Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nan Liu, Huihui Shen, Zehua Wang, Xueyun Qin, Mingqing Li, Xinyan Zhang
Summary: This study found a decrease in CXCR4(+) NK cells in the decidua of RSA patients during early pregnancy. Co-culturing with trophoblasts increased CXCR4 expression in dNK cells. Additionally, trophoblast autophagy educates dNK landscape through the IGF2-TP53-CXCR4 axis.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Eliza Grbac, Teresa So, Swati Varshney, Nicholas Williamson, Evdokia Dimitriadis, Ellen Menkhorst
Summary: Research suggests that prednisolone affects the expression of cytokines and protein production in human endometrial stromal fibroblasts (hESF), altering their regulation of trophoblast cells. Decidualization of hESF in the presence of prednisolone enhances trophoblast cell growth and influences the expression of cell motility genes.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Bai-Mei Zhuang, Dan-Dan Cao, Tian-Xi Li, Xiao-Feng Liu, Min-Min Lyu, Si-Dong Wang, Xin-Yuan Cui, Li Wang, Xiao-Lin Chen, Xiao-Li Lin, Cheuk-Lun Lee, Philip C. N. Chiu, William S. B. Yeung, Yuan-Qing Yao
Summary: Our study provides a single-cell atlas for trophoblast organoids (TOs) and explores their applications in extravillous trophoblast (EVT) differentiation and communication with decidual natural killer (dNK) cells. We identified multiple distinct trophoblast states and dNK subpopulations, and found a close resemblance between TO/EVT-TO and human placenta. Transcription factors were found to be essential for controlling EVT differentiation, and ligand-receptor complexes related to cytokines, immunomodulation, and angiogenesis were predicted in dNK-EVT-TO co-cultures. Furthermore, we found that dNK cells can exert effects on EVT causing functionally important expression changes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lu Gao, Qian-Han Xu, Li-Na Ma, Jing Luo, Kahindo P. Muyayalo, Li-Ling Wang, Dong-Hui Huang, Xian-Jin Xiao, Shi-Bin Cheng, Gil Mor, Ai-Hua Liao
Summary: This study reveals the important role of lactic acid metabolism in the differentiation of decidual macrophages during early pregnancy, contributing to immune tolerance. Lactic acid can induce the polarization of M2 or M1 macrophages through regulation of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis under different oxygen levels. The inhibition of lactic acid metabolism through the HIF-1 alpha/SRC/LDHA pathway is involved in recurrent pregnancy loss. Blocking lactic acid intake rescues pregnancy in an abortion-prone mouse model, suggesting a potential therapeutic target in recurrent pregnancy loss.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hong Liu, Li-Ling Wang, Qian-Han Xu, Jing Wang, Yu-Jing Zhang, Jing Luo, Ai-Hua Liao
Summary: Trophoblasts are crucial for the success of pregnancy, and their dysfunction is associated with pregnancy-related diseases such as recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This study investigates the role of UHRF1, an epigenetic modifier, in trophoblast regulation. The findings show that UHRF1 expression is decreased in the villi of RPL patients and that knockdown of UHRF1 leads to decreased invasion and cell viability in trophoblasts. Moreover, altered expression of immune-related genes, particularly pro-inflammatory chemokines/cytokines CXCL2 and IL-43, is observed in UHRF1 knockdown trophoblasts as well as in villi and serum from RPL patients. Additionally, the study reveals the impact of UHRF1 knockdown trophoblasts on macrophages, resulting in polarization towards an M1 phenotype and increased secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Liman Li, Ting Feng, Weijie Zhou, Yuan Liu, Hong Li
Summary: dNK cells play a crucial role in key placental development processes at the maternal-fetal interface, influencing pregnancy outcomes significantly through secretion of cytokines, chemokines, and angiogenic mediators as well as interactions with other cells. Dysregulation of miRNA in dNK cells may lead to pathological consequences, such as recurrent pregnancy loss, and miRNA expression patterns differ between dNK cells and pNK cells in different trimesters of gestation.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Developmental Biology
Adam C. Lechner, Jonathan C. Slack, Chrystalle Katte Carreon, Bradley J. Quade, Carlos Parra-Herran
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between lesions such as multinucleate trophoblasts (MNTs) and placental septa (PS) and maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM), and found that MNTs and PS were significantly associated with MVM. Larger foci of MNTs were also found to be related to hypertension and preeclampsia. However, laminar decidual necrosis (DLN) and extravillous trophoblast islands (ETIs) were not found to be associated with MVM. These findings suggest that MNTs should be included in the diagnostic criteria for MVM, while further research is needed on the diagnostic value of DLN and ETI.
