Reduced fertility in an adenomyosis mouse model is associated with an altered immune profile in the uterus during the implantation period.

STUDY QUESTION: Does a reduction in fertility and/or systemic immune cell change occur during the early implantation period in a mouse model of adenomyosis? SUMMARY ANSWER: A reduction in fertility was observed in mice with adenomyosis, coinciding with local and systemic immune changes observed during the implantation period. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Adenomyosis is a pathology responsible for impaired fertility in humans, with a still unclear pathophysiology. One hypothesis is that changes in immune cells observed in adenomyosis-affected uteri may alter fertility, notably the physiological immune environment necessary for successful implantation and a healthy pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Randomly selected CD-1 female neonatal pups were orally dosed by administration of tamoxifen to induce adenomyosis (TAM group), while others received solvent only (control group). From 6 weeks of life, CD-1 mice of both groups were mated to study impaired fertility and related local and/or systemic immune cell changes during the early implantation period. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTINGS, METHODS: To evaluate fertility and pregnancy outcomes, ultrasound imaging was performed at E (embryonic day) 7.5 and E11.5 to count the number of gestational sacs and the number of resorptions in eight mice of the TAM group and 16 mice of the control group. The mice were sacrificed at E18.5, and morphometric, functional (quantitative reverse transcription PCR; RT-qPCR), and histological analyses were performed on the placentas. To identify local and/or systemic immune changes during the early implantation period, 8 mice of the TAM group and 12 mice of the control group were sacrificed at E4.5. Uterine horns and spleens were collected for flow cytometry and RT-qPCR analyses to study the immune cell populations. To investigate the profile of the cytokines secreted during the early implantation period at the systemic level, supernatants from stimulated spleen cells were analyzed by multiplex immunoassay analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: By ultrasound imaging, we observed a lower number of implantation sites (P < 0.005) and a higher number of resorptions (P < 0.001) in the TAM group, leading to smaller litters (average number of fetuses per litter: 1.00 [0.00; 5.25] in the TAM group versus 12.00 [9.50; 13.75] in the control group (P < 0.001). Histological and morphometric analyses of the placentas at E18.5 showed a higher junctional/labyrinthine area ratio in the TAM group (P = 0.005). The expression levels of genes that play a role in vascularization and placental growth (Vegf (P < 0.001), Plgf (P < 0.005), Pecam (P < 0.0001), and Igf2 (P = 0.002)) were reduced in the TAM group. In the TAM group, the percentages of macrophages, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells (DC) were significantly decreased in the uterus around the implantation period. However, the number of M1 macrophages was increased. Both macrophages and DC had an increased activation profile (higher expression of MCHII, P = 0.012; CD80, P = 0.015; CCR7, P = 0.043 for macrophages, and higher expression of CD206, P = 0.018; CXCR4, P = 0.010; CCR7, P = 0.006, MCHII, P = 0.010; and CD80, P = 0.012 for DC). In spleen, an increase in the activation of macrophages (CCR7, P = 0.002; MCHII, P = 0.001; and CD80, P = 0.034) and DC was observed in the TAM group (CCR7, P = 0.001; MCHII, P = 0.001; Ly6C, P = 0.015). In the uteri and the spleen, we observed increased percentages of CD4+ T lymphocytes (P = 0.0237 and P = 0.0136, respectively) in the TAM group and, in the uteri, an increased number of regulatory T cells (P = 0.036) compared with the controls. LARGE SCALE DATA: Not applicable. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study is limited by the use of an animal model and the lack of intervention. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: These data support involvement of innate and adaptive immune cells in the implantation failure and the increased rate of resorption observed in the mouse model of adenomyosis. This substantiates the need for additional research in this domain, with the goal of addressing fertility challenges in women affected by this condition. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): None.

Immune cells and Notch1 signaling appear to drive the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in the development of adenomyosis in mice.

