251
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Unique Epigenetic Programming Distinguishes Regenerative Spermatogonial Stem Cells in the Developing Mouse Testis. iScience 2020; 23:101596. [PMID: 33083754 PMCID: PMC7552105 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 08/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) both self-renew and give rise to progenitors that initiate spermatogenic differentiation in the mammalian testis. Questions remain regarding the extent to which the SSC and progenitor states are functionally distinct. Here we provide the first multiparametric integrative analysis of mammalian germ cell epigenomes comparable with that done for >100 somatic cell types by the ENCODE Project. Differentially expressed genes distinguishing SSC- and progenitor-enriched spermatogonia showed distinct histone modification patterns, particularly for H3K27ac and H3K27me3. Motif analysis predicted transcription factors that may regulate spermatogonial subtype-specific fate, and immunohistochemistry and gene-specific chromatin immunoprecipitation analyses confirmed subtype-specific differences in target gene binding of a subset of these factors. Taken together, these results show that SSCs and progenitors display distinct epigenetic profiling consistent with these spermatogonial subtypes being differentially programmed to either self-renew and maintain regenerative capacity as SSCs or lose regenerative capacity and initiate lineage commitment as progenitors.
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252
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Tan K, Wilkinson MF. A single-cell view of spermatogonial stem cells. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2020; 67:71-78. [PMID: 32950921 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2020.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 07/31/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are essential for long-term spermatogenesis and are the subject of considerable clinical interest, as 'SSC therapy' has the potential to cure some forms of male infertility. Recently, we have learned more about SSCs and spermatogenesis in general from a plethora of studies that performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) analysis on dissociated cells from human, macaque, and/or mice testes. Here, we discuss what scRNAseq analysis has revealed about SSC precursor cells, the initial generation of SSCs during perinatal development, and their heterogeneity once established. scRNAseq studies have also uncovered unexpected heterogeneity of the larger class of cells that includes SSCs - undifferentiated spermatogonia. This raises the controversial possibility that multiple SSC subsets exist, which has implications for mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis and future SSC therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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253
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Estermann MA, Smith CA. Applying Single-Cell Analysis to Gonadogenesis and DSDs (Disorders/Differences of Sex Development). Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E6614. [PMID: 32927658 PMCID: PMC7555471 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The gonads are unique among the body's organs in having a developmental choice: testis or ovary formation. Gonadal sex differentiation involves common progenitor cells that form either Sertoli and Leydig cells in the testis or granulosa and thecal cells in the ovary. Single-cell analysis is now shedding new light on how these cell lineages are specified and how they interact with the germline. Such studies are also providing new information on gonadal maturation, ageing and the somatic-germ cell niche. Furthermore, they have the potential to improve our understanding and diagnosis of Disorders/Differences of Sex Development (DSDs). DSDs occur when chromosomal, gonadal or anatomical sex are atypical. Despite major advances in recent years, most cases of DSD still cannot be explained at the molecular level. This presents a major pediatric concern. The emergence of single-cell genomics and transcriptomics now presents a novel avenue for DSD analysis, for both diagnosis and for understanding the molecular genetic etiology. Such -omics datasets have the potential to enhance our understanding of the cellular origins and pathogenesis of DSDs, as well as infertility and gonadal diseases such as cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Craig A. Smith
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Monash University, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia;
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254
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Maezawa S, Sakashita A, Yukawa M, Chen X, Takahashi K, Alavattam KG, Nakata I, Weirauch MT, Barski A, Namekawa SH. Super-enhancer switching drives a burst in gene expression at the mitosis-to-meiosis transition. Nat Struct Mol Biol 2020; 27:978-988. [PMID: 32895557 PMCID: PMC8690596 DOI: 10.1038/s41594-020-0488-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2019] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Due to bursts in the expression of thousands of germline-specific genes, the testis has the most diverse and complex transcriptome of all organs. By analyzing the male germline of mice, we demonstrate that the genome-wide reorganization of super-enhancers (SEs) drives bursts in germline gene expression after the mitosis-to-meiosis transition. SE reorganization is regulated by two molecular events: the establishment of meiosis-specific SEs via A-MYB (MYBL1), a key transcription factor for germline genes, and the resolution of SEs in mitotically proliferating cells via SCML2, a germline-specific Polycomb protein required for spermatogenesis-specific gene expression. Prior to entry into meiosis, meiotic SEs are preprogrammed in mitotic spermatogonia to ensure the unidirectional differentiation of spermatogenesis. We identify key regulatory factors for both mitotic and meiotic enhancers, revealing a molecular logic for the concurrent activation of mitotic enhancers and suppression of meiotic enhancers in the somatic and/or mitotic proliferation phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- So Maezawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan. .,Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Applied Biological Science, Tokyo University of Science, Noda, Chiba, Japan.
| | - Akihiko Sakashita
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masashi Yukawa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Xiaoting Chen
- Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kazuki Takahashi
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Kris G Alavattam
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Ippo Nakata
- Department of Animal Science and Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Medicine, Azabu University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Matthew T Weirauch
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Center for Autoimmune Genomics and Etiology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Divisions of Biomedical Informatics and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Artem Barski
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.,Division of Allergy and Immunology, Division of Human Genetics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Satoshi H Namekawa
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Division of Developmental Biology, Perinatal Institute, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. .,Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA.
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255
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Parekh PA, Garcia TX, Hofmann MC. Regulation of GDNF expression in Sertoli cells. Reproduction 2020; 157:R95-R107. [PMID: 30620720 DOI: 10.1530/rep-18-0239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli cells regulate male germ cell proliferation and differentiation and are a critical component of the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) niche, where homeostasis is maintained by the interplay of several signaling pathways and growth factors. These factors are secreted by Sertoli cells located within the seminiferous epithelium, and by interstitial cells residing between the seminiferous tubules. Sertoli cells and peritubular myoid cells produce glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), which binds to the RET/GFRA1 receptor complex at the surface of undifferentiated spermatogonia. GDNF is known for its ability to drive SSC self-renewal and proliferation of their direct cell progeny. Even though the effects of GDNF are well studied, our understanding of the regulation its expression is still limited. The purpose of this review is to discuss how GDNF expression in Sertoli cells is modulated within the niche, and how these mechanisms impact germ cell homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parag A Parekh
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas X Garcia
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Marie-Claude Hofmann
- Department of Endocrine Neoplasia, UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA
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256
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Chen W, Zhang Z, Chang C, Yang Z, Wang P, Fu H, Wei X, Chen E, Tan S, Huang W, Sun L, Ni T, Yang Y, Wang Y. A bioenergetic shift is required for spermatogonial differentiation. Cell Discov 2020; 6:56. [PMID: 32864161 PMCID: PMC7431567 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-020-0183-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A bioenergetic balance between glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration is particularly important for stem cell fate specification. It however remains to be determined whether undifferentiated spermatogonia switch their preference for bioenergy production during differentiation. In this study, we found that ATP generation in spermatogonia was gradually increased upon retinoic acid (RA)-induced differentiation. To accommodate this elevated energy demand, RA signaling concomitantly switched ATP production in spermatogonia from glycolysis to mitochondrial respiration, accompanied by increased levels of reactive oxygen species. Disrupting mitochondrial respiration significantly blocked spermatogonial differentiation. Inhibition of glucose conversion to glucose-6-phosphate or pentose phosphate pathway also repressed the formation of c-Kit+ differentiating germ cells, suggesting that metabolites produced from glycolysis are required for spermatogonial differentiation. We further demonstrated that the expression levels of several metabolic regulators and enzymes were significantly altered upon RA-induced differentiation, with both RNA-seq and quantitative proteomic analyses. Taken together, our data unveil a critically regulated bioenergetic balance between glycolysis and mitochondrial respiration that is required for spermatogonial proliferation and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241 China
| | - Zhaoran Zhang
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Chingwen Chang
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Zhichang Yang
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Pengxiang Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241 China
| | - Haihui Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering & MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Xiao Wei
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Regulatory Biology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences and School of Life Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241 China
| | - Eric Chen
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Suxu Tan
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Wen Huang
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Liangliang Sun
- Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - Ting Ni
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering & MOE Key Laboratory of Contemporary Anthropology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 China
| | - Yi Yang
- Synthetic Biology and Biotechnology Laboratory, State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Pharmacy, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237 China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
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257
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Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of the Cynomolgus Macaque Testis Reveals Conserved Transcriptional Profiles during Mammalian Spermatogenesis. Dev Cell 2020; 54:548-566.e7. [PMID: 32795394 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.07.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is highly orchestrated and involves the differentiation of diploid spermatogonia into haploid sperm. The process is driven by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). SSCs undergo mitotic self-renewal, whereas sub-populations undergo differentiation and later gain competence to initiate meiosis. Here, we describe a high-resolution single-cell RNA-seq atlas of cells derived from Cynomolgus macaque testis. We identify gene signatures that define spermatogonial populations and explore self-renewal versus differentiation dynamics. We detail transcriptional changes occurring over the entire process of spermatogenesis and highlight the concerted activity of DNA damage response (DDR) pathway genes, which have dual roles in maintaining genomic integrity and effecting meiotic sex chromosome inactivation (MSCI). We show remarkable similarities and differences in gene expression during spermatogenesis with two other eutherian mammals, i.e., mouse and humans. Sex chromosome expression in the male germline in all three species demonstrates conserved features of MSCI but divergent multicopy and ampliconic gene content.
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258
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Zhang XM. GFRα-1 is a reliable marker of bovine gonocytes/undifferentiated spermatogonia: A mini-review. Anat Histol Embryol 2020; 50:13-14. [PMID: 32761645 DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Identification of the specific biomarkers is of great importance to enrich and expand the gonocytes or spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) in livestock. The glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family receptor alpha-1 (GFRα-1) is a conserved marker of the gonocytes/SSCs in multiple species including rodents, primates and human; however, its expression in bovine gonocytes/SSCs is debated. Recently, we and other teams clearly demonstrated the expression of GFRα-1 in bovine gonocytes/SSCs. This is useful for bovine gonocytes/SSCs-related research or application. Nonetheless, new methods still need to be developed to identify the undifferentiated spermatogonial subsets in large livestock and elucidate their spermatogenic potency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue-Ming Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
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259
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Lord T, Nixon B. Metabolic Changes Accompanying Spermatogonial Stem Cell Differentiation. Dev Cell 2020; 52:399-411. [PMID: 32097651 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.01.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Male fertility is driven by spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) that self-renew while also giving rise to differentiating spermatogonia. Spermatogonial transitions are accompanied by a shift in gene expression, however, whether equivalent changes in metabolism occur remains unexplored. In this review, we mined recently published scRNA-seq databases from mouse and human testes to compare expression profiles of spermatogonial subsets, focusing on metabolism. Comparisons revealed a conserved upregulation of genes involved in mitochondrial function, biogenesis, and oxidative phosphorylation in differentiating spermatogonia, while gene expression in SSCs reflected a glycolytic cell. Here, we also discuss the relationship between metabolism and the external microenvironment within which spermatogonia reside.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW 2300, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia.
