201
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Ye L, Huang W, Liu S, Cai S, Hong L, Xiao W, Thiele K, Zeng Y, Song M, Diao L. Impacts of Immunometabolism on Male Reproduction. Front Immunol 2021; 12:658432. [PMID: 34367130 PMCID: PMC8334851 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.658432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The physiological process of male reproduction relies on the orchestration of neuroendocrine, immune, and energy metabolism. Spermatogenesis is controlled by the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) axis, which modulates the production of gonadal steroid hormones in the testes. The immune cells and cytokines in testes provide a protective microenvironment for the development and maturation of germ cells. The metabolic cellular responses and processes in testes provide energy production and biosynthetic precursors to regulate germ cell development and control testicular immunity and inflammation. The metabolism of immune cells is crucial for both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses, which supposes to affect the spermatogenesis in testes. In this review, the role of immunometabolism in male reproduction will be highlighted. Obesity, metabolic dysfunction, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, are well documented to impact male fertility; thus, their impacts on the immune cells distributed in testes will also be discussed. Finally, the potential significance of the medicine targeting the specific metabolic intermediates or immune metabolism checkpoints to improve male reproduction will also be reassessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Ye
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology of Peri-implantation, Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Wensi Huang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology of Peri-implantation, Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Su Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology of Peri-implantation, Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Songchen Cai
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology of Peri-implantation, Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ling Hong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology of Peri-implantation, Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Weiqiang Xiao
- Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Kristin Thiele
- Division of Experimental Feto-Maternal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology of Peri-implantation, Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Mingzhe Song
- Shenzhen Zhongshan Institute for Reproduction and Genetics, Fertility Center, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Lianghui Diao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology of Peri-implantation, Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Medicine, Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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202
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McCarrey JR, Cheng K. Germ cells: ENCODE's forgotten cell type. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:761-766. [PMID: 34250539 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
More than a decade ago, the ENCODE and NIH Epigenomics Roadmap consortia organized large multi-laboratory efforts to profile the epigenomes of >110 different mammalian somatic cell types. This generated valuable publicly accessible datasets that are being mined to reveal genome-wide patterns of a variety of different epigenetic parameters. This consortia approach facilitated the powerful and comprehensive multiparametric integrative analysis of the epigenomes in each cell type. However, no germ cell types were included among the cell types characterized by either of these consortia. Thus, comprehensive epigenetic profiling data is not generally available for the most evolutionarily important cells, male and female germ cells. We discuss the need for reproductive biologists to generate similar multiparametric epigenomic profiling datasets for both male and female germ cells at different developmental stages, and summarize our recent effort to derive such data for mammalian spermatogonial stem cells and progenitor spermatogonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
| | - Keren Cheng
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249 USA
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203
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Shimada K, Park S, Miyata H, Yu Z, Morohoshi A, Oura S, Matzuk MM, Ikawa M. ARMC12 regulates spatiotemporal mitochondrial dynamics during spermiogenesis and is required for male fertility. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2018355118. [PMID: 33536340 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2018355118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Although formation of the mitochondrial sheath is a critical process in the formation of mature spermatozoa, the molecular mechanisms involved in mitochondrial sheath genesis remain unclear. Using gene-manipulated mice, we discovered that ARMC12 regulates spatiotemporal “sperm mitochondrial dynamics” during mitochondrial sheath formation through interactions with mitochondrial proteins MIC60, VDAC2, and VDAC3 as well as testis-specific proteins TBC1D21 and GK2. In addition, we demonstrated that ARMC12-interacting proteins TBC1D21 and GK2 are also essential for mitochondrial sheath formation. Our paper sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial sheath formation and the regulation of sperm mitochondrial dynamics, allowing us to further understand the biology of spermatogenesis and the etiology of infertility in men. The mammalian sperm midpiece has a unique double-helical structure called the mitochondrial sheath that wraps tightly around the axoneme. Despite the remarkable organization of the mitochondrial sheath, the molecular mechanisms involved in mitochondrial sheath formation are unclear. In the process of screening testis-enriched genes for functions in mice, we identified armadillo repeat-containing 12 (ARMC12) as an essential protein for mitochondrial sheath formation. Here, we engineered Armc12-null mice, FLAG-tagged Armc12 knock-in mice, and TBC1 domain family member 21 (Tbc1d21)-null mice to define the functions of ARMC12 in mitochondrial sheath formation in vivo. We discovered that absence of ARMC12 causes abnormal mitochondrial coiling along the flagellum, resulting in reduced sperm motility and male sterility. During spermiogenesis, sperm mitochondria in Armc12-null mice cannot elongate properly at the mitochondrial interlocking step which disrupts abnormal mitochondrial coiling. ARMC12 is a mitochondrial peripheral membrane protein and functions as an adherence factor between mitochondria in cultured cells. ARMC12 in testicular germ cells interacts with mitochondrial proteins MIC60, VDAC2, and VDAC3 as well as TBC1D21 and GK2, which are required for mitochondrial sheath formation. We also observed that TBC1D21 is essential for the interaction between ARMC12 and VDAC proteins in vivo. These results indicate that ARMC12 uses integral mitochondrial membrane proteins VDAC2 and VDAC3 as scaffolds to link mitochondria and works cooperatively with TBC1D21. Thus, our studies have revealed that ARMC12 regulates spatiotemporal mitochondrial dynamics to form the mitochondrial sheath through cooperative interactions with several proteins on the sperm mitochondrial surface.
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204
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Yu XW, Li TT, Du XM, Shen QY, Zhang MF, Wei YD, Yang DH, Xu WJ, Chen WB, Bai CL, Li XL, Li GP, Li N, Peng S, Liao MZ, Hua JL. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals atlas of dairy goat testis cells. Zool Res 2021; 42:401-405. [PMID: 34047080 PMCID: PMC8317185 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2020.373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Xiu-Wei Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Tong-Tong Li
- College of Life Science, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xiao-Min Du
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Qiao-Yan Shen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Meng-Fei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yu-Dong Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Dong-Hui Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Wen-Jing Xu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Wen-Bo Chen
- College of Life Science, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Chun-Ling Bai
- Key Laboratory for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China
| | - Xue-Ling Li
- Key Laboratory for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China
| | - Guang-Peng Li
- Key Laboratory for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, 010021, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Sha Peng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. E-mail:
| | - Ming-Zhi Liao
- College of Life Science, Northwest A & F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. E-mail:
| | - Jin-Lian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A & F University, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. E-mail:
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205
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Verma P, Parte P. Revisiting the Characteristics of Testicular Germ Cell Lines GC-1(spg) and GC-2(spd)ts. Mol Biotechnol 2021; 63:941-952. [PMID: 34125394 DOI: 10.1007/s12033-021-00352-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a multifaceted and meticulously orchestrated process involving meiosis, chromatin build up, transcriptional and translational hushing, and spermiogenesis. Male germ cell lines GC-1spg (GC-1) and GC-2(spd)ts (GC-2) provide a useful resource to comprehend the molecular events occurring during such a tightly regulated process. Using cDNA microarray, expression profiling of GC-1 and GC-2 cell lines was done to precisely understand their characteristics and uniqueness. Our observations indicate that whilst both the cell lines are indeed of testicular origin, GC-2 is not haploid as was originally thought. Data analysis of the 23,351 transcripts detected in GC-1 and 20,992 in GC-2 cell lines demonstrates an 80% transcript overlap between GC-1 and GC-2 cells and ~ 40% similarity of both with the primary spermatocyte transcriptome. 3152 and 793 transcripts exclusive to GC-1 and GC-2, respectively, were identified. The presence of transcripts for 36 genes was validated in these cell lines including those showing testis-specific expression, as well as genes not reported previously. Overall, this study provides the transcriptome database of GC-1 and GC-2 cells. Analysis of the data demonstrates the transcriptomic transitions between GC-1 and GC-2 thus providing a glimpse to the process of germ cell differentiation from type B spermatogonium into preleptotene spermatocyte.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pratibha Verma
- Department of Gamete Immunobiology, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, 400012, India
| | - Priyanka Parte
- Department of Gamete Immunobiology, ICMR - National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health, Mumbai, 400012, India.
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206
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Xi HM, Ren YJ, Ren F, Li Y, Feng TY, Wang Z, Du YQ, Zhang LK, Hu JH. Recent advances in isolation, identification, and culture of mammalian spermatogonial stem cells. Asian J Androl 2021; 24:5-14. [PMID: 34135169 PMCID: PMC8788607 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_41_21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Continuous spermatogenesis depends on the self-renewal and differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs, the only male reproductive stem cells that transmit genetic material to subsequent generations, possess an inherent self-renewal ability, which allows the maintenance of a steady stem cell pool. SSCs eventually differentiate to produce sperm. However, in an in vitro culture system, SSCs can be induced to differentiate into various types of germ cells. Rodent SSCs are well defined, and a culture system has been successfully established for them. In contrast, available information on the biomolecular markers and a culture system for livestock SSCs is limited. This review summarizes the existing knowledge and research progress regarding mammalian SSCs to determine the mammalian spermatogenic process, the biology and niche of SSCs, the isolation and culture systems of SSCs, and the biomolecular markers and identification of SSCs. This information can be used for the effective utilization of SSCs in reproductive technologies for large livestock animals, enhancement of human male fertility, reproductive medicine, and protection of endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua-Ming Xi
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yi-Jie Ren
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Fa Ren
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yu Li
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Tian-Yu Feng
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Zhi Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Ye-Qing Du
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Li-Kun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Jian-Hong Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Shaanxi Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling 712100, China
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207
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Nguyen-Powanda P, Robaire B. Aging and oxidative stress alter DNA repair mechanisms in male germ cells of superoxide dismutase-1 null mice. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:944-957. [PMID: 34098580 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The efficiency of antioxidant defense system decreases with aging, thus resulting in high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA damage in spermatozoa. This damage can lead to genetic disorders in the offspring. There are limited studies investigating the effects of the total loss of antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase-1 (SOD1), in male germ cells as they progress through spermatogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the effects of aging and removing SOD1 (in male germ cells of SOD1-null (Sod1-/-) mice) in order to determine the potential mechanism(s) of DNA damage in these cells. Immunohistochemical analysis showed an increase in lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in the germ cells of aged wild-type (WT) and Sod1-/- mice of all age. Immunostaining of OGG1, a marker of base excision repair (BER), increased in aged WT and young Sod1-/- mice. In contrast, immunostaining intensity of LIGIV and RAD51, markers of non-homologous end-joining (NHEJ) and homologous recombination (HR), respectively, decreased in aged and Sod1-/- mice. Gene expression analysis showed similar results with altered mRNA expression of these key DNA repair transcripts in pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids of aged and Sod1-/- mice. Our study indicates that DNA repair pathway markers of BER, NHEJ, and HR are differentially regulated as a function of aging and oxidative stress in spermatocytes and spermatids, and aging enhances the repair response to increased oxidative DNA damage, whereas impairments in other DNA repair mechanisms may contribute to the increase in DNA damage caused by aging and the loss of SOD1.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bernard Robaire
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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208
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Lao-Pérez M, Massoud D, Real FM, Hurtado A, Ortega E, Burgos M, Jiménez R, Barrionuevo FJ. Mediterranean Pine Vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus: A Paradigm of an Opportunistic Breeder. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1639. [PMID: 34205873 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In temperate zones of the Earth, some mammalian species reproduce seasonally whereas others do it continuously. Other species are summer breeders in the north and winter breeders in the south. Thus, the reproductive pattern seems not to be a species-specific but a population-specific trait. We investigated the reproduction pattern of the Mediterranean pine vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus, in the area around the city of Granada in Southern Spain, and found that individuals living in wastelands reproduce seasonally whereas those living in close poplar plantations (just 8 km apart) reproduce throughout the year, as did voles captured in wastelands and kept in captivity. These animals represent thus a paradigm of an opportunistic breeder as particular individuals stop breeding or not, depending on the environmental conditions they face at any moment. Sexually inactive male voles undergo complete testis inactivation and their sperm production is halted. The immune system in active testes is depressed, a phenomenon known as “immune privilege” that protect germ cells from autoimmune attack. We studied gene activity in active and inactive testes and our results indicate that such an immune privilege is lost in inactive testes, suggesting an important role for this process during testis regression. Abstract Most mammalian species of the temperate zones of the Earth reproduce seasonally, existing a non-breeding period in which the gonads of both sexes undergo functional regression. It is widely accepted that photoperiod is the principal environmental cue controlling these seasonal changes, although several exceptions have been described in other mammalian species in which breeding depends on cues such as food or water availability. We studied the circannual reproductive cycle in males of the Mediterranean pine vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus, in the Southeastern Iberian Peninsula. Morphological, hormonal, functional, molecular and transcriptomic analyses were performed. As reported for populations of other species from the same geographic area, male voles captured in wastelands underwent seasonal testis regression in summer whereas, surprisingly, those living either in close poplar plantations or in our animal house reproduced throughout the year, showing that it is the microenvironment of a particular vole subpopulation what determines its reproductive status and that these animals are pure opportunistic, photoperiod-independent breeders. In addition, we show that several molecular pathways, including MAPK, are deregulated and that the testicular “immune privilege” is lost in the inactive testes, providing novel mechanisms linking seasonal testosterone reduction and testis regression.
