Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kanako Takimoto, Hideto Yamada, Shigeki Shimada, Yoshiyuki Fukushi, Shinichiro Wada
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between chronic endometritis and uterine endometrium microbiota with repeated implantation failures and recurrent pregnancy losses. The results suggest that chronic endometritis may be involved in the pathophysiology of recurrent pregnancy losses and repeated implantation failures. Lactobacillus iners and Ureaplasma species may be associated with the etiology of chronic endometritis.
Article
Immunology
Shafat Ali, Sabhiya Majid, Md. Niamat Ali, Shahnaz Taing, Muneeb U. Rehman, Azher Arafah
Summary: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a reproductive disease that involves two or more successive spontaneous abortions, with causes often related to dysfunction of endometrial cytokines and dysregulation of decidual cytokines. Cytokine modulatory therapies are considered promising for preventing RPL.
INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Pirkko Peuranpaea, Tiina Holster, Schahzad Saqib, Ilkka Kalliala, Aila Tiitinen, Anne Salonen, Hanna Hautamaki
Summary: This study found that dysbiosis of the endometrial and vaginal microbiota is associated with recurrent pregnancy loss and may represent a novel risk factor for pregnancy loss. Specifically, there was a decrease in relative abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus in endometrial samples and an increase in Gardnerella vaginalis abundance in the RPL group.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luca Marozio, Anna Maria Nuzzo, Eugenio Gullo, Laura Moretti, Emilie M. Canuto, Annalisa Tancredi, Margherita Goia, Stefano Cosma, Alberto Revelli, Alessandro Rolfo, Chiara Benedetto
Summary: Recurrent Pregnancy Loss (RPL) refers to two or more miscarriages before 20 weeks gestation. The cause of RPL remains unexplained in more than 50% of cases, but abnormal immune activity during placentation is believed to be a possible cause. This study analyzed gene expression and protein levels of immune checkpoints in the endometrium of women with RPL and found defective immune regulation and overactivation of immune response compared to controls with dysfunctional uterine bleeding and normal reproductive history.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Laura Strobel, Kilian Vomstein, Christiana Kyvelidou, Susanne Hofer-Tollinger, Katharina Feil, Ruben-Jeremias Kuon, Susanne Ebner, Jakob Troppmair, Bettina Toth
Summary: In this study, we found that compared to sRPL patients, sCtrls had higher numbers of CD56(+) and CD56(dim)CD16(bright) cells. Furthermore, sRPL patients had lower numbers of CD56(dim)CD16(bright)NKG2D(+) and CD56(dim)CD16(bright)NKp46(+) compared to sCtrls.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Yutoku Shi, Hideto Yamada, Yuki Sasagawa, Kenji Tanimura, Masashi Deguchi
Summary: This study found that an increase in Ureaplasma species in the uterine endometrium microbiota of women with recurrent pregnancy loss was associated with a higher risk of miscarriage with normal chromosome karyotype and preterm delivery in subsequent pregnancies. Analyzing UEM in women with recurrent pregnancy loss before pregnancy may help identify microbiota associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Hannan Al-Lamee, Christopher J. Hill, Florence Turner, Thuan Phan, Andrew J. Drakeley, Dharani K. Hapangama, Nicola Tempest
Summary: This review assesses the role of endometrial stem/progenitor cells (eSPCs) in recurrent reproductive failure (RRF), highlighting the numerous unknown aspects in this field and suggesting future research avenues to advance the diagnosis and management of millions of women suffering from RRF.
JOURNAL OF PERSONALIZED MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jie Li, Dujuan Xu, Ling Ma, Lin Li, Lijuan Yang
Summary: Syndecan-1 (CD138) expression in proliferative-phase endometrium is associated with pregnancy outcomes in fresh IVF/ICSI cycles. The number of CD138 + cells is negatively correlated with pregnancy, and a CD138 + cell count ≥2 significantly decreases the clinical pregnancy rate. CD138 + cells may serve as an adverse indicator for predicting pregnancy outcomes in fresh IVF/ICSI cycles.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Kilian Vomstein, Pia Egerup, Astrid Marie Kolte, Ida Behrendt-Moller, Amalie Dyhrberg Boje, Marie-Louise Bertelsen, Cecilie Sofie Eriken, Michelle Raupelyt Reierson, Bettina Toth, Nina la Cour Freiesleben, Henriette Svarre Nielsen
Summary: This study investigated the differences in menstrual blood lymphocytes between controls, patients with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and patients with unexplained infertility (uINF). The results showed that RPL patients had significantly higher numbers of CD56+ NK cells in menstrual blood compared to controls, while both RPL and uINF patients had decreased numbers of CD56dimCD16bright NK cells in menstrual blood. These findings suggest altered cytotoxicity in menstrual blood NK cell subtypes of RPL and uINF patients compared to controls.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Dominique de Ziegler, Rene F. Frydman
Summary: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is defined as two to three spontaneous pregnancy terminations before 12 weeks of gestation, potentially caused by factors like gamete quality, uterine issues, endometrial receptivity alterations, immunologic factors, and thrombophilia.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Meryam Cheloufi, Alaa Kazhalawi, Anne Pinton, Mona Rahmati, Lucie Chevrier, Laura Prat-ellenberg, Anne-Sophie Michel, Geraldine Dray, Arsene Mekinian, Gilles Kayem, Nathalie Ledee
Summary: The study found that personalized strategies based on immune dysregulations, particularly through uterine immune profiling, are associated with higher rates of live births in women with a history of repeated pregnancy loss (RPL). Meanwhile, the use of ART may have a negative impact on live birth rates.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Danai Bagkou Dimakou, David Lissauer, Jennifer Tamblyn, Arri Coomarasamy, Alex Richter
Summary: Miscarriage is a common issue that has significant physical, psychological, and financial impacts on couples. Recent research suggests that immune dysregulation may play a role in recurrent pregnancy loss. However, there are still many unknowns regarding the role of the immune system in miscarriage and further research is needed.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY AND REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Saeede Soleimanian, Ramin Yaghobi, Mohammad Hossein Karimi, Bita Geramizadeh, Jamshid Roozbeh
Summary: The study investigated the correlation between CCR7+ expressing NK cells and the viral load in CMV reactivated kidney transplant recipients. The results showed a negative correlation between increasing CMV viral load and CCR7+CD57+ CD56/CD16+ NK cells, while a significantly increased level of CCR7-CD57- CD56/CD16+ NK cells was associated with CMV viral load in reactivated kidney transplant recipients.
