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Ye M, Marzullo B, Adler HJ, Hu BH. Expression profiling of cochlear genes uncovers sex-based cellular function in mouse cochleae. Hear Res 2024; 448:109030. [PMID: 38776705 PMCID: PMC11845869 DOI: 10.1016/j.heares.2024.109030] [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: 01/06/2024] [Revised: 04/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Sex is a pivotal biological factor that significantly impacts tissue homeostasis and disease susceptibility. In the auditory system, sex differences have been observed in cochlear physiology and responses to pathological conditions. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for these differences remain elusive. The current research explores the differences in gene expression profiles in the cochlea between male and female mice, aiming to understand the functional implication of sex-biased gene expression in each sex. Using RNA-sequencing analysis on cochlear tissues obtained from male and female mice, we identified a significant number of genes exhibiting sex-biased expression differences. While some of these differentially expressed genes are located on sex chromosomes, most are found on autosomal chromosomes. Further bioinformatic analysis revealed that these genes are involved in several key cellular functions. In males, these genes are notably linked to oxidative phosphorylation and RNA synthesis and processing, suggesting their involvement in mitochondrial energy production and regulatory control of gene expression. In contrast, sex-biased genes are associated with mechano-transduction and synaptic transmission within female cochleae. Collectively, our study provides valuable insights into the molecular differences between the sexes and emphasizes the need for future research to uncover their functional implications and relevance to auditory health and disease development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengxiao Ye
- The Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences, University at Buffalo, 137 Cary Hall, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Brandon Marzullo
- UB Genomics and Bioinformatics Core NYS Center of Excellence in Bioinformatics & Life Sciences, University at Buffalo, 701 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14222, USA
| | - Henry J Adler
- The Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences, University at Buffalo, 137 Cary Hall, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA
| | - Bo Hua Hu
- The Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences, University at Buffalo, 137 Cary Hall, 3435 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214, USA.
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A comparative analysis of the intrauterine transcriptome in fertile and subfertile mares using cytobrush sampling. BMC Genomics 2021; 22:377. [PMID: 34022808 PMCID: PMC8141133 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-021-07701-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Subfertility is a major problem in modern horse breeding. Especially, mares without clinical signs of reproductive diseases, without known uterine pathogens and no evidence of inflammation but not becoming pregnant after several breeding attempts are challenging for veterinarians. To obtain new insights into the cause of these fertility problems and aiming at improving diagnosis of subfertile mares, a comparative analysis of the intrauterine transcriptome in subfertile and fertile mares was performed. Uterine cytobrush samples were collected during estrus from 57 mares without clinical signs of uterine diseases. RNA was extracted from the cytobrush samples and samples from 11 selected subfertile and 11 fertile mares were used for Illumina RNA-sequencing. Results The cytobrush sampling was a suitable technique to isolate enough RNA of high quality for transcriptome analysis. Comparing subfertile and fertile mares, 114 differentially expressed genes (FDR = 10%) were identified. Metascape enrichment analysis revealed that genes with lower mRNA levels in subfertile mares were related to ‘extracellular matrix (ECM)’, ‘ECM-receptor interaction’, ‘focal adhesion’, ‘immune response’ and ‘cytosolic calcium ion concentration’, while DEGs with higher levels in subfertile mares were enriched for ‘monocarboxyl acid transmembrane transport activity’ and ‘protein targeting’. Conclusion Our study revealed significant differences in the uterine transcriptome between fertile and subfertile mares and provides leads for potential uterine molecular biomarkers of subfertility in the mare. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-021-07701-3.
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Schnabel CL, Babasyan S, Freer H, Wagner B. CXCL10 production in equine monocytes is stimulated by interferon-gamma. Vet Immunol Immunopathol 2019; 207:25-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2018.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2018] [Revised: 11/21/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
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Maloney S, Khan FA, Chenier TS, Diel de Amorim M, Anthony Hayes M, Scholtz EL. A comparison of the uterine proteome of mares in oestrus and dioestrus. Reprod Domest Anim 2018; 54:473-479. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.13375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2018] [Accepted: 11/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shawn‐Elizabeth Maloney
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - Firdous A. Khan
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph Guelph Ontario Canada
- Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, School of Veterinary Medicine St. George’s University True Blue Grenada
| | - Tracy S. Chenier
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - Mariana Diel de Amorim
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - Michael Anthony Hayes
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph Guelph Ontario Canada
| | - Elizabeth L. Scholtz
- Department of Population Medicine, Ontario Veterinary College University of Guelph Guelph Ontario Canada
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Marth CD, Firestone SM, Hanlon D, Glenton LY, Browning GF, Young ND, Krekeler N. Innate immune genes in persistent mating-induced endometritis in horses. Reprod Fertil Dev 2018; 30:533-545. [PMID: 28834688 DOI: 10.1071/rd17157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 07/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Persistent mating-induced endometritis (PMIE) severely decreases fertility in horses. The aim of the present study was to evaluate differences between horses susceptible to PMIE and a control group in terms of the expression of selected immune response and effector genes, and the effects of oestrous cycle stage on this expression. Endometrial biopsies from 18 uterine samples of mares in the control group (eight in dioestrus, 10 in oestrus) and 16 PMIE-susceptible mares (four in dioestrus, 12 in oestrus) were analysed by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Genes for pathogen recognition receptors Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and NLR family CARD domain containing 5 (NLRC5), as well as tissue-specific inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP1), C-X-C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) 9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 and uteroferrin were expressed at similar levels in the control group and in susceptible mares. Genes for C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) and the antimicrobial peptides secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2), lipocalin 2 and lactoferrin were all expressed at higher levels in susceptible compared with control mares. The expression of genes for the antimicrobial peptides equine β-defensin 1 (EBD1), lysozyme (LYZ) and secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI) was also higher in susceptible than control mares. The diagnostic sensitivity of assays for EBD1, LYZ and SLP1 gene expression to detect susceptibility to PMIE was estimated to be 100%, 94% and 100% respectively, with specificities of 83%, 78% and 78% respectively. When all three tests were positive, the specificity increased to 94%, with an overall sensitivity of 94%. The present study has yielded insights into pathophysiological changes in mares susceptible to PMIE and identified robust diagnostic markers (EBD1, LYZ and SLPI) for susceptibility to this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina D Marth
