scholarly journals High-quality human preimplantation embryos stimulate endometrial stromal cell migration via secretion of microRNA hsa-miR-320a

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 1797-1807 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robbert P Berkhout ◽  
Remco Keijser ◽  
Sjoerd Repping ◽  
Cornelis B Lambalk ◽  
Gijs B Afink ◽  
...  

Abstract STUDY QUESTION How do high-quality human preimplantation embryos influence the endometrium to promote their own implantation? SUMMARY ANSWER High-quality human preimplantation embryos secrete a specific microRNA (miRNA), hsa-miR-320a, which promotes migration of human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY We have previously shown that high-quality human preimplantation embryos excrete unknown factors that influence migration of hESCs. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Embryo excreted miRNAs, specifically those excreted by high-quality embryos, were identified and their effect on hESCs was determined by measuring the migration capacity and gene expression patterns of primary isolated hESCs. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Embryo conditioned medium (ECM) from routine ICSI procedures was used to identify embryo excreted miRNAs. miRNome analyses were performed on ECM from individually cultured embryos with high morphological quality, with low morphological quality or empty control medium. MiRNA mimics and inhibitors were then used to further study the effect of miRNAs of interest on migration and gene expression of hESCs. Migration assays were performed using hESCs that were obtained from endometrial biopsies performed on hysterectomy specimens from women that received surgery for spotting due to a niche in a cesarean section scar. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE By using miRNA mimics and inhibitors, we showed that hsa-miR-320a alone can stimulate migration of decidualized hESCs, accurately resembling the response typically triggered only by high-quality embryos. Transcriptome analysis further demonstrated that this effect is very likely mediated via altered expression of genes involved in cell adhesion and cytoskeleton organization. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The effect of hsa-miR-320a on hESCs was measured in vitro. Further studies on the in vivo effect of hsa-miR-320a are warranted. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Implantation failure is one of the major success limiting factors in human reproduction. By secreting hsa-miR-320a, high-quality human preimplantation embryos directly influence hESCs, most likely to prime the endometrium at the implantation site for successful implantation. Together, our results indicate that hsa-miR-320a may be a promising target to further increase success rates in assisted reproduction. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was funded by the Amsterdam University Medical Centers and the Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute. R.P.B., G.H. and S.M. have a patent on the use of hsa-miR-320a in assisted reproduction treatments pending. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robbert P. Berkhout ◽  
Remco Keijser ◽  
Sjoerd Repping ◽  
Cornelis B. Lambalk ◽  
Gijs B. Afink ◽  
...  

AbstractImplantation failure is one of the major success limiting factors in human reproduction. Despite, the mechanisms that determine successful human embryo implantation remain largely unknown. We here show that high-quality human preimplantation embryos secrete soluble signaling factors, including micro RNA (miRNA) hsa-miR-320a, that promote migration of human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs). By using miRNA mimics and inhibitors, we demonstrate that hsa-miR-320a alone can stimulate migration of decidualized hESCs, accurately resembling the response typically triggered only by high-quality embryos. Transcriptome analysis further demonstrated that this effect is very likely mediated via altered expression of genes involved in cell adhesion and cytoskeleton organization. In conclusion, by secreting hsa-miR-320a, high-quality human preimplantation embryos directly influence endometrial stromal cells, most likely to prime the endometrium at the implantation site for successful implantation. Together, our results indicate that hsa-miR-320a may be a promising target to further increase success rates in assisted reproduction.


Reproduction ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 144 (5) ◽  
pp. 569-582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Shaw ◽  
Sharon F Sneddon ◽  
Daniel R Brison ◽  
Susan J Kimber