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Newcastle, NSW 2300, Australia; Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, Newcastle, NSW 2305, Australia
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260
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Transcriptome profiling reveals signaling conditions dictating human spermatogonia fate in vitro. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:17832-17841. [PMID: 32661178 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2000362117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are essential for the generation of sperm and have potential therapeutic value for treating male infertility, which afflicts >100 million men world-wide. While much has been learned about rodent SSCs, human SSCs remain poorly understood. Here, we molecularly characterize human SSCs and define conditions favoring their culture. To achieve this, we first identified a cell-surface protein, PLPPR3, that allowed purification of human primitive undifferentiated spermatogonia (uSPG) highly enriched for SSCs. Comparative RNA-sequencing analysis of these enriched SSCs with differentiating SPG (KIT+ cells) revealed the full complement of genes that shift expression during this developmental transition, including genes encoding key components in the TGF-β, GDNF, AKT, and JAK-STAT signaling pathways. We examined the effect of manipulating these signaling pathways on cultured human SPG using both conventional approaches and single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis. This revealed that GDNF and BMP8B broadly support human SPG culture, while activin A selectively supports more advanced human SPG. One condition-AKT pathway inhibition-had the unique ability to selectively support the culture of primitive human uSPG. This raises the possibility that supplementation with an AKT inhibitor could be used to culture human SSCs in vitro for therapeutic applications.
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261
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Heinrich A, DeFalco T. Essential roles of interstitial cells in testicular development and function. Andrology 2020; 8:903-914. [PMID: 31444950 PMCID: PMC7036326 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular architecture and sperm production are supported by a complex network of communication between various cell types. These signals ensure fertility by: regulating spermatogonial stem/progenitor cells; promoting steroidogenesis; and driving male-specific differentiation of the gonad. Sertoli cells have long been assumed to be the major cellular player in testis organogenesis and spermatogenesis. However, cells in the interstitial compartment, such as Leydig, vascular, immune, and peritubular cells, also play prominent roles in the testis but are less well understood. OBJECTIVES Here, we aim to outline our current knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms by which interstitial cell types contribute to spermatogenesis and testicular development, and how these diverse constituents of the testis play essential roles in ensuring male sexual differentiation and fertility. METHODS We surveyed scientific literature and summarized findings in the field that address how interstitial cells interact with other interstitial cell populations and seminiferous tubules (i.e., Sertoli and germ cells) to support spermatogenesis, male-specific differentiation, and testicular function. These studies focused on 4 major cell types: Leydig cells, vascular cells, immune cells, and peritubular cells. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION A growing number of studies have demonstrated that interstitial cells play a wide range of functions in the fetal and adult testis. Leydig cells, through secretion of hormones and growth factors, are responsible for steroidogenesis and progression of spermatogenesis. Vascular, immune, and peritubular cells, apart from their traditionally acknowledged physiological roles, have a broader importance than previously appreciated and are emerging as essential players in stem/progenitor cell biology. CONCLUSION Interstitial cells take part in complex signaling interactions with both interstitial and tubular cell populations, which are required for several biological processes, such as steroidogenesis, Sertoli cell function, spermatogenesis, and immune regulation. These various processes are essential for testicular function and demonstrate how interstitial cells are indispensable for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Heinrich
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 7045, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Tony DeFalco
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, MLC 7045, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3230 Eden Avenue, Suite E-870, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
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262
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Xia B, Yan Y, Baron M, Wagner F, Barkley D, Chiodin M, Kim SY, Keefe DL, Alukal JP, Boeke JD, Yanai I. Widespread Transcriptional Scanning in the Testis Modulates Gene Evolution Rates. Cell 2020; 180:248-262.e21. [PMID: 31978344 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2019.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The testis expresses the largest number of genes of any mammalian organ, a finding that has long puzzled molecular biologists. Our single-cell transcriptomic data of human and mouse spermatogenesis provide evidence that this widespread transcription maintains DNA sequence integrity in the male germline by correcting DNA damage through a mechanism we term transcriptional scanning. We find that genes expressed during spermatogenesis display lower mutation rates on the transcribed strand and have low diversity in the population. Moreover, this effect is fine-tuned by the level of gene expression during spermatogenesis. The unexpressed genes, which in our model do not benefit from transcriptional scanning, diverge faster over evolutionary timescales and are enriched for sensory and immune-defense functions. Collectively, we propose that transcriptional scanning shapes germline mutation signatures and modulates mutation rates in a gene-specific manner, maintaining DNA sequence integrity for the bulk of genes but allowing for faster evolution in a specific subset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Xia
- Institute for Computational Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Yun Yan
- Institute for Computational Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Maayan Baron
- Institute for Computational Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Florian Wagner
- Institute for Computational Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Dalia Barkley
- Institute for Computational Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Marta Chiodin
- Institute for Computational Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Sang Y Kim
- Department of Pathology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - David L Keefe
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Joseph P Alukal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Jef D Boeke
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; Institute for Systems Genetics, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Itai Yanai
- Institute for Computational Medicine, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, NYU Langone Health, New York, NY 10016, USA.
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263
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Vishvkarma R, Rajender S. Could SARS-CoV-2 affect male fertility? Andrologia 2020; 52:e13712. [PMID: 32578263 PMCID: PMC7361071 DOI: 10.1111/and.13712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
We performed this systematic review to evaluate the possibility of an impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility. SARS-CoV-2 enters the cells with the help of ACE2; therefore, testicular expression of ACE2 was analysed from transcriptome sequencing studies and our unpublished data. Literature suggested that SARS-CoV-1 (2002-2004 SARS) had a significant adverse impact on testicular architecture, suggesting a high possibility of the impact of SARS-CoV-2 as well. Out of two studies on semen samples from COVID-19 affected patients, one reported the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the semen samples while the other denied it, raising conflict about its presence in the semen samples and the possibility of sexual transmission. Our transcriptome sequencing studies on rat testicular germ cells showed ACE expression in rat testicular germ cells. We also found ACE2 expression in transcriptome sequencing data for human spermatozoa, corroborating its presence in the testicular germ cells. Transcriptome sequencing data from literature search revealed ACE2 expression in the germ, Sertoli and Leydig cells. The presence of ACE2 on almost all testicular cells and the report of a significant impact of previous SARS coronavirus on testes suggest that SARS-CoV-2 is highly likely to affect testicular tissue, semen parameters and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Vishvkarma
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Singh Rajender
- Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow, India
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264
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Micati DJ, Radhakrishnan K, Young JC, Rajpert‐De Meyts E, Hime GR, Abud HE, Loveland KL. ‘Snail factors in testicular germ cell tumours and their regulation by the BMP4 signalling pathway’. Andrology 2020; 8:1456-1470. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2019] [Revised: 04/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Diana J. Micati
- Centre for Reproductive Health Hudson Institute of Medical Research Clayton Victoria Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - Karthika Radhakrishnan
- Centre for Reproductive Health Hudson Institute of Medical Research Clayton Victoria Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - Julia C. Young
- Centre for Reproductive Health Hudson Institute of Medical Research Clayton Victoria Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - Ewa Rajpert‐De Meyts
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet University of Copenhagen Copenhagen Denmark
| | - Gary R. Hime
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience University of Melbourne Melbourne Victoria Australia
| | - Helen E. Abud
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
- Stem Cells and Development Program Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - Kate L. Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health Hudson Institute of Medical Research Clayton Victoria Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute Monash University Clayton Victoria Australia
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265
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Goossens E, Jahnukainen K, Mitchell RT, van Pelt A, Pennings G, Rives N, Poels J, Wyns C, Lane S, Rodriguez-Wallberg KA, Rives A, Valli-Pulaski H, Steimer S, Kliesch S, Braye A, Andres MM, Medrano J, Ramos L, Kristensen SG, Andersen CY, Bjarnason R, Orwig KE, Neuhaus N, Stukenborg JB. Fertility preservation in boys: recent developments and new insights †. Hum Reprod Open 2020; 2020:hoaa016. [PMID: 32529047 PMCID: PMC7275639 DOI: 10.1093/hropen/hoaa016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is an important side effect of treatments used for cancer and other non-malignant conditions in males. This may be due to the loss of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and/or altered functionality of testicular somatic cells (e.g. Sertoli cells, Leydig cells). Whereas sperm cryopreservation is the first-line procedure to preserve fertility in post-pubertal males, this option does not exist for prepubertal boys. For patients unable to produce sperm and at high risk of losing their fertility, testicular tissue freezing is now proposed as an alternative experimental option to safeguard their fertility. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE With this review, we aim to provide an update on clinical practices and experimental methods, as well as to describe patient management inclusion strategies used to preserve and restore the fertility of prepubertal boys at high risk of fertility loss. SEARCH METHODS Based on the expertise of the participating centres and a literature search of the progress in clinical practices, patient management strategies and experimental methods used to preserve and restore the fertility of prepubertal boys at high risk of fertility loss were identified. In addition, a survey was conducted amongst European and North American centres/networks that have published papers on their testicular tissue banking activity. OUTCOMES Since the first publication on murine SSC transplantation in 1994, remarkable progress has been made towards clinical application: cryopreservation protocols for testicular tissue have been developed in animal models and are now offered to patients in clinics as a still experimental procedure. Transplantation methods have been adapted for human testis, and the efficiency and safety of the technique are being evaluated in mouse and primate models. However, important practical, medical and ethical issues must be resolved before fertility restoration can be applied in the clinic.Since the previous survey conducted in 2012, the implementation of testicular tissue cryopreservation as a means to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys has increased. Data have been collected from 24 co-ordinating centres worldwide, which are actively offering testis tissue cryobanking to safeguard the future fertility of boys. More than 1033 young patients (age range 3 months to 18 years) have already undergone testicular tissue retrieval and storage for fertility preservation. LIMITATIONS REASONS FOR CAUTION The review does not include the data of all reproductive centres worldwide. Other centres might be offering testicular tissue cryopreservation. Therefore, the numbers might be not representative for the entire field in reproductive medicine and biology worldwide. The key ethical issue regarding fertility preservation in prepubertal boys remains the experimental nature of the intervention. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The revised procedures can be implemented by the multi-disciplinary teams offering and/or developing treatment strategies to preserve the fertility of prepubertal boys who have a high risk of fertility loss. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS The work was funded by ESHRE. None of the authors has a conflict of interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Goossens
- Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - K Jahnukainen
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden.,Division of Haematology-Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, New Children's Hospital, Pediatric Research Center, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - R T Mitchell
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh; and the Edinburgh Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Amm van Pelt
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam Reproduction and Development Research Institute, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - G Pennings
- Bioethics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - N Rives
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 "Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality", Rouen University Hospital, Biology of Reproduction-CECOS Laboratory, F 76000, Rouen, France
| | - J Poels
- Department of Gynecology and Andrology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - C Wyns
- Department of Gynecology and Andrology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium
| | - S Lane
- Department of Paediatric Oncology and Haematology, Children's Hospital Oxford, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - K A Rodriguez-Wallberg
- Department of Oncology Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Solna, Sweden.,Section of Reproductive Medicine, Division of Gynecology and Reproduction, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A Rives
- Normandie Univ, UNIROUEN, EA 4308 "Gametogenesis and Gamete Quality", Rouen University Hospital, Biology of Reproduction-CECOS Laboratory, F 76000, Rouen, France
| | - H Valli-Pulaski
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - S Steimer
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - S Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - A Braye
- Biology of the Testis, Research Laboratory for Reproduction, Genetics and Regenerative Medicine, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), 1090 Brussels, Belgium
| | - M M Andres
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - J Medrano
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - L Ramos
- Departement of Obstetrics and Gynacology, Division Reproductive Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - S G Kristensen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - C Y Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, The Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - R Bjarnason
- Children's Medical Center, Landspítali University Hospital, Reykjavik, Iceland and Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - K E Orwig
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - N Neuhaus
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - J B Stukenborg
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden
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266
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Kiyozumi D, Noda T, Yamaguchi R, Tobita T, Matsumura T, Shimada K, Kodani M, Kohda T, Fujihara Y, Ozawa M, Yu Z, Miklossy G, Bohren KM, Horie M, Okabe M, Matzuk MM, Ikawa M. NELL2-mediated lumicrine signaling through OVCH2 is required for male fertility. Science 2020; 368:1132-1135. [PMID: 32499443 PMCID: PMC7396227 DOI: 10.1126/science.aay5134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The lumicrine system is a postulated signaling system in which testis-derived (upstream) secreted factors enter the male reproductive tract to regulate epididymal (downstream) pathways required for sperm maturation. Until now, no lumicrine factors have been identified. We demonstrate that a testicular germ-cell-secreted epidermal growth factor-like protein, neural epidermal growth factor-like-like 2 (NELL2), specifically binds to an orphan receptor tyrosine kinase, c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1), and mediates the differentiation of the initial segment (IS) of the caput epididymis. Male mice in which Nell2 had been knocked out were infertile. The IS-specific secreted proteases, ovochymase 2 (OVCH2) and A disintegrin and metallopeptidase 28 (ADAM28), were expressed upon IS maturation, and OVCH2 was required for processing of the sperm surface protein ADAM3, which is required for sperm fertilizing ability. This work identifies a lumicrine system essential for testis-epididymis-spermatozoa (NELL2-ROS1-OVCH2-ADAM3) signaling and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Ryo Yamaguchi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tobita
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Kentaro Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Mayo Kodani
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Takashi Kohda
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 4008510, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Manabu Ozawa
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 1088639, Japan
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gabriella Miklossy
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kurt M Bohren
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Masato Horie
- Department of CNS Research, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Kawauchi-cho, Tokushima 771-0192, Japan
| | - Masaru Okabe
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan.
