Obtaining Tissues of Human Amniotic Membrane and Identification of Pluripotent Markers.

The immunofluorescence technique has been used to identify pluripotent markers in the human amniotic epithelial cells (hAEC). hAEC belonging to human fetal membranes, specificamently to amnion layer, and are arising by epiblast, this sugest that the hAEC have characteristics of epiblast cells, in other words, characteristcs of pluripotent stem cells. Here we describe obtaining human amnion tissue and identifying pluripotent markers by immunofluorescence.

Progesterone modulates extracellular heat-shock proteins and interlukin-1ß in human choriodecidual after Escherichia coli infection.

INTRODUCTION: Chorioamnionitis is an adverse condition in human pregnancy caused by many bacterial pathogens including Escherichia coli (E. coli); which has been associated with higher risk of preterm birth. We recently reported that human maternal decidua (MDec) tissue responds to E. coli infection by secreting extracellular heat-shock proteins (eHsp)-60, -70 and interlukin-1ß (IL-1ß). Previous studies have shown that progesterone (P4) regulates the immune response, but it is unknown whether P4 inhibits the secretion of eHsp. The aim of this investigation was to determine the role of P4 on the secretion of eHsp-27, -60, -70 and IL-1ß in MDec after 3, 6, and 24 h of E. coli infection. METHODS: Nine human feto-maternal interface (HFMi) tissues were included and mounted in the Transwell culture system. Only the maternal decidua (MDec) was stimulated for 3, 6 and 24 h with E. coli alone or in combination with progesterone and RU486. After each treatment, the HFMi tissue was recovered to determine histological changes and the culture medium recovered to evaluate the levels of eHsp-27, -60, -70 and IL-1ß by ELISA and mRNA expression by RT-PCR. RESULTS: No structural changes were observed in the HFMi tissue treated with P4 and RU486. However, stimulation with E. coli produces diffuse inflammation and ischemic necrosis. E. coli induced infection decreases, in time- and dose-dependent manner, eHsp-27 and increases eHsp-60, eHsp-70 and IL-1ß levels. In contrast, incubation of HFMi tissue with E. coli + P4 reversed eHsp and IL-1ß secretion levels relative to E. coli stimulation group but not relative to the control group. The same profile was observed on the expression of eHsp-27 and eHsp-60. DISCUSSION: we found that progesterone modulates the anti-inflammatory (eHsp-27) and pro-inflammatory (eHsp-60 and eHsp-70) levels of eHsp induced by E. coli infection in human choriodecidual tissue. eHsp-60 and eHsp-70 levels were not completely reversed; maintaining the secretion of IL-1ß, which has been associated with adverse events during pregnancy.

Equine Placentitis in Mares Induces the Secretion of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokine eIL-1ß and the Active Extracellular Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP)-9.

Equine placentitis is characterized by infection and inflammation of the placenta. Different biomarkers associated with this inflammatory response have been evaluated in experimentally induced equine placentitis, but not in pregnant mares with spontaneous placentitis. The aim of the current study was to determine the concentration of eIL-1ß and the activity of proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 in the serum of healthy mares and mares with placentitis on days 240 and 320 of gestation to explore whether these biomarkers are associated with equine maternal placentitis and/or with the birth of an infected or inviable foals. Serum samples were collected from sixteen pregnant English Thoroughbred mares, retrospectively classified as follows: (1) healthy mares with full-term gestation; and (2) mares with ultrasonographic signs of placentitis. The health of each foal was examined at birth, and it was decided to classify the cases into four groups: (1) healthy mares delivering a healthy foals (HM-HF, n = 6); (2) mares with USP delivering a healthy foal (USP-HF, n = 3); (3) mares with USP delivering a live septic foal (USP-LSeF, n = 4); and (4) mares with USP delivering a dead foal (USP-DF, n = 3). eIL-1ß was quantified by ELISA, and proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity by gelatin zymography electrophoresis. In healthy mares, the serum concentrations of eIL-1ß underwent a significant 16.5-fold increase from day 240 to day 320 of gestation. Although similar results were found in the mares with ultrasonographic signs of placentitis that delivered a healthy foal, those delivering a live septic or nonviable foal exhibited much higher concentrations of eIL-1ß. proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity was not associated with maternal placentitis, foal infection, or death. Hence, the presence of placentitis severe enough to affect the health of the foal can be confirmed or discarded by determining the eIL-1ß concentration in mares that have shown ultrasonographic signs of placentitis.