The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been implicated in the development of adenomyosis, along with dysregulated immune responses. Inflammation potentially induces Notch signaling, which could promote this EMT. The objective of this study was to investigate the involvement of immune cells and Notch1-mediated EMT in the development of adenomyosis. Adenomyosis was induced in 18 CD-1 mice by neonatal oral administration of tamoxifen (TAM group), while 18 neonates received vehicle only (Control group). Their uteri were sampled at 30, 60 or 90 days of age. Immune cell markers (Cd45, Ly6c1, Cd86, Arginine1, Cd19, Cd4, Cd8), Notch1 and its target genes (Hey1, Hey2, Hes1, Hes5) and biomarkers of EMT (E-Cadherin, Vimentin, Tgfb, Snail1, Slug, Snail3) were analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Activated-Notch1 protein was measured by western blot. Aberrant expression of immune cell markers was observed in the uteri of mice as they developed adenomyosis. The expression of inflammatory cell markers, notably M1 macrophages and natural killer cells, was increased from Day 30 in the TAM group compared to controls, followed by an increase in the Cd4 marker (T cells) at Day 60. Conversely, expression of the Cd19 marker (B cells) was significantly reduced at all of the stages studied. Notch1 signaling was also highly activated compared to controls at Day 30 and Day 60. Concomitantly, the levels of several markers for EMT were also higher. Therefore, the activation of Notch1 coincides with aberrant expression of immune and EMT markers in the early development of adenomyosis.

Ultrasound-induced Cavitation enhances the efficacy of Chemotherapy in a 3D Model of Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma with its microenvironment.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is supported by a complex microenvironment whose physical contribution to chemoresistance could be overcome by ultrasound (US) therapy. This study aims to investigate the ability of US-induced inertial cavitation in association with chemotherapy to alter tumor cell viability via microenvironment disruption. For this purpose, we used a 3D-coculture PDAC model partially mimicking the tumor and its microenvironment. Coculture spheroids combining DT66066 cells isolated from KPC-transgenic mice and murine embryonic fibroblasts (iMEF) were obtained by using a magnetic nanoshuttle method. Spheroids were exposed to US with incremental inertial cavitation indexes. Conditions studied included control, gemcitabine, US-cavitation and US-cavitation + gemcitabine. Spheroid viability was assessed by the reduction of resazurin and flow cytometry. The 3D-coculture spheroid model incorporated activated fibroblasts and produced type 1-collagen, thus providing a partial miniature representation of tumors with their microenvironment. Main findings were: (a) Gemcitabine (5 µM) was significantly less cytotoxic in the presence of KPC/iMEFs spheroids compared with KPC (fibroblast-free) spheroids; (b) US-induced inertial cavitation combined with Gemcitabine significantly decreased spheroid viability compared to Gemcitabine alone; (c) both cavitation and chemotherapy affected KPC cell viability but not that of fibroblasts, confirming the protective role of the latter vis-à-vis tumor cells. Gemcitabine toxicity is enhanced when cocultured spheroids of KPC and iMEF are exposed to US-cavitation. Although the model used is only a partial representation of PDAC, this experience supports the hypothesis that US-inertial cavitation can enhance drug penetration and cytotoxicity by disrupting PDAC microenvironment.

B lymphocytes inactivation by Ibrutinib limits endometriosis progression in mice.

