scholarly journals Increased expression of HMGB1 in the implantation phase endometrium is related to recurrent implantation failure

Author(s):  
Mi Han ◽  
Yi Cao ◽  
Wenjie Zhou ◽  
Mingjuan Zhou ◽  
Xiaowei Zhou ◽  
...  

Abstract Impaired endometrial receptivity is the main cause of recurrent implantation failure (RIF), however, its underlying mechanism is unclear. In this study, we found that HMGB1 expression was significantly decreased in the implantation phase endometrium in the control group (patients with tubal infertility who successfully achieved conception after the first embryo transfer) (P = 0.006). However, the expression levels of HMGB1 mRNA and protein were significantly upregulated during the implantation phase in endometrial tissues obtained from patients with RIF compared to those in the control group (P = 0.001), consistent with the results of genome-wide expression profiling. Moreover, in vitro assays showed that increased expression of HMGB1 in human endometrial epithelial cells cause marked deficiency in supporting blastocysts and human embryonic JAR cell adhesion, mimicking the process of embryo adhesion. However, overexpression of HMGB1 had no effect on cell proliferation and in-vitro decidualization in a human endometrial stromal cell line (T-HESCs) and in primary human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs). These findings indicate that increased HMGB1 levels suppressed the adhesion capability of epithelial cells, contributing to impaired endometrial receptivity in patients with recurrent implantation failure. This characteristic can be used as a target for detecting and treating recurrent implantation failure in clinical practice.

2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T T T N Nguyen ◽  
Y S S Kwok ◽  
S Russell ◽  
C Librach

Abstract Study question Could non-autologous platelet lysate (PL) increase attachment of HTR–8 spheroids in vitro to primary endometrial epithelial cells (EECs) from patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF)? Summary answer Increased quantity of HTR–8 spheroids attached to primary EECs, isolated from patients with RIF, suggests in vitro treatment with non-autologous PL could improve endometrial receptivity. What is known already Inadequate endometrial receptivity and thickness are major causes for RIF. Recent studies suggest that platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may improve pregnancy outcomes for RIF and/or thin endometrium (TE) patients. Our previous results show that a commercially sourced and non-autologous human PRP/PL (HPL) promotes EC proliferation in vitro, suggesting that HPL may help to standardize future clinical treatments. In addition to EC proliferation, HPL treatment may improve embryo attachment to primary EECs isolated from patients with a history of RIF. In vitro attachment assays with trophoblast spheroids (embryo model) could help elucidate the effect of HPL on endometrial receptivity in RIF patients. Study design, size, duration Endometrial tissue was collected from nine RIF patients at the CReATe Fertility Centre, Toronto, Canada (Veritas REB#16580): five with (RIF+TE) and four without a TE (RIF only). Primary EECs were enzymatically isolated and treated with serum-free culture media (SFM) or 1% HPL in SFM for 48 hours before performing the attachment assay. Trophoblast cells (HTR–8/SVneo) were grown in suspension on a rocker to form 70–100 uM spheroids over 24 hours before use in the assay. Participants/materials, setting, methods Spheroids were fluorescently labelled with calcein-AM for 30 minutes and size-selected to capture spheroids similar in size to a human blastocyst. Spheroids were seeded on top of EEC monolayers and calcein fluorescence was immediately measured by a spectrophotometer. Following the 1-hour incubation, unattached spheroids were aspirated, and fluorescence was measured again. Spheroids were also individually quantified by fluorescent microscopy and ImageJ™ software. The percentage of spheroid attachment was calculated for calcein fluorescence and ImageJ™ quantification. Main results and the role of chance The HTR–8/SVneo cell line, derived from human first-trimester extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT), has been shown to be a suitable cell line to assess adhesion and invasion in vitro. Trophoblast spheroids generated from this cell line visually resembled a blastocyst and maintained expression of the EVT and implantation biomarkers: GATA3, ITGA5, and LIF. Primary EECs, treated for 48 hours with SFM supplemented with 1% commercially sourced and non-autologous HPL, overall exhibited increased attachment to HTR–8 spheroids. The percentage of spheroid attachment, as measured by fluorescence alone, significantly increase from 47.98% to 64.27% (P < 0.01) of seeded spheroids in RIF+TE EEC cultures, and from 48.12% to 85.77% (P < 0.001) of seeded spheroids in RIF only EEC cultures. Quantification by fluorescent microscopy and ImageJ™ software for individual calcein-stained spheroids, revealed a significant increase in spheroid attachment, from 57.52% to 86.5% (P < 0.01) in RIF+TE EEC cultures, and from 42.58% to 68.90% (P < 0.01) in RIF only EEC cultures. Limitations, reasons for caution Although there was a positive correlation between calcein fluorescence and spheroid quantity, quantification by fluorescence alone may be unreliable due to the variable numbers of cells in each spheroid. Our data suggest a more precise increase in attachment is detected when quantified by fluorescent microscopy and ImageJ™ software. Wider implications of the findings: We report a method for functional assessment of endometrial receptivity in vitro. HPL appears to promote implantation in RIF patients in a model of embryo attachment. We predict that the observed increase in attachment is due to increased endometrial receptivity gene expression, which will be our next investigative avenue. Trial registration number N/A