Identification and characterisation of differentially regulated genes in preimplantation human embryonic development are required to improve embryo quality and pregnancy rates in IVF. In this study, we examined expression of a number of genes known to be critical for early development and compared expression profiles in individual preimplantation human embryos to establish any differences in gene expression in fresh compared to frozen–thawed embryos used routinely in IVF. We analysed expression of 19 genes by cDNA amplification followed by quantitative real-time PCR in a panel of 44 fresh and frozen–thawed human preimplantation embryos. Fresh embryos were obtained from surplus early cleavage stage embryos and frozen–thawed embryos from cryopreserved 2PN embryos. Our aim was to determine differences in gene expression between fresh and frozen–thawed human embryos, but we also identified differences in developmental expression patterns for particular genes. We show that overall gene expression among embryos of the same stage is highly variable and our results indicate that expression levels between groups did differ and differences in expression of individual genes was detected. Our results show that gene expression from frozen–thawed embryos is more consistent when compared with fresh, suggesting that cryopreserved embryos may represent a reliable source for studying the molecular events underpinning early human embryo development.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 237 ◽  
Author(s):  
Di-Cheng Zhao ◽  
Yu-Mei Li ◽  
Jie-Liang Ma ◽  
Ning Yi ◽  
Zhong-Yuan Yao ◽  
...  

Precise regulation of glucose metabolism-related genes is essential for early embryonic development. Although previous research has yielded detailed information on the biochemical processes, little is yet known of the dynamic gene expression profiles in glucose metabolism of preimplantation embryos at a single-cell resolution. In the present study, we performed integrated analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of human preimplantation embryos that had been cultured in sequential medium. Different cells in the same embryo have similar gene expression patterns in glucose metabolism. During the switch from the cleavage to morula stage, the expression of glycolysis-related genes, such as glucose transporter genes (solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 1 (SLC2A1) and solute carrier family 2 (facilitated glucose transporter), member 3 (SLC2A3) and genes encoding hexokinase, phosphofructokinase, pyruvate kinase and lactate dehydrogenase, is increased. The genes involved in the pentose phosphate pathway are highly expressed at the cleavage stage, generating the reducing power to balance oxidative stress derived from biosynthesis. Expression of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of glycerophospholipids is increased after the morula stage. Nevertheless, the expression of tricarboxylic acid-related genes remains relatively unchanged during the preimplantation stages. In conclusion, we discovered that the gene expression profiles are dynamic according to glucose utilisation in the embryos at different stages, which contributes to our understanding of regulatory mechanisms of glucose metabolism-related genes in human preimplantation embryos.


2007 ◽  
Vol 31 (3) ◽  
pp. 441-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miroslaw Mackiewicz ◽  
Keith R. Shockley ◽  
Micah A. Romer ◽  
Raymond J. Galante ◽  
John E. Zimmerman ◽  
...  

The function(s) of sleep remains a major unanswered question in biology. We assessed changes in gene expression in the mouse cerebral cortex and hypothalamus following different durations of sleep and periods of sleep deprivation. There were significant differences in gene expression between behavioral states; we identified 3,988 genes in the cerebral cortex and 823 genes in the hypothalamus with altered expression patterns between sleep and sleep deprivation. Changes in the steady-state level of transcripts for various genes are remarkably common during sleep, as 2,090 genes in the cerebral cortex and 409 genes in the hypothalamus were defined as sleep specific and changed (increased or decreased) their expression during sleep. The largest categories of overrepresented genes increasing expression with sleep were those involved in biosynthesis and transport. In both the cerebral cortex and hypothalamus, during sleep there was upregulation of multiple genes encoding various enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis, as well as proteins for lipid transport. There was also upregulation during sleep of genes involved in synthesis of proteins, heme, and maintenance of vesicle pools, as well as antioxidant enzymes and genes encoding proteins of energy-regulating pathways. We postulate that during sleep there is a rebuilding of multiple key cellular components in preparation for subsequent wakefulness.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Ioanna Bouba ◽  
Elissavet Hatzi ◽  
Paris Ladias ◽  
Prodromos Sakaloglou ◽  
Charilaos Kostoulas ◽  
...  

Applications and indications of assisted reproduction technology are expanding, but every new approach is under scrutiny and thorough consideration. Recently, groups of assisted reproduction experts have presented data that support the clinical use of mosaic preimplantation embryos at the blastocyst stage, previously excluded from transfer. In the light of published contemporary studies, with or without clinical outcomes, there is growing evidence that mosaic embryos have the capacity for further in utero development and live birth. Our in-depth discussion will enable readers to better comprehend current developments. This expansion into the spectrum of ART practices requires further evidence and further theoretical documentation, basic research, and ethical support. Therefore, if strict criteria for selecting competent mosaic preimplantation embryos for further transfer, implantation, fetal growth, and healthy birth are applied, fewer embryos will be excluded, and more live births will be achieved. Our review aims to discuss the recent literature on the transfer of mosaic preimplantation embryos. It also highlights controversies as far as the clinical utilization of preimplantation embryos concerns. Finally, it provides the appropriate background to elucidate and highlight cellular and genetic aspects of this novel direction.