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 1088639, Japan
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267
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Shami AN, Zheng X, Munyoki SK, Ma Q, Manske GL, Green CD, Sukhwani M, Orwig KE, Li JZ, Hammoud SS. Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Human, Macaque, and Mouse Testes Uncovers Conserved and Divergent Features of Mammalian Spermatogenesis. Dev Cell 2020; 54:529-547.e12. [PMID: 32504559 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2020.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2019] [Revised: 03/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a highly regulated process that produces sperm to transmit genetic information to the next generation. Although extensively studied in mice, our current understanding of primate spermatogenesis is limited to populations defined by state-specific markers from rodent data. As between-species differences have been reported in the duration and differentiation hierarchy of this process, it remains unclear how molecular markers and cell states are conserved or have diverged from mice to man. To address this challenge, we employ single-cell RNA sequencing to identify transcriptional signatures of major germ and somatic cell types of the testes in human, macaque, and mice. This approach reveals similarities and differences in expression throughout spermatogenesis, including the stem/progenitor pool of spermatogonia, markers of differentiation, potential regulators of meiosis, RNA turnover during spermatid differentiation, and germ cell-soma communication. These datasets provide a rich foundation for future targeted mechanistic studies of primate germ cell development and in vitro gametogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Xianing Zheng
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Sarah K Munyoki
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Integrative Systems Biology Graduate Program, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Qianyi Ma
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Gabriel L Manske
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | - Meena Sukhwani
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Integrative Systems Biology Graduate Program, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, Integrative Systems Biology Graduate Program, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
| | - Jun Z Li
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
| | - Saher Sue Hammoud
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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268
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Hurtado A, Palomino R, Georg I, Lao M, Real FM, Carmona FD, Burgos M, Jiménez R, Barrionuevo FJ. Deficiency of the onco-miRNA cluster, miR-106b∼25, causes oligozoospermia and the cooperative action of miR-106b∼25 and miR-17∼92 is required to maintain male fertility. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 26:389-401. [PMID: 32330263 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
The identification of new genes involved in sexual development and gonadal function as potential candidates causing male infertility is important for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. Deficiency of the onco-miRNA cluster miR-17∼92 has been shown to disrupt spermatogenesis, whereas mutations in its paralog cluster, miR-106b∼25, that is expressed in the same cells, were reported to have no effect on testis development and function. The aim of this work is to determine the role of these two miRNA clusters in spermatogenesis and male fertility. For this, we analyzed miR-106b∼25 and miR-17∼92 single and double mouse mutants and compared them to control mice. We found that miR-106b∼25 knock out testes show reduced size, oligozoospermia and altered spermatogenesis. Transcriptomic analysis showed that multiple molecular pathways are deregulated in these mutant testes. Nevertheless, mutant males conserved normal fertility even when early spermatogenesis and other functions were disrupted. In contrast, miR-17∼92+/-; miR-106b∼25-/- double mutants showed severely disrupted testicular histology and significantly reduced fertility. Our results indicate that miR-106b∼25 and miR-17∼92 ensure accurate gene expression levels in the adult testis, keeping them within the required thresholds. They play a crucial role in testis homeostasis and are required to maintain male fertility. Hence, we have identified new candidate genetic factors to be screened in the molecular diagnosis of human males with reproductive disorders. Finally, considering the well-known oncogenic nature of these two clusters and the fact that patients with reduced fertility are more prone to testicular cancer, our results might also help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking both pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Hurtado
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Labs 127 and 105a, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Avenida del Conocimiento, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Rogelio Palomino
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I e Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria de Granada, Universidad de Granada, Laboratorio 127 Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Avenida del Conocimiento, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Ina Georg
- Genetics of Complex Diseases Unit, Pfizer-University of Granada-Junta de Andalucía "Centre for Genomics and Oncological Research" (GENYO), Avenida de la Ilustración 114, 18016 Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Lao
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Labs 127 and 105a, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Avenida del Conocimiento, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | | | - F David Carmona
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Labs 127 and 105a, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Avenida del Conocimiento, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Burgos
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Labs 127 and 105a, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Avenida del Conocimiento, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Rafael Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Labs 127 and 105a, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Avenida del Conocimiento, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco J Barrionuevo
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Labs 127 and 105a, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Avenida del Conocimiento, 18016 Armilla, Granada, Spain
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269
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Brown SG, Publicover SJ, Barratt CLR, Martins da Silva SJ. Human sperm ion channel (dys)function: implications for fertilization. Hum Reprod Update 2020; 25:758-776. [PMID: 31665287 PMCID: PMC6847974 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmz032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Revised: 07/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/13/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intensive research on sperm ion channels has identified members of several ion channel families in both mouse and human sperm. Gene knock-out studies have unequivocally demonstrated the importance of the calcium and potassium conductances in sperm for fertility. In both species, the calcium current is carried by the highly complex cation channel of sperm (CatSper). In mouse sperm, the potassium current has been conclusively shown to be carried by a channel consisting of the pore forming subunit SLO3 and auxiliary subunit leucine-rich repeat-containing 52 (LRRC52). However, in human sperm it is controversial whether the pore forming subunit of the channel is composed of SLO3 and/or SLO1. Deciphering the role of the proton-specific Hv1 channel is more challenging as it is only expressed in human sperm. However, definitive evidence for a role in, and importance for, human fertility can only be determined through studies using clinical samples. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review aims to provide insight into the role of sperm ion channels in human fertilization as evidenced from recent studies of sperm from infertile men. We also summarize the key discoveries from mouse ion channel knock-out models and contrast the properties of mouse and human CatSper and potassium currents. We detail the evidence for, and consequences of, defective ion channels in human sperm and discuss hypotheses to explain how defects arise and why affected sperm have impaired fertilization potential. SEARCH METHODS Relevant studies were identified using PubMed and were limited to ion channels that have been characterized in mouse and human sperm. Additional notable examples from other species are included as appropriate. OUTCOMES There are now well-documented fundamental differences between the properties of CatSper and potassium channel currents in mouse and human sperm. However, in both species, sperm lacking either channel cannot fertilize in vivo and CatSper-null sperm also fail to fertilize at IVF. Sperm-lacking potassium currents are capable of fertilizing at IVF, albeit at a much lower rate. However, additional complex and heterogeneous ion channel dysfunction has been reported in sperm from infertile men, the causes of which are unknown. Similarly, the nature of the functional impairment of affected patient sperm remains elusive. There are no reports of studies of Hv1 in human sperm from infertile men. WIDER IMPLICATIONS Recent studies using sperm from infertile men have given new insight and critical evidence supporting the supposition that calcium and potassium conductances are essential for human fertility. However, it should be highlighted that many fundamental questions remain regarding the nature of molecular and functional defects in sperm with dysfunctional ion channels. The development and application of advanced technologies remains a necessity to progress basic and clinical research in this area, with the aim of providing effective screening methodologies to identify and develop treatments for affected men in order to help prevent failed ART cycles. Conversely, development of drugs that block calcium and/or potassium conductances in sperm is a plausible strategy for producing sperm-specific contraceptives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean G Brown
- School of Applied Sciences, Abertay University, Dundee DD11HG, UK
| | | | - Christopher L R Barratt
- Systems Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD19SY, UK
| | - Sarah J Martins da Silva
- Systems Medicine, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, University of Dundee, Dundee DD19SY, UK
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270
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Sun J, Lu Y, Nozawa K, Xu Z, Morohoshi A, Castaneda JM, Noda T, Miyata H, Abbasi F, Shawki HH, Takahashi S, Devlin DJ, Yu Z, Matzuk RM, Garcia TX, Matzuk MM, Ikawa M. CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing in mice uncovers 13 testis- or epididymis-enriched genes individually dispensable for male reproduction†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:183-194. [PMID: 32588039 PMCID: PMC7401351 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 05/14/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Developing a safe and effective male contraceptive remains a challenge in the field of medical science. Molecules that selectively target the male reproductive tract and whose targets are indispensable for male reproductive function serve among the best candidates for a novel non-hormonal male contraceptive method. To determine the function of these genes in vivo, mutant mice carrying disrupted testis- or epididymis-enriched genes were generated by zygote microinjection or electroporation of the CRISPR/Cas9 components. Male fecundity was determined by consecutively pairing knockout males with wild-type females and comparing the fecundity of wild-type controls. Phenotypic analyses of testis appearance and weight, testis and epididymis histology, and sperm movement were further carried out to examine any potential spermatogenic or sperm maturation defect in mutant males. In this study, we uncovered 13 testis- or epididymis-enriched evolutionarily conserved genes that are individually dispensable for male fertility in mice. Owing to their dispensable nature, it is not feasible to use these targets for the development of a male contraceptive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiang Sun