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuhao Zhao ◽  
Dongmei He ◽  
Hong Zeng ◽  
Jiefeng Luo ◽  
Shuang Yang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Poor endometrial receptivity is a major factor that leads to recurrent implantation failure. However, the traditional method cannot accurately evaluate endometrial receptivity. Various studies have indicated that microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in multiple processes of embryo implantation, but the role of miRNAs in endometrial receptivity in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) remains elusive. In the present study, we investigated the presence of pinopodes and the roles of miR-30d-5p, suppressor of cytokine signalling 1 (SOCS1) and the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) pathway in women with a history of RIF during the implantation window. Methods Endometrial tissue samples were collected between January 2018 to June 2019 from two groups of women who underwent in vitro fertilisation and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) or frozen ET. The RIF group included 20 women who underwent ≥ 3 ETs, including a total of ≥ 4 good-quality embryos, without pregnancy, whereas the control group included 10 women who had given birth at least once in the past year. An endometrial biopsy was performed during the implantation window (LH + 7). The development of pinopodes in the endometrial biopsy samples from all groups was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and western blotting were used to investigate the expression levels of miR-30d-5p, SOCS1, and the LIF pathway. Results The presence of developed pinopodes decreased in patients with RIF on LH + 7. The expression level of miR-30d-5p decreased in the endometria during the implantation window of patients with RIF, whereas the mRNA and protein levels of SOCS1 were significantly higher in the RIF group than in the control group. Furthermore, a negative correlation was observed between the expression of miR-30d-5p and SOCS1 (r2 = 0.8362). In addition, a significant decrease in LIF and p-STAT3 expression was observed during the implantation window in patients with RIF. Conclusions MiR-30d-5p and SOCS1 may be potential biomarkers for endometrial receptivity. Changes in pinopode development and abnormal expression of miR-30d-5p, SOCS1 and LIF pathway in the endometrium could be the reasons for implantation failure.


2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Song Guo ◽  
Di Zhang ◽  
Xiaowei Lu ◽  
Qian Zhang ◽  
Ruihuan Gu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Adenomyosis (AM) is an important cause of female infertility. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This report describes a preliminary study of hypoxia and its possible association with endometrial receptivity in AM. Methods The study was divided into in vitro and in vivo experiments. In vitro, expression levels of the endometrial receptivity markers HOXA10 and HOXA11 in the implantation period were examined using real-time PCR and western blotting. Endometrial expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α, HIF-2α, and HIF-3α was determined using immunohistochemistry. In vivo, using an AM mouse model established by oral administration of tamoxifen, we inhibited expression of HIF-2α using an HIF-2α antagonist (PT2399; 30 mg/kg body weight, twice daily by oral gavage for 2 days) and then examined expression levels of Hoxa10 and Hoxa11 using real-time PCR and western blotting. Results Endometrial mRNA and protein expression levels of HOXA10 and HOXA11 were significantly lower in patients with AM than in control patients. Expression of HIF-2α was significantly higher in the AM group than in the control group, whereas that of HIF-1α and HIF-3α was equivalent in both groups. In vivo analysis showed that administration of the HIF-2α antagonist resulted in increased expression of Hoxa10 and Hoxa11 at both the mRNA and protein levels in AM model mice. Conclusions HIF-2α overexpression may be one reason for decreased endometrial receptivity in AM. The current findings provide insight into HIF-2α-mediated AM-related infertility and suggest that PT2399 has potential as a treatment for AM. Trial registration This trial was retrospectively registered.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Huang ◽  
Ying Shi ◽  
Gezi Chen