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209
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Horisawa-Takada Y, Kodera C, Takemoto K, Sakashita A, Horisawa K, Maeda R, Shimada R, Usuki S, Fujimura S, Tani N, Matsuura K, Akiyama T, Suzuki A, Niwa H, Tachibana M, Ohba T, Katabuchi H, Namekawa SH, Araki K, Ishiguro KI. Meiosis-specific ZFP541 repressor complex promotes developmental progression of meiotic prophase towards completion during mouse spermatogenesis. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3184. [PMID: 34075040 PMCID: PMC8169937 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23378-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, meiosis is accompanied by a robust alteration in gene expression and chromatin status. However, it remains elusive how the meiotic transcriptional program is established to ensure completion of meiotic prophase. Here, we identify a protein complex that consists of germ-cell-specific zinc-finger protein ZFP541 and its interactor KCTD19 as the key transcriptional regulators in mouse meiotic prophase progression. Our genetic study shows that ZFP541 and KCTD19 are co-expressed from pachytene onward and play an essential role in the completion of the meiotic prophase program in the testis. Furthermore, our ChIP-seq and transcriptome analyses identify that ZFP541 binds to and suppresses a broad range of genes whose function is associated with biological processes of transcriptional regulation and covalent chromatin modification. The present study demonstrates that a germ-cell specific complex that contains ZFP541 and KCTD19 promotes the progression of meiotic prophase towards completion in male mice, and triggers the reconstruction of the transcriptional network and chromatin organization leading to post-meiotic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Horisawa-Takada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Chisato Kodera
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kazumasa Takemoto
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kenichi Horisawa
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryo Maeda
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ryuki Shimada
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Shingo Usuki
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Sayoko Fujimura
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Naoki Tani
- Liaison Laboratory Research Promotion Center, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kumi Matsuura
- Department of Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Akiyama
- Department of Systems Medicine, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Atsushi Suzuki
- Division of Organogenesis and Regeneration, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Niwa
- Department of Pluripotent Stem Cell Biology, IMEG, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Makoto Tachibana
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takashi Ohba
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Katabuchi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Life Sciences, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Kimi Araki
- Institute of Resource Development and Analysis, and Center for Metabolic Regulation of Healthy Aging, Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Ishiguro
- Department of Chromosome Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics (IMEG), Kumamoto University, Kumamoto, Japan.
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210
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Shiraishi K. Genome medicine in male infertility: From karyotyping to single-cell analysis. J Obstet Gynaecol Res 2021; 47:2586-2596. [PMID: 33998107 DOI: 10.1111/jog.14828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility is a multifactorial pathological condition that affects half of infertile couples. The majority of cases are categorized as idiopathic, especially in cases of nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA). An increasing number of genetic abnormalities have been shown to cause spermatogenic impairment with the development of microarray technologies and next-generation sequencing (NGS), moving beyond classical karyotype and polymerase chain reaction analyses of targeted genes. However, the majority of gene mutations, such as Klinefelter syndrome, azoospermia factor microdeletion, or congenital bilateral absence of the vas deferens, fail to function in a one gene-one phenotype manner. Single-cell transcriptome analysis performed using human testicular samples has begun to be published, which has brought about a more comprehensive understanding of testicular pathology. NGS also enables omics approaches, which provide more powerful tools to interrogate the genome, epigenome, transcriptome, and proteome. Simultaneously, the involvement of environmental factors and comorbidities, which may potentially regulate epigenetic factors, has been shown, resulting in a more complex understanding of the pathophysiology of spermatic disorders, especially NOA. The combination of phenotypic data and large amounts of bioinformatical data obtained by NGS may provide a more comprehensive understanding of the pathophysiology of male infertility, which will contribute not only to a diagnosis but also to the proper selection of infertility treatment and the development of new treatment modalities for male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Koji Shiraishi
- Department of Urology, Yamaguchi University School of Medicine, Ube, Japan
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211
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Torres-Fernández LA, Emich J, Port Y, Mitschka S, Wöste M, Schneider S, Fietz D, Oud MS, Di Persio S, Neuhaus N, Kliesch S, Hölzel M, Schorle H, Friedrich C, Tüttelmann F, Kolanus W. TRIM71 Deficiency Causes Germ Cell Loss During Mouse Embryogenesis and Is Associated With Human Male Infertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:658966. [PMID: 34055789 PMCID: PMC8155544 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.658966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations affecting the germline can result in infertility or the generation of germ cell tumors (GCT), highlighting the need to identify and characterize the genes controlling germ cell development. The RNA-binding protein and E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM71 is essential for embryogenesis, and its expression has been reported in GCT and adult mouse testes. To investigate the role of TRIM71 in mammalian germ cell embryonic development, we generated a germline-specific conditional Trim71 knockout mouse (cKO) using the early primordial germ cell (PGC) marker Nanos3 as a Cre-recombinase driver. cKO mice are infertile, with male mice displaying a Sertoli cell-only (SCO) phenotype which in humans is defined as a specific subtype of non-obstructive azoospermia characterized by the absence of germ cells in the seminiferous tubules. Infertility in male Trim71 cKO mice originates during embryogenesis, as the SCO phenotype was already apparent in neonatal mice. The in vitro differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (ESCs) into PGC-like cells (PGCLCs) revealed reduced numbers of PGCLCs in Trim71-deficient cells. Furthermore, TCam-2 cells, a human GCT-derived seminoma cell line which was used as an in vitro model for PGCs, showed proliferation defects upon TRIM71 knockdown. Additionally, in vitro growth competition assays, as well as proliferation assays with wild type and CRISPR/Cas9-generated TRIM71 mutant NCCIT cells showed that TRIM71 also promotes proliferation in this malignant GCT-derived non-seminoma cell line. Importantly, the PGC-specific markers BLIMP1 and NANOS3 were consistently downregulated in Trim71 KO PGCLCs, TRIM71 knockdown TCam-2 cells and TRIM71 mutant NCCIT cells. These data collectively support a role for TRIM71 in PGC development. Last, via exome sequencing analysis, we identified several TRIM71 variants in a cohort of infertile men, including a loss-of-function variant in a patient with an SCO phenotype. Altogether, our work reveals for the first time an association of TRIM71 deficiency with human male infertility, and uncovers further developmental roles for TRIM71 in the germline during mouse embryogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jana Emich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Yasmine Port
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Sibylle Mitschka
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Marius Wöste
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Simon Schneider
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Institute for Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine (HZRM), Justus Liebig University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Manon S. Oud
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sara Di Persio
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nina Neuhaus
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Michael Hölzel
- Institute of Experimental Oncology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Hubert Schorle
- Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Corinna Friedrich
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Frank Tüttelmann
- Institute of Reproductive Genetics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Waldemar Kolanus
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
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212
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Kim CR, Noda T, Kim H, Kim G, Park S, Na Y, Oura S, Shimada K, Bang I, Ahn JY, Kim YR, Oh SK, Choi HJ, Kim JS, Jung I, Lee H, Okada Y, Ikawa M, Baek SH. PHF7 Modulates BRDT Stability and Histone-to-Protamine Exchange during Spermiogenesis. Cell Rep 2020; 32:107950. [PMID: 32726616 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.107950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex process of sperm generation, including mitosis, meiosis, and spermiogenesis. During spermiogenesis, histones in post-meiotic spermatids are removed from chromatin and replaced by protamines. Although histone-to-protamine exchange is important for sperm nuclear condensation, the underlying regulatory mechanism is still poorly understood. Here, we identify PHD finger protein 7 (PHF7) as an E3 ubiquitin ligase for histone H3K14 in post-meiotic spermatids. Generation of Phf7-deficient mice and Phf7 C160A knockin mice with impaired E3 ubiquitin ligase activity reveals defects in histone-to-protamine exchange caused by dysregulation of histone removal factor Bromodomain, testis-specific (BRDT) in early condensing spermatids. Surprisingly, E3 ubiquitin ligase activity of PHF7 on histone ubiquitination leads to stabilization of BRDT by attenuating ubiquitination of BRDT. Collectively, our findings identify PHF7 as a critical factor for sperm chromatin condensation and contribute to mechanistic understanding of fundamental phenomenon of histone-to-protamine exchange and potential for drug development for the male reproduction system.
