  
...  

Embryo implantation requires synchronized dialogue between a receptive endometrium and an activated blastocyst via locally produced soluble mediators. During the mid-secretory (MS) phase of the menstrual cycle there is increased glandular secretion into the uterine lumen. These secretions contain important mediators that modulate the endometrium and support the conceptus during implantation. Analysis of the composition of uterine fluid across the menstrual cycle and in fertile and infertile women will, therefore, provide new insights into uterine receptivity. We hypothesized that multiplex platform analysis of human uterine lavages would identify soluble mediators important for the establishment of pregnancy in humans. Lavages were collected (by flushing the uterine cavity with 5mL of saline) from fertile and infertile women during the MS phase and from fertile women during the mid-proliferative (MP) phase of the menstrual cycle. Comparison of lavages from the three cohorts was performed using quantitative MilliplexTM Luminex® cytokine/chemokine assays containing 42-analytes. Luminex analysis detected a number of cytokines in uterine fluid, revealing 8 soluble mediators previously unknown in the endometrium and present in human uterine fluid including, PDGF-AA, TNFβ, sIL-2Rα, Flt-3 ligand, sCD40L, IL-7, IFNα2 and GRO. Furthermore comparison of the three cohorts revealed VEGF levels were significantly higher in the fertile (MS) fluid when compared to infertile. Functional studies demonstrated that rhVEGF treatment significantly increased the adhesive properties in cells present at the maternal-fetal interface. These findings suggest VEGF plays a role in regulating embryo implantation. Furthermore identifying the soluble mediators in uterine fluid may provide potential markers of endometrial receptivity, insight into the unique microenvironment essential for pregnancy and a profile of maternal factors that influence the implanting blastocyst.


Zygote ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Mustapha Benkhalifa ◽  
Wiem Zidi ◽  
Hatem Bahri ◽  
Sami Mahjoub ◽  
Khaled Boudhraa ◽  
...  

Summary Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is considered to be one of the major limiting factors of assisted reproductive technology (ART) programme success. The current study focused on the investigation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs), cytokines and cell adhesion molecules in peripheral blood (PB) and follicular fluid (FF) obtained from 44 women aged between 25 and 39 years old and undergoing intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). These women were divided into two groups: 22 RIF women with embryo implantation failures after the transfer of at least four fresh or frozen–thawed good quality embryos in a minimum of three ICSI cycles, and 22 ICSI success women (controls) who achieved a clinical pregnancy at their first ICSI attempt. The PB and FF samples were obtained from each patient on the day of oocyte retrieval. MMP-1, -2, -3, -7, -9, TIMP-1, -2, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF), vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM1) and intercellular adhesion molecules 1 (ICAM1) were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay of PB and FF. Our results showed significant decreases in PB MMP-7 and PB VEGF in the RIF group compared with controls [281.11 (33–614) pg/ml vs 119.92 (27–441) pg/ml; P-value = 0.030] and [82.54 (25.94–210.20) pg/ml vs 30.93 (13.62–193.33) pg/ml; P-value = 0.022; respectively]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis showed informative area under the curve values for PB MMP-7, as well as for PB VEGF, making them able to be proposed as biomarkers of the RIF. Therefore, circulating MMP-7 and VEGF seem to play an interesting role in embryo implantation in in vitro fertilization (IVF)/ICSI cycles and could be proposed as circulating biomarkers of the RIF. These results could be helpful for clinicians and patients to choose the best rescue strategy and treatment to minimize implantation failure in women undergoing IVF/ICSI procedures after the first attempt.


Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 143 (4) ◽  
pp. 531-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huan Yang ◽  
Yuping Zhou ◽  
Benjiamin Edelshain ◽  
Frederick Schatz ◽  
Charles J Lockwood ◽  
...  

FKBP4 (FKBP52) and FKBP5 (FKBP51) are progestin receptor (PR) co-chaperone proteins that enhance and inhibit, respectively, progestin-mediated transcription by PR. Here, we examinedFKBP4andFKBP5expression in the eutopic endometrium of fertile women with endometriosis and effects of FKBP4 and FKBP5 on the decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs), and assessed HOXA10 regulation of FKBP4. Expression ofFKBP4mRNA was increased in the late proliferative phase and remained elevated throughout the secretory phase.FKBP5expression was low and remained constant throughout the menstrual cycle. Compared with controls,FKBP4mRNA expression was decreased in the endometrium of women with endometriosis, whereas no significant endometriosis-related change was seen forFKBP5. Cultured HESCs were treated with eitherFKBP4orFKBP5siRNA and then decidualized by incubation with progesterone (P4) and 8-bromoadenosine cAMP. Treatment of HESCs withFKBP4siRNA resulted in 60% lowerIGFBP1expression. In contrast, incubation withFKBP5siRNA did not significantly decreaseIGFBP1expression duringin vitrodecidualization.HOXA10andFKBP4expression increased in parallel duringin vitrodecidualization. In HESCs, overexpressed HOXA10 enhanced FKBP4 mRNA and protein levels, whereas HOXA10 knockdown decreased FKBP4 mRNA and protein levels compared with controls. Similarly, duringin vitrodecidualization,FKBP4expression was decreased in HOXA10-silenced cells. EnhancedHOXA10expression in HESCs elicits a decidualization mediating increase inFKBP4expression. The findings are consistent with the observation that women with endometriosis have diminishedFKBP4expression leading to impaired decidualization and infertility. The P4resistance seen in endometriosis may be mediated through HOXA10-regulatedFKBP4expression.


