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Huang F, Wang J, Wang H, Hu Y, Li Z, Xu J, Qin M, Wen X, Cao S, Guan X, Duan P, Chen H, Chen C. Effects of Leydig cell elimination on testicular interstitial cell populations: characterization by scRNA-seq and immunocytochemical techniques. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2024; 15:1423801. [PMID: 39229372 PMCID: PMC11368788 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2024.1423801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The mammalian testicular interstitial cells are not well-defined. The present study characterized the interstitial cell types and their turnover dynamics in adult rats. Additionally, the heterogeneity of the mesenchymal population and the effects of Leydig cell elimination on interstitial homeostasis were further analyzed by scRNA-seq datasets and immunocytochemical techniques. Methods Interstitial cells were defined at the transcriptomic level by scRNA-seq and then confirmed and quantified with protein markers. The dividing activity of the major cell types was determined by continuous EdU labeling of the animals for one week. Some of the rats were also treated with a dose of ethylenedimethylsulfonate (EDS) to examine how the loss of Leydig cells (LCs) could affect interstitial homeostasis for three weeks. Results Seven interstitial cell types were identified, including cell types (percentage of the whole interstitial population) as follows: Leydig (44.6%), macrophage and dendritic (19.1%), lymphoid (6.2%), vascular endothelial (7.9%), smooth muscle (10.7%), and mesenchymal (11.5%) cells. The EdU experiment indicated that most cell types were dividing at relatively low levels (<9%) except for the mesenchymal cells (MCs, 17.1%). Further analysis of the transcriptome of MCs revealed 4 subgroups with distinct functions, including 1) glutathione metabolism and xenobiotic detoxification, 2) ROS response and AP-1 signaling, 3) extracellular matrix synthesis and binding, and 4) immune response and regulation. Stem LCs (SLCs) are primarily associated with subgroup 3, expressing ARG1 and GAP43. EDS treatment not only eliminated LCs but also increased subgroup 3 and decreased subgroups 1 and 2 of the mesenchymal population. Moreover, EDS treatment increased the division of immune cells by more than tenfold in one week. Conclusion Seven interstitial cell types were identified and quantified for rat testis. Many may play more diversified roles than previously realized. The elimination of LCs led to significant changes in MCs and immune cells, indicating the importance of LCs in maintaining testicular interstitial homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fu Huang
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiexia Wang
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hu Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yun Hu
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhenni Li
- Department of Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingfeng Xu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mengjie Qin
- Department of Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuyan Cao
- The Basic Medical Research Center of the Second School of Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoju Guan
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping Duan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haolin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Congde Chen
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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2
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Suen HC, Ou F, Miu KK, Wang Z, Chan WY, Liao J. The single-cell chromatin landscape in gonadal cell lineage specification. BMC Genomics 2024; 25:464. [PMID: 38741085 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-024-10376-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Gonad development includes sex determination and divergent maturation of the testes and ovaries. Recent advances in measuring gene expression in single cells are providing new insights into this complex process. However, the underlying epigenetic regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we profiled chromatin accessibility in mouse gonadal cells of both sexes from embryonic day 11.5 to 14.5 using single-cell assay for transposase accessible chromatin by sequencing (scATAC-seq). Our results showed that individual cell types can be inferred by the chromatin landscape, and that cells can be temporally ordered along developmental trajectories. Integrative analysis of transcriptomic and chromatin-accessibility maps identified multiple putative regulatory elements proximal to key gonadal genes Nr5a1, Sox9 and Wt1. We also uncover cell type-specific regulatory factors underlying cell type specification. Overall, our results provide a better understanding of the epigenetic landscape associated with the progressive restriction of cell fates in the gonad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Ching Suen
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Fanghong Ou
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kai-Kei Miu
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Zhangting Wang
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Wai-Yee Chan
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jinyue Liao
- Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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3
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Wang FC, Zhang XN, Wu SX, He Z, Zhang LY, Yang QE. Loss of PBX1 function in Leydig cells causes testicular dysgenesis and male sterility. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:212. [PMID: 38724675 PMCID: PMC11082031 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05249-5] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Leydig cells are essential components of testicular interstitial tissue and serve as a primary source of androgen in males. A functional deficiency in Leydig cells often causes severe reproductive disorders; however, the transcriptional programs underlying the fate decisions and steroidogenesis of these cells have not been fully defined. In this study, we report that the homeodomain transcription factor PBX1 is a master regulator of Leydig cell differentiation and testosterone production in mice. PBX1 was highly expressed in Leydig cells and peritubular myoid cells in the adult testis. Conditional deletion of Pbx1 in Leydig cells caused spermatogenic defects and complete sterility. Histological examinations revealed that Pbx1 deletion impaired testicular structure and led to disorganization of the seminiferous tubules. Single-cell RNA-seq analysis revealed that loss of Pbx1 function affected the fate decisions of progenitor Leydig cells and altered the transcription of genes associated with testosterone synthesis in the adult testis. Pbx1 directly regulates the transcription of genes that play important roles in steroidogenesis (Prlr, Nr2f2 and Nedd4). Further analysis demonstrated that deletion of Pbx1 leads to a significant decrease in testosterone levels, accompanied by increases in pregnenolone, androstenedione and luteinizing hormone. Collectively, our data revealed that PBX1 is indispensable for maintaining Leydig cell function. These findings provide insights into testicular dysgenesis and the regulation of hormone secretion in Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Chen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiao-Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Shi-Xin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhen He
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lu-Yao Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, Qinghai, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, Qinghai, China
| | - Qi-En Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, Qinghai, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Qinghai Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining, 810001, Qinghai, China.