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213
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Sinha N, Whelan EC, Tobias JW, Avarbock M, Stefanovski D, Brinster RL. Roles of Stra8 and Tcerg1l in retinoic acid induced spermatogonial differentiation in mouse†. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:503-518. [PMID: 33959758 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2020] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinoic acid (RA) induces spermatogonial differentiation, but the mechanism by which it operates remains largely unknown. We developed a germ cell culture assay system to study genes involved in spermatogonial differentiation triggered by RA. Stimulated by RA 8 (Stra8), a RA-inducible gene, is indispensable for meiosis initiation, and its deletion results in a complete block of spermatogenesis at the pre-leptotene/zygotene stage. To interrogate the role of Stra8 in RA mediated differentiation of spermatogonia, we derived germ cell cultures from the neonatal testis of both wild type and Stra8 knock-out mice. We provide the first evidence that Stra8 plays a crucial role in modulating the responsiveness of undifferentiated spermatogonia to RA and facilitates transition to a differentiated state. Stra8-mediated differentiation is achieved through the downregulation of a large portfolio of genes and pathways, most notably including genes involved in the spermatogonial stem cell self-renewal process. We also report here for the first time the role of transcription elongation regulator-1 like (Tcerg1l) as a downstream effector of RA-induced spermatogonial differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilam Sinha
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Eoin C Whelan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - John W Tobias
- Department of Genetics and Penn Genomics Analysis Core, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Mary Avarbock
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Darko Stefanovski
- Department of Clinical Studies-New Bolton Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Ralph L Brinster
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
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214
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Cafe SL, Skerrett-Byrne DA, De Oliveira CS, Nixon B, Oatley MJ, Oatley JM, Lord T. A regulatory role for CHD4 in maintenance of the spermatogonial stem cell pool. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:1555-67. [PMID: 33961790 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintenance and self-renewal of the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) population is the cornerstone of male fertility. Here, we have identified a key role for the nucleosome remodeling protein CHD4 in regulating SSC function. Gene expression analyses revealed that CHD4 expression is highly enriched in the SSC population in the mouse testis. Using spermatogonial transplantation techniques it was established that loss of Chd4 expression significantly impairs SSC regenerative capacity, causing a ∼50% reduction in colonization of recipient testes. An scRNA-seq comparison revealed reduced expression of “self-renewal” genes following Chd4 knockdown, along with increased expression of signature progenitor genes. Co-immunoprecipitation analyses demonstrated that CHD4 regulates gene expression in spermatogonia not only through its traditional association with the remodeling complex NuRD, but also via interaction with the GDNF-responsive transcription factor SALL4. Cumulatively, the results of this study depict a previously unappreciated role for CHD4 in controlling fate decisions in the spermatogonial pool. CHD4 is highly expressed in spermatogonial stem cells in the mouse testis CHD4 expression is required for spermatogonial stem cell maintenance CHD4 interacts with SALL4 and NuRD to activate expression of “self-renewal” genes
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215
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Suzuki S, McCarrey JR, Hermann BP. Differential RA responsiveness among subsets of mouse late progenitor spermatogonia. Reproduction 2021; 161:645-655. [PMID: 33835049 PMCID: PMC8105290 DOI: 10.1530/rep-21-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/07/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
Initiation of spermatogonial differentiation in the mouse testis begins with the response to retinoic acid (RA) characterized by activation of KIT and STRA8 expression. In the adult, spermatogonial differentiation is spatiotemporally coordinated by a pulse of RA every 8.6 days that is localized to stages VII-VIII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. Dogmatically, progenitor spermatogonia that express retinoic acid receptor gamma (RARG) at these stages will differentiate in response to RA, but this has yet to be tested functionally. Previous single-cell RNA-seq data identified phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and progenitor spermatogonia, where late progenitor spermatogonia were defined by expression of RARG and Dppa3. Here, we found late progenitor spermatogonia (RARGhigh KIT-) were further divisible into two subpopulations based on Dppa3 reporter expression (Dppa3-ECFP or Dppa3-EGFP) and were observed across all stages of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. However, nearly all Dppa3+ spermatogonia were differentiating (KIT+) late in the seminiferous epithelial cycle (stages X-XII), while Dppa3- late progenitors remained abundant, suggesting that Dppa3+ and Dppa3- late progenitors differentially responded to RA. Following acute RA treatment (2-4 h), significantly more Dppa3+ late progenitors induced KIT, including at the midpoint of the cycle (stages VI-IX), than Dppa3- late progenitors. Subsequently, single-cell analyses indicated a subset of Dppa3+ late progenitors expressed higher levels of Rxra, which we confirmed by RXRA whole-mount immunostaining. Together, these results indicate RARG alone is insufficient to initiate a spermatogonial response to RA in the adult mouse testis and suggest differential RXRA expression may discriminate responding cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnosuke Suzuki
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249 USA
| | - John R. McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249 USA
| | - Brian P. Hermann
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas 78249 USA
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216
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Mao GP, Niu MH, Cui YH, Tang RL, Chen W, Liu B, He Z. Characterization, isolation, and culture of spermatogonial stem cells in Macaca fascicularis. Asian J Androl 2021; 23:240-248. [PMID: 33533740 PMCID: PMC8152426 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_95_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have great applications in both reproductive and regenerative medicine. Primates including monkeys are very similar to humans with regard to physiology and pathology. Nevertheless, little is known about the isolation, the characteristics, and the culture of primate SSCs. This study was designed to identify, isolate, and culture monkey SSCs. Immunocytochemistry was used to identify markers for monkey SSCs. Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1)-enriched spermatogonia were isolated from monkeys, namely Macaca fascicularis (M. fascicularis), by two-step enzymatic digestion and magnetic-activated cell sorting, and they were cultured on precoated plates in the conditioned medium. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), immunocytochemistry, and RNA sequencing were used to compare phenotype and transcriptomes in GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia between 0 day and 14 days of culture, and xenotransplantation was performed to evaluate the function of GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia. SSCs shared some phenotypes with rodent and human SSCs. GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia with high purity and viability were isolated from M. fascicularis testes. The freshly isolated cells expressed numerous markers for rodent SSCs, and they were cultured for 14 days. The expression of numerous SSC markers was maintained during the cultivation of GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia. RNA sequencing reflected a 97.3% similarity in global gene profiles between 0 day and 14 days of culture. The xenotransplantation assay indicated that the GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia formed colonies and proliferated in vivo in the recipient c-KitW/W (W) mutant mice. Collectively, GFRA1-enriched spermatogonia are monkey SSCs phenotypically both in vitro and in vivo. This study suggests that monkey might provide an alternative to human SSCs for basic research and application in human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Ping Mao
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
- The International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200030, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Ming-Hui Niu
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Ying-Hong Cui
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Rui-Ling Tang
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Wei Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Bang Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, China
| | - Zuping He
- The Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Changsha 410013, China
- Renji-Med X Clinical Stem Cell Research Center, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200127, China
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217
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de Lima AO, Afonso J, Edson J, Marcellin E, Palfreyman R, Porto-Neto LR, Reverter A, Fortes MRS. Network Analyses Predict Small RNAs That Might Modulate Gene Expression in the Testis and Epididymis of Bos indicus Bulls. Front Genet 2021; 12:610116. [PMID: 33995471 PMCID: PMC8120238 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.610116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis relies on complex molecular mechanisms, essential for the genesis and differentiation of the male gamete. Germ cell differentiation starts at the testicular parenchyma and finishes in the epididymis, which has three main regions: head, body, and tail. RNA-sequencing data of the testicular parenchyma (TP), head epididymis (HE), and tail epididymis (TE) from four bulls (three biopsies per bull: 12 samples) were subjected to differential expression analyses, functional enrichment analyses, and co-expression analyses. The aim was to investigate the co-expression and infer possible regulatory roles for transcripts involved in the spermatogenesis of Bos indicus bulls. Across the three pairwise comparisons, 3,826 differentially expressed (DE) transcripts were identified, of which 384 are small RNAs. Functional enrichment analysis pointed to gene ontology (GO) terms related to ion channel activity, detoxification of copper, neuroactive receptors, and spermatogenesis. Using the regulatory impact factor (RIF) algorithm, we detected 70 DE small RNAs likely to regulate the DE transcripts considering all pairwise comparisons among tissues. The pattern of small RNA co-expression suggested that these elements are involved in spermatogenesis regulation. The 3,826 DE transcripts (mRNAs and small RNAs) were further subjected to co-expression analyses using the partial correlation and information theory (PCIT) algorithm for network prediction. Significant correlations underpinned the co-expression network, which had 2,216 transcripts connected by 158,807 predicted interactions. The larger network cluster was enriched for male gamete generation and had 15 miRNAs with significant RIF. The miRNA bta-mir-2886 showed the highest number of connections (601) and was predicted to down-regulate ELOVL3, FEZF2, and HOXA13 (negative co-expression correlations and confirmed with TargetScan). In short, we suggest that bta-mir-2886 and other small RNAs might modulate gene expression in the testis and epididymis, in Bos indicus cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andressa O de Lima
- Department of Production and Animal Health, School of Veterinary Medicine, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araçatuba, Brazil
| | - Juliana Afonso
- Department of Animal Science, University of São Paulo/ESALQ, Piracicaba, Brazil
| | - Janette Edson
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Esteban Marcellin
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Robin Palfreyman
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology (AIBN), The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Laercio R Porto-Neto
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Antonio Reverter
- CSIRO Agriculture and Food, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St. Lucia, QLD, Australia
| | - Marina R S Fortes
- School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD, Australia
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218
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Young JC, Kerr G, Micati D, Nielsen JE, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Abud HE, Loveland KL. WNT signalling in the normal human adult testis and in male germ cell neoplasms. Hum Reprod 2021; 35:1991-2003. [PMID: 32667987 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deaa150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Is WNT signalling functional in normal and/or neoplastic human male germ cells? SUMMARY ANSWER Regulated WNT signalling component synthesis in human testes indicates that WNT pathway function changes during normal spermatogenesis and is active in testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs), and that WNT pathway blockade may restrict seminoma growth and migration. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Regulated WNT signalling governs many developmental processes, including those affecting male fertility during early germ cell development at embryonic and adult (spermatogonial) ages in mice. In addition, although many cancers arise from WNT signalling alterations, the functional relevance and WNT pathway components in TGCT, including germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), are unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION The cellular distribution of transcripts and proteins in WNT signalling pathways was assessed in fixed human testis sections with normal spermatogenesis, GCNIS and seminoma (2-16 individuals per condition). Short-term (1-7 h) ligand activation and long-term (1-5 days) functional outcomes were examined using the well-characterised seminoma cell line, TCam-2. Pathway inhibition used siRNA or chemical exposures over 5 days to assess survival and migration. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The cellular localisation of WNT signalling components was determined using in situ hybridisation and immunohistochemistry on Bouin's- and formalin-fixed human testis sections with complete spermatogenesis or germ cell neoplasia, and was also assessed in TCam-2 cells. Pathway function tests included exposure of TCam-2 cells to ligands, small molecules and siRNAs. Outcomes were measured by monitoring beta-catenin (CTNNB1) intracellular localisation, cell counting and gap closure measurements. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Detection of nuclear-localised beta-catenin (CTNNB1), and key WNT signalling components (including WNT3A, AXIN2, TCF7L1 and TCF7L2) indicate dynamic and cell-specific pathway activity in the adult human testis. Their presence in germ cell neoplasia and functional analyses in TCam-2 cells indicate roles for active canonical WNT signalling in TGCT relating to viability and migration. All data were analysed to determine statistical significance. LARGE SCALE DATA No large-scale datasets were generated in this study. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION As TGCTs are rare and morphologically heterogeneous, functional studies in primary cancer cells were not performed. Functional analysis was performed with the only well-characterised, widely accepted seminoma-derived cell line. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study demonstrated the potential sites and involvement of the WNT pathway in human spermatogenesis, revealing similarities with murine testis that suggest the potential for functional conservation during normal spermatogenesis. Evidence that inhibition of canonical WNT signalling leads to loss of viability and migratory activity in seminoma cells suggests that potential treatments using small molecule or siRNA inhibitors may be suitable for patients with metastatic TGCTs. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTEREST(S) This study was funded by National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (Project ID 1011340 to K.L.L. and H.E.A., and Fellowship ID 1079646 to K.L.L.) and supported by the Victorian Government's Operational Infrastructure Support Program. None of the authors have any competing interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia C Young
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 3800 Australia
| | - Genevieve Kerr
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 3800 Australia
| | - Diana Micati
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 3800 Australia.,Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - John E Nielsen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Helen E Abud
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 3800 Australia.,Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 3800 Australia
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, 3800 Australia.,Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Science, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 3168, Australia
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219
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Hwang JY, Nawaz S, Choi J, Wang H, Hussain S, Nawaz M, Lopez-Giraldez F, Jeong K, Dong W, Oh JN, Bilguvar K, Mane S, Lee CK, Bystroff C, Lifton RP, Ahmad W, Chung JJ. Genetic Defects in DNAH2 Underlie Male Infertility With Multiple Morphological Abnormalities of the Sperm Flagella in Humans and Mice. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:662903. [PMID: 33968937 PMCID: PMC8103034 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.662903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia accounts for over 80% of primary male infertility cases. Reduced sperm motility in asthenozoospermic patients are often accompanied by teratozoospermia, or defective sperm morphology, with varying severity. Multiple morphological abnormalities of the flagella (MMAF) is one of the most severe forms of asthenoteratozoospermia, characterized by heterogeneous flagellar abnormalities. Among various genetic factors known to cause MMAF, multiple variants in the DNAH2 gene are reported to underlie MMAF in humans. However, the pathogenicity by DNAH2 mutations remains largely unknown. In this study, we identified a novel recessive variant (NM_020877:c.12720G > T;p.W4240C) in DNAH2 by whole-exome sequencing, which fully co-segregated with the infertile male members in a consanguineous Pakistani family diagnosed with asthenozoospermia. 80-90% of the sperm from the patients are morphologically abnormal, and in silico analysis models reveal that the non-synonymous variant substitutes a residue in dynein heavy chain domain and destabilizes DNAH2. To better understand the pathogenicity of various DNAH2 variants underlying MMAF in general, we functionally characterized Dnah2-mutant mice generated by CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. Dnah2-null males, but not females, are infertile. Dnah2-null sperm cells display absent, short, bent, coiled, and/or irregular flagella consistent with the MMAF phenotype. We found misexpression of centriolar proteins and delocalization of annulus proteins in Dnah2-null spermatids and sperm, suggesting dysregulated flagella development in spermiogenesis. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analyses revealed that flagella ultrastructure is severely disorganized in Dnah2-null sperm. Absence of DNAH2 compromises the expression of other axonemal components such as DNAH1 and RSPH3. Our results demonstrate that DNAH2 is essential for multiple steps in sperm flagella formation and provide insights into molecular and cellular mechanisms of MMAF pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jae Yeon Hwang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Shoaib Nawaz
