Modeling embryo-endometrial interface recapitulating human embryo implantation.

The initiation of human pregnancy is marked by the implantation of an embryo into the uterine environment; however, the underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. To address this knowledge gap, we developed hormone-responsive endometrial organoids (EMO), termed apical-out (AO)-EMO, which emulate the in vivo architecture of endometrial tissue. The AO-EMO comprise an exposed apical epithelium surface, dense stromal cells, and a self-formed endothelial network. When cocultured with human embryonic stem cell-derived blastoids, the three-dimensional feto-maternal assembloid system recapitulates critical implantation stages, including apposition, adhesion, and invasion. Endometrial epithelial cells were subsequently disrupted by syncytial cells, which invade and fuse with endometrial stromal cells. We validated this fusion of syncytiotrophoblasts and stromal cells using human blastocysts. Our model provides a foundation for investigating embryo implantation and feto-maternal interactions, offering valuable insights for advancing reproductive medicine.

Genomic imprinting in human placentation.

Background: Genomic imprinting (GI) is a mammalian-specific epigenetic phenomenon that has been implicated in the evolution of the placenta in mammals. Methods: Embryo transfer procedures and trophoblast stem (TS) cells were used to re-examine mouse placenta-specific GI genes. For the analysis of human GI genes, cytotrophoblast cells isolated from human placental tissues were used. Using human TS cells, the biological roles of human GI genes were examined. Main findings: (1) Many previously identified mouse GI genes were likely to be falsely identified due to contaminating maternal cells. (2) Human placenta-specific GI genes were comprehensively determined, highlighting incomplete erasure of germline DNA methylation in the human placenta. (3) Human TS cells retained normal GI patterns. (4) Complete hydatidiform mole-derived TS cells were characterized by aberrant GI and enhanced trophoblastic proliferation. The maternally expressed imprinted gene p57KIP2 may be responsible for the enhanced proliferation. (5) The primate-specific microRNA cluster on chromosome 19, which is a placenta-specific GI gene, is essential for self-renewal and differentiation of human TS cells. Conclusion: Genomic imprinting plays diverse and important roles in human placentation. Experimental analyses using TS cells suggest that the GI maintenance is necessary for normal placental development in humans.

Comparison between the effects of normal saline with and without heparin for the prevention and management of arterial catheter occlusion: a triple-blinded randomized trial.

PURPOSE: We aimed to compare the effects of saline with and without heparin on the catheter-occlusion rate and coagulation-related blood test results for the management of arterial catheters among patients admitted to a short-term intensive care unit postoperatively. METHODS: This prospective, triple-blinded, randomized controlled study recruited patients aged 20-90 years scheduled to undergo radial arterial catheter insertion and postoperative intensive care unit admission between February and August 2019. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups (1:1 ratio) depending on the use of heparin: study (normal saline with heparin, 3000 units to 500 ml of normal saline) and control (normal saline without heparin) groups with arterial catheters. The allocated management method was employed immediately after intensive care unit admission. Occlusion assessment (every 12 h), arterial blood gas tests (every 6 h), and blood sample collection (every 24 h) were performed. The occlusion of arterial catheter was assessed using occlusion rate, and blood test results were assessed using a linear mixed model. RESULTS: There were 147 patients in the arterial catheter groups. There were no significant differences in occlusion rates and changes in platelet counts and activated partial thromboplastin time between the groups with arterial (p = 0.98, 0.16, and 0.32, respectively) catheters during the first 6 days after intensive care unit admission. CONCLUSION: Normal saline with and without heparin showed similar efficiency for both the prevention of occlusion and the results of coagulation.

Unique features and emerging in vitro models of human placental development.

BACKGROUND: The placenta is an essential organ for the normal development of mammalian fetuses. Most of our knowledge on the molecular mechanisms of placental development has come from the analyses of mice, especially histopathological examination of knockout mice. Choriocarcinoma and immortalized cell lines have also been used for basic research on the human placenta. However, these cells are quite different from normal trophoblast cells. METHODS: In this review, we first provide an overview of mouse and human placental development with particular focus on the differences in the anatomy, transcription factor networks, and epigenetic characteristics between these species. Next, we discuss pregnancy complications associated with abnormal placentation. Finally, we introduce emerging in vitro models to study the human placenta, including human trophoblast stem (TS) cells, trophoblast and endometrium organoids, and artificial embryos. MAIN FINDINGS: The placental structure and development differ greatly between humans and mice. The recent establishment of human TS cells and trophoblast and endometrial organoids enhances our understanding of the mechanisms underlying human placental development. CONCLUSION: These in vitro models will greatly advance our understanding of human placental development and potentially contribute to the elucidation of the causes of infertility and other pregnancy complications.

