Specific Binding of 17D_3 Anti-pZP mAb to Porcine and Human Zona Pellucida but not to Other Tissue Antigens Identified by ABC Immunohistochemistry

Objective To characterize the binding effects of 17D3 anti-pZP monoclonal antibody （mAb） on porcine and human ZP,, ovary and other important tissues Methods The 17D3 anti-pZP mAb was produced by immunizing mouse with porcine zona pellucida and hybridoma and monoclonal antibody preparation. An ABC immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate reaction of mAb 17D3pZP to porcine and human ZP antigens as well as important human tissue antigens. Results mAb 17D3pZP specifically bound to porcine and human ZP antigen, but not to other cells of ovaries and other important human tissue antigens. Conclusion 17D3 anti-pZP mAb can recognize porcine and human ZP antigen without cross-reaction with other human tissue antigens including ovary, so it may further help us to abstract and purify corresponding target antigen and settle basis for producing human ZP contraceptive vaccine.

Chinese expert consensus on diagnosis and treatment of anal intraepithelial neoplasia

Anal high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion(HSIL)refers to the precancerous lesions of anal squamous cell carcinoma(ASCC).Anal cancer is often asymptomatic in its early stage.

Estrogen enhances the functions of CD4^(+)CD25^(+)Foxp3^(+) regulatory T cells that suppress osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption in vitro

Cross-talk has been shown to occur between the immune system and bone metabolism pathways.In the present study,we investigated the impact of CD4^(+)CD25^(+)Foxp3^(+) regulatory T(Treg)cells on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.Treg cells that were isolated and purified from peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of healthy adults inhibited both the differentiation of osteoclasts(OCs)from human embryo bone marrow cells(BMCs)and the pit formation in a dose-dependent manner.In cell cocultures,the production levels of both interleukin-10(IL-10)and transforming growth factor-beta 1(TGF-β1)were proportionally upregulated as the ratio of Treg cells to BMCs was increased,and the inhibition of OC differentiation and bone resorption by Treg cells was completely reversed by anti-IL-10 and anti-TGF-β1 antibodies.Treatment of BMC and Treg cell cocultures with 17β-estradiol(E2)at concentrations between 10^(-7) and 10^(-9) mol/l suppressed OC differentiation and bone resorption more efficiently than it did in cultures of BMCs alone;this enhanced suppression occurred via the stimulation of Treg cell IL-10 and TGF-b1 expression.These data suggest that Treg cells suppress OC differentiation and bone resorption by secreting IL-10 and TGF-β1.E2 enhances the suppressive effects of Treg cells on OC differentiation and bone resorption by stimulating IL-10 and TGF-β1 secretion from these cells.Therefore,Treg cell-derived IL-10 and TGF-b1 are likely involved in the regulation of E2 on bone metabolism and represent potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis(PMO).

Abnormal regulation of chemokine TECK and its receptor CCR9 in the endometriotic milieu is involved in pathogenesis of endometriosis by way of enhancing invasiveness of endometrial stromal cells

The chemokine thymus-expressed chemokine(TECK),which regulates T-cell development and tissue-specific homing,has been identified as a potential contributor to the pathogenesis and progression of endometriosis.Dioxin(2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin,TCDD),an air pollutant,and estrogen also appear to be involved in endometriosis.Both endometrial stromal cells(ESCs)and the combination of 17b-estradiol and TCDD increase the secretion of TECK in the endometriosis-associated cells and promote the invasiveness of ESCs by increasing expression of matrix metalloproteinase(MMP)-2 and MMP-9.Anti-TECK neutralizing antibodies can effectively inhibit the invasiveness of ESCs and the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the cells.Interestingly,the expression of chemokine C receptor 9(CCR9)and its ligand TECK increases significantly in the endometriotic milieu of patients with endometriosis.Therefore,the over-expressed TECK interacts with CCR9 on the ESCs in the endometriotic milieu,which may contribute to the onset and progression of endometriosis.

Tear Up the Paper Tiger and Rediscover Fertility and Ovarian Function

Follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), as the main indicator of ovarian function, plays an important role in the clinical activities of gynecologic endocrinology. Although anti-Miillerian hormone and antral follicle count are also the indictors evaluating ovarian function, many clinicians are still relentless in their decision to impose the death penalty of ovaries when high FSH levels(especially more than 40 IU/L) are observed.We recently encountered four patients whose FSH levels were inconsistent with actual fertility because all patients had successfully conceived after treatment. In our study, we found the culprit(macro-FSH) of false-positive FSH levels by applying the polyethylene glycol protein precipitation technique. The biological functions of macro-FSH were further evaluated by using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis. This study suggests that ovarian reserve function should be comprehensively assessed in clinic, and the causes of serum test indicators inconsistent with clinic should be identified.