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Jungmin Choi
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Huafeng Wang
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Shabir Hussain
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mehboob Nawaz
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | - Kyungjo Jeong
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Weilai Dong
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Jong-Nam Oh
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Kaya Bilguvar
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Shrikant Mane
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
| | - Chang-Kyu Lee
- Department of Agricultural Biotechnology, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
- Designed Animal and Transplantation Research Institute, Institutes of Green Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang-gun, South Korea
| | - Christopher Bystroff
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY, United States
| | - Richard P. Lifton
- Laboratory of Human Genetics and Genomics, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY, United States
| | - Wasim Ahmad
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Jean-Ju Chung
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, CT, United States
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Kobayashi Y, Tomizawa SI, Ono M, Kuroha K, Minamizawa K, Natsume K, Dizdarević S, Dočkal I, Tanaka H, Kawagoe T, Seki M, Suzuki Y, Ogonuki N, Inoue K, Matoba S, Anastassiadis K, Mizuki N, Ogura A, Ohbo K. Tsga8 is required for spermatid morphogenesis and male fertility in mice. Development 2021; 148:dev.196212. [PMID: 33766931 DOI: 10.1242/dev.196212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, intricate gene expression is coordinately regulated by epigenetic modifiers, which are required for differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) contained among undifferentiated spermatogonia. We have previously found that KMT2B conveys H3K4me3 at bivalent and monovalent promoters in undifferentiated spermatogonia. Because these genes are expressed late in spermatogenesis or during embryogenesis, we expect that many of them are potentially programmed by KMT2B for future expression. Here, we show that one of the genes targeted by KMT2B, Tsga8, plays an essential role in spermatid morphogenesis. Loss of Tsga8 in mice leads to male infertility associated with abnormal chromosomal distribution in round spermatids, malformation of elongating spermatid heads and spermiation failure. Tsga8 depletion leads to dysregulation of thousands of genes, including the X-chromosome genes that are reactivated in spermatids, and insufficient nuclear condensation accompanied by reductions of TNP1 and PRM1, key factors for histone-to-protamine transition. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) of spermatids rescued the infertility phenotype, suggesting competency of the spermatid genome for fertilization. Thus, Tsga8 is a KMT2B target that is vitally necessary for spermiogenesis and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Kobayashi
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Tomizawa
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Michio Ono
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kazushige Kuroha
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Keisuke Minamizawa
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Koji Natsume
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Selma Dizdarević
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Ivana Dočkal
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiromitsu Tanaka
- Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagasaki International University, Huis Ten Bosch, Sasebo, Nagasaki 859-3298, Japan
| | - Tatsukata Kawagoe
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Masahide Seki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8562, Japan
| | - Yutaka Suzuki
- Department of Computational Biology and Medical Sciences, Graduate School of Frontier Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Kashiwa 277-8562, Japan
| | - Narumi Ogonuki
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Research Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Kimiko Inoue
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Research Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Shogo Matoba
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Research Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | | | - Nobuhisa Mizuki
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- Bioresource Engineering Division, Bioresource Research Center, RIKEN, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Kazuyuki Ohbo
- Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
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221
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Guo J, Sosa E, Chitiashvili T, Nie X, Rojas EJ, Oliver E, Plath K, Hotaling JM, Stukenborg JB, Clark AT, Cairns BR. Single-cell analysis of the developing human testis reveals somatic niche cell specification and fetal germline stem cell establishment. Cell Stem Cell 2021; 28:764-778.e4. [PMID: 33453151 PMCID: PMC8026516 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2020.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2020] [Revised: 10/07/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Human testis development in prenatal life involves complex changes in germline and somatic cell identity. To better understand, we profiled and analyzed ∼32,500 single-cell transcriptomes of testicular cells from embryonic, fetal, and infant stages. Our data show that at 6-7 weeks postfertilization, as the testicular cords are established, the Sertoli and interstitial cells originate from a common heterogeneous progenitor pool, which then resolves into fetal Sertoli cells (expressing tube-forming genes) or interstitial cells (including Leydig-lineage cells expressing steroidogenesis genes). Almost 10 weeks later, beginning at 14-16 weeks postfertilization, the male primordial germ cells exit mitosis, downregulate pluripotent transcription factors, and transition into cells that strongly resemble the state 0 spermatogonia originally defined in the infant and adult testes. Therefore, we called these fetal spermatogonia "state f0." Overall, we reveal multiple insights into the coordinated and temporal development of the embryonic, fetal, and postnatal male germline together with the somatic niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingtao Guo
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
| | - Enrique Sosa
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Tsotne Chitiashvili
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xichen Nie
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Ernesto Javier Rojas
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Elizabeth Oliver
- NORDFERTIL Research Laboratory Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Bioclinicum J9:30, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Solna 17164, Sweden
| | - Kathrin Plath
- Department of Biological Chemistry, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - James M Hotaling
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Jan-Bernd Stukenborg
- NORDFERTIL Research Laboratory Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Bioclinicum J9:30, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Solna 17164, Sweden
| | - Amander T Clark
- Department of Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Bradley R Cairns
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA.
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222
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Zhang X, Gunewardena S, Wang N. Nutrient restriction synergizes with retinoic acid to induce mammalian meiotic initiation in vitro. Nat Commun 2021; 12:1758. [PMID: 33741948 PMCID: PMC7979727 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-22021-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The molecular machinery and chromosome structures carrying out meiosis are frequently conserved from yeast to mammals. However, signals initiating meiosis appear divergent: while nutrient restriction induces meiosis in the yeast system, retinoic acid (RA) and its target Stra8 have been shown to be necessary but not sufficient to induce meiotic initiation in mammalian germ cells. Here, we use primary culture of mouse undifferentiated spermatogonia without the support of gonadal somatic cells to show that nutrient restriction in combination with RA is sufficient to induce Stra8- and Spo11-dependent meiotic gene and chromosome programs that recapitulate the transcriptomic and cytologic features of in vivo meiosis. We demonstrate that neither nutrient restriction nor RA alone exerts these effects. Moreover, we identify a distinctive network of 11 nutrient restriction-upregulated transcription factor genes, which are associated with early meiosis in vivo and whose expression does not require RA. Our study proposes a conserved model, in which nutrient restriction induces meiotic initiation by upregulating key transcription factor genes for the meiotic gene program and provides an in vitro platform for meiotic induction that could facilitate research and haploid gamete production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyu Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Sumedha Gunewardena
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA.
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223
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Du L, Chen W, Cheng Z, Wu S, He J, Han L, He Z, Qin W. Novel Gene Regulation in Normal and Abnormal Spermatogenesis. Cells 2021; 10:666. [PMID: 33802813 DOI: 10.3390/cells10030666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 03/01/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex and dynamic process which is precisely controlledby genetic and epigenetic factors. With the development of new technologies (e.g., single-cell RNA sequencing), increasingly more regulatory genes related to spermatogenesis have been identified. In this review, we address the roles and mechanisms of novel genes in regulating the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis. Specifically, we discussed the functions and signaling pathways of key new genes in mediating the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of rodent and human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), as well as in controlling the meiosis of spermatocytes and other germ cells. Additionally, we summarized the gene regulation in the abnormal testicular microenvironment or the niche by Sertoli cells, peritubular myoid cells, and Leydig cells. Finally, we pointed out the future directions for investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis. This review could offer novel insights into genetic regulation in the normal and abnormal spermatogenesis, and it provides new molecular targets for gene therapy of male infertility.
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224
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Wang JJ, Tian Y, Li MH, Feng YQ, Kong L, Zhang FL, Shen W. Single-cell transcriptome dissection of the toxic impact of Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate on primordial follicle assembly. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:4992-5009. [PMID: 33754040 PMCID: PMC7978297 DOI: 10.7150/thno.55006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Accumulated evidence indicates that environmental plasticizers are a threat to human and animal fertility. Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), a plasticizer to which humans are exposed daily, can trigger reproductive toxicity by acting as an endocrine-disrupting chemical. In mammals, the female primordial follicle pool forms the lifetime available ovarian reserve, which does not undergo regeneration once it is established during the fetal and neonatal period. It is therefore critical to examine the toxicity of DEHP regarding the establishment of the ovarian reserve as it has not been well investigated. Methods: The ovarian cells of postnatal pups, following maternal DEHP exposure, were prepared for single cell-RNA sequencing, and the effects of DEHP on primordial follicle formation were revealed using gene differential expression analysis and single-cell developmental trajectory. In addition, further biochemical experiments, including immunohistochemical staining, apoptosis detection, and Western blotting, were performed to verify the dataset results. Results: Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we revealed the gene expression dynamics of female germ cells and granulosa cells following exposure to DEHP in mice. Regarding germ cells: DEHP impeded the progression of follicle assembly and interfered with their developmental status, while key genes such as Lhx8, Figla, and others, strongly evidenced the reduction. As for granulosa cells: DEHP likely inhibited their proliferative activity, and activated the regulation of cell death. Furthermore, the interaction between ovarian cells mediated by transforming growth factor-beta signaling, was disrupted by DEHP exposure, since the expression of GDF9, BMPR1A, and SMAD3 was affected. In addition, DNA damage and apoptosis were elevated in germ cells and/or somatic cells. Conclusion: These findings offer substantial novel insights into the reproductive toxicity of DEHP exposure during murine germ cell cyst breakdown and primordial follicle formation. These results may enhance the understanding of DEHP exposure on reproductive health.
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225
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Abstract
Molecular studies of meiosis in mammals have been long relegated due to some intrinsic obstacles, namely the impossibility to reproduce the process in vitro, and the difficulty to obtain highly pure isolated cells of the different meiotic stages. In the recent years, some technical advances, from the improvement of flow cytometry sorting protocols to single-cell RNAseq, are enabling to profile the transcriptome and its fluctuations along the meiotic process. In this mini-review we will outline the diverse methodological approaches that have been employed, and some of the main findings that have started to arise from these studies. As for practical reasons most studies have been carried out in males, and mostly using mouse as a model, our focus will be on murine male meiosis, although also including specific comments about humans. Particularly, we will center on the controversy about gene expression during early meiotic prophase; the widespread existing gap between transcription and translation in meiotic cells; the expression patterns and potential roles of meiotic long non-coding RNAs; and the visualization of meiotic sex chromosome inactivation from the RNAseq perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Geisinger
- Biochemistry-Molecular Biology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), Montevideo, Uruguay.,Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Rosana Rodríguez-Casuriaga
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ricardo Benavente
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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226
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Wang M, Xu Y, Zhang Y, Chen Y, Chang G, An G, Yang X, Zheng C, Zhao J, Liu Z, Wang D, Miao K, Rao S, Dai M, Wang D, Zhao XY. Deciphering the autophagy regulatory network via single-cell transcriptome analysis reveals a requirement for autophagy homeostasis in spermatogenesis. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5010-5027. [PMID: 33754041 PMCID: PMC7978313 DOI: 10.7150/thno.55645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Autophagy has been implicated as a crucial component in spermatogenesis, and autophagy dysfunction can lead to reproductive disorders in animal models, including yeast, C. elegans and mice. However, the sophisticated transcriptional networks of autophagic genes throughout human spermatogenesis and their biological significance remain largely uncharacterized. Methods: We profiled the transcriptional signatures of autophagy-related genes during human spermatogenesis by assessing specimens from nine fertile controls (including two normal persons and seven obstructive azoospermia (OA) patients) and one nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) patient using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis. Dysregulation of autophagy was confirmed in two additional NOA patients by immunofluorescence staining. Gene knockdown was used to identify the role of Cst3 in autophagy during spermatogenesis. Results: Our data uncovered a unique, global stage-specific enrichment of autophagy-related genes. Human-mouse comparison analysis revealed that the stage-specific expression pattern of autophagy-related genes was highly conserved in mammals. More importantly, dysregulation of some clusters of autophagy-related genes was observed in NOA patients, suggesting the association of autophagy with male infertility. Cst3, a human-mouse conserved and autophagy-related gene that is actively expressed in spermatogonia and early spermatocytes, was found to regulate spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) maintenance and subsequent male germ cell development. Knockdown of Cst3 increased autophagic activity in mouse SSCs and subsequently suppressed the transcription of SSC core factors such as Oct4, Id1, and Nanos3, which could be efficiently rescued by manipulating autophagic activity. Conclusions: Our study provides comprehensive insights into the global transcriptional signatures of autophagy-related genes and confirms the importance of autophagy homeostasis in SSC maintenance and normal spermatogenesis, opening new avenues for further dissecting the significance of the autophagy regulatory network in spermatogenesis as well as male infertility.
