scholarly journals 225.Expression of chemokines and their receptors at the human maternal - embryonic interface

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 225 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. J. Hannan ◽  
R. L. Jones ◽  
L. A. Salamonsen

Human embryo implantation is a complex process involving attachment of the developing blastocyst to the receptive endometrial epithelium, and subsequent trophoblast invasion through decidua. This is regulated by crosstalk between the maternal and embryonic cells, however little is known about the factors involved in enabling and directing trophoblast invasion. Chemokines are cytokines that regulate leukocyte chemotaxis via stimulation of adhesion molecules and cell migration. We have previously shown that two chemokines, fractalkine and MCP-3, are produced by endometrial epithelial and decidual cells, maximally around the time of implantation and early pregnancy (1, 2). We hypothesized that endometrially derived fractalkine and MCP-3 are important for the attachment/invasion of fetal trophoblast cells during implantation. To investigate this, expression of fractalkine, MCP-3 and their receptors (CX3CR1, CCR1, CCR2, CCR3 and CCR5) were assessed in cell types present at the maternal-embryonic interface. RNA, extracted from three trophoblast cell lines (JEG-3 and two trophoblast-choriocarcinoma hybrids), a human epithelial cell line (HES), primary endometrial epithelial cells, mid-secretory endometrium and placental tissue, was subjected to RT-PCR for the chemokines and receptors. Both chemokines were produced by endometrial and placental cells. Chemokine receptor expression was more variable, CX3CR1, CCR1, 2 and 3 were expressed by one or more of the trophoblast cells lines while CX3CR1, CCR1, 2 and 5 were expressed by endometrial cells. Marked differences in expression patterns in the different cell lines highlight the importance of studies to select those cell lines of most physiological relevance: in this case, one that most closely resembles early invasive trophoblasts. These data confirm that chemokines are produced by maternal and embryonic cells during implantation and the strong expression of their receptors on trophoblast cells supports a role for chemokines in embryo implantation. Further, these studies have characterized a number of trophoblast cells for future trophoblast migration and attachment assays. (1) Hannan, N., et al. JCEM (in press). (2) Jones, R., et al. JCEM (in press).

2017 ◽  
Vol 59 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabien Duval ◽  
Esther Dos Santos ◽  
Hadia Moindjie ◽  
Valérie Serazin ◽  
Nelly Swierkowski-Blanchard ◽  
...  

Successful human embryo implantation requires a proper differentiation of endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) into decidual cells, during a process called decidualization. ESCs express specific molecules, such as prolactin, insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and connexin-43. Decidual cells are also involved in the control of trophoblast invasion, by secreting various factors, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). Adiponectin is an adipokine with insulin-sensitizing, anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative effects. At the embryo–maternal interface, adiponectin promotes differentiation and invasion of human trophoblastic cells. We hypothesize that the effects of adiponectin on endometrium could counteract its pro-invasive effects previously described in the human trophoblast. In this context, we have firstly demonstrated that adiponectin downregulates IGFBP-1 and connexin-43 mRNA expressions, as well as prolactin secretion in ESCs, suggesting an anti-differentiative effect of adiponectin. Secondly, we found that invasive capacities of trophoblastic cell line HTR-8/SVneo are reduced in the presence of conditioned media from ESC cultured in the presence of adiponectin. Adiponectin’s anti-invasive action is associated with a decreased activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, and an increased TIMP-3 mRNA expression in ESCs. Finally, adiponectin receptors (ADIPOR1 and ADIPOR2) knockdown abolishes the anti-differentiative and anti-invasive effects of adiponectin in human ESCs. Altogether, our results suggest that adiponectin reduces the decidualization process and inversely induces the production of endometrial factors that limit trophoblast invasion. Thus, through a dual control in trophoblast and endometrial cells, adiponectin appears as a pivotal actor of the embryo implantation process.


2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (1-2-3) ◽  
pp. 227-237
Author(s):  
Nancy Ashary ◽  
Saniya Laheri ◽  
Deepak Modi