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4
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Chi A, Yang B, Dai H, Li X, Mo J, Gao Y, Chen Z, Feng X, Ma M, Li Y, Yang C, Liu J, Liu H, Wang Z, Gao F, Liao Y, Shi X, Deng C, Zhang M. Stem Leydig cells support macrophage immunological homeostasis through mitochondrial transfer in mice. Nat Commun 2024; 15:2120. [PMID: 38459012 PMCID: PMC10924100 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46190-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
As testicular mesenchymal stromal cells, stem Leydig cells (SLCs) show great promise in the treatment of male hypogonadism. The therapeutic functions of mesenchymal stromal cells are largely determined by their reciprocal regulation by immune responses. However, the immunoregulatory properties of SLCs remain unclear. Here, we observe that SLCs transplantation restore male fertility and testosterone production in an ischemia‒reperfusion injury mouse model. SLCs prevent inflammatory cascades through mitochondrial transfer to macrophages. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) released from activated macrophages inducing mitochondrial transfer from SLCs to macrophages in a transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily member 7 (TRPM7)-mediated manner. Notably, knockdown of TRPM7 in transplanted SLCs compromised therapeutic outcomes in both testicular ischemia‒reperfusion and testicular aging mouse models. These findings reveal a new mechanism of SLCs transplantation that may contribute to preserve testis function in male patients with hypogonadism related to immune disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ani Chi
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China
| | - Bicheng Yang
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Hao Dai
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Jiahui Mo
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Yong Gao
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Zhihong Chen
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Xin Feng
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Menghui Ma
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Yanqing Li
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, the Sixth Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Chao Yang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China
| | - Hanchao Liu
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Zhenqing Wang
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
| | - Feng Gao
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China
- Reproductive Medicine Center, The Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, China
| | - Yan Liao
- Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, P. R. China
| | - Xuetao Shi
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
- National Engineering Research Centre for Tissue Restoration and Reconstruction and Key Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering of Guangdong Province South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China.
- Shenzhen Beike Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Shenzhen, 518054, China.
| | - Chunhua Deng
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Andrology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, China.
- Institute of Precision Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, 510080, Guangdong, China.
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5
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Yang D, Wu W, Lu Q, Mou Y, Chen W, Wan S, Zhang M, Wang C, Du X, Li N, Hua J. A multi-omics analysis of viral nucleic acid poly(I:C) responses to mammalian testicular stimulation. STRESS BIOLOGY 2024; 4:9. [PMID: 38300431 PMCID: PMC10834394 DOI: 10.1007/s44154-023-00146-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
The male reproductive system has a standard immune response regulatory mechanism, However, a variety of external stimuli, including viruses, bacteria, heat, and medications can damage the testicles and cause orchitis and epididymitis. It has been shown that various RNA viruses are more likely to infect the testis than DNA viruses, inducing orchitis and impairing testicular function. It was found that local injection of the viral RNA analog poly(I:C) into the testes markedly disrupted the structure of the seminiferous tubules, accompanied by apoptosis and inflammation. Poly(I:C) mainly inhibited the expression of testosterone synthesis-associated proteins, STAR and MGARP, and affected the synthesis and metabolism of amino acids and lipids in the testis. This led to the disruption of the metabolite levels in the testis of mice, thus affecting the normal spermatogenesis process. The present study analyzed the acute inflammatory response of the testis to viral infection using a multi-omics approach. It provides insights into how RNA virus infection impairs testicular function and offers a theoretical basis for future studies on immune homeostasis and responses under stress conditions in male reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donghui Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 3rd, Taicheng Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenping Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 3rd, Taicheng Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qizhong Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Yaling Mou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 3rd, Taicheng Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Wenbo Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 3rd, Taicheng Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, College of Life Sciences, Yulin University, Yulin, 719000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shicheng Wan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 3rd, Taicheng Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mengfei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 3rd, Taicheng Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, College of Life Sciences, Yulin University, Yulin, 719000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Congliang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 3rd, Taicheng Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaomin Du
- Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, College of Life Sciences, Yulin University, Yulin, 719000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 3rd, Taicheng Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China
- State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy and Cancer Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
- Shaanxi Provincial Engineering and Technology Research Center of Cashmere Goats, College of Life Sciences, Yulin University, Yulin, 719000, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, No. 3rd, Taicheng Road, Yangling, 712100, Shaanxi, China.
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6
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Jia L, Wang W, Liang J, Niu S, Wang Y, Yang J, Li L, Wang G, Xu X, Mu L, Cheng K, Yang X, Wang Y, Luo H, Xia G, Ke Y, Zhang Y, Zhang H. Analyzing the cellular and molecular atlas of ovarian mesenchymal cells provides a strategy against female reproductive aging. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:2818-2836. [PMID: 37460714 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2335-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian mesenchymal cells (oMCs) constitute a distinct microenvironment that supports folliculogenesis under physiological conditions. Supplementation of exogenous non-ovarian mesenchymal-related cells has been reported to be an efficient approach to improve ovarian functions. However, the development and cellular and molecular characteristics of endogenous oMCs remain largely unexplored. In this study, we surveyed the single-cell transcriptomic landscape to dissect the cellular and molecular changes associated with the aging of oMCs in mice. Our results showed that the oMCs were composed of five ovarian differentiated MC (odMC) populations and one ovarian mesenchymal progenitor (oMP) cell population. These cells could differentiate into various odMCs via an oMP-derived route to construct the ovarian stroma structures. Comparative analysis revealed that ovarian aging was associated with decreased quantity of oMP cells and reduced quality of odMCs. Based on the findings of bioinformatics analysis, we designed different strategies involving supplementation with young oMCs to examine their effects on female fertility and health. Our functional investigations revealed that oMCs supplementation prior to ovarian senescence was the optimal method to improve female fertility and extend the reproductive lifespan of aged females in the long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longzhong Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Wenji Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- School of Life Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, 318000, China
| | - Jing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shudong Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yibo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lingyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ge Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xueqiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lu Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Kaixin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xuebing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yijing Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Haoshu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Guoliang Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, China
