Hyperlipidemia negatively impacts implantation by dysregulating tight junction and Claudin-3 and Claudin-4 expression in the endometrium.

Clinical observational studies have suggested hyperlipidemia may disturb embryo implantation through endometrium; however, the mechanism has been unclear. With its profound implications for reproductive health, the present study aims to investigate whether hyperlipidemia affects endometrial epithelial cell tight junctions for implantation failures. By constructing hyperlipidemia mice model, the number and distribution of embryo implantation status were investigated after both natural mating and in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

The role of decidual immune cells on human pregnancy.

The maternal-fetal interface undergoes dynamic changes to allow the fetus to grow and develop in the uterus, despite being recognized by the maternal immune cells. Within the innate immune system, decidual natural killer cells and antigen presenting cells (including macrophages and dendritic cells) that comprise a large proportion of the decidual leukocyte populations play an important role in modulating trophoblast invasion, angiogenesis and vascular remodeling. On the other hand, within the adaptive immune system, CD8 T cells, effector CD4 T cells, Foxp3 regulatory T cells and CD4HLA-G suppressor T cells are identified as potential players in maintaining immune tolerance toward the semi-allogeneic fetus.

Plasma components affect accuracy of circulating cancer-related microRNA quantitation.

Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as candidate biomarkers of various diseases and conditions including malignancy and pregnancy. This approach requires sensitive and accurate quantitation of miRNA concentrations in body fluids. Herein we report that enzyme-based miRNA quantitation, which is currently the mainstream approach for identifying differences in miRNA abundance among samples, is skewed by endogenous serum factors that co-purify with miRNAs and anticoagulant agents used during collection.

T helper 1 and 2 immune responses in relationship to pregnancy, nonpregnancy, recurrent spontaneous abortions and infertility of repeated implantation failures.

It is becoming clear that during each developmental stage of pregnancy, different immunological conditions exist and may even be necessary for success. The widely accepted T helper (Th) 1 and 2 concept has some limitations if applied to the various developmental stages of pregnancy. During the implantation period, a multidirectional cytokine network is necessary with the blastocyst producing cytokines and other factors and the endometrium synthesizing factors necessary for the embryonic development.