The Galectin-9/Tim-3 pathway is involved in the regulation of NK cell function at the maternal-fetal interface in early pregnancy

Decidual natural killer （dNK） cells actively participate in the establishment and maintenance of maternal-fetal immune tolerance and act as local guardians against infection. However, how dNK cells maintain the immune balance between tolerance and anti-infection immune responses during pregnancy remains unknown. Here, we demonstrated that the inhibitory molecule T-cell immunoglobulin domain and mucin domain-containing molecule-3 （Tim-3） are expressed on over 60% of dNK cells. Tim-3^＋ dNK cells display higher interleukin （IL）-4 and lower tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and perforin production. Human trophoblast cells can induce the transformation of peripheral NK cells into a dNK-like phenotype via the secretion of galectin-9 （Gal-9） and the interaction between Gal-9 and Tim-3. In addition, trophoblasts inhibit lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine and perforin production by dNK cells, which can be attenuated by Tim-3 neutralizing antibodies. Interestingly, a decreased percentage of Tim-3-expressing dNK cells were observed in human miscarriages and murine abortion-prone models. Moreover, T helper （Th）2-type cytokines were decreased and Thl-type cytokines were increased in Tim-3^＋ but not Tim-3- dNK cells from human and mouse miscarriages. Therefore, our results suggest that the Gal-9/Tim-3 signal is important for the regulation of dNK cell function, which is beneficial for the maintenance of a normal pregnancy.

The integrative roles of chemokines at the maternal-feta interface in early pregnancy

Embryos express paternal antigens that are foreign to the mother, but the mother provides a special immune milieu at the fetal-maternal interface to permit rather than reject the embryo growth in the uterus until parturition by establishing precise crosstalk between the mother and the fetus. There are unanswered questions in the maintenance of pregnancy, including the poorly understood phenomenon of maternal tolerance to the allogeneic conceptus, and the remarkable biological roles of placental trophoblasts that invade the uterine wall. Chemokines are multifunctional molecules initially described as having a role in leukocyte trafficking and later found to participate in developmental processes such as differentiation and directed migration. It is increasingly evident that the gestational uterine microenvironment is characterized, at least in part, by the differential expression and secretion of chemokines that induce selective trafficking of leukocyte subsets to the maternal-fetal interface and regulate multiple events that are closely associated with normal pregnancy. Here, we review the expression and function of chemokines and their receptors at the maternal-fetal interface, with a special focus on chemokine as a key component in trophoblast invasiveness and placental angiogenesis, recruitment and instruction of immune cells so as to form a fetus-supporting milieu during pregnancy. The chemokine network is also involved in pregnancy complications.

The CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is involved in the maintenance of Th2 bias at the maternal/fetal interface in early human pregnancy

The regulatory mechanism of Th2 bias at the maternal/fetal interface remains unclear. In this study, we characterized cytokine production in decidual stromal cells （DSCs）, decidual immune cells （DICs） and embryo-derived trophoblast cells, and investigated the regulation of CXCL12/CXCR4 interaction on Th2 bias at the maternal/fetal interface in early human pregnancy. We found differential production of Th 1-type and Th2-type cytoki nes by trophoblasts, DSCs and DICs. The secretion of these cytokines varied in different cell cocultures, conduced to Th2 bias. Flow cytometry showed that coculture of trophoblasts with DSCs and DICs significantly increased IL-4 and IL-IO production in trophoblasts, and IL-IO production in DSCs. However, the coculture of trophoblasts with DSCs and DICs significantly increased interferon （IFN）-7 expression in DSCs, and tumor-necrosis factor （TNF）-a expression in DICs. No change was seen in Thl-type cytokine production in trophoblasts, and in Th2-type cytokine production in DICs in all cocultures. Furthermore, pre-treatment with anti-CXCR4 neutralizing antibody upregulated the production of the Thl-type cytokines IFN-y and TNF-a, and downregulated the production of the Th2-type cytokines IL-4 and IL-IO, in trophoblasts, DSCs, DICs or their cocultures. Interestingly, rhCXCL12 inhibited production of the Thl-type cytokine TNF-a and enhanced the expression of the Th2-type cytokines such as IL-4 and IL-IO in DICs; this effect was abrogated by anti-CXCR4 antibody. Our present study has elucidated the individual contributions of component cells to the shaping of Th2 bias, and uncovered a complicated cross-talk viathe CXCL12/CXCR4 signal at the maternal/fetal interface in early human pregnancy.