First-trimester plasma extracellular heat shock proteins levels and risk of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia (PE) occurs annually in 8% of pregnancies. Patients without risk factors represent 10% of these. There are currently no first-trimester biochemical markers that accurately predict PE. An increase in serum 60- and 70-KDa extracellular heat shock proteins (eHsp) has been shown in patients who developed PE at 34 weeks. We sought to determine whether there is a relationship between first-trimester eHsp and the development of PE. This was a prospective cohort study performed at a third level hospital in Mexico City from 2019 to 2020. eHsp levels were measured during the first-trimester ultrasound in singleton pregnancies with no comorbidities. First-trimester eHsp levels and biochemical parameters of organ dysfunction were compared between patients who developed preeclampsia and those who did not. All statistical analyses and model of correlation (r) between eHsp and clinical parameter were performed using bootstrapping R-software. p-values <0.05 were considered significant. The final analysis included 41 patients. PE occurred in 11 cases. eHsp-60 and eHsp-70 were significantly higher at 12 weeks in patients who developed PE (p = 0.001), while eHsp-27 was significantly lower (p = 0.004). Significant differences in first-trimester eHsp concentration suggest that these are possible early biomarkers useful for the prediction of PE.

Differential proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 secretion in human pre-implantation embryos at day 5 of development.

Morphological development is the most common non-invasive criterion used to select in vitro human embryos for implantation. With this criterion, however, embryos in cellular arrest go unnoticed. A more accurate criterion is needed to improve the success rate of implantation. Extracellular matrix metalloproteases type 2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 are key markers of embryonic development and the implantation process, according to various animal studies. The first objective of this study was to examine proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity in the culture media of human embryos with good morphological development. Secondly, the results of proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity in the culture medium were compared between pregnant and non-pregnant. Forty-two patients were approved by the Ethics and Research Committees of the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología in México City hospital, based on institutional inclusion criteria for in vitro fertilization. On day 5 of development, embryos were transferred to patients, and the culture media secretion profile of proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 activity was determined by substrate gel zymography. After analysis of embryo sac development, each patient was assigned to the pregnant (n=17) or non-pregnant (n=25) group. Our results demonstrate that proMMP-2 was active in the culture media corresponding to all 17 women achieving full-term pregnancy and proMMP-9 in the media corresponding to 11 of these women. Contrarily proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 were active in the culture media corresponding to 3 and 11 of the 25 non-pregnant patients, respectively. The clinical implications of this study suggest the activity evaluation of proMMP-2 and proMMP-9 in embryonic culture media on day 5 of development appears to be a reliable indicator of the quality of embryos and their capacity to establish a pregnancy.

Increased Levels of Plasma Extracellular Heat-Shock Proteins 60 and 70 kDa Characterized Early-Onset Neonatal Sepsis.

Background: Extracellular heat-shock proteins (eHsp) are highly conserved molecules that play an important role in inflammatory diseases and have been quantified in plasma from patients with infectious diseases, including sepsis. There is a constant search for dependable biochemical markers that, in combination with conventional methods, could deliver a prompt and reliable diagnosis of early-onset neonatal sepsis. Objective: We sought to assess the level of eHsp-27, eHsp-60, eHsp-70, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) in plasma of healthy neonates at term and infants with early-onset neonatal sepsis. Methods: This study included 34 newborns that were classified as healthy neonates at term (blood samples from the umbilical cord, n = 23) or infants with early-onset neonatal sepsis (blood samples obtained from umbilical artery by standard sterile procedures before starting a systemic antibiotic intervention, n = 11). All blood samples were centrifuged, and the plasma recovered to determine eHsp-27, eHsp-60, eHsp-70, and TNFα levels by ELISA. Results: Our results indicate that the level of eHsp-27 in healthy neonates at term was 0.045 ± 0.024 pg/ml. This value decreased 2.5-fold in infants with early-onset neonate sepsis (0.019 ± 0.006 pg/ml, p = 0.004). In contrast, the levels of eHsp-60 and eHsp-70 in healthy neonates at term were 13.69 ± 5.3 and 4.03 ± 2.6 pg/ml, respectively. These protein levels increased significantly 1.8- and 1.9-fold in the plasma of infants with early-onset neonatal sepsis (p ≤ 0.001). The level of TNFα in healthy neonates at term was 2.94 ± 0.46 pg/ml, with a 3.0-fold increase in infants with early-onset neonatal sepsis (8.96 ± 0.72 pm/ml, p ≤ 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of eHsp compared with that of C-reactive protein were 73.3, 60.0, 47.8, and 33.3%, respectively. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a consistent increase of eHsp-60 and eHsp-70 in the plasma of infants diagnosed with early-onset neonatal sepsis. These proteins showed higher sensitivity and specificity than C-reactive protein and blood culture test.

