Our laboratory has demonstrated that particular molecules and extracellular vesicles are secreted by the endometrial cells into the endometrial fluid, and that the embryo is able to capture them prior to implantation to initiate pregnancy.
We are focused in further understanding of this crucial dialogue between the embryo and the mother as the basis of the creation of a new preconception care concept.
Principal Investigator
Show bioDr Vilella graduated in Biological Sciences (2002) and Biochemistry (2004) from the University of Navarra. In 2006, he obtained his PhD in Molecular Biology at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lleida with the highest degree Cum Laude. He completed his first post-doctoral fellowship in the laboratory of Professor Aragon at the Clinical Science Centre of the Medical Research Council (MRC) in London, supported by the Marie Curie program. In 2007, he was awarded the prestigious scholarship from the Ministry of Education and Science (FECYT) for the development of Spanish doctors abroad. During his years in the UK (2006-2009), he specialized in the mechanisms of DNA repair and progression in the cell cycle of eukaryotic cells. This knowledge provided him with the opportunity to become a second post-doctoral fellow at the laboratory of Professor Lako in a mixed unit created between the University of Newcastle and the Prince Felipe Research Center in Valencia (CIPF). During this time, he moved his knowledge of cell biology to embryonic stem cells and its application in the field of regenerative medicine. In 2011, he began his career as principal investigator in the Endometrial Receptivity Laboratory within the IVI Foundation directed by Professor Simon. Dr Vilella’s field of work is focused on the study of endometrial receptivity and the cross-talk between the mother and the embryo during implantation. In 2014, he obtained a Miguel Servet position issued by the Institute of Health Carlos III and became part of the Foundation for Research at the Clinical Hospital of Valencia (INCLIVA).
Dr Vilella has published 30 scientific works in prestigious journals such as Nature Cell Biology, Stem Cells, Endocrine Reviews, Development and Science, among others, and is a regular contributor and reviewer of international journals. He has directed 4 doctoral theses and has participated in over 16 international projects to date, being principal investigator in 8 of them. He has participated as an invited speaker in over 72 international conferences.
Some of the main collaborative projects with internationally-renowned centres include:
Endocr Rev 2018; 1;39(3):292-332..
In the male reproductive tract, epididymosomes and prostasomes participate in regulating sperm motility activation, capacitation, and the acrosome reaction. In the female reproductive tract, follicular fluid, oviduct/tube, and uterine cavity extracellular vesicles (EVs) are considered as vehicles to carry information during oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo-maternal crosstalk. EVs via their cargo might also be involved in the triggering, maintenance, and progression of reproductive- and obstetric-related pathologies such as endometriosis, polycystic ovarian syndrome, pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, and erectile dysfunction..
Development 2015 15; 142(18):3210-21.
Maternal microRNAs (miRNAs) might act as transcriptomic modifiers of the pre-implantation embryo. Hsa-miR-30d, the expression levels of which were most significantly upregulated in endometrial fluid, was secreted as an exosome-associated molecule. Exosome-associated and free hsa-miR-30d was internalized by mouse embryos via the trophectoderm, resulting in an indirect overexpression of genes encoding for certain molecules involved in the murine embryonic adhesion phenomenon –Itgb3, Itga7 and Cdh5. Our results suggest a model in which maternal endometrial miRNAs act as transcriptomic modifiers of the pre-implantation embryo.
Mol Hum Reprod 2014; 20(6):550-66.
miR-30d miRNA is known to be up-regulated during the acquisition of receptivity in the endometrium. miR-30d induces the differential mRNA-expression of 176 genes (75 up-regulated and 101 down-regulated). Several of them have been associated with reproductive and endocrine system disorders and tissue development, and are implicated in epithelial cell proliferation. Proteomic analysis identified 2290 proteins, of which 108 were differentially expressed (47 up-regulated and 61 down-regulated).
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Research on Reproductive Medicine, focusing on genomics,
bioinformatics and the factors that affect human reproduction.
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