Project description:BackgroundThe objective of the study was to evaluate the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α, IL-1 receptor antagonist [ra] and serum amyloid A (SAA) in endometrial tissue and circulating leukocytes in response to uterine inoculation of 105 colony forming units (CFU) Escherichia coli in mares. Before inoculation, mares were classified as resistant or susceptible to persistent endometritis based on their uterine inflammatory response to infusion of 109 killed spermatozoa and histological assessment of the endometrial quality. Endometrial biopsies were obtained 3, 12, 24 and 72 hours (h) after bacterial inoculation and blood samples were obtained during the 7 day period post bacterial inoculation. Expression levels of cytokines and SAA were determined by quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR).ResultsCompared to levels in a control biopsy (obtained in the subsequent estrous), resistant mares showed an up-regulation of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and TNF-α at 3 h after E. coli inoculation, while susceptible mares showed increased gene expression of IL-6 and IL-1ra. Susceptible mares had a significant lower gene expression of TNF-α,IL-6 and increased expression of IL-1ra 3 h after E. coli inoculation compared to resistant mares. Susceptible mares showed a sustained and prolonged inflammatory response with increased gene expression levels of IL-1β, IL-8, IL-1ra and IL-1β:IL-1ra ratio throughout the entire study period (72 h), whereas levels in resistant mares returned to estrous control levels by 12 hours. Endometrial mRNA transcripts of IL-1β and IL-1ra were significantly higher in mares with heavy uterine bacterial growth compared to mares with no/mild growth.All blood parameters were unaffected by intrauterine E. coli infusion, except for a lower gene expression of IL-10 at 168 h and an increased expression of IL-1ra at 48 h observed in susceptible mares compared to resistant mares.ConclusionsThe current investigation suggests that endometrial mRNA transcripts of pro-inflammatory cytokines in response to endometritis are finely regulated in resistant mares, with initial high expression levels followed by normalization within a short period of time. Susceptible mares had a prolonged expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, supporting the hypothesis that an unbalanced endometrial gene expression of inflammatory cytokines might play an important role in the pathogenesis of persistent endometritis.

Project description:Post-partum uterine inflammation (endometritis) is associated with lower fertility at both the time of infection and after the inflammation has resolved. It was hypothesized that aberrant DNA methylation may be involved in the sub-fertility associated with post-partum uterine inflammation. The objective of this study was to characterize genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression in the endometrium of dairy cows with sub-clinical endometritis. Endometrial tissues were obtained at 29 days post-partum (n=12) and Agilent two-colour microarrays were used to characterize transcription and DNA methylation profiles. Analyses revealed 1,856 probes to be differentially expressed in animals with subclinical endometritis (SUI, n=6) compared with control cows (NUI, n=6, P<0.05, Storey Multiple testing correction). No significant associations among DNA methylation and gene expression were detected. Further analysis of gene expression data using GeneGo Metacore and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified several pathways and processes enriched in the comparison. Several pathways that are involved in the innate immune response were enriched in SUI cows. Consistent with the presence of microorganisms in the uterus, there was enrichment for the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway, including increased expression of the transcription factor NFKB1, the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1A and IL1B, downstream chemokines, cytokines, and acute phase and antimicrobial proteins in the endometrium of SUI cows. Furthermore, the chemokine signaling pathway was enriched in SUI cows, with increased expression of genes that attract cells of the innate immune system. Increased expression of IL-8 and CXCL6, chemotactic factors for recruitment of neutrophils along with the immune cell surface marker PTPRC in SUI cows is consistent with the greater number of polymorphonuclear cells present in the uterus of these cows. Several antimicrobial peptides (LAP, TAP, DEFB1, DEFB10, DEFB103B, DEFB7) and acute phase proteins, including SAA3, LBP, and the complement gene CFB, had greater expression in SUI cows. Gene expression profiles in cows with subclinical endometritis in this study indicate that the immune response is activated, potentially resulting in a local pro-inflammatory environment in the uterus. If this period of inflammation is prolonged, it could result in tissue damage or failure to complete involution of the uterus, which may create a sub-optimal environment for future pregnancy.