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Maryam Nurzadeh, Seyedeh Mojgan Ghalandarpoor-Attar, Seyedeh Noushin Ghalandarpoor-Attar, Maryam Rabiei
Summary: The involvement of the immune system in pregnancy is controversial, with T cells potentially influencing embryonic survival and successful pregnancy. Cytokines from uterine natural killer cells, NKT cells, macrophages, and T cells play a role in regulating trophoblast invasion. IFN-gamma has an important inhibitory effect in this process, potentially inhibiting trophoblast invasion through increased apoptosis and decreased expression of matrix metalloproteinases.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Pirkovic, Aleksandra Vilotic, Suncica Borozan, Mirjana Nacka-Aleksic, Zanka Bojic-Trbojevic, Milica Jovanovic Krivokuca, Maurizio Battino, Francesca Giampieri, Dragana Dekanski
Summary: The bioactive compound oleuropein derived from olives was evaluated for its effects on damage induced by hydrogen peroxide in human trophoblast cells in vitro. The study found that oleuropein had cytoprotective effects by improving antioxidant status, preventing protein and lipid damage, and reducing iNOS levels.
Review
Immunology
Xiao-Wei Wei, Yu-Chen Zhang, Fan Wu, Fu-Ju Tian, Yi Lin
Summary: Uterine spiral artery remodeling plays a crucial role in successful pregnancy, which is regulated by uterine NK cells and extravillous trophoblasts.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lingling Jiang, Haiyi Fei, Xiaoying Jin, Xiu Liu, Cuiyu Yang, Chao Li, Jianmin Chen, Anran Yang, Jiajuan Zhu, Huihong Wang, Xiaoyang Fei, Songying Zhang
Summary: Extracellular vesicles derived from trophoblasts (T-EVs) secreted HLA-E, promoting the secretion of IFN-gamma and VEGF alpha by decidual NK (dNK) cells from unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) patients to maintain pregnancy. Glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) played crucial roles in this process, with glycolysis of dNK cells facilitated by T-EVs depending on mTORC1 activation. Inhibition of T-EV production in mouse models increased susceptibility to embryo absorption, which could be reversed by transferring exogenous Qa-1(+)T-EVs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Lufen Gao, Hui Chen, Jing Liu, Minghua Wang, Fangfang Lin, Guang Yang, Gendie E. Lash, Ping Li
Summary: In cesarean scar pregnancy, the implantation site displays increased fibrosis and disrupted myometrium, while the non-scar implantation sites have specific features of local decidua. The differentiation process of the decidua is important for the management and avoidance of consequences in cesarean scar pregnancy.
ACTA OBSTETRICIA ET GYNECOLOGICA SCANDINAVICA
(2022)
Article
Reproductive Biology
Cassandra Meakin, Emily S. Barrett, Lauren M. Aleksunes
Summary: The migration and invasion of extravillous trophoblasts are crucial for proper placenta and fetus development during pregnancy. Environmental chemicals and pharmaceuticals can disrupt trophoblast migration and may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes.