Therapeutic Effect of Bushen Huoxue Recipe(补肾活血方) on Autoimmune Premature Ovarian Failure Mice Established by Immunization with Recombinant Porcine Zona Pellucida 4 Antigen

Objective： To investigate the efficacy and mechanism of Bushen Huoxue Recipe （补肾活血方, BHR） in the treatment of mudne autoimmune premature ovarian failure （POF）. Methods： The recombinant porcine zona pellucida 4 （pZP4） was expressed in E. coli BL21 （DE3） strain within prokaryotic plasmid pET28a （＋）, purified by Ni-affinity chromatography and verified by Western blot. Murine autoimmune POF model was established by immunization with pZP4 of female BALB/c mice. Fifty POF mice were randomly divided into 5 groups, which were respectively given low （3.75 mg/kg）, moderate （7.5 mg/kg）, and high dose （15.0 mg/kg） of BHR by gastrogavage once daily for 20 days, with 17-13-estradiol （0.13 mg/kg） and normal saline as positive and negative control. Estrous cycles were analyzed through vaginal smears, serum estradiol （E2） levels, and anti-pZP4 antibody titers were detected by ELISA. The proliferative responses in vitro of spleen lymphocytes to pZP4 antigen restimulation were measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation, and the histomorphology changes of ovary were evaluated by optical microscope. ]Results： The purified pZP4 was visible as a single lane with 14.4 kD in SDS-PAGE and Western blot. The murine POF model with lengthening estrous cycles, decreased levels of serum E2, high titers of serum anti-pZP4 antibody, and reduced ovarian follicles and corpus lutea were established by immunization with recombinant pZP4. Treatment with moderate and high dosage BHR significantly increased ovarian follicles and reduced the proliferation of spleen lymphocytes to the pZP4 antigen of POF mice （P〈0.05）. However, only the high dosage BHR administration significantly improved the estrous cycles, elevated the serum E2 levels （P〈0.01）, and decreased the serum anti-pZP4 antibody titers of model mice （P〈0.05）. Conclusions： The recombinant pZP4 could evoke the antigen-specific immune response in mice and induce the autoimmune ovarian injury. It has been demonstrated that BHR was able to increase the serum E2 levels and protect ovarian functions from the autoimmune injury in murine POF model.

Gene Expression Pattern of Histone Acetylation Enzymes Changed in the Hypothalamus of Middle-Aged Female Rats:A Putative Mechanism for Female Reproductive Aging

Objective:Female reproductive aging is characterized by reduced responsiveness of the hypothalamus to E2-positive feedback,which can result in alterations of gene expression and luteinizing hormone(LH)surge dysfunction.We hypothesize that age-related changes in E2-responsive gene expression are due to altered histone acetylation by histone deacetylases(HDACs)or estrogen receptor-alpha(ERα)coactivators with histone acetyltransferase(HAT)activity.Methods:In the present study,young and middle-aged female rats were ovariectomized(OVX)and treated with E2 or oil once per day for 2 days.At the time of the expected LH surge,the anterior and posterior hypothalami were dissected,and gene expression of 11 HDACs and 4 ERαcoactivators with HAT activity was measured using real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results:In the anterior hypothalamus,age affected the gene expression of 3 HDACs(Hdac3,Hdac5,and Hdac11)and 2 ERαcoactivators(Src2 and Crebbp).E2 treatment significantly decreased mRNA levels of 4 HDACs(Hdac4,Hdac5,Hdac10,and Hdac11)and 2 ERαcoactivators(Src2 and Crebbp)in young females(3-4 months).However,none of the genes responded to E2 in the middle-aged females(9-11 months),except Hdac10.In the posterior hypothalamus,age influenced Hdac5 and Src1 mRNA expression.E2 treatment increased Hdac4 and Crebbp mRNA levels in the young but not middle-aged females.Conclusions:These data suggest that E2 regulates HDACs and ERαcoactivators with HAT activity in an age-and E2-dependent manner,which may contribute to the age-related gene expression changes on the day of LH surge in female reproductive aging.