Exophilin-5 regulates allergic airway inflammation by controlling IL-33-mediated Th2 responses.

A common variant in the RAB27A gene in adults was recently found to be associated with the fractional exhaled nitric oxide level, a marker of eosinophilic airway inflammation. The small GTPase Rab27 is known to regulate intracellular vesicle traffic, although its role in allergic responses is unclear. We demonstrated that exophilin-5, a Rab27-binding protein, was predominantly expressed in both of the major IL-33 producers, lung epithelial cells, and the specialized IL-5 and IL-13 producers in the CD44hiCD62LloCXCR3lo pathogenic Th2 cell population in mice. Exophilin-5 deficiency increased stimulant-dependent damage and IL-33 secretion by lung epithelial cells. Moreover, it enhanced IL-5 and IL-13 production in response to TCR and IL-33 stimulation from a specific subset of pathogenic Th2 cells that expresses a high level of IL-33 receptor, which exacerbated allergic airway inflammation in a mouse model of asthma. Mechanistically, exophilin-5 regulates extracellular superoxide release, intracellular ROS production, and phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity by controlling intracellular trafficking of Nox2-containing vesicles, which seems to prevent the overactivation of pathogenic Th2 cells mediated by IL-33. This is the first report to our knowledge to establish the significance of the Rab27-related protein exophilin-5 in the development of allergic airway inflammation, and provides insights into the pathophysiology of asthma.

Age-related changes in muscle elasticity around the shoulder joint in young male baseball players: A prospective longitudinal study.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal changes of elasticity in the muscle tissues around the shoulder joint during the growth period have not been assessed using shear wave elastography. METHODS: This study enrolled male students aged 13-18 years who played baseball or rubber baseball as an extra-curricular activity during junior high or high school or on a baseball team outside of school. The exclusion criterion was a history of surgery for athletic injury. One hundred and twenty-one boys were included in the study. The elasticity of the superior part of the trapezius, the supraspinatus, and the infraspinatus were measured by ultrasound. The shear elastic modulus (SEM), which is the ratio of the strain ratio (SR) in the acoustic coupler to the SR of each muscle, was calculated as a representative value. Six months after the baseline assessment, subjects were evaluated regarding any newly developed pain in the joint of the throwing shoulder, and categorized into either the non-pain group or the pain group. RESULTS: Although all muscle SEMs tended to increase in both the throwing and non-throwing shoulders, no significant difference was observed in the prevalence of shoulder joint pain between ages (p = 0.541). The results of a binominal logistic regression analysis, adjusted for age, body mass index, playing position in baseball, frequency of baseball practice, shoulder range of motion, and muscle strength showed that a decrease in SEM values of the supraspinatus was a risk factor for the development of new pain (odds ratio: 0.056; 95% confidence interval 0.011-0.299; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The elasticity of muscle tissues around the throwing shoulder increased with age, and low tissue elasticity of the supraspinatus of the throwing shoulder was a factor that triggered pain during throwing motions.

Macrophages Switch Their Phenotype by Regulating Maf Expression during Different Phases of Inflammation.

Macrophages manifest distinct phenotype according to the organs in which they reside. In addition, they flexibly switch their character in adaptation to the changing environment. However, the molecular basis that explains the conversion of the macrophage phenotype has so far been unexplored. We find that CD169+ macrophages change their phenotype by regulating the level of a transcription factor Maf both in vitro and in vivo in C57BL/6J mice. When CD169+ macrophages were exposed to bacterial components, they expressed an array of acute inflammatory response genes in Maf-dependent manner and simultaneously start to downregulate Maf. This Maf suppression is dependent on accelerated degradation through proteasome pathway and microRNA-mediated silencing. The downregulation of Maf unlocks the NF-E2-related factor 2-dominant, cytoprotective/antioxidative program in the same macrophages. The present study provides new insights into the previously unanswered question of how macrophages initiate proinflammatory responses while retaining their capacity to repair injured tissues during inflammation.