Abstract Background Impaired endometrial receptivity is supposed to be a major element leading to recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Numerous studies have identified that the lncRNAs-miRNAs-mRNAs regulation network functions in the generation of receptive uterus. Long non-coding RNAs could act as competing endogenous RNAs in the pathogenesis of RIF. However, our understanding of the underlying mechanism is still limited. Results Based on the RNA-Seq results, 617 DEmRNAs, 69 DElncRNAs and 107 DEmiRNAs were identified in the RIF group compared with the control group. To investigate the role of lncRNAs in RIF, we constructed a lncRNA related ceRNA network. A total of 3 lncRNAs, 8 miRNAs and 69 genes were identified. Above all, our study obtained 120 lncRNAs-miRNAs-mRNAs relationships in the ceRNA network. Among three hub lncRNAs, PART1 and PWRN1 were upregulated whereas PGM5P3-AS1 was downregulated in RIF endometrium. Meanwhile, three down-regulated miRNAs (hsa-miR-1207-5p, hsa-miR-134-5p, hsa-miR-1225-5p) and five up-regulated miRNAs (hsa-miR-30c-5p, hsa-miR-30b-5p, hsa-miR-145-5p, hsa-miR-21-5p, hsa-miR-196b-5p) were shown. Conclusions We constructed a lncRNA-related ceRNA network and identified three hub lncRNAs in recurrent implantation failure. The results may provide further understanding in the pathogenesis of RIF as well as potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Fu ◽  
Xiaowei Zhang ◽  
Weiping Qian ◽  
Yiheng Liang ◽  
Shouren Lin ◽  
...  