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kaori Nozawa
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zoulan Xu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akane Morohoshi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Julio M Castaneda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Ferheen Abbasi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hossam H Shawki
- Department of Comparative and Experimental Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Department of Anatomy and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Darius J Devlin
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Ryan M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Thomas X Garcia
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Houston-Clear Lake, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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271
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Winge SB, Soraggi S, Schierup MH, Rajpert-De Meyts E, Almstrup K. Integration and reanalysis of transcriptomics and methylomics data derived from blood and testis tissue of men with 47,XXY Klinefelter syndrome indicates the primary involvement of Sertoli cells in the testicular pathogenesis. AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL GENETICS PART C-SEMINARS IN MEDICAL GENETICS 2020; 184:239-255. [PMID: 32449318 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.c.31793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2020] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Klinefelter syndrome (KS; 47,XXY) is the most common sex chromosomal anomaly and causes a multitude of symptoms. Often the most noticeable symptom is infertility caused by azoospermia with testicular histology showing hyalinization of tubules, germ cells loss, and Leydig cell hyperplasia. The germ cell loss begins early in life leading to partial hyalinization of the testis at puberty, but the mechanistic drivers behind this remain poorly understood. In this systematic review, we summarize the current knowledge on developmental changes in the cellularity of KS gonads supplemented by a comparative analysis of the fetal and adult gonadal transcriptome, and blood transcriptome and methylome of men with KS. We identified a high fraction of upregulated genes that escape X-chromosome inactivation, thus supporting previous hypotheses that these are the main drivers of the testicular phenotype in KS. Enrichment analysis showed overrepresentation of genes from the X- and Y-chromosome and testicular transcription factors. Furthermore, by re-evaluation of recent single cell RNA-sequencing data originating from adult KS testis, we found novel evidence that the Sertoli cell is the most affected cell type. Our results are consistent with disturbed cross-talk between somatic and germ cells in the KS testis, and with X-escapee genes acting as mediators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia B Winge
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Samuele Soraggi
- Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Ewa Rajpert-De Meyts
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kristian Almstrup
- Department of Growth and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.,International Center for Research and Research Training in Endocrine Disruption of Male Reproduction and Child Health (EDMaRC), Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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272
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Bromfield EG, Walters JLH, Cafe SL, Bernstein IR, Stanger SJ, Anderson AL, Aitken RJ, McLaughlin EA, Dun MD, Gadella BM, Nixon B. Differential cell death decisions in the testis: evidence for an exclusive window of ferroptosis in round spermatids. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:241-256. [PMID: 30865280 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2018] [Revised: 01/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Oxidative stress is a major aetiology in many pathologies, including that of male infertility. Recent evidence in somatic cells has linked oxidative stress to the induction of a novel cell death modality termed ferroptosis. However, the induction of this iron-regulated, caspase-independent cell death pathway has never been explored outside of the soma. Ferroptosis is initiated through the inactivation of the lipid repair enzyme glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and is exacerbated by the activity of arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase (ALOX15), a lipoxygenase enzyme that facilitates lipid degradation. Here, we demonstrate that male germ cells of the mouse exhibit hallmarks of ferroptosis including; a caspase-independent decline in viability following exposure to oxidative stress conditions induced by the electrophile 4-hydroxynonenal or the ferroptosis activators (erastin and RSL3), as well as a reciprocal upregulation of ALOX15 and down regulation of GPX4 protein expression. Moreover, the round spermatid developmental stage may be sensitized to ferroptosis via the action of acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4 (ACSL4), which modifies membrane lipid composition in a manner favourable to lipid peroxidation. This work provides a clear impetus to explore the contribution of ferroptosis to the demise of germline cells during periods of acute stress in in vivo models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Jessica L H Walters
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Shenae L Cafe
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ilana R Bernstein
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Simone J Stanger
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Amanda L Anderson
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - R John Aitken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | | | - Matthew D Dun
- Priority Research Centre for Cancer Research, Innovation and Translation, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Biomedical Sciences and Pharmacy, Faculty of Health and Medicine, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Barend M Gadella
- Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands.,Department of Farm Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 2, CM, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Discipline of Biological Sciences, University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia
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273
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Fend-Guella DL, von Kopylow K, Spiess AN, Schulze W, Salzbrunn A, Diederich S, El Hajj N, Haaf T, Zechner U, Linke M. The DNA methylation profile of human spermatogonia at single-cell- and single-allele-resolution refutes its role in spermatogonial stem cell function and germ cell differentiation. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 25:283-294. [PMID: 30892608 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaz017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2019] [Revised: 03/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human spermatogonial stem cells (hSSCs) have potential in fertility preservation of prepubertal boys or in treatment of male adults suffering from meiotic arrest. Prior to therapeutic application, in vitro propagation of rare hSSCs is mandatory. As the published data points to epigenetic alterations in long-term cell culture of spermatogonia (SPG), an initial characterisation of their DNA methylation state is important. Testicular biopsies from five adult normogonadotropic patients were converted into aggregate-free cell suspensions. FGFR3-positive (FGFR3+) SPG, resembling a very early stem cell state, were labelled with magnetic beads and isolated in addition to unlabelled SPG (FGFR3-). DNA methylation was assessed by limiting dilution bisulfite pyrosequencing for paternally imprinted (H19 and MEG3), maternally imprinted (KCNQ1OT1, PEG3, and SNRPN), pluripotency (POU5F1/OCT4 and NANOG), and spermatogonial/hSSC marker (FGFR3, GFRA1, PLZF, and L1TD1) genes on either single cells or pools of 10 cells. Both spermatogonial subpopulations exhibited a methylation pattern largely equivalent to sperm, with hypomethylation of hSSC marker and maternally imprinted genes and hypermethylation of pluripotency and paternally imprinted genes. Interestingly, we detected fine differences between the two spermatogonial subpopulations, which were reflected by an inverse methylation pattern of imprinted genes, i.e. decreasing methylation in hypomethylated genes and increasing methylation in hypermethylated genes, from FGFR3+ through FGFR3- SPG to sperm. Limitations of this study are due to it not being performed on a genome-wide level and being based on previously published regulatory gene regions. However, the concordance of DNA methylation between SPG and sperm implies that hSSC regulation and germ cell differentiation do not occur at the DNA methylation level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Desiree Lucia Fend-Guella
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Kathrein von Kopylow
- Department of Andrology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Wolfgang Schulze
- Medizinisches Versorgungszentrum Fertility Center Hamburg GmbH, Amedes Group, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Andrea Salzbrunn
- Department of Andrology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stefan Diederich
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Nady El Hajj
- Institute of Human Genetics, Biocenter, Julius Maximilians University, Würzburg, Germany.,College of Health and Life Sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Education City, Doha, Qatar
| | - Thomas Haaf
- Institute of Human Genetics, Biocenter, Julius Maximilians University, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Zechner
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany.,Senckenberg Center of Human Genetics, Facharztzentrum Frankfurt-Nordend gGmbH, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Matthias Linke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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274
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Sperm proteins SOF1, TMEM95, and SPACA6 are required for sperm-oocyte fusion in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2020; 117:11493-11502. [PMID: 32393636 PMCID: PMC7261011 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1922650117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm-oocyte membrane fusion is one of the most important events for fertilization. So far, IZUMO1 and Fertilization Influencing Membrane Protein (FIMP) on the sperm membrane and CD9 and JUNO (IZUMO1R/FOLR4) on the oocyte membrane have been identified as fusion-required proteins. However, the molecular mechanisms for sperm-oocyte fusion are still unclear. Here, we show that testis-enriched genes, sperm-oocyte fusion required 1 (Sof1/Llcfc1/1700034O15Rik), transmembrane protein 95 (Tmem95), and sperm acrosome associated 6 (Spaca6), encode sperm proteins required for sperm-oocyte fusion in mice. These knockout (KO) spermatozoa carry IZUMO1 but cannot fuse with the oocyte plasma membrane, leading to male sterility. Transgenic mice which expressed mouse Sof1, Tmem95, and Spaca6 rescued the sterility of Sof1, Tmem95, and Spaca6 KO males, respectively. SOF1 and SPACA6 remain in acrosome-reacted spermatozoa, and SPACA6 translocates to the equatorial segment of these spermatozoa. The coexpression of SOF1, TMEM95, and SPACA6 in IZUMO1-expressing cultured cells did not enhance their ability to adhere to the oocyte membrane or allow them to fuse with oocytes. SOF1, TMEM95, and SPACA6 may function cooperatively with IZUMO1 and/or unknown fusogens in sperm-oocyte fusion.