Potential Application of Anti-Müllerian Hormone in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome According to Chinese Classification Criteria:A Retrospective Analysis

Objective:Anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH)expression is elevated in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS),however,its clinical significance is not clear.Owing to the strong correlation between AMH and polycystic ovarian morphology(PCOM),some studies believe that AMH alone can be used to diagnose PCOS.The aim of this study was to explore whether AMH can be used to diagnose PCOS and to differentiate the various PCOS subtypes.Methods:This was a retrospective study of 503 patients with PCOS.Patients were divided into eight subtypes based on the presence/absence of hyperandrogenemia(HA),insulin resistance(IR),or obesity(OB).The expression characteristics of AMH in each subtype were analyzed.Due to the small number of patients with subtypes 7 and 8,only patients with subtypes 1-6 were included in the analysis.Results:AMH showed a good positive correlation with PCOM(P=0.000)and negative correlations with OB(P=0.000)and IR(P=0.003).The free testosterone index showed no correlation with AMH(P=0.803).The percentages of patients with each subtype(excluding subtypes 7-8)and their respective AMH levels were as follows:Type 1(HA+NIR+OB)4.77% and 9.12 ng/mL;Type 2(HA+IR+NOB)20.68% and 10.34 ng/mL;Type 3(HA+NIR+NOB)23.66% and 9.47 ng/mL;Type 4(HA+IR+OB)30.82% and 8.32 ng/mL;Type 5(NHA+NIR+NOB)11.73% and 10.0 ng/mL;and Type 6(NHA+IR+NOB)6.16% and 9.76 ng/mL.The diagnostic rates of AMH(>8.09 ng/mL)and ultrasound for PCOM were 60.10% and 85.60% ,respectively,suggesting that AMH did not completely predict PCOM.Conclusions:High AMH levels can be used to evaluate the incidence trend of PCOS.However,due to clinical heterogeneity,accurately evaluating the severity of PCOS and identifying the subtype of PCOS in Chinese patients are difficult.Individualized treatment should be administered based on accurate clinical subtypes and other clinical characteristics.

CCL2 Enhances the Viability of Human Chorionic Trophoblast Cell Line HTR-8/SVneo Cells by Inhibiting Interleukin-24 Expression

Background:To investigate the regulatory effect of interleukin-24(IL-24)on cell viability of human chorionic trophoblast cell line(HTR-8/SVneo cells).Methods:Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression of IL-24 and its receptors IL-20R1,IL-20R2,and IL-22R1 in villus tissue at early normal pregnancy.The effect of thymic stromal lymphopoietin(TSLP)and chemokine CCL2 on the expression of IL-24 in human chorionic trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo cells was analyzed by In-cell Western.In addition,the effect of recombinant human IL-24(rhIL-24)and CCL2 on the viability of HTR-8/SVneo cells was analyzed by MTT assay.Results:IL-24 and its receptors showed a strong positive staining in trophoblasts at early normal pregnancy.Compared with control group,expression of IL-24 in HTR-8/SVneo cells was significantly inhibited after in vitro stimulation of recombinant human CCL2 protein(rhCCL2)(P<0.001).The viability of HTR-8/SVneo cells was significantly decreased after treatment with rhIL-24(P<0.001).In contrast,anti-IL-24 neutralizing antibody significantly enhanced the viability of HTR-8/SVneo cells(P<0.01).In addition,rhCCL2(100μg/L);enhanced the viability of HTR-8/SVneo cells(P<0.01)in vitro,but this effect was inhibited by treatment with rhIL-24.Conclusions:CCL2 enhances the viability of human trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo cells in vitro by inhibiting the secretion of IL-24,which may be beneficial to blastocyst implantation and placental development.

Roles of Regulatory T Cells in Pathogenesis of Endometriosis

Numerous studies have shown aberrant immune cell function in endometriosis,including T cells,B cells,natural killer cells,and macrophages(MΦ).These alterations are thought to be induced by various mechanisms that promote the disease.Regulatory T cells(Tregs)may account for a decreased ability of newly recruited leukocytes to initiate effective immune responses against viable endometrial fragments,permitting their survival.Tregs differentiate during the development of endometriosis,which confer immunosuppression or play other roles in disease progression.In this review,we provide an overview of the regulation and roles of Tregs in endometriosis.These data provide further scientific evidence for the altered immune response in endometriosis,which could be a potential target in the treatment of endometriosis.This review could create new diagnostic strategies and effective immune-targeted therapies for this highly prevalent disease.Recent progress in the field indicates that these goals may be achieved in the future.