| | - Yuwen Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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7
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Wamaitha SE, Nie X, Pandolfi EC, Wang X, Yang Y, Stukenborg JB, Cairns BR, Guo J, Clark AT. Single-cell analysis of the developing human ovary defines distinct insights into ovarian somatic and germline progenitors. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2097-2111.e3. [PMID: 37582368 PMCID: PMC10615783 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.07.014] [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: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/19/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
Formation of either an ovary or a testis during human embryonic life is one of the most important sex-specific events leading to the emergence of secondary sexual characteristics and sex assignment of babies at birth. Our study focused on the sex-specific and sex-indifferent characteristics of the prenatal ovarian stromal cells, cortical cords, and germline, with the discovery that the ovarian mesenchymal cells of the stroma are transcriptionally indistinguishable from the mesenchymal cells of the testicular interstitium. We found that first-wave pre-granulosa cells emerge at week 7 from early supporting gonadal cells with stromal identity and are spatially defined by KRT19 levels. We also identified rare transient state f0 spermatogonia cells within the ovarian cords between weeks 10 and 16. Taken together, our work illustrates a unique plasticity of the embryonic ovary during human development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sissy E Wamaitha
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xichen Nie
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Oncological Sciences and Huntsman Cancer Institute, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Erica C Pandolfi
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yifan Yang
- NORDFERTIL Research Laboratory Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Bioclinicum J9:30, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Solna 17164, Sweden
| | - Jan-Bernd Stukenborg
- NORDFERTIL Research Laboratory Stockholm, Childhood Cancer Research Unit, Bioclinicum J9:30, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Solna 17164, Sweden
| | - 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
| | - Jingtao Guo
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Amander T Clark
- Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
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8
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Zhao ZX, Shang MY, Long C, Yao XJ, Gao XB, Guo Y, Sheng XH, Wang XG, Xing K, Xiao LF, Qi XL. α-Linolenic acid-regulated testosterone biosynthesis via activation of the JNK-SF-1 signaling pathway in primary rooster Leydig cells. Theriogenology 2023; 209:170-177. [PMID: 37393747 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2023.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
As a functional fatty acid, α-linolenic acid (ALA) is essential in promoting animal testosterone biosynthesis. This study investigated the effects of ALA on testosterone biosynthesis and the possible mechanism underlying the signaling pathway in primary Leydig cells of the rooster. METHODS Primary rooster Leydig cells were treated with ALA (0, 20, 40, or 80 μmol/L) or pretreated with a p38 inhibitor (50 μmol/L), a c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK) inhibitor (20 μmol/L), or an extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitor (20 μmol/L) before ALA treatment. Testosterone content in the conditioned culture medium was detected using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The expression of steroidogenic enzymes and JNK-SF-1 signaling pathway factors was detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS Supplementation with ALA significantly increased testosterone secretion within culture media (P < 0.05), and the optimized dose was 40 μmol/L. Compared with the control group, steroidogenic acute regulatory protein (StAR), cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme (P450scc), and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) mRNA expression significantly increased (P < 0.05) in the 40 μmol/L ALA group; 17-hydroxylase/c17-20 lyase (P450c17) and p38 mRNA expressions were not significantly different in the 40 μmol/L ALA group; ERK and JNK mRNA expressions were significantly upregulated (P < 0.05) in 40 μmol/L ALA group. In the inhibitor group, testosterone levels were significantly downregulated (P < 0.05). Compared with the 40 μmol/L ALA group, StAR, P450scc, and P450c17 mRNA expressions were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and 3β-HSD mRNA expression in the p38 inhibitor group did not change; StAR, P450scc, and 3β-HSD mRNA expressions were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and P450c17 mRNA expression in ERK inhibitor group did not change; StAR, P450scc, 3β-HSD, and P450c17 mRNA expressions were significantly decreased (P < 0.05) in JNK inhibitor group. Additionally, the increased steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1) gene expression levels induced by ALA were reversed when the cells were pre-incubated with JNK and ERK inhibitors. The levels in the JNK inhibitor group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION ALA may promote testosterone biosynthesis by activating the JNK-SF-1 signaling pathway to upregulate StAR, P450scc, 3β-HSD, and P450c17 expression in primary rooster Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Xian Zhao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Ming-Yu Shang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China; Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Cheng Long
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xue-Jun Yao
- Changping District Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Beijing, 102299, China
| | - Xiao-Bo Gao
- Changping District Animal Disease Prevention and Control Center, Beijing, 102299, China
| | - Yong Guo
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xi-Hui Sheng
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xiang-Guo Wang
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Kai Xing
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Long-Fei Xiao
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Xiao-Long Qi
- Animal Science and Technology College, Beijing University of Agriculture, Beijing, 102206, China.
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9
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Zhang MF, Wan SC, Chen WB, Yang DH, Liu WQ, Li BL, Aierken A, Du XM, Li YX, Wu WP, Yang XC, Wei YD, Li N, Peng S, Li XL, Li GP, Hua JL. Transcription factor Dmrt1 triggers the SPRY1-NF-κB pathway to maintain testicular immune homeostasis and male fertility. Zool Res 2023; 44:505-521. [PMID: 37070575 PMCID: PMC10236308 DOI: 10.24272/j.issn.2095-8137.2022.440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial or viral infections, such as Brucella, mumps virus, herpes simplex virus, and Zika virus, destroy immune homeostasis of the testes, leading to spermatogenesis disorder and infertility. Of note, recent research shows that SARS-CoV-2 can infect male gonads and destroy Sertoli and Leydig cells, leading to male reproductive dysfunction. Due to the many side effects associated with antibiotic therapy, finding alternative treatments for inflammatory injury remains critical. Here, we found that Dmrt1 plays an important role in regulating testicular immune homeostasis. Knockdown of Dmrt1 in male mice inhibited spermatogenesis with a broad inflammatory response in seminiferous tubules and led to the loss of spermatogenic epithelial cells. Chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) revealed that Dmrt1 positively regulated the expression of Spry1, an inhibitory protein of the receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) signaling pathway. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry (IP-MS) and co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) analysis indicated that SPRY1 binds to nuclear factor kappa B1 (NF-κB1) to prevent nuclear translocation of p65, inhibit activation of NF-κB signaling, prevent excessive inflammatory reaction in the testis, and protect the integrity of the blood-testis barrier. In view of this newly identified Dmrt1- Spry1-NF-κB axis mechanism in the regulation of testicular immune homeostasis, our study opens new avenues for the prevention and treatment of male reproductive diseases in humans and livestock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng-Fei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Shi-Cheng Wan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Wen-Bo Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Dong-Hui Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Wen-Qing Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, Amsterdam Research Institute Reproduction and Development, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam 1105AZ, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Ba-Lun Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Aili Aierken
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xiao-Min Du
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yun-Xiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Wen-Ping Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xin-Chun Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yu-Dong Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Na Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Sha Peng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xue-Ling Li
