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International Journal of Molecular... May 2024This Special Issue comprises original articles in the field of clinical studies whose major topics concern the genetic and immunological aspects of miscarriage and...
This Special Issue comprises original articles in the field of clinical studies whose major topics concern the genetic and immunological aspects of miscarriage and pre-eclampsia, the isolation of decidua macrophages and Hofbauer cells in the placenta for diagnostic purposes, and epigenetic mechanisms that trigger labor [...].
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Placenta; Abortion, Spontaneous; Reproduction; Pre-Eclampsia; Macrophages; Decidua
PubMed: 38791171
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105132 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024A balance between pro-inflammatory decidual CD4 T cells and regulatory T cells ( Tregs) is important for maintaining fetomaternal tolerance. Using single-cell...
A balance between pro-inflammatory decidual CD4 T cells and regulatory T cells ( Tregs) is important for maintaining fetomaternal tolerance. Using single-cell RNA-sequencing and T cell receptor repertoire analysis, we determined that diversity and clonality of decidual CD4 T cell subsets depend on gestational age. Th1/Th2 intermediate and Th1 subsets of CD4 T cells were clonally expanded in both early and late gestation, whereas Tregs were clonally expanded in late gestation. Th1/Th2 intermediate and Treg subsets showed altered gene expression in preeclampsia (PE) compared to healthy late gestation. The Th1/Th2 intermediate subset exhibited elevated levels of cytotoxicity-related gene expression in PE. Moreover, increased Treg exhaustion was observed in the PE group, and Treg subcluster analysis revealed that the effector Treg like subset drove the Treg exhaustion signatures in PE. The Th1/Th2 intermediate and effector Treg like subsets are possible inflammation-driving subsets in PE.
Topics: Humans; Female; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Single-Cell Analysis; Gestational Age; Adult; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Forkhead Transcription Factors; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Sequence Analysis, RNA; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; Th1 Cells; Decidua
PubMed: 38774869
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1401738 -
Journal of Translational Medicine May 2024Miscarriage is a frustrating complication of pregnancy that is common among women of reproductive age. Insufficient decidualization which not only impairs embryo...
BACKGROUND
Miscarriage is a frustrating complication of pregnancy that is common among women of reproductive age. Insufficient decidualization which not only impairs embryo implantation but disturbs fetomaternal immune-tolerance, has been widely regarded as a major cause of miscarriage; however, the underlying mechanisms resulting in decidual impairment are largely unknown.
METHODS
With informed consent, decidual tissue from patients with spontaneous abortion or normal pregnant women was collected to detect the expression profile of UCHL1. Human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were used to explore the roles of UCHL1 in decidualization and dNK modulation, as well as the mechanisms involved. C57/BL6 female mice (7-10 weeks old) were used to construct pregnancy model or artificially induced decidualization model to evaluate the effect of UCHL1 on mice decidualization and pregnancy outcome.
RESULTS
The Ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1), as a deubiquitinating enzyme, was significantly downregulated in decidua from patients with miscarriage, along with impaired decidualization and decreased dNKs. Blockage of UCHL1 led to insufficient decidualization and resultant decreased expression of cytokines CXCL12, IL-15, TGF-β which were critical for generation of decidual NK cells (dNKs), whereas UCHL1 overexpression enhanced decidualization accompanied by increase in dNKs. Mechanistically, the promotion of UCHL1 on decidualization was dependent on its deubiquitinating activity, and intervention of UCHL1 inhibited the activation of JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway, resulting in aberrant decidualization and decreased production of cytokines associated with dNKs modulation. Furthermore, we found that inhibition of UCHL1 also disrupted the decidualization in mice and eventually caused adverse pregnancy outcome.
CONCLUSIONS
UCHL1 plays significant roles in decidualization and dNKs modulation during pregnancy in both humans and mice. Its deficiency indicates a poor pregnancy outcome due to defective decidualization, making UCHL1 a potential target for the diagnosis and treatment of miscarriage.
Topics: Ubiquitin Thiolesterase; Female; Decidua; Animals; Pregnancy; Abortion, Spontaneous; Humans; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Killer Cells, Natural; Adult; Mice; Stromal Cells; Signal Transduction
PubMed: 38769534
DOI: 10.1186/s12967-024-05253-0 -
Research Square May 2024Preeclampsia (PEC) is a complication of pregnancy associated with hypertension and the risk of eclampsia. The pathophysiology of PEC is unknown and identifying factors...