Trophoblast-derived CXCL16 induces M2 macrophage polarization that in turn inactivates NK cells at the maternal–fetal interface

Decidual macrophages (dMΦ) are distinct from the conventional macrophages present in other tissues and express M2macrophage markers, but the molecular mechanisms of formation and the roles of M2 MΦ during pregnancy have not beencompletely elucidated. The crosstalk between decidual natural killer cells (dNK) and dMΦ plays an important role in themaintenance of maternal–fetal immune tolerance. Here, CXCL16 derived from first-trimester trophoblast cells induces thepolarization of human M2 macrophages. The M2 MΦ polarized by CXCL16 exhibit decreased interleukin-15 production, whichfacilitates the inactivation of NK cells. The cytotoxicity of NK cells is attenuated by the CXCL16-polarized M2 MΦ. The data shown inthe present study provide evidence to support the hypothesis that CXCL16 secreted by trophoblast cells is a key molecule involvedin decidual M2 MΦ polarization, which in turn regulates the killing ability of NK cells, thereby contributing to the homeostatic andimmune-tolerant milieu required for successful fetal development.

CD56^brightCD25^＋ NK cells are preferentially recruited to the maternal/fetal interface in early human pregnancy

Decidual natural killer （dNK） cells are believed to be critical for maintaining maternal/fetal tolerance and regulating placental vascular remodeling based upon their abundance and unique phenotype during early pregnancy. However, the mechanism for how the dNK cells play such important roles in successful pregnancy remains undefined. Here, we identified a subtype of dNK cells characterized as having a CD3-CD56^brightCD25^＋ phenotype. We found that CD56^brightCD25^＋ NK cells preferentially localize to the maternal/fetal interface during early human pregnancy. CD25^＋ dNK cells account for approximately 75% of CD25-expressing decidual immune cells （DICs）. However, less than 5% of CD25-positive peripheral blood mononuclear cells are CD25^＋ NK cells. Furthermore, CD25^＋ and CD25^- dNK cells exhibit distinct phenotypes： CD25^＋ dNK cells display a more activated phenotype and greater cytokine-secreting capacity. Interestingly, coculture of peripheral NK （pNK） cells with primary trophoblasts upregulates the percentage of CD25-expressing pNK cells, resulting in increased expression of activation markers and cytokine production by pNK cells. In addition, we demonstrated that the CXCL12/CXCR4 axis is crucial for the recruitment of CD25^＋ dNK cells and contributes to the accumulation of CD3^-CD56^brightCD25^＋ dNK cells at the maternal/fetal interface. Thus, our data reveal that the crosstalk between trophoblasts and pNK cells leads to the accumulation of CD3^-CD56^brightCD25^＋ dNK cells, which exert a regulating effect at the maternal/fetal interface.

A General Description for Chinese Medicine in Treating Premature Ovarian Failure

Premature ovarian failure（POF） is a kind of gynecological disease that causes amenorrhea, infertility, menopause and urogenital symptoms. Currently hormone replacement therapy（HRT） is the most popular choice for women with POF to get rid of menopausal syndrome. However, as the popularization of Chinese herbs made Chinese medicine（CM） shine new lights, physicians are able to treat POF with both meno-herbs and integrated therapy. HRT has its own indications and contraindications. For example, unexplained vaginal bleeding, acute liver damage, liver dysfunction, vascular embolization, and breast cancer are all contraindications of HRT, and CM is taken by more physicians as an adjuvant therapy. This review, including a range of common Chinese herbs and formulations according to the existing literature, provides a general description of CM treating POF from the aspects of mechanisms and clinical application. It also highlights acupuncture as a unique physiotherapy for POF. Although the validity of CM has been supported by the evidence of many preclinical trials, clinical trials and meta-analysis, the adverse events with CM therapy still exist and no guarantee has been made for its safety. This review concludes the updated information for CM treating POF contributing to further studies.e

Correction: Trophoblast-derived CXCL16 induces M2 macrophage polarization that in turn inactivates NK cells at the maternal–fetal interface

In this article,published online 27 March 2018,in the“ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS”,it should be supplemented as follows:“This study was funded by a grant from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,number 81490744,awarded to Da-Jin Li.”The authors regret the omission.