Exophilin-8 assembles secretory granules for exocytosis in the actin cortex via interaction with RIM-BP2 and myosin-VIIa.

Exophilin-8 has been reported to play a role in anchoring secretory granules within the actin cortex, due to its direct binding activities to Rab27 on the granule membrane and to F-actin and its motor protein, myosin-Va. Here, we show that exophilin-8 accumulates granules in the cortical F-actin network not by direct interaction with myosin-Va, but by indirect interaction with a specific form of myosin-VIIa through its previously unknown binding partner, RIM-BP2. RIM-BP2 also associates with exocytic machinery, Cav1.3, RIM, and Munc13-1. Disruption of the exophilin-8-RIM-BP2-myosin-VIIa complex by ablation or knockdown of each component markedly decreases both the peripheral accumulation and exocytosis of granules. Furthermore, exophilin-8-null mouse pancreatic islets lose polarized granule localization at the ß-cell periphery and exhibit impaired insulin secretion. This newly identified complex acts as a physical and functional scaffold and provides a mechanism supporting a releasable pool of granules within the F-actin network beneath the plasma membrane.

Presence of orally administered rice bran oil γ-oryzanol in its intact form in mouse plasma.

Although the beneficial effects (e.g., lipid-lowering activity) of γ-oryzanol (OZ), a mixture of ferulic acid esters of plant sterols and triterpene alcohols, have been extensively investigated, few studies have evaluated the absorption and metabolism of OZ. Moreover, it is unclear whether OZ, once ingested, is directly absorbed by the intestine into the bloodstream at a sufficient level to exhibit activity. Here, we prepared OZ concentrate from purified rice bran oil (Rice Oil OZ), determined the concentration of OZ in the preparation (cycloartenyl ferulate equivalent concentration; 52.2%), and then carried out chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of plasma samples from mice after oral administration of Rice Oil OZ. The OZ concentrations of plasma from the control (vehicle-treated) mice were low (trace levels); however, at 5 h after a single oral administration of the Rice Oil OZ (600 mg per kg body weight), the levels significantly increased, reaching 17.6 ng mL-1 for cycloartenyl ferulate, 28.2 ng mL-1 for 24-methylenecycloartanyl ferulate isomers, 15.6 ng mL-1 for campesteryl ferulate, and 5.1 ng mL-1 for ß-sitosteryl ferulate, respectively, expressed in equivalence of cycloartenyl ferulate in plasma. These results provided the first mass spectrometric evidence suggesting that a portion of orally administered OZ is directly absorbed by the intestine and is present in the intact form in plasma. The presence of a significant amount of OZ in its intact form in plasma may explain the beneficial effects of OZ in vivo.

Nrf2 suppresses macrophage inflammatory response by blocking proinflammatory cytokine transcription.

Nrf2 (NF-E2-related factor-2) transcription factor regulates oxidative/xenobiotic stress response and also represses inflammation. However, the mechanisms how Nrf2 alleviates inflammation are still unclear. Here, we demonstrate that Nrf2 interferes with lipopolysaccharide-induced transcriptional upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and IL-1ß. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP)-seq and ChIP-qPCR analyses revealed that Nrf2 binds to the proximity of these genes in macrophages and inhibits RNA Pol II recruitment. Further, we found that Nrf2-mediated inhibition is independent of the Nrf2-binding motif and reactive oxygen species level. Murine inflammatory models further demonstrated that Nrf2 interferes with IL6 induction and inflammatory phenotypes in vivo. Thus, contrary to the widely accepted view that Nrf2 suppresses inflammation through redox control, we demonstrate here that Nrf2 opposes transcriptional upregulation of proinflammatory cytokine genes. This study identifies Nrf2 as the upstream regulator of cytokine production and establishes a molecular basis for an Nrf2-mediated anti-inflammation approach.

Roles nrf2 plays in myeloid cells and related disorders.