The eutherian species evolved an elaborate uterus to allow viviparity. For successful pregnancy, the uterus must not only be differentiated, but must also function optimally and any defects in uterus differentiation and/or function can lead to infertility. The homoebox gene HOXA10 has emerged to be a key player in both uterine development and its optimal functioning in adulthood. Within the Abd-B family, the posterior Hoxa genes play a dominant role in anterio-posterior segmentation of the Müllerian ducts in mammals, with Hoxa10 having a central role in uterine segmentation. In the adult endometrium, HOXA10 is expressed by endometrial cells and is regulated in a cyclic manner under the influence of ovarian steroids. During embryo implantation, expression of HOXA10 is increased in endometrial stromal cells by signals from the embryo to govern stromal cell transformation to decidual cells. Once decidualization is initiated, HOXA10 is rapidly downregulated to activate expression of pro-invasive factors to promote trophoblast invasion. We propose that HOXA10 governs embryo implantation in a three-step process: 1) acquisition of endometrial receptivity, 2) responding to signals from the blastocyst to modify receptive endometrium for decidualization 3) making the decidua conductive for trophoblast invasion and placentation. There is currently ample evidence that expression of HOXA10 is deregulated in a variety of “endometriopathies” such as endometriosis and endometrial cancers. Overall, HOXA10 appears to be the master regulator of endometrial health and a central determinant of fertility in mammals.


Endocrinology ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 150 (12) ◽  
pp. 5596-5605 ◽  
Author(s):  
HaiBin Kuang ◽  
Qi Chen ◽  
Ying Zhang ◽  
Li Zhang ◽  
HongYing Peng ◽  
...  

Abstract Well-controlled trophoblast invasion into uterine decidua is a critical process for the normal development of placenta, which is tightly regulated by various factors produced within the trophoblast-endometrial microenvironment. CXCL14 is involved in tumor growth and metastasis, and its expression in placenta is temporally regulated during pregnancy. However, the role of CXCL14 in trophoblast function during human pregnancy is not clear. In this study, by using RT-PCR through human pregnancy, we found that CXCL14 was selectively expressed at early but not late pregnancy. Immunostaining revealed that CXCL14 proteins were strongly expressed in villous cytotrophoblasts and moderately in decidualized stromal cells but very weakly in syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblasts. The effect of CXCL14 on trophoblast invasion were examined by using human villous explants cultured on Matrigel and further proved by invasion and migration assay of primary trophoblast cells and trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo. Our data showed that CXCL14 significantly inhibited outgrowth of villous explant in vitro; this effect is due to suppression of trophoblast invasion and migration through regulating matrix metalloproteinases activities, whereas the trophoblast proliferation was not affected. Moreover, because a receptor for CXCL14 has not been identified, we performed further cell-specific CXCL14 binding activities with regard to different cell types within the maternal-fetal interface. Our data revealed that CXCL14 could specifically bind to trophoblast cells but not decidual cells from the maternal-fetal interface. These results suggest that CXCL14 plays an important role in regulating trophoblast invasion through an autocrine/paracrine manner during early pregnancy.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah Harden ◽  
Jieliang Zhou ◽  
Maria Diniz-da-Costa ◽  
Emma S. Lucas ◽  
Liang Cui ◽  
...  

ABSTRACTDifferentiation of endometrial fibroblasts into specialized decidual cells controls embryo implantation and transforms the cycling endometrium into a semi-permanent, immune-protective matrix that accommodates the placenta throughout pregnancy. This process starts during the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle with decidual transformation of perivascular cells (PVC) surrounding the terminal spiral arterioles and endometrial stromal cells (EnSC) underlying the luminal epithelium. Decidualization involves extensive cellular reprogramming and acquisition of a secretory phenotype, essential for coordinated placental trophoblast invasion. Secreted metabolites are an emerging class of signalling molecules. Here, we used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to characterise the dynamic changes in metabolite secretion (exometabolome) of primary PVC and EnSC decidualized over 8 days. We identified 79 annotated metabolites differentially secreted upon decidualization, including prostaglandin, sphingolipid, and hyaluronic acid metabolites. Secreted metabolites encompassed 21 metabolic pathways, most prominently glycerolipid and pyrimidine metabolism. Although temporal exometabolome changes were comparable between decidualizing PVC and EnSC, 32 metabolites were differentially secreted across the decidualization time-course. Further, targeted metabolomics demonstrated a conspicuous difference in xanthine secretion between decidualized PVC and EnSC. Taken together, our findings indicate that the metabolic footprints generated by different decidual subpopulations encode spatiotemporal information that may be important for optimal embryo implantation.


2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaping He ◽  
Zhaogui Sun ◽  
Yan Shi ◽  
Yahong Jiang ◽  
Zhefu Jia ◽  
...  