Preeclampsia (PEC) is a complication of pregnancy associated with hypertension and the risk of eclampsia. The pathophysiology of PEC is unknown and identifying factors associated with PEC during pregnancy is crucial for placental, fetal, and maternal health. Renalase (RNLS) is an anti-inflammatory secretory flavoprotein associated with hypertension. Recent data demonstrated a correlation between maternal serum RNLS and PEC, and work from our group identified RNLS expression in the placenta. However, it remains unknown whether RNLS levels in placenta are altered by preeclampsia. Additionally, it is unclear if there is a differential effect of preterm and term PEC on RNLS. We demonstrate that serum RNLS was reduced in preterm cases of PEC. Similarly, placental RNLS was diminished in the chorion of preterm cases of PEC. However, a reduction of RNLS in the decidua was observed with all cases of PEC, while the levels of RNLS within the placental villi were similar in all cases. Overall, we demonstrate that RNLS correlates with PEC both systemically in maternal serum and locally within the placenta, with variable effects on the different layers of the placenta and more pronounced in preterm cases.
PubMed: 38765989
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-4319658/v1 -
Cell Reports May 2024The decidua plays a crucial role in providing structural and trophic support to the developing conceptus before placentation. Following embryo attachment, embryonic...
The decidua plays a crucial role in providing structural and trophic support to the developing conceptus before placentation. Following embryo attachment, embryonic components intimately interact with the decidual tissue. While evidence indicates the participation of embryo-derived factors in crosstalk with the uterus, the extent of their impact on post-implantation decidual development requires further investigation. Here, we utilize transgenic mouse models to selectively eliminate primary trophoblast giant cells (pTGCs), the embryonic cells that interface with maternal tissue at the forefront. pTGC ablation impairs decidualization and compromises decidual interferon response and lipid metabolism. Mechanistically, pTGCs release factors such as interferon kappa (IFNK) to strengthen the decidual interferon response and lipoprotein lipase (LPL) to enhance lipid accumulation within the decidua, thereby promoting decidualization. This study presents genetic and metabolomic evidence reinforcing the proactive role of pTGC-derived factors in mobilizing maternal resources to strengthen decidualization, facilitating the normal progression of early pregnancy.
PubMed: 38762885
DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114246 -
Frontiers in Endocrinology 2024Nutritional deficiency occurs frequently during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Tryptophan (Trp), an essential amino acid which is critical for protein synthesis, serves as...
INTRODUCTION
Nutritional deficiency occurs frequently during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Tryptophan (Trp), an essential amino acid which is critical for protein synthesis, serves as the precursor for serotonin, melatonin, and kynurenine (Kyn). The imbalance between serotonin and kynurenine pathways in Trp metabolism is closely related to inflammation and depression. This study assessed the effects of Trp deficiency on mouse early pregnancy.
METHODS
Embryo implantation and decidualization were analyzed after female mice had been fed diets containing 0.2% Trp (for the control group), 0.062% Trp (for the low Trp group) and 0% Trp (for the Trp-free group) for two months. The uteri of the mice were collected on days 4, 5, and 8 of pregnancy for further analysis.
RESULTS
On day 8 of pregnancy, the number of implantation sites were found to be similar between the control and the low Trp groups. However, no implantation sites were detected in the Trp-free group. On day 5 of pregnancy, plane polarity- and decidualization-related molecules showed abnormal expression pattern in the Trp-free group. On day 4 of pregnancy, there was no significant difference in uterine receptivity molecules between the low-Trp group and the control group, but uterine receptivity was abnormal in the Trp-free group. At implantation sites of the Trp-free group, IDO and AHR levels were markedly elevated. This potentially increased levels of Kyn, 2-hydroxy estradiol, and 4-hydroxy estradiol to affect decidualization.
CONCLUSIONS
Trp-free diet may impair decidualization via the IDO-KYN-AHR pathway.
Topics: Animals; Female; Embryo Implantation; Tryptophan; Mice; Pregnancy; Decidua; Diet; Kynurenine
PubMed: 38752181
DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1356914 -
Heliyon May 2024Zika virus (ZIKV) infections during pregnancy can result in Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), a range of severe neurological outcomes in fetuses that primarily occur...
Zika virus (ZIKV) infections during pregnancy can result in Congenital Zika Syndrome (CZS), a range of severe neurological outcomes in fetuses that primarily occur during early gestational stages possibly due to placental damage. Although some placentas can maintain ZIKV persistence for weeks or months after the initial infection and diagnosis, the impact of this viral persistence is still unknown. Here, we aimed to investigate the immunological repercussion of ZIKV persistence in term placentas. As such, term placentas from 64 pregnant women diagnosed with Zika in different gestational periods were analyzed by ZIKV RT-qPCR, examination of decidua and placental villous histopathology, and expression of inflammation-related genes and . Subsequently, we explored primary cultures of term decidual Extravillous Trophoblasts (EVTs) and Term Chorionic Villi (TCV) explants, as models to access the immunological consequences of placental ZIKV infection. Placenta from CZS cases presented low expression, evidencing the critical protective role of theses cytokines in the clinical outcome. Term placentas cleared for ZIKV showed increased levels of , , and , whether viral persistence was related with a proinflammatory profile. Conversely, upon ZIKV persistence placentas with decidual inflammation showed high levels. experiments showed that term EVTs are more permissive, and secreted higher levels of IFN-α2 and IFN-λ1 compared to TCV explants. The results suggest that, upon ZIKV persistence, the maternal-skewed decidua contributes to placental inflammatory and antiviral signature, through chronic deciduitis and upregulation. Although further studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the decidual responses against ZIKV. Hence, this study presents unique insights and valuable models for evaluating the immunological landscape of placentas upon ZIKV persistence.
