WO2020257857A1 - Methods of predicting endometrial receptivity - Google Patents
Methods of predicting endometrial receptivity Download PDFInfo
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- WO2020257857A1 WO2020257857A1 PCT/AU2020/050645 AU2020050645W WO2020257857A1 WO 2020257857 A1 WO2020257857 A1 WO 2020257857A1 AU 2020050645 W AU2020050645 W AU 2020050645W WO 2020257857 A1 WO2020257857 A1 WO 2020257857A1
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- podocalyxin
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- G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
- G01N33/68—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing involving proteins, peptides or amino acids
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- C12Q1/00—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions
- C12Q1/68—Measuring or testing processes involving enzymes, nucleic acids or microorganisms; Compositions therefor; Processes of preparing such compositions involving nucleic acids
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- G01N33/48—Biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Haemocytometers
- G01N33/50—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing
- G01N33/5005—Chemical analysis of biological material, e.g. blood, urine; Testing involving biospecific ligand binding methods; Immunological testing involving human or animal cells
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- C12Q2600/00—Oligonucleotides characterized by their use
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- G01N2333/705—Assays involving receptors, cell surface antigens or cell surface determinants
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- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
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- G01N2800/36—Gynecology or obstetrics
- G01N2800/367—Infertility, e.g. sperm disorder, ovulatory dysfunction
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to methods of predicting endometrial receptivity for embryo implantation in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject.
- the present disclosure also provides methods of monitoring epithelial receptivity and improving epithelial receptivity.
- Embryo implantation is a key step in establishing pregnancy, and implantation failure can cause infertility.
- Assisted reproductive technology ART is a major intervention to overcome infertility, however, low implantation rates (-30% per average ART cycle) significantly limit ART success.
- Implantation involves highly coordinated interactions between an embryo and the uterus.
- the embryo has to be well-developed and capable of implantation, and the uterus has to be in a receptive state.
- Human implantation requires the embryo to attach to the endometrial luminal epithelium, traverse the epithelial layer, penetrate the underneath basement membrane, and eventually move to the stromal compartment. The luminal epithelium then reseals over the implantation site, completely encapsulating the embryo within the tissue.
- This human implantation cascade is unique and no animal model recapitulates all aspects of the human implantation process.
- the human endometrium remodels substantially under the influence of ovarian hormones estrogen and progesterone, becoming receptive only in the mid-secretory phase (days 20-24 of a 28 day cycle) when progesterone is dominant. This synchronizes endometrial receptivity with embryo development for implantation.
- ERA endometrial receptivity array
- the inventors identified podocalyxin as a key negative regulator of human endometrial epithelial receptivity.
- the inventors studied the role of this regulator in human tissue samples and its association with implantation failure in IVF patients. Methods of modulating and regulating the expression of podocalyxin were also assessed.
- the present inventors have found that down regulation of podocalyxin in the luminal but not glandular epithelial cells signifies epithelial receptivity.
- the findings by the inventors provide the basis for methods of identifying or predicting endometrial receptivity for embryo implantation in a subject.
- the present disclosure provides a method of predicting endometrial receptivity for embryo implantation in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject.
- the present disclosure provides a method of predicting endometrial epithelial receptivity for embryo implantation in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject.
- determining the level of podocalyxin comprises determining the amount and/or distribution pattern of podocalyxin protein, and/or determining the amount of nucleic acid molecules encoding podocalyxin, in the endometrial epithelial cells.
- determining the level of podocalyxin comprises determining the amount and/or distribution pattern of podocalyxin protein in the endometrial epithelial cells. For example, determining the level of podocalyxin comprises determining the amount of podocalyxin protein in the endometrial epithelial cells. In another example, determining the level of podocalyxin comprises determining the distribution pattern of podocalyxin protein in the endometrial epithelial cells.
- determining the level of podocalyxin comprises determining the amount of nucleic acid molecules encoding podocalyxin, in the endometrial epithelial cells.
- the nucleic acid molecules are mRNA. Methods of measuring the amount of nucleic acid molecules in the endometrial epithelial cells are known in the art and/or are described herein. For example, the nucleic acid molecules are detected using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- RT-PCR real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
- the method further comprises comparing the level of podocalyxin in the subject to a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in at least one reference. Methods of determining a reference will be apparent to the skilled person and/or are described herein.
- the method comprises determining (a) if the level of the podocalyxin in the subject is higher than the level of the podocalyxin in the reference, or (b) if the level of the podocalyxin in the subject is lower than the level of podocalyxin in the reference.
- the endometrial epithelial cells are luminal epithelial cells and/or glandular epithelial cells.
- the endometrial epithelial cells are luminal epithelial cells.
- the endometrial epithelial cells are glandular epithelial cells.
- the method of the disclosure provides:
- a higher level of podocalyxin in luminal epithelial cells and a higher level of podocalyxin in glandular epithelial cells of the subject is indicative of pre-endometrial epithelial receptivity; or (iii) a lower level of podocalyxin in luminal epithelial cells and a lower level of podocalyxin in glandular epithelial cells of the subject is indicative of post-endometrial epithelial receptivity.
- a lower level of podocalyxin in luminal epithelial cells and a higher level of podocalyxin in glandular epithelial cells of the subject is indicative of endometrial epithelial receptivity.
- a higher level of podocalyxin in luminal epithelial cells and a higher level of podocalyxin in glandular epithelial cells of the subject is indicative of pre- endometrial epithelial receptivity.
- a lower level of podocalyxin in luminal epithelial cells and a lower level of podocalyxin in glandular epithelial cells of the subject is indicative of post- endometrial epithelial receptivity.
- the method comprises using an antibody or aptamer that specifically binds podocalyxin to determine the level of podocalyxin.
- the method comprises using an antibody that specifically binds podocalyxin to determine the level of podocalyxin.
- Antibodies suitable for use in the present disclosure will be apparent to the skilled person and/or are described herein.
- the method comprises using an aptamer that specifically binds podocalyxin to determine the level of podocalyxin. Aptamers suitable for use in the present disclosure will be apparent to the skilled person and/or are described herein.
- the antibody or aptamer is conjugated to a detectable label.
- the antibody is conjugated to a detectable label.
- the aptamer is conjugated to a detectable label.
- Detectable labels suitable for use in the present disclosure will be apparent to the skilled person and/or are described herein.
- the detectable label is selected from the group consisting of a radiolabel, an enzyme, a fluorescent label, a luminescent label, a bioluminescent label, a magnetic label, a prosthetic group, a contrast agent and an ultrasound agent.
- the detectable label is a radiolabel.
- the radiolabel can be, but is not limited to, radioiodine (1251, 1311); technetium; yttrium; 35S or 3H.
- the detectable label is an enzyme.
- the enzyme can be, but is not limited to, horseradish peroxidase, alkaline phosphatase, b-galactosidase, or acetylcholinesterase.
- the detectable label is a fluorescent label.
- the fluorescent label can be, but is not limited to, umbelliferone, fluorescein, fluorescein isothiocyanate, rhodamine, dichlorotriazinylamine fluorescein, dansyl chloride or phycoerythrin.
- the detectable label is a luminescent label.
- the luminescent label can be, but is not limited to, luminol.
- the detectable label is a bioluminescent label.
- the bioluminescent label can be, but is not limited to, luciferase, luciferin or aequorin.
- the detectable label is a magnetic label.
- the magnetic label can be, but is not limited to, gadolinium or iron-oxide chelate.
- the detectable label is a prosthetic group.
- the prosthetic group can be, but is not limited to, streptavidin/biotin or avidin/biotin.
- the detectable label is a contrast agent.
- the detectable label is an ultrasound agent.
- the ultrasound agent can be, but is not limited to, a microbubble -releasing agent.
- the ultrasound agent is a microbubble -releasing agent.
- determining the level of podocalyxin comprises determining the level of a downstream regulator of progesterone and/or an upstream regulator of podocalyxin.
- the downstream regulator of progesterone and/or an upstream regulator of podocalyxin is a microRNA.
- the method comprises determining the level of a microRNA to determine the level of podocalyxin.
- the microRNA is miR-199 or miR-145.
- the method comprises performing an immunohistochemical assay, in situ hybridization, flow cytometry, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) or ultrasound molecular imaging.
- RT-PCR real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
- the method comprises performing an immunohistochemical assay.
- the method comprises performing flow cytometry.
- the method comprises performing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
- the method comprises performing western blot.
- the method comprises performing real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).
- RT-PCR real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
- the method comprises performing ultrasound molecular imaging.
- the method is performed on endometrial epithelial cells in vitro or ex vivo.
- the method is performed on endometrial epithelial cells in vitro.
- the method is performed on endometrial epithelial cells ex vivo.
- the method is performed on endometrial epithelial cells obtained from the subject in a biological sample.
- a biological sample for use in the present disclosure will be apparent to the skilled person and/or are described herein.
- the biological sample is selected from the group consisting of an endometrial biopsy, a uterine fluid sample and a vaginal fluid sample.
- the biological sample is an endometrial biopsy.
- the biological sample is endometrial epithelial cells.
- the biological sample is a uterine fluid sample.
- the biological sample is a vaginal fluid sample.
- the subject has been previously treated with a composition comprising progesterone, progestogen or an analog or combinations thereof.
- the subject has been receiving treatment for infertility.
- the subject has been receiving treatment due to embryo implantation failure.
- the level of podocalyxin is determined in at least one biological sample and at least one time point during a cycle.
- the level of podocalyxin is determined at 1, or 2, or 3, or 4, or 5, or 6, or 7, or 8, or 9, or 10 time points during a cycle.
- the method further comprises implantation of an embryo into the subject.
- implantation of the embryo is based on the level of podocalyxin in the subject.
- the level of podocalyxin is determined in a first cycle of the subject and an embryo is implanted in a subsequent cycle of the subject.
- the present disclosure also provides a method of detecting infertility in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject.
- the present disclosure further provides a method of diagnosis and prognosis of infertility in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject.
- the level of podocalyxin is determined in at least one biological sample and at least one time point during a cycle.
- the present disclosure also provides a method of monitoring endometrial epithelial receptivity and predicting optimal endometrial epithelial receptivity for embryo implantation in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject at one or more time points.
