Impact of the menstrual cycle and ethinyl estradiol/etonogestrel contraceptive vaginal ring on granulysin and other mucosal immune mediators
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ABSTRACT: We conducted a prospective, open-label study to determine the effect of the NuvaRing on gene expression in the endocervix and immune-related protein expression in cervicovaginal secretions. Women provided endocervical cytobrush samples during the luteal and follicular phases of the menstrual cycle (as determined by progesterone levels) as well as during NuvaRing use. Gene expression was measured using Illumina Human HT12 v4 BeadChip microarrays. We compared the NuvaRing visit to each phase of the menstrual cycle separately, as well as follicular and luteal phase samples to each other, adjusting for technical batch, presence of blood in vaginal discharge, and BV status by Nugent score, and blocking on participant. We found that gene expression in the endocervical canal changed across the menstrual cycle and in response to NuvaRing use. In particular, we observed a continuum of expression of immune-related genes and gene sets in the endocervical canal: highest during NuvaRing use, intermediate in the follicular phase, and lowest in the luteal phase.
Project description:Progestin-based contraception may increase the risk of vaginal HIV acquisition to a level greater than the progesterone-rich luteal phase of the menstrual cycle, which has been demonstrated to have a significantly higher transmission rate compared to the follicular phase. We used pig-tailed macaque (Macaca nemestrina) model to evaluate the effects of administration of the oral the combined oral contraceptives (COCs) depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) and levonorgestrel (LNG) on mucosal factors that influence HIV susceptibility. We compared the pH and vaginal epithelial thickness data from previous studies, and evaluated contraception-induced molecular changes in the vagina using transcriptional and cytokine profiling. The administration of DMPA caused a pronounced thinning of the vaginal epilthelium relative to measurements takein in the follicular or luteal phase. DMPA also induced a significant increase in vaginal IL10 expression. Lastly, using RNA-Seq analyses of vaginal biopsies, we noted that both DMPA- and LNG-based contraception induced a signature of gene expression similar to that of the luteal phase, only more exacerbated, and including widespread down-regulation of HIV-restriction genes. Use of progestin-based contraception might engender a milieu that poses an increased risk of HIV transmission than that of the luteal phase via vaginal thinning, induction of immunosuppressive cytokines, and widespread suppression of HIV restriction factors.
Project description:The human menstrual cycle can be divided into two major phases by the event of ovulation. Before ovulation, in the proliferative or follicular phase, the endometrium proliferates under the influence of estradiol produced by growing ovarian follicles. After ovulation, in the secretory or luteal phase, ovarian progesterone produced by the newly formed corpus luteum drives a process of differentiation during which the endometrium becomes competent to receive and support the growth of the embryo. Single-cell analyses at the RNA level from our group and others have begun to decipher cell-type specific expression in the endometrium. How these events are controlled at the chromatin level remains elusive, however. In this study, we applied single-cell assay for transposase-accessible chromatin using sequencing (scATAC-seq) to profile the epigenetic landscapes of human endometrial samples across the menstrual cycle.
Project description:Our earlier studies in pig-tailed macaques demonstrated varying SHIV susceptibility during the menstrual cycle, likely caused by cyclic variations in immune responses in the female genital tract. There is concern that high-dose, long-lasting, injectable progestin-based contraception could mimic the luteal phase and predispose women to HIV-1 acquisition and transmission. In this study, we adopted a systems biology approach employing proteomics (tandem mass spectrometry), transcriptomics (RNA microarray hybridization), and other specific protein assays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and multiplex chemokine-cytokine measurements) to characterize the effects of hormonal changes on the expression of innate factors and secreted proteins in the macaque vagina. Several antiviral factors and pathways (including acute phase response signaling and complement system) were overexpressed in the follicular phase. Conversely, during the luteal phase there were factors overexpressed (including moesins, syndecans, integrins, among others) that could play direct or indirect roles in enhancing HIV-1 infection. Thus, our study showed that specific pathways and proteins/genes might be working in tandem to regulate innate immunity, thus fostering further investigation and future design of approaches to help counter HIV-1 acquisition in the female genital tract. Samples were hybridized to Affymetrix GeneChip® Rhesus Macaque Genome Arrays. Vaginal pinch biopsies were collected from 12 pig-tailed macaques at both the follicular and luteal phases. The data from one animal suggested low RNA quality and was excluded.
Project description:The goal of this study was to identify genes differentially expressed in the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle in the human endocervix and to identify significantly represented biological pathways and processes. This was done in order to better understand mechanisms associated with hormonal regulation of endocervix function which has implications in susceptibility to infections.