REPRODUCTIVE TOXICOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Robert Morey, Omar Farah, Sampada Kallol, Daniela F. Requena, Morgan Meads, Matteo Moretto-Zita, Francesca Soncin, Louise C. Laurent, Mana M. Parast
Summary: During pregnancy, the EVT invades and remodels maternal blood vessels to ensure blood supply to the placenta, exhibiting polyploidy and senescence in early gestation. Comprehensive profiling of genomic organization and transcriptome shows that both first trimester and term EVT undergo senescence, are primarily tetraploid, and lack high rates of copy number variations. Genes and pathways related to senescence and polyploidy are important for normal EVT differentiation and maturation, with a key role identified for the unfolded protein response.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Yuefang Liu, Shujun Gao, Yangjing Zhao, Hui Wang, Qiong Pan, Qixiang Shao
Summary: This review discusses the important roles of decidual natural killer (dNK) cells in pregnancy, highlighting their generation, subsets, surface or soluble molecules, and functions crucial for maintaining pregnancy. It also explores the new functions of dNK cells, such as controlled cytotoxicity, immunosurveillance, and immunotrophism, and the molecular mechanisms involved in these functions, emphasizing their potential clinical applications.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ramya Sivangala Thandi, Rajesh Kumar Radhakrishnan, Deepak Tripathi, Padmaja Paidipally, Abul K. Azad, Larry S. Schlesinger, Buka Samten, Sachin Mulik, Ramakrishna Vankayalapati
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Physiology
Velmurugan Meganathan, Regina Moyana, Kartiga Natarajan, Weshely Kujur, Shilpa Kusampudi, Sachin Mulik, Vijay Boggaram
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Angela C. Crespo, Sachin Mulik, Farokh Dotiwala, James A. Ansara, Sumit Sen Santara, Kayleigh Ingersoll, Cristian Ovies, Caroline Junqueira, Tamara Tilburgs, Jack L. Strominger, Judy Lieberman
Article
Immunology
Caroline Junqueira, Rafael B. Polidoro, Guilherme Castro, Sabrina Absalon, Zhitao Liang, Sumit Sen Santara, Angela Crespo, Dhelio B. Pereira, Ricardo T. Gazzinelli, Jeffrey D. Dvorin, Judy Lieberman
Summary: Activated gamma delta 2 T lymphocytes can recognize and lyse infected red blood cells in Plasmodium falciparum-infected patients, controlling blood-stage malaria through both degranulation and phagocytosis mechanisms.
Article
Microbiology
Weshely Kujur, Oscar Murillo, Raju S. R. Adduri, Ramakrishna Vankayalapati, Nagarjun Konduru, Sachin Mulik
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shiva Keshava, Jhansi Magisetty, Torry A. Tucker, Weshely Kujur, Sachin Mulik, Charles T. Esmon, Steven Idell, L. Vijaya Mohan Rao, Usha R. Pendurthi
Summary: EPCR plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pleural thickening and fibrosis induced by S. pneumoniae infection. Deficiency of EPCR offers protection against lung function impairment and pleural remodeling caused by S. pneumoniae infection.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Editorial Material
Cell Biology
Cristian Ovies, Eleanor C. Semmes, Carolyn B. Coyne
Summary: Pregnancy and fetal sex could influence the quality of antibody responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection and immunization.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Caroline Junqueira, Angela Crespo, Shahin Ranjbar, Luna B. de Lacerda, Mercedes Lewandrowski, Jacob Ingber, Blair Parry, Sagi Ravid, Sarah Clark, Marie Rose Schrimpf, Felicia Ho, Caroline Beakes, Justin Margolin, Nicole Russell, Kyle Kays, Julie Boucau, Upasana Das Adhikari, Setu M. Vora, Valerie Leger, Lee Gehrke, Lauren A. Henderson, Erin Janssen, Douglas Kwon, Chris Sander, Jonathan Abraham, Marcia B. Goldberg, Hao Wu, Gautam Mehta, Steven Bell, Anne E. Goldfeld, Michael R. Filbin, Judy Lieberman
Summary: This study suggests that SARS-CoV-2 infection in monocytes and macrophages, mediated by antibody uptake, triggers inflammatory cell death and systemic inflammation, which prevents the production of infectious virus but contributes to COVID-19 pathogenesis.
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sumit Sen Santara, Dian-Jang Lee, Angela Crespo, Jun Jacob Hu, Caitlin Walker, Xiyu Ma, Ying Zhang, Sourav Chowdhury, Karla F. Meza-Sosa, Mercedes Lewandrowski, Haiwei Zhang, Marjorie Rowe, Arthur McClelland, Hao Wu, Caroline Junqueira, Judy Lieberman
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Sumit Sen Santara, Dian-Jang Lee, Angela Crespo, Jun Jacob Hu, Caitlin Walker, Xiyu Ma, Ying Zhang, Sourav Chowdhury, Karla F. Meza-Sosa, Mercedes Lewandrowski, Haiwei Zhang, Marjorie Rowe, Arthur McClelland, Hao Wu, Caroline Junqueira, Judy Lieberman
Summary: Natural killer (NK) cells can recognize externalized calreticulin (ecto-CRT) as an endogenous ligand for the activating receptor NKp46. Recognition of ecto-CRT by NKp46 triggers NK cell signaling and leads to the elimination of ER-stressed cells. This recognition mechanism plays a crucial role in immune surveillance and cancer prevention.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Rajesh Kumar Radhakrishnan, Ramya Sivangala Thandi, Deepak Tripathi, Padmaja Paidipally, Madeline Kay McAllister, Sachin Mulik, Buka Samten, Ramakrishna Vankayalapati