scholarly journals The Role of microRNA Let-7d in Female Malignancies and Diseases of the Female Reproductive Tract

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (14) ◽  
pp. 7359
Author(s):  
Chiara De Santis ◽  
Martin Götte
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Posttranscriptional Regulation ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Apoptosis Resistance ◽  
Therapeutic Concept ◽  
Mrna Targets ◽  
Wide Range

microRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Let-7d is a microRNA of the conserved let-7 family that is dysregulated in female malignancies including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, and cervical cancer. Moreover, a dysregulation is observed in endometriosis and pregnancy-associated diseases such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Let-7d expression is regulated by cytokines and steroids, involving transcriptional regulation by OCT4, MYC and p53, as well as posttranscriptional regulation via LIN28 and ADAR. By downregulating a wide range of relevant mRNA targets, let-7d affects cellular processes that drive disease progression such as cell proliferation, apoptosis (resistance), angiogenesis and immune cell function. In an oncological context, let-7d has a tumor-suppressive function, although some of its functions are context-dependent. Notably, its expression is associated with improved therapeutic responses to chemotherapy in breast and ovarian cancer. Studies in mouse models have furthermore revealed important roles in uterine development and function, with implications for obstetric diseases. Apart from a possible utility as a diagnostic blood-based biomarker, pharmacological modulation of let-7d emerges as a promising therapeutic concept in a variety of female disease conditions.

scholarly journals Effects of carotenoids on human immune function

1999 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 713-718 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
Immune Function ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Causative Factor ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Β Carotene

Many epidemiological studies have shown an association between diets rich in carotenoids and a reduced incidence of many forms of cancer, and it has been suggested that the antioxidant properties of these compounds are a causative factor. Attention has focused on the potential role of one specific carotenoid, β-carotene, in preventing cancer, and numerous publications have described in vitro experiments and animal studies which suggest that not only can this carotenoid protect against the development of cancer, but also several other chronic diseases. Since the immune system plays a major role in cancer prevention, it has been suggested that β-carotene may enhance immune cell function. Several human trials, using dietary β-carotene supplementation with a wide range of intakes, have been undertaken to address this hypothesis. The general conclusion of these studies is that this compound can enhance cell-mediated immune responses, particularly in the elderly. The present article will review some of these human studies and, hopefully, complement the reviews of other authors associated with the present symposium, some of whom will also describe work in this area. Potential mechanisms for the effects of carotenoids on immune function will also be reviewed. Finally, possible reasons for the failure of three major prospective studies to demonstrate a beneficial effect of β-carotene supplementation on lung cancer risk will be discussed.

scholarly journals Uterine glucocorticoid receptors are critical for fertility in mice through control of embryo implantation and decidualization

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (49) ◽  
pp. 15166-15171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon D. Whirledge ◽  
Robert H. Oakley ◽  
Page H. Myers ◽  
John P. Lydon ◽  
Francesco DeMayo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glucocorticoid Receptors ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Steroid Receptors ◽  
Embryo Implantation ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Mouse Uterus ◽  
Glucocorticoid Signaling ◽  
Endocrine Organs

In addition to the well-characterized role of the sex steroid receptors in fertility and reproduction, organs of the female reproductive tract are also regulated by the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis. These endocrine organs are sensitive to stress-mediated actions of glucocorticoids, and the mouse uterus contains high levels of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). Although the presence of GR in the uterus is well established, uterine glucocorticoid signaling has been largely ignored in terms of its reproductive and/or immunomodulatory functions on fertility. To define the direct in vivo function of glucocorticoid signaling in adult uterine physiology, we generated a uterine-specific GR knockout (uterine GR KO) mouse using the PRcre mouse model. The uterine GR KO mice display a profound subfertile phenotype, including a significant delay to first litter and decreased pups per litter. Early defects in pregnancy are evident as reduced blastocyst implantation and subsequent defects in stromal cell decidualization, including decreased proliferation, aberrant apoptosis, and altered gene expression. The deficiency in uterine GR signaling resulted in an exaggerated inflammatory response to induced decidualization, including altered immune cell recruitment. These results demonstrate that GR is required to establish the necessary cellular context for maintaining normal uterine biology and fertility through the regulation of uterine-specific actions.