- the present disclosure also provides a method of improving endometrial epithelial receptivity for embryo implantation in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject, and based on the level of podocalyxin in the cells, administering to the subject a compound in an amount sufficient to reduce the level of podocalyxin in the endometrial epithelial cells.
- the present disclosure further provides a method of assessing effectiveness of a compound on improving endometrial epithelial receptivity for embryo implantation in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject, wherein the subject has previously received treatment with the compound.
- the present disclosure also provides a method of optimising treatment with a compound to improve endometrial epithelial receptivity for embryo implantation in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a compound, determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject and optionally, based on the level of podocalyxin, modifying the treatment to the subject.
- the modification is one or more or ah of dose, type of compound and/or route of administration.
- the compound is selected from the group consisting of progesterone, progestogen, or an analog thereof, an antisense polynucleotide, a catalytic nucleic acid, an interfering RNA, a siRNA, a microRNA and combinations thereof.
- the compound is a microRNA, such as miR-199 or miR-145.
- Figure 1 is a graphical representation showing real-time qRT-PCR analysis of podocalyxin (PCX) mRNA expression in HUVECs and HEECs. Data are expressed as mean ⁇ SD.
- PCX podocalyxin
- Figure 2 is a graphical representation showing quantification of PCX immunohistochemical staining intensity in (A) luminal epithelium (LE); (B) glandular epithelium (GE), and (C) blood vessels (BV) in the proliferative (Prolif), early (E)-, mid (M)- and late (L)-secretory (Sec) phase of the menstrual cycle.
- Data are expressed as mean ⁇ SD.
- Figure 3 is a graphical representation showing the (A) mRNA levels and (B) protein levels of PCX in primary HEECs treated with estrogen (E) without or with progesterone (P) for 48, 72 and 98h. Data are expressed as mean ⁇ SD, *P ⁇ 0.05, **P ⁇ 0.005.
- Figure 4 is a graphical representation showing the effect of transient knockdown (KD) or stable overexpression (PCX-OE) of PCX in Ishikawa cells.
- KD transient knockdown
- PCX-OE stable overexpression
- Transient knockdown of PCX reduced PCX mRNA expression (A) and increased adhesion to fibronectin (B).
- Overexpression of PCX increased PCX mRNA expression (C) and decreased adhesiveness to fibronectin.
- composition of matter, group of steps or group of compositions of matter shall be taken to encompass one and a plurality (i.e. one or more) of those steps, compositions of matter, groups of steps or groups of compositions of matter.
- the recombinant protein, cell culture, and immunological techniques utilized in the present disclosure are standard procedures, well known to those skilled in the art. Such techniques are described and explained throughout the literature in sources such as, Perbal 1984; Sambrook 1989; Brown 1991; Glover 1995; Ausubel 1988; Harlow 1988; Coligan 1991.
- the term“subject” shall be taken to mean any animal including humans, for example a mammal. Exemplary subjects include but are not limited to humans and non-human primates. For example, the subject is a human. In one example, the subject is a female human.
- Endometrial remodelling is a key feature of the human menstrual cycle and the conversion from a non-adhesive to an adhesive state is critical for embryo implantation.
- the apical surface of the luminal epithelium which directly interacts with the implanting embryo to initiate attachment, must remodel for receptivity. It is therefore desirable to be able to determine the optimal point during the cycle when the endometrium is receptive to embryo implantation.
- the present disclosure provides methods for determining the optimal timing for a naturally achieved pregnancy, for example implantation following naturally achieved conception, or a pregnancy achieved with an assisted reproductive technology.
- endometrial epithelial cells intrinsically express podocalyxin as a key anti-implantation regulator, which must be down-regulated in the epithelium for receptivity.
- the inventors have surprisingly found that down-regulation of the regulator in the endometrial luminal epithelium and not the glandular epithelium signifies endometrial epithelial receptivity.
- the term“endometrial epithelial receptivity” refers to a time period of the menstrual cycle during which the endometrium is receptive to implantation. During this period, the endometrium acquires a functional state allowing adhesion of the blastocyst. This period preferably corresponds to the mid-secretory phase of the menstrual cycle or days 20 to 24 of a 28 day menstrual cycle in humans.
- the inventors have also demonstrated that up-regulation or elevated levels of the podocalyxin in both the luminal and glandular cells of the endometrial epithelium signals pre -receptivity.
- pre-receptivity or “pre-endometrial epithelial receptivity” refers to a time period of the menstrual cycle during which the endometrium is not yet receptive to implantation however is in the process of becoming receptive to implantation in that cycle.
- the inventors have also demonstrated that downregulation or reduced levels of podocalyxin in both the luminal and glandular cells of the endometrial epithelium signals post-receptivity.
- post-receptivity or “post-endometrial epithelial receptivity” refers to a time period of the menstrual cycle during which the endometrium has been receptive to implantation however, the time period during that cycle for implantation has occurred.
- the term“cycle” or“menstrual cycle” refers to the process of ovulation and menstruation in women and other female primates. The skilled person would understand that this term encompasses the changes associated with both the ovaries (also known as the ovarian cycle) and the lining of the uterus or endometrium (also known as the uterine cycle).
- the ovarian cycle consists of the follicular phase, ovulation and the luteal phase, and the uterine cycle consists of menstruation, the proliferative phase and the secretory phase.
- the average menstrual cycle in humans is 28 days.
- the present disclosure provides a method of predicting endometrial epithelial receptivity in a subject in need thereof.
- Podocalyxin also known as podocalyxin-like protein 1 (PCLP- 1)
- PCLP-1 podocalyxin-like protein 1
- PODXL is expressed by kidney podocytes, hematopoietic progenitors, vascular endothelia, and a subset of neurons; whilst aberrant expression has been implicated in a range of cancers.
- PODXL has an extensively O-glycosylated and sialylated extracellular domain and transmembrane region and a short intracellular region.
- the encoded protein has a 22 amino acid signal peptide, an extracellular domain of 439 residues, a 21 residue transmembrane domain and a 76 amino acid C-terminal intracellular domain.
- an exemplary sequence of human PODXL is set out in NCBI Reference Sequence NG_042104.1.
- the term‘Podocalyxin (PODXL or PCX)’ includes any isoform which may arise from alternative slicing of podocalyxin mRNA or mutant or polymorphic forms of podocalyxin.
- sequences of human PODXL isoforms 1 and 2 are set out in GenBank Accession no. NP_001018121 and GenBank Accession no. NP_005388, respectively.
- sequence of PODXL from other species can be determined using sequences provided herein and/or in publicly available databases and/or determined using standard techniques (e.g., as described in Ausubel 1988 or Sambrook 1989).
- the present inventors have found that podocalyxin is down regulated markedly in luminal epithelial cells at the time of receptivity establishment.
- the methods of any disclosure described herein comprise determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject.
- the term“level” in reference to podocalyxin shall be understood to refer to the level of functionality of the gene and/or protein (i.e., the functional level).
- the level or“level of expression” refers to a measure of the mRNA transcript expressed by the gene or a measure of the encoded protein.
- determining the level of podocalyxin comprises determining the amount of podocalyxin protein, and/or determining the amount of nucleic acid molecules encoding podocalyxin, in the endometrial epithelial cells.
- the term“amount” with reference to the level of podocalyxin will be understood to refer to a quantity of mRNA molecules and/or protein.
- Various methods of assessing the distribution pattern are available to the skilled person and the skilled person will recognise that the specific value or amount will vary depending on the method of assessment used. It will also be apparent that this term encompasses both an absolute and relative value.
- the amount may be relative to a reference or control sample, the number of cells assessed (e.g., amount per 100 cells) and/or the type of cells (e.g., luminal versus glandular epithelial cells).
- the amount may be an absolute value of the amount of mRNA molecules and/or protein present in the sample.
- determining the level of podocalyxin comprises determining the distribution pattern of podocalyxin protein.
- the term“distribution pattern” refers to the specific pattern and/or cellular localisation of podocalyxin protein in the subject.
- Various methods of assessing the distribution pattern are available to the skilled person and will be dependent on the method of analysis used. The skilled person will recognise that this term encompasses descriptive analyses (e.g., presence or absence), multiparametric and semi-quantitative scoring (e.g., strong, weak or absent).
- the level of podocalyxin is the level in a population of cells.
- references to a“population of cells” or“cell population” in the present disclosure refers to all endometrial epithelial cells. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the endometrium is comprised of both luminal and glandular epithelial cells and that the term encompasses both populations of cells.
- luminal epithelium refers to the cells that line the lumen of the uterus.
- Glandular epithelium refers to the cells of the endometrial or uterine glands.
- the level of podocalyxin in a subject may be the level in the population of cells (i.e., in both the glandular and luminal epithelial cells), or the level of podocalyxin may be the level in a subset of the population of cells (i.e., in either the glandular or luminal epithelial cells).
- the level of podocalyxin is the level of podocalyxin in the luminal and glandular epithelial cells.
- the level of podocalyxin is compared to a reference or control.
- the level of podocalyxin is the level of podocalyxin in the luminal or glandular epithelial cells.
- the level of podocalyxin is the level of podocalyxin in the luminal epithelial cells.
- the level of podocalyxin is the level of podocalyxin in the glandular epithelial cells.
- the level of podocalyxin in the luminal or glandular epithelial cells is compared to a reference or control.
- the level of podocalyxin in the luminal epithelial cells is compared to the level of podocalyxin in the glandular epithelial cells.
- the level of podocalyxin in the glandular epithelial cells is compared to the level of podocalyxin in the luminal epithelial cells.
- the method comprises determining (a) if the level of the podocalyxin in the subject is higher than the level of the podocalyxin in the reference, or (b) if the level of the podocalyxin in the subject is lower than the level of podocalyxin in the reference.
- the term“higher” in reference to the level of podocalyxin means that the level of nucleic acid molecule encoding podocalyxin or podocalyxin protein in the subject is greater or increased, compared to a control or reference level, or in one cell population compared to another. It will be apparent from the foregoing that the level of podocalyxin needs only be increased by a statistically significant amount, for example, by at least about 10%, or about 20%, or about 30%, or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95%.
- the term“lower” in reference to the level of podocalyxin expression means that the level of nucleic acid molecule encoding podocalyxin or podocalyxin protein in the subject is reduced or decreased, compared to a control or reference level, or in one cell population compared to another. It will be apparent from the foregoing that the level of podocalyxin need only be decreased by a statistically significant amount, for example, by at least about 10%, or about 20%, or about 30%, or about 40%, or about 50%, or about 60%, or about 70%, or about 80%, or about 90%, or about 95%.