MiR-191-5p is upregulated in culture media of implanted human embryo on day fifth of development.

BACKGROUND: Morphological features are the most common criteria used to select human embryos for transfer to a receptive uterine cavity. However, such characteristics are not valid for embryos in cellular arrest. Even aneuploid embryos can have normal morphology, and some euploid embryos have aberrant morphology. The aim of this study was to quantify the expression profile of hsa-miR-21-3p, -24-1-5p, -191-5p, and -372-5p in culture media on day 5 of in vitro embryo development, and compare the profiles of two groups of media classified by outcome: successful (n = 25) or unsuccessful (n = 25) implantation pregnancy. METHODS: Fifty patients were accepted in the Department of Reproductive Biology of a Hospital in México City, based on the Institutional inclusion criteria for in vitro fertilization. Embryos were transferred to the women on day 5 of cultivation, and the culture media were collected. RNA was isolated from each culture medium with TRIzol reagent, and microRNA (miRNA) expression was detected through RT-PCR with specific primers. Expression bands were quantified by reading optical density. RESULTS: There was a 5.2-fold greater expression of hsa-miR-191-5p in the pregnancy-related culture media (p ≤ 0.001) and a 1.6-fold greater level of hsa-miR-24-1-5p (p = 0.043) in the media corresponding to non-pregnant women. No significant difference existed between the two groups hsa-miR-21-3p (p = 0.38) or hsa-miR-372-5p (p = 0.41). CONCLUSIONS: Regarding adequate in vitro embryo development, hsa-miR-191-5p could possibly represent a positive biomarker, while has-miR-24-1-5p may indicate poor prognosis. This former miRNA modulates IGF2BP-1 and IGF2R, associated with the implantation window. On the other hand, hsa-miR-24-1-5p may be related to a poor prognosis of human embryo development.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa induces spatio-temporal secretion of IL-1ß, TNFα, proMMP-9, and reduction of epithelial E-cadherin in human alveolar epithelial type II (A549) cells.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, is an opportunistic bacterium with a high prevalence in diverse pulmonary infections. Although several genes are involved in the system of resistance and evasion of the immunological response of the host, little is known about the inflammatory, degradative, and cell-binding response induced by P. aeruginosa in human lung alveolar epithelial cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the cytokine expression (IL-1ß and TNFα), pro matrix metalloproteinases activation (proMMP-2 and proMMP-9), and the effects on the cell-binding adhesion protein (E-cadherin) in an in vitro model of human lung alveolar epithelial cells. A549 cells were stimulated with a different number of colony-forming units of P. aeruginosa for 3, 6, and 24 hours. Subsequently, the culture medium was collected, IL-1ß and TNFα levels were evaluated by ELISA; proMMP-2 and -9 levels were determined by substrate gel zymography, and the MMP-9 and E-cadherin assessed by immunostaining of A549 cells. Our results demonstrated that P. aeruginosa induces mainly the secretion of TNFα, increases actMMP-9 level, and significantly reduces the level of E-cadherin in the A549 cells. In summary, the inflammatory/degradative process induced by P. aeruginosa modulates the expression of the E-cadherin protein. The probable clinical implications of this study suggest the use of inhibitors that reduce the degradative activity of proMMP-9 which will be further explored in the next phase of this study.

In Vitro Culture of Epithelial Cells from Different Anatomical Regions of the Human Amniotic Membrane.

Several protocols have been reported in the literature for the isolation and culture of human amniotic epithelial cells (HAEC). However, these assume that the amniotic epithelium is a homogeneous layer. The human amnion can be divided into three anatomical regions: reflected, placental, and umbilical. Each region has different physiological roles, such as in pathological conditions. Here, we describe a protocol to dissect human amnion tissue in three sections and maintain it in vitro. In culture, cells derived from the reflected amnion displayed a cuboidal morphology, while cells from both placental and umbilical regions were squamous. Nonetheless, all the cells obtained have an epithelial phenotype, demonstrated by the immunodetection of E-cadherin. Thus, because the placental and reflected regions in situ differ in cellular components and molecular functions, it may be necessary for in vitro studies to consider these differences, because they could have physiological implications for the use of HAEC in biomedical research and the promising application of these cells in regenerative medicine.

Central Histamine, the H3-Receptor and Obesity Therapy.

The brain histaminergic system plays a pivotal role in energy homeostasis, through H1- receptor activation, it increases the hypothalamic release of histamine that decreases food intake and reduces body weight. One way to increase the release of hypothalamic histamine is through the use of antagonist/inverse agonist for the H3-receptor. Histamine H3-receptors are auto-receptors and heteroreceptors located on the presynaptic membranes and cell soma of neurons, where they negatively regulate the synthesis and release of histamine and other neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. Although several compounds acting as H3-receptor antagonist/inverse agonists have been developed, conflicting results have been reported and only one has been tested as anti-obesity in humans. Animal studies revealed the opposite effect in food intake, energy expeditor, and body weight, depending on the drug, spice, and route of administration, among others. The present review will explore the state of art on the effects of H3-receptor ligands on appetite and body-weight, going through the following: a brief overview of the circuit involved in the control of food intake and energy homeostasis, the participation of the histaminergic system in food intake and body weight, and the H3-receptor as a potential therapeutic target for obesity.

Increased systemic and peritoneal oxidative stress biomarkers in endometriosis are not related to retrograde menstruation.

Objetives: The goal of this study was to determine if systemic and peritoneal oxidative stress biomarkers are related to each other and to retrograde menstruation in endometriosis. Methods: Plasma and peritoneal fluid oxidative stress biomarkers and hemoglobin and erythrocytes in peritoneal fluid as retrograde menstruation indicators, were measured in 28 patients with endometriosis and 23 without endometriosis. Results: In the peritoneal fluid, carbonyls and lipohydroperoxides, indicative of protein and lipid oxidative damage, were higher in endometriosis group (21%, p = 0.016 and 46%, p = 0.009, respectively). However, these biomarkers were not different in the blood plasma of both groups, and only protein dityrosine, was increased in the plasma of endometriosis group (31%, p = 0.04). The peritoneal fluid hemoglobin content was not higher in the endometriosis group, nor related to carbonyls and lipohydroperoxides. Additionally, the peritoneal fluid oxidative biomarkers were not correlated with the blood plasma ones, and only malondialdehyde, and ischemia-modified albumin were almost two times higher in peritoneal fluid. Discussion: Our results show a peritoneal and systemic oxidative stress biomarkers increase in endometriosis, but not related to each other, and do not support the hypothesis of an increase in hemoglobin-iron supply towards the peritoneal cavity that causes oxidative damage.

Establishment of human embryonic stem cell line Amicqui-2 using poor-quality embryos from Mexican population.

Although investigation with human embryonic stem cells (HESC) is not decreasing, the derivation of new lines has been diminished. The preeminence of only a few HESC lines in research is accompanied by lack of universal applicability of results as well as by genetic under-representation. We previously reported the derivation of one line with male karyotype from Mexican population. Here, we derived one HESC line (Amicqui-2) with female karyotype from poor-quality embryos. These line comply the pluripotent requirements (normal karyotype, detection of pluripotency-associated markers, mycoplasma test and teratoma formation) and could be a valuable model for studying diseases specific to under-represented population.

Pluripotency markers in tissue and cultivated cells in vitro of different regions of human amniotic epithelium.