IRANIAN JOURNAL OF KIDNEY DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Panagiotis Cherouveim, Despoina Mavrogianni, Eirini Drakaki, Anastasios Potiris, Athanasios Zikopoulos, Myrto Papamentzelopoulou, Konstantina Kouvoutsaki, Nikolaos Machairiotis, Theodoros Karampitsakos, Chara Skentou, Ekaterini Domali, Nikolaos Vrachnis, Peter Drakakis, Sofoklis Stavros
Summary: This study demonstrates for the first time an association between RPL and ANRIL rs4977574 gene polymorphism (lower prevalence of allele A), while further research is needed to confirm a difference according to the number of pregnancy losses.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Yentl Louise Betty Nel Bequet, Eileen Elisabeth Lynn O'neill Lashley, Mariette Goddijn, Marie-Louise Petronella van der Hoorn
Summary: This narrative review provides a summary of the current knowledge on the role of uterine natural killer (uNK) cells in recurrent pregnancy loss and potential treatment options. Uterine natural killer cells play a critical role in early gestation and implantation, and may hold answers for treatment choices. Properly designed and powered clinical trials are needed to gain more insight into the effects of treatment options on uNK cells.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Diana M. Morales-Prieto, Paulina Fuentes-Zacarias, Jose M. Murrieta-Coxca, Ruby N. Gutierrez-Samudio, Rodolfo R. Favaro, Justine S. Fitzgerald, Udo R. Markert
Summary: Tobacco smoking is a major public health issue that has negative effects on pregnancy. This review examines the impact of smoking on immune regulation, placental function, and vascular development. The study aims to understand how maternal smoking affects placental function in both normal and pathological pregnancies. Smoking cessation is recommended for future mothers as the components of tobacco smoke can have detrimental effects on placental function.
MOLECULAR ASPECTS OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Jose Martin Murrieta-Coxca, Leonie Aengenheister, Astrid Schmidt, Udo R. Markert, Tina Buerki-Thurnherr, Diana M. Morales-Prieto
Summary: The physical connection between mother and offspring during pregnancy allows for bi-directional exchange of cells, which can persist long-term in the recipient individual and play a role in immune adaptation and tolerogenic responses. However, the mechanisms of cell transfer across the placenta barrier are still poorly understood.
Article
Immunology
Iryna Sudoma, Yana Goncharova, Borys Dons'koy, Dmytro Mykytenko
Summary: Recurrent implantation failures (RIF) in assisted reproduction programs can be caused by endometrial immune structural disorders, which are characterized by unique immune features such as high expression of HLA-DR on natural killers (NK), increased fraction of CD16+, and a decreased fraction of CD56bright endometrial NK. Furthermore, patients with RIF have discrepancies in IL18 mRNA expression, reduced mean TWEAK and Fn14 levels, and increased IL18/TWEAK and IL15/Fn14 ratios compared to gestational carriers. These immune abnormalities found in more than half of the patients (66.7%) may explain the implantation failures in genetically tested embryo transfer programs.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Jose M. Murrieta-Coxca, Emanuel Barth, Paulina Fuentes-Zacarias, Ruby N. Gutierrez-Samudio, Tanja Groten, Alexandra Gellhaus, Angela Koeninger, Manja Marz, Udo R. Markert, Diana M. Morales-Prieto
Summary: Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) is a group of pathological conditions characterized by abnormal attachment of the placenta to the uterus wall, and it is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. In this study, altered miRNA expression, particularly in placenta-specific miRNA clusters, was identified in placenta accreta tissue compared to normal placental tissues. Dysregulated pathways associated with cell cycle regulation, inflammation, and invasion were also observed. The study provides miRNA:mRNA associations that could contribute to our understanding of PAS development.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Boris V. Dons'koi, Serhiy M. Baksheev, Irina O. Sudoma, Ihor E. Palyha, Ksenia G. Khazhylenko, Dariia V. Zabara, Yaroslava I. Anoshko, Viktor E. Dosenko, Evgen I. Dubrovsky
Summary: This study investigated the expression of NKp46 in NK cells in the peripheral blood of women in early pregnancy and its association with pregnancy loss. The results showed that an imbalance in the NKp46(+) NK cell subpopulations was associated with an unfavorable ongoing pregnancy. A decreased level of NKp46(high) cells was strongly associated with miscarriage, while an increased level of the double-bright subpopulation was strongly associated with a successful pregnancy course.