- Methods for detecting nucleic acids include, for example, hybridization-based assays, amplification-based assays and restriction endonuclease- based assays.
- levels of a transcribed gene can be determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification, ligase chain reaction or cycling probe technology amongst others.
- PCR polymerase chain reaction
- primers suitable for use in the present disclosure are preferably those that do not form hairpins, self-prime or form primer dimers (e.g. with another primer used in a detection assay).
- a primer (or the sequence thereof) is assessed to determine the temperature at which it denatures from a target nucleic acid (i.e. the melting temperature of the probe or primer, or Tm).
- Tm the melting temperature of the probe or primer, or Tm.
- Exemplary primers used for the detection of podocalyxin in the present disclosure include:
- Suitable control primers will also be apparent to the skilled person and include, for example, 18s and b-Actin.
- Exemplary control sequences for use in the present disclosure include:
- oligonucleotide synthesis is described, in Gait 1984.
- a probe or primer may be obtained by biological synthesis (e.g. by digestion of a nucleic acid with a restriction endonuclease) or by chemical synthesis. For short sequences (up to about 100 nucleotides) chemical synthesis is preferable.
- the primer comprises one or more detectable markers.
- the primer comprises a fluorescent label such as, for example, fluorescein (FITC), 5,6-carboxymethyl fluorescein, Texas red, nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl (NBD), coumarin, dansyl chloride, rhodamine, 4'-6-diamidino-2-phenylinodole (DAPI), and the cyanine dyes Cy3, Cy3.5, Cy5, Cy5.5 and Cy7, fluorescein (5- carboxyfluorescein-N-hydroxysuccinimide ester), rhodamine (5,6-tetramethyl rhodamine).
- FITC fluorescein
- NBD nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl
- DAPI nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl
- DAPI nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl
- DAPI
- the absorption and emission maxima, respectively, for these fluors are: FITC (490 nm; 520 nm), Cy3 (554 nm; 568 nm), Cy3.5 (581 nm; 588 nm), Cy5 (652 nm: 672 nm), Cy5.5 (682 nm; 703 nm) and Cy7 (755 nm; 778 nm).
- the primer is labeled with, for example, a fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystal (as described, for example, in US 6,306,610), a radiolabel or an enzyme (e.g. horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase (AP) or b- galactosidase).
- a fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystal as described, for example, in US 6,306,610
- a radiolabel or an enzyme e.g. horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase (AP) or b- galactosidase.
- Such detectable labels facilitate the detection of a primer, for example, the hybridization of the primer or an amplification product produced using the primer.
- Methods for producing such a labeled primer are known in the art.
- commercial sources for the production of a labeled primer are known to the skilled artisan, e.g., Sigma-Genosys, Sydney, Australia.
- PCR Methods of PCR are known in the art and described, for example, in Dieffenbach 1995.
- two non-complementary nucleic acid primer molecules comprising at least about 20 nucleotides or at least about 30 nucleotides are hybridized to different strands of a nucleic acid template molecule, and specific nucleic acid molecule copies of the template are amplified enzymatically.
- PCR products may be detected using electrophoresis and detection with a detectable marker that binds nucleic acids.
- oligonucleotides are labeled with a detectable marker (e.g., a fluorophore) and the amplification product detected using, for example, a lightcycler (Perkin Elmer, Wellesley, MA, USA).
- a detectable marker e.g., a fluorophore
- PCR products are detected, for example, using mass spectrometry.
- the present disclosure also encompasses quantitative forms of PCR (such as real-time PCR; RT-PCR), such as, for example, a TaqMan assay.
- the TaqMan assay uses allele specific (ASO) probes with a donor dye on one end and an acceptor dye on the other end such that the dye pair interact via fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET).
- FRET fluorescence resonance energy transfer
- LCR Ligase chain reaction
- Ligase chain reaction uses two or more oligonucleotides that hybridize to adjacent target nucleic acids. A ligase enzyme is then used to link the oligonucleotides. In the presence of one or more nucleotide(s) that is(are) not complementary to the nucleotide at an end of one of the primers that is adjacent to the other primer, the ligase is unable to link the primers, thereby failing to produce a detectable amplification product. Using thermocycling the ligated oligonucleotides then become a target for further oligonucleotides. The ligated fragments are then detected, for example, using electrophoresis, or MALDI-TOF. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of the probes is labeled with a detectable marker, thereby facilitating rapid detection.
- RNA-DNA duplex formed is a target for RNase H that cleaves the probe.
- the cleaved probe is then detected using, for example, electrophoresis or MALDI- TOF.
- Qb Replicase may also be used as still another amplification method in the present disclosure.
- a replicative sequence of RNA that has a region complementary to that of a target is added to a sample in the presence of an RNA polymerase.
- the polymerase will copy the replicative sequence that can then be detected.
- Strand displacement amplification utilizes oligonucleotides, a DNA polymerase and a restriction endonuclease to amplify a target sequence.
- the oligonucleotides are hybridized to a target nucleic acid and the polymerase used to produce a copy of this region.
- the duplexes of copied nucleic acid and target nucleic acid are then nicked with an endonuclease that specifically recognizes a sequence of nucleotides at the beginning of the copied nucleic acid.
- the DNA polymerase recognizes the nicked DNA and produces another copy of the target region at the same time displacing the previously generated nucleic acid.
- SDA Strand displacement amplification
- nucleic acid amplification procedures include transcription-based amplification systems (TAS), including nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) and 3SR (WO 88/10315).
- TAS transcription-based amplification systems
- NASBA nucleic acid sequence based amplification
- 3SR WO 88/10315
- a suitable assay is a semi-quantitative assay and/or a quantitative assay.
- protein shall be taken to include a single polypeptide chain, i.e., a series of contiguous amino acids linked by peptide bonds or a series of polypeptide chains covalently or non-covalently linked to one another (i.e., a polypeptide complex).
- the series of polypeptide chains can be covalently linked using a suitable chemical or a disulfide bond.
- non-covalent bonds include hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, Van der Waals forces, and hydrophobic interactions.
- polypeptide or“polypeptide chain” will be understood from the foregoing paragraph to mean a series of contiguous amino acids linked by peptide bonds.
- the method for determining the level of podocalyxin in a sample comprises contacting a biological sample from a subject with an antibody or ligand that specifically binds to the podocalyxin polypeptide or protein for a time and under conditions sufficient for a complex between the antibody or ligand and the polypeptide or protein to form and then detecting the complex.
- ligand shall be taken to include any compound, molecule, peptide, polypeptide, protein, nucleic acid, chemical, small molecule, natural compound, etc that is capable of specifically binding to a podocalyxin polypeptide.
- a ligand may bind to a podocalyxin polypeptide by any process, for example, by hydrogen bonding, a van der Waals interaction, a hydrophobic interaction, an electrostatic interaction, disulphide bond formation or covalent bond formation.
- antibody refers to intact monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies, immunoglobulin (IgA, IgD, IgG, IgM, IgE) fractions, humanized antibodies, or recombinant single chain antibodies, as well as fragments thereof, such as, for example Fab, F(ab)2, and Fv fragments.
- immunoglobulin IgA, IgD, IgG, IgM, IgE
- humanized antibodies or recombinant single chain antibodies, as well as fragments thereof, such as, for example Fab, F(ab)2, and Fv fragments.
- Antibodies suitable for use in the detection of podocalyxin will be apparent to the skilled person and/or described herein and include, for example, commercially available antibodies AF1658 (R&D Systems); 3D3 (Santa Cruz) and/or EPR9518 (Abeam).
- the antibody specifically binds podocalyxin to determine the level of podocalyxin.
- the term“specifically binds” or“binds specifically” shall be taken to mean that an antibody reacts or associates more frequently, more rapidly, with greater duration and/or with greater affinity with a particular antigen or cell expressing same than it does with alternative antigens or cells.
- reference to binding means specific binding, and each term shall be understood to provide explicit support for the other term.
- Antibodies may be prepared by any of a variety of techniques known to those of ordinary skill in the art, and described, for example in, Flarlow 1988.
- an immunogen comprising a podocalyxin polypeptide or a fragment thereof is injected into any one of a variety of mammals (e.g., mice, rats, rabbits, sheep, pigs, chickens or goats).
- the immunogen is derived from a natural source, produced by recombinant expression means, or artificially generated, such as by chemical synthesis (e.g., BOC chemistry or FMOC chemistry).
- a podocalyxin polypeptide or a fragment thereof may serve as the immunogen without modification.
- a podocalyxin polypeptide or a fragment thereof is joined to a carrier protein, such as, for example bovine serum albumin.
- a carrier protein such as, for example bovine serum albumin.
- the immunogen and optionally a carrier for the protein is injected into the animal host, preferably according to a predetermined schedule incorporating one or more booster immunizations, and blood collected from the said animals periodically.
- the immunogen is injected in the presence of an adjuvant, such as, for example, Freund’s complete or incomplete adjuvant to enhance the immune response to the immunogen.
- Monoclonal antibodies specific for the antigenic polypeptide of interest may be prepared, for example, using the technique of Kohler et al., 1976, and improvements thereto. Briefly, these methods involve the preparation of immortal cell lines capable of producing antibodies having the desired specificity (i.e., reactivity with the polypeptide of interest). Such cell lines may be produced, for example, from spleen cells obtained from an animal immunized as described supra. The spleen cells are immortalized by, for example, fusion with a myeloma cell fusion partner, preferably one that is syngenic with the immunized animal.
- fusion techniques may be employed, for example, the spleen cells and myeloma cells may be combined with a nonionic detergent or electrofused and then grown in a selective medium that supports the growth of hybrid cells, but not myeloma cells.
- a preferred selection technique uses HAT (hypoxanthine, aminopterin, and thymidine) selection. After a sufficient time, usually about 1 to 2 weeks, colonies of hybrids are observed. Single colonies are selected and growth media in which the cells have been grown is tested for the presence of binding activity against the polypeptide (immunogen). Hybridomas having high reactivity and specificity are preferred.
- Monoclonal antibodies are isolated from the supernatants of growing hybridoma colonies using methods such as, for example, affinity purification as described supra.
