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Zhong Y, Chen X, Zhao J, Deng H, Li X, Xie Z, Zhou B, Xian Z, Li X, Luo G, Li H. Integrative analyses of potential biomarkers and pathways for non-obstructive azoospermia. Front Genet 2022; 13:988047. [PMID: 36506310 PMCID: PMC9730279 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.988047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most severe form of male infertility. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying NOA pathology have not yet been elucidated. Hence, elucidation of the mechanisms of NOA and exploration of potential biomarkers are essential for accurate diagnosis and treatment of this disease. In the present study, we aimed to screen for biomarkers and pathways involved in NOA and reveal their potential molecular mechanisms using integrated bioinformatics. Methods: We downloaded two gene expression datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in NOA and matched the control group tissues were identified using the limma package in R software. Subsequently, Gene ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, gene-microRNAs network, and transcription factor (TF)-hub genes regulatory network analyses were performed to identify hub genes and associated pathways. Finally, we conducted immune infiltration analysis using CIBERSORT to evaluate the relationship between the hub genes and the NOA immune infiltration levels. Results: We identified 698 common DEGs, including 87 commonly upregulated and 611 commonly downregulated genes in the two datasets. GO analysis indicated that the most significantly enriched gene was protein polyglycylation, and KEGG pathway analysis revealed that the DEGs were most significantly enriched in taste transduction and pancreatic secretion signaling pathways. GSEA showed that DEGs affected the biological functions of the ribosome, focaladhesion, and protein_expor. We further identified the top 31 hub genes from the PPI network, and friends analysis of hub genes in the PPI network showed that NR4A2 had the highest score. In addition, immune infiltration analysis found that CD8+ T cells and plasma cells were significantly correlated with ODF3 expression, whereas naive B cells, plasma cells, monocytes, M2 macrophages, and resting mast cells showed significant variation in the NR4A2 gene expression group, and there were differences in T cell regulatory immune cell infiltration in the FOS gene expression groups. Conclusion: The present study successfully constructed a regulatory network of DEGs between NOA and normal controls and screened three hub genes using integrative bioinformatics analysis. In addition, our results suggest that functional changes in several immune cells in the immune microenvironment may play an important role in spermatogenesis. Our results provide a novel understanding of the molecular mechanisms of NOA and offer potential biomarkers for its diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yucheng Zhong
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Xiaoqing Chen
- Department of Breast Surgical Oncology, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Jun Zhao
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Hao Deng
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Xiaohang Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Zhongju Xie
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Bingyu Zhou
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Zhuojie Xian
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Xiaoqin Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China
| | - Guoqun Luo
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China,*Correspondence: Guoqun Luo, ; Huan Li,
| | - Huan Li
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Center, Southern Medical University Affiliated Maternal & Child Health Hospital of Foshan, Foshan, China,*Correspondence: Guoqun Luo, ; Huan Li,
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Walczak-Jędrzejowska R, Forma E, Oszukowska E, Bryś M, Marchlewska K, Kula K, Słowikowska-Hilczer J. Expression of G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor ( GPER) in Whole Testicular Tissue and Laser-Capture Microdissected Testicular Compartments of Men with Normal and Aberrant Spermatogenesis. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11030373. [PMID: 35336747 PMCID: PMC8945034 DOI: 10.3390/biology11030373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Simple Summary Nowadays, there is no doubt that estrogens play an important role in male reproduction, affecting testicular cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and metabolism. It is also widely believed that intratesticular balance of androgens and estrogens is crucial for the testicular development and function and that the increased testicular estrogen production may be associated with spermatogenic failure. There is also growing epidemiological evidence that the exposure of men to endocrine disruptors demonstrating estrogenic activity (xenoestrogens) may lead to impairment of male fertility via interference with estrogen signaling pathways. Besides the two classical nuclear estrogen receptors, the membrane-bound G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) was described in human testicular tissue. However, there are little data on its expression in testes with disturbed spermatogenesis. In this study, we investigated the GPER expression pattern in