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275
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Lu C, Zhang Y, Qin Y, Xu Q, Zhou R, Cui Y, Zhu Y, Zhang X, Zhang J, Wei X, Wang M, Hang B, Mao JH, Snijders AM, Liu M, Hu Z, Shen H, Zhou Z, Guo X, Wu X, Wang X, Xia Y. Human X chromosome exome sequencing identifies BCORL1 as contributor to spermatogenesis. J Med Genet 2020; 58:56-65. [PMID: 32376790 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility affects approximately 15% of couples worldwide with male infertility being responsible for approximately 50% of cases. Although accumulating evidence demonstrates the critical role of the X chromosome in spermatogenesis during the last few decades, the expression patterns and potential impact of the X chromosome, together with X linked genes, on male infertility are less well understood. METHODS We performed X chromosome exome sequencing followed by a two-stage independent population validation in 1333 non-obstructive azoospermia cases and 1141 healthy controls to identify variant classes with high likelihood of pathogenicity. To explore the functions of these candidate genes in spermatogenesis, we first knocked down these candidate genes individually in mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) using short interfering RNA oligonucleotides and then generated candidate genes knockout mice by CRISPR-Cas9 system. RESULTS Four low-frequency variants were identified in four genes (BCORL1, MAP7D3, ARMCX4 and H2BFWT) associated with male infertility. Functional studies of the mouse SSCs revealed that knocking down Bcorl1 or Mtap7d3 could inhibit SSCs self-renewal and knocking down Armcx4 could repress SSCs differentiation in vitro. Using CRISPR-Cas9 system, Bcorl1 and Mtap7d3 knockout mice were generated. Excitingly, Bcorl1 knockout mice were infertile with impaired spermatogenesis. Moreover, Bcorl1 knockout mice exhibited impaired sperm motility and sperm cells displayed abnormal mitochondrial structure. CONCLUSION Our data indicate that the X-linked genes are associated with male infertility and involved in regulating SSCs, which provides a new insight into the role of X-linked genes in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chuncheng Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yufeng Qin
- Epigenetics & Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Qiaoqiao Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ran Zhou
- Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yiqiang Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunfei Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jintao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiang Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Min Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Bo Hang
- Division of Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Jian-Hua Mao
- Division of Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Antoine M Snijders
- Division of Biological Systems and Engineering, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Mingxi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hongbing Shen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics and Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zuomin Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xin Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xinru Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yankai Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- Key Laboratory of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
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276
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Leitão E, Di Persio S, Laurentino S, Wöste M, Dugas M, Kliesch S, Neuhaus N, Horsthemke B. The sperm epigenome does not display recurrent epimutations in patients with severely impaired spermatogenesis. Clin Epigenetics 2020; 12:61. [PMID: 32375885 PMCID: PMC7204326 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-020-00854-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the past 15 years, numerous studies have described aberrant DNA methylation of imprinted genes (e.g. MEST and H19) in sperm of oligozoospermic men, but the prevalence and genomic extent of abnormal methylation patterns have remained unknown. RESULTS Using deep bisulfite sequencing (DBS), we screened swim-up sperm samples from 40 normozoospermic and 93 patients diagnosed as oligoasthenoteratozoospermic, oligoteratozoospermic or oligozoospermic, which are termed OATs throughout the manuscript, for H19 and MEST methylation. Based on this screening, we defined three patient groups: normal controls (NC), abnormally methylated oligozoospermic (AMO; n = 7) and normally methylated oligozoospermic (NMO; n = 86). Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) of five NC and five AMO samples revealed abnormal methylation levels of all 50 imprinting control regions in each AMO sample. To investigate whether this finding reflected epigenetic germline mosaicism or the presence of residual somatic DNA, we made a genome-wide inventory of soma-germ cell-specific DNA methylation. We found that > 2000 germ cell-specific genes are promoter-methylated in blood and that AMO samples had abnormal methylation levels at these genes, consistent with the presence of somatic cell DNA. The comparison between the five NC and six NMO samples revealed 19 differentially methylated regions (DMRs), none of which could be validated in an independent cohort of 40 men. Previous studies reported a higher incidence of epimutations at single CpG sites in the CTCF-binding region 6 of H19 in infertile patients. DBS analysis of this locus, however, revealed an association between DNA methylation levels and genotype (rs2071094), but not fertility phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that somatic DNA contamination and genetic variation confound methylation studies in sperm of infertile men. While we cannot exclude the existence of rare patients with slightly abnormal sperm methylation at non-recurrent CpG sites, the prevalence of aberrant methylation in swim-up purified sperm of infertile men has likely been overestimated, which is reassuring for patients undergoing assisted reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Leitão
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Sara Di Persio
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sandra Laurentino
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Marius Wöste
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Martin Dugas
- Institute of Medical Informatics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Nina Neuhaus
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany.
| | - Bernhard Horsthemke
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Essen, Essen, Germany.,Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
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277
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Abstract
Infertility caused by chemotherapy or radiation treatments negatively impacts patient-survivor quality of life. The only fertility preservation option available to prepubertal boys who are not making sperm is cryopreservation of testicular tissues that contain spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) with potential to produce sperm and/or restore fertility. SSC transplantation to regenerate spermatogenesis in infertile adult survivors of childhood cancers is a mature technology. However, the number of SSCs obtained in a biopsy of a prepubertal testis may be small. Therefore, methods to expand SSC numbers in culture before transplantation are needed. Here we review progress with human SSC culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sherin David
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Kyle E Orwig
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Magee-Womens Research Institute, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.
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278
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Xu Z, Miyata H, Kaneda Y, Castaneda JM, Lu Y, Morohoshi A, Yu Z, Matzuk MM, Ikawa M. CIB4 is essential for the haploid phase of spermatogenesis in mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 103:235-243. [PMID: 32430498 PMCID: PMC7401386 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2020] [Revised: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex developmental process that involves the proliferation of diploid cells, meiotic division, and haploid differentiation. Many genes are shown to be essential for male fertility using knockout (KO) mice; however, there still remain genes to be analyzed to elucidate their molecular mechanism and their roles in spermatogenesis. Calcium- and integrin-binding protein 1 (CIB1) is a ubiquitously expressed protein that possesses three paralogs: CIB2, CIB3, and CIB4. It is reported that Cib1 KO male mice are sterile due to impaired haploid differentiation. In this study, we discovered that Cib4 is expressed strongly in mouse and human testis and begins expression during the haploid phase of spermatogenesis in mice. To analyze the function of CIB4 in vivo, we generated Cib4 KO mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Cib4 KO male mice are sterile due to impaired haploid differentiation, phenocopying Cib1 KO male mice. Spermatogenic cells isolated from seminiferous tubules demonstrate an essential function of CIB4 in the formation of the apical region of the sperm head. Further analysis of CIB4 function may shed light on the etiology of male infertility caused by spermatogenesis defects, and CIB4 could be a target for male contraceptives because of its dominant expression in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoulan Xu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuki Kaneda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Julio M Castaneda
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yonggang Lu
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Akane Morohoshi
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Department of Experimental Genome Research, Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan
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279
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Luo Z, Wang X, Jiang H, Wang R, Chen J, Chen Y, Xu Q, Cao J, Gong X, Wu J, Yang Y, Li W, Han C, Cheng CY, Rosenfeld MG, Sun F, Song X. Reorganized 3D Genome Structures Support Transcriptional Regulation in Mouse Spermatogenesis. iScience 2020; 23:101034. [PMID: 32315832 PMCID: PMC7170994 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional chromatin structures undergo dynamic reorganization during mammalian spermatogenesis; however, their impacts on gene regulation remain unclear. Here, we focused on understanding the structure-function regulation of meiotic chromosomes by Hi-C and other omics techniques in mouse spermatogenesis across five stages. Beyond confirming recent reports regarding changes in compartmentalization and reorganization of topologically associating domains (TADs), we further demonstrated that chromatin loops are present prior to and after, but not at, the pachytene stage. By integrating Hi-C and RNA-seq data, we showed that the switching of A/B compartments between spermatogenic stages is tightly associated with meiosis-specific mRNAs and piRNAs expression. Moreover, our ATAC-seq data indicated that chromatin accessibility per se is not responsible for the TAD and loop diminishment at pachytene. Additionally, our ChIP-seq data demonstrated that CTCF and cohesin remain bound at TAD boundary regions throughout meiosis, suggesting that dynamic reorganization of TADs does not require CTCF and cohesin clearance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyu Luo
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Xiaorong Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226000, China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Ruoyu Wang
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Jian Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yusheng Chen
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Qianlan Xu
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Jun Cao
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China
| | - Xiaowen Gong
- Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ji Wu
- Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Yungui Yang
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Genomic and Precision Medicine, Collaborative Innovation Center of Genetics and Development, CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, College of Future Technology, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Wenbo Li
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, McGovern Medical School, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA; Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center and UTHealth, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Chunsheng Han
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, USA
| | - Michael G Rosenfeld
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, School and Department of Medicine, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA 92093-0651, USA
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu 226000, China.
| | - Xiaoyuan Song
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Function and Disease, School of Life Sciences, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, China.
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280
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Wang Z, Xu X. scRNA-seq Profiling of Human Testes Reveals the Presence of the ACE2 Receptor, A Target for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Spermatogonia, Leydig and Sertoli Cells. Cells 2020; 9:E920. [PMID: 32283711 PMCID: PMC7226809 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 373] [Impact Index Per Article: 93.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
In December 2019, a novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was identified in COVID-19 patients in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. SARS-CoV-2 shares both high sequence similarity and the use of the same cell entry receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2), with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV). Several studies have provided bioinformatic evidence of potential routes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive and urinary systems. However, whether the reproductive system is a potential target of SARS-CoV-2 infection has not yet been determined. Here, we investigate the expression pattern of ACE2 in adult human testes at the level of single-cell transcriptomes. The results indicate that ACE2 is predominantly enriched in spermatogonia and Leydig and Sertoli cells. Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) indicates that Gene Ontology (GO) categories associated with viral reproduction and transmission are highly enriched in ACE2-positive spermatogonia, while male gamete generation related terms are downregulated. Cell-cell junction and immunity-related GO terms are increased in ACE2-positive Leydig and Sertoli cells, but mitochondria and reproduction-related GO terms are decreased. These findings provide evidence that the human testis is a potential target of SARS-CoV-2 infection, which may have significant impact on our understanding of the pathophysiology of this rapidly spreading disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengpin Wang
- Laboratory of Cellular and Developmental Biology, NIDDK, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA;
| | - Xiaojiang Xu
- Integrative Bioinformatics, ESCBL, NIEHS, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA
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281
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Sohni A, Tan K, Song HW, Burow D, de Rooij DG, Laurent L, Hsieh TC, Rabah R, Hammoud SS, Vicini E, Wilkinson MF. The Neonatal and Adult Human Testis Defined at the Single-Cell Level. Cell Rep 2020; 26:1501-1517.e4. [PMID: 30726734 PMCID: PMC6402825 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 187] [Impact Index Per Article: 46.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis has been intensely studied in rodents but remains poorly understood in humans. Here, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze human testes. Clustering analysis of neonatal testes reveals several cell subsets, including cell populations with characteristics of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). In adult testes, we identify four undifferentiated spermatogonia (SPG) clusters, each of which expresses specific marker genes. We identify protein markers for the most primitive SPG state, allowing us to purify this likely SSC-enriched cell subset. We map the timeline of male germ cell development from PGCs through fetal germ cells to differentiating adult SPG stages. We also define somatic cell subsets in both neonatal and adult testes and trace their developmental trajectories. Our data provide a blueprint of the developing human male germline and supporting somatic cells. The PGC-like and SSC markers are candidates to be used for SSC therapy to treat infertility. Sohni et al. use scRNA-seq analysis to define cell subsets in the human testis. Highlights include the identification of primordial germ cell- and spermatogonial stem cell-like cell subsets in neonatal testes, numerous undifferentiated spermatogonial cell states in adult testes, and somatic cell subsets in both neonatal and adult testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Sohni
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hye-Won Song
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dana Burow
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Dirk G de Rooij
- Reproductive Biology Group, Division of Developmental Biology, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Utrecht University, 3584 CH Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Louise Laurent
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tung-Chin Hsieh
- Department of Urology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92103, USA
| | - Raja Rabah
- Pediatric and Perinatal Pathology, Michigan Medicine, CS Mott and VonVoigtlander Women's Hospitals, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-4272, USA
| | - Saher Sue Hammoud
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Elena Vicini
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopedic, Section of Histology Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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282
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Struijk RB, Dorssers LCJ, Henneman P, Rijlaarsdam MA, Venema A, Jongejan A, Mannens MMAM, Looijenga LHJ, Repping S, van Pelt AMM. Comparing genome-scale DNA methylation and CNV marks between adult human cultured ITGA6+ testicular cells and seminomas to assess in vitro genomic stability. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0230253. [PMID: 32176716 PMCID: PMC7075560 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0230253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autologous transplantation of spermatogonial stem cells is a promising new avenue to restore fertility in infertile recipients. Expansion of the initial spermatogonial stem cell pool through cell culturing is a necessary step to obtain enough cells for effective repopulation of the testis after transplantation. Since in vitro propagation can lead to (epi-)genetic mutations and possibly malignant transformation of the starting cell population, we set out to investigate genome-wide DNA methylation status in uncultured and cultured primary testicular ITGA6+ sorted cells and compare them with germ cell tumor samples of the seminoma subtype. Seminomas displayed a severely global hypomethylated profile, including loss of genomic imprinting, which we did not detect in cultured primary testicular ITGA6+ cells. Differential methylation analysis revealed altered regulation of gamete formation and meiotic processes in cultured primary testicular ITGA6+ cells but not in seminomas. The pivotal POU5F1 marker was hypomethylated in seminomas but not in uncultured or cultured primary testicular ITGA6+ cells, which is reflected in the POU5F1 mRNA expression levels. Lastly, seminomas displayed a number of characteristic copy number variations that were not detectable in primary testicular ITGA6+ cells, either before or after culture. Together, the data show a distinct DNA methylation patterns in cultured primary testicular ITGA6+ cells that does not resemble the pattern found in seminomas, but also highlight the need for more sensitive methods to fully exclude the presence of malignant cells after culture and to further study the epigenetic events that take place during in vitro culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert B. Struijk
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lambert C. J. Dorssers
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, and Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Henneman
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Martin A. Rijlaarsdam
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, and Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Andrea Venema
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Aldo Jongejan
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Bioinformatics Laboratory, Department of Clinical Epidemiology, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marcel M. A. M. Mannens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leendert H. J. Looijenga
- Department of Pathology, Erasmus MC University Medical Center, Rotterdam, and Princess Maxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Sjoerd Repping
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ans M. M. van Pelt
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam University Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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283
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Ivanski F, de Oliveira VM, de Oliveira IM, de Araújo Ramos AT, de Oliveira Tonete ST, de Oliveira Hykavei G, Bargi-Souza P, Schiessel DL, Martino-Andrade AJ, Romano MA, Marino Romano R. Prepubertal acrylamide exposure causes dose-response decreases in spermatic production and functionality with modulation of genes involved in the spermatogenesis in rats. Toxicology 2020; 436:152428. [PMID: 32151602 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2020.152428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The increase in human infertility prevalence due to male reproductive disorders has been associated with extensive endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) exposure. Acrylamide (AA) is a compound formed spontaneously during heat processing of some foods that are mainly consumed by children and adolescents. In this study, we evaluated the prepubertal AA exposure effects on male adult reproductive physiology using a prepubertal experimental model to analyze the pubertal development, spermatogenesis hormones levels and genes expression involved in male reproductive function. This study is the first one to use the validated protocol to correlate the AA exposure with puberty development, as well as the AA-induced endocrine disrupting effects on reproductive axis. AA did not affect the age at puberty, the reproductive organ's weight and serum hormonal levels. AA reduces spermatogenesis, induces morphological and functional defects on sperm and alters transcript expression of sexual hormone receptors (Ar and Esr2), the transcript expression of Tnf, Egr2, Rhcg and Lrrc34. These findings suggest that excessive AA consumption may impair their reproductive capacity at adulthood, despite no changes in hormonal profile being observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda Ivanski
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Medicine, State University of Central-West, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, 85040-080, Parana, Brazil.
