Review
Immunology
Oisin Huhn, Xiaohui Zhao, Laura Esposito, Ashley Moffett, Francesco Colucci, Andrew M. Sharkey
Summary: Innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) are the most abundant immune cells in the uterine mucosa before and during pregnancy, with tissue-resident natural killer (NK) cells and ILCs being the main subsets. Recent advances in single-cell RNA sequencing and high dimensional flow and mass cytometry have significantly enhanced our understanding of the heterogeneity within the uILC compartment. These advancements may help answer key clinical questions regarding infertility, miscarriage, and pregnancy disorders related to uILC subsets.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chow-Seng Kong, Alexandra Almansa Ordonez, Sarah Turner, Tina Tremaine, Joanne Muter, Emma S. Lucas, Emma Salisbury, Rita Vassena, Gustavo Tiscornia, Ali A. Fouladi-Nashta, Geraldine Hartshorne, Jan J. Brosens, Paul J. Brighton
Summary: The study found that uterine natural killer cells play a crucial role in embryo biosensing and implantation process, highlighting their importance in selectively eliminating senescent decidual cells.
Editorial Material
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Kalle T. Rytkonen
Summary: The menstrual cycle is a crucial factor in female reproductive health. Mao et al. (2022) recently linked heavy menstrual bleeding to deficient glycolysis. This article summarizes these new findings and highlights the importance of glycolysis and decidualization in endometrial function. It also discusses whether menstrual bleeding should be considered as a primary endometrial disorder inherent to the endometrium or as a secondary endometrial disorder caused by other endometrial conditions.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Nurul Izza Ismail
Summary: As the placenta is semi-allogenic, it is expected that maternal immune cells would attack the invading trophoblast, but studies have shown that they cooperate with the trophoblast to disrupt the arterial wall. uNK cells, unique immune cells, play a role in pregnancy. The interaction between HLA class 1b genes and maternal uNK cells in humans is described in this review.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Juliette Krop, Anita van der Zwan, Marieke E. Ijsselsteijn, Hanneke Kapsenberg, Sietse J. Luk, Sanne H. Hendriks, Carin van der Keur, Lotte J. Verleng, Antonis Somarakis, Lotte van der Meeren, Geert Haasnoot, Manon Bos, Noel F. C. C. de Miranda, Susana M. Chuva de Sousa Lopes, Marie-Louise P. van der Hoorn, Frits Koning, Frans H. J. Claas, Sebastiaan Heidt, Michael Eikmans
Summary: This study highlights the dynamic role of myeloid cells at the human maternal-fetal interface throughout gestation.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Silvia Vannuccini, Varsha Jain, Hilary Critchley, Felice Petraglia
Summary: Menstruation is a monthly uterine bleeding that indicates reproductive health. Heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) can be a useful clinical marker for diagnosing reproductive diseases. HMB can lead to iron depletion and anemia, and its underlying causes may vary.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Silvia Vannuccini, Sara Clemenza, Emanuele Cassioli, Eleonora Rossi, Giovanni Castellini, Valdo Ricca, Felice Petraglia
Summary: Uterine fibroids (UFs) are associated with pain symptoms and heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB), leading to impaired quality of life. This study evaluated the global perception of stress and menstrual distress in patients with UFs. Patients with UFs had higher levels of perceived stress and menstrual distress compared to controls, with HMB playing a major role in determining these conditions.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Antonia Navarro, Maria Victoria Bariani, Qiwei Yang, Ayman Al-Hendy
Summary: Uterine fibroids are common benign gynecological tumors in reproductive-age women, causing severe symptoms. Excessive production of ECM components and changes in TGF-β pathways play key roles in fibroid development. miRNA expression modulation also affects fibroid and myometrial cell functions.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alice Wang, Siting Wang, Charlotte D. Owens, Jamie B. Vora, Michael P. Diamond
Summary: This study compared the direct costs and treatment patterns for women diagnosed with UF+HMB, UF only, and HMB only in the United States. The results showed that UF+HMB treatment costs were significantly higher than UF only and HMB only, primarily driven by surgical/procedural costs and treatment patterns.
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Victoria Male, Ashley Moffett
Summary: The presence of granulated lymphocytes known as uNK cells in the human uterine mucosa was first noted in the nineteenth century, but they were identified as a type of NK cell in 1990. Uterine NK cells have been found to be less cytotoxic than their peripheral counterparts. Recent research has identified three subpopulations of uNK cells that cluster separately from peripheral NK cells. This review examines the history of uNK cell research, their interactions with placental cells, their role in placental implantation, and their potential for defending against infection and mediating memory effects.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Fuyan Wang, Anita Ellen Qualls, Laia Marques-Fernandez, Francesco Colucci
Summary: The human uterine mucosa undergoes about 400 monthly cycles of breakdown and regeneration, with immune cells and arterial remodeling playing a crucial role in fetal growth. The transformed arteries in the uterus no longer respond to maternal stimuli, meeting the increasing demands of the growing fetus.
