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Persoonia Jun 2023Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , on whitefly, on bark of , from soil under , on leaf spot of , and...
Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , on whitefly, on bark of , from soil under , on leaf spot of , and on leaf spot of . , on fully submersed siliceous schist in high-mountain streams, and on the lower part and apothecial discs of on a twig. , on decaying wood, from moist soil with leaf litter, on a trunk of a living unknown hardwood tree species, and on dead twigs of unidentified plant. , on sandy soil in a plantation of . , on dead bark of , and on dead bark of . , on fruit lesion of . , on corticioid , on sp. , on calcareous soils in dry forests and park habitats. , on sandy soil under , and on leaves of . , on decaying bark of logs, on unidentified woody substrate, from soil, on the trunk of , and on elephant dung. , on infected leaves of . , (incl. gen. nov.) from . , on acidic soil. , on dead leaf of , and on dead leaves of . , on dead culms of , (incl. gen. nov.) on culms of , (incl. gen. nov.) on branch of , on dead standing culms of , on culms of , and on dead bamboo sticks. , half-buried and moss-covered pieces of rotting wood in grass-grown path. , on soil. , (incl. gen. nov.) from resin of ssp. , from sooty mould community on , and from a gallery of on . , on mossy areas of laurel forest areas planted with , and from a biofilm covering a biodeteriorated limestone wall. , from hypersaline sea water, and from water sample collected from hypersaline lagoon. , on culm of , on , (incl. gen. nov.) on culms of , on nest of cases of bag worm moths () on , on leaves of , on stems of , from the roots of × , and (incl. gen. nov.) on leaf of . , on decaying leaves of sp. from pond. , on the bark of fallen trees of , from surface-sterilised, asymptomatic roots of , on soil in mixed forest, on calcareous soil in mixed forest, on acidic soils, from roots of × , on leaves of sp., and from soil. , on calcareous soil. , on pupa, buried in soil, on larva, buried in soil, and on pupa, buried in soil. , on dead leaf of . , on clay loamy soils. , (incl. gen. nov.) on leaves of . , on recently dead stem of , (incl. gen. nov.) from water, and from swab of coil surface. Morphological and culture characteristics for these new taxa are supported by DNA barcodes. : Crous PW, Osieck ER, Shivas RG, et al. 2023. Fungal Planet description sheets: 1478-1549. Persoonia 50: 158- 310. https://doi.org/10.3767/persoonia.2023.50.05.
PubMed: 38567263
DOI: 10.3767/persoonia.2023.50.05 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Prior to pregnancy, hormonal changes lead to cellular adaptations in the endometrium allowing for embryo implantation. Critical for successful pregnancy establishment,...
INTRODUCTION
Prior to pregnancy, hormonal changes lead to cellular adaptations in the endometrium allowing for embryo implantation. Critical for successful pregnancy establishment, innate immune cells constitute a significant proportion of uterine cells prior to arrival of the embryo and throughout the first trimester in humans and animal models. Abnormal uterine immune cell function during implantation is believed to play a role in multiple adverse pregnancy outcomes. Current work in humans has focused on uterine immune cells present after pregnancy establishment, and limited in vitro models exist to explore unique functions of these cells.
METHODS
With single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNAseq), we comprehensively compared the human uterine immune landscape of the endometrium during the window of implantation and the decidua during the first trimester of pregnancy.
RESULTS
We uncovered global and cell-type-specific gene signatures for each timepoint. Immune cells in the endometrium prior to implantation expressed genes associated with immune metabolism, division, and activation. In contrast, we observed widespread interferon signaling during the first trimester of pregnancy. We also provide evidence of specific inflammatory pathways enriched in pre- and post-implantation macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells in the uterine lining. Using our novel implantation-on-a-chip (IOC) to model human implantation ex vivo, we demonstrate for the first time that uterine macrophages strongly promote invasion of extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), a process essential for pregnancy establishment. Pre- and post-implantation uterine macrophages promoted EVT invasion to a similar degree as pre- and post-implantation NK cells on the IOC.
CONCLUSIONS
This work provides a foundation for further investigation of the individual roles of uterine immune cell subtypes present prior to embryo implantation and during early pregnancy, which will be critical for our understanding of pregnancy complications associated with abnormal trophoblast invasion and placentation.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Animals; Humans; Decidua; Embryo Implantation; Uterus; Killer Cells, Natural; Macrophages
PubMed: 38566989
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1364036 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2024Decidualization can be induced by culturing human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) with several decidualization stimuli, such as cAMP, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA)...