The Keap1-Nrf2 system protects animals from oxidative and electrophilic stresses. Nrf2 is a transcription factor that induces the expression of genes essential for detoxifying reactive oxygen species (ROS) and cytotoxic electrophiles. Keap1 is a stress sensor protein that binds to and ubiquitinates Nrf2 under unstressed conditions, leading to the rapid proteasomal degradation of Nrf2. Upon exposure to stress, Keap1 is modified and inactivated, which allows Nrf2 to accumulate and activate the transcription of a battery of cytoprotective genes. Antioxidative and detoxification activities are important for many types of cells to avoid DNA damage and cell death. Accumulating lines of recent evidence suggest that Nrf2 is also required for the primary functions of myeloid cells, which include phagocytosis, inflammation regulation, and ROS generation for bactericidal activities. In fact, results from several mouse models have shown that Nrf2 expression in myeloid cells is required for the proper regulation of inflammation, antitumor immunity, and atherosclerosis. Moreover, several molecules generated upon inflammation activate Nrf2. Although ROS detoxification mediated by Nrf2 is assumed to be required for anti-inflammation, the entire picture of the Nrf2-mediated regulation of myeloid cell primary functions has yet to be elucidated. In this review, we describe the Nrf2 inducers characteristic of myeloid cells and the contributions of Nrf2 to diseases.

Naturally occurring oncogenic GATA1 mutants with internal deletions in transient abnormal myelopoiesis in Down syndrome.

Children with Down syndrome have an increased incidence of transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM) and acute megakaryoblastic leukemia. The majority of these cases harbor somatic mutations in the GATA1 gene, which results in the loss of full-length GATA1. Only a truncated isoform of GATA1 that lacks the N-terminal 83 amino acids (GATA1-S) remains. We found through genetic studies of 106 patients with TAM that internally deleted GATA1 proteins (GATA1-IDs) lacking amino acid residues 77-119 or 74-88 (created by splicing mutations) contributed to the genesis of TAM in 6 patients. Analyses of GATA1-deficient embryonic megakaryocytic progenitors revealed that the GATA1 function in growth restriction was disrupted in GATA1-IDs. In contrast, GATA1-S promoted megakaryocyte proliferation more profoundly than that induced by GATA1 deficiency. These results indicate that the internally deleted regions play important roles in megakaryocyte proliferation and that perturbation of this mechanism is involved in the pathogenesis of TAM.

Distinct Conformation of ATP Molecule in Solution and on Protein.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a versatile molecule used mainly for energy and a phosphate source. The hydrolysis of γ phosphate initiates the reactions and these reactions almost always start when ATP binds to protein. Therefore, there should be a mechanism to prevent spontaneous hydrolysis reaction and a mechanism to lead ATP to a pure energy source or to a phosphate source. To address these questions, we extensively analyzed the effect of protein to ATP conformation based on the sampling of the ATP solution conformations obtained from molecular dynamics simulation and the sampling of ATP structures bound to protein found in a protein structure database. The comparison revealed mainly the following three points; 1) The ribose ring in ATP molecule, which puckers in many ways in solution, tends to assume either C2' exo or C2' endo when it binds to protein. 2) The adenine ring in ATP molecule, which takes open-book motion with the two ring structures, has two distinct structures when ATP binds to protein. 3) The glycosyl-bond and the bond between phosphate and the ribose have unique torsion angles, when ATP binds to protein. The combination of torsion angles found in protein-bound forms is under-represented in ATP molecule in water. These findings suggest that ATP-binding protein exerts forces on ATP molecule to assume a conformation that is rarely found in solution, and that this conformation change should be a trigger for the reactions on ATP molecule.

N- and C-terminal transactivation domains of GATA1 protein coordinate hematopoietic program.

Transcription factor GATA1 regulates the expression of a cluster of genes important for hematopoietic cell differentiation toward erythroid and megakaryocytic lineages. Three functional domains have been identified in GATA1, a transactivation domain located in the N terminus (N-TAD) and two zinc finger domains located in the middle of the molecule. Although N-TAD is known as a solitary transactivation domain for GATA1, clinical observations in Down syndrome leukemia suggest that there may be additional transactivation domains. In this study, we found in reporter co-transfection assays that transactivation activity of GATA1 was markedly reduced by deletion of the C-terminal 95 amino acids without significant attenuation of the DNA binding activity or self-association potential. We therefore generated transgenic mouse lines that expressed GATA1 lacking the C-terminal region (GATA1-ΔCT). When we crossed these transgenic mouse lines to the Gata1-deficient mouse, we found that the GATA1-ΔCT transgene rescued Gata1-deficient mice from embryonic lethality. The embryos rescued with an almost similar level of GATA1-ΔCT to endogenous GATA1 developed beyond embryonic 13.5 days, showing severe anemia with accumulation of immature erythroid cells, as was the case for the embryos rescued by endogenous levels of GATA1 lacking N-TAD (GATA1-ΔNT). Distinct sets of target genes were affected in the embryos rescued by GATA1-ΔCT and GATA1-ΔNT. We also found attenuated GATA1 function in cell cycle control of immature megakaryocytes in both lines of rescued embryos. These results thus demonstrate that GATA1 has two independent transactivation domains, N-TAD and C-TAD. Both N-TAD and C-TAD retain redundant as well as specific activities for proper hematopoiesis in vivo.