PubMed: 38737240
DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30613 -
Parasites & Vectors May 2024Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly in early pregnancy. Previous studies have illustrated...
BACKGROUND
Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that can lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly in early pregnancy. Previous studies have illustrated the landscape of decidual immune cells. However, the landscape of decidual immune cells in the maternal-fetal microenvironment during T. gondii infection remains unknown.
METHODS
In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze the changes in human decidual immune cells following T. gondii infection. The results of scRNA-seq were further validated with flow cytometry, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, western blot, and immunofluorescence staining.
RESULTS
Our results showed that the proportion of 17 decidual immune cell clusters and the expression levels of 21 genes were changed after T. gondii infection. Differential gene analysis demonstrated that T. gondii infection induced the differential expression of 279, 312, and 380 genes in decidual NK cells (dNK), decidual macrophages (dMφ), and decidual T cells (dT), respectively. Our results revealed for the first time that several previously unknown molecules in decidual immune cells changed following infection. This result revealed that the function of maternal-fetal immune tolerance declined, whereas the killing ability of decidual immune cells enhanced, eventually contributing to the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
This study provides valuable resource for uncovering several novel molecules that play an important role in the occurrence of abnormal pregnancy outcomes induced by T. gondii infection.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Decidua; Toxoplasmosis; Single-Cell Analysis; Toxoplasma; Pregnancy Outcome; Gene Expression Profiling; Killer Cells, Natural; Macrophages; Transcriptome; T-Lymphocytes
PubMed: 38730500
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-024-06266-w -
Cells May 2024During the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, endometrial fibroblast cells begin to change into large epithelial-like cells called decidual cells in a process...
During the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle, endometrial fibroblast cells begin to change into large epithelial-like cells called decidual cells in a process called decidualization. This differentiation continues more broadly in the endometrium and forms the decidual tissue during early pregnancy. The cells undergoing decidualization as well as the resulting decidual cells, support successful implantation and placentation during early pregnancy. This study was carried out to identify new potentially important long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) genes that may play a role in human endometrial stromal fibroblast cells (hESF) undergoing decidualization in vitro, and several were found. The expression of nine was further characterized. One of these, , showed a dramatic increase in the expression of hESF cells undergoing decidualization. When expression was targeted, the ability of the cells to undergo decidualization as determined by the expression of decidualization marker protein-coding genes was significantly altered. The most affected markers of decidualization whose expression was significantly reduced were , , and . Therefore, may be a major upstream regulator of the WNT-FOXO1 pathway and activin-SMAD3 pathways previously shown as critical for hESF decidualization. Finally, we explored possible regulators of expression during human ESF decidualization. Expression was regulated by cAMP and progesterone. Our results suggest that plays a role in hESF decidualization and identifies several other lncRNA genes that may also play a role.
Topics: Humans; Female; RNA, Long Noncoding; Fibroblasts; Decidua; Endometrium; Stromal Cells; Forkhead Box Protein O1; Pregnancy; Adult; Cell Differentiation
PubMed: 38727314
DOI: 10.3390/cells13090778 -
IScience May 2024Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) have been proposed as a treatment for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is a major complication...
Human bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) have been proposed as a treatment for graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), which is a major complication following allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. However, clinical trials have not yielded good results, and human decidua-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (DSCs) have been proposed as an alternative. In addition, the mechanism by which DSCs exert their immunomodulatory effects is still unknown. We found that knockdown of IL-6 in DSCs reduced the expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2, which are known as classical immune checkpoint inhibitors. Expression of PD-L1 and PD-L2 was restored by adding recombinant IL-6 to the DSCs. When DSCs and IL-6-knockdown DSCs were administered as treatment in a murine GVHD model, the group receiving IL-6-knockdown DSCs had significantly higher mortality and clinical scores compared to the group receiving DSCs. Taken together, these data suggest that the IL-6 signaling pathway is a crucial contributor to the immunosuppressive capacity of DSCs.
PubMed: 38726369
DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109783