- Key Laboratory for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010021, China
| | - Guang-Peng Li
- Key Laboratory for Mammalian Reproductive Biology and Biotechnology, Ministry of Education, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia 010021, China
| | - Jin-Lian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
- Key Laboratory of Livestock Biology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China. E-mail:
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10
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Zhu D, Liu S, Huang K, Li J, Mei X, Li Z, Cheng K. Intrapericardial long non-coding RNA-Tcf21 antisense RNA inducing demethylation administration promotes cardiac repair. Eur Heart J 2023; 44:1748-1760. [PMID: 36916305 PMCID: PMC10411945 DOI: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehad114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/16/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS Epicardium and epicardium-derived cells are critical players in myocardial fibrosis. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been studied for cardiac repair to improve cardiac remodelling, but the actual mechanisms remain elusive. The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of EV therapy for improving cardiac remodelling and develop a promising treatment addressing myocardial fibrosis. METHODS AND RESULTS Extracellular vesicles were intrapericardially injected for mice myocardial infarction treatment. RNA-seq, in vitro gain- and loss-of-function experiments, and in vivo studies were performed to identify targets that can be used for myocardial fibrosis treatment. Afterward, a lipid nanoparticle-based long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) therapy was prepared for mouse and porcine models of myocardial infarction treatment. Intrapericardial injection of EVs improved adverse myocardial remodelling in mouse models of myocardial infarction. Mechanistically, Tcf21 was identified as a potential target to improve cardiac remodelling. Loss of Tcf21 function in epicardium-derived cells caused increased myofibroblast differentiation, whereas forced Tcf21 overexpression suppressed transforming growth factor-β signalling and myofibroblast differentiation. LncRNA-Tcf21 antisense RNA inducing demethylation (TARID) that enriched in EVs was identified to up-regulate Tcf21 expression. Formulated lncRNA-TARID-laden lipid nanoparticles up-regulated Tcf21 expression in epicardium-derived cells and improved cardiac function and histology in mouse and porcine models of myocardial infarction. CONCLUSION This study identified Tcf21 as a critical target for improving cardiac fibrosis. Up-regulating Tcf21 by using lncRNA-TARID-laden lipid nanoparticles could be a promising way to treat myocardial fibrosis. This study established novel mechanisms underlying EV therapy for improving adverse remodelling and proposed a lncRNA therapy for cardiac fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dashuai Zhu
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Shuo Liu
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Ke Huang
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Junlang Li
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Xuan Mei
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Zhenhua Li
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
| | - Ke Cheng
- Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering, North Carolina State University & University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
- Department of Molecular Biomedical Sciences, North Carolina State University, 1001 William Moore Drive, Raleigh, NC 27607, USA
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11
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Suen HC, Rao S, Luk ACS, Zhang R, Yang L, Qi H, So HC, Hobbs RM, Lee TL, Liao J. The single-cell chromatin accessibility landscape in mouse perinatal testis development. eLife 2023; 12:e75624. [PMID: 37096870 PMCID: PMC10174692 DOI: 10.7554/elife.75624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis depends on an orchestrated series of developing events in germ cells and full maturation of the somatic microenvironment. To date, the majority of efforts to study cellular heterogeneity in testis has been focused on single-cell gene expression rather than the chromatin landscape shaping gene expression. To advance our understanding of the regulatory programs underlying testicular cell types, we analyzed single-cell chromatin accessibility profiles in more than 25,000 cells from mouse developing testis. We showed that single-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (scATAC-Seq) allowed us to deconvolve distinct cell populations and identify cis-regulatory elements (CREs) underlying cell-type specification. We identified sets of transcription factors associated with cell type-specific accessibility, revealing novel regulators of cell fate specification and maintenance. Pseudotime reconstruction revealed detailed regulatory dynamics coordinating the sequential developmental progressions of germ cells and somatic cells. This high-resolution dataset also unveiled previously unreported subpopulations within both the Sertoli and Leydig cell groups. Further, we defined candidate target cell types and genes of several genome-wide association study (GWAS) signals, including those associated with testosterone levels and coronary artery disease. Collectively, our data provide a blueprint of the 'regulon' of the mouse male germline and supporting somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hoi Ching Suen
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Shitao Rao
- School of Medical Technology and Engineering, Fujian Medical UniversityFujianChina
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Alfred Chun Shui Luk
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Ruoyu Zhang
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Lele Yang
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and HealthGuangzhouChina
| | - Huayu Qi
- Guangzhou Regenerative Medicine and Health Bioland Laboratory, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and HealthGuangzhouChina
| | - Hon Cheong So
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongChina
| | - Robin M Hobbs
- Germline Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical ResearchMelbourneAustralia
| | - Tin-lap Lee
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
| | - Jinyue Liao
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology Program, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, ShatinHong KongHong Kong
- Department of Chemical Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, New TerritoriesHong KongChina
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12
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Liu Q, Li C, Deng B, Gao P, Wang L, Li Y, Shiri M, Alkaifi F, Zhao J, Stephens JM, Simintiras CA, Francis J, Sun J, Fu X. Tcf21 marks visceral adipose mesenchymal progenitors and functions as a rate-limiting factor during visceral adipose tissue development. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112166. [PMID: 36857185 PMCID: PMC10208561 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Revised: 01/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2023] [Indexed: 03/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Distinct locations of different white adipose depots suggest anatomy-specific developmental regulation, a relatively understudied concept. Here, we report a population of Tcf21 lineage cells (Tcf21 LCs) present exclusively in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) that dynamically contributes to VAT development and expansion. During development, the Tcf21 lineage gives rise to adipocytes. In adult mice, Tcf21 LCs transform into a fibrotic or quiescent state. Multiomics analyses show consistent gene expression and chromatin accessibility changes in Tcf21 LC, based on which we constructed a gene-regulatory network governing Tcf21 LC activities. Furthermore, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) identifies the heterogeneity of Tcf21 LCs. Loss of Tcf21 promotes the adipogenesis and developmental progress of Tcf21 LCs, leading to improved metabolic health in the context of diet-induced obesity. Mechanistic studies show that the inhibitory effect of Tcf21 on adipogenesis is at least partially mediated via Dlk1 expression accentuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianglin Liu
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Chaoyang Li
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Buhao Deng
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Department of Animal Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Peidong Gao
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Leshan Wang
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Yuxia Li
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Mohammad Shiri
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Fozi Alkaifi
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA
| | - Junxing Zhao
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Department of Animal Sciences, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi, China
| | - Jacqueline M Stephens
- Pennington Biomedical Research Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | | | - Joseph Francis
- Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
| | - Jiangwen Sun
- Department of Computer Science, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA, USA.
