A genomic diagnostic tool for human endometrial receptivity based on the transcriptomic signature

2009

Objective: To create a genomic tool composed of a customized microarray and a bioinformatic predictor for endometrial dating and to detect pathologies of endometrial origin. To define the transcriptomic signature of human endometrial receptivity. Design: Two cohorts of endometrial samples along the menstrual cycle were used: one to select the genes to be included in the customized microarray (endometrial receptivity array [ERA]), and the other to be analyzed by ERA to train the predictor for endometrial dating and to define the transcriptomic signature. A third cohort including pathological endometrial samples was used to train the predictor for pathological classification. Setting: Healthy…

Global endometrial gene expression with continuous exposure to levonorgestrel (LNG) via an intrauterine system (IUS)

2014

Controlled Ovarian Stimulation Induces a Functional Genomic Delay of the Endometrium with Potential Clinical Implications

2008

Context: Controlled ovarian stimulation induces morphological, biochemical, and functional genomic modifications of the human endometrium during the window of implantation. Objective: Our objective was to compare the gene expression profile of the human endometrium in natural vs. controlled ovarian stimulation cycles throughout the early-mid secretory transition using microarray technology. Method: Microarray data from 49 endometrial biopsies obtained from LH+1 to LH+9 (n = 25) in natural cycles and from human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) +1 to hCG+9 in controlled ovarian stimulation cycles (n = 24) were analyzed using different methods, such as clustering, profiling of biological processes…

Embryologic outcome and secretome profile of implanted blastocysts obtained after coculture in human endometrial epithelial cells versus the sequenti…

2008

Objective To compare embryologic and clinical outcomes in terms of preimplantation development, implantation, pregnancy rates, and secretome profile of implanted blastocysts from the preimplantation genetic diagnosis program grown in sequential versus endometrial epithelial cell (EEC) coculture system. Design Retrospective clinical study and prospective experimental study. Setting In vitro fertilization clinical unit and university research laboratory. Intervention(s) Blastomere biopsy, embryo culture, blastocyst transfer, and protein analysis of the media conditioned from implanted embryos obtained from coculture and sequential systems. Main Outcome Measure(s) Clinical study: blastocyst, i…

Human Endometrial Side Population Cells Exhibit Genotypic, Phenotypic and Functional Features of Somatic Stem Cells

2010

During reproductive life, the human endometrium undergoes around 480 cycles of growth, breakdown and regeneration should pregnancy not be achieved. This outstanding regenerative capacity is the basis for women's cycling and its dysfunction may be involved in the etiology of pathological disorders. Therefore, the human endometrial tissue must rely on a remarkable endometrial somatic stem cells (SSC) population. Here we explore the hypothesis that human endometrial side population (SP) cells correspond to somatic stem cells. We isolated, identified and characterized the SP corresponding to the stromal and epithelial compartments using endometrial SP genes signature, immunophenotyping and char…

Hormonal and molecular characterization of follicular fluid, cumulus cells and oocytes from pre-ovulatory follicles in stimulated and unstimulated cy…

2012

background: The use of ovarian stimulation, to stimulate a multi-follicular response for assisted reproduction treatments, may force the production of oocytes from follicles that do not reach optimal maturation, possibly yielding oocytes that are not fully competent. The present study aimed to define the follicular environment and oocyte competence of unstimulated pre-ovulatory follicles, to compare it with that of similar-sized stimulated follicles. For this purpose, we analyzed the follicular hormonal milieu, the oocyte meiotic spindle, the embryo development and the cumulus cells gene expression (GE) profiles. methods and results: The study population was divided in two groups: (i) 42 oo…

’-omics’ technology and human reproduction: reproductomics

2012

The success of assisted reproduction technology is highly dependent on a precise selection of gametes and embryos and determining the best endometrial window for embryo implantation. For many years, morphological criteria have constituted the only way to assess spermatozoon, oocytes, embryos and endometrial samples in order to improve outcomes. However, this approach has reached a ceiling of success and has been related to unacceptably high rates of multiple pregnancies. New technologies have been developed in order to improve the results and reduce risks via better selection of those gametes and embryos with the highest pregnancy potential, and of more favorable endometrial environments fo…

A Xenogeneic-Free Protocol for Isolation and Expansion of Human Adipose Stem Cells for Clinical Uses

2013

Human adipose stem cells (hASCs) play a crucial role in the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering for different reasons: the abundance of adipose tissue, their easy harvesting, the ability to multipotent differentiation and the fact that they do not trigger allogeneic blood response or secrete cytokines that act as immunosuppressants. The vast majority of protocols use animal origin reagents, with the underlying risk of transmitting infections by non-human pathogens. We have designed a protocol to isolate and maintain the properties of hASCs avoiding xenogeneic reagents. These changes not only preserve hASCs morphology, but also increase cell proliferation and maintain thei…

Transcriptomic Signature of Trophoblast Differentiation in a Human Embryonic Stem Cell Model1

2011

Identification of genes involved in trophoblast differentiation is of great interest in understanding cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in placental development and is relevant clinically to fetal development, fertility, and maternal health. Herein, we investigated differentiation of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) down the trophoblast lineage by culture with bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) over a 10-day period. Within 2 days, the stemness markers POU5F1 and NANOG were markedly down-regulated, followed temporally by up-regulation of the CDX2, KRT7, HLA-G, ID2, CGA, and CGB trophoblast markers. To understand, on a global scale, changes in the transcriptome during the differen…