Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Zhang, Hsun-Ming Chang, Hua Zhu, Peter C. K. Leung
Summary: BMP2 suppresses PTX3 production through a canonical ALK2/3-mediated SMAD1/5-SMAD4-dependent signaling pathway, potentially regulating the process of endometrial decidualization in humans.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hai-Fan Yu, Zhan-Qing Yang, Ming-Yue Xu, Ji-Cheng Huang, Zhan-Peng Yue, Bin Guo
Summary: Yap plays an important role in uterine decidualization, and its inactivation affects the proliferation and differentiation of stromal cells, as well as mitochondrial function and DNA damage. Bmp2 and Rrm2 play important regulatory roles in the interaction with Yap during decidualization. Inactivation of Yap also affects intracellular ROS levels and stromal cell apoptosis. Partial restoration of these abnormalities can be achieved by supplementing GSH and mitochondrial antioxidants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Nanchao Hong, Erge Zhang, Huilin Xie, Lihui Jin, Qi Zhang, Yanan Lu, Alex F. Chen, Yongguo Yu, Bin Zhou, Sun Chen, Yu Yu, Kun Sun
Summary: Cardiac septum malformations are the most common congenital heart defects, with the transcription factor Sox7 playing a critical role in vascular development and angiogenesis. Studies show that Sox7 deficiency can lead to partial atrioventricular septal defects and impaired endothelial to mesenchymal transition, with downregulation of the BMP signaling pathway. This research identifies Sox7 as a novel pathogenic candidate gene for AVSD and highlights its role in regulating EndMT through the Wnt4-Bmp2 signaling pathway, offering new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart defects.
CELL DEATH & DISEASE
(2021)
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
Medicine, General & Internal
Jianye Deng, Hong-Jin Zhao, Ying Zhong, Cuiping Hu, Jinlai Meng, Chunling Wang, Xiangxin Lan, Xiyao Wang, Zi-Jiang Chen, Junhao Yan, Wei Wang, Yan Li
Summary: This study found that the enhanced bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) signaling derived from placenta in late gestation is associated with compensatory response for shallow trophoblast invasion in preeclampsia (PE). These findings provide opportunities for the application of diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets in the management of PE.
Article
Cell Biology
Xingyu Yan, Miaomiao Rong, Qianhui Zhou, Cong Zhang
Summary: This study found that the levels of DCAF13 in the decidua of PE patients are significantly lower compared to normal pregnant women. DCAF13 expression increases during decidualization and reducing its expression prevents decidualization. DCAF13 plays a key role in decidualization and abnormal expression may be involved in the occurrence and development of PE.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Jingsi Chen, Wenlu Ren, Lin Lin, Shanshan Zeng, Lijun Huang, Jingman Tang, Shilei Bi, Jiahong Pan, Dunjin Chen, Lili Du
Summary: The findings suggest that decreased PKGI/VASP signaling plays an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia by causing excessive MET in the decidua.
HYPERTENSION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qingyu Wu
Summary: Endometrial decidualization is crucial for various uterine processes in pregnancy. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) has been found to play a significant role in these processes. Deficiencies in ANP signaling can lead to complications such as preeclampsia. This review examines the impact of impaired ANP signaling on uterine biology and its potential implications for preeclampsia.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Man Yang, Hua Li, Miaomiao Rong, Hongya Zhang, Linlin Hou, Cong Zhang
Summary: The study found that GLUT1 levels were significantly downregulated in deciduas from patients with severe PE, playing a crucial role in decidualization and glycolysis. GLUT1 deficiency may lead to destructive decidualization, affecting blastocyst implantation and placental development.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Tamara Garrido-Gomez, Nerea Castillo-Marco, Monica Clemente-Ciscar, Teresa Cordero, Irene Munoz-Blat, Alicia Amadoz, Jorge Jimenez-Almazan, Rogelio Monfort-Ortiz, Reyes Climent, Alfredo Perales-Marin, Carlos Simon
Summary: Through global RNA sequencing, a fingerprint comprising 120 genes encoding the decidualization defect in women who developed severe preeclampsia has been identified. These findings implicate dysregulated hormonal signaling in the decidual endometria of women with severe preeclampsia, providing a potential footprint for preconception or early prenatal screening of risk, aimed at improving prevention and early treatments.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Guanlin Li, Wei Wei, Lingge Suo, Chun Zhang, Haiyan Yu, Hui Liu, Qing Guo, Xiumei Zhen, Yang Yu