Studies have described the presence of pluripotent markers in vivo and in vitro in human amnion. However, the amnion can be divided into reflected, placental and umbilical regions that are anatomically and functionally heterogeneous. Here, we evaluated the expression of pluripotency markers in tissue and cultivated cells in vitro of different regions of human amnion. To this end, we determined the presence of the core pluripotency factors OCT-4, NANOG and SOX-2 by immunofluorescence and RT-PCR and also performed transcriptome analysis of the different regions of amnion tissue. We identified the mRNA and protein of the pluripotency factors in the different regions of human amnion tissue. However, the OCT-4 and NANOG immunolocalization was cytoplasmic, whereas SOX-2 immunolocalization was nuclear regardless of the region analyzed. Moreover, we found three subpopulations of cells in the in vitro cultures of reflected and placental amnion: cells with immunostaining only in the nucleus, only in the cytoplasm, or in both compartments. Yet no statistically significant differences were found between the reflected and placental amnion. These results suggest a homogeneous distribution of the pluripotency transcription factors of the different regions of human amnion to isolate stem cells that can be used in regenerative medicine.

Secretion of heat shock -60, -70 kD protein, IL-1ß and TNFα levels in serum of a term normal pregnancy and patients with pre-eclampsia development.

The extracellular heat shock proteins (eHsp) family act as molecular chaperones regulating folding, transporting protein and are associated with immune modulation in different physiological and pathological processes. They have been localized in different gestational tissues and their concentration in amniotic fluid and serum has been determined. In the present study, we proposed to determine the concentration of eHsp-60, -70, IL-1ß and TNFα in the serum of pregnant patients with 34 weeks of gestation with and without clinical evidences of preeclampsia (PE). Our results indicate significant increase of these markers in patients with PE with respect to healthy pregnant patients without active labor. Finally, the concentration of eHsp-60 and -70 correlated positively with the hepatic dysfunction markers uric acid, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), and inflammatory IL-1ß and TNFα response. In conclusion, our results demonstrate a strong associated between Hsp and marker of hepatic dysfunction.

Microbiological comparison of blood culture and amplification of 16S rDNA methods in combination with DGGE for detection of neonatal sepsis in blood samples.

It is estimated that 15% of all newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) for suspected sepsis receive multiple broad-spectrum antibiotics without pathogen identification. The gold standard for bacterial sepsis detection is blood culture, but the sensitivity of this method is very low. Recently, amplification and analysis of the 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) bacterial gene in combination with denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) has proven to be a useful approach for identifying bacteria that are difficult to isolate by standard culture methods. The main goal of this study was to compare two methods used to identify bacteria associated with neonatal sepsis: blood culture and broad range 16S rDNA-DGGE. Twenty-two blood samples were obtained from newborns with (n = 15) or without (n = 7) signs and symptoms of sepsis. Blood samples were screened to identify pathogenic bacteria with two different methods: (1) bacteriological culture and (2) amplification of the variable V3 region of 16S rDNA-DGGE. Blood culture analysis was positive in 40%, whereas 16S rDNA-DGGE was positive in 87% of neonatal sepsis cases. All 16S rDNA-DGGE positive samples were associated with some other signs of neonatal sepsis. CONCLUSION: Our study shows that the molecular approach with 16S rDNA-DGGE identifies twofold more pathogenic bacteria than bacteriological culture, including complex bacterial communities associated with the development of bacterial sepsis in neonates. What is Known: • Neonatal sepsis affects 2.3% of birth in the NICU with a high mortality risk. • Evidence supports the use of molecular methods as an alternative to blood culture for identification of bacterial associated neonatal sepsis. What is New: • The DGGE gel is a good methodological approach for the identification of bacterial in neonatal blood samples. • This study describes the pattern of electrophoretic mobility obtained by DGGE gels and allows to determine the type of bacteria associated in the development of neonatal sepsis.

Expresión de microRNAs asociados con corioamnionitis en suero materno / Expression of microRNAs associated with the development of chorioamnionitis in maternal serum

Resumen OBJETIVO Determinar el perfil de expresión de los miRNA-21, -106, -126 y -146 y la cuantificación de IL-1β en el suero de pacientes embarazadas sanas, a término, con y sin trabajo de parto activo y en pacientes con evidencias clínicas de corioamnionitis. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS Estudio analítico, longitudinal y prolectivo efectuado en pacientes que ingresaron para control, seguimiento obstétrico y terminación del embarazo al Instituto Nacional de Perinatología de la Ciudad de México entre febrero de 2015 y agosto de 2016. Variables de estudio: pacientes embarazadas sanas, a término, con y sin trabajo de parto activo y pacientes con evidencias clínicas de corioamnionitis, edad materna y semanas de gestación. A cada paciente se le tomaron cinco mililitros de sangre periférica para centrifugación y recuperación de suero. La obtención del ARN se efectuó a partir de 500 µL de suero, al que se añadió el mismo volumen del reactivo de TRIzol. El cADN se sintetizó a partir de 3 ng de ARN mediante el ensayo de retrotranscripción. La expresión de los miRNAs se efectuó mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) con iniciadores específicos. Los resultados se reportan en media ± desviación estándar y el análisis estadístico se llevó a cabo mediante la prueba de Mann-Whitney, con una diferencia significativa de p < 0.05. RESULTADOS Se estudiaron 45 pacientes embarazadas que se dividieron en tres grupos: 1) pacientes sanas a término, sin trabajo de parto activo (n = 15); 2) pacientes con trabajo de parto activo (n = 15); y 3) pacientes con evidencias clínicas de corioamnionitis (n = 15). En las embarazadas sanas, con trabajo de parto activo, el perfil de expresión del miR-126 se incrementó 1.23 veces (p ≤ 0.001) en tanto que el miR-21 y miR-146 disminuyeron 2.1 ( p ≤ 0.001) y 0.73 veces (p ≤ 0.001), respectivamente, y la concentración de IL-1β se incrementó 1.8 veces (p = 0.014) en relación con las pacientes sanas sin trabajo de parto. El perfil de expresión de estos miRNAs y de IL-1β cambió en las pacientes con evidencias clínicas de corioamnionitis. El miR-126 y miR-146 se incrementaron 1.31 (p ≤ 0.001) y 1.1 veces (p = 0.05); en tanto que el miR-21 disminuyó 1.4 veces (p ≤ 0.05) y la concentración de la IL-1β se incrementó 2.8 veces (p = 0.002) con respecto a las pacientes sin trabajo de parto activo. El miR-106 no mostró diferencias significativas entre los tres grupos de estudio. CONCLUSIONES En su conjunto, los resultados de este ensayo sugieren que el perfil de expresión entre miR-21, miR-126 y miR-146 podría considerarse marcador molecular de corioamnionitis. Para que esto pueda tomarse como patrón de referencia deberán emprenderse más ensayos que corroboren este patrón y evalúen su eficacia.

Abstract OBJECTIVE To determine the expression profile of miRNA-21, -106, -126 and -146 and to quantify the secretion of IL-1β in the serum of healthy pregnant patients at term with and without active labor and in patients with clinical evidences of chorioamnionitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Analytical, longitudinal, and prolective study carried out in patients admitted for control, obstetric, and pregnancy resolution into the National Institute of Perinatology in Mexico City between February 2015 and August 2016. Study variables: healthy pregnant patients at term with and without active labor and patients with clinical evidence of chorioamnionitis, maternal and gestational age. Five milliliters of peripheral blood were taken from each patient, which was centrifuged, and the serum recovered. RNA was obtained from 500 μL of serum to which the same volume of TRIzol reagent was added. The cDNA was synthesized with 3 ng of RNA by the reverse transcription assay. The expression of the microRNAs was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with specific primers. The results are presented as mean ± standard deviation and statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test with a significant difference of p<0.05. RESULTS In healthy pregnant patients with active labor, it was observed that the expression profile of miR-126 increased 1.23-fold (p≤0.001); while the miR-21 and miR-146 decreased 2.1- (pp≤0.001) and 0.73-fold (p≤0.001) respectively and the concentration of IL-1β increased 1.8-fold (p = 0.014) with respect to the healthy patients without labor. The expression profile of these miRNAs and IL-1β change in patients with clinical evidence of chorioamnionitis. The miR-126 and miR-146 increased 1.31- (p≤0.001) and 1.1-fold (p = 0.05); while miR-21 decreased 1.4-fold (p≤0.05) and the concentration of IL-1β increased 2.88-fold (p = 0.002) with respect to patients without active labor. The miR-106 did not show significant differences between the three study groups. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that miRNA-21, -126 and -146 could be considered as molecular markers in the development of chorioamnionitis; however, more tests should be carried out to corroborate this pattern and evaluate its efficiency.

Capturing the ephemeral human pluripotent state.

