Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.2
3.9
Journals
Biomedicines
Special Issues
Role of Factors in Embryo Implantation and Placental Development
share announcement

Role of Factors in Embryo Implantation and Placental Development

A special issue of Biomedicines (ISSN 2227-9059). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular and Translational Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 April 2025 | Viewed by 4243

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Micol Massimiani

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
BIO/17 Histology, Saint Camillus International University of Health and Medical Sciences, 00131 Roma, Italy
Interests: placental development; implantation; embryo development; stem cells; pregnancy disorders
Dr. Valentina Lacconi

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
1. Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
2. Saint Camillus International, University of Health Sciences, Rome, Italy
Interests: endometrium; implantation failure; recurrent pregnancy loss; stem cells; decidualization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Implantation is a crucial event and a major limiting step a successful pregnancy. Implantation of the embryo into the maternal endometrium is a process finely regulated by a series of factors, which allow synchronization of the differentiation program of both the embryo and the endometrium. Proper embryo–endometrium crosstalk occurs, governed by factors and molecular pathways, and the dysregulation of one or more signals of this complex network may cause implantation failure and recurrent pregnancy loss, which may lead to infertility. If the limiting step of the implantation is overcome, the rapid growth of the embryo makes a more efficient method of embryo–maternal exchange imperative. This need is met by the placenta and the uteroplacental circulation. Starting to be formed during the second week and becoming definitive during the third month of gestation, the placenta is the main site of exchange between the mother and the embryo. Thus, a proper placental development, fine-tuned by a variety of factors, is crucial for a safe pregnancy, ensuring neonatal and adult life health for the newborn. Indeed, abnormal placentation is responsible for many pregnancy complications, such as fetal growth restriction and preeclampsia. The present Special Issue, edited by Dr. Micol Massimiani and Dr. Valentina Lacconi, aims to better clarify and unravel novel factors and molecular pathways regulating blastocyst–endometrium crosstalk and placental development, whose dysregulation might be associated with infertility and pregnancy disorders, and the most recent therapeutic approaches to treat these pathologies.

This Special Issue is now open for submissions. Prospective authors should first send a short abstract or tentative title to the Editorial Office. If the editors deem the topic to be appropriate for inclusion in this Special Issue, the author will be encouraged to submit a full manuscript.

Dr. Micol Massimiani
Dr. Valentina Lacconi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Biomedicines is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • placental development
  • implantation
  • embryo development
  • pregnancy disorders
  • endometrium
  • implantation failure
  • recurrent pregnancy loss
  • decidualization