Summary: The study demonstrated that aspirin treatment can effectively improve renal failure and pathological changes induced by preeclampsia, attenuating tubular injury and reducing kidney inflammation. It also suppresses renal cell apoptosis and oxidative stress. The mechanism involves inhibition of the WNT5A/NF-kappa B signaling pathway.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andres Hernandez-Garcia, Katherine E. Pendleton, Sangbae Kim, Yumei Li, Bum J. Kim, Hitisha P. Zaveri, Valerie K. Jordan, Aliska M. Berry, M. Cecilia Ljungberg, Rui Chen, Rainer B. Lanz, Daryl A. Scott
Summary: SOX7 is a gene encoding a transcription factor that is located in a region on chromosome 8p23.1, commonly deleted in individuals with ventricular septal defects (VSDs). The deficiency of SOX7 leads to hypocellular endocardial cushions and reduced endocardial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT). Furthermore, the interaction between SOX7 and Wnt4 plays a role in the development of VSDs through their additive effects on endocardial cushion development. The results provide additional evidence for the involvement of SOX7, Wnt4, and BMP2 in the pathogenesis of VSDs in humans.
HUMAN MOLECULAR GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Hongya Zhang, Xuexiang Li, Tianying Zhang, Qianhui Zhou, Cong Zhang
Summary: Preeclampsia (PE) has a growing incidence worldwide. Abnormal decidualization and impaired vascular remodeling are found to be crucial to the pathogenesis of PE. A predictive model was constructed using weighted gene co-expression network analysis and logistic least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression. The model showed good predictions with key marker genes closely associated with clinically accepted predictive molecules. This predictive model provides a potential approach for the diagnosis and treatment of PE.
BMC BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Pengfei Chen, Liying Zhou, Jiying Chen, Ying Lu, Chaoxia Cao, Shuangli Lv, Zhihong Wei, Liping Wang, Jiao Chen, Xinglin Hu, Zijing Wu, Xiaohua Zhou, Danna Su, Xuefeng Deng, Changchun Zeng, Huiyun Wang, Zuhui Pu, Ruiying Diao, Lisha Mou
Summary: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) affects 1%-2% of couples worldwide and immune heterogeneity in patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (URPL) remains a mystery. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed distinct subpopulations of dNK cells and activated dDCs in URPL deciduas. Moreover, CD8(+) T cells in decidua at early pregnancy exhibited cytotoxic properties and unique decidual macrophages expressed high levels of both M1 and M2 feature genes, suggesting potentially pathogenic immune variations in URPL.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tamara Garrido-Gomez, Nerea Castillo-Marco, Teresa Cordero, Carlos Simon
Summary: Preeclampsia is a dangerous complication in obstetrics that poses life-threatening risks to both mothers and infants. Shallow cytotrophoblast invasion through the uterine decidua is considered a cause of preeclampsia, but the exact reason for deficient invasion remains unknown. The deficiency in decidualization and expression of annexin A2 is associated with impaired invasion and establishment of the maternal-fetal interface. Detection of transcriptional markers related to decidualization deficiency before or after conception can help identify women at risk of developing severe preeclampsia and aid in developing therapeutic strategies to improve decidualization.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Chen-Ming Xu, Si-Jia Lu, Song-Chang Chen, Jing-Lan Zhang, Cong-Jian Xu, Yuan Gao, Yi-Ping Shen, Yun-Xia Cao, Ling-Qian Wu, Fan Jin, Ge Lin, Ping Liu, Yi-Min Zhu, Yan-Ting Wu, Dan Zhang, Bill Yee, Vitaly A. Kushnir, Zhi-Hong Yang, Jia-Yin Liu, Zi-Jiang Chen, Alan Thornhill, Angie N. Beltsos, Johan Smitz, John Frattarelli, Alan Handyside, Jie Qiao, He-Feng Huang
Summary: The International Society of Reproductive Genetics (ISRG) formed a workgroup comprised of clinicians, clinical laboratory directors, and scientists to develop guidelines for preimplantation genetic testing (PGT). These guidelines incorporate the latest information and clinical insights to provide optimal PGT practice. Recommendations are given to embryologists, medical geneticists, clinical laboratorians, and other healthcare providers to enhance the well-being of patients seeking assisted reproductive treatment and their offspring.
REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lihong Pang, Wenhao Yu, Jiale Lv, Yunde Dou, Han Zhao, Shanshan Li, Yuming Guo, Gongbo Chen, Linlin Cui, Jingmei Hu, Yueran Zhao, Qi Zhao, Zi-Jiang Chen
Summary: This study investigates the association between exposure to different air pollutants and ovarian reserve in Shandong Province, China. The findings show a negative association between air pollution and ovarian reserve, particularly during the primary to secondary follicle stage. This association varies among different population sub-groups.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qi Jiang, Ruolan Miao, Yuhuan Wang, Wenqi Wang, Dingying Zhao, Yue Niu, Qiaoqiao Ding, Yan Li, Peter C. K. Leung, Daimin Wei, Zi-Jiang Chen
Summary: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common and heterogeneous endocrine disorder, which is the main cause of ovulatory obstacle associated with abnormal folliculogenesis. Dysfunction of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) is recognized as a major factor that underlies abnormal follicle maturation. The expression of angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) in GCs differs between patients with and without PCOS. In this study, ANGPTL4 was found to be upregulated in patients with PCOS and its overexpression inhibited the proliferation of GCs through the EGFR/JAK1/STAT3-mediated induction of p21, providing a novel epigenetic mechanism for the pathogenesis of PCOS.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Zheng Liu, Yukun Zheng, Bingyu Wang, Jialin Li, Lang Qin, Xiao Li, Xin Liu, Yuehong Bian, Zijiang Chen, Han Zhao, Shigang Zhao
Summary: This study examined the association between sleep quality before embryo transfer and pregnancy outcomes. The results showed that good sleep quality was associated with higher clinical pregnancy and live birth rates. Treating sleep disorders and providing sleep behavior guidance may improve pregnancy outcomes in IVF-ET.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simin Zhao, Chengzi Huang, Yajuan Yang, Weiwei Xu, Yongze Yu, Canxin Wen, Lili Cao, Fei Gao, Yingying Qin, Zi-Jiang Chen, Ting Guo, Shidou Zhao
Summary: When DNA interstrand crosslink lesions occur, a core complex of Fanconi anemia proteins promotes the ubiquitination of FANCD2 and FANCI, which recruit downstream factors to repair the lesion. FANCD2 maintains genome stability through both its ubiquitination-dependent and ubiquitination-independent functions. This study analyzed germ cell development in Fancd2 KO and ubiquitination-deficient mutant mice, and found that the ubiquitination-dependent and ubiquitination-independent functions of FANCD2 were required for different aspects of germ cell development.
JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jiahui Wang, Wei Zhou, Zhiyi Song, Tianxiang Ni, Qian Zhang, Zi-Jiang Chen, Junhao Yan
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the association between polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and embryo ploidy. The results showed that the rate of embryonic aneuploidy and embryonic mosaic in PCOS women was comparable to non-PCOS women. Therefore, it is suggested that the miscarriage rate arising from abnormal embryonic chromosomes may be similar between PCOS and non-PCOS women.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY & METABOLISM
(2023)
Review
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Yiting Zhang, Xiao Fu, Shuli Gao, Shuzhe Gao, Shanshan Gao, Jinlong Ma, Zi-Jiang Chen
Summary: In the past decade, the use of frozen-thawed embryo transfer treatment has significantly increased. Hormone replacement therapy and the natural cycle are two popular methods for preparing the endometrium. While hormone replacement therapy offers convenience for timing coordination, there are potential risks associated with achieving pregnancy without a corpus luteum. Therefore, there is growing interest in expanding the use of natural cycle FET in ovulatory women to address these concerns and improve outcomes.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Biology