scholarly journals A Review of the Clinical Characteristics and Novel Molecular Subtypes of Endometrioid Ovarian Cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuangfeng Chen ◽  
Yuebo Li ◽  
Lili Qian ◽  
Sisi Deng ◽  
Luwen Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Molecular Subtypes ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
The Novel ◽  
Endometrioid Ovarian Carcinoma ◽  
Endometrioid Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Prediction Of Prognosis ◽  
Novel Therapeutic Strategies

Ovarian cancer is one of the most common gynecologic cancers that has the highest mortality rate. Endometrioid ovarian cancer, a distinct subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer, is associated with endometriosis and Lynch syndrome, and is often accompanied by synchronous endometrial carcinoma. In recent years, dysbiosis of the microbiota within the female reproductive tract has been suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of endometrial cancer and ovarian cancer, with some specific pathogens exhibiting oncogenic having been found to contribute to cancer development. It has been shown that dysregulation of the microenvironment and accumulation of mutations are stimulatory factors in the progression of endometrioid ovarian carcinoma. This would be a potential therapeutic target in the future. Simultaneously, multiple studies have demonstrated the role of four molecular subtypes of endometrioid ovarian cancer, which are of particular importance in the prediction of prognosis. This literature review aims to compile the potential mechanisms of endometrioid ovarian cancer, molecular characteristics, and molecular pathological types that could potentially play a role in the prediction of prognosis, and the novel therapeutic strategies, providing some guidance for the stratified management of ovarian cancer.

NK Cell Function in the Human Female Reproductive Tract

2007 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 108-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Charles L. Sentman ◽  
Charles R. Wira ◽  
Mikael Eriksson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Nk Cell ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Human Female

scholarly journals Inflammatory pathways in female reproductive health and disease

Reproduction ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 138 (6) ◽  
pp. 903-919 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry N Jabbour ◽  
Kurt J Sales ◽  
Rob D Catalano ◽  
Jane E Norman
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Reproductive Function ◽  
The Body ◽  
Inflammatory Pathways ◽  
Female Reproductive Health ◽  
Affected Tissue ◽  
Proper Resolution ◽  
Reproductive Events

Inflammation involves alterations to vascular and immune cell function. It is well recognised that many physiological reproductive events such as ovulation, menstruation, implantation and onset of labour display hallmark signs of inflammation. These are orchestrated by specific molecular pathways involving a host of growth factors, cytokines, chemokines and lipid mediators. Resumption of normal reproductive function involves prompt and proper resolution of these inflammatory pathways. Recent literature confirms that resolution of inflammatory pathways involves specific biochemical events that are activated to re-establish homeostasis in the affected tissue. Moreover, initiation and maintenance of inflammatory pathways are the key components of many pathologies of the reproductive tract and elsewhere in the body. The onset of reproductive disorders or disease may be the result of exacerbated activation and maintenance of inflammatory pathways or their dysregulated resolution. This review will address the role of inflammatory events in normal reproductive function and its pathologies.

scholarly journals Intricate Connections between the Microbiota and Endometriosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 5644
Author(s):  
Irene Jiang ◽  
Paul J. Yong ◽  
Catherine Allaire ◽  
Mohamed A. Bedaiwy
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Disease Risk ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Estrogen Metabolism ◽  
Opportunistic Pathogens ◽  
Gut Function ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Normal Immune Function