- various techniques may be employed to enhance the yield, such as injection of the hybridoma cell line into the peritoneal cavity of a suitable vertebrate host, such as a mouse.
- Monoclonal antibodies are then harvested from the ascites fluid or the blood of such an animal subject. Contaminants are removed from the antibodies by conventional techniques, such as chromatography, gel filtration, precipitation, and/or extraction.
- a monoclonal antibody capable of binding to a form of a podocalyxin polypeptide of interest or a fragment thereof is produced using a method such as, for example, a human B-cell hybridoma technique (Kozbar et al., 1983), a EBV- hybridoma technique to produce human monoclonal antibodies (Cole 1985), or screening of combinatorial antibody libraries (Huse et al., 1989).
- the antibody is conjugated to a detectable label.
- a“detectable label” is a molecular or atomic tag or marker that generates or can be induced to generate an optical or other signal or product that can be detected visually or by using a suitable detector.
- Detectable labels are well known in the art and include, for example, a radiolabel, an enzyme, a fluorescent label, a luminescent label, a bioluminescent label, a magnetic label, a prosthetic group, a contrast agent and an ultrasound agent.
- Fluorescent labels commonly used include Alexa, cyanine such as Cy5 and Cy5.5, and indocyanine, and fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), but they are not so limited.
- Fluorescent labels useful in the practice of the present disclosure can include, also without limitation, 1,5 IAEDANS; 1,8-ANS; 4-Methylumbelliferone; 5-carboxy-2,7- dichlorofluorescein; 5-Carboxyfluorescein (5-FAM); 5-Carboxynapthofluorescein (pH 10); 5-Carboxytetramethylrhodamine (5-TAMRA); 5-FAM (5-Carboxyfluorescein); 5- HAT (Hydroxy Tryptamine); 5-Hydroxy Tryptamine (HAT); 5-ROX (carboxy-X- rhodamine); 5-TAMRA (5-Carboxytetramethylrhodamine); 6-Carboxyrhodamine 6C; 6- CR 6G; 6-JO
- a detectable label is an enzyme.
- the enzyme can act on an appropriate substrate to result in production of a detectable dye.
- examples of enzymes useful in the disclosure include, without limitation, alkaline phosphatase and horseradish peroxidase.
- the enzyme can be, for example, luciferase.
- the enzyme can be linked to the antibody by conventional chemical methods, or it can be expressed together with the antibody as a fusion protein.
- Radioisotopes useful as detectable labels in the disclosure are well known in the art and can include 3 H, 11 C, 18 F, 35 S, 64 Cu, 67 Ga, 68 Ga, 99 mTc, 111 In, 123 1, 124 1, 125 I, and 131 I. Attachment of any gamma emitting radioactive materials, e.g., 99 mTc and 111 In, which can react with carboxyl, amino, or sulfhydryl groups of a compound that binds calcitonin receptor is suitable for use in detection methods using gamma scintigraphy.
- Radioactive 11 C, 18 F, 64 Cu, 67 Ga, 68 Ga, 124 I, and 131 I compounds which can react with carboxyl, amino, or sulfhydryl groups of a compound is suitable for use in detection methods using PET/SPECT imaging.
- ELISA Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- FLISA Fluorescence Linked Immunosorbent Assay
- Standard solid-phase ELISA or FLISA formats are particularly useful in determining the concentration of a protein from a variety of samples.
- an assay involves immobilizing a biological sample onto a solid matrix, such as, for example a polystyrene or polycarbonate microwell or dipstick, a membrane, or a glass support (e.g. a glass slide).
- an antibody that specifically binds to a marker within a podocalyxin polypeptide is brought into direct contact with the immobilized biological sample, and forms a direct bond with any of its target protein present in said sample.
- This antibody is generally labeled with a detectable reporter molecule, such as for example, a fluorescent label (e.g. FITC or Texas Red) or a fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystal (as described in US 6,306,610) in the case of a FLISA or an enzyme (e.g. horseradish peroxidase (HRP), alkaline phosphatase (AP) or b-galactosidase) in the case of an ELISA, or alternatively a second labeled antibody can be used that binds to the first antibody.
- a detectable reporter molecule such as for example, a fluorescent label (e.g. FITC or Texas Red) or a fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystal (as described in US 6,306,610) in the case of a FLISA or an
- the label is detected either directly, in the case of a fluorescent label, or through the addition of a substrate, such as for example hydrogen peroxide, TMB, or toluidine, or 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indol-beta-D-galaotopyranoside (x- gal) in the case of an enzymatic label.
- a substrate such as for example hydrogen peroxide, TMB, or toluidine, or 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indol-beta-D-galaotopyranoside (x- gal) in the case of an enzymatic label.
- Such ELISA or FLISA based systems are suitable for quantification of the amount of a protein in a sample, by calibrating the detection system against known amounts of a protein standard to which the antibody binds, such as for example, an isolated and/or recombinant podocalyxin polypeptide or immunogenic fragment thereof or epitope thereof.
- an ELISA consists of immobilizing an antibody or ligand that specifically binds a marker of a disease or disorder within a podocalyxin polypeptide on a solid matrix, such as, for example, a membrane, a polystyrene or polycarbonate microwell, a polystyrene or polycarbonate dipstick or a glass support.
- a sample is then brought into physical relation with said antibody, and said marker within the sample is bound or ‘captured’.
- the bound protein is then detected using a labeled antibody.
- a third labeled antibody can be used that binds the second (detecting) antibody.
- western blotting is used to determine the level of a marker within a podocalyxin polypeptide in a sample.
- an assay protein from a sample is separated using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS- PAGE) using techniques known in the art and described in, for example, Scopes 1994.
- SDS- PAGE sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis
- Separated proteins are then transferred to a solid support, such as, for example, a membrane (e.g., a PVDF membrane), using methods known in the art, for example, electrotransfer.
- This membrane is then blocked and probed with a labeled antibody or ligand that specifically binds to a marker within a podocalyxin polypeptide.
- a labeled secondary, or even tertiary, antibody or ligand is used to detect the binding of a specific primary antibody.
- the level of label is then determined using an as
- an appropriate assay will be apparent to the skilled artisan and include, for example, densitometry.
- the intensity of a protein band or spot is normalized against the total amount of protein loaded on a SDS-PAGE gel using methods known in the art.
- the level of the marker detected is normalized against the level of a control/reference protein.
- control proteins include, for example, actin, glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), b2 microglobulin, hydroxy-methylbilane synthase, hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl- transferase 1 (HPRT), ribosomal protein LI 3c, succinate dehydrogenase complex subunit A and TATA box binding protein (TBP).
- GPDH glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase
- HPRT hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl- transferase 1
- TBP TATA box binding protein
- histochemical method such as, for example immunohistochemistry and/or immunofluorescence as described herein, is useful for determining/detecting the subcellular localization of podocalyxin.
- immunohistochemistry and/or immunofluorescence as described herein.
- Evaluation of positively stained cells and/or area ratio For example, the percentage of positively stained cells is determined and is relative to the total number of cells counted and/or the total area assessed. A combination of quantitative and qualitative scoring may be used when a percentage is given a certain score value. For example, a“presence” score is given for >66% of positive stained cells; an“absence” score is given when less, than 10% of cells or no visible staining is observed. In another example, samples are assigned a score of 0 (no staining), 1 ( ⁇ 10% of cells staining), 2 (10%-50% of cells staining), or 3 (>50% of cells staining).
- the force of IF1C expression may be assigned to a category being either positive or negative; or negative (-), weak (+), moderate (++) and strong (+++). If the categories are signed with a numeric value instead of signs, then this approach transforms from qualitative to semi-quantitative.
- image analysis software e.g., Fiji 1.51o
- Fiji 1.51o image analysis software
- the level is detected using a radioimmunoassay (RIA).
- RIA radioimmunoassay
- the basic principle of the assay is the use of a radiolabeled antibody or antigen to detect antibody- antigen interactions.
- An antibody or ligand that specifically binds to the marker within a podocalyxin polypeptide is bound to a solid support and a sample brought into direct contact with said antibody.
- an isolated and/or recombinant form of the antigen is radiolabeled and brought into contact with the same antibody. Following washing, the level of bound radioactivity is detected.
- any antigen in the biological sample inhibits binding of the radiolabeled antigen the level of radioactivity detected is inversely proportional to the level of antigen in the sample.
- Such an assay may be quantitated by using a standard curve using increasing known concentrations of the isolated antigen.
- an assay may be modified to use any reporter molecule, such as, for example, an enzyme or a fluorescent molecule, in place of a radioactive label.
- an optical biosensor is a device that uses optical principles to quantitatively convert the binding of a ligand or antibody to a target polypeptide into electrical signals.
- reflection techniques include ellipsometry, multiple integral reflection spectroscopy, and fluorescent capillary fill devices.
- Fibre- optic techniques include evanescent field fluorescence, optical fibre capillary tube, and fibre optic fluorescence sensors.
- Integrated optic devices include planer evanescent field fluorescence, input grading coupler immunosensor, Mach-Zehnder interferometer, Hartman interferometer and difference interferometer sensors. These examples of optical immunosensors are described in general by Robins, 1991. More specific description of these devices are found for example in U.S. Patent. Nos. 4,810,658; 4,978,503; 5,186,897; and Brady et al., 1987.
- the type and size of the biological sample will depend upon the detection means used.
- an assay such as, for example, PCR may be performed on a sample comprising a single cell, although a population of cells are preferred.
- protein-based assays require sufficient cells to provide sufficient protein for an antigen based assay.
- sample refers to any type of suitable material obtained from the subject.
- the term encompasses a clinical sample, biological fluid (e.g., cervical fluid, vaginal fluid), tissue samples, live cells and also includes cells in culture, cell supernatants, cell lysates derived therefrom.
- the sample can be used as obtained directly from the source or following at least one-step of (partial) purification. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the sample can be prepared in any medium which does not interfere with the method of the disclosure.
- the sample comprises cells or tissues and/or is an aqueous solution or biological fluid comprising cells or tissues.
- Pre-treatment may involve, for example, diluting viscous fluids. Treatment of a sample may involve filtration, distillation, separation, concentration.
- the biological sample has been derived previously from the subject. Accordingly, in one example, a method as described herein according to any embodiment additionally comprises providing the biological sample.