STUDY QUESTION: What are the effects of B lymphocyte inactivation or depletion on the progression of endometriosis? SUMMARY ANSWER: Skewing activated B cells toward regulatory B cells (Bregs) by Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) inhibition using Ibrutinib prevents endometriosis progression in mice while B cell depletion using an anti-CD20 antibody has no effect. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: A polyclonal activation of B cells and the presence of anti-endometrial autoantibodies have been described in a large proportion of women with endometriosis though their exact role in the disease mechanisms remains unclear. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This study included comparison of endometriosis progression for 21 days in control mice versus animals treated with the anti-CD20 depleting antibody or with the Btk inhibitor Ibrutinib that prevents B cell activation. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: After syngeneic endometrial transplantation, murine endometriotic lesions were compared between treated and control mice using volume, weight, ultrasonography, histology and target genes expression in lesions. Phenotyping of activated and regulatory B cells, T lymphocytes and macrophages was performed by flow cytometry on isolated spleen and peritoneal cells. Cytokines were assayed by ELISA. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Btk inhibitor Ibrutinib prevented lesion growth, reduced mRNA expression of cyclooxygenase-2, alpha smooth muscle actin and type I collagen in the lesions and skewed activated B cells toward Bregs in the spleen and peritoneal cavity of mice with endometriosis. In addition, the number of M2 macrophages decreased in the peritoneal cavity of Ibrutinib-treated mice compared to anti-CD20 and control mice. Depletion of B cells using an anti-CD20 antibody had no effect on activity and growth of endometriotic lesions and neither on the macrophages, compared to control mice. LARGE SCALE DATA: N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: It is still unclear whether B cell depletion by the anti-CD20 or inactivation by Ibrutinib can prevent establishment and/or progression of endometriosis in humans. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Further investigation may contribute to clarifying the role of B cell subsets in human endometriosis. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This research was supported by a grant of Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale and Paris Descartes University. None of the authors has any conflict of interest to disclose.

Alteration of Nrf2 and Glutamate Cysteine Ligase expression contribute to lesions growth and fibrogenesis in ectopic endometriosis.

The redox-sensitive nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2-like 2 (NRF2) controls endogenous antioxidant enzymes' transcription and protects against oxidative damage which is triggered by inflammation and known to favor progression of endometriosis. Glutamate Cysteine Ligase (GCL), a target gene of NRF2, is the first enzyme in the synthesis cascade of glutathione, an important endogenous antioxidant. Sixty-one patients, with thorough surgical examination of the abdominopelvic cavity, were recruited for the study: 31 with histologically-proven endometriosis and 30 disease-free women taken as controls. Expressions of NRF2 and GCL were investigated by quantitative RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry in eutopic and ectopic endometria from endometriosis-affected women and in endometrium of disease-free women. Ex vivo stromal and epithelial cells were extracted and purified from endometrial and endometriotic biopsies to explore expression of NRF2 and GCL in both stromal and epithelial compartments by western blot. Finally, in order to strengthen the role of NRF2 in endometriosis pathogenesis, we evaluated the drop of NRF2 expression in a mouse model of endometriosis using NRF2 knockout (NRF2-/-) mice. The mRNA levels of NRF2 and GCL were significantly lower in ectopic endometria of endometriosis-affected women compared to eutopic endometria of disease-free women. The immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the decreased expression of both NRF2 and GCL in ectopic endometriotic tissues compared to eutopic endometria of endometriosis-affected and disease-free women. Immunoblotting revealed a significant decreased of NRF2 and GCL expression in epithelial and stroma cells from ectopic lesions of endometriosis-affected women compared to eutopic endometria from controls. Using a murine model of endometriosis, NRF2-/- implants were more fibrotic compared to wild-type with an increased weight and volume. These findings indicate that expression of the transcription factor NRF2 and its effector GCL are both profoundly deregulated in endometriotic lesions towards increased growth and fibrogenetic processes.

[Endometriosis: increasing concentrations of serum interleukin-1ß and interleukin-1sRII is associated with the deep form of this pathology]. / Endométriose: l'augmentation des concentrations d'interleukine-1ß et d'interleukine-1sRII dans le sérum est associée à la forme profonde de cette pathologie.