Xiaolei Chen, Huangcong Shi, Cheng Li, Wanxia Zhong, Linlin Cui, Wenjun Zhang, Ling Geng, Kuona Hu, Mei Fang, Daimin Wei, Junhao Yan, Yun Sun, Keliang Wu, Han Zhao, Zi-Jiang Chen
SCIENCE CHINA-LIFE SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dan Liang, Aleksei Mikhalchenko, Hong Ma, Nuria Marti Gutierrez, Tailai Chen, Yeonmi Lee, Sang-Wook Park, Rebecca Tippner-Hedges, Amy Koski, Hayley Darby, Ying Li, Crystal Van Dyken, Han Zhao, Keliang Wu, Jingye Zhang, Zhenzhen Hou, Seongjun So, Jongsuk Han, Jumi Park, Chong-Jai Kim, Kai Zong, Jianhui Gong, Yilin Yuan, Ying Gu, Yue Shen, Susan B. Olson, Hui Yang, David Battaglia, Thomas O'Leary, Sacha A. Krieg, David M. Lee, Diana H. Wu, P. Barton Duell, Sanjiv Kaul, Jin-Soo Kim, Stephen B. Heitner, Eunju Kang, Zi-Jiang Chen, Paula Amato, Shoukhrat Mitalipov
Summary: The range of DNA repair in response to double-strand breaks induced in human preimplantation embryos is uncertain due to the complexity of analyzing single- or few-cell samples. Whole genome amplification, which is necessary for sequencing such minute DNA input, can introduce artifacts that restrict genotyping accuracy. This study shows that allelic dropouts occur in over 25% of pre-existing heterozygous loci in control single blastomere samples after whole genome amplification. To overcome these limitations, the authors validate gene editing seen in human embryos by studying embryonic stem cells.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yanling Wan, Shuang Yang, Tongtong Li, Yuling Cai, Xinyue Wu, Mingyu Zhang, Tahir Muhammad, Tao Huang, Yue Lv, Wai-Yee Chan, Gang Lu, Jingxin Li, Qian-Qian Sha, Zi-Jiang Chen, Hongbin Liu
Summary: LSM14B knockout disrupts the assembly of MARDO, leading to improper mRNA storage and clearance, ultimately resulting in female infertility.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Correction
Cell Biology
Xiaoyu Merlin Zhang, Keliang Wu, Yuxuan Zheng, Han Zhao, Junpeng Gao, Zhenzhen Hou, Meiling Zhang, Jiaoyang Liao, Jingye Zhang, Yuan Gao, Yuanyuan Li, Lin Li, Fuchou Tang, Zi-Jiang Chen, Jinsong Li
Letter
Cell Biology
Yuan Gao, Lizhi Yi, Jianhong Zhan, Lijuan Wang, Xuelong Yao, Junhao Yan, Sijing Jian, Lei Gao, Mamadboqirova Farangez, Ming Gao, Yang Zou, Xuan Gao, Keliang Wu, Jiang Liu, Zi-Jiang Chen
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Chengzi Huang, Simin Zhao, Yajuan Yang, Ting Guo, Hanni Ke, Din Mi, Yingying Qin, Zi-Jiang Chen, Shidou Zhao
Summary: Mutations in TP63 gene impair the TID of TAp63 alpha protein, leading to constitutive activation and oocyte apoptosis, resulting in POI. These findings provide insight into the genetic diagnosis of POI and potential therapeutic targets for preserving female fertility.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL INVESTIGATION
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Daimin Wei, Yaxin Su, Peter C. K. Leung, Yan Li, Zi-Jiang Chen
Summary: This review summarizes the current knowledge on the pathophysiological roles of BMPs and their underlying molecular mechanisms in regulating human endometrial proliferation and decidualization, aiming to promote the development of innovative strategies for diagnosing, treating, and preventing infertility and adverse pregnancy complications associated with dysregulated human endometrial remodeling.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION UPDATE
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Na Chen, Jingyu Li, Yexing Li, Yiyuan Zhang, Jiarong Li, Jie Gao, Jingmei Hu, Linlin Cui, Zi-Jiang Chen
Summary: This study explores the risk factors for monozygotic twinning in offspring conceived by assisted reproductive technology (ART). The factors influencing MZ twinning include parental ages, the transfer of fresh versus frozen embryos, and the grade of blastocysts.
HUMAN REPRODUCTION OPEN
(2023)