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227
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Naro C, Cesari E, Sette C. Splicing regulation in brain and testis: common themes for highly specialized organs. Cell Cycle 2021; 20:480-489. [PMID: 33632061 PMCID: PMC8018374 DOI: 10.1080/15384101.2021.1889187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2020] [Revised: 01/17/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Expansion of the coding and regulatory capabilities of eukaryotic transcriptomes by alternative splicing represents one of the evolutionary forces underlying the increased structural complexity of metazoans. Brain and testes stand out as the organs that mostly exploit the potential of alternative splicing, thereby expressing the largest repertoire of splice variants. Herein, we will review organ-specific as well as common mechanisms underlying the high transcriptome complexity of these organs and discuss the impact exerted by this widespread alternative splicing regulation on the functionality and differentiation of brain and testicular cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Naro
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
- Organoids Facility, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cesari
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
- Organoids Facility, IRCCS Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, Rome, Italy
| | - Claudio Sette
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
- Laboratory of Neuroembryology, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Rome, Italy
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228
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Khampang S, Parnpai R, Mahikul W, Easley CA, Cho IK, Chan AWS. CAG repeat instability in embryonic stem cells and derivative spermatogenic cells of transgenic Huntington's disease monkey. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:1215-1229. [PMID: 33611676 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02106-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The expansion of CAG (glutamine; Q) trinucleotide repeats (TNRs) predominantly occurs through male lineage in Huntington's disease (HD). As a result, offspring will have larger CAG repeats compared to their fathers, which causes an earlier onset of the disease called genetic anticipation. This study aims to develop a novel in vitro model to replicate CAG repeat instability in early spermatogenesis and demonstrate the biological process of genetic anticipation by using the HD stem cell model for the first time. METHODS HD rhesus monkey embryonic stem cells (rESCs) were cultured in vitro for an extended period. Male rESCs were used to derive spermatogenic cells in vitro with a 10-day differentiation. The assessment of CAG repeat instability was performed by GeneScan and curve fit analysis. RESULTS Spermatogenic cells derived from rESCs exhibit progressive expansion of CAG repeats with high daily expansion rates compared to the extended culture of rESCs. The expansion of CAG repeats is cell type-specific and size-dependent. CONCLUSIONS Here, we report a novel stem cell model that replicates genome instability and CAG repeat expansion in in vitro derived HD monkey spermatogenic cells. The in vitro spermatogenic cell model opens a new opportunity for studying TNR instability and the underlying mechanism of genetic anticipation, not only in HD but also in other TNR diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujittra Khampang
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Rangsun Parnpai
- Embryo Technology and Stem Cell Research Center, School of Biotechnology, Suranaree University of Technology, Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand
| | - Wiriya Mahikul
- Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Charles A Easley
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.,Department of Environmental Health Science, College of Public Health, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Regenerative Bioscience Center, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - In Ki Cho
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
| | - Anthony W S Chan
- Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Yerkes National Primate Research Center, Atlanta, GA, USA. .,Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA.
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229
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Voigt AL, Thiageswaran S, de Lima e Martins Lara N, Dobrinski I. Metabolic Requirements for Spermatogonial Stem Cell Establishment and Maintenance In Vivo and In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1998. [PMID: 33670439 PMCID: PMC7922219 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22041998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) is a unique adult stem cell that requires tight physiological regulation during development and adulthood. As the foundation of spermatogenesis, SSCs are a potential tool for the treatment of infertility. Understanding the factors that are necessary for lifelong maintenance of a SSC pool in vivo is essential for successful in vitro expansion and safe downstream clinical usage. This review focused on the current knowledge of prepubertal testicular development and germ cell metabolism in different species, and implications for translational medicine. The significance of metabolism for cell biology, stem cell integrity, and fate decisions is discussed in general and in the context of SSC in vivo maintenance, differentiation, and in vitro expansion.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Ina Dobrinski
- Department of Comparative Biology and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada; (A.L.V.); (S.T.); (N.d.L.e.M.L.)
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230
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Suzuki S, McCarrey JR, Hermann BP. An mTORC1-dependent switch orchestrates the transition between mouse spermatogonial stem cells and clones of progenitor spermatogonia. Cell Rep 2021; 34:108752. [PMID: 33596419 PMCID: PMC7980622 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.108752] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) sustain spermatogenesis by balancing self-renewal and initiation of differentiation to produce progenitor spermatogonia committed to forming sperm. To define the regulatory logic among SSCs and progenitors, we performed single-cell RNA velocity analyses and validated results in vivo. A predominant quiescent SSC population spawns a small subset of cell-cycle-activated SSCs via mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/AKT signaling. Activated SSCs form early progenitors and mTORC1 inhibition drives activated SSC accumulation consistent with blockade to progenitor formation. Mechanistically, mTORC1 inhibition suppresses transcription among spermatogonia and specifically alters expression of insulin growth factor (IGF) signaling in early progenitors. Tex14−/− testes lacking intercellular bridges do not accumulate activated SSCs following mTORC1 inhibition, indicating that steady-state mTORC1 signaling drives activated SSCs to produce progenitor clones. These results are consistent with a model of SSC self-renewal dependent on interconversion between activated and quiescent SSCs, and mTORC1-dependent initiation of differentiation from SSCs to progenitor clones. Suzuki et al. define relationships between subsets of adult mouse SSCs and progenitor spermatogonia using single-cell RNA velocity analyses and in vivo validations. Quiescent SCCs convert to cell-cycle-activated SCCs via MAPK/AKT signaling. Activated SCCs are driven to become early progenitor clones ready to initiate differentiation through mTORC1 signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnosuke Suzuki
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - John R McCarrey
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA
| | - Brian P Hermann
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA.
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231
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Rodríguez-Casuriaga R, Geisinger A. Contributions of Flow Cytometry to the Molecular Study of Spermatogenesis in Mammals. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:1151. [PMID: 33503798 PMCID: PMC7865295 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22031151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian testes are very heterogeneous organs, with a high number of different cell types. Testicular heterogeneity, together with the lack of reliable in vitro culture systems of spermatogenic cells, have been an obstacle for the characterization of the molecular bases of the unique events that take place along the different spermatogenic stages. In this context, flow cytometry has become an invaluable tool for the analysis of testicular heterogeneity, and for the purification of stage-specific spermatogenic cell populations, both for basic research and for clinical applications. In this review, we highlight the importance of flow cytometry for the advances on the knowledge of the molecular groundwork of spermatogenesis in mammals. Moreover, we provide examples of different approaches to the study of spermatogenesis that have benefited from flow cytometry, including the characterization of mutant phenotypes, transcriptomics, epigenetic and genome-wide chromatin studies, and the attempts to establish cell culture systems for research and/or clinical aims such as infertility treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana Rodríguez-Casuriaga
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Adriana Geisinger
- Department of Molecular Biology, Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas Clemente Estable (IIBCE), 11600 Montevideo, Uruguay
- Biochemistry-Molecular Biology, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República (UdelaR), 11400 Montevideo, Uruguay
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La H, Yoo H, Lee EJ, Thang NX, Choi HJ, Oh J, Park JH, Hong K. Insights from the Applications of Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis in Germ Cell Development and Reproductive Medicine. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:E823. [PMID: 33467661 PMCID: PMC7829788 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22020823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 01/11/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanistic understanding of germ cell formation at a genome-scale level can aid in developing novel therapeutic strategies for infertility. Germ cell formation is a complex process that is regulated by various mechanisms, including epigenetic regulation, germ cell-specific gene transcription, and meiosis. Gonads contain a limited number of germ cells at various stages of differentiation. Hence, genome-scale analysis of germ cells at the single-cell level is challenging. Conventional genome-scale approaches cannot delineate the landscape of genomic, transcriptomic, and epigenomic diversity or heterogeneity in the differentiating germ cells of gonads. Recent advances in single-cell genomic techniques along with single-cell isolation methods, such as microfluidics and fluorescence-activated cell sorting, have helped elucidate the mechanisms underlying germ cell development and reproductive disorders in humans. In this review, the history of single-cell transcriptomic analysis and their technical advantages over the conventional methods have been discussed. Additionally, recent applications of single-cell transcriptomic analysis for analyzing germ cells have been summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Kwonho Hong
- Department of Stem Cell and Regenerative Biotechnology, Institute of Advanced Regenerative Science, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, Korea; (H.L.); (H.Y.); (E.J.L.); (N.X.T.); (H.J.C.); (J.O.); (J.H.P.)
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233
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Park YJ, Pang MG. Mitochondrial Functionality in Male Fertility: From Spermatogenesis to Fertilization. Antioxidants (Basel) 2021; 10:antiox10010098. [PMID: 33445610 PMCID: PMC7826524 DOI: 10.3390/antiox10010098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/09/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria are structurally and functionally distinct organelles that produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP) through oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), to provide energy to spermatozoa. They can also produce reactive oxidation species (ROS). While a moderate concentration of ROS is critical for tyrosine phosphorylation in cholesterol efflux, sperm–egg interaction, and fertilization, excessive ROS generation is associated with male infertility. Moreover, mitochondria participate in diverse processes ranging from spermatogenesis to fertilization to regulate male fertility. This review aimed to summarize the roles of mitochondria in male fertility depending on the sperm developmental stage (from male reproductive tract to female reproductive tract). Moreover, mitochondria are also involved in testosterone production, regulation of proton secretion into the lumen to maintain an acidic condition in the epididymis, and sperm DNA condensation during epididymal maturation. We also established the new signaling pathway using previous proteomic data associated with male fertility, to understand the overall role of mitochondria in male fertility. The pathway revealed that male infertility is associated with a loss of mitochondrial proteins in spermatozoa, which induces low sperm motility, reduces OXPHOS activity, and results in male infertility.