OBJECTIVES: To assess interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) and its inhibitory soluble interleukin-1 receptor type II (IL-1sRII) levels into the serum of patients with various forms of endometriosis and normal women, and investigate the correlation with disease activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this prospective laboratory study (2005-2010), 510 women with histologically proven endometriosis and 93 endometriosis-free controls have been enrolled. Laparoscopic complete exploration of the abdominopelvic cavity and blood samples have been performed in each patient. For each serum, IL-1ß and IL-1sRII have been evaluated using Elisa. RESULTS: IL-1ß and IL-1sRII have been respectively detectable in 64% and 54.6% of serum samples from all 603 women studied. IL-1ß was higher in women with deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE) (mean 10.0pg/mL [0.005-416.2]) than in endometriosis-free women (mean 0.5pg/mL [0.01-1.7], P<0.01) or in women with superficial endometriosis (SUP) (mean 0.6pg/mL [0.1-2.9], P<0.01). Also, IL-1sRII was higher in DIE (mean 236.7pg/mL [0.9-6975]) than in the witness group (mean 85.0pg/mL [1-235.2], P<0.05) or in SUP (mean 85.1pg/mL [0.6-302], P<0.01). CONCLUSION: This study highlights both a marked significant increase in serum IL-1ß and IL-1sRII levels in DIE compared to SUP and normal women and suggests that a defect in the control of IL-1 can impact the pathophysiology of endometriosis.

Role of the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis in the development of deep rectal endometriosis.

Immunological and angiogenetic factors enhance the implantation of endometrial cells in the peritoneal cavity. The aim of this work was to determine the role of the CXCL12-CXCR4 axis in the attraction and the peritoneal implantation of endometriotic stromal cells in deep infiltrating endometriosis (DIE). Biopsies of DIE nodules were obtained from 14 patients undergoing surgical treatment for DIE with low rectal involvement and from 12 patients without macroscopic endometriosis undergoing laparoscopy. CXCR4 expression was evaluated by Western blot analysis and flow cytometry in eutopic endometrial cells and DIE stromal cells in primary cultures derived from the biopsies. CXCL12-induced migration of DIE eutopic endometrial stromal cells was evaluated by transwell migration. CXCL12 was assayed in peritoneal fluids by ELISA. CXCR4 expression was higher in eutopic endometrial stromal cells than in control endometrial cells (p<0.05) and in DIE stromal cells (p<0.05). Eutopic endometrial stromal cells were more attracted by CXCL12 than control cells (p<0.01). CXCL12 was higher in DIE peritoneal fluids than in controls (p<0.05). CXCR4 was down-regulated in deep infiltrating endometriotic stromal cells. The CXCL12-CXCR4 axis plays a role in the attraction of eutopic endometrial cells into the peritoneal cavity, and the down-regulation of CXCR4 in resident endometriotic cells could cause their arrest in situ.

Lack of P-glycoprotein induction by rifampicin and phenobarbital in human lymphocytes.

The efficacy of drugs acting within lymphocytes depends on their intracellular concentrations, which could be modulated by membrane efflux transporters including P-glycoprotein (P-gp), encoded by the MDR1 gene. In particular, P-gp induction may compromise the efficacy of its substrates. Rifampicin and phenobarbital have been shown to induce P-gp in hepatic and intestinal cells through the activation of the nuclear receptors PXR and CAR. However, controversial data exist in human lymphocytes. We investigated the effect of these drugs on P-gp activity and expression in lymphocytes in vitro and ex vivo. CCRF-CEM cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from healthy volunteers were incubated in the presence of rifampicin, phenobarbital, or without any drug. P-gp activity was measured by flow cytometry using DiOC(6) efflux. MDR1, PXR and CAR mRNA expression were measured by quantitative RT-PCR. Neither P-gp activity nor MDR1 mRNA expression were modified by rifampicin or phenobarbital both in CCRF-CEM cells and PBMCs. Moreover, P-gp protein expression at the membrane was neither detectable nor induced. The very weak PXR and CAR mRNA expression levels in these cells could partly explain these results. Therefore, P-gp induction by rifampicin and phenobarbital may play a negligible role in drug interactions occurring within lymphocytes.

