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Wang X, Liu Q, Zhuang Z, Cheng J, Zhang W, Jiang Q, Guo Y, Li R, Lu X, Cui L, Weng J, Tang Y, Yue J, Gao S, Hong K, Qiao J, Jiang H, Guo J, Zhang Z. Decoding the pathogenesis of spermatogenic failure in cryptorchidism through single-cell transcriptomic profiling. Cell Rep Med 2024; 5:101709. [PMID: 39226895 DOI: 10.1016/j.xcrm.2024.101709] [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: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 06/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Cryptorchidism, commonly known as undescended testis, affects 1%-9% of male newborns, posing infertility and testis tumor risks. Despite its prevalence, the detailed pathophysiology underlying male infertility within cryptorchidism remains unclear. Here, we profile and analyze 46,644 single-cell transcriptomes from individual testicular cells obtained from adult males diagnosed with cryptorchidism and healthy controls. Spermatogenesis compromise in cryptorchidism links primarily to spermatogonium self-renewal and differentiation dysfunctions. We illuminate the involvement of testicular somatic cells, including immune cells, thereby unveiling the activation and degranulation of mast cells in cryptorchidism. Mast cells are identified as contributors to interstitial fibrosis via transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and cathepsin G secretion. Furthermore, significantly increased levels of secretory proteins indicate mast cell activation and testicular fibrosis in the seminal plasma of individuals with cryptorchidism compared to controls. These insights serve as valuable translational references, enriching our comprehension of testicular pathogenesis and informing more precise diagnosis and targeted therapeutic strategies for cryptorchidism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoyan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ziyan Zhuang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxing Cheng
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wenxiu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qiaoling Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China; Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - Yifei Guo
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Li
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaojian Lu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Lina Cui
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaming Weng
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yanlin Tang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jingwei Yue
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Songzhan Gao
- Department of Andrology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Kai Hong
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Qiao
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China; Department of Urology, Institute of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China.
| | - Jingtao Guo
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Zhe Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Female Fertility Promotion, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China; Department of Urology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China.
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Himelreich-Perić M, Katušić-Bojanac A, Hohšteter M, Sinčić N, Mužić-Radović V, Ježek D. Mast Cells in the Mammalian Testis and Epididymis-Animal Models and Detection Methods. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052547. [PMID: 35269690 PMCID: PMC8909951 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mast cells (MCs) are an evolutionary well-conserved type of cells, mediating and modulating allergic responses in innate immunity and tissue remodeling after chronic inflammation. Among other tissues, they inhabit both the testis and epididymis. In the testis, MCs usually appear in the interstitial compartment in humans, but not in other standard experimental models, like rats and mice. MCs seem to be responsible for testicular tissue fibrosis in different causes of infertility. Although experimental animal models follow the effect on MC activation or penetration to the interstitial tissue like in humans to some extent, there is an inconsistency in the available literature regarding experimental design, animal strain, and detection methods used. This comprehensive review offers an insight into the literature on MCs in mammalian testes and epididymides. We aimed to find the most suitable model for research on MC and offer recommendations for future experimental designs. When using in vivo animal models, tunica albuginea incorporation and standard histological assessment need to be included. Domesticated boar strains kept in modified controlled conditions exhibit the highest similarity to the MC distribution in the human testis. 3D testicular models are promising but need further fine-tuning to become a valid model for MC investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Himelreich-Perić
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.K.-B.); (N.S.); (D.J.)
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Correspondence:
| | - Ana Katušić-Bojanac
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.K.-B.); (N.S.); (D.J.)
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Marko Hohšteter
- Department of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Nino Sinčić
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.K.-B.); (N.S.); (D.J.)
- Department of Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Vedrana Mužić-Radović
- Hospital for Medical Rehabilitation of the Health and Lung Diseases and Rheumatism “Thalassotherapia-Opatija”, 51410 Opatija, Croatia;
| | - Davor Ježek
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia; (A.K.-B.); (N.S.); (D.J.)
