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Chen N, Wan X, Wang M, Li Y, Wang X, Zeng L, Zhou J, Zhang Y, Cheng S, Shen Y. Cross-talk between Vimentin and autophagy regulates blood-testis barrier disruption induced by cadmium. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123625. [PMID: 38401636 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123625] [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: 12/28/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024]
Abstract
The blood-testis barrier (BTB) plays a vital role in mammalian spermatogenesis by separating the seminiferous epithelium into an adluminal and a basal compartment. Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic heavy metal that is widely present in the environment. We observed that Cd can induce BTB disruption, leading to apoptosis of testicular cells. However, the molecular mechanisms contributing to BTB injury induced by Cd have not yet been fully clarified. Vimentin (Vim) is an important desmosome-like junction protein that mediates robust adhesion in the BTB. In this study, we investigated how Vim responds to Cd. We found that Cd treatment led to a significant decrease in Vim expression, accompanied by a marked increase in LC3-II expression and a higer number of autophagosomes. Interestingly, we also observed that Cd-induced autophagy was associated with decreased Vim activity and enhanced apoptosis of testicular cells. To further investigate the role of autophagy in Vim regulation under Cd exposure, we treated cells with an autophagy inhibitor called 3-MA. We found that 3-MA treatment enhanced Vim expression and improved the disruption of the BTB under Cd exposure. Additionally, the inhibition of Vim confirmed the role of autophagy in modulating Vim expression. These results reveal a previously unknown regulatory mechanism of Cd involving the interplay between a heavy metal and a protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- Na Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, PR China
| | - Xiaoyan Wan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, 510620, PR China
| | - Mei Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, PR China
| | - Yamin Li
- Department of Woman's Health Care, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430071, Hubei, PR China
| | - Xiaofei Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Yichang Central People's Hospital, The First College of Clinical Medical Science, China Three Gorges University, Yichang, 443000, Hubei, PR China
| | - Ling Zeng
- Medical Genetics Center, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430070, PR China
| | - Jinzhao Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Yanwei Zhang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430030, PR China
| | - Shun Cheng
- College of Zhixing, Hubei University, Wuhan, 430011, PR China
| | - Yi Shen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430022, PR China.
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Chen Z, Chen Z, Gao S, Shi J, Li X, Sun F. PFOS exposure destroys the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) through PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy. Reprod Biol 2024; 24:100846. [PMID: 38160586 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100846] [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: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanesulfonate or perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), a type of perfluorinated compound, is mainly found in consumer products. Exposure to PFOS could cause male reproductive toxicity by causing injury to the blood-testis barrier (BTB). However, the specific mechanisms through which PFOS affects male reproduction remain unclear. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a vital protein kinase that is believed to be a central regulator of autophagy. In this study, we established in vivo and in vitro models to explore the effects of PFOS on the BTB, autophagy, and the regulatory role of the mTOR signaling pathway. Adult mice were developmentally exposed to 0, 0.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg/day PFOS for five weeks. Thereafter, their testicular morphology, sperm counts, serum testosterone, expression of BTB-related proteins, and autophagy-related proteins were evaluated. Additionally, TM4 cells (a mouse Sertoli cell line) were used to delineate the molecular mechanisms that mediate the effects of PFOS on BTB. Our results demonstrated that exposure to PFOS induced BTB injury and autophagy, as evidenced by increased expression of autophagy-related proteins, accumulation of autophagosomes, observed through representative electron micrographs, and decreased activity of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Moreover, treatment with chloroquine, an autophagy inhibitor, alleviated the effects of PFOS on the integrity of TM4 cells in the BTB and the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. Overall, this study highlights that exposure to PFOS destroys the integrity of the BTB through PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zifeng Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Zhengru Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Sheng Gao
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Xinyao Li
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Medical School of Nantong University, Nantong 226001, China.