Increased expression of regulatory Tr1 cells in recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation.

Immune response failure during HCV infection has been associated with the activity of regulatory T cells. Hepatitis C-related cirrhosis is the main reason for liver transplantation. However, 80% of transplanted patients present an accelerated recurrence of the disease. This study assessed the involvement of regulatory T-cell subsets (CD4+CD25+ cells: 'Treg' and CD49b+CD18+ cells: 'T regulatory-1' cells), in the recurrence of HCV after liver transplantation, using transcriptomic analysis, ELISA assays on serum samples and immunohistochemistry on liver biopsies from liver recipients 1 and 5 years after transplantation. Three groups of patients were included: stable HCV-negative recipients and those with mild and severe hepatitis C recurrence. At 5 years, Treg markers were overexpressed in all HCV+ recipients. By contrast, Tr1 markers were only overexpressed in patients with severe recurrence. At 1 year, a trend toward the overexpression of Tr1 was noted in patients evolving toward severe recurrence. IL-10 production, a characteristic of the Tr1 subset, was enhanced in severe recurrence at both 1 and 5 years. These results suggest that Tr1 are enhanced during severe HCV recurrence after liver transplantation and could be predictive of HCV recurrence. High levels of IL-10 at 1 year could be predictive of severe recurrence, and high IL-10 producers might warrant more intensive management.

High levels of P-glycoprotein activity in human lymphocytes in the first 6 months of life.

P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is an efflux transporter that controls the intracellular concentrations of drugs. Human development may modulate P-gp function. We investigated the effect of age on P-gp activity and MDR1 gene expression in lymphocytes. We also assessed the influence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We used 3,3'-diethyloxacarbocyanin iodide (DiOC(6)) efflux, estimated by flow cytometry, to quantify P-gp activity in 94 children (age range, 0-18 years) and 25 adults. MDR1 gene expression was quantified using reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). In T and natural killer (NK) cell populations, P-gp activity peaked at birth, decreased between the ages of 0 and 6 months, and stabilized between the ages of 6 months and 2 years (P < 10(-6)). These maturation profiles were also strongly correlated (r = 0.67, P < 10(-6)). HIV infection did not affect P-gp activity in the lymphocytes of children. MDR1 gene expression was not influenced by age, nor was it correlated with P-gp activity. The high levels of P-gp activity observed in the lymphocytes of children ~6 months of age may affect the efficacy of intracellular drugs.

Low density lipoprotein receptor transcripts correlates with liver hepatitis C virus RNA in patients with alcohol consumption.

Alcohol consumption has a major impact on the natural history of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, although the underlying mechanisms are still debated. We designed a clinical study to evaluate the impact of alcohol abuse on both viral load and expression of low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) and CD81 expression. Thirty-eight consecutive HCV-infected patients were enrolled. Group 1 (n = 18), < or =10 g alcohol/day, group 2 (n = 8), < or =30 g alcohol/day, group 3 (n = 12), >or =30 g alcohol/day. Receptors expression was measured by flow cytometry analysis in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) and by specific real-time retrotranscription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in the liver. Serum viral load was evaluated by quantification of both HCV genomic RNA and total core antigen. The hepatic viral load was assessed by real-time RT-PCR. Serum HCV-RNA and total core antigen were significantly correlated, and were higher, albeit not significantly, in group 3 than in group 1. Alcohol consumption had no effect on expression of HCV putative receptors in PBMC, except for CD81, which was upregulated on monocytes in group 2. In the liver, viral load and levels of LDLR transcripts were significantly higher in group 3 than in group 1. Remarkably, a significant positive correlation was found between LDLR transcripts and HCV-RNA (r2 = 0.83, P < 10(-3)). Finally, in vitro experiments suggested that the effect of ethanol on LDLR expression was indirectly mediated by both tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-1beta. In conclusion, this study is the first to support a role for LDLR in the natural infection by HCV in man.