| | - Xing Fu
- School of Animal Sciences, AgCenter, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
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13
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Guahmich NL, Man L, Wang J, Arazi L, Kallinos E, Topper-Kroog A, Grullon G, Zhang K, Stewart J, Schatz-Siemers N, Jones SH, Bodine R, Zaninovic N, Schattman G, Rosenwaks Z, James D. Human theca arises from ovarian stroma and is comprised of three discrete subtypes. Commun Biol 2023; 6:7. [PMID: 36599970 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04384-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Theca cells serve multiple essential functions during the growth and maturation of ovarian follicles, providing structural, metabolic, and steroidogenic support. While the function of theca during folliculogenesis is well established, their cellular origins and the differentiation hierarchy that generates distinct theca sub-types, remain unknown. Here, we performed single cell multi-omics analysis of primary cell populations purified from human antral stage follicles (1-3 mm) to define the differentiation trajectory of theca/stroma cells. We then corroborated the temporal emergence and growth kinetics of defined theca/stroma subpopulations using human ovarian tissue samples and xenografts of cryopreserved/thawed ovarian cortex, respectively. We identified three lineage specific derivatives termed structural, androgenic, and perifollicular theca cells, as well as their putative lineage-negative progenitor. These findings provide a framework for understanding the differentiation process that occurs in each primordial follicle and identifies specific cellular/molecular phenotypes that may be relevant to either diagnosis or treatment of ovarian pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Lustgarten Guahmich
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Limor Man
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Jerry Wang
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Laury Arazi
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Eleni Kallinos
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Ariana Topper-Kroog
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Gabriel Grullon
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Kimberly Zhang
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Joshua Stewart
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Nina Schatz-Siemers
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Sam H Jones
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Richard Bodine
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Nikica Zaninovic
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Glenn Schattman
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Zev Rosenwaks
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA
| | - Daylon James
- Ronald O. Perelman and Claudia Cohen Center for Reproductive Medicine and Infertility, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, 10065, USA.
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14
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Bhattacharya I, Dey S, Banerjee A. Revisiting the gonadotropic regulation of mammalian spermatogenesis: evolving lessons during the past decade. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1110572. [PMID: 37124741 PMCID: PMC10140312 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1110572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a multi-step process of male germ cell (Gc) division and differentiation which occurs in the seminiferous tubules of the testes under the regulation of gonadotropins - Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinising hormone (LH). It is a highly coordinated event regulated by the surrounding somatic testicular cells such as the Sertoli cells (Sc), Leydig cells (Lc), and Peritubular myoid cells (PTc). FSH targets Sc and supports the expansion and differentiation of pre-meiotic Gc, whereas, LH operates via Lc to produce Testosterone (T), the testicular androgen. T acts on all somatic cells e.g.- Lc, PTc and Sc, and promotes the blood-testis barrier (BTB) formation, completion of Gc meiosis, and spermiation. Studies with hypophysectomised or chemically ablated animal models and hypogonadal (hpg) mice supplemented with gonadotropins to genetically manipulated mouse models have revealed the selective and synergistic role(s) of hormones in regulating male fertility. We here have briefly summarized the present concept of hormonal control of spermatogenesis in rodents and primates. We also have highlighted some of the key critical questions yet to be answered in the field of male reproductive health which might have potential implications for infertility and contraceptive research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Indrashis Bhattacharya
- Department of Zoology, School of Biological Science, Central University of Kerala, Kasaragod, Kerala, India
- *Correspondence: Arnab Banerjee, ; Indrashis Bhattacharya,
| | - Souvik Dey
- Manipal Centre for Biotherapeutics Research, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India
| | - Arnab Banerjee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, Goa, India
- *Correspondence: Arnab Banerjee, ; Indrashis Bhattacharya,
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15
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Shao J, Wang J, Wen X, Xie J, Huang F, Guan X, Hao X, Duan P, Chen C, Chen H. Effects of aging and macrophages on mice stem Leydig cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1139281. [PMID: 37051204 PMCID: PMC10083278 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1139281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/03/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testosterone plays a critical role in maintaining reproductive functions and well-beings of the males. Adult testicular Leydig cells (LCs) produce testosterone and are generated from stem Leydig cells (SLCs) during puberty through adulthood. In addition, macrophages are critical in the SLC regulatory niche for normal testicular function. Age-related reduction in serum testosterone contributes to a number of metabolic and quality-of-life changes in males, as well as age-related changes in immunological functions. How aging and testicular macrophages may affect SLC function is still unclear. METHODS SLCs and macrophages were purified from adult and aged mice via FACS using CD51 as a marker protein. The sorted cells were first characterized and then co-cultured in vitro to examine how aging and macrophages may affect SLC proliferation and differentiation. To elucidate specific aging effects on both cell types, co-culture of sorted SLCs and macrophages were also carried out across two ages. RESULTS CD51+ (weakly positive) and CD51++ (strongly positive) cells expressed typical SLC and macrophage markers, respectively. However, with aging, both cell types increased expression of multiple cytokine genes, such as IL-1b, IL-6 and IL-8. Moreover, old CD51+ SLCs reduced their proliferation and differentiation, with a more significant reduction in differentiation (2X) than proliferation (30%). Age matched CD51++ macrophages inhibited CD51+ SLC development, with a more significant reduction in old cells (60%) than young (40%). Crossed-age co-culture experiments indicated that the age of CD51+ SLCs plays a more significant role in determining age-related inhibitory effects. In LC lineage formation, CD51+ SLC had both reduced LC lineage markers and increased myoid cell lineage markers, suggesting an age-related lineage shift for SLCs. CONCLUSION The results suggest that aging affected both SLC function and their regulatory niche cell, macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Shao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiexia Wang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiajia Xie
- Department of Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Fu Huang
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaoju Guan
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xinrui Hao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ping Duan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Haolin Chen, ; Congde Chen, ; Ping Duan,
| | - Congde Chen
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Haolin Chen, ; Congde Chen, ; Ping Duan,
| | - Haolin Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Children Genitourinary Diseases of Wenzhou City, Department of Pediatric Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Department of Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- *Correspondence: Haolin Chen, ; Congde Chen, ; Ping Duan,
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16
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Jia S, Wilbourne J, Crossen MJ, Zhao F. Morphogenesis of the female reproductive tract along antero-posterior and dorso-ventral axes is dependent on Amhr2+ mesenchyme in mice†. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:1477-1489. [PMID: 36130202 PMCID: PMC9752753 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Morphogenesis of the female reproductive tract is regulated by the mesenchyme. However, the identity of the mesenchymal lineage that directs the morphogenesis of the female reproductive tract has not been determined. Using in vivo genetic cell ablation, we identified Amhr2+ mesenchyme as an essential mesenchymal population in patterning the female reproductive tract. After partial ablation of Amhr2+ mesenchymal cells, the oviduct failed to develop its characteristic coiling due to decreased epithelial proliferation and tubule elongation during development. The uterus displayed a reduction in size and showed decreased cellular proliferation in both epithelial and mesenchymal compartments. More importantly, in the uterus, partial ablation of Amhr2+ mesenchyme caused abnormal lumen shape and altered the direction of its long axis from the dorsal-ventral axis to the left-right axis (i.e., perpendicular to the dorsal-ventral axis). Despite these morphological defects, epithelia underwent normal differentiation into secretory and ciliated cells in the oviduct and glandular epithelial cells in the uterus. These results demonstrated that Amhr2+ mesenchyme can direct female reproductive tract morphogenesis by regulating epithelial proliferation and lumen shape without affecting the differentiation of epithelial cell types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Jia