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3
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Yan Q, Li T, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Wang Q, Yuan L. Caveolin 1 Regulates the Tight Junctions between Sertoli Cells and Promotes the Integrity of Blood-Testis Barrier in Yak via the FAK/ERK Signaling Pathway. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:183. [PMID: 38254351 PMCID: PMC10812639 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Yaks, a valuable livestock species endemic to China's Tibetan plateau, have a low reproductive rate. Cryptorchidism is believed to be one of the leading causes of infertility in male yaks. In this study, we compared the morphology of the normal testis of the yak with that of the cryptorchidism, and found dysplasia of the seminiferous tubules, impaired tightness of the Sertoli cells, and a disruption of the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in the cryptorchidism. Previous studies have shown that CAV1 significantly contributes to the regulation of cell tight junctions and spermatogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesize that CAV1 may play a regulatory role in tight junctions and BTB in Yaks Sertoli cells, thereby influencing the development of cryptorchidism. Additional analysis using immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting confirmed that CAV1 expression is up-regulated in yak cryptorchidism. CAV1 over-expression plasmids and small RNA interference sequences were then transfected in vitro into yak Sertoli cells. It was furthermore found that CAV1 has a positive regulatory effect on tight junctions and BTB integrity, and that this regulatory effect is achieved through the FAK/ERK signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings, the first application of CAV1 to yak cryptorchidism, provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of cell tight junctions and BTB. This paper suggests that CAV1 could be used as a potential therapeutic target for yak cryptorchidism and may provide insight for future investigations into the occurrence of cryptorchidism, the maintenance of a normal physiological environment for spermatogenesis and male reproductive physiology in the yak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Tianan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xingxu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Qi Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Ligang Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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Liu Y, Liu Y, Chen S, Kong Z, Guo Y, Wang H. Prenatal exposure to acetaminophen at different doses, courses and time causes testicular dysplasia in offspring mice and its mechanism. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 345:140496. [PMID: 37865203 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140496] [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: 03/02/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023]
Abstract
Epidemiological investigation suggested that the use of acetaminophen during pregnancy may cause offspring testicular dysplasia, but no systematic study has been conducted. In this study, Kunming mice were given acetaminophen at different doses (100/200/400 mg/kg.d), courses (single/multiple), time (second/third trimester) during pregnancy. Fetal blood and testes were collected on gestaional day 18 for detection. The results indicated abnormal testicular development in the PAcE (prenatal acetaminophen exposure) groups. The maximum diameter/cross-sectional area decreased, the interstitial space widened, and decreased proliferation/increased apoptosis were observed, especially in the high-dose, multi-course and second-trimester groups. Meanwhile, the serum testosterone level decreased in PAcE groups, and the steroid synthesis function in Leydig cells, Sertoli and spermatogenic cell function were inhibited, it was more significant in high-dose, multi-course and second-trimester groups. Furthermore, Wnt signal pathway was activated but Notch signal pathway was inhibited in the PAcE groups. Finally, in vitro experiment, acetaminophen could inhibit spermatogonial cell proliferation, enhance apoptosis, and change Wnt/Notch signal pathway. In conclusion, this study confirmed that PAcE can change fetal testicular development in a dose, course and time-dependent manner, and found that multicellular function impaired. This study provides theoretical and experimental basis for systematically elucidating the developmental toxicity of acetaminophen in testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Sijia Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Ziyu Kong
- Department of Pharmacology, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yu Guo
- Department of Pharmacology, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, TaiKang Medical School (School of Basic Medical Sciences), Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China; Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China.