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elizabeth A. Stewart, David F. Archer, Charlotte D. Owens, Kurt T. Barnhart, Linda D. Bradley, Eve C. Feinberg, Veronica Gillispie-Bell, Anthony N. Imudia, Ran Liu, Jin Hee Kim, Ayman Al-Hendy
Summary: In women with uterine fibroids and heavy menstrual bleeding who were not responders in previous clinical trials, treatment with elagolix plus add-back therapy showed a trend towards greater reduction in menstrual blood loss compared to placebo. Adverse events did not differ significantly between responders and nonresponders.
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Laura McKain, Kaitlyn Edsall, Robert Dufour, Cassandra Lickert
Summary: This study analyzed the clinical characteristics and treatment patterns of women with uterine fibroids in the United States, finding that patients with heavy menstrual bleeding were more likely to receive treatment and pain was a common symptom.
JOURNAL OF WOMENS HEALTH
(2023)
Review
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Jiahui Zhang, Virginia-Arlene Go, Jaime Friel Blanck, Bhuchitra Singh
Summary: This study analyzed the efficacy of various minimally invasive treatment modalities that preserve the uterus in reducing fibroid-related bleeding. Results showed that uterine artery embolization and radiofrequency ablation had significant effects in reducing bleeding symptoms, but further research is needed to establish the superiority among these methods.
REPRODUCTIVE SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Ally Murji, Ari P. Sanders, Ilza Monteiro, Shabbir Haiderbhai, John Matelski, Chris Walsh, Jason A. Abbott, Malcolm G. Munro, Sarah Maheux-Lacroix
Summary: The study found a strong association between cesarean scar defects (CSDs) and abnormal uterine bleeding (AUB). Patients with CSD were more likely to experience AUB and presented a unique bleeding pattern, including prolonged menstruation and early-cycle intermenstrual bleeding.
FERTILITY AND STERILITY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Min Jiang, Gendie E. Lash, Shanshui Zeng, Fei Liu, Mengru Han, Yan Long, Minmin Cai, Huomei Hou, Feng Ning, Yanwei Hu, Hongling Yang
Summary: The study identified differentially abundant proteins in the serum of women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) compared to those with normal-term pregnancy, with a focus on the potential role of SH3BGRL3. Results showed that SH3BGRL3 plays a crucial role in trophoblast cell invasion, proliferation, and apoptosis, highlighting its potential significance in the clinical diagnosis of HDP.
Article
Developmental Biology
Jialing Chen, Jing Liu, Shuangquan Gao, Yue Qiu, YuJia Wang, Yingye Zhang, Lufen Gao, Guolong Qi, Yongqi Wu, Gendie E. Lash, Ping Li
Summary: This study indicates a functional role for Slit2 in endometrial stromal cell decidualization and the pathogenesis of recurrent miscarriage. Aberrant increase in Slit2 expression may impair decidualization of endometrial stromal cells leading to recurrent miscarriage.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Sourima Biswas Shivhare, Qinsheng Lu, Dingqian Sun, Huomei Hou, Judith N. Bulmer, Barbara A. Innes, Dharani K. Hapangama, Gendie E. Lash
Summary: This study investigated the expression pattern of PDGF-BB and its receptors in the endometrium of healthy control women and those with AUB-E across the menstrual cycle. The results showed a reduction in endothelial cell expression of PDGF-BB and PDGFR alpha in the mid and late secretory phases in AUB-E, which may contribute to the reduced vascular maturation observed in these women.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOMEDICINE ONLINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Yue Pan, Li Yang, Danyang Chen, Huomei Hou, Min Zhang, Miaojuan Chen, Fen Ning, Qinsheng Lu, Minguan Zhao, Li Li, Gendie E. Lash
Summary: Remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries is crucial for successful pregnancy. Decidual macrophages play a significant role in this process by secreting MMP3, which facilitates breakdown of the extracellular matrix during vascular remodeling.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hanbo Liu, Fen Ning, Gendie E. Lash
Summary: Uterine spiral artery remodeling is a crucial adaptation of pregnancy, and its failure is associated with obstetric complications. While the initial stages of remodeling have been studied, there is limited knowledge on the fate of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).
