Human Platelet-Rich Plasma Facilitates Angiogenesis to Restore Impaired Uterine Environments with Asherman's Syndrome for Embryo Implantation and Following Pregnancy in Mice.

Asherman's syndrome (AS) is caused by intrauterine adhesions and inactive endometrium from repeated curettage of the uterine endometrium. AS is a major cause of recurrent implantation failure and miscarriage and is very difficult to treat because of the poor recovery of endometrial basal cells. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has abundant growth factors that may induce angiogenesis and cell proliferation. Here, we demonstrate that human PRP (hPRP) significantly enhances angiogenesis to restore embryo implantation, leading to successful pregnancy in mice with AS. In mice with AS, hPRP treatment considerably reduced the expression of fibrosis markers and alleviated oligo/amenorrhea phenotypes. Mice with AS did not produce any pups, but the hPRP therapy restored their infertility. AS-induced abnormalities, such as aberrantly delayed embryo implantation and intrauterine growth retardation, were considerably eliminated by hPRP. Furthermore, hPRP significantly promoted not only the elevation of various angiogenic factors, but also the migration of endometrial stromal cells. It also increased the phosphorylation of STAT3, a critical mediator of wound healing, and the expression of tissue remodeling genes in a fibrotic uterus. PRP could be a promising therapeutic strategy to promote angiogenesis and reduce fibrosis in impaired uterine environments, leading to successful embryo implantation for better clinical outcomes in patients with AS.

Recovery of ovarian function by human embryonic stem cell-derived mesenchymal stem cells in cisplatin-induced premature ovarian failure in mice.

BACKGROUND: Clinical use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) requires a uniform cell population, and their harvesting is invasive and produces a limited number of cells. Human embryonic stem cell-derived MSCs (hESC-MSCs) can differentiate into three germ layers and possess immunosuppressive effects in vitro. Anticancer treatment is a well-known risk factor for premature ovarian failure (POF). In this study, we investigated the effect of hESC-MSC on recovery of ovarian function in cisplatin-induced POF in mice. METHODS: Female mice received intraperitoneal cisplatin for 10 days. On day 12, CHA15-derived hESC-MSCs were transplanted into the mice by tail vein injection. An injection of PBS served as the negative control. Ovaries were removed 28 days after transplantation for assessment of ovarian histology, immunostaining, and fertility testing by superovulation and in vitro fertilization. hESC-MSC transplantation into mice with cisplatin-induced damage restored body weight and ovary size. RESULTS: Mean primary and primordial follicle counts in the hESC-MSC group were significantly improved compared to the PBS group (P < 0.05), and counts of zona pellucida remnants, an apoptotic sign in ovarian follicles, were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). TUNEL assays and cleaved PARP immunostaining indicated apoptosis, which led to loss of ovarian stromal cells in negative control mice, while Ki-67 was higher in the hESC-MSC group and in non-cisplatin-treated controls than in the PBS group. Ovulation was reduced in the PBS group but recovered significantly in the hESC-MSC group. Rates of blastocyst formation from ovulated eggs and live births per mouse also recovered significantly in the hESC-MSC group. CONCLUSIONS: hESC-MSC restored structure and function in the cisplatin-damaged ovary. Our study provides new insights into the great clinical potential of human hESC-MSC in treating POF.

Hyperandrogenic Milieu Dysregulates the Expression of Insulin Signaling Factors and Glucose Transporters in the Endometrium of Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

PURPOSE: Subfertility associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mainly originates from oligoovulation/anovulation. Although insulin resistance and androgen excess are known to cause PCOS-associated implantation failure, the consequences of PCOS on endometrial homeostasis and pathophysiology have not been comprehensively understood. In this study, we examined whether the pathophysiologic milieu of PCOS intrinsically affects expression profiles of genes related to insulin signaling and facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs) in the human endometrium and/or during in vitro decidualization. STUDY DESIGN: Seven healthy women with regular menstrual cycles and 13 patients with PCOS were recruited for this study. To mimic the hyperandrogenic or hyperinsulinemic milieu in the endometrium of patient with PCOS (PCOSE) in vitro, human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) were treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or insulin, respectively. RESULTS: In PCOSE, messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of insulin receptor (IR), IR substrate (IRS) 1, and IRS2 were significantly increased. Furthermore, GLUT1 and GLUT12 were aberrantly increased. Chronic exposure to insulin or DHT aberrantly increased IRS1/IRS2 phosphorylation and protein levels of GLUT1 and GLUT12 in hESCs, suggesting that not only hyperinsulinemic but also hyperandrogenic conditions affect insulin signaling and glucose metabolism. The mRNA microarrays demonstrated that DHT dysregulates various gene sets, including cell cycle and glucose metabolism, in hESCs. Furthermore, DHT suppressed the expression of GLUT1 and GLUT12 as well as decidualization markers, IGFBP1 and prolactin, during in vitro decidualization. CONCLUSIONS: The hyperandrogenic milieu affects gene expression profiles, including gene sets associated with insulin signaling, cell cycle, glucose metabolism, and/or glucose transport, in human endometrium and during in vitro decidualization.

Voltage Dependent N Type Calcium Channel in Mouse Egg Fertilization.

Repetitive changes in the intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) triggers egg activation, including cortical granule exocytosis, resumption of second meiosis, block to polyspermy, and initiating embryonic development. [Ca2+]i oscillations that continue for several hours, are required for the early events of egg activation and possibly connected to further development to the blastocyst stage. The sources of Ca2+ ion elevation during [Ca2+]i oscillations are Ca2+ release from endoplasmic reticulum through inositol 1,4,5 tri-phosphate receptor and Ca2+ ion influx through Ca2+ channel on the plasma membrane. Ca2+ channels have been characterized into voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (VDCCs), ligand-gated Ca2+ channel, and leak-channel. VDCCs expressed on muscle cell or neuron is specified into L, T, N, P, Q, and R type VDCs by their activation threshold or their sensitivity to peptide toxins isolated from cone snails and spiders. The present study was aimed to investigate the localization pattern of N and P/Q type voltage-dependent calcium channels in mouse eggs and the role in fertilization. [Ca2+]i oscillation was observed in a Ca2+ contained medium with sperm factor or adenophostin A injection but disappeared in Ca2+ free medium. Ca2+ influx was decreased by Lat A. N-VDCC specific inhibitor, ω-Conotoxin CVIIA induced abnormal [Ca2+]i oscillation profiles in SrCl2 treatment. N or P/Q type VDC were distributed on the plasma membrane in cortical cluster form, not in the cytoplasm. Ca2+ influx is essential for [Ca2+]i oscillation during mammalian fertilization. This Ca2+ influx might be controlled through the N or P/Q type VDCCs. Abnormal VDCCs expression of eggs could be tested in fertilization failure or low fertilization eggs in subfertility women.

Hyperandrogenic Milieu Dysregulates the Expression of Insulin Signaling Factors and Glucose Transporters in the Endometrium of Patients With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

PURPOSE:: Subfertility associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) mainly originates from oligoovulation/anovulation. Although insulin resistance and androgen excess are known to cause PCOS-associated implantation failure, the consequences of PCOS on endometrial homeostasis and pathophysiology have not been comprehensively understood. In this study, we examined whether the pathophysiologic milieu of PCOS intrinsically affects expression profiles of genes related to insulin signaling and facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs) in the human endometrium and/or during in vitro decidualization. STUDY DESIGN:: Seven healthy women with regular menstrual cycles and 13 patients with PCOS were recruited for this study. To mimic the hyperandrogenic or hyperinsulinemic milieu in the endometrium of patient with PCOS (PCOSE) in vitro, human endometrial stromal cells (hESCs) were treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) or insulin, respectively. RESULTS:: In PCOSE, messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of insulin receptor (IR), IR substrate (IRS) 1, and IRS2 were significantly increased. Furthermore, GLUT1 and GLUT12 were aberrantly increased. Chronic exposure to insulin or DHT aberrantly increased IRS1/IRS2 phosphorylation and protein levels of GLUT1 and GLUT12 in hESCs, suggesting that not only hyperinsulinemic but also hyperandrogenic conditions affect insulin signaling and glucose metabolism. The mRNA microarrays demonstrated that DHT dysregulates various gene sets, including cell cycle and glucose metabolism, in hESCs. Furthermore, DHT suppressed the expression of GLUT1 and GLUT12 as well as decidualization markers, IGFBP1 and prolactin, during in vitro decidualization. CONCLUSIONS:: The hyperandrogenic milieu affects gene expression profiles, including gene sets associated with insulin signaling, cell cycle, glucose metabolism, and/or glucose transport, in human endometrium and during in vitro decidualization.

PLGA nanoparticles with multiple modes are a biologically safe nanocarrier for mammalian development and their offspring.

Nano-sized particles (NPs) of various materials have been extensively used as therapeutic and diagnostic agents, drug delivery systems, and biomedical devices. However, the biological impacts of NP exposure during early embryogenesis on following development and next generations have not been investigated. Here, we demonstrated that polylactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-NPs were not toxic and did not perturb development of preimplantation mouse embryos in vitro. Moreover, subsequent fetal development in vivo after embryo transfer proceeded normally and healthy pups were born without any genetic aberrations, suggesting biosafety of PLGA-NPs during developmental processes. TRITC-labeled PLGA-NPs, named TRITC nano-tracer (TnT) were used to visualize the successful delivery of the NPs into sperms, oocytes and early embryos. Various molecular markers for early embryogenesis demonstrated that TnT treatment at various developmental stages did not compromise embryo development to the blastocyst. mRNA-Seq analyses reinforced that TnT treatment did not significantly affect mRNA landscapes of blastocysts which undergo embryo implantation critical for following developmental processes. Moreover, when 2-cell embryos exposed to TnT were transferred into pseudopregnant recipients, healthy offspring were born without any distinct morphologic and chromosomal abnormalities. TnT treatment did not affect the sex ratio of the exposed embryos after birth. When mated with male mice, female mice that were exposed to TnT during early embryogenesis produced a comparable number of pups as control females. Furthermore, the phenotypes of the offspring of mice experienced TnT at their early life clearly demonstrated that TnT did not elicit any negative transgenerational effects on mammalian development.

Estrogen-induced transcription factor EGR1 regulates c-Kit transcription in the mouse uterus to maintain uterine receptivity for embryo implantation.

Early growth response 1 (Egr1) is a key transcription factor that mediates the action of estrogen (E2) to establish uterine receptivity for embryo implantation. However, few direct target genes of EGR1 have been identified in the uterus. Here, we demonstrated that E2 induced EGR1-regulated transcription of c-Kit, which plays a crucial role in cell fate decisions. Spatiotemporal expression of c-Kit followed that of EGR1 in uteri of ovariectomized mice at various time points after E2 treatment. E2 activated ERK1/2 and p38 to induce EGR1, which then activated c-Kit expression in the uterus. EGR1 transfection produced rapid and transient induction of c-KIT in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, luciferase assays to measure c-Kit promoter activity confirmed that a functional EGR1 binding site(s) (EBS) was located within -1 kb of the c-Kit promoter. Site-directed mutagenesis and chromatin immunoprecipitation-PCR for three putative EBS within -1 kb demonstrated that the EBS at -818/-805 was critical for EGR1-dependent c-Kit transcription. c-Kit expression was significantly increased in the uterus on day 4 and administration of Masitinib, a c-Kit inhibitor, effectively interfered with embryo implantation. Collectively, our results showed that estrogen induces transcription factor EGR1 to regulate c-Kit transcription for uterine receptivity for embryo implantation in the mouse uterus.

Estrogen induces EGR1 to fine-tune its actions on uterine epithelium by controlling PR signaling for successful embryo implantation.

The harmonized actions of ovarian E2 and progesterone (P4) regulate the proliferation and differentiation of uterine cells in a spatiotemporal manner. Imbalances between these hormones often lead to infertility and gynecologic diseases. Whereas numerous factors that are involved in P4 signaling have been identified, few local factors that mediate E2 actions in the uterus have been revealed. Here, we demonstrate that estrogen induces the transcription factor, early growth response 1 ( Egr1), to fine-tune its actions in uterine epithelial cells (ECs) that are responsible for uterine receptivity for embryo implantation. In the presence of exogenous gonadotrophins, ovulation, fertilization, and embryonic development normally occur in Egr1-/- mice, but these animals experience the complete failure of embryo implantation with reduced artificial decidualization. Although serum levels of E2 and P4 were comparable between Egr1+/+ and Egr1-/- mice on d 4 of pregnancy, aberrantly reduced levels of progesterone receptor in Egr1-/- uterine ECs caused enhanced E2 activity and impaired P4 response. Ultrastructural analyses revealed that Egr1-/- ECs are not fully able to provide proper uterine receptivity. Uterine mRNA landscapes in Egr1-/- mice revealed that EGR1 controls the expression of a subset of E2-regulated genes. In addition, P4 signaling was unable to modulate estrogen actions, including those that are involved in cell-cycle progression, in ECs that were deficient in EGR1. Furthermore, primary coculture of Egr1-/- ECs with Egr1+/+ stromal cells, and vice versa, supported the notion that Egr1 is required to modulate E2 actions on ECs to prepare the uterine environment for embryo implantation. In contrast to its role in ECs, loss of Egr1 in stroma significantly reduced stromal cell proliferation. Collectively, our results demonstrate that E2 induces EGR1 to streamline its actions for the preparation of uterine receptivity for embryo implantation in mice.-Kim, H.-R., Kim, Y. S., Yoon, J. A., Yang, S. C., Park, M., Seol, D.-W., Lyu, S. W., Jun, J. H., Lim, H. J., Lee, D. R., Song, H. Estrogen induces EGR1 to fine-tune its actions on uterine epithelium by controlling PR signaling for successful embryo implantation.