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Simon M Firestone
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Dave Hanlon
- Matamata Veterinary Services, 26 Tainui Street, Matamata, New Zealand
| | - Lisa Y Glenton
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Glenn F Browning
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
| | - Natali Krekeler
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Corner Park Drive and Flemington Road, Parkville, Vic. 3010, Australia
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Marth CD, Firestone SM, Glenton LY, Browning GF, Young ND, Krekeler N. Oestrous cycle-dependent equine uterine immune response to induced infectious endometritis. Vet Res 2016; 47:110. [PMID: 27825391 PMCID: PMC5101692 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-016-0398-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Infectious endometritis is a major cause of reduced pregnancy rates in horses. The objectives of this study were to establish a timeline of the innate immune response in the uterus of healthy horses and to investigate the oestrous cycle effect on this. Endometrial biopsies were collected from five horses before and at 3, 12, 24, 48 and 72 h after inoculation of Escherichia coli, once in oestrus and once in dioestrus. They were analysed by quantitative real-time PCR, microbiology and histology. Neutrophil numbers increased from very low levels in the absence of inflammation to severe neutrophilia 3 h after inoculation. The concentrations of mRNAs for Toll-like receptor (TLR)2, TLR4, NOD-like receptor NLRC5, tissue inhibitor of metallopeptidases 1 (TIMP1) and chemokines CCL2, CXCL9, CXCL10 and CXCL11 were all increased 3 h after inoculation of E. coli compared to levels detected prior to inoculation. Chemokine mRNA levels remained elevated for 48 h. Concentrations of mRNAs for the antimicrobial peptides equine β-defensin 1 (EBD1), lysozyme, secretory leukoprotease inhibitor (SLPI), lipocalin 2 (LCN2), lactoferrin and uteroferrin were increased between 3 and 12 h post inoculation. The gene for secreted phospholipase A2 (sPLA2) was expressed constitutively. P19 uterocalin mRNA levels were higher in dioestrus than in oestrus over the first 24 h of inflammation. Neutrophils and many innate immune genes responded rapidly to the introduction of E. coli into the uterus, while the oestrous cycle stage had only a relatively minor effect on the response to E. coli. This study has delineated a useful model of innate immunity in infectious endometritis of healthy animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina D Marth
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. .,Translational Research and Animal Clinical Trial Study Group, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia.
| | - Simon M Firestone
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Lisa Y Glenton
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Translational Research and Animal Clinical Trial Study Group, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia
| | - Glenn F Browning
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Neil D Young
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Natali Krekeler
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.,Translational Research and Animal Clinical Trial Study Group, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Werribee, VIC, Australia
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Marth CD, Young ND, Glenton LY, Noden DM, Browning GF, Krekeler N. Deep sequencing of the uterine immune response to bacteria during the equine oestrous cycle. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:934. [PMID: 26572250 PMCID: PMC4647707 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-2139-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/23/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The steroid hormone environment in healthy horses seems to have a significant impact on the efficiency of their uterine immune response. The objective of this study was to characterize the changes in gene expression in the equine endometrium in response to the introduction of bacterial pathogens and the influence of steroid hormone concentrations on this expression. Methods Endometrial biopsies were collected from five horses before and 3 h after the inoculation of Escherichia coli once in oestrus (follicle >35 mm in diameter) and once in dioestrus (5 days after ovulation) and analysed using high-throughput RNA sequencing techniques (RNA-Seq). Results Comparison between time points revealed that 2422 genes were expressed at significantly higher levels and 2191 genes at significantly lower levels 3 h post inoculation in oestrus in comparison to pre-inoculation levels. In dioestrus, the expression of 1476 genes was up-regulated and 383 genes were down-regulated post inoculation. Many immune related genes were found to be up-regulated after the introduction of E. coli. These include pathogen recognition receptors, particularly toll-like receptors TLR2 and 4 and NOD-like receptor NLRC5. In addition, several interleukins including IL1B, IL6, IL8 and IL1ra were significantly up-regulated. Genes for chemokines, including CCL 2, CXCL 6, 9, 10, 11 and 16 and those for antimicrobial peptides, including secretory phospholipase sPLA2, lipocalin 2, lysozyme and equine β-defensin 1, as well as the gene for tissue inhibitor for metalloproteinases TIMP-1 were also up-regulated post inoculation. Conclusion The results of this study emphasize the complexity of an effective uterine immune response during acute endometritis and the tight balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory factors required for efficient elimination of bacteria. It is one of the first high-throughput analyses of the uterine inflammatory response in any species and several new potential targets for treatment of inflammatory diseases of the equine uterus have been identified. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-015-2139-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina D Marth
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia.
| | - Neil D Young
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia.
| | - Lisa Y Glenton
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia.
| | - Drew M Noden
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853-6401, USA.
| | - Glenn F Browning
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia.
| | - Natali Krekeler
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia.
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