Project description:Post-partum uterine inflammation (endometritis) is associated with lower fertility at both the time of infection and after the inflammation has resolved. It was hypothesized that aberrant DNA methylation may be involved in the sub-fertility associated with post-partum uterine inflammation. The objective of this study was to characterize genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression in the endometrium of dairy cows with sub-clinical endometritis. Endometrial tissues were obtained at 29 days post-partum (n=12) and Agilent two-colour microarrays were used to characterize transcription and DNA methylation profiles. Analyses revealed 1,856 probes to be differentially expressed in animals with subclinical endometritis (SUI, n=6) compared with control cows (NUI, n=6, P<0.05, Storey Multiple testing correction). No significant associations among DNA methylation and gene expression were detected. Further analysis of gene expression data using GeneGo Metacore and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis identified several pathways and processes enriched in the comparison. Several pathways that are involved in the innate immune response were enriched in SUI cows. Consistent with the presence of microorganisms in the uterus, there was enrichment for the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway, including increased expression of the transcription factor NFKB1, the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL1A and IL1B, downstream chemokines, cytokines, and acute phase and antimicrobial proteins in the endometrium of SUI cows. Furthermore, the chemokine signaling pathway was enriched in SUI cows, with increased expression of genes that attract cells of the innate immune system. Increased expression of IL-8 and CXCL6, chemotactic factors for recruitment of neutrophils along with the immune cell surface marker PTPRC in SUI cows is consistent with the greater number of polymorphonuclear cells present in the uterus of these cows. Several antimicrobial peptides (LAP, TAP, DEFB1, DEFB10, DEFB103B, DEFB7) and acute phase proteins, including SAA3, LBP, and the complement gene CFB, had greater expression in SUI cows. Gene expression profiles in cows with subclinical endometritis in this study indicate that the immune response is activated, potentially resulting in a local pro-inflammatory environment in the uterus. If this period of inflammation is prolonged, it could result in tissue damage or failure to complete involution of the uterus, which may create a sub-optimal environment for future pregnancy. Agilent two-colour microarrays were used to characterize DNA methylation profiles in cows with subclinical endometritis (SUI, n=6) compared to control cows (NUI, n=6). Endometrial tissues (caruncular, intercaruncular) were obtained at 29 days post-partum.

Project description:ObjectiveIn this work, we examine the molecular basis for capillary tube regression and identify key proregressive factors, signaling pathways, and pharmacological antagonists of this process. Approach and Results: We demonstrate that the proinflammatory mediators, IL (interleukin)-1β, TNF (tumor necrosis factor) α, and thrombin, singly and in combination, are potent regulators of capillary tube regression in vitro. These proregressive factors, when added to endothelial cell-pericyte cocultures, led to selective loss of endothelial cell-lined tube networks, with retention and proliferation of pericytes despite the marked destruction of adjacent capillary tubes. Moreover, treatment of macrophages with the TLR (toll-like receptor) agonists Pam3CSK4 and lipopolysaccharide generates conditioned media with marked proregressive activity, that is completely blocked by a combination of neutralizing antibodies directed to IL-1β and TNFα but not to other factors. The same combination of blocking antibodies, as well as the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, interfere with macrophage-dependent hyaloid vasculature regression in mice suggesting that proinflammatory cytokine signaling regulates capillary regression in vivo. In addition, we identified a capillary regression signaling signature in endothelial cells downstream of these proregressive agents that is characterized by increased levels of ICAM-1 (intercellular adhesion molecule-1), phospho-p38, and phospho-MLC2 (myosin light chain-2) and decreased levels of phospho-Pak2, acetylated tubulin, phospho-cofilin, and pro-caspase3. Finally, we identified combinations of pharmacological agents (ie, FIST and FISTSB) that markedly rescue the proregressive activities of IL-1β, TNFα, and thrombin, individually and in combination.ConclusionsOverall, these new studies demonstrate that the major proinflammatory mediators, IL-1β, TNFα, and thrombin, are key regulators of capillary tube regression-a critical pathological process regulating human disease.

Dataset Information

Type of Inflammation Differentially Affects Expression of Interleukin 1? and 6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-? and Toll-Like Receptors in Subclinical Endometritis in Mares.

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Type of Inflammation Differentially Affects Expression of Interleukin 1β and 6, Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Toll-Like Receptors in Subclinical Endometritis in Mares.

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