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Fang K, Li Q, Wei Y, Zhou C, Guo W, Shen J, Wu R, Ying W, Yu L, Zi J, Zhang Y, Yang H, Liu S, Chen CD. Prediction and Validation of Mouse Meiosis-Essential Genes Based on Spermatogenesis Proteome Dynamics. Mol Cell Proteomics 2021; 20:100014. [PMID: 33257503 PMCID: PMC7950215 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra120.002081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 11/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The molecular mechanism associated with mammalian meiosis has yet to be fully explored, and one of the main reasons for this lack of exploration is that some meiosis-essential genes are still unknown. The profiling of gene expression during spermatogenesis has been performed in previous studies, yet few studies have aimed to find new functional genes. Since there is a huge gap between the number of genes that are able to be quantified and the number of genes that can be characterized by phenotype screening in one assay, an efficient method to rank quantified genes according to phenotypic relevance is of great importance. We proposed to rank genes by the probability of their function in mammalian meiosis based on global protein abundance using machine learning. Here, nine types of germ cells focusing on continual substages of meiosis prophase I were isolated, and the corresponding proteomes were quantified by high-resolution MS. By combining meiotic labels annotated from the mouse genomics informatics mouse knockout database and the spermatogenesis proteomics dataset, a supervised machine learning package, FuncProFinder (https://github.com/sjq111/FuncProFinder), was developed to rank meiosis-essential candidates. Of the candidates whose functions were unannotated, four of 10 genes with the top prediction scores, Zcwpw1, Tesmin, 1700102P08Rik, and Kctd19, were validated as meiosis-essential genes by knockout mouse models. Therefore, mammalian meiosis-essential genes could be efficiently predicted based on the protein abundance dataset, which provides a paradigm for other functional gene mining from a related abundance dataset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailun Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China; Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Qidan Li
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Wei
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Changyang Zhou
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhui Guo
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; Science Department, Malvern College Qingdao, Shandong, China
| | - Jiaqi Shen
- Mathematics Department, United World College Changshu China, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ruoxi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenqin Ying
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Lu Yu
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Jin Zi
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China; Guangdong Proteomics Engineering Laboratories, Shenzhen Proteomics Engineering Laboratories, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Hui Yang
- Institute of Neuroscience, State Key Laboratory of Neuroscience, Key Laboratory of Primate Neurobiology, CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Shanghai Research Center for Brain Science and Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
| | - Siqi Liu
- BGI Genomics, BGI-Shenzhen, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Charlie Degui Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
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235
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Soneson C, Srivastava A, Patro R, Stadler MB. Preprocessing choices affect RNA velocity results for droplet scRNA-seq data. PLoS Comput Biol 2021; 17:e1008585. [PMID: 33428615 PMCID: PMC7822509 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1008585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Experimental single-cell approaches are becoming widely used for many purposes, including investigation of the dynamic behaviour of developing biological systems. Consequently, a large number of computational methods for extracting dynamic information from such data have been developed. One example is RNA velocity analysis, in which spliced and unspliced RNA abundances are jointly modeled in order to infer a 'direction of change' and thereby a future state for each cell in the gene expression space. Naturally, the accuracy and interpretability of the inferred RNA velocities depend crucially on the correctness of the estimated abundances. Here, we systematically compare five widely used quantification tools, in total yielding thirteen different quantification approaches, in terms of their estimates of spliced and unspliced RNA abundances in five experimental droplet scRNA-seq data sets. We show that there are substantial differences between the quantifications obtained from different tools, and identify typical genes for which such discrepancies are observed. We further show that these abundance differences propagate to the downstream analysis, and can have a large effect on estimated velocities as well as the biological interpretation. Our results highlight that abundance quantification is a crucial aspect of the RNA velocity analysis workflow, and that both the definition of the genomic features of interest and the quantification algorithm itself require careful consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Soneson
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Avi Srivastava
- New York Genome Center, New York, United States of America
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University, New York, United States of America
| | - Rob Patro
- Department of Computer Science, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Michael B. Stadler
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, Switzerland
- SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, Basel, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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236
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Li Y, Mi P, Chen X, Wu J, Qin W, Shen Y, Zhang P, Tang Y, Cheng CY, Sun F. Dynamic Profiles and Transcriptional Preferences of Histone Modifications During Spermiogenesis. Endocrinology 2021; 162:5974117. [PMID: 33175103 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqaa210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
During spermiogenesis, extensive histone modifications take place in developing haploid spermatids besides morphological alterations of the genetic material to form compact nuclei. Better understanding on the overall transcriptional dynamics and preferences of histones and enzymes involved in histone modifications may provide valuable information to dissect the epigenetic characteristics and unique chromatin status during spermiogenesis. Using single-cell RNA-Sequencing, the expression dynamics of histone variants, writers, erasers, and readers of histone acetylation and methylation, as well as histone phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and chaperones were assessed through transcriptome profiling during spermiogenesis. This approach provided an unprecedented panoramic perspective of the involving genes in epigenetic modifier/histone variant expression during spermiogenesis. Results reported here revealed the transcriptional ranks of histones, histone modifications, and their readers during spermiogenesis, emphasizing the unique preferences of epigenetic regulation in spermatids. These findings also highlighted the impact of spermatid metabolic preferences on epigenetic modifications. Despite the observed rising trend on transcription levels of all encoding genes and histone variants, the transcriptome profile of genes in histone modifications and their readers displayed a downward expression trend, suggesting that spermatid nuclei condensation is a progressive process that occurred in tandem with a gradual decrease in overall epigenetic activity during spermiogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinchuan Li
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Panpan Mi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xue Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jiabao Wu
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weibing Qin
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiqi Shen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Pingbao Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunge Tang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Male Reproduction and Genetics, Family Planning Research Institute of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
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237
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Abstract
Meiosis is a cellular division process that produces gametes for sexual reproduction. Disruption of complex events throughout meiosis, such as synapsis and homologous recombination, can lead to infertility and aneuploidy. To reveal the molecular mechanisms of these events, transcriptome studies of specific substages must be conducted. However, conventional methods, such as bulk RNA-seq and RT-qPCR, are not able to detect the transcriptional variations effectively and precisely, especially for identifying cell types and stages with subtle differences. In recent years, mammalian meiotic transcriptomes have been intensively studied at the single-cell level by using single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) approaches, especially through two widely used platforms, Smart-seq2 and Drop-seq. The scRNA-seq protocols along with their downstream analysis enable researchers to accurately identify cell heterogeneities and investigate meiotic transcriptomes at a higher resolution. In this review, we compared bulk RNA-seq and scRNA-seq to show the advantages of the scRNA-seq in meiosis studies; meanwhile, we also pointed out the challenges and limitations of the scRNA-seq. We listed recent findings from mammalian meiosis (male and female) studies where scRNA-seq applied. Next, we summarized the scRNA-seq analysis methods and the meiotic marker genes from spermatocytes and oocytes. Specifically, we emphasized the different features of the two scRNA-seq protocols (Smart-seq2 and Drop-seq) in the context of meiosis studies and discussed their strengths and weaknesses in terms of different research purposes. Finally, we discussed the future applications of scRNA-seq in the meiosis field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiheng Peng
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
| | - Huanyu Qiao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
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238
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Li L, Yang R, Yin C, Kee K. Studying human reproductive biology through single-cell analysis and in vitro differentiation of stem cells into germ cell-like cells. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:670-688. [PMID: 32464645 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of human reproductive development has been limited by the scarcity of human samples and ethical constraints. Recently, in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells into germ cells and single-cell analyses have opened new avenues to directly study human germ cells and identify unique mechanisms in human reproductive development. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The goal of this review is to collate novel findings and insightful discoveries with these new methodologies, aiming at introducing researchers and clinicians to the use of these tools to study human reproductive biology and develop treatments for infertility. SEARCH METHODS PubMed was used to search articles and reviews with the following main keywords: in vitro differentiation, human stem cells, single-cell analysis, spermatogenesis, oogenesis, germ cells and other key terms related to these subjects. The search period included all publications from 2000 until now. OUTCOMES Single-cell analyses of human gonads have identified many important gene markers at different developmental stages and in subpopulations of cells. To validate the functional roles of these gene markers, researchers have used the in vitro differentiation of human pluripotent cells into germ cells and confirmed that some genetic requirements are unique in human germ cells and are not conserved in mouse models. Moreover, transcriptional regulatory networks and the interaction of germ and somatic cells in gonads were elucidated in these studies. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Single-cell analyses allow researchers to identify gene markers and potential regulatory networks using limited clinical samples. On the other hand, in vitro differentiation methods provide clinical researchers with tools to examine these newly identify gene markers and study the causative effects of mutations previously associated with infertility. Combining these two methodologies, researchers can identify gene markers and networks which are essential and unique in human reproductive development, thereby producing more accurate diagnostic tools for assessing reproductive disorders and developing treatments for infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Chaoyang, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Risako Yang
- Department of Biology, Colgate University, Hamilton, NY 13346, USA
| | - Chenghong Yin
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Chaoyang, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Kehkooi Kee
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Tharmalingam MD, Matilionyte G, Wallace WHB, Stukenborg JB, Jahnukainen K, Oliver E, Goriely A, Lane S, Guo J, Cairns B, Jorgensen A, Allen CM, Lopes F, Anderson RA, Spears N, Mitchell RT. Cisplatin and carboplatin result in similar gonadotoxicity in immature human testis with implications for fertility preservation in childhood cancer. BMC Med 2020; 18:374. [PMID: 33272271 PMCID: PMC7716476 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-020-01844-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Clinical studies indicate chemotherapy agents used in childhood cancer treatment regimens may impact future fertility. However, effects of individual agents on prepubertal human testis, necessary to identify later risk, have not been determined. The study aimed to investigate the impact of cisplatin, commonly used in childhood cancer, on immature (foetal and prepubertal) human testicular tissues. Comparison was made with carboplatin, which is used as an alternative to cisplatin in order to reduce toxicity in healthy tissues. METHODS We developed an organotypic culture system combined with xenografting to determine the effect of clinically-relevant exposure to platinum-based chemotherapeutics on human testis. Human foetal and prepubertal testicular tissues were cultured and exposed to cisplatin, carboplatin or vehicle for 24 h, followed by 24-240 h in culture or long-term xenografting. Survival, proliferation and apoptosis of prepubertal germ stem cell populations (gonocytes and spermatogonia), critical for sperm production in adulthood, were quantified. RESULTS Cisplatin exposure resulted in a significant reduction in the total number of germ cells (- 44%, p < 0.0001) in human foetal testis, which involved an initial loss of gonocytes followed by a significant reduction in spermatogonia. This coincided with a reduction (- 70%, p < 0.05) in germ cell proliferation. Cisplatin exposure resulted in similar effects on total germ cell number (including spermatogonial stem cells) in prepubertal human testicular tissues, demonstrating direct relevance to childhood cancer patients. Xenografting of cisplatin-exposed human foetal testicular tissue demonstrated that germ cell loss (- 42%, p < 0.01) persisted at 12 weeks. Comparison between exposures to human-relevant concentrations of cisplatin and carboplatin revealed a very similar degree of germ cell loss at 240 h post-exposure. CONCLUSIONS This is the first demonstration of direct effects of chemotherapy exposure on germ cell populations in human foetal and prepubertal testis, demonstrating platinum-induced loss of all germ cell populations, and similar effects of cisplatin or carboplatin. Furthermore, these experimental approaches can be used to determine the effects of established and novel cancer therapies on the developing testis that will inform fertility counselling and development of strategies to preserve fertility in children with cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa D Tharmalingam
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
- KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Bukit Timah Rd, 100, Singapore, 229899, Singapore
| | - Gabriele Matilionyte
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
| | - William H B Wallace
- Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Sick Children, 9 Sciennes Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1LF, Scotland, UK
| | - Jan-Bernd Stukenborg
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kirsi Jahnukainen
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Division of Haematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Elizabeth Oliver
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anne Goriely
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX39DS, UK
| | - Sheila Lane
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and Nuffield Department of Womens and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Jingtao Guo
- Section of Andrology, Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Bradley Cairns
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Anne Jorgensen
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Copenhagen University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Blegdamsvej 9, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Caroline M Allen
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Federica Lopes
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
| | - Richard A Anderson
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK
| | - Norah Spears
- Biomedical Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Rod T Mitchell
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh, EH16 4TJ, Scotland, UK.
- Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Sick Children, 9 Sciennes Road, Edinburgh, EH9 1LF, Scotland, UK.