2019 ◽  
Vol 87 (3) ◽  
pp. 485-493 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Zasada ◽  
Anna Madetko-Talowska ◽  
Cecilie Revhaug ◽  
Anne Gro W. Rognlien ◽  
Lars O. Baumbusch ◽  
...  

Abstract Background We aimed to identify global blood and retinal gene expression patterns in murine oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), a common model of retinopathy of prematurity, which may allow better understanding of the pathogenesis of this severe ocular prematurity complication and identification of potential blood biomarkers. Methods A total of 120 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into an OIR group, in which 7-day-old pups were maintained in 75% oxygen for 5 days, or a control group. RNA was extracted from the whole-blood mononuclear cells and retinal cells on days 12, 17, and 28. Gene expression in the RNA samples was evaluated with mouse gene expression microarrays. Results There were 38, 1370 and 111 genes, the expression of which differed between the OIR and control retinas on days 12, 17, and 28, respectively. Gene expression in the blood mononuclear cells was significantly altered only on day 17. Deptor and Nol4 genes showed reduced expression both in the blood and retinal cells on day 17. Conclusion There are sustained marked changes in the global pattern of gene expression in the OIR mice retinas. An altered expression of Deptor and Nol4 genes in the blood mononuclear cells requires further investigation as they may indicate retinal neovascularization.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 1204-1204
Author(s):  
Lykke Christina Grubach ◽  
Mike Zangenberg ◽  
Hans Beier Ommen ◽  
Anni Aggerholm ◽  
Peter Hokland

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease with varying survival rates depending mostly upon the molecular phenotype of the single leukemic clone. The most powerful predictor for the outcome of the individual patient is the cytogenetic profile at the time of diagnosis, dividing the patients into good, intermediate and adverse prognostic group. However, given that 40–60 percent of patients exhibits a normal karyotype and are assigned to an intermediate prognostic group, identification of biologic parameters, which either alone or in combination, predict disease outcome more precisely are needed. We have previously performed a gene expression profiling study (Grubach et al, Eur J. Hematol. 2008 Apr 10. [Epub ahead of print]) on a series of Polycomb, Hox and Meis genes expressed in hematopoietic cells. AIM: Based on the finding that HOXA4 could be used as a predictor for outcome in AML patients with a normal karyotype, we hypothesized that combining the gene expression of the HOXA4 gene and co-factor MEIS1 might unravel a leukemogenic impact in other cytogenetic prognostic groups (Grimwade et al. Blood. 1998 Oct 1;92(7):2322–33). In addition, given that epigenetic events might contribute to the regulation of these genes, we determined whether promoter hypermethylation of CpG islands in the promoter regions were of relevance to the expression levels of HOXA4 and MEIS1. MATERIALS & METHODS: Diagnosis samples from 248 AML patients were analyzed by RQ-PCR for expression levels of HOXA4 and MEIS1. 157 of these patients were further analyzed for promoter hypermethylation of the same genes by bisulphite treatment of DNA followed by methylation-specific melting curve analysis (MS-MCA). RESULTS: When combining the gene expression levels of HOXA4 with MEIS1 into the three main groups (low HOXA4/low MEIS1, low HOXA4/high MEIS1 and normal-high HOXA4/high MEIS1; (the latter pooled to enable statistical calculations)), clear differences in overall survival were found (Fig. 1). Thus, within the group of patients exhibiting low levels of HOXA4 transcript, those with a high expression of MEIS1 had a significantly worse outcome than those having low MEIS1 expression (p=0.025). Importantly, in a multiparameter regression analysis, the prediction was independent of the cytogenetic grouping, of mutations in NPM1 and FLT3 genes, WBC and age. Given the efficacy of demethylating therapy, we also considered the mechanism of HOXA4 and MEIS1 gene regulation. Thus, when promoter methylation of HOXA4 and MEIS1 in 157 patients was investigated, we found that 15 % of the patients had hypermethylation of the promoter region of MEIS1 and 77% of the patients showed hypermethylation of HOXA4. Importantly, a significant correlation for both of the genes between the expression level and methylation state was observed (MEIS1, p=0.001 and HOXA4, p=0.007). CONCLUSION: The altered expression levels of HOXA4 and MEIS1 in AML reflect, at least partly, an epigenetic regulation by virtue of promoter hypermethylation. The level of transcripts of HOXA4 and MEIS1 seem to contribute to the leukemogenesis in AML and can serve as independent prognostic variables regardless of their cytogenetic and molecular background. Fig. 1. Overall survival of AML patients-stratified by cytogenetics, mutations in NPM1 and FLT3, WBC and age. By combination of HOXA4 and Meis1 expression a significant better survival is linked to those with a low HOXA4/low MEIS1 compared to those with a low HOXA4/high MEIS1 expression. Fig. 1. Overall survival of AML patients-stratified by cytogenetics, mutations in NPM1 and FLT3, WBC and age. By combination of HOXA4 and Meis1 expression a significant better survival is linked to those with a low HOXA4/low MEIS1 compared to those with a low HOXA4/high MEIS1 expression.