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Bernal-Mañas CM, Morales E, Pastor LM, Pinart E, Bonet S, Rosa PDL, Dolors Briz M, Zuasti A, Ferrer C, Canteras M. Proliferation and apoptosis of spermatogonia in postpuberal boar (Sus domesticus) testes with spontaneous unilateral and bilateral abdominal cryptorchidism. Acta Histochem 2005; 107:365-72. [PMID: 16185749 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2005.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2005] [Revised: 07/12/2005] [Accepted: 07/19/2005] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Cryptorchidism is a frequent male sexual disorder in mammals, which affects the histology of the tunica propria, interstitial tissue, blood vessels, seminiferous epithelium and testis functioning. In this paper, proliferation and apoptosis were examined in the seminiferous epithelium of both testes from unaffected boars and from boars suffering unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism. In germ cells, proliferation was studied using the immunohistochemical PCNA technique, and apoptosis was analysed by in situ TUNEL labelling. An index was obtained for the proliferation and apoptosis observed in seminiferous tubules. In abdominal testes the epithelium contained few spermatogonia and Sertoli cells. In the testes of unaffected boars, numerous spermatogonia proliferated, whereas in cryptorchid testes such proliferation was lower and the proliferation/apoptosis ratio diminished. In the unaffected group, the TUNEL-positive germ cells were spermatogonia and spermatocytes in different phases of meiosis. In abdominal testes, the TUNEL-positive germ cells were spermatogonia alone. The apoptosis index of both abdominal and scrotal testes was similar. In conclusion, spontaneous cryptorchid testes showed a lower rate of spermatogonia proliferation in the seminiferous epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen M Bernal-Mañas
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain
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Bilińska B, Kotula-Balak M, Gancarczyk M, Sadowska J, Tabarowski Z, Wojtusiak A. Androgen aromatization in cryptorchid mouse testis. Acta Histochem 2003; 105:57-65. [PMID: 12666988 DOI: 10.1078/0065-1281-00682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Estrogens play an important role in germ cell development. Therefore, we have studied expression patterns of aromatase that converts testosterone into estrogens in 2 recombinant inbred mouse strains that differ in efficiency of spermatogenesis. In order to show whether germ cells are a target for estrogens, estrogen receptors (ER)alpha and beta were localized as well. Adult male CBA and KE mice were made unilaterally cryptorchid to determine alterations in testicular steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis. Differences between control and cryptorchid testes have been studied with respect to (1) cellular sites of aromatase, the enzyme responsible for estrogen formation, (2) the presence of ERalpha and ERbeta in various types of testicular cells, and (3) steroidogenic activity in the testes. Additionally, unilaterally control testes of cryptorchid mice were compared with bilaterally descended testes. Histological or hormonal differences were not found between control testes of cryptorchid and untreated mice. In cryptorchid testes from both strains, degeneration of germ cells was observed as well as a decrease in size of the seminiferous tubules, whereas the amount of interstitial tissue increased, especially in testes of CBA mice. Using immunohistochemistry, aromatase was localized in Leydig cells and germ cells in both control and cryptorchid testes. Sertoli cells were immunopositive in control testes only. In cryptorchid testes of KE mice, aromatase was strongly expressed in spermatids, that were still present in a few tubules. Other cell types in tubules were negative for aromatase. In both control and cryptorchid testes of both mouse strains, ERalpha were present in Leydig cells only, whereas ERbeta were found in Leydig cells and in germ cells in early stages of maturation. In homogenates of testes of CBA control mice, testosterone levels were 3-fold higher than in those of control KE mice, whereas the difference in estradiol levels between both strains was small. Cryptorchidism resulted in decreased testosterone levels and increased estradiol levels. The results of the present study show functional alterations due to cryptorchidism in both mouse strains. Strong aromatase expression in germ cells in control and cryptorchid testes indicates an additional source of estrogens in the testis besides the interstitial tissue and the relevance of estrogen in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Bilińska