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240
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Desimio MG, Cesari E, Sorrenti M, De Felici M, Farini D. Stimulated by retinoic acid gene 8 (STRA8) interacts with the germ cell specific bHLH factor SOHLH1 and represses c-KIT expression in vitro. J Cell Mol Med 2020; 25:383-396. [PMID: 33236849 PMCID: PMC7810945 DOI: 10.1111/jcmm.16087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
STRA8 (Stimulated by Retinoic Acid Gene 8) controls the crucial decision of germ cells to engage meiotic division up and down‐regulating genes involved in the meiotic programme. It has been proven as an amplifier of genes involved in cell cycle control and chromosome events, however, how STRA8 functions as negative regulator are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that STRA8 can interact with itself and with other basic Helix‐Loop‐Helix (bHLH) transcription factors through its HLH domain and that this domain is important for its ability to negatively interfere with the Ebox‐mediated transcriptional activity of bHLH transcription factors. Significantly, we show that STRA8 interacts with TCF3/E47, a class I bHLH transcription factors, and with SOHLH1, a gonadal‐specific bHLH, in male germ cells obtained from prepuberal mouse testis. We demonstrated that STRA8, indirectly, is able to exert a negative control on the SOHLH1‐dependent stimulation of c‐KIT expression in late differentiating spermatogonia and preleptotene spermatocytes. Although part of this results were obtained only ‘in vitro’, they support the notion that STRA8 interacting with different transcription factors, besides its established role as ‘amplifier’ of meiotic programme, is able to finely modulate the balance between spermatogonia proliferation, differentiation and acquisition of meiotic competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Giovanna Desimio
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Eleonora Cesari
- Department of Neuroscience, Section of Human Anatomy, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Sorrenti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - Donatella Farini
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
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Gul M, Hildorf S, Dong L, Thorup J, Hoffmann ER, Jensen CFS, Sønksen J, Cortes D, Fedder J, Andersen CY, Goossens E. Review of injection techniques for spermatogonial stem cell transplantation. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 26:368-391. [PMID: 32163572 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmaa003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although the prognosis of childhood cancer survivors has increased dramatically during recent years, chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer and other conditions may lead to permanent infertility in prepubertal boys. Recent developments have shown that spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) transplantation may be a hope for restoring fertility in adult survivors of childhood cancers. For this reason, several centres around the world are collecting and cryopreserving testicular tissue or cells anticipating that, in the near future, some patients will return for SSC transplantation. This review summarizes the current knowledge and utility of SSC transplantation techniques. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE The aim of this narrative review is to provide an overview of the currently used experimental injection techniques for SSC transplantation in animal and human testes. This is crucial in understanding and determining the role of the different techniques necessary for successful transplantation. SEARCH METHODS A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed publications on this topic was performed using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. The search was limited to English language work and studies between 1994 (from the first study on SSC transplantation) and April 2019. Key search terms included mouse, rat, boar, ram, dog, sheep, goat, cattle, monkey, human, cadaver, testes, SSC transplantation, injection and technique. OUTCOMES This review provides an extensive clinical overview of the current research in the field of human SSC transplantation. Rete testis injection with ultrasonography guidance currently seems the most promising injection technique thus far; however, the ability to draw clear conclusions is limited due to long ischemia time of cadaver testis, the relatively decreased volume of the testis, the diminishing size of seminiferous tubules, a lack of intratesticular pressure and leakage into the interstitium during the injection on human cadaver testis. Current evidence does not support improved outcomes from multiple infusions through the rete testes. Overall, further optimization is required to increase the efficiency and safety of the infusion method. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Identifying a favourable injection method for SSC transplantation will provide insight into the mechanisms of successful assisted human reproduction. Future research could focus on reducing leakage and establishing the optimal infusion cell concentrations and pressure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murat Gul
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Urology, Selcuk University School of Medicine, 42250 Konya, Turkey
| | - Simone Hildorf
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Lihua Dong
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Jorgen Thorup
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Eva R Hoffmann
- DNRF Center for Chromosome Stability, Department of Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | | | - Jens Sønksen
- Department of Urology, Herlev and Gentofte University Hospital, 2930 Herlev, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Dina Cortes
- Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Department of Pediatrics, Copenhagen University Hospital Hvidovre, 2650 Hvidovre, Denmark
| | - Jens Fedder
- Centre of Andrology & Fertility Clinic, Department D, Odense University Hospital, 5000 Odense, Denmark.,Research Unit of Human Reproduction, Institute of Clinical Research, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Copenhagen University Hospital Rigshospitalet, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark.,Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ellen Goossens
- Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
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242
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Mahé D, Matusali G, Deleage C, Alvarenga RLLS, Satie AP, Pagliuzza A, Mathieu R, Lavoué S, Jégou B, de França LR, Chomont N, Houzet L, Rolland AD, Dejucq-Rainsford N. Potential for Virus Endogenization in Humans through Testicular Germ Cell Infection: the Case of HIV. J Virol 2020; 94:e01145-20. [PMID: 32999017 PMCID: PMC7925188 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01145-20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Viruses have colonized the germ line of our ancestors on several occasions during evolution, leading to the integration in the human genome of viral sequences from over 30 retroviral groups and a few nonretroviruses. Among the recently emerged viruses infecting humans, several target the testis (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus [HIV], Zika virus, and Ebola virus). Here, we aimed to investigate whether human testicular germ cells (TGCs) can support integration by HIV, a contemporary retrovirus that started to spread in the human population during the last century. We report that albeit alternative receptors enabled HIV-1 binding to TGCs, HIV virions failed to infect TGCs in vitro Nevertheless, exposure of TGCs to infected lymphocytes, naturally present in the testis from HIV+ men, led to HIV-1 entry, integration, and early protein expression. Similarly, cell-associated infection or bypassing viral entry led to HIV-1 integration in a spermatogonial cell line. Using DNAscope, HIV-1 and simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) DNA were detected within a few TGCs in the testis from one infected patient, one rhesus macaque, and one African green monkey in vivo Molecular landscape analysis revealed that early TGCs were enriched in HIV early cofactors up to integration and had overall low antiviral defenses compared with testicular macrophages and Sertoli cells. In conclusion, our study reveals that TGCs can support the entry and integration of HIV upon cell-associated infection. This could represent a way for this contemporary virus to integrate into our germ line and become endogenous in the future, as happened during human evolution for a number of viruses.IMPORTANCE Viruses have colonized the host germ line on many occasions during evolution to eventually become endogenous. Here, we aimed at investigating whether human testicular germ cells (TGCs) can support such viral invasion by studying HIV interactions with TGCs in vitro Our results indicate that isolated primary TGCs express alternative HIV-1 receptors, allowing virion binding but not entry. However, HIV-1 entered and integrated into TGCs upon cell-associated infection and produced low levels of viral proteins. In vivo, HIV-1 and SIV DNA was detected in a few TGCs. Molecular landscape analysis showed that TGCs have overall weak antiviral defenses. Altogether, our results indicate that human TGCs can support HIV-1 early replication, including integration, suggesting potential for endogenization in future generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique Mahé
- Université Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, Rennes, France
| | - Giulia Matusali
- Université Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, Rennes, France
| | - Claire Deleage
- Université Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, Rennes, France
| | - Raquel L L S Alvarenga
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Anne-Pascale Satie
- Université Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, Rennes, France
| | - Amélie Pagliuzza
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medecine, Université de Montréal, and Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Romain Mathieu
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pontchaillou, Service Urologie, Rennes, France
| | - Sylvain Lavoué
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Pontchaillou, Centre de Coordination des Prélèvements, Rennes, France
| | - Bernard Jégou
- Université Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, Rennes, France
| | - Luiz R de França
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil
| | - Nicolas Chomont
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medecine, Université de Montréal, and Centre de Recherche du CHUM, Montréal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Laurent Houzet
- Université Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, Rennes, France
| | - Antoine D Rolland
- Université Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, Rennes, France
| | - Nathalie Dejucq-Rainsford
- Université Rennes, INSERM, EHESP, IRSET (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail)-UMR_S1085, Rennes, France
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243
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Yang H, Ma J, Wan Z, Wang Q, Wang Z, Zhao J, Wang F, Zhang Y. Characterization of sheep spermatogenesis through single-cell RNA sequencing. FASEB J 2020; 35:e21187. [PMID: 33197070 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202001035rrr] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is an important biological process in male reproduction. The interaction between male germ cells and somatic cells during spermatogenesis, is necessary for male reproductive activities. This cellular heterogeneity has made it difficult to profile distinct cell types at different stages of development. Here, we present the first comprehensive, unbiased single-cell transcriptomic study of sheep spermatogenesis using 10× genomics single cell sequencing (scRNA-seq). We collected scRNA-seq data from 11 772 cells from the adult sheep testis and identified all known germ cells (including early primary spermatocytes, late primary spermatocytes, round spermatids, elongated spermatids, and sperm), and somatic cells (Sertoli cells and Leydig cells), as well as one somatic cell that unexpectedly contained leukocytes. The functional enrichment analysis indicated that several pathways of cell cycle, gamete generation, protein processing, and mRNA surveillance pathways were significantly enriched in testicular germ cell types, and ribosome pathway was significantly enriched in testicular somatic cell types. Further analysis identified several stage-specific marker genes of sheep germ cells, such as EZH2, SOX18, SCP2, PCNA, and PRKCD. Our research explored for the first time of the changes in the transcription level of various cell types during the process of sheep spermatogenesis, providing new insights for sheep spermatogenesis and spermatogenic cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hua Yang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Jianyu Ma
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Zhen Wan
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Qi Wang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Zhibo Wang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Jie Zhao
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Feng Wang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
| | - Yanli Zhang
- Jiangsu Livestock Embryo Engineering Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, P.R. China
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244
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Hwang YS, Suzuki S, Seita Y, Ito J, Sakata Y, Aso H, Sato K, Hermann BP, Sasaki K. Reconstitution of prospermatogonial specification in vitro from human induced pluripotent stem cells. Nat Commun 2020; 11:5656. [PMID: 33168808 PMCID: PMC7653920 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-19350-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Establishment of spermatogonia throughout the fetal and postnatal period is essential for production of spermatozoa and male fertility. Here, we establish a protocol for in vitro reconstitution of human prospermatogonial specification whereby human primordial germ cell (PGC)-like cells differentiated from human induced pluripotent stem cells are further induced into M-prospermatogonia-like cells and T1 prospermatogonia-like cells (T1LCs) using long-term cultured xenogeneic reconstituted testes. Single cell RNA-sequencing is used to delineate the lineage trajectory leading to T1LCs, which closely resemble human T1-prospermatogonia in vivo and exhibit gene expression related to spermatogenesis and diminished proliferation, a hallmark of quiescent T1 prospermatogonia. Notably, this system enables us to visualize the dynamic and stage-specific regulation of transposable elements during human prospermatogonial specification. Together, our findings pave the way for understanding and reconstructing human male germline development in vitro. Spermatogonia establishment in the fetal and postnatal period is essential for spermatozoa production. Here the authors present a protocol for in vitro reconstitution of human prospermatogonial specification and perform single cell RNA-sequencing to delineate lineage trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Young Sun Hwang
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shinnosuke Suzuki
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Yasunari Seita
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.,Bell Research Center for Reproductive Health and Cancer, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Jumpei Ito
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of infectious Disease Control, International Research Center for infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 1088639, Japan
| | - Yuka Sakata
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Hirofumi Aso
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of infectious Disease Control, International Research Center for infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 1088639, Japan
| | - Kei Sato
- Division of Systems Virology, Department of infectious Disease Control, International Research Center for infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, 1088639, Japan
| | - Brian P Hermann
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX, 78249, USA
| | - Kotaro Sasaki
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA.