Reproduction ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 135 (5) ◽  
pp. 581-592 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshio Hamatani ◽  
Mitsutoshi Yamada ◽  
Hidenori Akutsu ◽  
Naoaki Kuji ◽  
Yoshiyuki Mochimaru ◽  
...  

Mammalian ooplasm supports the preimplantation development and reprograms the introduced nucleus transferred from a somatic cell to confer pluripotency in a cloning experiment. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of oocyte competence remain unknown. Recent advances in microarray technologies have allowed gene expression profiling of such tiny specimens as oocytes and preimplantation embryos, generating a flood of information about gene expressions. So, what can we learn from it? Here, we review the initiative global gene expression studies of mouse and/or human oocytes, focusing on the lists of maternal transcripts and their expression patterns during oogenesis and preimplantation development. Especially, the genes expressed exclusively in oocytes should contribute to the uniqueness of oocyte competence, driving mammalian development systems of oocytes and preimplantation embryos. Furthermore, we discuss future directions for oocyte gene expression profiling, including discovering biomarkers of oocyte quality and exploiting the microarray data for ‘making oocytes’.


Reproduction ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 131 (5) ◽  
pp. 895-904 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hakan Sagirkaya ◽  
Muge Misirlioglu ◽  
Abdullah Kaya ◽  
Neal L First ◽  
John J Parrish ◽  
...  

Expression of embryonic genes is altered in different culture conditions, which influence developmental potential both during preimplantation and fetal development. The objective of this study was to define the effects of culture conditions on: bovine embryonic development to blastocyst stage, blastocyst cell number, apoptosis and expression patterns of a panel of developmentally important genes. Bovine embryos were culturedin vitroin three culture media containing amino acids, namely potassium simplex optimization medium (KSOMaa), Charles Rosenkrans 1 (CR1aa) and synthetic oviductal fluid (SOFaa). Apoptosis in blastocysts was determined by TUNEL assay and expression profiles of developmentally important genes were assayed by real-time PCR.In vivo-produced bovine blastocysts were used as controls for experiments determining gene expression patterns. While the cleavage rates did not differ, embryos cultured in SOFaa had higher rates of development to blastocyst stage (P< 0.05). Mean cell numbers and percentages of apoptotic cells per blastocyst did not differ among the groups. Expression of the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) gene was significantly up-regulated in both CR1aa and KSOMaa when compared with SOFaa (P< 0.001). DNA methyltransferase 3a (Dnmt3a) expression was higher in embryos cultured in CR1aa than in those cultured in SOFaa (P< 0.001). Expression of interferon tau (IF-τ) and insulin-like growth factor II receptor (Igf-2r) genes was significantly up-regulated in KSOMaa when compared with CR1aa (P< 0.001). Gene expression did not differ betweenin vivo-derived blastocysts and theirin vitro-derived counterparts. In conclusion, SOFaa supports higher development to blastocyst stage than KSOMaa and CR1aa, and the culture conditions influence gene expression.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document