Immune tolerance at the fetomaternal interface must be established during the processes of implantation and pregnancy. Monoclonal nonspecific suppressor factor beta (MNSFβ) is a secreted protein that possesses antigen-nonspecific immune-suppressive function. It was previously reported that intrauterine immunoneutralization of MNSFβ significantly inhibited embryo implantation in mice. In the present study, MNSFβ protein expression was up- or downregulated by overexpression or RNA interference, respectively, in HCC-94 cells and the culture supernatants used to determine effects of MNSFβ on the secretion of IL-4 and TNFα from mouse lymphocytes as detected by ELISA. A coculture model of mouse embryos and endometrial stromal cells was also utilized to determine the effects of a specific anti-MNSFβ antibody on hatching and growth of embryos in vitro. The results show that MNSFβ induced secretion of IL-4 and inhibited secretion of TNFα from mouse lymphocytes. Following immunoneutralization of MNSFβ protein in the HCC-94 supernatant, the stimulatory effect of MNSFβ on IL-4 secretion from mouse lymphocytes was reduced, while the inhibitory effect on secretion of TNFα was abrogated. Expression of MNSFβ was detected in both embryonic and endometrial stromal cells, and its immunoneutralization inhibited the hatching and spreading of embryos in an in vitro coculture model. These results indicated that MNSFβ may play critical roles during the peri-implantation process by regulating cytokine secretion of lymphocytes and by mediating the crosstalk between embryonic cells and endometrial stromal cells.


2009 ◽  
Vol 201 (1) ◽  
pp. 115-128 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Douglas Galsgaard ◽  
Birgitte Bruun Rasmussen ◽  
Charlotta Grånäs Folkesson ◽  
Louise Maymann Rasmussen ◽  
Martin Werner Berchtold ◽  
...  

The pituitary hormone PRL is involved in tumorigenesis in rodents and humans. PRL promotes proliferation, survival and migration of cancer cells acting via the PRL receptor (PRLR). Aiming to perform a large-scale immunohistochemical (IHC) screening of human mammary carcinomas for PRLR expression, we evaluated the specificity of commercially available anti-human PRLR antibodies (B6.2, U5, PRLRi pAb, 1A2B1, 250448 and H-300). The latter three antibodies were found to specifically recognise PRLR. The relative PRLR expression level detected with these antibodies closely reflected the level of 125I-PRL binding to the cell surface. The monoclonal antibody (mAb) 250448 was specific for the N-glycosylated form of PRLR and blocked PRL binding and signalling. The PRLRi polyclonal antibody recognised cytokeratin-18. The mAb B6.2, previously used in a number of studies, was found to lack specificity for PRLR and to rather recognise a PRLR-associated protein. The mAb U5 raised against the rat PRLR did not cross-react with the human receptor. Only one mAb, 1A2B1, was found useful for detection of PRLR in IHC applications. This antibody recognised PRLR expressed in human breast cancer cell lines and decidual cells in tissue sections of human placenta. Screening of 160 mammary adenocarcinomas demonstrated significant immunoreactivity in only four tumours, indicating that PRLR is generally not strongly upregulated in human breast cancer. However, even a very low level of PRLR expression was found to be sufficient to mediate PRL responsiveness in breast cancer cell lines.


PeerJ ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. e11045
Author(s):  
Xiao Feng ◽  
Lingbin Qi ◽  
Xiaoyu Xu ◽  
Yun Feng ◽  
Xiaoming Gong ◽  
...  

Background Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease among women in their reproductive years. Although much effort has been made, the pathogenesis of this disease and the detailed differences between eutopic endometrial cells and ectopic endometrial cells are still unclear. Methods In this study, eutopic and ectopic endometrial cells were collected from patients with and without endometriosis and RNA sequencing was performed. The gene expression patterns and differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in eutopic and ectopic endometrial cells, as well as control endometrial cells, were analyzed using a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and the DESeq2 package. The functions of significant genes were detected using Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, and qRT-PCR validation was performed. Results The results indicated that eight gene modules were found among these three groups. They also indicated that the gene module, which is highly related to eutopic endometrial cells, was mainly enriched in cell adhesion, embryo implantation, etc., while the gene module related to ectopic endometrial cells was mainly enriched in cell migration, etc. The results of differential expression analysis were generally consistent with the WGCNA results through identified significant DEGs between different groups. These DEGs may play an important role in the occurrence of endometriosis, including the infertility associated gene ARNTL and PIWIL2, tissue remodeling gene MMP11, cell survival and migration gene FLT1, inflammatory response gene GNLY, the tumor suppressor genes PLCD1, etc. Further analysis suggested the function of adhesion is stronger in ectopic endometrial cells than in eutopic endometrial cells, while the ectopic endometrium may have a higher potential risk of malignant transformation than eutopic endometrium. Conclusions Overall, these data provide a reference for understanding the pathogenesis of endometriosis and its relationship with malignant transformation.


Author(s):  
Sarah L. Harden ◽  
Jieliang Zhou ◽  
Seley Gharanei ◽  
Maria Diniz-da-Costa ◽  
Emma S. Lucas ◽  
...  