Abstract In vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) is now widely applied in treating infertility. As the number of IVF cycles continues to increase, recurrent implantation failure (RIF) has become a big challenge. The cause of RIF is very complex and remains largely unrevealed, especially for those without any pathological features. It has been proved that vaginal microbiota is associated with many female reproductive diseases, such as pregnancy-related diseases, sexually transmitted diseases, tubal factor infertility, and first trimester miscarriage after in vitro fertilization (IVF) and so on. Hence, vaginal microbiota and its metabolome may also relate to RIF. In this study, we characterized the vaginal microbiota and metabolome of patients with unexplained RIF, while patients who achieved clinical pregnancy in the first IVF cycle were used as controls. Results Based on 16S rDNA sequencing of the vaginal microbiota, the RIF group presented higher microbial α-diversity than the control group (0.80±0.50 vs 0.50±0.39, P-value=0.016) and harbored more non-Lactobacillus microorganisms, including 25 significantly increased genera of both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The metabolomic profile showed that the relative abundances of 37 metabolites among 2,507 metabolites were significantly different between the two groups. Among them, 2',3-cyclic UMP and phosphoinositide were the top two metabolites significantly upregulated in the RIF group, while glycerophospholipids and benzopyran were important metabolites that were significantly downregulated. Lysobisphosphatidic acid (LPA) and prostaglandin (PG) metabolized from glycerophospholipids are key factors affecting implantation and decidualization. Benzopyran, as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), may affect the outcome of pregnancy. All of the metabolome outcomes may result in or from the differential microbiota composition in the RIF patients. Conclusions In conclusion, significant differences were presented in the vaginal microbiota and metabolome between RIF patients and women who became pregnant in the first IVF cycle, which are related to embryo implantation. This study not only deeply investigates the relationship between RIF and the vaginal microbial community and its metabolites but also provides a profound understanding of the pathogenesis of RIF.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fenglin Mei ◽  
Chengcai Kong ◽  
Yan Wang ◽  
Jing Zhuang ◽  
Pingping Xue ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose Impaired decidualization contributes to the infertility in recurrent implantation failure (RIF). Herein, we focused on the function and probable mechanisms of miR-133b in endometrial stromal cells decidualization.Methods miR-133b and KLF12 protein levels in midsecretory endometrial tissues derived from women with and without RIF were measured by qRT-PCR and Western blot. Primary human endometrial stromal cells (HESCs) were isolated and cultured for in vitro decidualization assays. Luciferase reporter, qRT-PCR and Western blot assays were used to measure the relationship between miR-133b and KLF12.Results miR-133b was significantly downregulated, whereas KLF12 was upregulated in endometrial tissues from RIF. miR-133b effectively promoted HESCs in vitro decidualization through the modulation of KLF12 expression and the activation of LIF/STAT3 pathway. Conversely, inhibition of miR-133b expression reversed these effects. In addition, the luciferase reporter system demonstrated that miR-133b directly inhibited the expression of KLF12 by interacting with 3’ untranslated region of KLF12.Conclusion Our data suggest that miR-133b promotes HESCs decidualization by targeting KLF12 and reverses the impaired decidualization in RIF.


2021 ◽  
Vol 36 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Jia ◽  
Y L Sha ◽  
Z Qiu ◽  
Y H Guo ◽  
A X Tan ◽  
...  

Abstract Study question To quantify the effectiveness of endometrial receptivity analysis (ERA)-guided personalized embryo transfer (pET) in Chinese women. Summary answer ERA-guided pET may remarkably improve pregnancy and implantation rates among Chinese women with Recurrent implantation failure (RIF). What is known already RIF is a major cause of infertility, and endometrial receptivity is widely accepted to impact implantation failure. Precision prediction of the WOI, the time when the endometrium is most receptive to the implantation of the embryo, is, therefore, of great significance to improve implantation prospects. Previous studies have shown the effectiveness of ERA for the prediction of the WOI, and how pET, timed by ERA, improves implantation and pregnancy rates; however, the efficacy of ERA-guided pET remains unknown for Chinese women. Study design, size, duration Patients in Chengdu Xi’nan Gynecology Hospital (Chengdu, China) who were undergoing frozen embryo transfer (FET) at the blastocyst stage on day five or day six during the period from November 2019 through September 2020 were recruited for this study. A total of 145 eligible patients were included in the study and assigned to the ERA group (n = 67) or the control group (n = 78). Clinical pregnancy outcomes were compared between the two groups. Participants/materials, setting, methods Endometrial specimens were collected the from ERA group. Total RNA was extracted from endometrial specimens, the transcriptomic sequencing data were processed using RNA-Seq and the endometrial receptivity status was assessed by the ERA predictor. The endometrium was classified as receptive or non-receptive according to the ERA assessment, and pET was done at the time determined by ERA in the ERA group. Subjects in the control group did not receive ERA and underwent blastocyst transfer normally. Main results and the role of chance The demographic and clinical characteristics were comparable between the ERA and control groups (P > 0.05). The ERA test identified 10.45% of samples as receptive and 89.55% of samples as non-receptive in the ERA group, with 70.15% of samples presenting a pre-receptive profile. We observed higher cumulative pregnancy (74.63% vs. 64.10%) and cumulative implantation rate (47.32% vs. 21.68%) rates, and a lower biochemical pregnancy rate (18.00% vs. 34.00%) in the ERA group when compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Additionally, we found higher pregnancy (67.16% vs. 39.74%) and implantation (46.54% vs. 16.94%) rates as well as a lower biochemical pregnancy rate (17.78% vs. 45.16%) after the first ERA test in the ERA group when compared to the control group (P < 0.01). Limitations, reasons for caution First, this is a retrospective analysis, which is relatively more biased than prospective clinical trials. Second, the study sample is considerably small. Third, only 10.45% of the subjects were identified as presenting a receptive profile, which limits the comparisons of clinical outcomes between patients with receptive and non-receptive endometria. Wider implications of the findings: This study demonstrates that the ERA test helps to determine the optimal timing for embryo transfer, improve pregnancy and implantation rates in patients with RIF, and guides the clinical application of the ERA test. Trial registration number approval No. 2020–018


