title: Comprehensive analysis of the transcriptional response of human decidual cells to lipopolysaccharide stimulation.
abstract: Decidual cells are central to innate immunity at the maternal/fetal interface. We sought to characterize the response of decidual cells to stimulation and then removal of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) using a whole genome approach. Decidual cells were isolated from term unlabored cesarean sections. Cells were stimulated with LPS and RNA isolated both pre-stimulation and 2 and 24 h post-stimulation. Media were changed and RNA extracted 48 h later. Gene expression was measured using Agilent 44K whole genome microarrays. Data were visualized and interpreted using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) software and selected (n=5) target gene expression was verified with quantitative real-time PCR. Genes related to immune function were up-regulated at 2 and 24 h after LPS exposure and then generally returned to baseline or were at least substantially reduced after LPS removal. Pathway analysis also revealed that genes involved in lipid metabolism (specifically cholesterol and steroid biosynthesis), iron metabolism, and the plasminogen system were coordinately altered following exposure to LPS. Our novel, preliminary findings provide insight into possible mechanisms via which the host inflammatory response could contribute to preterm birth and warrant further investigation in preterm samples.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
authors.forename: Katherine P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Himes
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Handley
authors.forename: Tianjiao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Burke
authors.forename: Kimberly
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bunce
authors.forename: Hyagriv N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Simhan
authors.forename: David G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Peters
mesh_terms: D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003656:Decidua / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D016678:Genome; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D050356:Lipid Metabolism / Q000235:genetics; D008070:Lipopolysaccharides / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D010958:Plasminogen / Q000378:metabolism; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D012313:RNA / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D008070:Lipopolysaccharides; D012313:RNA; D010958:Plasminogen; D007501:Iron