Association of human leukocyte antigen with postherpetic neuralgia in Koreans.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), the most frequent complication of varicella-zoster virus reactivation, is characterized by pain that persists for more than 3 months, often for years after healing of zoster rash. A few studies revealing the association of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) with PHN have been reported, but only in the Japanese. The aim of this study was to investigate the primary HLA locus associated with PHN susceptibility in Koreans. We compared HLA-A, -B, -C, and DRB1 genotypes of 66 PHN patients with those of 54 herpes zoster (HZ) patients without developing PHN and 235 healthy controls. Frequencies of HLA-B*13, B*44, B*15 (B75), DRB1*10:01, and DRB1*12:02 were increased, and those of HLA-C*01, C*12, and DRB1*01:01 were decreased in PHN patients compared to those in controls (each, p < 0.05). Among these alleles, only the frequency of HLA-B*44 was significantly increased in PHN patients compared to that in HZ patients and the change was due to HLA-B*44:03 (PHN vs controls, p = 0.043; PHN vs HZ, p = 0.012). The results suggest that HLA-B*44:03 or other closely linked gene of the major histocompatibility complex is associated with susceptibility to the development of PHN after HZ, but not with the onset of HZ.

Integrative Analyses of Uterine Transcriptome and MicroRNAome Reveal Compromised LIF-STAT3 Signaling and Progesterone Response in the Endometrium of Patients with Recurrent/Repeated Implantation Failure (RIF).

Intimate two-way interactions between the implantation-competent blastocyst and receptive uterus are prerequisite for successful embryo implantation. In humans, recurrent/repeated implantation failure (RIF) may occur due to altered uterine receptivity with aberrant gene expression in the endometrium as well as genetic defects in embryos. Several studies have been performed to understand dynamic changes of uterine transcriptome during menstrual cycles in humans. However, uterine transcriptome of the patients with RIF has not been clearly investigated yet. Here we show that several signaling pathways as well as many genes and microRNAs are dysregulated in the endometrium of patients with RIF (RIFE). Whereas unsupervised hierarchical clustering showed that overall mRNA and microRNA profiles of RIFE were similar to those of endometria of healthy women, many genes were significantly dysregulated in RIFE (cut off at 1.5 fold change). The majority (~75%) of differentially expressed genes in RIFE including S100 calcium binding protein P (S100P), Chemokine (C-X-C motif) ligand 13 (CXCL13) and SIX homeobox 1 (SIX1) were down-regulated, suggesting that reduced uterine expression of these genes is associated with RIF. Gene Set Enrichment analyses (GSEA) for mRNA microarrays revealed that various signaling pathways including Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signaling and a P4 response were dysregulated in RIFE although expression levels of Estrogen receptor α (ERα) and Progesterone receptor (PR) were not significantly altered in RIFE. Furthermore, expression and phosphorylation of Signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) are reduced and a gene set associated with Janus kinase (JAK)-STAT signaling pathway is systemically down-regulated in these patients. Pairwise analyses of microRNA arrays with prediction of dysregulated microRNAs based on mRNA expression datasets demonstrated that 6 microRNAs are aberrantly regulated in RIFE. Collectively, we here suggest that dysregulation of several major signaling pathways and genes critical for uterine biology and embryo implantation may lead to uterine abnormalities in patients with RIF.

Deficiency in DGCR8-dependent canonical microRNAs causes infertility due to multiple abnormalities during uterine development in mice.