- a method as described herein according to any embodiment is performed using an extract from a sample, such as, for example, genomic DNA, mRNA, cDNA or protein.
- the biological sample comprises luminal epithelial cells and/or glandular epithelial cells.
- the biological sample comprises luminal epithelial cells.
- the biological sample comprises glandular epithelial cells.
- some assays of the present disclosure may utilize a suitable reference sample or control for quantification.
- Suitable reference samples for use in the methods of the present disclosure will be apparent to the skilled person and/or described herein.
- the reference may be an internal reference (i.e., from the same subject), from a normal individual or an established data set (e.g., matched by age, sample type and/or stage of cycle).
- the reference is an internal reference or sample.
- the reference is an autologous reference.
- the internal reference is obtained from the subject at the same time as the sample under analysis. In another example, the internal reference is obtained from the subject at an earlier time point as the sample under analysis. For example, the sample is obtained from a previous cycle.
- abnormal individual shall be taken to mean that the subject is selected on the basis that they are not infertile and/or are not currently pregnant.
- the reference is an established data set.
- Established data sets suitable for use in the present disclosure will be apparent to the skilled person and include, for example: • A data set comprising endometrial epithelial cells from another subject or a population of subjects matched by age, sample type and/or stage of cycle;
- a data set comprising endometrial epithelial cells in vitro, wherein the cells have been treated to induce podocalyxin expression
- a data set comprising endometrial epithelial cells in vitro, wherein the cells have been treated to inhibit podocalyxin expression.
- the term ‘endometrial epithelial cells’ in the context of a reference sample includes glandular and/or luminal cells.
- the reference sample comprises glandular and luminal cells.
- the reference sample comprises glandular cells.
- the reference sample comprises luminal cells.
- a reference is not included in an assay. Instead, a suitable reference is derived from an established data set previously generated. Data derived from processing, analyzing and/or assaying a test sample is then compared to data obtained for the sample.
- the present disclosure also provides a method of monitoring endometrial epithelial receptivity and predicting optimal endometrial epithelial receptivity for embryo implantation in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject at one or more time points.
- the term "monitoring" in regards endometrial epithelial receptivity can include, determination of prognosis, selection of drug therapy, assessment of ongoing drug therapy, prediction of outcomes, determining response to therapy (including diagnosis of a complication), following progression of a cycle, providing information relating to a patient's menstrual cycle over time, or selecting patients most likely to benefit from therapy.
- the method of monitoring endometrial epithelial receptivity in the subject comprises determining the level of podocalyxin at multiple time points during the cycle.
- the level of podocalyxin is determined at a time point during the ovarian cycle and/or at a time point during the uterine cycle.
- the level of podocalyxin is determined during the follicular phase, ovulation and/or the luteal phase.
- the level of podocalyxin is determined during menstruation, the proliferative phase and/or the secretory phase.
- the level of podocalyxin may be determined at multiple time points in a single phase of a cycle.
- the level of podocalyxin is determined at multiple points during the secretory phase of the uterine cycle.
- the average duration of each of the phases of the ovarian cycle are:
- the average duration of each of the phases of the uterine cycle are:
- the level of podocalyxin is compared to a level of podocalyxin in the subject at an earlier time point.
- Reference to an“earlier time point” in the context of the present disclosure refers to a level determined in another sample of the subject at any prior time point.
- the earlier time point may refer to a time point in the same cycle as the sample under analysis or to the same time point in a previous cycle.
- the ability to monitor the level of podocalyxin in a subject over the duration of the cycle and/or multiple cycles will assist in predicting optimal endometrial epithelial receptivity for embryo implantation.
- monitoring the level of podocalyxin is determined in a first cycle of the subject and an embryo is implanted in a second cycle of the subject.
- the inventors of the present disclosure have demonstrated a role of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial receptivity. It will be apparent to the skilled person that the methods disclosed herein will be useful in identifying the underlying causes of infertility and implantation failure. For example, the methods of the present disclosure are useful as a screening test for the diagnosis and prognosis of infertility in a subject.
- the present disclosure provides, for example, a method of detecting infertility in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject.
- infertility refers to a disease of the reproductive system defined by the failure to achieve a clinical pregnancy after 12 months or more of regular unprotected sexual intercourse.
- the present disclosure also provides a method of diagnosis and prognosis of infertility in a subject, the method comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject.
- diagnosis refers to the identification of infertility in a subject.
- prognosis with regards infertility refers to likely or expected development, progression and/or outcome of the infertility diagnosis.
- the subject is at risk of infertility.
- a subject“at risk” of infertility may or may not have detectable infertility or symptoms of infertility.“At risk” denotes that a subject has one or more risk factors, which are measurable parameters that correlate with development of the disease or condition, as known in the art and/or described herein.
- a subject is at risk if she has a higher risk of developing infertility than a control population.
- the control population may include one or more subjects selected at random from the general population (e.g., matched by age, gender, race and/or ethnicity) who have not suffered from or have a family history of infertility.
- a subject can be considered at risk if a "risk factor" associated with infertility is found to be associated with that subject.
- a risk factor can include any activity, trait, event or property associated with a given disorder, for example, through statistical or epidemiological studies on a population of subjects. A subject can thus be classified as being at risk even if studies identifying the underlying risk factors did not include the subject specifically.
- the method of the present disclosure is performed before or after the onset of symptoms of infertility.
- Symptoms of infertility will be apparent to the skilled person and include, for example:
- Chronic diseases such as diabetes, lupus, arthritis, hypertension, and asthma;
- the method of diagnosis and prognosis of infertility in the subject comprises determining the level of podocalyxin at multiple time points during the cycle. For example, the level of podocalyxin is determined at a time point during the ovarian cycle and/or at a time point during the uterine cycle. In one example, the level of podocalyxin is determined during the follicular phase, ovulation and/or the luteal phase.
- the level of podocalyxin is determined during menstruation, the proliferative phase and/or the secretory phase. Furthermore, the level of podocalyxin may be determined at multiple time points in a single phase of a cycle. For example, the level of podocalyxin is determined at multiple points during the secretory phase of the uterine cycle.
- methods of monitoring podocalyxin in vivo can be used.
- compounds that bind podocalyxin can be used in methods of imaging in vivo.
- compounds that bind podocalyxin and which are conjugated or bound to, and/or coated with, a detectable label, including contrasting agents can be used in known medical imaging techniques.
- a detectable label may be any molecule or agent that can emit a signal that is detectable by imaging.
- the detectable label may be a protein, a radioisotope, a fluorophore, a visible light emitting fluorophore, infrared light emitting fluorophore, a metal, a ferromagnetic substance, an electromagnetic emitting substance a substance with a specific MR spectroscopic signature, an X-ray absorbing or reflecting substance, or a sound altering substance.
- imaging methods include MRI, MR spectroscopy, radiography, CT, ultrasound, planar gamma camera imaging, single -photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), positron emission tomography (PET), other nuclear medicine- based imaging, optical imaging using visible light, optical imaging using luciferase, optical imaging using a fluorophore, other optical imaging, imaging using near infrared light, or imaging using infrared light.
- SPECT single -photon emission computed tomography
- PET positron emission tomography
- other nuclear medicine- based imaging optical imaging using visible light
- optical imaging using luciferase optical imaging using a fluorophore
- other optical imaging imaging using near infrared light, or imaging using infrared light.
- optical imaging is a widely used imaging modality. Examples include optical labeling of cellular components, and angiography such as fluorescein angiography and indocyanine green angiography.
- optical imaging agents include, for example, fluorescein, a fluorescein derivative, indocyanine green, Oregon green, a derivative of Oregon green derivative, rhodamine green, a derivative of rhodamine green, an eosin, an erytlirosin, Texas red, a derivative of Texas red, malachite green, nanogold sulfosuccinimidyl ester, cascade blue, a coumarin derivative, a naphthalene, a pyridyloxazole derivative, cascade yellow dye, dapoxyl dye.
- the level of podocalyxin is detected using ultrasound.
- the detectable label is an ultrasound agent. Suitable ultrasound agents will be apparent to the skilled person and/or are described herein.
- the ultrasound agent is a microbubble -releasing agent (as described for example, in Willmann et al., 2017 ; Yeh et al. , 2015 ; Abou-Elkacem et al. , 2015 ; T suruta et al. , 2014).
- a compound that detects podocalyxin is coupled to the microbubble.
- Various methods of coupling will be apparent to the skilled person and include, for example, covalent and non-covalent coupling.
- the contact between the microbubble and its target i.e., the endometrial epithelial cells
- the contact between the microbubble and its target i.e., the endometrial epithelial cells
- a microbubble, driven by an ultrasound field near its resonance frequency experiences net primary and secondary ultrasound radiation forces, also known as Bjerknes forces.
- Ultrasound can displace microbubbles over significant distances (up to millimeters) in the direction of the ultrasound propagation and can cause attraction between microbubbles leading to aggregate formation.
- the microbubbles can be concentrated on the target.
- the present inventors have also shown that persistent expression of podocalyxin in the endometrial luminal epithelium during the putative receptive phase is associated with implantation failure.
- the present inventors have shown that progesterone down-regulates podocalyxin in the luminal epithelium specifically for receptivity development.
- microRNAs miR-145 and miR-199 are downstream regulators of progesterone in the suppression of podocalyxin during the establishment of endometrial epithelial receptivity.
- the findings by the inventors provide the basis for using podocalyxin as a functional biomarker to optimize endometrial protocols for assisted reproductive technologies.
- the findings by the inventors also provide the basis for methods of targeting podocalyxin to treat implantation failure.
- methods as described herein according to any example of the disclosure involve reducing expression and/or the level of podocalyxin.
- the present disclosure provides methods of improving endometrial epithelial receptivity for embryo implantation in a subject comprising determining a level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject, and optionally based on the level of podocalyxin in the cells, administering to the subject a compound in an amount sufficient to reduce the level of podocalyxin in the endometrial epithelial cells.
- a subject may be in a pre -receptive state based on the level of podocalyxin in the cells and administration of a compound to the subject is sufficient to reduce the level of podocalyxin in the endometrial epithelial cells, thereby transitioning the subject to a receptive state.
- a compound suitable for use in the present disclosure refers to any agent that alters the level (e.g., reduces the level) of podocalyxin in the endometrial epithelial cells.