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

20 pages, 858 KiB  
Article
PTX3/NF-κB/TLR4 Pathway Evaluation in the Follicular Fluid to Successfully Predict Blastocyst Implantation: A Pilot Study
by Alessio Ardizzone, Carmelo Liuzzo, Arianna Ferro, Marco Galletta, Emanuela Esposito and Anna Paola Capra
Biomedicines 2025, 13(5), 1071; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13051071 - 28 Apr 2025
Viewed by 8
Abstract
Background: The implantation process is complex and involves numerous factors that can affect its success. In artificial reproductive treatments (ARTs), chronic inflammation seems to be associated with implantation failure, largely contributing to reproductive dysfunction. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is overexpressed in several pathological conditions [...] Read more.
Background: The implantation process is complex and involves numerous factors that can affect its success. In artificial reproductive treatments (ARTs), chronic inflammation seems to be associated with implantation failure, largely contributing to reproductive dysfunction. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is overexpressed in several pathological conditions by exerting a pivotal role both as a regulator and indicator of inflammatory response. Some literature data have shown that PTX3 could have an impact on follicle growth and development, influencing women’s fertility. This study aimed to detect PTX3 in follicular fluids collected during an ART protocol in relation to implantation outcomes. Methods: The PTX3/NF-kB/TLR4 pathway and other cytokines were assessed in the follicular fluid of 169 subjects, under the age of 40 years, undergoing IVF cycles, including females without achieved implantation (n = 98) and those with implantation (n = 71). Furthermore, subgroup analyses were performed to evaluate PTX3 values according to age difference. Results: From our data, PTX3 emerged as a strong predictor, more than TNFα and IL-1β, of implantation failure and related inflammatory follicular state. Overall, the results point to PTX3 as a potential biomarker for ART success, and their testing may be helpful in women whose successful implantation remains unexplained. Conclusions: Therefore, PTX3 could constitute a reliable biomarker and a valuable target to improve ART outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Factors in Embryo Implantation and Placental Development)
21 pages, 31329 KiB  
Article
Dysregulation of Leukaemia Inhibitory Factor (LIF) Signalling Pathway by Supraphysiological Dose of Testosterone in Female Sprague Dawley Rats During Development of Endometrial Receptivity
by Allia Najmie Muhammad Yusuf, Mohd Fariz Amri, Azizah Ugusman, Adila A Hamid, Izzat Zulhilmi Abd Rahman and Mohd Helmy Mokhtar
Biomedicines 2025, 13(2), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13020289 - 24 Jan 2025
Viewed by 707
Abstract
Objective: This study investigated the effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone on uterine morphology and the regulation of the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signalling pathway during endometrial receptivity. Methods: In this study, 30 adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into treatment and [...] Read more.
Objective: This study investigated the effects of a supraphysiological dose of testosterone on uterine morphology and the regulation of the leukaemia inhibitory factor (LIF) signalling pathway during endometrial receptivity. Methods: In this study, 30 adult female Sprague–Dawley rats were divided into treatment and control groups. The treatment groups received subcutaneous injections of 1 mg/kg/day of testosterone from gestational day 1 to day 3, either testosterone alone or in combination with inhibitors (anastrozole, finasteride, or both). A control group of six untreated rats was maintained for comparison. Rats were euthanised on the evening of gestational day 4 to examine uterine morphological changes, gene expression and the distribution of proteins associated with the LIF signalling pathway (LIF, LIFR, JAK1 and STAT3) and MUC1 by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC), respectively. Results: The results of this study showed that the thickness of the endometrium and myometrium, as well as the number of glands, markedly decreased in all testosterone-treated rats. In addition, the mRNA levels of LIF, LIFR, JAK1 and STAT3 were significantly downregulated in response to supraphysiological testosterone treatment, while the mRNA of MUC1 was significantly upregulated. The IHC results were consistent with the mRNA data and confirmed the changes in protein distribution in all treatment groups. Conclusions: A supraphysiological dose of testosterone may impair endometrial receptivity through dysregulation of the LIF signalling pathway, potentially affecting fertility. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Factors in Embryo Implantation and Placental Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 1564 KiB  
Article
Effect of Pravastatin on Placental Expression of Epidermal Growth Factor-like Domain 7 in Early-Onset Pre-Eclampsia: A New Potential Mechanism of Action
by Silvia Salvi, Stefano Fruci, Valentina Lacconi, Federica Totaro Aprile, Roberta Rullo, Heidi Stuhlmann, Antonio Lanzone, Luisa Campagnolo and Micol Massimiani
Biomedicines 2024, 12(8), 1929; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12081929 - 22 Aug 2024
Viewed by 1180
Abstract
The primary intervention for pre-eclampsia (PE) remains iatrogenic delivery, which can be very preterm and not optimal for the fetus. Although many efforts have been made to prevent and manage PE, there is still a dearth of drugs to treat its pathophysiological progression. [...] Read more.
The primary intervention for pre-eclampsia (PE) remains iatrogenic delivery, which can be very preterm and not optimal for the fetus. Although many efforts have been made to prevent and manage PE, there is still a dearth of drugs to treat its pathophysiological progression. Pravastatin (PRA), a hydrophilic statin, has gained interest for the prevention and treatment of PE. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the ability of PRA to modulate factors involved in placentation, such as Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Domain 7 (EGFL7), in human chorionic villous culture from healthy controls and women with PE. A total of 18 women were enrolled: 10 controls and 8 cases. Chorionic villous explants were maintained in culture for 24 h with or without 10 μM Pravastatin, and the expression of EGFL7 and NOTCH1 pathway members was evaluated by qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. The rationale of the present study was to establish an ex vivo model to identify potential different responses to PRA treatment of chorionic villous explants in order to clarify the molecular mechanism of PRA in the prevention and treatment of PE and to predict whether there are specific clinical conditions that modulate the response to the drug treatment. Within PE patients, two different groups were identified: the high responders, whose villous cultures exhibit significantly increased expressions of the EGFL7 and Notch pathways after PRA incubation; and the low responders, who are high-risk PE patients in which prophylaxis failed to prevent PE and PRA was not able to modulate EGFL7 expression. In conclusion, we identified EGFL7 as a new factor regulated by PRA, placing interest in early discrimination between low- and high- risk women, in which the well-known pharmacological prophylaxis seems to be ineffective, and to explore new potential prevention strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Factors in Embryo Implantation and Placental Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

28 pages, 3739 KiB  
Review
The Interplay of Molecular Factors and Morphology in Human Placental Development and Implantation
by Ioana Vornic, Victor Buciu, Cristian George Furau, Flavia Zara, Dorin Novacescu, Alina Cristina Barb, Alin Adrian Cumpanas, Silviu Constantin Latcu, Ioan Sas, Denis Serban, Talida Georgiana Cut and Cristina Stefania Dumitru
Biomedicines 2024, 12(12), 2908; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12122908 - 20 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1827
Abstract
The placenta is a vital organ that supports fetal development by mediating nutrient and gas exchange, regulating immune tolerance, and maintaining hormonal balance. Its formation and function are tightly linked to the processes of embryo implantation and the establishment of a robust placental-uterine [...] Read more.
The placenta is a vital organ that supports fetal development by mediating nutrient and gas exchange, regulating immune tolerance, and maintaining hormonal balance. Its formation and function are tightly linked to the processes of embryo implantation and the establishment of a robust placental-uterine interface. Recent advances in molecular biology and histopathology have shed light on the key regulatory factors governing these processes, including trophoblast invasion, spiral artery remodeling, and the development of chorionic villi. This review integrates morphological and molecular perspectives on placental development, emphasizing the roles of cytokines, growth factors, and signaling pathways, such as VEGF and Notch signaling, in orchestrating implantation and placental formation. The intricate interplay between molecular regulation and morphological adaptations highlights the placenta’s critical role as a dynamic interface in pregnancy. This review synthesizes current findings to offer clinicians and researchers a comprehensive understanding of the placenta’s role in implantation, emphasizing its importance in maternal-fetal medicine. By integrating these insights, the review lays the groundwork for advancing diagnostic and therapeutic approaches that can enhance pregnancy outcomes and address related complications effectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Factors in Embryo Implantation and Placental Development)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop