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Communications Biology May 2023Decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) is essential for the maintenance of pregnancy, which depends on the fine-tuned regulation of hESCs survival,...
Decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) is essential for the maintenance of pregnancy, which depends on the fine-tuned regulation of hESCs survival, and its perturbation contributes to pregnancy loss. However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for functional deficits in decidua from recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) patients have not been elucidated. Here, we observed that JAZF1 was significantly downregulated in stromal cells from RSA decidua. JAZF1 depletion in hESCs resulted in defective decidualization and cell death through apoptosis. Further experiments uncovered G0S2 as a important driver of hESCs apoptosis and decidualization, whose transcription was repressed by JAZF1 via interaction with G0S2 activator Purβ. Moreover, the pattern of low JAZF1, high G0S2 and excessive apoptosis in decidua were consistently observed in RSA patients. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that JAZF1 governs hESCs survival and decidualization by repressing G0S2 transcription via restricting the activity of Purβ, and highlight the clinical implications of these mechanisms in the pathology of RSA.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Endometrium; Decidua; Abortion, Habitual; Stromal Cells; DNA-Binding Proteins; Co-Repressor Proteins; Cell Cycle Proteins
PubMed: 37244968
DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-04931-x -
Reproductive Biology and Endocrinology... Oct 2017Decidualization is an intricate biological process where extensive morphological, functional, and genetic changes take place in endometrial stromal cells to support the... (Review)
Review
Decidualization is an intricate biological process where extensive morphological, functional, and genetic changes take place in endometrial stromal cells to support the development of an implanting blastocyst. Deficiencies in decidualization are associated with pregnancy complications and reproductive diseases. Decidualization is coordinately regulated by steroid hormones, growth factors, and molecular and epigenetic mechanisms. Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily signaling regulates multifaceted reproductive processes. However, the role of TGFβ signaling in uterine decidualization is poorly understood. Recent studies using the Cre-LoxP strategy have shed new light on the critical role of TGFβ signaling machinery in uterine decidualization. Herein, we focus on reviewing exciting findings from studies using both mouse genetics and in vitro cultured human endometrial stromal cells. We also delve into emerging mechanisms that underlie decidualization, such as non-coding RNAs and epigenetic modifications. We envision that future studies aimed at defining the interrelationship among TGFβ signaling circuitries and their potential interactions with epigenetic modifications/non-coding RNAs during uterine decidualization will open new avenues to treat pregnancy complications associated with decidualization deficiencies.
Topics: Animals; Decidua; Embryo Implantation; Female; Humans; Mice; Multigene Family; Pregnancy; Signal Transduction; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Uterus
PubMed: 29029620
DOI: 10.1186/s12958-017-0303-0 -
Human Immunology May 2021The semi-allogeneic fetus develops in a uniquely immune tolerant environment within the uterus. For successful pregnancy, both the innate and adaptive immune systems... (Review)
Review
The semi-allogeneic fetus develops in a uniquely immune tolerant environment within the uterus. For successful pregnancy, both the innate and adaptive immune systems must favor acceptance of the fetal allograft. Macrophages are the second most abundant immune cells after natural killer (NK) cells in the decidua. In coordination with decidual NK cells and dendritic cells, macrophages aid in implantation, vascular remodeling, placental development, immune tolerance to placental cells, and maintenance of tissue homeostasis at the maternal-fetal interface. Decidual macrophages show the classical activated (M1) and alternatively activated (M2) phenotypes under the influence of the local milieu of growth factors and cytokines, and appropriate temporal regulation of the M1/M2 switch is vital for successful pregnancy. Disturbances in the mechanisms that control the M1/M2 balance and associated functions during pregnancy can trigger a spectrum of pregnancy complications ranging from preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction to preterm delivery. This review addresses various mechanisms of tolerance, focusing on the basic biology of macrophages, their plasticity and polarization, and their protective roles at the immune-privileged maternal-fetal interface, including direct and indirect roles in promoting fetomaternal immune tolerance.