- Compounds suitable for use in the present disclosure will be apparent to the skilled person and include, for example, any agent that down-regulates podocalyxin transcription or translation of the nucleic acid in endometrial luminal epithelial cells.
- suitable compounds include, but are not limited to hormonal preparations and nucleic acids.
- the compound is a hormonal preparation.
- hormonal preparations suitable for use in the present disclosure will be apparent to the skilled person and include for example, progesterone, progestogen and an analog and combinations thereof.
- the compound is a nucleic acid.
- the nucleic acid is an antisense polynucleotide, a catalytic nucleic acid, an interfering RNA, a siRNA or a microRNA.
- antisense nucleic acid shall be taken to mean a DNA or RNA or derivative thereof (e.g., LNA or PNA), or combination thereof that is complementary to at least a portion of a specific mRNA molecule encoding a polypeptide as described herein in any example of the disclosure and capable of interfering with a post- transcriptional event such as mRNA translation.
- LNA low noise amplifier
- PNA PNA
- the use of antisense methods is known in the art (see for example, Hartmann 1999).
- Antisense nucleic acid of the disclosure will hybridize to a target nucleic acid under physiological conditions.
- Antisense nucleic acids include sequences that correspond to structural genes or coding regions or to sequences that effect control over gene expression or splicing.
- the antisense nucleic acid may correspond to the targeted coding region of a nucleic acid encoding podocalyxin, or the 5 -untranslated region (UTR) or the 3'-UTR or combination of these. It may be complementary in part to intron sequences, which may be spliced out during or after transcription, for example only to exon sequences of the target gene.
- the length of the antisense sequence should be at least 19 contiguous nucleotides, for example, at least 50 nucleotides, such as at least 100, 200, 500 or 1000 nucleotides of a nucleic acid encoding podocalyxin.
- the full- length sequence complementary to the entire gene transcript may be used.
- the length can be 100-2000 nucleotides.
- the degree of identity of the antisense sequence to the targeted transcript should be at least 90%, for example, 95-100%.
- catalytic nucleic acid refers to a DNA molecule or DNA-containing molecule (also known in the art as a“deoxyribozyme” or“DNAzyme”) or a RNA or RNA-containing molecule (also known as a “ribozyme” or “RNAzyme”) which specifically recognizes a distinct substrate and catalyzes the chemical modification of this substrate.
- the nucleic acid bases in the catalytic nucleic acid can be bases A, C, G, T (and U for RNA).
- the catalytic nucleic acid contains an antisense sequence for specific recognition of a target nucleic acid, and a nucleic acid cleaving enzymatic activity (also referred to herein as the“catalytic domain”).
- ribozymes that are useful in this disclosure are a hammerhead ribozyme and a hairpin ribozyme.
- RNA interference is useful for specifically inhibiting the production of a particular protein.
- this technology relies on the presence of dsRNA molecules that contain a sequence that is essentially identical to the mRNA of the gene of interest or part thereof, in this case an mRNA encoding podocalyxin.
- the dsRNA can be produced from a single promoter in a recombinant vector host cell, where the sense and anti-sense sequences are flanked by an unrelated sequence which enables the sense and anti-sense sequences to hybridize to form the dsRNA molecule with the unrelated sequence forming a loop structure.
- the design and production of suitable dsRNA molecules for the present disclosure is well within the capacity of a person skilled in the art, particularly considering WO99/32619, WO99/53050, WO99/49029 and WO01/34815.
- the length of the sense and antisense sequences that hybridize should each be at least 19 contiguous nucleotides, such as at least 30 or 50 nucleotides, for example at least 100, 200, 500 or 1000 nucleotides.
- the full-length sequence corresponding to the entire gene transcript may be used.
- the lengths can be 100-2000 nucleotides.
- the degree of identity of the sense and antisense sequences to the targeted transcript should be at least 85%, for example, at least 90% such as, 95-100%.
- Exemplary small interfering RNA (“siRNA”) molecules comprise a nucleotide sequence that is identical to about 19-21 contiguous nucleotides of the target mRNA.
- the siRNA sequence commences with the dinucleotide AA, comprises a GC-content of about 30-70% (for example, 30-60%, such as 40-60% for example about 45%-55%), and does not have a high percentage identity to any nucleotide sequence other than the target in the genome of the mammal in which it is to be introduced, for example as determined by standard BLAST search.
- Exemplary siRNA that reduce expression of podocalyxin are commercially available from Santa Cruz Biotechnology.
- Short hairpin RNA that reduce expression of podocalyxin are also known in the art and commercially available from Santa Cruz Biotechnology.
- MicroRNA (miRNA or miR) molecules comprise between 18 and 25 nucleotides in length, and is the product of cleavage of a pre-miRNA by the enzyme Dicer.
- Pre- miRNA or “pre-miR” means a non-coding RNA having a hairpin structure, which is the product of cleavage of a pri-miR by the double-stranded RNA-specific ribonuclease known as Drosha.
- Drosha double-stranded RNA-specific ribonuclease
- Exemplary microRNAs that reduce podocalyxin expression will be apparent to the skilled person and/or described herein.
- the nucleic acid is a microRNA, such as miR- 199 or mir-145.
- the method comprises determining the level of podocalyxin in endometrial epithelial cells in the subject and based on the level of podocalyxin in the cells, administering the compound in an amount sufficient to reduce the level of podocalyxin in the cells. For example, based on the level of podocalyxin in the subject one or more or all of dose, type of compound and/or route is modified.
- the amount or dose of the compound required to reduce the level of podocalyxin in the cells will be apparent to the skilled person.
- the dosage should not be so large as to cause adverse side effects.
- the dosage will vary with the age, condition, sex and extent of the disease in the patient and can be determined by one of skill in the art.
- the dosage can be adjusted by the individual physician in the event of any complication.
- Dosage can vary from about 0.1 mg/kg to about 300 mg/kg, e.g., from about 0.2 mg/kg to about 200 mg/kg, such as, from about 0.5 mg/kg to about 20 mg/kg, in one or more dose administrations daily, for one or several days.
- the compound is administered at an initial (or loading) dose which is higher than subsequent (maintenance doses).
- a dose escalation regime is used, in which a compound is initially administered at a lower dose than used in subsequent doses.
- a subject may be retreated with the compound based on the level of podocalyxin, by being given more than one exposure or set of doses, such as at least about two exposures, for example, from about 2 to 60 exposures, and more particularly about 2 to 40 exposures, most particularly, about 2 to 20 exposures.
- Administration of a compound according to the methods of the present disclosure can be continuous or intermittent, depending, for example, on the recipient's physiological condition, whether the purpose of the administration is therapeutic or prophylactic, and other factors known to skilled practitioners.
- the administration may be essentially continuous over a preselected period of time or may be in a series of spaced doses, e.g., either during or after development of a condition.
- methods of monitoring endometrial epithelial receptivity in a subject will be useful for monitoring and determining the effectiveness of a compound in improving the endometrial epithelial receptivity.
- Monitoring endometrial epithelial receptivity in a subject during administration of the compound will also assist in optimising the treatment regimen for the subject. For example, the level of podocalyxin is determined before and/or after administration of the compound and the dose, route and/or type of compound administered adjusted accordingly.
- HEECs primary human endometrial epithelial cells
- Tissues from the proliferative phase were collected into Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/F12 (DMEM/F12, Thermo Fisher Scientific, MA, USA), and cells were isolated within 24h of collection. Cells were isolated by enzymatic digestion and filtration as previously described (Marwood et al., 2009). Briefly, endometrial tissue samples were digested with collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum (7.5 U/ml; Sigma) and DNase 1 (2000 U/ml; Roche, Castle Hill, NSW, Australia) in a 37°C water bath with constant shaking for 2 ⁇ 20mins.
- DMEM/F12 Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/F12
- the digestion reaction was quenched with complete medium containing DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) (Bovogen Biologicals Pty Ltd, AUS) and 1% antibiotic- antimycotic (Sigma), and filtered through a 45mm nylon mesh.
- FBS fetal bovine serum
- HEECs human endometrial epithelial cells retained on the mesh were rinsed with 10ml of PBS into a new tube and centrifuged at 1000rpm for 5min at RT; the cell pellet was resuspended in DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10% FBS and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic, seeded into a 24-well plate and incubated at 37°C under 5% CO 2 in a humidified incubator.
- HEECs Primary HEECs, isolated as above but without further culture, were lysed with ice cold lysis buffer [25mM imidazole and 100mM NaC1 pH 7.0 containing protease inhibitors cocktail (Roche)] and passed through a 27.5-gauge needle and syringe seven times, and centrifuged at 15,000g for 5min at 4°C. The supernatant was incubated with 100mM Na 2 CO 3 on ice for lh (with vortex every 15mins) and centrifuged at 100,000 g for 60 min at 4°C to collect the pellet containing the plasma membrane.
- ice cold lysis buffer [25mM imidazole and 100mM NaC1 pH 7.0 containing protease inhibitors cocktail (Roche)] and passed through a 27.5-gauge needle and syringe seven times, and centrifuged at 15,000g for 5min at 4°C. The supernatant was incubated with 100mM Na 2 CO 3 on ice
- the plasma membrane proteins (100mg) were processed using filter-aided sample preparation (FASP) columns (Expedeon Inc., CA).
- FASP filter-aided sample preparation
- the tryptic peptides from FASP columns were collected by centrifugation and desalted on C 18 StageTips for mass spectrometry analysis.
- the extracted peptides were injected and separated by nano-flow re versed-phase liquid chromatography on a nano ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) system (Waters nanoAcquity, Waters, Milford, MA) using a nanoAcquity C18 150 ⁇ 0.075 mm I.D. column (Waters) with a linear 60min gradient set at a flow rate of 0.4mL/min from 95% solvent A (0.1% Formic acid in milliQ water) to 100% solvent B (0.1% Formic acid, 80% acetonitrile (Mallinckrodt Baker, Center Valley, PA), and 20% milliQ water).