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Jillian Wilbourne
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - McKenna J Crossen
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Fei Zhao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
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17
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Rabbani M, Zheng X, Manske GL, Vargo A, Shami AN, Li JZ, Hammoud SS. Decoding the Spermatogenesis Program: New Insights from Transcriptomic Analyses. Annu Rev Genet 2022; 56:339-368. [PMID: 36070560 PMCID: PMC10722372 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-genet-080320-040045] [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] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex differentiation process coordinated spatiotemporally across and along seminiferous tubules. Cellular heterogeneity has made it challenging to obtain stage-specific molecular profiles of germ and somatic cells using bulk transcriptomic analyses. This has limited our ability to understand regulation of spermatogenesis and to integrate knowledge from model organisms to humans. The recent advancement of single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies provides insights into the cell type diversity and molecular signatures in the testis. Fine-grained cell atlases of the testis contain both known and novel cell types and define the functional states along the germ cell developmental trajectory in many species. These atlases provide a reference system for integrated interspecies comparisons to discover mechanistic parallels and to enable future studies. Despite recent advances, we currently lack high-resolution data to probe germ cell-somatic cell interactions in the tissue environment, but the use of highly multiplexed spatial analysis technologies has begun to resolve this problem. Taken together, recent single-cell studies provide an improvedunderstanding of gametogenesis to examine underlying causes of infertility and enable the development of new therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mashiat Rabbani
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
| | - Xianing Zheng
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
| | - Gabe L Manske
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Alexander Vargo
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
| | - Adrienne N Shami
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
| | - Jun Z Li
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
- Department of Computational Medicine and Bioinformatics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Saher Sue Hammoud
- Department of Human Genetics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA;
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Department of Urology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
- Cellular and Molecular Biology Graduate Program, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
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18
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Liebich A, Schmid N, Koupourtidou C, Herrmann C, Dietrich KG, Welter H, Ninkovic J, Mayerhofer A. The Molecular Signature of Human Testicular Peritubular Cells Revealed by Single-Cell Analysis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223685. [PMID: 36429113 PMCID: PMC9688777 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Peritubular cells of the human testis form a small compartment surrounding the seminiferous tubules. They are crucial for sperm transport, and they emerge as contributors to the spermatogonial stem cell niche. They are among the least known cell types of the human body. We employed single-cell RNA sequencing of cultured human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs), which had been isolated from testicular samples of donors with normal spermatogenesis. The significant overlap between our results and recently published ex vivo data indicates that HTPCs are a highly adequate cellular model to define and study these cells. Thus, based on the expression of several markers, HTPCs can be classified as testicular smooth muscle cells. Small differences between the in vivo/in vitro expressed genes may be due to cellular plasticity. Plasticity was also shown upon addition of FCS to the culture medium. Based on transcriptome similarities, four cellular states were identified. Further analyses confirmed the presence of known stem cell niche-relevant factors (e.g., GDNF) and identified unknown functions, e.g., the ability to produce retinoic acid. Therefore, HTPCs allow us to define the signature(s) and delineate the functions of human testicular peritubular cells. The data may also serve as a resource for future studies to better understand male (in)fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Liebich
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nina Schmid
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christina Koupourtidou
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Helmholtz Center Munich, Institute of Stem Cell Research, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Carola Herrmann
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kim-Gwendolyn Dietrich
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Harald Welter
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jovica Ninkovic
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Helmholtz Center Munich, Institute of Stem Cell Research, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Artur Mayerhofer
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-89-2180-75859
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19
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Dong S, Chen C, Zhang J, Gao Y, Zeng X, Zhang X. Testicular aging, male fertility and beyond. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1012119. [PMID: 36313743 PMCID: PMC9606211 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1012119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Normal spermatogenesis and sperm function are crucial for male fertility. The effects of healthy testicular aging and testicular premature aging on spermatogenesis, sperm function, and the spermatogenesis microenvironment cannot be ignored. Compared with younger men, the testis of older men tends to have disturbed spermatogenic processes, sperm abnormalities, sperm dysfunction, and impaired Sertoli and Leydig cells, which ultimately results in male infertility. Various exogenous and endogenous factors also contribute to pathological testicular premature aging, such as adverse environmental stressors and gene mutations. Mechanistically, Y-chromosomal microdeletions, increase in telomere length and oxidative stress, accumulation of DNA damage with decreased repair ability, alterations in epigenetic modifications, miRNA and lncRNA expression abnormalities, have been associated with impaired male fertility due to aging. In recent years, the key molecules and signaling pathways that regulate testicular aging and premature aging have been identified, thereby providing new strategies for diagnosis and treatment. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the underlying mechanisms of aging on spermatogenesis. Furthermore, potential rescue measures for reproductive aging have been discussed. Finally, the inadequacy of testicular aging research and future directions for research have been envisaged to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of testicular aging and premature aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shijue Dong
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Chen Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Jiali Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xuhui Zeng
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
| | - Xiaoning Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School, Nantong University, Nantong, China
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20
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Abe SI. Behavior and Functional Roles of CD34 + Mesenchymal Cells in Mammalian Testes. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:9585. [PMID: 36076981 PMCID: PMC9455925 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23179585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian testes consist of seminiferous tubules within which Sertoli cells line up at the periphery and nurse germ cells, and of interstitia that harbor various cells such as peritubular myoid cells (PMCs), Leydig cells (LCs), vascular endothelial cells, immune cells such as macrophages, and mesenchymal (stromal) cells. Morphological studies have recently reported the presence of telocytes with telopodes in the interstitium of adult mouse, rat, and human testes. CD34+PDGFRα+ telocytes with long and moniliform telopodes form reticular networks with various cell types such as LCs, PMCs, and vessels, indicating their potential functions in cell-cell communications and tissue homeostasis. Functional studies have recently been performed on testicular interstitial cells and CD34+ cells, using 3D re-aggregate cultures of dissociated testicular cells, and cell cultures. Direct observation of CD34+ cells and adult LCs (ALCs) revealed that CD34+ cells extend thin cytoplasmic processes (telopodes), move toward the LC-CD34+ cell-re-aggregates, and finally enter into the re-aggregates, indicating the chemotactic behavior of CD34+ telocytes toward ALCs. In mammalian testes, important roles of mesenchymal interstitial cells as stem/progenitors in the differentiation and regeneration of LCs have been reported. Here, reports on testicular telocytes so far obtained are reviewed, and future perspectives on the studies of testicular telocytes are noted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shin-Ichi Abe