Author(s):  
Malavika K Adur ◽  
Andrea G Braundmeier-Fleming ◽  
Bruce A Lessey ◽  
Romana A Nowak

Problem: Perturbations in T-helper lymphocyte profiles have previously been associated with endometriosis related subfertility and conception failure. Hence a retrospective in vitro study was conducted to evaluate the relationship between T-regulatory (Treg) and T-helper 17 (Th17) lymphocytes in the eutopic endometrium of women with unexplained subfertility and correlate these profiles to their conception status. Method of study: Eutopic endometrial biopsies were collected during the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, from women with unexplained subfertility. These samples were evaluated immunohistochemically for Treg and Th17 lymphocytes as well as the related proinflammatory cytokine, Interleukin-17 (IL-17). These eutopic endometrial T lymphocyte subpopulations were compared to the patients’ conception status in subsequent cycles. Results: Though Treg cells were not indicative of conception success in subsequent cycles, patients who maintained their subfertile (no conception) status were observed to have a higher Th17 cell count in their eutopic endometrium. The ratio of Treg:Th17 cell counts was significantly correlated to patient conception status as well. These trends stayed consistent irrespective of concurrent endometriosis. Conclusion: Patients with a high proinflammatory Th17 lymphocyte profile and low Treg:Th17 ratio in their eutopic endometrium during the secretory phase of their menstrual cycle are more likely to not conceive in subsequent cycles.


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yufan Song ◽  
Fanru Zhou ◽  
Xiujuan Tan ◽  
Xia Liu ◽  
Jiahui Ding ◽  
...  

Abstract Background During the fresh cycles of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer, a disturbance in the reproductive endocrine environment following controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) is closely related to compromised endometrial receptivity. This is a major disadvantage for women during pregnancy. Based on the theory of traditional Chinese medicine, Bushen Huoxue recipe (BSHXR) has been indicated to facilitate embryo implantation. Methods The COH model (Kunming breed) was induced by injecting mice with pregnant mare serum gonadotrophin (0.4 IU/g) and human chorionic gonadotropin (1 IU/g), followed by treatment with BSHXR at three different concentrations (5.7, 11.4, and 22.8 g/kg), Bushen recipe (BSR) (5.7 g/kg), and Huoxue recipe (HXR) (5.7 g/kg). After successful mating, the pregnancy rate and implantation sites were examined on embryo day 8 (ED8), and the weight ratio of endometrium was calculated on ED4 midnight. Serum estrogen, progesterone, and endometrial PGE2 levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The endometrial microvasculature was evaluated using CD31 immunostaining. The protein and mRNA levels of the angiogenic factors in the endometrium were evaluated using western blot, immunohistochemistry, and polymerase chain reaction. Results In the COH group, the pregnancy rate and implantation sites were significantly decreased, and abnormal serum hormone levels and impaired endometrial vascular development were observed. After BSHXR treatment, the supraphysiological serum progesterone level in COH mice was restored to normalcy. Moreover, the abnormal expression of the endometrial pro-angiogenic factors, including HIF1α, COX2-PGE2 pathway, and the down-stream factors, namely, MMP2, MMP9, TIMP2, and FGF2 after subjecting mice to COH was significantly improved after BSHXR treatment. Conclusion BSHXR could improve embryo implantation by regulating hormonal balance and modulating endometrial angiogenesis in mice, without inducing any side effects in normal pregnancy.


2019 ◽  
Vol 67 (8) ◽  
pp. 589-599 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hannah Loke ◽  
Kate Rainczuk ◽  
Evdokia Dimitriadis

MicroRNAs (miRs) regulate endometrial function and their dysregulation could underlie unexplained infertility in women. Ribonucleases including DICER and DROSHA, and the proteins, ARGONAUTE 1 (AGO 1) and 2 (AGO 2) regulate the biogenesis/maturation of miRs. We aimed to elucidate the expression and localization of miR biogenesis machinery components during the human menstrual cycle and compare their levels in endometrium from women with normal fertility and primary unexplained infertility. miR biogenesis components were measured by quantitative-RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. In the endometrium of women with normal fertility, DROSHA immunolocalized maximally to the epithelium during the early and mid-secretory phases compared with the proliferative and late-secretory phases. Stromal DICER immunostaining intensity was higher in the late-secretory phase compared with all other phases in fertile women. DROSHA mRNA was reduced in the mid-secretory-infertile whole endometrial tissue (has all cells of the tissue), and primary epithelial and stromal cells while no differences were found in DICER, AGO1, and AGO2 mRNA. In the luminal epithelium, DROSHA staining intensity was reduced in early and mid-secretory-infertile while DICER staining was reduced in the early secretory-infertile compared with their respective fertile groups. DICER and DROSHA were dynamically regulated across the menstrual cycle and reduced levels during receptivity phase could underlie implantation failure/infertility.


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