- UPLC nano ultra-performance liquid chromatography
- the nano UPLC was coupled online to a Q-Exactive mass spectrometer equipped with a nano-electrospray ion source (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Bremen, Germany) set to acquire full scan (70000 resolution) and top- 10 multiply charged species selected for fragmentation using the high-energy collision disassociation with single- charged species were ignored. Fragment ions were analyzed with the resolution set at 17500, with the ion threshold set to le5 intensity. The activation time was set to 30 ms, and the normalized collision energy was stepped ⁇ 20% and set to 26. Raw files consisting of full-scan MS and high resolution MS/MS spectra were searched using the Maxquant algorithm (version 1.4).
- Trypsin was set to two missed cleavages, and files were searched with variable modifications set for oxidized methionine, and fixed modification in the form of carbamidomethyl Cys residues (using the default Maxquant settings with the cut- off score and delta score for modified peptides set at 40 and 17, respectively). All MS/MS samples were also analyzed using Mascot (Matrix Science, London, UK; version 2.4.1). Mascot was searched with a fragment ion mass tolerance of 0.040 Da and a parent ion tolerance of 20 PPM. Carbamidomethyl of cysteine was specified in Mascot as a fixed modification. Oxidation of methionine and acetyl of the N-terminus were specified in Mascot as variable modifications.
- HEECs were seeded into 12 well-plates or glass coverslips for 5 hr at 37°C under 5% CO 2 in a humidified incubator, then primed overnight with 10nM of 17b- estradiol (E) (Sigma) in complete medium containing DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10% charcoal stripped FBS. The following day, the E priming medium was removed and the cells were replenished with fresh complete medium containing 10nM E without or with 1mM medroxyprogestrone- 17-acetate (P) (Sigma), which were designated as E and E+P respectively. Cells were treated with E or E+P for a time course of 48h, 72h and 96h.
- E 17b- estradiol
- P 1mM medroxyprogestrone- 17-acetate
- Endometrial sections (5 mm) were deparaffinised in histosol, rehydrated and antigen was retrieved by microwaving (lOmin at high power in 0.01 M citrate buffer pH 6.0). Endogenous peroxidase was quenched with 3% H 2 O 2 in methanol for 10min and non-specific binding was blocked with 15% horse serum in high salt TBS (0.3M NaCl, 0.05M Tris base pH 7.6) containing 0.1% Tween 20 for 20min. The sections were incubated for lh at 37°C with primary PCX antibody (Ab2, details on P42, 2mg/ml) in 10% fetal calf serum in high salt TBS containing 0.1% Tween 20.
- primary PCX antibody Ab2, details on P42, 2mg/ml
- Mouse IgG replaced the primary antibody in the negative control. Sections were washed and appropriate biotinylated secondary antibodies (Vector laboratories, Inc. USA) were applied for 30min at room temperature. Signals were amplified with StreptABC/HRP (Dako) for 30 min at room temperature and visualized with diaminobenzidine (Dako). Cell nuclei were stained with haematoxylin (blue) and sections were mounted with DPX reagent.
- the membrane was blocked with 5% BSA in Tris-buffered saline [lOmmol/L Tris (pH7.5) and 0.14mol/L NaCl] with 0.02% Tween20.
- Three PCX antibodies were used for western blot analysis: Ab1 was raised against the highly glycosylated mucin region aa 23-427 (AF1658, R&D Systems Minneapolis, MN); Ab2 was raised against a portion of the extracellular domain aa 251-427 (3D3, Santa Cruz, Dallas, TX) (Kershaw et al., 1997); Ab3 was raised against the extracellular, transmembrane and intracellular part of PCX aa 300-500 (EPR9518, Abeam, Cambridge, UK) (Kershaw et al., 1997).
- Appropriate secondary antibodies included goat IgG-HRP, mouse IgG-HRP or rabbit IgG-HRP (Dako, Victoria, Australia). Bands were visualized using the Lumi-light enhancer solution (Roche). Membranes were probed for b-actin (Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA) for loading control. Recombinant human PCX which contained the extracellular part of PCX (rPCX, aa23-427, R&D Systems) and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) served as positive controls. This experiment was repeated four times.
- a mastermix of plasmid DNA (containing PCX or control) and lipofectamine transfection reagent (Life Technologies) in a 1 :3 ratio in Opti-MEM medium (Life Technologies) was added to the well (1mg DNA/well) and incubated for 24h at 37°C under 5% CO 2 in a humidified incubator.
- the cells were replenished with fresh Opti- MEM medium and cultured for another 24h, then transferred into a 10cm Petri dish containing complete medium with 2% geneticin. After reaching ⁇ 90% confluency, cells were trypsinised, seeded very sparsely in 25cm petri-dishes (-20,000 cells/dish), and cultured until individual colonies formed.
- qRT-PCR was performed as above for PCX. Quantitative PCR was performed on the Applied Biosystems 7900HT fast real-time PCR system, using Power SYBR Green PCR master mix (Applied Biosystems, Warrington, UK) and primers listed in Table 1. Table 1: Primer sequences
- Cells grown on glass cover slips were fixed with ice cold methanol for 10min and rinsed 3 times with PBS.
- Cells were permeabilised with 0.1% Triton-X100 in PBS for 5min and blocked with 15% horse serum and 2% human serum in PBS for 30min.
- Cells were incubated with Abl (at 6mg/ml) overnight at 4°C in 5% horse serum/PBS.
- fibronectin-coated wells 2 ⁇ 10 4 cells/well
- Non-adherent cells were removed and the wells were gently washed with PBS+ (containing Ca2+Mg2+), and incubated with 0.2% crystal violet in 10% ethanol for 5 min at RT without agitation. After removing the crystal violet solution, each well was washed 3 times with PBS+ to remove all remaining crystal violet stain.
- the bound cells were solubilized with solubilization buffer (a 50/50 mix of 0.1 M NaH 2 PO 4 , pH 4.5 and 50% ethanol) for 5min on a rocker at 250rpm at RT.
- solubilization buffer a 50/50 mix of 0.1 M NaH 2 PO 4 , pH 4.5 and 50% ethanol
- the absorbance at 560nm was measured with an Envision plate reader (PerkinElmer, Waltham, MA). Wells with media alone were included as negative control.
- Trophoblasts were isolated as previously described (Wallace et al., 2017). In brief, placental cotyledons were excised and washed with Hank' s balanced salt solution, the villi ( ⁇ 25g) were scraped from the cotyledons and digested with buffer containing DMEM low glucose, 1% penicillin, 1% streptomycin, 0.25% trypsin, 0.25% grade II dispase, 0.1 mg/ml DNase 1 in a 37°C shaking water bath for 15 mins. After 3 cycles of digestion, the cell suspension was separated by Percoll gradient centrifugation, trophoblast cells were collected and cultured in DMEM with 10% FBS, 1% antibiotic- antimycotic at 37°C under 8% O 2 overnight.
- AggreWellTM 400 plate (Stemcell Technologies, Vancouver, Canada) was pre- rinsed with 2ml anti-adherence rinsing solution, centrifuged at 2000g for 5m in at RT, and washed with 2ml of DMEM/F12 medium as per manufacturer's protocol. Primary trophoblast cells were trypsinised, and resuspended in EB formation medium (Stemcell) and 9.6 ⁇ 10 5 cells/ml were transfer into each well of the AggreWellTM 400 plate. Each well was topped up with EB medium to a total of 2ml/well, centrifuged at 100g for 5min at RT and incubated at 37°C under 5% CO 2 in a humidified incubator for 48h.
- Trophoblast spheroids of approximately 100 mm in diameter formed after this 48h incubation. The spheroids were dislodged from the Aggrewell plate by manual pipetting, passed through a 40 mm cell strainer to remove spheroids less than ⁇ 100mM in size. The final spheroids were collected into a low binding 6-well plate by inverting the cell strainer on top of the plate and rinsing it with DMEM/F12 supplemented with 10% FBS, 1% antibiotic-antimycotic for attachment and invasion experiments.
- Ishikawa cells were cultured overnight at 37°C in a 96-well flat-bottom plate to form a monolayer. Concurrently prepared primary trophoblast spheroids were then transferred onto the top of Ishikawa monolayer (approximately 30 spheroids per well in lOOpl of medium), and incubated for lh, 2h, 4h, 6h, 12h or 24h respectively. The exact number of trophoblast spheroids added in each well was counted before the wells were washed 3 times with PBS to remove unattached spheroids.
- conditioned medium was removed from each well and replenished with conditioned medium containing either vybrant cell-labeling solution DiO or Dil depending on the combination used to stain the spheroids (Thermo Fisher Scientific, 5ml per 1ml of medium) and incubated for another 24hr.
- Control or PCX-OE Ishikawa cells were cultured in conditioned medium containing G418 overnight at 37°C, 5% CO 2 in 96-well flat bottom plates to form a monolayer. Prior to co-culture with human embryos, the conditioned medium was removed and replenished with fresh medium without G418 and left to equilibrate for 4h at 37°C, 5% CO 2 .
- a monolayer of control and PCX-OE Ishikawa cells was prepared on a layer of matrix on glass coverslip slides containing 8-well chambers as previously described for the assessment of trophoblast spheroid traversing the Ishikawa monolayer.
- This model also used 6dpf embryos with the same selection criteria as the above attachment assay, but instead of warming 5dpf embryos, 3dpf embryos were warmed as prior to setting up the invasion model embryos need to be stained with either DiO or Dil.
- Ishikawa cells were cultured overnight at 5.6 ⁇ 10 5 cells/well in a 6-well plate in MEM medium supplemented with 10% FBS, 1% antibiotic-antimycotic and 1% L- glutamine. The following day, cells were washed with PBS and total RNA was isolated from control and PCX-OE Ishikawa cells using the RNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen), and treated with TURBO DNA-free kit (Invitrogen).
- Gene expression analyses were carried out in R using Bioconductor packages edgeR (Robinson et al. 2009; McCarthy et al. 2012) and limma (Richie et al. 2015). Gene counts were filtered for low expression counts by removing genes with less than 1 count per million (cpm) in more than two samples and then normalised by the method of trimmed mean of M-values (TMM; Robinson & Oshlack, 2010). Differential gene expression was carried out on log-CPM counts and precision weights available from the voom function in limma (Law et al. 2014), with linear modelling and empirical Bayes moderation.
- Control and PCX-OE Ishikawa cells were grown on glass coverslips, fixed in either 4% (w/v) paraformaldehyde (for analysis of E-cadherin, Wnt-7A, claudin-4 and ZO-1), or in 100% methanol (for occludin).