Decidualization can be induced by culturing human endometrial stromal cells (ESCs) with several decidualization stimuli, such as cAMP, medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) or Estradiol (E). However, it has been unclear how decidualized cells induced by different stimuli are different. We compared transcriptomes and cellular functions of decidualized ESCs induced by different stimuli (MPA, E + MPA, cAMP, and cAMP + MPA). We also investigated which decidualization stimulus induces a closer in vivo decidualization. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and altered cellular functions by each decidualization stimuli were identified by RNA-sequence and gene-ontology analysis. DEGs was about two times higher for stimuli that use cAMP (cAMP and cAMP + MPA) than for stimuli that did not use cAMP (MPA and E + MPA). cAMP-using stimuli altered the cellular functions including angiogenesis, inflammation, immune system, and embryo implantation whereas MPA-using stimuli (MPA, E + MPA, and cAMP + MPA) altered the cellular functions associated with insulin signaling. A public single-cell RNA-sequence data of the human endometrium was utilized to analyze in vivo decidualization. The altered cellular functions by in vivo decidualization were close to those observed by cAMP + MPA-induced decidualization. In conclusion, decidualized cells induced by different stimuli have different transcriptome and cellular functions. cAMP + MPA may induce a decidualization most closely to in vivo decidualization.
Topics: Female; Humans; Cells, Cultured; Endometrium; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate; Stromal Cells; Gene Expression; RNA; Decidua
PubMed: 38565619
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58065-z -
Epigenetics Dec 2024Decidual macrophages are the second-largest immune cell group at the maternal-foetal interface. They participate in apoptotic cell removal, and protect the foetus from...
Decidual macrophages are the second-largest immune cell group at the maternal-foetal interface. They participate in apoptotic cell removal, and protect the foetus from microorganisms or pathogens. Dysfunction of decidual macrophages gives rise to pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and recurrent spontaneous miscarriage (RSM). However, the mechanisms by which decidual macrophages are involved in the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes have not been elucidated. Here we integrated DNA methylation and gene expression data from decidua macrophages to identify potential risk factors related to RSM. was significantly hypomethylated and upregulated in decidual macrophages from RSM patients. Further demethylation analysis demonstrated that expression in decidual macrophages was significantly increased by 5-Aza-dC treatment. In addition, the influence of GPR133 on the phagocytic ability of macrophages was explored. Phagocytosis was impaired in the decidual macrophages of RSM patients with increased expression. Increased expression induced by demethylation treatment in the decidual macrophages of healthy control patients led to a significant decrease in phagocytic function. Importantly, knockdown of resulted in a significant improvement in the phagocytic function of THP-1 macrophages. In conclusion, the existing studies have shown the influence of on the phagocytic function of decidual macrophages and pregnancy outcomes, providing new data and ideas for future research on the role of decidual macrophages in RSM.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Abortion, Spontaneous; Decidua; DNA Methylation; Macrophages; Phagocytosis; Up-Regulation
PubMed: 38564758
DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2024.2337087 -
Journal of Clinical Pathology Mar 2024A hydatidiform mole (HM) is classified as complete (CHM) or partial (PHM) based on its morphology and genomic composition. Ancillary techniques are often required to...
AIMS
A hydatidiform mole (HM) is classified as complete (CHM) or partial (PHM) based on its morphology and genomic composition. Ancillary techniques are often required to confirm a morphologically suspected PHM diagnosis. This study sought to evaluate the clinical accuracy of PHM diagnosis using morphological assessment supported by dual-colour dual-hapten in situ hybridisation (D-DISH) ploidy determination.
METHODS
Over a 2-year period, our unit examined 1265 products of conception (POCs) from which 103 atypical POCs were diagnosed as PHM or non-molar conceptuses with the assistance of D-DISH ploidy analysis. We retrospectively audited a sample of 40 of these atypical POCs using short tandem repeat genotyping. DNA extracted from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue was genotyped using 24 polymorphic loci. Parental alleles in placental villi were identified by comparison to those in maternal decidua. To identify triploid PHM cases, we sought three alleles of equal peak height or two alleles with one allele peak twice the height of the other at each locus.
RESULTS
Thirty-six of the 40 cases (19 PHM and 17 non-molar) were successfully genotyped and demonstrated complete concordance with the original diagnosis. All PHMs were diandric triploid of dispermic origin. In two non-molar diploid cases, we identified suspected trisomies (13 and 18), which potentially explains the pregnancy loss in these cases.
CONCLUSIONS
This study validates the use of D-DISH ploidy analysis to support the diagnosis of a morphologically suspected PHM in our practice.
PubMed: 38555105
DOI: 10.1136/jcp-2023-209269 -
Microorganisms Mar 2024The uterine microbiota has been the subject of increasing study, but its interaction with the local immune system remains unclear. Successful embryo implantation relies...
The uterine microbiota has been the subject of increasing study, but its interaction with the local immune system remains unclear. Successful embryo implantation relies on endometrial receptivity, which is pivotal for immunological tolerance to fetal antigens and precise regulation of inflammatory mediators. Emerging data suggest a dynamic interplay between endometrial microflora and the immune system, making dysbiosis a potential determinant of pregnancy outcomes. Imbalances in the regulation of immune cells in the endometrium and decidua have been associated with infertility, miscarriage, and obstetric complications. A thorough comprehension of the immune system in the female reproductive tract shows potential for improving women's health and pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the patterns of endometrial microbiota in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) and to explore their implications for endometrial immune cells and chronic endometritis (CE). Immune cells in biopsies from 107 RIF and 93 RPL patients were examined using flow cytometry. The endometrial microbial composition was analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The research uncovered disrupted endometrial microbiota in most women with RIF and RPL, which was often associated with significant effects on lymphocytes, T cells, and uNK cells.