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245
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Mugal CF, Wang M, Backström N, Wheatcroft D, Ålund M, Sémon M, McFarlane SE, Dutoit L, Qvarnström A, Ellegren H. Tissue-specific patterns of regulatory changes underlying gene expression differences among Ficedula flycatchers and their naturally occurring F 1 hybrids. Genome Res 2020; 30:1727-1739. [PMID: 33144405 PMCID: PMC7706733 DOI: 10.1101/gr.254508.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Changes in interacting cis- and trans-regulatory elements are important candidates for Dobzhansky-Muller hybrid incompatibilities and may contribute to hybrid dysfunction by giving rise to misexpression in hybrids. To gain insight into the molecular mechanisms and determinants of gene expression evolution in natural populations, we analyzed the transcriptome from multiple tissues of two recently diverged Ficedula flycatcher species and their naturally occurring F1 hybrids. Differential gene expression analysis revealed that the extent of differentiation between species and the set of differentially expressed genes varied across tissues. Common to all tissues, a higher proportion of Z-linked genes than autosomal genes showed differential expression, providing evidence for a fast-Z effect. We further found clear signatures of hybrid misexpression in brain, heart, kidney, and liver. However, while testis showed the highest divergence of gene expression among tissues, it showed no clear signature of misexpression in F1 hybrids, even though these hybrids were found to be sterile. It is therefore unlikely that incompatibilities between cis-trans regulatory changes explain the observed sterility. Instead, we found evidence that cis-regulatory changes play a significant role in the evolution of gene expression in testis, which illustrates the tissue-specific nature of cis-regulatory evolution bypassing constraints associated with pleiotropic effects of genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina F Mugal
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Mi Wang
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Niclas Backström
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - David Wheatcroft
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Zoology, Stockholm University, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Murielle Ålund
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, USA
| | - Marie Sémon
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.,ENS de Lyon, Laboratory of Biology and Modelling of the Cell, Lyon University, 69364 Lyon Cedex 07, France
| | - S Eryn McFarlane
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.,Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH9 3FL, United Kingdom
| | - Ludovic Dutoit
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden.,Department of Zoology, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand
| | - Anna Qvarnström
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Hans Ellegren
- Department of Ecology and Genetics, Uppsala University, 752 36 Uppsala, Sweden
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246
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Struijk RB, Mulder CL, van Daalen SKM, de Winter-Korver CM, Jongejan A, Repping S, van Pelt AMM. ITGA6+ Human Testicular Cell Populations Acquire a Mesenchymal Rather than Germ Cell Transcriptional Signature during Long-Term Culture. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21218269. [PMID: 33158248 PMCID: PMC7672582 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21218269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autologous spermatogonial stem cell transplantation is an experimental technique aimed at restoring fertility in infertile men. Although effective in animal models, in vitro propagation of human spermatogonia prior to transplantation has proven to be difficult. A major limiting factor is endogenous somatic testicular cell overgrowth during long-term culture. This makes the culture both inefficient and necessitates highly specific cell sorting strategies in order to enrich cultured germ cell fractions prior to transplantation. Here, we employed RNA-Seq to determine cell type composition in sorted integrin alpha-6 (ITGA6+) primary human testicular cells (n = 4 donors) cultured for up to two months, using differential gene expression and cell deconvolution analyses. Our data and analyses reveal that long-term cultured ITGA6+ testicular cells are composed mainly of cells expressing markers of peritubular myoid cells, (progenitor) Leydig cells, fibroblasts and mesenchymal stromal cells and only a limited percentage of spermatogonial cells as compared to their uncultured counterparts. These findings provide valuable insights into the cell type composition of cultured human ITGA6+ testicular cells during in vitro propagation and may serve as a basis for optimizing future cell sorting strategies as well as optimizing the current human testicular cell culture system for clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B. Struijk
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.B.S.); (C.L.M.); (S.K.M.v.D.); (C.M.d.W.-K.)
| | - Callista L. Mulder
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.B.S.); (C.L.M.); (S.K.M.v.D.); (C.M.d.W.-K.)
| | - Saskia K. M. van Daalen
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.B.S.); (C.L.M.); (S.K.M.v.D.); (C.M.d.W.-K.)
| | - Cindy M. de Winter-Korver
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.B.S.); (C.L.M.); (S.K.M.v.D.); (C.M.d.W.-K.)
| | - Aldo Jongejan
- Department of Epidemiology & Data Science, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Sjoerd Repping
- Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Ans M. M. van Pelt
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Reproduction & Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands; (R.B.S.); (C.L.M.); (S.K.M.v.D.); (C.M.d.W.-K.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-20-56-67837
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247
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Słowińska M, Paukszto Ł, Paweł Jastrzębski J, Bukowska J, Kozłowski K, Jankowski J, Ciereszko A. Transcriptome analysis of turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) reproductive tract revealed key pathways regulating spermatogenesis and post-testicular sperm maturation. Poult Sci 2020; 99:6094-6118. [PMID: 33142529 PMCID: PMC7647744 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2020.07.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2020] [Revised: 07/11/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The application of transcriptomics to the study of the reproductive tract in male turkeys can significantly increase our current knowledge regarding the specifics of bird reproduction. To characterize the complex transcriptomic changes that occur in the testis, epididymis, and ductus deferens, deep sequencing of male turkey RNA samples (n = 6) was performed, using Illumina RNA-Seq. The obtained sequence reads were mapped to the turkey genome, and relative expression values were calculated to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Statistical analysis revealed 1,682; 2,150; and 340 DEGs in testis/epididymis, testis/ductus deferens, and epididymis/ductus deferens comparisons, respectively. The expression of selected genes was validated using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. Bioinformatics analysis revealed several potential candidate genes involved in spermatogenesis, spermiogenesis and flagellum formation in the testis, and in post-testicular sperm maturation in the epididymis and ductus deferens. In the testis, genes were linked with the mitotic proliferation of spermatogonia and the meiotic division of spermatocytes. Histone ubiquitination and protamine phosphorylation were shown to be regulatory mechanisms for nuclear condensation during spermiogenesis. The characterization of testicular transcripts allowed a better understanding of acrosome formation and development and flagellum formation, including axoneme structures and functions. Spermatozoa motility during post-testicular maturation was linked to the development of flagellar actin filaments and biochemical processes, including Ca2+ influx and protein phosphorylation/dephosphorylation. Spermatozoa quality appeared to be controlled by apoptosis and antioxidant systems in the epididymis and ductus deferens. Finally, genes associated with reproductive system development and morphogenesis were identified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first genome-wide functional investigation of genes associated with tissue-specific processes in turkey reproductive tract. A catalog of genes worthy of further studies to understand the avian reproductive physiology and regulation was provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariola Słowińska
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Łukasz Paukszto
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics, and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jan Paweł Jastrzębski
- Department of Plant Physiology, Genetics, and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Joanna Bukowska
- In Vitro and Cell Biotechnology Laboratory, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kozłowski
- Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Jan Jankowski
- Department of Poultry Science, Faculty of Animal Bioengineering, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Andrzej Ciereszko
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland
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248
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Haghpanah A, Masjedi F, Alborzi S, Hosseinpour A, Dehghani A, Malekmakan L, Roozbeh J. Potential mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 action on male gonadal function and fertility: Current status and future prospects. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13883. [PMID: 33108833 PMCID: PMC7645932 DOI: 10.1111/and.13883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The novel coronavirus was recognised in December 2019 and caught humanity off guard. The virus employs the angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor for entry into human cells. ACE2 is expressed on different organs, which is raising concern as to whether these organs can be infected by the virus or not. The testis appears to be an organ enriched with levels of ACE2, while the possible mechanisms of involvement of the male reproductive system by SARS‐CoV‐2 are not fully elucidated. The major focus of the present studies is on the short‐term complications of the coronavirus and gains importance on studying the long‐term effects, including the possible effects of the virus on the male reproductive system. The aim of this review was to provide new insights into different possible mechanisms of involvement of male gonads with SARS‐CoV‐2 including investigating the ACE2 axis in testis, hormonal alterations in patients with COVID‐19, possible formation of anti‐sperm antibodies (ASA) and subsequently immunological infertility as a complication of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Finally, we suggest measuring the sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) as a determiner of male fertility impairment in patients with COVID‐19 along with other options such as sex‐related hormones and semen analysis. Invasion of SARS‐CoV‐2 to the spermatogonia, Leydig cells and Sertoli cells can lead to sex hormonal alteration and impaired gonadal function. Once infected, changes in ACE2 signalling pathways followed by oxidative stress and inflammation could cause spermatogenesis failure, abnormal sperm motility, DNA fragmentation and male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolreza Haghpanah
- Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Masjedi
- Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saeed Alborzi
- Infertility Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Alireza Hosseinpour
- Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.,Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Anahita Dehghani
- Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Leila Malekmakan
- Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Jamshid Roozbeh
- Shiraz Nephro-Urology Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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249
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Jiang M, Roth MG, Chun-On P, Sullivan DI, Alder JK. Phenotypic Diversity Caused by Differential Expression of SFTPC-Cre-Transgenic Alleles. Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol 2020; 62:692-698. [PMID: 32208105 DOI: 10.1165/rcmb.2019-0416ma] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Type II alveolar epithelial cells (AEC2s) play an essential role in the function and maintenance of the pulmonary epithelium. Several transgenic mice have been developed to study the function of these cells in vivo by using the human SFTPC promoter to drive expression of Cre recombinase. The precise activity of each of these transgenic alleles has not been studied, and previous reports suggest that their activity can depend on breeding strategies. We bred mice with a conditional allele of the essential telomere capping protein TRF2 with two different SFTPC-Cre-transgenic strains and observed opposite phenotypes (100% lethality vs. 100% viability). We characterized the Cre recombinase activity in these two transgenic lines and found that the contrasting phenotypes were driven by difference in embryonic expression of the two transgenes, likely due to position effects or differences in the transgenic constructs. We also tested if SFTPC-Cre activity was dependent on maternal or paternal inheritance. When paternally inherited, both SFTPC-Cre alleles produced offspring with constitutive reporter activity independent of the inheritance of the Cre allele, suggesting that Cre recombinase was expressed in the male germline before meiosis. Immunohistochemical analysis of the testis showed reporter activity during spermatogenesis. Analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing data from murine and human testis demonstrated SFTPC expression uniquely during human spermatogenesis, suggesting that use of the human promoter in these constructs is responsible for male germline activity. Our data highlight the importance of careful analysis of transgenic allele activity and identify an SFTPC-Cre allele that is useful for panepithelial targeting in the mouse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mao Jiang
- The Third Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.,Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Mark G Roth
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Pattra Chun-On
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.,Faculty of Medicine and Public Health, HRH Princess Chulabhorn College of Medical Science, Chulabhorn Royal Academy, Bangkok, Thailand; and.,Environmental and Occupational Health Department, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Daniel I Sullivan
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jonathan K Alder
- Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Dorothy P. and Richard P. Simmons Center for Interstitial Lung Disease, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Suzuki S, Diaz VD, Hermann BP. What has single-cell RNA-seq taught us about mammalian spermatogenesis? Biol Reprod 2020; 101:617-634. [PMID: 31077285 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2019] [Accepted: 05/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex developmental program that transforms mitotic testicular germ cells (spermatogonia) into mature male gametes (sperm) for production of offspring. For decades, it has been known that this several-weeks-long process involves a series of highly ordered and morphologically recognizable cellular changes as spermatogonia proliferate, spermatocytes undertake meiosis, and spermatids develop condensed nuclei, acrosomes, and flagella. Yet, much of the underlying molecular logic driving these processes has remained opaque because conventional characterization strategies often aggregated groups of cells to meet technical requirements or due to limited capability for cell selection. Recently, a cornucopia of single-cell transcriptome studies has begun to lift the veil on the full compendium of gene expression phenotypes and changes underlying spermatogenic development. These datasets have revealed the previously obscured molecular heterogeneity among and between varied spermatogenic cell types and are reinvigorating investigation of testicular biology. This review describes the extent of available single-cell RNA-seq profiles of spermatogenic and testicular somatic cells, how those data were produced and evaluated, their present value for advancing knowledge of spermatogenesis, and their potential future utility at both the benchtop and bedside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinnosuke Suzuki
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Victoria D Diaz
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Brian P Hermann
- Department of Biology, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
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