Loss of the Gata1 gene IE exon leads to variant transcript expression and the production of a GATA1 protein lacking the N-terminal domain.

GATA1 is essential for the differentiation of erythroid cells and megakaryocytes. The Gata1 gene is composed of multiple untranslated first exons and five common coding exons. The erythroid first exon (IE exon) is important for Gata1 gene expression in hematopoietic lineages. Because previous IE exon knockdown analyses resulted in embryonic lethality, less is understood about the contribution of the IE exon to adult hematopoiesis. Here, we achieved specific deletion of the floxed IE exon in adulthood using an inducible Cre expression system. In this conditional knock-out mouse line, the Gata1 mRNA level was significantly down-regulated in the megakaryocyte lineage, resulting in thrombocytopenia with a marked proliferation of megakaryocytes. By contrast, in the erythroid lineage, Gata1 mRNA was expressed abundantly utilizing alternative first exons. Especially, the IEb/c and newly identified IEd exons were transcribed at a level comparable with that of the IE exon in control mice. Surprisingly, in the IE-null mouse, these transcripts failed to produce full-length GATA1 protein, but instead yielded GATA1 lacking the N-terminal domain inefficiently. With low level expression of the short form of GATA1, IE-null mice showed severe anemia with skewed erythroid maturation. Notably, the hematological phenotypes of adult IE-null mice substantially differ from those observed in mice harboring conditional ablation of the entire Gata1 gene. The present study demonstrates that the IE exon is instrumental to adult erythropoiesis by regulating the proper level of transcription and selecting the correct transcription start site of the Gata1 gene.

Induction of hyperproliferative fetal megakaryopoiesis by an N-terminally truncated GATA1 mutant.

Two GATA1-related leukemias have been described: one is an erythroleukemia that develops in mice as a consequence of diminished expression of wild-type GATA1, whereas the other is an acute megakaryoblastic leukemia (AMKL) that arises in Down syndrome children as a consequence of somatic N-terminal truncation (DeltaNT) of GATA1. We discovered that mice expressing the shortened GATA1 protein (DeltaNTR mice) phenocopies the human transient myeloproliferative disorder (TMD) that precedes AMKL in Down syndrome children. In perinatal livers of the DeltaNTR mutant mice, immature megakaryocytes accumulate massively, and this fraction contains cells that form hyperproliferative megakaryocytic colonies. Furthermore, showing good agreement with the clinical course of TMD in humans, DeltaNTR mutant mice undergo spontaneous resolution from the massive megakaryocyte accumulation concomitant with the switch of hematopoietic microenvironment from liver to bone marrow/spleen. These results thus demonstrate that expression of the GATA1/Gata1 N-terminal deletion mutant per se induces hyperproliferative fetal megakaryopoiesis. This mouse model serves as an important means to clarify how impaired GATA1 function contributes to the multi-step leukemogenesis.

Antitumor activity of compounds isolated from leaves of Eriobotrya japonica.

In a search for possible antitumor agents from natural sources, megastigmane glycosides and polyphenolic constituents isolated from the leaves of Eriobotrya japonica (Rosaceae) were found to inhibit the 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced activation of Epstein-Barr virus early antigen in Raji cells. Roseoside and procyanidin B-2 were among the active compounds found in an in vitro assay; these compounds were further assessed for antitumor activity in vivo in a two-stage carcinogenesis assay on mouse skin. Roseoside significantly delayed carcinogenesis induced by peroxynitrite (initiator) and TPA (promoter), and its potency was comparable to that of a green tea polyphenol, (-)-epigallocatechin 3-O-gallate, in the same assay.