- Faculty of Health Science, Kumamoto Health Science University, Kumamoto 861-5598, Japan
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21
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Abe K, Kameyama H, Abe SI. CD34 is Expressed in Endothelial Cells in Embryonic Testes and is Additionally Expressed in Non-Endothelial Cells in Postnatal Mouse Testes. Zoolog Sci 2022; 39:468-476. [DOI: 10.2108/zs220026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kazuko Abe
- Faculty of Health Science, Kumamoto Health Science University, 325 Izumi-machi, Kita-ku, Kumamoto 861-5598, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kameyama
- Faculty of Health Science, Kumamoto Health Science University, 325 Izumi-machi, Kita-ku, Kumamoto 861-5598, Japan
| | - Shin-ichi Abe
- Faculty of Health Science, Kumamoto Health Science University, 325 Izumi-machi, Kita-ku, Kumamoto 861-5598, Japan
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22
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Ademi H, Djari C, Mayère C, Neirijnck Y, Sararols P, Rands CM, Stévant I, Conne B, Nef S. Deciphering the origins and fates of steroidogenic lineages in the mouse testis. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110935. [PMID: 35705036 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Leydig cells (LCs) are the major androgen-producing cells in the testis. They arise from steroidogenic progenitors (SPs), whose origins, maintenance, and differentiation dynamics remain largely unknown. Single-cell transcriptomics reveal that the mouse steroidogenic lineage is specified as early as embryonic day 12.5 (E12.5) and has a dual mesonephric and coelomic origin. SPs specifically express the Wnt5a gene and evolve rapidly. At E12.5 and E13.5, they give rise first to an intermediate population of pre-LCs, and finally to fetal LCs. At E16.5, SPs possess the characteristics of the dormant progenitors at the origin of adult LCs and are also transcriptionally closely related to peritubular myoid cells (PMCs). In agreement with our in silico analysis, in vivo lineage tracing indicates that Wnt5a-expressing cells are bona fide progenitors of PMCs as well as fetal and adult LCs, contributing to most of the LCs present in the fetal and adult testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herta Ademi
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cyril Djari
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chloé Mayère
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yasmine Neirijnck
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Pauline Sararols
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chris M Rands
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Stévant
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Béatrice Conne
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland; iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, 1211 Geneva, Switzerland.
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23
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Kawabe Y, Numabe T, Tanemura K, Hara K. Characteristics of alpha smooth muscle actin-positive peritubular cells in prepubertal bovine testes. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2022; 609:48-53. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2022.03.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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24
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Liu Y, Kossack ME, McFaul ME, Christensen LN, Siebert S, Wyatt SR, Kamei CN, Horst S, Arroyo N, Drummond IA, Juliano CE, Draper BW. Single-cell transcriptome reveals insights into the development and function of the zebrafish ovary. eLife 2022; 11:e76014. [PMID: 35588359 PMCID: PMC9191896 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish are an established research organism that has made many contributions to our understanding of vertebrate tissue and organ development, yet there are still significant gaps in our understanding of the genes that regulate gonad development, sex, and reproduction. Unlike the development of many organs, such as the brain and heart that form during the first few days of development, zebrafish gonads do not begin to form until the larval stage (≥5 days post-fertilization). Thus, forward genetic screens have identified very few genes required for gonad development. In addition, bulk RNA-sequencing studies that identify genes expressed in the gonads do not have the resolution necessary to define minor cell populations that may play significant roles in the development and function of these organs. To overcome these limitations, we have used single-cell RNA sequencing to determine the transcriptomes of cells isolated from juvenile zebrafish ovaries. This resulted in the profiles of 10,658 germ cells and 14,431 somatic cells. Our germ cell data represents all developmental stages from germline stem cells to early meiotic oocytes. Our somatic cell data represents all known somatic cell types, including follicle cells, theca cells, and ovarian stromal cells. Further analysis revealed an unexpected number of cell subpopulations within these broadly defined cell types. To further define their functional significance, we determined the location of these cell subpopulations within the ovary. Finally, we used gene knockout experiments to determine the roles of foxl2l and wnt9b for oocyte development and sex determination and/or differentiation, respectively. Our results reveal novel insights into zebrafish ovarian development and function, and the transcriptome profiles will provide a valuable resource for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulong Liu
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Michelle E Kossack
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Matthew E McFaul
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Lana N Christensen
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Stefan Siebert
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Sydney R Wyatt
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Caramai N Kamei
- Mount Desert Island Biological LaboratoryBar HarborUnited States
| | - Samuel Horst
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Nayeli Arroyo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Iain A Drummond
- Mount Desert Island Biological LaboratoryBar HarborUnited States
| | - Celina E Juliano
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Bruce W Draper
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
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25
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Wang R, Liu X, Li L, Yang M, Yong J, Zhai F, Wen L, Yan L, Qiao J, Tang F. Dissecting Human Gonadal Cell Lineage Specification and Sex Determination Using A Single-cell RNA-seq Approach. GENOMICS, PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS 2022; 20:223-245. [PMID: 35513251 PMCID: PMC9684167 DOI: 10.1016/j.gpb.2022.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Gonadal somatic cells are the main players in gonad development and are important for sex determination and germ cell development. Here, using a time-series single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) strategy, we analyzed fetal germ cells (FGCs) and gonadal somatic cells in human embryos and fetuses. Clustering analysis of testes and ovaries revealed several novel cell subsets, including POU5F1+SPARC+ FGCs and KRT19+ somatic cells. Furthermore, our data indicated that the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway plays cell type-specific and developmental stage-specific roles in testis development and promotes the gonocyte-to-spermatogonium transition (GST) in late-stage testicular mitotic arrest FGCs. Intriguingly, testosterone synthesis function transitioned from fetal Sertoli cells to adult Leydig cells in a stepwise manner. In our study, potential interactions between gonadal somatic cells were systematically explored and we identified cell type-specific developmental defects in both FGCs and gonadal somatic cells in a Turner syndrome embryo (45, XO). Our work provides a blueprint of the complex yet highly ordered development of and the interactions among human FGCs and gonadal somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Wang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China,Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Xixi Liu
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Li Li
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China,Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Ming Yang
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction and Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Jun Yong
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Fan Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction and Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China
| | - Lu Wen
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Liying Yan
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction and Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China,Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Key Laboratory of Assisted Reproduction and Key Laboratory of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation, Ministry of Education, Beijing 100191, China,Beijing Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology and Assisted Reproductive Technology, Beijing 100191, China,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Corresponding authors.
| | - Fuchou Tang
- Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Third Hospital, School of Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Genomics and Center for Reproductive Medicine, Third Hospital, Peking University, Beijing 100191, China,Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking University, Beijing 100871, China,Corresponding authors.