Article
Oncology
S. Loibl, H. A. Azim, T. Bachelot, P. Berveiller, A. Bosch, E. Cardonick, C. Denkert, M. J. Halaska, M. Hoeltzenbein, A. L. V. Johansson, C. Maggen, U. R. Markert, F. Peccatori, P. Poortmans, E. Saloustros, C. Saura, P. Schmid, E. Stamatakis, M. van den Heuvel-Eibrink, M. van Gerwen, V. Vandecaveye, G. Pentheroudakis, G. Curigliano, F. Amant
Summary: The management of breast cancer during pregnancy is a challenging area with limited evidence. In 2022, the European Society for Medical Oncology organized a virtual consensus-building process to address controversial issues and gain insights from experts in this field.
ANNALS OF ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Yaroslava Anoshko, Boris Dons'koi, Iryna Sudoma, Ksenia Khazhylenko, Dariia Zabara, Yana Goncharova
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Immunology
Boris Dons'koi, Yaroslava Anoshko, Iryna Sudoma, Ksenia Khazhylenko
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Fernando Gomez-Chavez, Jose M. Murrieta-Goxes, Heriberto Caballero-Ortega, Diana M. Morales-Prieto, Udo R. Markert
Summary: Molecular communication between a pathogen and its host is crucial. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) act as mediators for the delivery of molecular signals. T. gondii infection during pregnancy can cause severe clinical complications. The role of EV signaling in this process remains unclear. This review summarizes the current knowledge on EV release from T. gondii and its human host cells regarding immunological consequences and placental passage.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Yaroslava Anoshko, Boris Dons'Koi, Iryna Sudoma, Ksenia Khazhylenko, Dariia Zabara, Yana Goncharova
Summary: Introduction: Endometrial receptivity is largely determined by the immunophenotype of endometrium, especially uterine NK-cells (uNK). This study aimed to investigate the changes in the immunophenotype of endometrial tissue in healthy fertile women during the maturation process. The results showed that the proportion of uNK-cells significantly increased in the implantation window compared to the oocytes retrieval day. Differentiation and activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes were reflected in endometrial lymphocyte profile.
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Frantisek Staud, Xin Pan, Rona Karahoda, Xiaojing Dong, Petr Kastner, Hana Horackova, Veronika Vachalova, Udo R. Markert, Cilia Abad
Summary: This study reveals the crucial role of the placenta in regulating serotonin (5-HT) levels, including the clearance of 5-HT from the fetal circulation, its metabolism to 5-HIAA, and the subsequent excretion into the maternal circulation. This synchronized mechanism is critical for regulating 5-HT in the fetoplacental unit and can be compromised by external insults such as antidepressant drugs.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY AND ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Elizabeth Soczewski, Jose Martin Murrieta-Coxca, Lucas Miranda, Paulina Fuentes-Zacarias, Ruby Gutierrez-Samudio, Esteban Grasso, Marcelo Marti, Claudia Perez Leiros, Diana Morales-Prieto, Udo R. Markert, Rosanna Ramhorst
Summary: The study reveals the role of miRNAs in regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response in decidualized cells and endometrium associated with reproductive failures. The findings highlight the potential involvement of miR-17-5p, miR-21-5p, and miR-193b-3p in the regulation of ERS/UPR pathways and inflammation during embryo implantation. The expression of these miRNAs differs in stromal cells from patients with recurrent pregnancy loss and recurrent implantation failure, suggesting alterations in the regulation of ERS/UPR pathways.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Developmental Biology
Jose M. Murrieta-Coxca, Julian Henao-Restrepo, Lingyu Wei, Priska E. Streicher, Paulina Fuentes-Zacarias, Tanja Groten, Udo R. Markert, Diana M. Morales-Prieto
Meeting Abstract
Developmental Biology
Julian A. Henao-Restrepo, Lingyu Wei, Jose M. Murrieta-Coxca, Paulina Fuentes-Zacarias, Tanja Groten, Udo R. Markert, Diana M. Morales-Prieto
Meeting Abstract
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Tina Gorsek Sparovec, Philipp Reif, Wolfgang Schoell, Udo R. Markert, Zala Nikita Mihalic, Julia Kargl, Caroline Gargett, Daniela Gold
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2022)