Project description:Transcriptional Profiling of Human Endocervical Tissues Reveals Distinct Gene Expression in the Follicular and Luteal Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
Project description:Introduction: Structural integrity of the cervical epithelial barrier is crucial for defending the female reproductive tract against sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Female sex hormones, estradiol and progesterone, play an important role in modulating this epithelial barrier. However, the influence of fluctuating estradiol and progesterone on ectocervical tissue gene and protein expression in naturally cycling women at high risk for sexually transmitted infections is not well understood. Methods: Ectocervical biopsies, cervicovaginal lavage fluid, and venous blood samples were collected from naturally cycling Kenyan female sex workers at two time points, separated by 2 weeks. The first time point represented the luteal phase of the menstrual cycle and the second time point represented the follicular phase. Plasma estradiol and progesterone levels were measured at each time point. Ectocervical tissues were analyzed by RNA-sequencing and in situ immunofluorescence staining. Cervicovaginal lavage samples were evaluated using antibody-based protein profiling. Results: Employing a systems biology approach, we demonstrated that high plasma estradiol levels enhanced ectocervical epithelial integrity. These findings were more pronounced in samples from the follicular phase (when progesterone and estradiol levels were significantly lower) and included increased expression, and more intact distribution, of the desmosomal cadherin DSG1. The effects of progesterone on gene and protein levels, as well as on intact tissue (as visualized by in situ staining), were modest throughout the menstrual cycle. Both estradiol and progesterone levels had limited influence on mucosal immune factors. Conclusion: Estradiol levels were associated with modulation of cervical epithelial barrier integrity, including the expression and distribution of DSG1, during the follicular phase of natural menstrual cycles in Kenyan sex workers.
Project description:Human oviduct serves as a conduit for sperm in the peri-ovulatory phase and to nurture and facilitate transport of the developing embryo en route to the uterus for subsequent nidation during the luteal phase of the cycle. Interactions between the embryo and oviductal epithelial surface proteins and secreted products during the four day embryo transit are largely undefined. Herein, we have investigated gene expression in human oviduct in the early luteal vs. follicular phase to identify candidate genes and biomolecular processes that may participate in maturation and transport of the embryo as it traverses this tissue. Oviductal RNA was isolated, processed, and hybridized to oligonucleotide arrays. Resulting data were analyzed by bioinformatic approaches and revealed that 650 genes were significantly downregulated and 683 genes were significantly upregulated in the luteal vs. follicular phase. Real-time RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemistry confirmed select gene expression and cellular protein localization. The data demonstrate downregulation of genes involved in macrophage recruitment, immunomodulation, and matrix-degeneration and upregulation of ion transport and secretions as well as anti-angiogenic and early pregnancy recognition genes in luteal vs. follicular phase oviduct. Together, these data suggest a unique hormonally regulated environment during embryo development, maturation and transport through human oviduct. We have investigated gene expression in human oviduct in the early luteal vs. follicular phase. Oviductal RNA was isolated, processed, and hybridized to oligonucleotide arrays. Resulting data were analyzed by bioinformatic approaches and revealed that 650 genes were significantly downregulated and 683 genes were significantly upregulated in the luteal vs. follicular phase. Real-time RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemistry confirmed select gene expression and cellular protein localization.
Project description:The objectives of the study: 1. Does the phase of the menstrual cycle alter microRNA (miRNA) plasma profiles in healthy women of reproductive age and in women with endometriosis? 2. Does this alter prospects for development of a miRNA-based diagnostic test for endometriosis? Prospectively recruited asymptomatic control women and women with surgically diagnosed endometriosis (n = 8 in each group) were included. Each patient provided blood samples in the early proliferative, late proliferative and mid luteal phases of the menstrual cycle (n = 47 total plasma samples). The cycle phase was verified by hormonal profile. RNA was extracted from each sample and expression of microRNAs was assessed using TaqMan Low Density Human miRNA arrays.
Project description:Our earlier studies in pig-tailed macaques demonstrated varying SHIV susceptibility during the menstrual cycle, likely caused by cyclic variations in immune responses in the female genital tract. There is concern that high-dose, long-lasting, injectable progestin-based contraception could mimic the luteal phase and predispose women to HIV-1 acquisition and transmission. In this study, we adopted a systems biology approach employing proteomics (tandem mass spectrometry), transcriptomics (RNA microarray hybridization), and other specific protein assays (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and multiplex chemokine-cytokine measurements) to characterize the effects of hormonal changes on the expression of innate factors and secreted proteins in the macaque vagina. Several antiviral factors and pathways (including acute phase response signaling and complement system) were overexpressed in the follicular phase. Conversely, during the luteal phase there were factors overexpressed (including moesins, syndecans, integrins, among others) that could play direct or indirect roles in enhancing HIV-1 infection. Thus, our study showed that specific pathways and proteins/genes might be working in tandem to regulate innate immunity, thus fostering further investigation and future design of approaches to help counter HIV-1 acquisition in the female genital tract.
Project description:Human oviduct serves as a conduit for sperm in the peri-ovulatory phase and to nurture and facilitate transport of the developing embryo en route to the uterus for subsequent nidation during the luteal phase of the cycle. Interactions between the embryo and oviductal epithelial surface proteins and secreted products during the four day embryo transit are largely undefined. Herein, we have investigated gene expression in human oviduct in the early luteal vs. follicular phase to identify candidate genes and biomolecular processes that may participate in maturation and transport of the embryo as it traverses this tissue. Oviductal RNA was isolated, processed, and hybridized to oligonucleotide arrays. Resulting data were analyzed by bioinformatic approaches and revealed that 650 genes were significantly downregulated and 683 genes were significantly upregulated in the luteal vs. follicular phase. Real-time RT-PCR, immunoblot analysis, and immunohistochemistry confirmed select gene expression and cellular protein localization. The data demonstrate downregulation of genes involved in macrophage recruitment, immunomodulation, and matrix-degeneration and upregulation of ion transport and secretions as well as anti-angiogenic and early pregnancy recognition genes in luteal vs. follicular phase oviduct. Together, these data suggest a unique hormonally regulated environment during embryo development, maturation and transport through human oviduct.