- Laboratory of Endocrinology & Tissue Culture, Department of Animal Physiology, Institute of Zoology, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
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Pinart E, Bonet S, Briz M, Pastor LM, Sancho S, García N, Badia E, Bassols J. Histochemical study of the interstitial tissue in scrotal and abdominal boar testes. Vet J 2002; 163:68-76. [PMID: 11749138 DOI: 10.1053/tvjl.2001.0630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The present study describes the glycosidic content of the interstitial tissue in testes from healthy boars and from unilateral and bilateral abdominal cryptorchid boars using lectin histochemistry. The Leydig cells of healthy boars contained glycans with fucosyl, mannosyl, glucosyl, neuraminic acid and galactosyl residues, which have structural and transport functions, and participate in androgen synthesis and in cell regulation. Unilateral cryptorchidism induced high glucosyl and low galactosyl content in the Leydig cells of scrotal testes, resulting in impaired androgen production. In abdominal testes, the Leydig cells exhibited increased amounts of glucosyl and reduced amounts of galactosyl and neuraminic acid residues, resulting in defective cell regulation and lack of androgen synthesis. In healthy boars, the extracellular glycans contained fucosyl, galactosyl, glucosyl and neuraminic acid residues, which confer viscoelasticity on the interstitial tissue and participate in substrate transport, hormone binding and cell-cell interaction. Unilateral cryptorchidism did not induce anomalies in extracellular glycans in scrotal testes, but unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism resulted in an increased content of fucosyl and galactosyl, and a decreased content of glucosyl and neuraminic acid residues in abdominal testes, leading to reduced viscoelasticity and defective substrate transport across the extracellular matrix.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Pinart
- Reproductive Biology Unit, Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Girona, Campus de Montilivi, Girona, 17071, Spain.
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Pinart E, Bonet S, Briz M, Pastor LM, Sancho S, García N, Badia E, Bassols J. Morphological and histochemical characteristics of the lamina propria in scrotal and abdominal testes from postpubertal boars: correlation with the appearance of the seminiferous epithelium. J Anat 2001; 199:435-48. [PMID: 11693304 PMCID: PMC1468354 DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.2001.19940435.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study was undertaken to investigate the morphological characteristics and lectin affinity of the testicular lamina propria in healthy boars and in unilateral and bilateral abdominal cryptorchid boars. The lamina propria of scrotal testes from healthy boars and unilateral cryptorchid boars was constituted by an innermost noncellular layer, the basal lamina, and by 2 layers of peritubular cells, each separated by a fibrous layer. The noncellular layers contained collagen fibres and glycoconjugates with abundant N-acetylgalactosamine, galactose, fucose, N-acetylglucosamine and neuraminic acid residues. The inner peritubular cell layer was composed of myoid cells, the outer layer of fibroblasts. In the abdominal testes of unilateral and bilateral cryptorchid boars, the lamina propria of nondegenerating and degenerating seminiferous tubules appeared thickened due to an increased content of collagen fibres and glycoconjugates. Glycoconjugates showed decreased amounts of fucose, neuraminic acid and galactose, and increased amounts of N-acetylglucosamine residues. The basal lamina formed infoldings toward the seminiferous epithelium and contained small cells. Both inner and outer peritubular cells were fibroblasts of immature appearance. In degenerated seminiferous tubules of bilateral cryptorchid boars, the lamina propria was composed of a thickened and collagenised basal lamina, without peritubular cells and with a low content of glycoconjugates. In scrotal testes, therefore, the lamina propria was implicated in tubular contractility and in mediating the communication and the substrate diffusion between seminiferous tubules and interstitial tissue. Cryptorchidism induced morphological and histochemical alterations in the lamina propria of abdominal testes, which may be linked to evidence from other studies of lack of tubular contractility and defective cell-cell communication and substrate diffusion. The severity of these anomalies correlated with the severity of Sertoli cell alterations.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Pinart
- Reproductive Biology Unit, Faculty of Sciences. University of Girona, Spain.
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