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26
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Guan X, Chen P, Ji M, Wen X, Chen D, Zhao X, Huang F, Wang J, Shao J, Xie J, Zhao X, Chen F, Tian J, Lin H, Zirkin BR, Duan P, Su Z, Chen H. Identification of Rat Testicular Leydig Precursor Cells by Single-Cell-RNA-Sequence Analysis. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:805249. [PMID: 35242757 PMCID: PMC8887666 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.805249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Stem Leydig cells (SLCs) play a critical role in the development and maintenance of the adult Leydig cell (ALC) population. SLCs also are present in the adult testis. Their identification, characteristics, and regulation in the adult testis remain uncertain. Using single-cell RNA-seq, we found that the mesenchymal stromal population may be involved in ALC regeneration. Upon ALC elimination, a fraction of stromal cells begins to proliferate while a different fraction begins to differentiate to ALCs. Transcriptomic analysis identified five stromal clusters that can be classified into two major groups representing proliferation and differentiation populations. The proliferating group represents stem cells expressing high levels of CD90, Nes, Lum, Fn and Gap43. The differentiating group represents a progenitor stage that is ready to form ALCs, and specifically expresses Vtn, Rasl11a, Id1 and Egr2. The observation that the actively dividing cells after ALC loss were not those that formed ALCs suggests that stem cell proliferation and differentiation are regulated separately, and that the maintenance of the stromal stem cell pool occurs at the population level. The study also identified specific markers for the major interstitial cell groups and potential paracrine factors involved in the regulation of SLCs. Our data suggest a new theory about SLC identity, proliferation, differentiation, and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoju Guan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Panpan Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Minpeng Ji
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xin Wen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dan Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xingyi Zhao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fu Huang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiexia Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jingjing Shao
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jiajia Xie
- Department of Pharmacology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xingxing Zhao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fenfen Chen
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jing Tian
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Han Lin
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Barry R Zirkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ping Duan
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhijian Su
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bioengineering Medicine, Department of Cell Biology, Jinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Haolin Chen
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Anesthesiology, Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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27
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Mahyari E, Guo J, Lima AC, Lewinsohn DP, Stendahl AM, Vigh-Conrad KA, Nie X, Nagirnaja L, Rockweiler NB, Carrell DT, Hotaling JM, Aston KI, Conrad DF. Comparative single-cell analysis of biopsies clarifies pathogenic mechanisms in Klinefelter syndrome. Am J Hum Genet 2021; 108:1924-1945. [PMID: 34626582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2021.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Klinefelter syndrome (KS), also known as 47, XXY, is characterized by a distinct set of physiological abnormalities, commonly including infertility. The molecular basis for Klinefelter-related infertility is still unclear, largely because of the cellular complexity of the testis and the intricate endocrine and paracrine signaling that regulates spermatogenesis. Here, we demonstrate an analysis framework for dissecting human testis pathology that uses comparative analysis of single-cell RNA-sequencing data from the biopsies of 12 human donors. By comparing donors from a range of ages and forms of infertility, we generate gene expression signatures that characterize normal testicular function and distinguish clinically distinct forms of male infertility. Unexpectedly, we identified a subpopulation of Sertoli cells within multiple individuals with KS that lack transcription from the XIST locus, and the consequence of this is increased X-linked gene expression compared to all other KS cell populations. By systematic assessment of known cell signaling pathways, we identify 72 pathways potentially active in testis, dozens of which appear upregulated in KS. Altogether our data support a model of pathogenic changes in interstitial cells cascading from loss of X inactivation in pubertal Sertoli cells and nominate dosage-sensitive factors secreted by Sertoli cells that may contribute to the process. Our findings demonstrate the value of comparative patient analysis in mapping genetic mechanisms of disease and identify an epigenetic phenomenon in KS Sertoli cells that may prove important for understanding causes of infertility and sex chromosome evolution.
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28
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Sararols P, Stévant I, Neirijnck Y, Rebourcet D, Darbey A, Curley MK, Kühne F, Dermitzakis E, Smith LB, Nef S. Specific Transcriptomic Signatures and Dual Regulation of Steroidogenesis Between Fetal and Adult Mouse Leydig Cells. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:695546. [PMID: 34262907 PMCID: PMC8273516 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.695546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Leydig cells (LC) are the main testicular androgen-producing cells. In eutherian mammals, two types of LCs emerge successively during testicular development, fetal Leydig cells (FLCs) and adult Leydig cells (ALCs). Both display significant differences in androgen production and regulation. Using bulk RNA sequencing, we compared the transcriptomes of both LC populations to characterize their specific transcriptional and functional features. Despite similar transcriptomic profiles, a quarter of the genes show significant variations in expression between FLCs and ALCs. Non-transcriptional events, such as alternative splicing was also observed, including a high rate of intron retention in FLCs compared to ALCs. The use of single-cell RNA sequencing data also allowed the identification of nine FLC-specific genes and 50 ALC-specific genes. Expression of the corticotropin-releasing hormone 1 (Crhr1) receptor and the ACTH receptor melanocortin type 2 receptor (Mc2r) specifically in FLCs suggests a dual regulation of steroidogenesis. The androstenedione synthesis by FLCs is stimulated by luteinizing hormone (LH), corticotrophin-releasing hormone (CRH), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) whereas the testosterone synthesis by ALCs is dependent exclusively on LH. Overall, our study provides a useful database to explore LC development and functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Sararols
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Isabelle Stévant
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Yasmine Neirijnck
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Diane Rebourcet
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Annalucia Darbey
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Michael K Curley
- Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Françoise Kühne
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Emmanouil Dermitzakis
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva (iGE3), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lee B Smith
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Medical Research Council Centre for Reproductive Health, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
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