DGCR8 is an RNA-binding protein that interacts with DROSHA to produce pre-microRNA in the nucleus, while DICER generates not only mature microRNA, but also endogenous small interfering RNAs in the cytoplasm. Here, we produced Dgcr8 conditional knock-out mice using progesterone receptor (PR)-Cre (Dgcr8(d/d)) and demonstrated that canonical microRNAs dependent on the DROSHA-DGCR8 complex are required for uterine development as well as female fertility in mice. Adult Dgcr8(d/d) females neither underwent regular reproductive cycles nor produced pups, whereas administration of exogenous gonadotropins induced normal ovulation in these mice. Interestingly, immune cells associated with acute inflammation aberrantly infiltrated into reproductive organs of pregnant Dgcr8(d/d) mice. Regarding uterine development, multiple uterine abnormalities were noticeable at 4 weeks of age when PR is significantly increased, and the severity of these deformities increased over time. Gland formation and myometrial layers were significantly reduced, and the stromal cell compartment did not expand and became atrophic during uterine development in these mice. These results were consistent with aberrantly reduced stromal cell proliferation and completely failed decidualization. Collectively, we suggest that DGCR8-dependent canonical microRNAs are essential for uterine development and physiological processes such as proper immune modulation, reproductive cycle, and steroid hormone responsiveness in mice.

Egr1 is rapidly and transiently induced by estrogen and bisphenol A via activation of nuclear estrogen receptor-dependent ERK1/2 pathway in the uterus.

Coordinate actions of ovarian estrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) via their own receptors are critical for establishing uterine receptivity for embryo implantation in the uterus. E2 regulates expression of an array of genes to mediate its major actions on heterogeneous uterine cell types. Here we have investigated regulatory mechanism(s) of E2 and bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor with potent estrogenic activity on expression of early growth response 1 (Egr1), a zinc finger transcription factor that regulates cell growth, differentiation and apoptosis in the uterus. Egr1 was rapidly and transiently induced by E2 and BPA mainly in stromal cells via nuclear estrogen receptor (ER)-ERK1/2 pathway. ICI 182,780, an ER antagonist, effectively inhibited their actions on EGR1 expression following ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Administration of pharmacological inhibitors for ERK1/2, but not AKT significantly blocked EGR1 expression induced by E2 and BPA. P4 effectively dampened action(s) of E2 and BPA on Egr1 expression via nuclear progesterone receptor. Its antagonistic effects were partially interfered with RU486 pretreatment. Interestingly, EGR1 is specifically induced in stromal cells surrounding implanting blastocyst. Collectively, our results show that through nuclear ER-dependent ERK1/2 phosphorylation, not only E2 but also endocrine disruptors with estrogenic activity such as BPA rapidly and transiently induce Egr1 which may be important for embryo implantation and decidualization in mouse uterus.

A one step multiplex PCR assay for rapid screening of East Asian mtDNA haplogroups on forensic samples.

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup typing has become an essential tool to study human evolutionary history and to infer the matrilineal bio-geographic ancestry. In forensic field, the screening of mtDNA haplogroups by genotyping of mtDNA single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) can help guarantee the quality of mtDNA sequence data as well as can reduce the need to sequence samples that do not match. Here, a multiplex mutagenically separated (MS) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) system was developed for simultaneous rapid detection of 14 coding region SNPs and one deletion motif representing common mtDNA haplogroups of East Asia. The multiplex MS PCR system we developed has the advantage of being a one step procedure that requires only a single PCR amplification with allele-specific primers and allowing straightforward designation of haplogroups along the branches of the phylogenetic tree. Therefore, it would be a simple, rapid, and reliable detection method useful for large-scale screening of mtDNA variations to determine East Asian mtDNA haplogroups.

Activation of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) promotes blastocyst hatching in mice.