| | - Viviane Matoso de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Medicine, State University of Central-West, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, 85040-080, Parana, Brazil.
| | - Isabela Medeiros de Oliveira
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Medicine, State University of Central-West, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, 85040-080, Parana, Brazil.
| | - Anderson Tadeu de Araújo Ramos
- Department of Physiology, Animal Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, 81531-980,PO Box 19031, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
| | - Selma Thaisa de Oliveira Tonete
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Medicine, State University of Central-West, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, 85040-080, Parana, Brazil.
| | - Gabriel de Oliveira Hykavei
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Medicine, State University of Central-West, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, 85040-080, Parana, Brazil.
| | - Paula Bargi-Souza
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Avenida Presidente Antônio Carlos, 6627, 31270-901, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
| | - Dalton Luiz Schiessel
- Department of Nutrition, State University of Central-West, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, Zip-Code 85040-080, Parana, Brazil.
| | - Anderson Joel Martino-Andrade
- Department of Physiology, Animal Endocrine and Reproductive Physiology Laboratory, Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), Centro Politécnico, 81531-980,PO Box 19031, Curitiba, Parana, Brazil.
| | - Marco Aurelio Romano
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Medicine, State University of Central-West, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, 85040-080, Parana, Brazil.
| | - Renata Marino Romano
- Laboratory of Reproductive Toxicology, Department of Medicine, State University of Central-West, Rua Simeao Camargo Varela de Sa, 03, 85040-080, Parana, Brazil.
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284
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Patel DP, Jenkins TG, Aston KI, Guo J, Pastuszak AW, Hanson HA, Hotaling JM. Harnessing the full potential of reproductive genetics and epigenetics for male infertility in the era of "big data". Fertil Steril 2020; 113:478-488. [PMID: 32089255 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2020.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The complexity of male reproductive impairment has hampered characterization of the underlying genetic causes of male infertility. However, in the last 20 years, more powerful and affordable tools to interrogate the genetic and epigenetic determinants of male infertility have accelerated the number of new discoveries in the characterization of male infertility. With this explosion of new data, integration in a systems-based approach-including complete phenotypic information-to male infertility is imperative. We briefly review the current understanding of genetic and epigenetic causes of male infertility and how findings may be translated into a practical component for the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darshan P Patel
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Tim G Jenkins
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Department of Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah
| | - Kenneth I Aston
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Jingtao Guo
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Alexander W Pastuszak
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - Heidi A Hanson
- Department of Surgery and Population Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah
| | - James M Hotaling
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
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285
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Miyata H, Shimada K, Morohoshi A, Oura S, Matsumura T, Xu Z, Oyama Y, Ikawa M. Testis-enriched kinesin KIF9 is important for progressive motility in mouse spermatozoa. FASEB J 2020; 34:5389-5400. [PMID: 32072696 PMCID: PMC7136151 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201902755r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
Kinesin is a molecular motor that moves along microtubules. Kinesin family member 9 (KIF9) is evolutionarily conserved and expressed strongly in mouse testis. In the unicellular flagellate Chlamydomonas, KLP1 (ortholog of KIF9) is localized to the central pair microtubules of the axoneme and regulates flagellar motility. In contrast, the function of KIF9 remains unclear in mammals. Here, we mutated KIF9 in mice using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Kif9 mutated mice exhibit impaired sperm motility and subfertility. Further analysis reveals that the flagella lacking KIF9 showed an asymmetric waveform pattern, which leads to a circular motion of spermatozoa. In spermatozoa that lack the central pair protein HYDIN, KIF9 was not detected by immunofluorescence and immunoblot analysis. These results suggest that KIF9 is associated with the central pair microtubules and regulates flagellar motility in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Akane Morohoshi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Seiya Oura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Zoulan Xu
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Yuki Oyama
- Graduate School of Life and Medical Sciences, Doshisha University, Kyotanabe, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Japan.,The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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286
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Nagaoka SI, Nakaki F, Miyauchi H, Nosaka Y, Ohta H, Yabuta Y, Kurimoto K, Hayashi K, Nakamura T, Yamamoto T, Saitou M. ZGLP1 is a determinant for the oogenic fate in mice. Science 2020; 367:science.aaw4115. [PMID: 32054698 DOI: 10.1126/science.aaw4115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Sex determination of germ cells is vital to creating the sexual dichotomy of germ cell development, thereby ensuring sexual reproduction. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we show that ZGLP1, a conserved transcriptional regulator with GATA-like zinc fingers, determines the oogenic fate in mice. ZGLP1 acts downstream of bone morphogenetic protein, but not retinoic acid (RA), and is essential for the oogenic program and meiotic entry. ZGLP1 overexpression induces differentiation of in vitro primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) into fetal oocytes by activating the oogenic programs repressed by Polycomb activities, whereas RA signaling contributes to oogenic program maturation and PGC program repression. Our findings elucidate the mechanism for mammalian oogenic fate determination, providing a foundation for promoting in vitro gametogenesis and reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- So I Nagaoka
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Fumio Nakaki
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hidetaka Miyauchi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yoshiaki Nosaka
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Ohta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Yabuta
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Kazuki Kurimoto
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Hayashi
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Tomonori Nakamura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Takuya Yamamoto
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.,AMED-CREST, AMED, 1-7-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-0004, Japan.,Medical-risk Avoidance based on iPS Cells Team, RIKEN Center for Advanced Intelligence Project (AIP), Kyoto, 606-8507, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan. .,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.,Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
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287
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Wu X, Luo C, Hu L, Chen X, Chen Y, Fan J, Cheng CY, Sun F. Unraveling epigenomic abnormality in azoospermic human males by WGBS, RNA-Seq, and transcriptome profiling analyses. J Assist Reprod Genet 2020; 37:789-802. [PMID: 32056059 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-020-01716-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine associations between genomic DNA methylation in testicular cells and azoospermia in human males. METHODS This was a case-control study investigating the differences and conservations in DNA methylation, genome-wide DNA methylation, and bulk RNA-Seq for transcriptome profiling using testicular biopsy tissues from NOA and OA patients. Differential methylation and different conserved methylation regions associated with azoospermia were identified by comparing genomic DNA methylation of testicular seminiferous cells derived from NOA and OA patients. RESULTS The genome methylation modification of testicular cells from NOA patients was disordered, and the reproductive-related gene expression was significantly different. CONCLUSION Our findings not only provide valuable knowledge of human spermatogenesis but also paved the way for the identification of genes/proteins involved in male germ cell development. The approach presented in this report provides a powerful tool to identify responsible biomolecules, and/or cellular changes (e.g., epigenetic abnormality) that induce male reproductive dysfunction such as OA and NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chunhai Luo
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Longfei Hu
- Singleron Biotechnologies Ltd., 211 Pubin Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Xue Chen
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yunmei Chen
- Singleron Biotechnologies Ltd., 211 Pubin Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jue Fan
- Singleron Biotechnologies Ltd., 211 Pubin Road, Nanjing, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, 10065, USA.
| | - Fei Sun
- Medical School, Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, Jiangsu, China.
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288
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Guo J, Nie X, Giebler M, Mlcochova H, Wang Y, Grow EJ, Kim R, Tharmalingam M, Matilionyte G, Lindskog C, Carrell DT, Mitchell RT, Goriely A, Hotaling JM, Cairns BR. The Dynamic Transcriptional Cell Atlas of Testis Development during Human Puberty. Cell Stem Cell 2020; 26:262-276.e4. [PMID: 31928944 PMCID: PMC7298616 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 11/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The human testis undergoes dramatic developmental and structural changes during puberty, including proliferation and maturation of somatic niche cells, and the onset of spermatogenesis. To characterize this understudied process, we profiled and analyzed single-cell transcriptomes of ∼10,000 testicular cells from four boys spanning puberty and compared them to those of infants and adults. During puberty, undifferentiated spermatogonia sequentially expand and differentiate prior to the initiation of gametogenesis. Notably, we identify a common pre-pubertal progenitor for Leydig and myoid cells and delineate candidate factors controlling pubertal differentiation. Furthermore, pre-pubertal Sertoli cells exhibit two distinct transcriptional states differing in metabolic profiles before converging to an alternative single mature population during puberty. Roles for testosterone in Sertoli cell maturation, antimicrobial peptide secretion, and spermatogonial differentiation are further highlighted through single-cell analysis of testosterone-suppressed transfemale testes. Taken together, our transcriptional atlas of the developing human testis provides multiple insights into developmental changes and key factors accompanying male puberty.