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Li YY, Xiong YM, Chen XY, Sheng JY, Lv L, Li XH, Qin ZF. Extended exposure to tetrabromobisphenol A-bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether) leads to subfertility in male mice at the late reproductive age. Arch Toxicol 2023; 97:2983-2995. [PMID: 37606655 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-023-03589-y] [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: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
Tetrabromobisphenol A-bis(2,3-dibromopropyl ether) (TBBPA-BDBPE), a commonly used brominated flame retardant as a decabromodiphenyl ether substitute, has been detected in various environmental compartments, but its health hazards remain largely unknown. Our recent study showed that low-dose exposure of male mice to TBBPA-BDBPE from postnatal day (PND) 0 to 56 caused remarkable damage to the microtubule skeleton in Sertoli cells and the blood-testis barrier (BTB) but exerted little effect on conventional reproductive endpoints in adulthood. To investigate whether TBBPA-BDBPE may cause severe reproductive impairments at late reproductive age, here, we extended exposure of historically administrated male mice to 8-month age and allowed them to mate with non-treated females for the evaluation of fertility, followed by a general examination for the reproductive system. As expected, we found that 8-month exposure to 50 μg/kg/d as well as 1000 μg/kg/d TBBPA-BDBPE caused severe damage to the reproductive system, including reduced sperm counts, increased sperm abnormality, histological alterations of testes. Moreover, microtubule damage and BTB-related impairment were still observed following 8-month exposure. Noticeably, high-dose TBBPA-BDBPE-treated mice had fewer offspring with a female-biased sex ratio. All results show that long-term exposure to TBBPA-BDBPE caused severe reproductive impairment, including poor fertility at late reproductive age. It is therefore concluded that slight testicular injuries in early life can contribute to reproductive impairment at late reproductive age, highlighting that alterations in certain non-conventional endpoints should be noticed as well as conventional endpoints in future reproductive toxicity studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan-Yuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian District, No. 18, Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yi-Ming Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian District, No. 18, Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xuan-Yue Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian District, No. 18, Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jia-Yi Sheng
- The High School Affiliated to Renmin, University of China, Beijing, 100080, China
| | - Lin Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian District, No. 18, Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xing-Hong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian District, No. 18, Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100085, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhan-Fen Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian District, No. 18, Shuangqing Road, Beijing, 100085, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Department of Life Sciences, Hengshui University, Hebei, 053000, China.
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Zhang C, Lu D, Niu T, Sun Z, Wang Y, Han X, Xiong B, Shen W, Sun Q, Zhao Y, Zhang W, Feng Y. LncRNA5251 inhibits spermatogenesis via modification of cell-cell junctions. Biol Direct 2023; 18:31. [PMID: 37316926 PMCID: PMC10268499 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-023-00381-x] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male factors-caused decline in total fertility has raised significant concern worldwide. LncRNAs have been identified to play various roles in biological systems, including spermatogenesis. This study aimed to explore the role of lncRNA5251 in mouse spermatogenesis. METHODS The expression of lncRNA5251 was modulated in mouse testes in vivo or spermatogonial stem cells (C18-4 cells) in vitro by shRNA. RESULTS The sperm motility in two generations mice after modulation of lncRNA5251 (muF0 and muF1) was decreased significantly after overexpression of lncRNA5251. GO enrichment analysis found that knockdown lncRNA5251 increased the expression of genes related to cell junctions, and genes important for spermatogenesis in mouse testes. Meanwhile, overexpressing lncRNA5251 decreased the gene and/or protein expression of important genes for spermatogenesis and immune pathways in mouse testes. In vitro, knockdown lncRNA5251 increased the expression of genes for cell junction, and the protein levels of some cell junction proteins such as CX37, OCLN, JAM1, VCAM1 and CADM2 in C18-4 cells. LncRNA5251 is involved in spermatogenesis by modulation of cell junctions. CONCLUSION This will provide a theoretical basis for improving male reproductive ability via lncRNA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cong Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
- Urology Department, Shenzhen University general hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Dongxin Lu
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Tong Niu
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Zhongyi Sun
- Urology Department, Shenzhen University general hospital, Shenzhen, 518055, P. R. China
| | - Yandi Wang
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Xiao Han
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Bohui Xiong
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
| | - Qingyuan Sun
- Fertility Preservation Lab, Reproductive Medicine Center, Guangdong Second Provincial General Hospital, Guangzhou, 510317, P. R. China
| | - Yong Zhao
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China
- College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, 6150, Australia
| | - Weidong Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China.
| | - Yanni Feng
- Laboratory of Animal Reproductive Physiology and Disease, College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, P. R. China.