Topics: Animals; Decidua; Female; Histocompatibility, Maternal-Fetal; Humans; Immune Tolerance; Macrophages; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Th1-Th2 Balance
PubMed: 33715911
DOI: 10.1016/j.humimm.2021.02.013 -
Molecular Human Reproduction Apr 2023Uterine glands and, by inference, their secretions impact uterine receptivity, blastocyst implantation, stromal cell decidualization, and placental development. Changes...
Uterine glands and, by inference, their secretions impact uterine receptivity, blastocyst implantation, stromal cell decidualization, and placental development. Changes in gland function across the menstrual cycle are primarily governed by the steroid hormones estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) but can also be influenced by extrinsic factors from the stroma. Using a human endometrial epithelial organoid system, transcriptome and proteome analyses identified distinct responses of the organoids to steroid hormones and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Notably, P4 and PGE2 modulated the basolateral secretion of organoid proteins, particularly cystatin C (CST3), serpin family A member 3 (SERPINA3), and stanniocalcin 1 (STC1). CST3, but not SERPINA3 or STC1, attenuated the in vitro stromal decidualization response to steroid hormones and PGE2. These findings provide evidence that uterine gland-derived factors impact stromal cell decidualization, which has implications for pregnancy establishment and fertility in women.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Dinoprostone; Placenta; Endometrium; Embryo Implantation; Progesterone; Stromal Cells; Decidua
PubMed: 36821428
DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaad007 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023The close interaction between fetal and maternal cells during pregnancy requires multiple immune-endocrine mechanisms to provide the fetus with a tolerogenic environment... (Review)
Review
The close interaction between fetal and maternal cells during pregnancy requires multiple immune-endocrine mechanisms to provide the fetus with a tolerogenic environment and protection against any infectious challenge. The fetal membranes and placenta create a hyperprolactinemic milieu in which prolactin (PRL) synthesized by the maternal decidua is transported through the amnion-chorion and accumulated into the amniotic cavity, where the fetus is bedded in high concentrations during pregnancy. PRL is a pleiotropic immune-neuroendocrine hormone with multiple immunomodulatory functions mainly related to reproduction. However, the biological role of PRL at the maternal-fetal interface has yet to be fully elucidated. In this review, we have summarized the current information on the multiple effects of PRL, focusing on its immunological effects and biological significance for the immune privilege of the maternal-fetal interface.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Prolactin; Decidua; Placenta; Extraembryonic Membranes; Amniotic Fluid
PubMed: 37359537
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1212736 -
Cell Reports Jul 2023Leukocyte diversity of the first-trimester maternal-fetal interface has been extensively described; however, the immunological landscape of the term decidua remains...
Leukocyte diversity of the first-trimester maternal-fetal interface has been extensively described; however, the immunological landscape of the term decidua remains poorly understood. We therefore profiled human leukocytes from term decidua collected via scheduled cesarean delivery. Relative to the first trimester, our analyses show a shift from NK cells and macrophages to T cells and enhanced immune activation. Although circulating and decidual T cells are phenotypically distinct, they demonstrate significant clonotype sharing. We also report significant diversity within decidual macrophages, the frequency of which positively correlates with pregravid maternal body mass index. Interestingly, the ability of decidual macrophages to respond to bacterial ligands is reduced with pregravid obesity, suggestive of skewing toward immunoregulation as a possible mechanism to safeguard the fetus against excessive maternal inflammation. These findings are a resource for future studies investigating pathological conditions that compromise fetal health and reproductive success.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Decidua; T-Lymphocytes; Reproduction; Killer Cells, Natural; Macrophages
PubMed: 37432849
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112769 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Abortion, Habitual; Decidua
PubMed: 38022573
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1330701 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2019A successful pregnancy depends on not only the tolerance of the fetal immune system by the mother but also resistance against the threat of hazardous microorganisms.... (Review)
Review
A successful pregnancy depends on not only the tolerance of the fetal immune system by the mother but also resistance against the threat of hazardous microorganisms. Infection with pathogenic microorganisms during pregnancy may lead to premature delivery, miscarriage, growth restriction, neonatal morbidity, and other adverse outcomes. Moreover, the host also has an intact immune system to avoid these adverse outcomes. It is important to note the presence of normal bacteria in the maternal reproductive tract and the principal role of the maternal-placental-fetal interaction in antimicrobial immunity. Previous studies mainly focused on maternal infection during pregnancy. However, this review summarizes the new views on the study of the maternal microbiome and expounds the innate immune defense mechanism of the maternal vagina and decidua as well as how cytotrophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts recognize and kill bacteria in the placenta. Fetal immune systems, thought to be weak, also exhibit an immune defense function that is indispensable for maintaining the safety of the fetus. The skin, lungs, and intestines of the fetus during pregnancy constitute the main immune barriers. These findings will provide a new understanding of the effects of normal microbial flora and how the host resists harmful microbes during pregnancy. We believe that it may also contribute to the reference on the clinical prevention and treatment of gestational infection to avoid adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Topics: Decidua; Female; Humans; Immunity, Innate; Maternal-Fetal Exchange; Microbiota; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Trophoblasts; Vagina
PubMed: 31921149
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2019.02886 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2023Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder that always causes maternal and fetal serious adverse outcome. Disturbances in maternal immune tolerance to embryo at the...