Differentiation of endometrial fibroblasts into specialized decidual cells controls embryo implantation and transforms the cycling endometrium into a semi-permanent, immune-protective matrix that accommodates the placenta throughout pregnancy. This process starts during the midluteal phase of the menstrual cycle with decidual transformation of perivascular cells (PVC) surrounding the terminal spiral arterioles and endometrial stromal cells (EnSC) underlying the luminal epithelium. Decidualization involves extensive cellular reprogramming and acquisition of a secretory phenotype, essential for coordinated placental trophoblast invasion. Secreted metabolites are an emerging class of signaling molecules, collectively known as the exometabolome. Here, we used liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to characterize and analyze time-resolved changes in metabolite secretion (exometabolome) of primary PVC and EnSC decidualized over 8 days. PVC were isolated using positive selection of the cell surface marker SUSD2. We identified 79 annotated metabolites differentially secreted upon decidualization, including prostaglandin, sphingolipid, and hyaluronic acid metabolites. Secreted metabolites encompassed 21 metabolic pathways, most prominently glycerolipid and pyrimidine metabolism. Although temporal exometabolome changes were comparable between decidualizing PVC and EnSC, 32 metabolites were differentially secreted across the decidualization time-course. Further, targeted metabolomics demonstrated significant differences in secretion of purine pathway metabolites between decidualized PVC and EnSC. Taken together, our findings indicate that the metabolic footprints generated by different decidual subpopulations encode spatiotemporal information that may be important for optimal embryo implantation.


1992 ◽  
Vol 70 (10-11) ◽  
pp. 867-874 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles H. Graham ◽  
Peeyush K. Lala

Trophoblast cells of the placenta in many species have acquired mechanisms to invade the uterus, inclusive of its blood vessels, to establish efficient fetomaternal exchange of molecules. This invasion is strictly controlled both spatially and temporally and, in humans, usually continues until midgestation. Key mechanisms underlying various steps in trophoblast invasion are (i) the attachment to the basement membrane, most likely by binding to laminin; (ii) the detachment from the basement membrane matrix, a process requiring the presence of complex-type oligosaccharides on the cell surface; and (iii) the breakdown of basement membrane components, mediated by secretion of metalloproteases (such as type IV collagenases) and serine proteases (plasminogen activator). Activation of trophoblast-derived metalloproteases appears to be plasmin dependent. Trophoblast invasiveness in situ is controlled by the microenvironment, owing to local production of anti-invasive factors by the decidual tissue of the uterus. One of these factors is TIMP (tissue inhibitor of metalloproteases), which neutralizes metalloproteases in an equimolar ratio. Another is TGF-β (transforming growth factor-β), which has a dual effect: it induces TIMP-1 secretion by the trophoblast and decidual cells and promotes differentiation of invasive trophoblast cells into multinucleated giant cells, which are presumably noninvasive. Thus, TGF-β provides the key control of trophoblast invasiveness in situ. This control is lost in certain choriocarcinomas. In contrast to the response shown by the normal trophoblast, JAR and JEG-3 choriocarcinoma cell invasiveness does not seem to be inhibited by TGF-β. In fact, in preliminary studies, JAR cells responded to TGF-β by increased invasiveness. The reasons for the differential effects of TGF-β on normal versus malignant trophoblast cell invasiveness are currently under study.Key words: trophoblast, invasion, control, choriocarcinoma, transforming growth factor-β.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3175
Author(s):  
Ramóna Pap ◽  
Gergely Montskó ◽  
Gergely Jánosa ◽  
Katalin Sipos ◽  
Gábor L. Kovács ◽  
...  

Embryo implantation is a complex process regulated by a network of biological molecules. Recently, it has been described that fractalkine (CX3CL1, FKN) might have an important role in the feto–maternal interaction during gestation since the trophoblast cells express fractalkine receptor (CX3CR1) and the endometrium cells secrete fractalkine. CX3CR1 controls three major signalling pathways, PLC-PKC pathway, PI3K/AKT/NFκB pathway and Ras-mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways regulating proliferation, growth, migration and apoptosis. In this study, we focused on the molecular mechanisms of FKN treatment influencing the expression of implantation-related genes in trophoblast cells (JEG-3) both in mono-and in co-culture models. Our results reveal that FKN acted in a concentration and time dependent manner on JEG-3 cells. FKN seemed to operate as a positive regulator of implantation via changing the action of progesterone receptor (PR), activin receptor and bone morphogenetic protein receptor (BMPR). FKN modified also the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and 9 controlling invasion. The presence of HEC-1A endometrial cells in the co-culture contributed to the effect of fractalkine on JEG-3 cells regulating implantation. The results suggest that FKN may contribute to the successful attachment and implantation of embryo.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document