biopsies of azoospermic men with complete and aberrant spermatogenesis. Our results showed an increased expression of the GPER in testes with impaired spermatogenesis. Moreover, they indicate a possible involvement of estrogen signaling through GPER in disturbed function of Sertoli cells—the cells that support spermatogenic process. Abstract In this study, we retrospectively investigated GPER expression in biopsies of azoospermic men with complete (obstructive azoospermia—OA) and aberrant spermatogenesis (nonobstructive azoospermia—NOA). Each biopsy was histologically evaluated with morphometry. The testicular GPER expression was analyzed by the immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR technique in the whole testicular tissue and in seminiferous tubules and Leydig cells after laser-capture microdissection. In laser-microdissected compartments, we also analyzed transcriptional expression of selected Leydig (CYP17A1, HSD17B3, StAR) and Sertoli cell (AMH, SCF, BMP4) function markers. Immunohistochemical staining revealed expression of GPER in the cytoplasm of Leydig and Sertoli cells. Its stronger intensity was observed in Sertoli cells of NOA biopsies. The RT-PCR analysis of the GPER mRNA level unequivocally showed its increased expression in seminiferous tubules (i.e., Sertoli cells), not Leydig cells in NOA biopsies. This increased expression correlated positively with the transcriptional level of AMH—a marker of Sertoli cell immaturity, as well as FSH serum level in NOA but not in the OA group. Our results clearly demonstrate altered GPER expression in testes with primary spermatogenic impairment that might be related to Sertoli cell maturity/function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renata Walczak-Jędrzejowska
- Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska Str. 251, 92-213 Lodz, Poland; (K.M.); (K.K.); (J.S.-H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-42-272-53-91
| | - Ewa Forma
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska Str. 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (E.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Elżbieta Oszukowska
- II Clinic of Urology, Medical University of Lodz, Pabianicka Str. 62, 93-513 Lodz, Poland;
| | - Magdalena Bryś
- Department of Cytobiochemistry, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Pomorska Str. 141/143, 90-236 Lodz, Poland; (E.F.); (M.B.)
| | - Katarzyna Marchlewska
- Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska Str. 251, 92-213 Lodz, Poland; (K.M.); (K.K.); (J.S.-H.)
| | - Krzysztof Kula
- Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska Str. 251, 92-213 Lodz, Poland; (K.M.); (K.K.); (J.S.-H.)
| | - Jolanta Słowikowska-Hilczer
- Department of Andrology and Reproductive Endocrinology, Medical University of Lodz, Pomorska Str. 251, 92-213 Lodz, Poland; (K.M.); (K.K.); (J.S.-H.)
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Xiang H, Wang S, Kong X, Yu Y, Shen L, Long C, Liu X, Wei GH. c-Fos is upregulated in the genital tubercle of DEHP-induced hypospadiac rats and the prepuce of patients with hypospadias. Syst Biol Reprod Med 2021; 67:193-200. [PMID: 33618583 DOI: 10.1080/19396368.2020.1862356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the expression of Fos proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit (c-Fos) in the genital tubercle (GT) of rats with di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP)-induced hypospadias and in the prepuce of patients with hypospadias compared with unaffected controls. Pregnant rats were given 750 mg/kg/day DEHP orally from gestational days 12-19. Western blotting showed that c-Fos expression was increased in DEHP-induced hypospadiac male offspring. In addition, 30 prepuce tissue specimens obtained during hypospadias repair surgery were divided into 2 groups: the mild hypospadias group (n = 15) and the severe hypospadias group (n = 15). Fifteen normal prepuce tissue specimens were harvested during elective circumcision as normal controls. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, western blotting and immunohistochemistry analyses were used to assess c-Fos expression. c-Fos protein levels were higher in the GT of DEHP-induced rats than in that of control rats. c-Fos mRNA and protein levels were also higher in the hypospadias groups than in the control group (p < 0.05, p < 0.001), and c-Fos protein levels were significantly higher in the severe hypospadias group than in the mild hypospadias group (p < 0.01). The expression of c-Fos was increased in both the GT of DEHP-induced hypospadiac rats and the prepuce of hypospadias patients. Thus, c-Fos overexpression might contribute to hypospadias.Abbreviations: DEHP: di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate; c-Fos: Fos proto-oncogene, AP-1 transcription factor subunit; Mafb: the masculinization-regulatory gene v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene family, protein B; GT: genital tubercle; ED: embryonic day; AGD: anogenital distance; AGI: anogenital distance index; ED: embryonic day.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Xiang
- Department of Urology; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Shao Wang
- Department of Urology; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xiaoyan Kong
- Department of Urology; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yihang Yu
- Department of Urology; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Lianju Shen