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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; The Andrology Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Andrology/Urology), Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men's Health, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, 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
| | - Maria Giebler
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX39DS, UK
| | - Hana Mlcochova
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX39DS, UK
| | - Yueqi Wang
- Department of Computer Science, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Edward J Grow
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Robin Kim
- Section of Transplantation, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84132, USA
| | - Melissa Tharmalingam
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh EH91LF, UK
| | - Gabriele Matilionyte
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh EH91LF, UK
| | - Cecilia Lindskog
- Department of Immunology, Genetics and Pathology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala 751 85, Sweden
| | - Douglas T Carrell
- The Andrology Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Andrology/Urology), Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men's Health, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Rod T Mitchell
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Royal Hospital for Children and Young People, Edinburgh EH91LF, UK
| | - Anne Goriely
- Radcliffe Department of Medicine, MRC Weatherall Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford OX39DS, UK
| | - James M Hotaling
- The Andrology Laboratory, Department of Surgery (Andrology/Urology), Center for Reconstructive Urology and Men's Health, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, 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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289
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Kurek M, Albalushi H, Hovatta O, Stukenborg JB. Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in Reproductive Science-a Comparison of Protocols Used to Generate and Define Male Germ Cells from Pluripotent Stem Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21031028. [PMID: 32033159 PMCID: PMC7038013 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21031028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2019] [Revised: 01/30/2020] [Accepted: 02/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Globally, fertility-related issues affect around 15% of couples. In 20%–30% of cases men are solely responsible, and they contribute in around 50% of all cases. Hence, understanding of in vivo germ-cell specification and exploring different angles of fertility preservation and infertility intervention are considered hot topics nowadays, with special focus on the use of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) as a source of in vitro germ-cell generation. However, the generation of male germ cells from hPSCs can currently be considered challenging, making a judgment on the real perspective of these innovative approaches difficult. Ever since the first spontaneous germ-cell differentiation studies, using human embryonic stem cells, various strategies, including specific co-cultures, gene over-expression, and addition of growth factors, have been applied for human germ-cell derivation. In line with the variety of differentiation methods, the outcomes have ranged from early and migratory primordial germ cells up to post-meiotic spermatids. This variety of culture approaches and cell lines makes comparisons between protocols difficult. Considering the diverse strategies and outcomes, we aim in this mini-review to summarize the literature regarding in vitro derivation of human male germ cells from hPSCs, while keeping a particular focus on the culture methods, growth factors, and cell lines used.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Kurek
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, 17164 Solna, Sweden; (M.K.); (H.A.)
| | - Halima Albalushi
- NORDFERTIL Research Lab Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, and Karolinska University Hospital, 17164 Solna, Sweden; (M.K.); (H.A.)
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, 123 Muscat, Oman
| | - Outi Hovatta
- Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology (CLINTEC), Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital Karolinska Institutet, 141 52 Huddinge, Sweden;
| | - 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, 17164 Solna, Sweden; (M.K.); (H.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +46-8524-82788
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290
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Tan K, Song HW, Wilkinson MF. Single-cell RNAseq analysis of testicular germ and somatic cell development during the perinatal period. Development 2020; 147:dev.183251. [PMID: 31964773 DOI: 10.1242/dev.183251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Pro-spermatogonia (SG) serve as the gateway to spermatogenesis. Using single-cell RNA sequencing (RNAseq), we studied the development of ProSG, their SG descendants and testicular somatic cells during the perinatal period in mice. We identified both gene and protein markers for three temporally distinct ProSG cell subsets, including a migratory cell population with a transcriptome distinct from the previously defined T1- and T2-ProSG stages. This intermediate (I)-ProSG subset translocates from the center of seminiferous tubules to the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) 'niche' in its periphery soon after birth. We identified three undifferentiated SG subsets at postnatal day 7, each of which expresses distinct genes, including transcription factor and signaling genes. Two of these subsets have the characteristics of newly emergent SSCs. We also molecularly defined the development of Sertoli, Leydig and peritubular myoid cells during the perinatal period, allowing us to identify candidate signaling pathways acting between somatic and germ cells in a stage-specific manner during the perinatal period. Our study provides a rich resource for those investigating testicular germ and somatic cell developmental during the perinatal period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Hye-Won Song
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA .,Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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291
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Evaluating genetic causes of azoospermia: What can we learn from a complex cellular structure and single-cell transcriptomics of the human testis? Hum Genet 2020; 140:183-201. [PMID: 31950241 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-020-02116-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Azoospermia is a condition defined as the absence of spermatozoa in the ejaculate, but the testicular phenotype of men with azoospermia may be very variable, ranging from full spermatogenesis, through arrested maturation of germ cells at different stages, to completely degenerated tissue with ghost tubules. Hence, information regarding the cell-type-specific expression patterns is needed to prioritise potential pathogenic variants that contribute to the pathogenesis of azoospermia. Thanks to technological advances within next-generation sequencing, it is now possible to obtain detailed cell-type-specific expression patterns in the testis by single-cell RNA sequencing. However, to interpret single-cell RNA sequencing data properly, substantial knowledge of the highly sophisticated data processing and visualisation methods is needed. Here we review the complex cellular structure of the human testis in different types of azoospermia and outline how known genetic alterations affect the pathology of the testis. We combined the currently available single-cell RNA sequencing datasets originating from the human testis into one dataset covering 62,751 testicular cells, each with a median of 2637 transcripts quantified. We show what effects the most common data-processing steps have, and how different visualisation methods can be used. Furthermore, we calculated expression patterns in pseudotime, and show how splicing rates can be used to determine the velocity of differentiation during spermatogenesis. With the combined dataset we show expression patterns and network analysis of genes known to be involved in the pathogenesis of azoospermia. Finally, we provide the combined dataset as an interactive online resource where expression of genes and different visualisation methods can be explored ( https://testis.cells.ucsc.edu/ ).
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292
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Portela JMD, Heckmann L, Wistuba J, Sansone A, van Pelt AMM, Kliesch S, Schlatt S, Neuhaus N. Development and Disease-Dependent Dynamics of Spermatogonial Subpopulations in Human Testicular Tissues. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9010224. [PMID: 31947706 PMCID: PMC7019285 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9010224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Cancer therapy and conditioning treatments of non-malignant diseases affect spermatogonial function and may lead to male infertility. Data on the molecular properties of spermatogonia and the influence of disease and/or treatment on spermatogonial subpopulations remain limited. Here, we assessed if the density and percentage of spermatogonial subpopulation changes during development (n = 13) and due to disease and/or treatment (n = 18) in tissues stored in fertility preservation programs, using markers for spermatogonia (MAGEA4), undifferentiated spermatogonia (UTF1), proliferation (PCNA), and global DNA methylation (5mC). Throughout normal prepubertal testicular development, only the density of 5mC-positive spermatogonia significantly increased with age. In comparison, patients affected by disease and/or treatment showed a reduced density of UTF1-, PCNA- and 5mC-positive spermatogonia, whereas the percentage of spermatogonial subpopulations remained unchanged. As an exception, sickle cell disease patients treated with hydroxyurea displayed a reduction in both density and percentage of 5mC- positive spermatogonia. Our results demonstrate that, in general, a reduction in spermatogonial density does not alter the percentages of undifferentiated and proliferating spermatogonia, nor the establishment of global methylation. However, in sickle cell disease patients’, establishment of spermatogonial DNA methylation is impaired, which may be of importance for the potential use of this tissues in fertility preservation programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana M. D. Portela
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany; (J.M.D.P.); (L.H.); (J.W.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Laura Heckmann
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany; (J.M.D.P.); (L.H.); (J.W.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Joachim Wistuba
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany; (J.M.D.P.); (L.H.); (J.W.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Andrea Sansone
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany; (J.M.D.P.); (L.H.); (J.W.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Ans M. M. van Pelt
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Department of Clinical and Surgical Andrology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany;
| | - Stefan Schlatt
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany; (J.M.D.P.); (L.H.); (J.W.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
| | - Nina Neuhaus
- Center of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, Institute of Reproductive and Regenerative Biology, Albert-Schweitzer-Campus 1, Building D11, 48149 Münster, Germany; (J.M.D.P.); (L.H.); (J.W.); (A.S.); (S.S.)