Article
Developmental Biology
YuJia Wang, Yingye Zhang, Yongqi Wu, Yunbiao He, Jingwen Xiang, Jieqiong Huang, Gendie E. Lash, Ping Li
Summary: The downregulation of SIRT1 and the upregulation of senescence- and ECM-related proteins are observed in premature aging placenta with preeclampsia. Activation of SIRT1 can abolish senescence in syncytialized BeWo cells, while knockdown of SIRT1 restores these effects.
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
Immunology
Dingqian Sun, Shenjiao Lu, Xiaowen Gan, Gendie E. Lash
Summary: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) has a negative impact on the quality of life for couples, and the efficacy of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in treating RPL is still unclear. This review examines recent publications on the clinical use of TCM in RPL and discusses its potential mechanisms.
JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Developmental Biology
Yue Pan, Miaojuan Chen, Gendie E. Lash
Summary: This study focuses on the role and molecular mechanism of osteopontin in uterine spiral artery remodeling. This process is critical for successful pregnancy and the deficiency in remodeling can affect placental blood perfusion, leading to impacts on fetal nutritional supply and growth.
Article
Oncology
Miaojuan Chen, Yue Pan, Hanbo Liu, Fen Ning, Qinsheng Lu, Yaoyun Duan, Xiaowen Gan, Shenjiao Lu, Huomei Hou, Min Zhang, Yun Tian, Gendie E. Lash
Summary: In this study, a novel role of ezrin in breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) was explored. It was found that ezrin promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion through activation of the Notch1 signaling pathway via furin-like convertase. These findings provide insights into the mechanism of ezrin in breast cancer progression and offer a potential target for the treatment of BCLM.
Article
Developmental Biology
Lindong Zhang, Jing Liu, Xiaoqian Feng, Gendie E. Lash
Summary: Spiral artery remodeling is a crucial process for providing maternal blood to the placenta. Failure of this process is associated with various obstetric complications. While the morphological features of spiral artery remodeling have been described, recent research has focused on understanding the cellular and molecular triggers involved. This review discusses the current knowledge of spiral artery remodeling, particularly the loss of vascular smooth muscle cells, and examines which stage defects could lead to pathological pregnancies.
Article
Oncology
Paraskevi Mallini, Miaojuan Chen, Kamilla Mahkamova, Thomas W. J. Lennard, Yue Pan, Dan Wei, Katherine Stemke-Hale, John A. Kirby, Gendie E. Lash, Annette Meeson
Summary: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a vital role in regulating cancer cell behavior, allowing them to acquire stem cell characteristics and become more migratory and invasive. EMT can be driven by various mechanisms, such as the TGF-beta 1 signaling pathway and/or hypoxia. This study investigated the effects of CoCl2 exposure and TGF-beta-induced EMT on side population (SP) cells of breast cancer cell lines. The results showed contrasting effects on SP cells, suggesting the involvement of ER(x) expression and TGFB-RII in regulating SP cell behavior.
Review
Cell Biology
Simon G. Powell, Priyanka Sharma, Samuel Masterson, James Wyatt, Ilyas Arshad, Shakil Ahmed, Gendie Lash, Michael Cross, Dharani K. Hapangama
Summary: Deep endometriosis (DE) is the most severe subtype of endometriosis, characterized by lesions infiltrating adjacent tissue. Abnormal vascularization is implicated in DE lesion development, with higher microvessel density (MVD) and increased levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) and its associated receptor (VEGFR-2) in DE lesions compared to other types of endometriotic lesions. Progestin therapy decreases MVD in DE lesions, suggesting potential therapeutic targets for DE management. This systematic review provides comprehensive evidence of the role of abnormal vascularization in DE pathogenesis.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Huijia Lin, Xiaoya Wang, Shuang Qin, Fanglan Luo, Yingmei Cen, Gendie E. Lash, Li Li
Summary: This study investigated the hearing status of Turner Syndrome (TS) patients in China and the influencing factors. It was found that TS patients commonly have mid-frequency and high-frequency hearing loss, and the incidence of hearing loss increases with age. Patients with 45, X haplotype have a higher risk of mid-frequency hearing loss compared to other karyotypes. Therefore, karyotype may serve as a predictor of hearing problems in TS patients.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Developmental Biology
Hanbo Liu, Miaojuan Chen, Fen Ning, Yixin Ye, Qinsheng Lu, Shenjiao Lu, Yaoyun Duan, Xiaowen Gan, Mingguang Zhao, Kaimin Guo, Gendie E. Lash
Summary: During spiral artery remodeling in early pregnancy, extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells promote vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) apoptosis. This study showed that EVT-derived exosomes carrying miR-143-3p and expressing FASL on the cell surface induce VSMC apoptosis, providing insights into the regulation of VSMC apoptosis in spiral artery remodeling.
MOLECULAR HUMAN REPRODUCTION
(2023)