- Department of Urology; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Chunlan Long
- Department of Urology; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Xing Liu
- Department of Urology; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Guang-Hui Wei
- Department of Urology; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Child Development and Disorders; National Clinical Research Center for Child Health and Disorders; China International Science and Technology Cooperation Base of Child Development and Critical Disorders; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Child Urogenital Development and Tissue Engineering; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China
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Jonak CR, Lainez NM, Boehm U, Coss D. GnRH Receptor Expression and Reproductive Function Depend on JUN in GnRH Receptor‒Expressing Cells. Endocrinology 2018; 159:1496-1510. [PMID: 29409045 PMCID: PMC5839737 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Accepted: 01/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) from the hypothalamus regulates synthesis and secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) from the anterior pituitary gonadotropes. LH and FSH are heterodimers composed of a common α-subunit and unique β-subunits, which provide biological specificity and are limiting components of mature hormone synthesis. Gonadotrope cells respond to GnRH via specific expression of the GnRH receptor (Gnrhr). GnRH induces the expression of gonadotropin genes and of the Gnrhr by activation of specific transcription factors. The JUN (c-Jun) transcription factor binds to AP-1 sites in the promoters of target genes and mediates induction of the FSHβ gene and of the Gnrhr in gonadotrope-derived cell lines. To analyze the role of JUN in reproductive function in vivo, we generated a mouse model that lacks JUN specifically in GnRH receptor‒expressing cells (conditional JUN knockout; JUN-cKO). JUN-cKO mice displayed profound reproductive anomalies such as reduced LH levels resulting in lower gonadal steroid levels, longer estrous cycles in females, and diminished sperm numbers in males. Unexpectedly, FSH levels were unchanged in these animals, whereas Gnrhr expression in the pituitary was reduced. Steroidogenic enzyme expression was reduced in the gonads of JUN-cKO mice, likely as a consequence of reduced LH levels. GnRH receptor‒driven Cre activity was detected in the hypothalamus but not in the GnRH neuron. Female, but not male, JUN-cKO mice exhibited reduced GnRH expression. Taken together, our results demonstrate that GnRH receptor‒expression levels depend on JUN and are critical for reproductive function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie R. Jonak
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Nancy M. Lainez
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling, Saarland University School of Medicine, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | - Djurdjica Coss
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California Riverside, Riverside, California 92521
- Correspondence: Djurdjica Coss, PhD, Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, 303 SOM Research Building, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, California 92521. E-mail:
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Xie C, Jonak CR, Kauffman AS, Coss D. Gonadotropin and kisspeptin gene expression, but not GnRH, are impaired in cFOS deficient mice. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2015; 411:223-31. [PMID: 25958044 PMCID: PMC4764054 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2015.04.033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 04/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
cFOS is a pleiotropic transcription factor, which binds to the AP1 site in the promoter of target genes. In the pituitary gonadotropes, cFOS mediates induction of FSHβ and GnRH receptor genes. Herein, we analyzed reproductive function in the cFOS-deficient mice to determine its role in vivo. In the pituitary cFOS is necessary for gonadotropin subunit expression, while TSHβ is unaffected. Additionally, cFOS null animals have the same sex-steroid levels, although gametogenesis is impeded. In the brain, cFOS is not necessary for GnRH neuronal migration, axon targeting, cell number, or mRNA levels. Conversely, cFOS nulls, particularly females, have decreased Kiss1 neuron numbers and lower Kiss1 mRNA levels. Collectively, our novel findings suggest that cFOS plays a cell-specific role at multiple levels of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis, affecting gonadotropes but not thyrotropes in the pituitary, and kisspeptin neurons but not GnRH neurons in the hypothalamus, thereby contributing to the overall control of reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changchuan Xie
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA; Department of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0674, USA
| | - Carrie R Jonak
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA
| | - Alexander S Kauffman
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Center for Reproductive Science and Medicine, University of California, San Diego, CA 92093-0674, USA
| | - Djurdjica Coss
- Division of Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of California, Riverside, CA 92521, USA.
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