Prostaglandins participate in a variety of female reproductive processes, including ovulation, fertilization, embryo implantation and parturition. In particular, maternal prostacyclin (PGI(2)) is critical for embryo implantation and the action of PGI(2) is not mediated via its G-protein-coupled membrane receptor, IP, but its nuclear receptor, peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ). Recently, several studies have shown that PGI(2) enhances blastocyst development and/or hatching rate in vitro, and subsequently implantation and live birth rates in mice. However, the mechanism by which PGI(2) improves preimplantation embryo development in vitro remains unclear. Using molecular, pharmacologic and genetic approaches, we show that PGI(2)-induced PPARδ activation accelerates blastocyst hatching in mice. mRNAs for PPARδ, retinoid X receptor (heterodimeric partners of PPARδ) and PGI(2) synthase (PGIS) are temporally induced after zygotic gene activation, and their expression reaches maximum levels at the blastocyst stage, suggesting that functional complex of PPARδ can be formed in the blastocyst. Carbaprostacyclin (a stable analogue of PGI(2)) and GW501516 (a PPARδ selective agonist) significantly accelerated blastocyst hatching but did not increase total cell number of cultured blastocysts. Whereas U51605 (a PGIS inhibitor) interfered with blastocyst hatching, GW501516 restored U51605-induced retarded hatching. In contrast to the improvement of blastocyst hatching by PPARδ agonists, PPAR antagonists significantly inhibited blastocyst hatching. Furthermore, deletion of PPARδ at early stages of preimplantation mouse embryos caused delay of blastocyst hatching, but did not impair blastocyst development. Taken together, PGI(2)-induced PPARδ activation accelerates blastocyst hatching in mice.

Preeclampsia leads to dysregulation of various signaling pathways in placenta.

OBJECTIVES: To compare gene expression profiles of placentas from preeclamptic and normal pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: We performed microarray experiments to analyze genome-wide expression profiling for 10 placentas from pregnant women with preeclampsia and 10 placentas from women who experienced noncomplicated pregnancies (CON), and to identify dysregulated signaling pathways as well as genes in preeclampsia. RT-PCR, real-time RT-PCR and/or immunofluorescence analyses were performed to validate the data obtained from microarray experiments. RESULTS: Unsupervised hierarchical clustering showed heterogeneity of preeclampsia at the molecular levels, whereas expression profiles of preeclampsia are distinctly different from those of CON. A list of genes which are differentially expressed between preeclampsia and CON included well known preeclampsia markers, such as Flt-1, leptin, HTRA1 and SIGLEC6. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, a pathway-oriented analysis method for expression profiles, provided evidence that a number of biological activities including pathways that regulate actin cytoskeleton, TGFß signaling, oxidative phosphorylation, and proteasome activity were aberrantly either up-regulated or down-regulated in preeclampsia. RT-PCR and real-time-RT-PCR for genes contributing these biological pathways (gene sets) enriched in either CON or preeclampsia reinforced that these biological processes were systemically dysregulated in preeclampsia. CONCLUSIONS: Genome-wide expression profiles of preeclampsia showed heterogeneous characteristics of preeclampsia at the molecular levels. Dysregulation of genes and biological pathways could contribute to abnormal behavior of preeclmapsia. Our results will help further understand underlying mechanisms by which preeclampsia affects placental physiology.

Forensic and genetic characterization of mtDNA from Pathans of Pakistan.

Complete mitochondrial control region data were generated for 230 unrelated Pathans from North West Frontier Province and Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan. To confirm data quality and to explore the genetic structure of Pathans, mitochondrial DNA haplogroup affiliation was determined by shared haplogroup-specific polymorphisms in the control region and by the analysis of diagnostic coding region single-nucleotide polymorphisms using a multiplex system for the assignment of eight haplogroups: M, N1'5, W, R, R0, T, J, and U. Sequence comparison revealed that 193 haplotypes were defined by 215 variable sites when major insertions were ignored at nucleotide positions 16193, 309, and 573. From a phylogenetic perspective, Pathans have a heterogeneous origin, displaying a high percentage of West Eurasian haplogroups followed by haplogroups native to South Asia and a small fraction from East Asian lineages. In population comparisons, this ethnic group differed significantly from several other ethnic groups from Pakistan and surrounding countries. These results suggest that frequency estimates for mtDNA haplotypes should be determined for endogamous ethnic groups individually instead of pooling data for these subpopulations into a single dataset for the Pakistani population. Data presented here may contribute to the accuracy of forensic mtDNA comparisons in the Pathans of Pakistan.

[Allelic and haplotypic diversity of HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DRB1 genes in Koreans defined by high-resolution DNA typing].