2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-39 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhong Shuai ◽  
Xuemei Li ◽  
Xuelian Tang ◽  
Fang Lian ◽  
Zhengao Sun

Objective: To evaluate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupuncture stimulation (TEAS) on pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent implantation failure (RIF) undergoing in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Methods: A total of 122 women with RIF undergoing fresh embryo transfer cycle IVF were randomly allocated to a TEAS or mock TEAS (MTEAS) group. Gonadotrophin therapy using a long protocol was provided in both groups. TEAS consisted of 30 min of stimulation (9–25 mA, 2 Hz) at SP6, CV3, CV4 and Zigong from day 5 of the ovarian stimulation cycle once every other day until the day of embryo transfer. The patients in the control group received MTEAS. Implantation, clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were compared. Results: In the TEAS group, the implantation rate, clinical pregnancy rate and live birth rate (24.3%, 32.8% and 27.9%, respectively) were significantly higher than in the MTEAS group (12.1%, 16.4% and 13.1%, respectively). Conclusions: TEAS significantly improves the clinical outcomes of subsequent IVF cycles among women who have experienced RIF. Trial registration number: ChiCTR-TRC-14004730.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karolina Piekarska ◽  
Paweł Radwan ◽  
Agnieszka Tarnowska ◽  
Andrzej Wiśniewski ◽  
Michał Radwan ◽  
...  

The mother’s uterine immune system is dominated by uterine natural killer (NK) cells during the first trimester of pregnancy. These cells express killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIRs) of inhibitory or activating function. Invading extravillous trophoblast cells express HLA-C molecules, and both maternal and paternal HLA-C allotypes are presented to KIRs. Endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) and 2 (ERAP2) shape the HLA class I immunopeptidome. The ERAPs remove N-terminal residues from antigenic precursor peptides and generate optimal-length peptides to fit into the HLA class I groove. The inability to form the correct HLA class I complexes with the appropriate peptides may result in a lack of immune response by NK cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of ERAP1 and ERAP2 polymorphisms in the context of KIR and HLA-C genes in recurrent implantation failure (RIF). In addition, for the first time, we showed the results of ERAP1 and ERAP2 secretion into the peripheral blood of patients and fertile women. We tested a total of 881 women. Four hundred ninety-six females were patients who, together with their partners, participated in in vitro fertilization (IVF). A group of 385 fertile women constituted the control group. Women positive for KIR genes in the Tel AA region and HLA-C2C2 were more prevalent in the RIF group than in fertile women (p/pcorr. = 0.004/0.012, OR = 2.321). Of the ERAP polymorphisms studied, two of them (rs26653 and rs26618) appear to affect RIF susceptibility in HLA-C2-positive patients. Moreover, fertile women who gave birth in the past secreted significantly more ERAP1 than IVF women and control pregnant women (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0005, respectively). In the case of ERAP2, the opposite result was observed; i.e., fertile women secreted far less ERAP2 than IVF patients (p = 0.0098). Patients who became pregnant after in vitro fertilization embryo transfer (IVF-ET) released far less ERAP2 than patients who miscarried (p = 0.0032). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses indicate a value of about 2.9 ng/ml of ERAP2 as a point of differentiation between patients who miscarried and those who gave birth to a healthy child. Our study indicates that both ERAP1 and ERAP2 may be involved in processes related to reproduction.


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