- Correspondence:
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293
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Gura MA, Mikedis MM, Seymour KA, de Rooij DG, Page DC, Freiman RN. Dynamic and regulated TAF gene expression during mouse embryonic germ cell development. PLoS Genet 2020; 16:e1008515. [PMID: 31914128 PMCID: PMC7010400 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2019] [Revised: 02/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Germ cells undergo many developmental transitions before ultimately becoming either eggs or sperm, and during embryonic development these transitions include epigenetic reprogramming, quiescence, and meiosis. To begin understanding the transcriptional regulation underlying these complex processes, we examined the spatial and temporal expression of TAF4b, a variant TFIID subunit required for fertility, during embryonic germ cell development. By analyzing published datasets and using our own experimental system to validate these expression studies, we determined that both Taf4b mRNA and protein are highly germ cell-enriched and that Taf4b mRNA levels dramatically increase from embryonic day 12.5–18.5. Surprisingly, additional mRNAs encoding other TFIID subunits are coordinately upregulated through this time course, including Taf7l and Taf9b. The expression of several of these germ cell-enriched TFIID genes is dependent upon Dazl and/or Stra8, known regulators of germ cell development and meiosis. Together, these data suggest that germ cells employ a highly specialized and dynamic form of TFIID to drive the transcriptional programs that underlie mammalian germ cell development. Assisted reproductive therapy and fertility preservation are increasingly used to improve human reproduction across the world, yet there are still many unanswered questions regarding what factors govern the development of eggs and sperm and how these factors work together. We previously identified a subunit of the general transcription factor TFIID, TAF4b, that is essential for fertility. However, many basic characteristics of how Taf4b and its associated TFIID family members contribute to the formation of healthy sperm and eggs in mice and humans remain unknown. In this study, we find that mouse Taf4b and several closely related TFIID subunits become highly abundant during mouse embryonic gonad development, specifically in the cells that ultimately become eggs and sperm. Here, we analyzed data from public repositories and isolated these developing cells to examine their gene expression patterns throughout embryonic development. Together these data suggest that the dynamic expression of Taf4b and other TFIID family members are dependent on the well-established reproductive cell regulators Dazl and Stra8. This understanding of Taf4b gene expression and regulation in mouse reproductive cell development is likely conserved during development of human cells and offers novel insights into the interconnectedness of the factors that govern the formation of healthy eggs and sperm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan A. Gura
- Brown University, MCB Graduate Program and Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | | | - Kimberly A. Seymour
- Brown University, MCB Graduate Program and Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Providence, RI, United States of America
| | | | - David C. Page
- Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Whitehead Institute, Cambridge, MA, United States of America
| | - Richard N. Freiman
- Brown University, MCB Graduate Program and Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Providence, RI, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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294
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Wang Z, Xie Y, Wang Y, Morris D, Wang S, Oliver D, Yuan S, Zayac K, Bloomquist S, Zheng H, Yan W. X-linked miR-506 family miRNAs promote FMRP expression in mouse spermatogonia. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e49024. [PMID: 31808593 PMCID: PMC6944911 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Comment on "A microRNA cluster in the Fragile-X region expressed during spermatogenesis targets FMR1" by Ramaiah et al.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuqing Wang
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
| | - Yeming Xie
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
| | - Dayton Morris
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
| | - Shawn Wang
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
| | - Daniel Oliver
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
| | - Kathleen Zayac
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
| | - Savanah Bloomquist
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
| | - Huili Zheng
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
| | - Wei Yan
- Department of Physiology and Cell BiologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyReno School of MedicineUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
- Department of BiologyUniversity of NevadaRenoNVUSA
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295
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Ramaiah M, Tan K, Plank TM, Song H, Chousal JN, Jones S, Shum EY, Sheridan SD, Peterson KJ, Gromoll J, Haggarty SJ, Cook‐Andersen H, Wilkinson MF. Response to: X-linked miR-506 family miRNAs promote FMRP expression in mouse spermatogonia. EMBO Rep 2020; 21:e49354. [PMID: 31808609 PMCID: PMC6944912 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201949354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Madhuvanthi Ramaiah
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Terra‐Dawn M Plank
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Hye‐Won Song
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Jennifer N Chousal
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Samantha Jones
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Eleen Y Shum
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Steven D Sheridan
- Chemical Neurobiology LaboratoryCenter for Genomic MedicineBostonMAUSA
- Departments of Neurology and PsychiatryMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | | | - Jörg Gromoll
- Center for Reproductive Medicine and AndrologyUniversity of MünsterMünsterGermany
| | - Stephen J Haggarty
- Chemical Neurobiology LaboratoryCenter for Genomic MedicineBostonMAUSA
- Departments of Neurology and PsychiatryMassachusetts General HospitalBostonMAUSA
| | - Heidi Cook‐Andersen
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
- Division of Biological SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive SciencesUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
- Institute of Genomic MedicineUniversity of CaliforniaSan DiegoLa JollaCAUSA
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296
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González CR, González B. Exploring the Stress Impact in the Paternal Germ Cells Epigenome: Can Catecholamines Induce Epigenetic Reprogramming? Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:630948. [PMID: 33679612 PMCID: PMC7933579 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.630948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is characterized by unique epigenetic programs that enable chromatin remodeling and transcriptional regulation for proper meiotic divisions and germ cells maturation. Paternal lifestyle stressors such as diet, drug abuse, or psychological trauma can directly impact the germ cell epigenome and transmit phenotypes to the next generation, pointing to the importance of epigenetic regulation during spermatogenesis. It is established that environmental perturbations can affect the development and behavior of the offspring through epigenetic inheritance, including changes in small non-coding RNAs, DNA methylation, and histones post-translational modifications. But how male germ cells react to lifestyle stressors and encode them in the paternal epigenome is still a research gap. Most lifestyle stressors activate catecholamine circuits leading to both acute and long-term changes in neural functions, and epigenetic mechanisms show strong links to both long-term and rapid, dynamic gene expression regulation during stress. Importantly, the testis shares a molecular and transcriptional signature with the brain tissue, including a rich expression of catecholaminergic elements in germ cells that seem to respond to stressors with similar epigenetic and transcriptional profiles. In this minireview, we put on stage the action of catecholamines as possible mediators between paternal stress responses and epigenetic marks alterations during spermatogenesis. Understanding the epigenetic regulation in spermatogenesis will contribute to unravel the coding mechanisms in the transmission of the biological impacts of stress between generations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Candela R. González
- Centro de Estudios Biomédicos Básicos, Aplicados y Desarrollo (CEBBAD), Universidad Maimónides, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Betina González
- Instituto de Investigaciones Farmacológicas (Universidad de Buenos Aires–Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas), Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- *Correspondence: Betina González,
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297
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Wen L, Liu Q, Xu J, Liu X, Shi C, Yang Z, Zhang Y, Xu H, Liu J, Yang H, Huang H, Qiao J, Tang F, Chen ZJ. Recent advances in mammalian reproductive biology. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2020; 63:18-58. [PMID: 31813094 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-019-1572-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive biology is a uniquely important topic since it is about germ cells, which are central for transmitting genetic information from generation to generation. In this review, we discuss recent advances in mammalian germ cell development, including preimplantation development, fetal germ cell development and postnatal development of oocytes and sperm. We also discuss the etiologies of female and male infertility and describe the emerging technologies for studying reproductive biology such as gene editing and single-cell technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Wen
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jingjing Xu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Xixi Liu
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chaoyi Shi
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Zuwei Yang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Yili Zhang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Hong Xu
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China
| | - Jiang Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, 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, 200031, China.
| | - Hefeng Huang
- International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, Shanghai, 200030, China.
| | - Jie Qiao
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Third Hospital, College of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China.
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Jinan, 250021, China.
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Gille AS, Lapoujade C, Wolf JP, Fouchet P, Barraud-Lange V. Contribution of Single-Cell Transcriptomics to the Characterization of Human Spermatogonial Stem Cells: Toward an Application in Male Fertility Regenerative Medicine? Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20225773. [PMID: 31744138 PMCID: PMC6888480 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225773] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ongoing progress in genomic technologies offers exciting tools that can help to resolve transcriptome and genome-wide DNA modifications at single-cell resolution. These methods can be used to characterize individual cells within complex tissue organizations and to highlight various molecular interactions. Here, we will discuss recent advances in the definition of spermatogonial stem cells (SSC) and their progenitors in humans using the single-cell transcriptome sequencing (scRNAseq) approach. Exploration of gene expression patterns allows one to investigate stem cell heterogeneity. It leads to tracing the spermatogenic developmental process and its underlying biology, which is highly influenced by the microenvironment. scRNAseq already represents a new diagnostic tool for the personalized investigation of male infertility. One may hope that a better understanding of SSC biology could facilitate the use of these cells in the context of fertility preservation of prepubertal children, as a key component of regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Sophie Gille
- UMRE008 Stabilité Génétique, Cellules Souches et Radiations, Laboratoire des Cellules Souches Germinales, IRCM, Université de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (C.L.); (P.F.)
- Team Genomic Epigenetic and Physiopathology of Reproduction, Department of Genetic, Development and Cancer, Cochin Institute, Inserm U1016, 22 rue Méchain, 75014 Paris, France; (J.-P.W.); (V.B.-L.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Clémentine Lapoujade
- UMRE008 Stabilité Génétique, Cellules Souches et Radiations, Laboratoire des Cellules Souches Germinales, IRCM, Université de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (C.L.); (P.F.)
| | - Jean-Philippe Wolf
- Team Genomic Epigenetic and Physiopathology of Reproduction, Department of Genetic, Development and Cancer, Cochin Institute, Inserm U1016, 22 rue Méchain, 75014 Paris, France; (J.-P.W.); (V.B.-L.)
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Descartes, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Hospital Paris Centre, CHU Cochin, Laboratory of Histology Embryology Biology of Reproduction, 123 boulevard de Port Royal, 75014 Paris, France
| | - Pierre Fouchet
- UMRE008 Stabilité Génétique, Cellules Souches et Radiations, Laboratoire des Cellules Souches Germinales, IRCM, Université de Paris, Université Paris-Saclay, CEA, F-92260 Fontenay-aux-Roses, France; (C.L.); (P.F.)
| | - Virginie Barraud-Lange
- Team Genomic Epigenetic and Physiopathology of Reproduction, Department of Genetic, Development and Cancer, Cochin Institute, Inserm U1016, 22 rue Méchain, 75014 Paris, France; (J.-P.W.); (V.B.-L.)
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, Faculty of Medicine, University Paris Descartes, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, University Hospital Paris Centre, CHU Cochin, Laboratory of Histology Embryology Biology of Reproduction, 123 boulevard de Port Royal, 75014 Paris, France
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299
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Tan K, Wilkinson MF. Human Spermatogonial Stem Cells Scrutinized under the Single-Cell Magnifying Glass. Cell Stem Cell 2019; 24:201-203. [PMID: 30735645 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are essential for adult spermatogenesis. Recently, Wang et al. (2018), Guo et al. (2018), and Hermann et al. (2018) used single-cell RNA sequencing to define and molecularly characterize human testicular cell populations, including spermatogonial subsets with characteristics of human SSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kun Tan
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA; Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA.
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300
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Zhou D, Wang X, Liu Z, Huang Z, Nie H, Zhu W, Tan Y, Fan L. The expression characteristics of FBXW7 in human testis suggest its function is different from that in mice. Tissue Cell 2019; 62:101315. [PMID: 32433022 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2019.101315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2019] [Revised: 11/08/2019] [Accepted: 11/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
F-box and WD domain protein 7 (FBXW7) is reported to bind with c-Myc in mouse spermatogonial stem cells, regulating self-renewal; however, the pattern and stage of expression of FBXW7 in human testes are unclear. In the present study, we examined the expression of human FBXW7 in adult testis, and analyzed fixed sections from adult testes and fetal testes to determine the cell type-specific expression pattern of FBXW7. The results showed that FBXW7α and FBXW7β genes are expressed in the testis; however, only FBXW7α protein could be detected. FBXW7 was not detected in human spermatogonial stem cells. Interestingly, FBXW7 was mainly expressed in the cell nuclei of later stage germ cells and differentiated somatic cells. We also observed high FBXW7 expression in human fetal germ cells, particularly in prespermatogonia. Our results raised the possibility that FBXW7 has different functions in humans and mice. The cell type-specific expression pattern of FBXW7 suggests that it performs regulatory functions during the late stage of human spermatogenesis instead of being involved in the self-renewal of spermatogonial stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dai Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive & Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Xingming Wang
- Institute of Reproductive & Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Zhizhong Liu
- Institute of Reproductive & Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China; Department of Urology, Hunan Cancer Hospital, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Zenghui Huang
- Institute of Reproductive & Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China; Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Hongchuan Nie
- Institute of Reproductive & Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China; Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Wenbing Zhu
- Institute of Reproductive & Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China; Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Yueqiu Tan
- Institute of Reproductive & Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China; Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China
| | - Liqing Fan
- Institute of Reproductive & Stem Cell Engineering, School of Basic Medicine Science, Central South University, Changsha, 410000, China; Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya, Changsha, 410000, China.
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