BACKGROUND: In this study, we used high-resolution DNA typing to investigate the distribution of HLA alleles and haplotypes in Koreans. METHODS: HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DRB1 alleles were genotyped at the allelic (4-digit) level in 474 healthy Koreans. HLA genotyping was performed in two steps. Initially, serologic typing or generic-level DNA typing was performed using the PCR-sequence-specific oligonucleotide method, and then allelic DNA typing (exons 2 and 3 for class I, and exon 2 for DRB1) was carried out using the PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism method or sequence-based typing. HLA allele and haplotype frequencies and linkage disequilibrium values were calculated by the maximum likelihood method using a computer program developed for the 11th International Histocompatibility Workshop. RESULTS: A total of 21 HLA-A, 40 HLA-B, 22 HLA-C, and 29 HLA-DRB1 alleles were found in Koreans. The most frequent alleles in each locus with frequencies of ≥ 10% were, in decreasing order of frequency, as follows: A*24:02, A*02:01, A*33:03; B*51:01; C*01:02, C*03:03; and DRB1*09:01. The numbers of two- and three-locus haplotypes with frequencies of >0.5% were as follows: 44 A-C, 42 B-C, 51 A-B, 52 B-DRB1, 42 A-C-B, and 34 A-B-DRB1. Thirteen A-B-DRB1 haplotypes with frequencies of ≥ 1.0% comprised 26.0% of the total haplotypes. The six most common haplotypes were as follows: A*33:03-B*44:03-DRB1*13:02 (3.7%), A*33:03-B*44:03-DRB1*07:01 (3.0%), A*33:03-B*58:01-DRB1*13:02 (3.0%), A*24:02-B*07:02-DRB1*01:01 (2.8%), A*30:01-B*13:02-DRB1*07:01 (2.3%), and A*11:01-B*15:01-DRB1*04:06 (2.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The information obtained in this study can be used as basic data for Koreans in the fields of organ transplantation, disease association, and anthropologic studies.

An efficient and reliable DNA extraction method for preimplantation genetic diagnosis: a comparison of allele drop out and amplification rates using different single cell lysis methods.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate methods of DNA extraction from single cells for their suitability to amplify and provide a correct diagnosis of target disease genes. DESIGN: Experimental study. SETTING: University hospital laboratory. PATIENT(S): Two normal adult male and female blood donors. INTERVENTION(S): Exon 51 of the dystrophin gene and the ZFX/ZFY gene were amplified from single lymphocytes using nested PCR. Five different methods of DNA extraction were tested (lysis in distilled water with freezing and thawing using liquid nitrogen, lysis in distilled water, alkaline lysis buffer, Proteinase K/sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) buffer, and N-lauroylsarcosine salt solution). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Allele drop out and amplification rate. RESULT(S): The amplification efficiency from single unaffected lymphocytes was 89.0% using the liquid nitrogen method, 88.1% with the distilled water lysis method, 97.5% with the alkaline lysis buffer method, 91.5% with the Proteinase K/SDS lysis buffer method, and 84.8% using the N-lauroylsarcosine salt solution method. The mean allele drop out rate was 16.7%, 43.9%, 2.0%, 9.8%, and 18.9%, respectively, for each lysis method using single male lymphocytes as a template. CONCLUSION(S): Based on these results, DNA extraction using an alkaline lysis buffer results in more efficient rates of DNA amplification and less allele drop out than the other methods of DNA extraction tested. This method is suitable for the lysis of single cells in clinical preimplantation genetic diagnosis.

Haplotype analysis of killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor genes in 77 Korean families.

Killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptor (KIR) genes constitute a multigene family whose genomic diversity is achieved through variation in gene content and allelic polymorphism within individual KIR genes. To date, 16 KIR genes and pseudogenes have been identified, and group A and group B haplotypes are characterized by a dominance of genes encoding inhibitory and activating receptors, respectively. In the present study, we have investigated the presence or absence of 16 KIR genes and pseudogenes and subtypes of four genes (3DP1, 3DP1 variant; 2DL1, 2DL1 variant; expressed and nonexpressed variant of 2DL5; full length and deleted form of 2DS4) in 352 members of 77 unrelated Korean families using a PCR-based sequence-specific priming method. KIR haplotypes were determined by segregation analysis. A total of 29 different KIR genotypes and 19 (two group A and 17 group B) haplotypes were identified in 154 parents. The distribution of genotypes, in terms of combination of haplotypes, was AA 55.2%, AB 36.4%, and BB 8.4%. Different from Caucasians, full-length 2DS4 (80.5%) was the predominant subtype of 2DS4 and group A (73.4%) outnumbered group B haplotypes (26.6%). The KIR gene frequencies and the predominance of A haplotypes in Koreans are similar to those in the Japanese.