BACKGROUND
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder that always causes maternal and fetal serious adverse outcome. Disturbances in maternal immune tolerance to embryo at the maternal-fetal interface (MFI) may be associated with preeclampsia onset. Recent studies have revealed the reduced expression pattern of HLA-F at the MFI in preeclampsia, while the mechanism of it mediating maternal fetal immune tolerance has not been revealed.
METHODS
Single-cell RNA sequencing on placental decidua was performed to reveal the immune disturbances landscape at the MFI in preeclampsia. Human Jar cells and NK-92MI cells were employed to study the role of HLA-F in trophoblasts and lymphocyte.
RESULTS
A total of 101,250 cells were classified into 22 cell clusters. Disease-related IGFBP1+SPP1+ extracellular villus trophoblast (EVT) was identified in the preeclamptic placental decidua, accompanied by newly discovered immune cellular dysfunction such as reduced ribosomal functions of NK populations and abnormal expression of antigen-presenting molecules in most cell clusters. Certain genes that are characteristic of the intermediate stage of myeloid or EVT cell differentiation were found to have unexplored but important functions in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia; specifically, we detected enhanced cell cross-talk between IGFBP1+SPP1+ EVT2 or SPP1+M1 cells and their receptor cell populations at the MFI of PE patients compared to controls. With respect to HLA-F, mIF staining confirmed its reduced expression in PE samples compared to controls. Over-expression of HLA-F in Jar cells promoted cell proliferation, invasion, and migration while under-expression had the opposite effect. In NK-92MI cells, over-expression of HLA-F increased the secretion of immunoregulation cytokines such as CSF1 and CCL22, and promoted adaptive NKG2C+NK cell transformation.
CONCLUSIONS
We revealed the immune disturbance landscape at the MFI in preeclampsia. Our findings regarding cellular heterogeneity and immune cellular dysfunction, as revealed by scRNA-seq, and the function of HLA-F in cells provide new perspectives for further investigation of their roles in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, and then provide potential new therapeutic target.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Decidua; Immune Tolerance; Killer Cells, Natural; Placenta; Pre-Eclampsia
PubMed: 37854606
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1234577 -
The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and... May 2023Progesterone is a sex steroid hormone that plays a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. This hormone drives numerous maternal physiological... (Review)
Review
Progesterone is a sex steroid hormone that plays a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. This hormone drives numerous maternal physiological adaptations to ensure the continuation of pregnancy and to facilitate fetal growth, including broad and potent modulation of the maternal immune system to promote maternal-fetal tolerance. In this brief review, we provide an overview of the immunomodulatory functions of progesterone in the decidua, placenta, myometrium, and maternal circulation during pregnancy. Specifically, we summarize current evidence of the regulated functions of innate and adaptive immune cells induced by progesterone and its downstream effector molecules in these compartments, including observations in human pregnancy and in animal models. Our review highlights the gaps in knowledge of interactions between progesterone and maternal cellular immunity that may direct future research.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Animals; Humans; Progesterone; Decidua; Placenta; Immune System; Maternal-Fetal Exchange
PubMed: 36681283
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2023.106254