Theranostics 2022; 12(17):7216-7236. doi:10.7150/thno.78467 This issue Cite

Research Paper

Decorin promotes decidual M1-like macrophage polarization via mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in recurrent pregnancy loss

Liling Wang1, Huan Wang1, Jing Luo1, Ting Xie2, Gil Mor1,3, Aihua Liao1✉

1. Institute of Reproductive Health, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China.
2. Department of Woman Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province affiliated in Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, P.R. China.
3. C.S. Mott Center for Human Growth and Development, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.

Citation:
Wang L, Wang H, Luo J, Xie T, Mor G, Liao A. Decorin promotes decidual M1-like macrophage polarization via mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in recurrent pregnancy loss. Theranostics 2022; 12(17):7216-7236. doi:10.7150/thno.78467. https://www.thno.org/v12p7216.htm
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Abstract

Graphic abstract

Rationale: Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a distressing disorder that seriously affects the physical and psychological health of women. RPL is also a sentinel risk marker for future obstetric complications and warrants in-depth investigation. Abnormal polarization and functions of decidual macrophages are associated with RPL; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Methods: Decorin expression, localization, and content in the decidua of women with normal pregnancy (NP) and those with RPL were measured using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blotting, immunofluorescence, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The profiles of decidual macrophage subsets were determined using flow cytometry and immunofluorescence in both groups. The correlation between decorin content and the proportion of decidual macrophage subsets in the decidua of early NP women was determined using Pearson analysis. The effects of decorin on the polarization and functions of macrophages were assessed in an in-vitro model of Raw264.7 cells via flow cytometry, western blotting, and RT-qPCR. Moreover, the mitochondrial metabolism in Raw264.7 cells under decorin administration was measured via flow cytometry, western blotting, and immunofluorescence. Thirty-three pregnant mice were included in the in vivo model and underwent different treatments. The embryo abortion rate, macrophage phenotype in the spleen and uteri, and placental development were evaluated using flow cytometry and hematoxylin-eosin staining.

Results: Decorin, derived from decidual stromal cells, was highly expressed in the decidua of women with RPL. A positive correlation between decorin content and the proportion of M1-like macrophages was also observed in the decidua of early NP women. In vitro studies showed that decorin treatment inhibited macrophage polarization to M2-like subsets and boosted the inflammatory response, which was related to enhanced anaerobic glycolysis, increased mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, reduced mitochondrial mass, and activation of the myeloid differentiation primary response 88-nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway. Adoptive transfer of decorin-treated bone marrow-derived macrophages in pregnant C57BL/6 mice increased the embryo absorption, accompanied by impaired fetal vascularization.

Conclusions: Decidual stromal cell-derived decorin can polarize decidual macrophages toward the M1 phenotype by regulating mitochondrial metabolism, resulting in the occurrence of RPL.

Keywords: decorin, decidual macrophages, decidual stromal cells, normal pregnancy, recurrent pregnancy loss, mitochondrial metabolism


Citation styles

APA
Wang, L., Wang, H., Luo, J., Xie, T., Mor, G., Liao, A. (2022). Decorin promotes decidual M1-like macrophage polarization via mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in recurrent pregnancy loss. Theranostics, 12(17), 7216-7236. https://doi.org/10.7150/thno.78467.

ACS
Wang, L.; Wang, H.; Luo, J.; Xie, T.; Mor, G.; Liao, A. Decorin promotes decidual M1-like macrophage polarization via mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in recurrent pregnancy loss. Theranostics 2022, 12 (17), 7216-7236. DOI: 10.7150/thno.78467.

NLM
Wang L, Wang H, Luo J, Xie T, Mor G, Liao A. Decorin promotes decidual M1-like macrophage polarization via mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in recurrent pregnancy loss. Theranostics 2022; 12(17):7216-7236. doi:10.7150/thno.78467. https://www.thno.org/v12p7216.htm

CSE
Wang L, Wang H, Luo J, Xie T, Mor G, Liao A. 2022. Decorin promotes decidual M1-like macrophage polarization via mitochondrial dysfunction resulting in recurrent pregnancy loss. Theranostics. 12(17):7216-7236.

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