Imbalances in gut and reproductive tract microbiota composition, known as dysbiosis, disrupt normal immune function, leading to the elevation of proinflammatory cytokines, compromised immunosurveillance and altered immune cell profiles, all of which may contribute to the pathogenesis of endometriosis. Over time, this immune dysregulation can progress into a chronic state of inflammation, creating an environment conducive to increased adhesion and angiogenesis, which may drive the vicious cycle of endometriosis onset and progression. Recent studies have demonstrated both the ability of endometriosis to induce microbiota changes, and the ability of antibiotics to treat endometriosis. Endometriotic microbiotas have been consistently associated with diminished Lactobacillus dominance, as well as the elevated abundance of bacterial vaginosis-related bacteria and other opportunistic pathogens. Possible explanations for the implications of dysbiosis in endometriosis include the Bacterial Contamination Theory and immune activation, cytokine-impaired gut function, altered estrogen metabolism and signaling, and aberrant progenitor and stem-cell homeostasis. Although preliminary, antibiotic and probiotic treatments have demonstrated efficacy in treating endometriosis, and female reproductive tract (FRT) microbiota sampling has successfully predicted disease risk and stage. Future research should aim to characterize the “core” upper FRT microbiota and elucidate mechanisms behind the relationship between the microbiota and endometriosis.

scholarly journals UNC-45A Is Highly Expressed in the Proliferative Cells of the Mouse Genital Tract and in the Microtubule-Rich Areas of the Mouse Nervous System

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1604
Author(s):  
Valentino Clemente ◽  
Asumi Hoshino ◽  
Joyce Meints ◽  
Mihir Shetty ◽  
Tim Starr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ovarian Cancer ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Genital Tract ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Neuronal Development ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Ciliated Epithelium ◽  
Actomyosin Contractility ◽  
Cancer Initiation

UNC-45A (Protein unc-45 homolog A) is a cytoskeletal-associated protein with a dual and non-mutually exclusive role as a regulator of the actomyosin system and a Microtubule (MT)-destabilizing protein, which is overexpressed in human cancers including in ovarian cancer patients resistant to the MT-stabilizing drug paclitaxel. Mapping of UNC-45A in the mouse upper genital tract and central nervous system reveals its enrichment not only in highly proliferating and prone to remodeling cells, but also in microtubule-rich areas, of the ovaries and the nervous system, respectively. In both apparatuses, UNC-45A is also abundantly expressed in the ciliated epithelium. As regulators of actomyosin contractility and MT stability are essential for the physiopathology of the female reproductive tract and of neuronal development, our findings suggest that UNC-45A may have a role in ovarian cancer initiation and development as well as in neurodegeneration.

scholarly journals Foreign Bodies in the Female Reproductive Tract

2019 ◽  
pp. 12-22
Author(s):  
Suzanne M Czerniak ◽  
Jason Hao ◽  
Gary Israel
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Bodies ◽  
Reproductive Tract ◽  
Comprehensive Evaluation ◽  
Cervix Uterus ◽  
External Genitalia ◽  
Medical Professional ◽  
Female Reproductive Tract ◽  
Contraceptive Devices ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Correct Location

Purpose:Most imaged foreign bodies of the female reproductive tract are intentionally placed, either by a medical professional or the patient herself. In many cases, these are reported as incidental findings, but occasionally studies are ordered specifically to locate wayward devices or assess for complications related to them. This requires radiologists to be able to correctly identify a wide range of foreign bodies, recognize their expected location, and assess for any associated complications. The purpose of this article is to familiarize the reader with a variety of foreign bodies and their usual positions in the female reproductive tract as well as their associated complications, if any. Methods: A search was performed of our institutional database, Montage, to find examples of frequently encountered foreign bodies of the external genitalia, vagina, cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes in their expected positions. Further searches were made to illustrate common complications related to each. Results: Imaging of foreign bodies including external genital piercings, tampons, menstrual cups, pessaries, contraceptive rings, brachytherapy applicators, intra uterine contraceptive devices, and internal and external tubal closure devices were compiled across multiple modalities including x-ray, CT, MRI, and ultrasound. Complications including migration, perforation, and infection were reviewed. Conclusion: Foreign bodies of the female reproductive tract are ubiquitous and should be readily recognized by radiologists. Comprehensive evaluation includes assessment for correct location and device-related complications.

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