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Jamal MA, Cheng Y, Jiao D, Cheng W, Zou D, Wang X, Wei T, Guo J, Xu K, Zhao H, Pu S, Yang C, Qing Y, Jia B, Li H, Zhao R, Zhao HY, Wei HJ. Unraveling the impact of hyperleptinemia on female reproduction: insights from transgenic pig model. Biol Res 2024; 57:60. [PMID: 39227998 PMCID: PMC11373500 DOI: 10.1186/s40659-024-00545-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infertility is a growing global health concern affecting millions of couples worldwide. Among several factors, an extreme body weight adversely affects reproductive functions. Leptin is a well-known adipokine that serves as an endocrine signal between adiposity and fertility. However, the exact mechanisms underlying the effects of high leptin level on female reproduction remain unclear. METHODS Transgenic pigs overexpressing leptin (♀) were produced by backcrossing and screened for leptin overexpression. The growth curve, fat deposition, reproductive performance, apoptosis, serum hormones and cholesterol production, RNA sequencing, and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) of the leptin-overexpressing pigs and wild-type group were evaluated. RESULTS Transgenic pigs overexpressing leptin (♀) were obtained, which exhibited significantly reduced body weight, body size, and back fat thickness. These pigs manifested a late onset of puberty (330 ± 54.3 vs. 155 ± 14.7 days), irregular estrous behavior characterized by increased inter-estrous interval (29.2 ± 0 vs. 21.3 ± 0.7 days), and more number of matings until pregnancy (at least 3 times). This reproductive impairment in leptin pigs was related to hormonal imbalances characterized by increased levels of FSH, LH, prolactin, E2, P4, and TSH, altered steroidogenesis such as increased levels of serum cholesterol esters along with steroidogenic markers (StAR, CYP19A), and ovarian dysfunctions manifested by neutrophilic infiltration and low expression of caspase-3 positive cells in the ovaries. Moreover, bulk RNA sequencing of the ovaries also revealed neutrophilic infiltration followed by upregulation of inflammation-related genes. Furthermore, snRNA-seq reflected that leptin overexpression triggered immune response, suppressed follicle development and luteinization, resulting in metabolic dysfunction and hormone imbalance in the ovary. CONCLUSIONS Low body weight in leptin overexpressing pigs adversely affects the reproductive performance, causing delayed puberty, irregular estrous cycles, and reduced breeding efficiency. This is linked to metabolic imbalances, an increased immune response, and altered ovarian functions. This study provides a theoretical basis for the complex mechanisms underlying leptin, and infertility by employing leptin-overexpressing female pigs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ameen Jamal
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | | | - Deling Jiao
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Wen Cheng
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Di Zou
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Xia Wang
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Taiyun Wei
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Jianxiong Guo
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Kaixiang Xu
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Heng Zhao
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Shaoxia Pu
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Chang Yang
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Yubo Qing
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Baoyu Jia
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Honghui Li
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
- Faculty of Animal Science and Technology, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China
| | - Rusong Zhao
- The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Gusu School, Nanjing Medical University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, China.
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
| | - Hong-Ye Zhao
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
| | - Hong-Jiang Wei
- Yunnan Province Key Laboratory for Porcine Gene Editing and Xenotransplantation, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, China.
- Yunnan Province Xenotransplantation Research Engineering Center, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming, China.
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Sato S. Adipo-oncology: adipocyte-derived factors govern engraftment, survival, and progression of metastatic cancers. Cell Commun Signal 2024; 22:52. [PMID: 38238841 PMCID: PMC10797898 DOI: 10.1186/s12964-024-01474-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Conventional therapies for metastatic cancers have limited efficacy. Recently, cancer therapies targeting noncancerous cells in tumor microenvironments have shown improved clinical outcomes in patients. However, further advances in our understanding of the metastatic tumor microenvironment are required to improve treatment outcomes. Adipocytes are distributed throughout the body, and as a part of the metastatic tumor microenvironment, they interact with cancer cells in almost all organs. Adipocytes secrete various factors that are reported to exert clinical effects on cancer progression, including engraftment, survival, and expansion at the metastatic sites. However, only a few studies have comprehensively examined their impact on cancer cells. In this review, we examined the impact of adipocytes on cancer by describing the adipocyte-secreted factors that are involved in controlling metastatic cancer, focusing on adipokines, such as adiponectin, leptin, visfatin, chemerin, resistin, apelin, and omentin. Adipocyte-secreted factors promote cancer metastasis and contribute to various biological functions of cancer cells, including migration, invasion, proliferation, immune evasion, and drug resistance at the metastatic sites. We propose the establishment and expansion of "adipo-oncology" as a research field to enhance the comprehensive understanding of the role of adipocytes in metastatic cancers and the development of more robust metastatic cancer treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shinya Sato
- Morphological Analysis Laboratory, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, 2-3-2, Asahi-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 241-8515, Japan.
- Molecular Pathology and Genetics Division, Kanagawa Cancer Center Research Institute, 2-3-2, Asahi-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 241-8515, Japan.
- Department of Pathology, Kanagawa Cancer Center Hospital, 2-3-2, Asahi-Ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 241-8515, Japan.
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