- E-cadherin 10% horse serum and 1% BSA in PBS for lh
- Wnt-7A 10% horse serum in PBS for 2h
- Claudin-4 10% horse serum, 2% human serum, 0.1% fish skin gelatin and 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS containing 0.2% Tween20 for lh
- ZO-1 1% BSA in PBS for 2h
- occludin 10% goat serum, 2% human serum, 0.1% fish skin gelatin and 0.1% Triton X-100 in PBS containing 0.2% Tween20 for lh.
- TER trans-epithelial electrical resistance
- FITC fluorescein isothiocyanate
- the upper chamber was replaced with serum-free media and lower chamber contained complete media (both containing 2% G418).
- the cells were maintained at 37°C using a warming plate throughout TER measurements.
- Four TER readings (ohm ⁇ cm 2 ) were taken from each well and readings from duplicate wells averaged to obtain the raw TER. The final value was obtained by subtracting the background TER from wells that contained no cells in the same experiment.
- a cohort of archived endometrial tissues biopsied during the endometrial scratch procedure during fertility treatment were retrieved for immunohistochemical analysis of PCX in the luminal epithelium. All biopsies were taken in the mid-secretory phase (d20- 24) in the natural cycle of the month immediately prior to IVF treatment. All patients experienced 3 2 cycles of implantation failure prior to undergoing the scratch procedure, and a single high quality embryo (grade A-C) was transferred in the immediate next cycle after the scratch. Samples were biopsied between 2012-2016 at Monash IVF (Clayton, VIC, Australia) and analysed/archived by Anatpath Services (Gardenvale, VIC, Australia) after fixing in formalin. Ethics approval for retrieving such tissues from Anatpath for this study was obtained from Monash Health.
- Example 2 Proteomic identification of podocalyxin in primary human endometrial epithelial cells
- HEECs Primary endometrial epithelial cells
- a dominant band of ⁇ 150kDa was detected by all 3 antibodies with compatible levels in both cell types.
- Ab1 detected an additional fainter band of ⁇ 80kDa in both HUVECs and HEECs, whereas Ab2 recognized additional bands of ⁇ 45, 37 and 30kDa primarily in HUVECs.
- the size of rPCX was slightly ⁇ 150kDa, consistent with it containing the extracellular domain only. These data confirmed that PCX was expressed in the proliferative phase endometrial epithelial cells.
- RT-PCR analysis further validated this finding, detecting compatible levels of PCX mRNA transcripts in HEECs and HUVECs (positive control; Figure 1).
- PCX is localized to the apical membrane of epithelial and endothelial cells in the human endometrium and is down-regulated specifically in the luminal epithelium coinciding with receptivity establishment
- Example 4 PCX is enhanced by estrogen and reduced by progesterone in primary HEECs in vitro
- PCX was transiently knocked down (KD) in Ishikawa cells by siRNA.
- Real-time RT-PCR analysis showed a 60% reduction of PCX mRNA in PCX-KD compared to control (CON) cells ( Figure 4A).
- Western blot analysis further confirmed this knockdown.
- PCX-KD cells were 2.5 times more adhesive than the control ( Figure 4B), suggesting that reducing PCX increased their adhesiveness.
- PCX was overexpressed (OE) in Ishikawa cells.
- the full length human PCX was stably transfected into Ishikawa cells, and PCX overexpression was confirmed by RT-PCR ( Figure 4C) and western blot.
- the PCX-OE cells expressed 2.8 times of PCX than the control cells.
- These PCX-OE cells were 75% less adhesive than the control to fibronectin ( Figure 4D).
- Example 7 PCX overexpression impedes invasion of trophoblast spheroids through the Ishikawa monolayer
- implantation requires the embryo to attach to the luminal epithelium then traverse between epithelial cells to move to the stroma.
- PCX influences the traversing process of trophoblast spheroids through the Ishikawa monolayer
- we labelled trophoblast spheroids and Ishikawa cells with different dyes cultured Ishikawa cells on a layer of matrix to form a monolayer, and then co-cultured the spheroids on top for 24h and 48h respectively.
- the position of trophoblast spheroids within the Ishikawa monolayer was examined by confocal z-stack scanning microscopy.
- Example 9 PCX overexpression down-regulates genes required for cell adhesion and implantation but up-regulates those controlling epithelial barrier functions
- DEGs differentially expressed genes
- DEGs were further investigated to identify those that are known to be relevant to embryo implantation.
- a number of genes whose expression is linked to implantation failure such as WNT7A (Wnt family member 7A, Wnt 7A) and LEFTY2 (left-right determination factor 2), were highly significantly up-regulated in PCX-OE cells.
- receptivity promoting factors including LIF (interleukin 6 family cytokine), CSF1 (colony stimulating factor 1), ERBB4 (HER4), FGF2 (fibroblast growth factor 2), TGFB1 (TGF-beta-1), and a few matrix metallopeptidases such as MMP14 (MT1-MMP), were highly significantly down- regulated in PCX-OE cells (Figure 8G-L).
- LIF interleukin 6 family cytokine
- CSF1 colony stimulating factor 1
- ERBB4 HER4
- FGF2 fibroblast growth factor 2
- TGFB1 TGF-beta-1
- MMP14 matrix metallopeptidases
- PCX tightens cell-cell connection and increases epithelial barrier functions
- PCX-OE cells As a major functional feature of PCX-OE cells was inhibition of embryo invasion through the Ishikawa monolayer, immunofluorescence of cell junctional proteins E- cadherin, Wnt 7A, occludin, claudin 4 and ZO-1 was investigated. All these proteins were highly elevated in PCX-OE compared to control cells, consistent with their mRNA expression being significantly up-regulated. These staining results suggest that PCX-OE cells were connected to each other more tightly than control Ishikawa cells. To confirm this result, trans-epithelial electrical resistance (TER) across the monolayer, a biophysical measurement of epithelial barrier integrity, was measured. TER was significantly higher in PCX-OE than the control monolayer (Figure 9A).
- PCX plays a critical regulatory role in governing epithelial junction and monolayer integrity. Consequently, PCX negatively regulates epithelial receptivity to embryo attachment as well as invasion, and PCX down- regulation in the endometrial LE is a functional necessity to establish endometrial receptivity.
- Example 10 Positive PCX immunostaining in LE in the putative receptive endometrium is significantly associated with implantation failure in IVF patients
- PCX in LE is a negative regulator of endometrial receptivity for embryo implantation
- PCX in endometrial tissues from IVF patients was examined.
- patients who fail to implant morphologically normal embryos after 2-3 cycles go through an“endometrial scratch biopsy” in the mid-secretory (putative receptive) phase before the next cycle.
- the miRNA (lOng) was reverse transcribed using TaqMan® Advanced miRNA cDNA Synthesis Kit (Thermo Fisher Scientific) as per the manufacturer's instructions.
- Real time RT-PCR was performed with miRNA assays (purchased from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Table 7), using QuantStudio 6 Flex Real- Time PCR System (Applied Biosystems) under the conditions specified in Table 8.
- miRNAs showed no detection and many displayed variable and inconsistent changes following the E+P treatment.
- miR-145 and miR-199 showed moderate but consistent and significant up-regulation in E+P compared to cells treated with E alone ( Figure 11).
- the average fold change following E+P relative to E treatment was 1.38 for miR-145 and 1.50 for miR-199.
- Ishikawa cells were cultured overnight in a 12-well plate (3.0 ⁇ 10 5 per well) in complete medium containing MEM (Thermo Fisher Scientific) supplemented with 10% FCS, 1% E-glutamine (Sigma) and 1% antibiotic-antimycotic. The following day, cells were replenished with Opti-MEM for transfection. Control and miRNA mimics (5pm, all from Thermo Fisher Scientific) were transfected into Ishikawa cells using Lipofectamine RNAiMAX Transfection Reagent (Thermo Fisher Scientific) for 24, 48, 72h respectively, and PCX mRNA levels were examined by real-time RT-PCR. Combination of the two miRNAs (5pm each) was also tested.
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2020
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US20030219836A1 (en) * | 2002-02-26 | 2003-11-27 | Fisher Susan J. | Method of determining endometrial receptivity |
WO2014062442A1 (en) * | 2012-10-15 | 2014-04-24 | University Of Iowa Research Foundation | Use of microrna for assessing fertility in a female patient |
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ADAMMEK M ET AL.: "MicroRNA miR-145 inhibits proliferation, invasiveness, and stem cell phenotype of an in vitro endometriosis model by targeting multiple cytoskeletal elements and pluripotency factors", FERTILITY AND STERILITY, vol. 99, no. 5, 2013, pages 1346 - 1355, XP028527194, DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2012.11.055 * |
K.K. PALIAL, J. DRURY, L. HEATHCOTE, A. VALENTIJIN, R.G. FARQUHARSON, R. GAZVANI, P.S. RUDLAND, D.K. HAPANGAMA: "P-205 Basement membrane integrity is altered in the late secretary phase in women with endometriosis: implications for the pathogenesis of endometriosis", HUMAN REPRODUCTION, vol. 26, no. S1, 3 July 2011 (2011-07-03), pages i202 - i203, XP009533451 * |
KANG Y.-J., LEES M., MATTHEWS L. C., KIMBER S. J., FORBES K., APLIN J. D.: "MiR-145 suppresses embryo-epithelial juxtacrine communication at implantation by modulating maternal IGF1R", JOURNAL OF CELL SCIENCE, vol. 128, no. 4, 2015, pages 804 - 814, XP055776410 * |
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NIE GUIYING, PAULE, SARH; ROMBAUTS, LUK: "Podocalyxin may represent a major barrier for endometrial receptivity", 1 January 2015 (2015-01-01), pages 23, XP055975635, Retrieved from the Internet <URL:https://docplayer.net/38889835-Monash-ivf-group-monash-ivf-research-and-education-foundation.html> [retrieved on 20221027] * |
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IL289311A (en) | 2022-02-01 |
AU2020302958A1 (en) | 2022-03-03 |
EP3990663A4 (en) | 2023-08-02 |
CN114599798A (en) | 2022-06-07 |
US20220268780A1 (en) | 2022-08-25 |
CA3145010A1 (en) | 2020-12-30 |
EP3990663A1 (en) | 2022-05-04 |
KR20220070199A (en) | 2022-05-30 |
JP2022539754A (en) | 2022-09-13 |
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