PubMed: 38543598
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12030547 -
International Journal of Molecular... Mar 2024Using an established human primary cell culture model, we previously demonstrated that the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) transcription factor is a direct...
Using an established human primary cell culture model, we previously demonstrated that the promyelocytic leukemia zinc finger (PLZF) transcription factor is a direct target of the progesterone receptor (PGR) and is essential for progestin-dependent decidualization of human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs). These in vitro findings were supported by immunohistochemical analysis of human endometrial tissue biopsies, which showed that the strongest immunoreactivity for endometrial PLZF is detected during the progesterone (P4)-dominant secretory phase of the menstrual cycle. While these human studies provided critical clinical support for the important role of PLZF in P4-dependent HESC decidualization, functional validation in vivo was not possible due to the absence of suitable animal models. To address this deficiency, we recently generated a conditional knockout mouse model in which PLZF is ablated in PGR-positive cells of the mouse (). The female was phenotypically analyzed using immunoblotting, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Reproductive function was tested using the timed natural pregnancy model as well as the artificial decidual response assay. Even though ovarian activity is not affected, female mice exhibit an infertility phenotype due to an inability of the embryo to implant into the endometrium. Initial cellular and molecular phenotyping investigations reveal that the endometrium is unable to develop a transient receptive state, which is reflected at the molecular level by a blunted response to P4 exposure with a concomitant unopposed response to 17-β estradiol. In addition to a defect in P4-dependent receptivity, the endometrium fails to undergo decidualization in response to an artificial decidual stimulus, providing the in vivo validation for our earlier HESC culture findings. Collectively, our new mouse model underscores the physiological importance of the PLZF transcription factor not only in endometrial stromal cell decidualization but also uterine receptivity, two uterine cellular processes that are indispensable for the establishment of pregnancy.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Mice; Animals; Humans; Transcription Factors; Decidua; Endometrium; Mice, Knockout; Zinc Fingers; Leukemia; Stromal Cells
PubMed: 38542422
DOI: 10.3390/ijms25063451 -
Biology Mar 2024The etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia, a leading hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, has been proposed to involve an abnormal circulating sex hormone profile and...
The etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia, a leading hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, has been proposed to involve an abnormal circulating sex hormone profile and misexpression of placental estrogen and progesterone receptors (ER and PR, respectively). However, existing research is vastly confined to third trimester preeclamptic placentas. Consequently, the placental-uterine molecular crosstalk and the dynamic ER and PR expression pattern in the peri-conception period remain overlooked. Herein, our goal was to use the BPH/5 mouse to elucidate pre-pregnancy and early gestation Er and Pr dynamics in a preeclamptic-like uterus. BPH/5 females display low circulating estrogen concentration during proestrus, followed by early gestation hypoestrogenemia, hyperprogesteronemia, and a spontaneous preeclamptic-like phenotype. Preceding pregnancy, the gene encoding Er alpha (Erα, ) is upregulated in the diestrual BPH/5 uterus. At the peak of decidualization, , Er beta (Erβ, ), and Pr isoform B () were upregulated in the BPH/5 maternal-fetal interface. At the protein level, BPH/5 females display higher percentage of decidual cells with nuclear Erα expression, as well as Pr downregulation in the decidua, luminal and glandular epithelium. In conclusion, we provide evidence of disrupted sex hormone signaling in the peri-conception period of preeclamptic-like pregnancies, potentially shedding some light onto the intricate role of sex hormone signaling at unexplored timepoints of human preeclampsia.
PubMed: 38534461
DOI: 10.3390/biology13030192 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Zika virus (ZIKV) can be vertically transmitted during pregnancy resulting in a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The decidua is commonly found to be infected by...
Zika virus (ZIKV) can be vertically transmitted during pregnancy resulting in a range of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The decidua is commonly found to be infected by ZIKV, yet the acute immune response to infection remains understudied . We hypothesized that African-lineage ZIKV infection induces a pro-inflammatory response in the decidua. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated the decidua in pregnant rhesus macaques within the first two weeks following infection with an African-lineage ZIKV and compared our findings to gestationally aged-matched controls. Decidual leukocytes were phenotypically evaluated using spectral flow cytometry, and cytokines and chemokines were measured in tissue homogenates from the decidua, placenta, and fetal membranes. The results of this study did not support our hypothesis. Although ZIKV RNA was detected in the decidual tissue samples from all ZIKV infected dams, phenotypic changes in decidual leukocytes and differences in cytokine profiles suggest that the decidua undergoes mild anti-inflammatory changes in response to that infection. Our findings emphasize the immunological state of the gravid uterus as a relatively immune privileged site that prioritizes tolerance of the fetus over mounting a pro-inflammatory response to clear infection.
Topics: Pregnancy; Humans; Female; Animals; Zika Virus Infection; Zika Virus; Macaca mulatta; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Leukocytes
PubMed: 38515747
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1363169 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1332943.].
[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1332943.].
PubMed: 38469313
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1378417