During human development, pluripotency is present only in early stages of development. This ephemeral cell potential can be captured in vitro by obtaining pluripotent stem cells (PSC) with self-renewal properties, the human embryonic stem cells (hESC). However, diverse studies suggest the existence of a plethora of human PSC (hPSC) that can be derived from both embryonic and somatic sources, depending on defined culture conditions, their spatial origin, and the genetic engineering used for reprogramming. This review will focus on hPSC, covering the conventional primed hESC, naïve-like hPSC that resemble the ground-state of development, region-selective PSC, and human induced PSC (hiPSC). We will analyze differences and similarities in their differentiation potential as well as in the molecular circuitry of pluripotency. Finally, we describe the need for human feeder cells to derive and maintain hPSC, because they could emulate the interaction of in vivo pluripotent cells with extraembryonic structures that support development. Developmental Dynamics 245:762-773, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Human amniotic epithelial cells as feeder layer to derive and maintain human embryonic stem cells from poor-quality embryos.

Data from the literature suggest that human embryonic stem cell (hESC) lines used in research do not genetically represent all human populations. The derivation of hESC through conventional methods involve the destruction of viable human embryos, as well the use of mouse embryonic fibroblasts as a feeder layer, which has several drawbacks. We obtained the hESC line (Amicqui-1) from poor-quality (PQ) embryos derived and maintained on human amniotic epithelial cells (hAEC). This line displays a battery of markers of pluripotency and we demonstrated the capacity of these cells to produce derivates of the three germ layers.

[Human amniotic epithelium (HAE) as a possible source of stem cells (SC)]. / Las células del epitelio amniótico humano (CEAh) como posible fuente de células troncales (CT).

There have been major recent advances in the field of developmental biology due to the investigation on stem cells (SC). Stem cells are characterized by their capacity of auto-renewal and differentiation to different cellular phenotypes. Based on the developmental stage, they can be classified into two different types: embryonic SCs and adult SCs. It has been widely reported that several problems need to be resolved before their possible clinical applications. As a result, fetal membranes have been suggested as an alternative source of SCs. In the human amniotic epithelium, the presence of markers of pluripotent SC´s has been reported, and its capacity as a feeder layer for expansion of different SC types. Also, fetal membranes are a discarded product after delivery, and thus there are not any ethical issues related to its use. In conclusion, the human amniotic epithelium can be a strong candidate for regenerative medicine.

Mitochondrial proteases act on STARD3 to activate progesterone synthesis in human syncytiotrophoblast.

BACKGROUND: STARD1 transports cholesterol into mitochondria of acutely regulated steroidogenic tissue. It has been suggested that STARD3 transports cholesterol in the human placenta, which does not express STARD1. STARD1 is proteolytically activated into a 30-kDa protein. However, the role of proteases in STARD3 modification in the human placenta has not been studied. METHODS: Progesterone determination and Western blot using anti-STARD3 antibodies showed that mitochondrial proteases cleave STARD3 into a 28-kDa fragment that stimulates progesterone synthesis in isolated syncytiotrophoblast mitochondria. Protease inhibitors decrease STARD3 transformation and steroidogenesis. RESULTS: STARD3 remained tightly bound to isolated syncytiotrophoblast mitochondria. Simultaneous to the increase in progesterone synthesis, STARD3 was proteolytically processed into four proteins, of which a 28-kDa protein was the most abundant. This protein stimulated mitochondrial progesterone production similarly to truncated-STARD3. Maximum levels of protease activity were observed at pH7.5 and were sensitive to 1,10-phenanthroline, which inhibited steroidogenesis and STARD3 proteolytic cleavage. Addition of 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol increased progesterone synthesis, even in the presence of 1,10-phenanthroline, suggesting that proteolytic products might be involved in mitochondrial cholesterol transport. CONCLUSION: Metalloproteases from human placental mitochondria are involved in steroidogenesis through the proteolytic activation of STARD3. 1,10-Phenanthroline inhibits STARD3 proteolytic cleavage. The 28-kDa protein and the amino terminal truncated-STARD3 stimulate steroidogenesis in a comparable rate, suggesting that both proteins share similar properties, probably the START domain that is involved in cholesterol binding. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE: Mitochondrial proteases are involved in syncytiotrophoblast-cell steroidogenesis regulation. Understanding STARD3 activation and its role in progesterone synthesis is crucial to getting insight into its action mechanism in healthy and diseased syncytiotrophoblast cells.