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Gao P, Zhuang J, Chen H, Fang Z, Zheng J, Zhu D, Hou J. 5-Aminolevulinic acid combined with ferrous iron ameliorates scrotal heat stress-induced spermatogenic damage by enhancing HO-1 expression. Mol Biol Rep 2023; 50:4999-5011. [PMID: 37086299 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-08462-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 04/23/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To explore whether 5-Aminolevulinic acid combined with ferrous iron (5-ALA/Fe2+) could protect testicular tissues damage of mice subjected to heat stress (HS) and provide its underlying mechanisms. METHODS 5-ALA/Fe2+ was administered intragastrically to mice for 10 days, then exposed to a scrotal heat stress at 43°C for 20 min on third day. Testes were harvested for morphologic and histopathological examination, oxidative stress, apoptosis, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and inflammation detection. The mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway in testis and CD4+FoxP3+regulatory T (Treg) cells in spleen were also investigated. RESULTS Compared to control group, the testis weight decreased and histological damage severed in HS group. Besides, HS also increased the oxidative stress, apoptosis and inflammation in testis. However, these indicators were ameliorated after 5-ALA/Fe2+ treatment but deteriorated after receiving ZnPPIX. The expression of HO-1 was increased both in HS group and 5-ALA/Fe2+ group. The protein expression levels of MAPK proteins were activated by HS and inhibited by 5-ALA/Fe2+. The CD4+FoxP3+ Treg generation was reduced by HS and increased by 5-ALA/Fe2+. CONCLUSION In this study, we have demonstrated that 5-ALA/Fe2+ ameliorated the spermatogenic damage induced by scrotal heat stress via up-regulating the expression of HO-1 and inhibiting MAPK mediated oxidative stress and apoptosis and inducing CD4+Foxp3+ Tregs to inhibit the inflammation induced by HS in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gao
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jingming Zhuang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200080, China
| | - Haoran Chen
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Zujun Fang
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Jie Zheng
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China
| | - Daqian Zhu
- National Children's Medical Center, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102, China
| | - Jiangang Hou
- Department of Urology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
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Perfluorooctanoic acid induces tight junction injury of Sertoli cells by blocking autophagic flux. Food Chem Toxicol 2023; 173:113649. [PMID: 36736878 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2023.113649] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), a man-made chemical widely used in consumers, could cause male reproductive toxicity by disrupting blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity. Autophagy in Sertoli cells is essential for regulation of spermatogenesis and BTB. However, it remains a mystery that whether PFOA-induced BTB injury is associated with autophagy in Sertoli cells. In this study, we found that PFOA dose-dependently disrupted tight junction (TJ) function in Sertoli cells in vivo and in vitro. Furthermore, the results from transmission electron microscopy, Western blot and immunofluorescence analysis revealed that PFOA induced the accumulation of autophagosome in testicular Sertoli cells as well as TM4 cells. Further study confirmed that autophagosome accumulation resulted from the blockage of autophagic degradation because of disruption of autophagosome and lysosome fusion via downregulation of the expression of α-SNAP. In parallel, the overexpressed MMP9 was also observed in vivo and in vitro. Conversely, overexpression of α-SNAP inhibited the expression of MMP9 in TM4 cells. In conclusion, PFOA blocks autophagic flux through downregulating the expression levels of α-SNAP in Sertoli cells, and then induces the accumulation of MMP9 leading to disruption of TJ function. This finding will provide clues for effective prevention and treatment of PFOA-induced male reproductive toxicity.
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9
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Liu Y, Liu Y, Chen G, Wang H. Epigenetic programming of TBX2/CX43 mediates lower sperm quality in male offspring induced by prenatal dexamethasone exposure. Toxicol Sci 2023; 192:kfad016. [PMID: 36790081 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfad016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Decreased sperm quality is the main cause of male infertility. Studies have found that prenatal dexamethasone exposure (PDE) decreases sperm quality in male offspring after birth, but the mechanism is unclear. Wistar pregnant rats were subcutaneously injected with 0.1, 0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg.d dexamethasone at gestational day 9-20. The testes and sperm of first-generation (F1) offspring were collected, and F1 offspring were mated with wild-type female rats to obtain F2. Compared with the control group, F1 offspring in PDE group had lower sperm count and motility after birth, and the deformity rate increased. F2 fetal rats' body length and weight decreased, and the intrauterine growth retardation rate increased. Meanwhile, PDE decreased the expression of connexin 43 (CX43) in offspring testes, while T-box transcription factor 2 (TBX2) promoter region histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac) level and its expression were increased. Traced back to F1 fetus testes, PDE increased the expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) and P300, activated GR protein into the nucleus, and made GR act on the TBX2 promoter region. Further, a series of Sertoli cell interventions confirmed that dexamethasone promoted GR to recruit P300, increased the H3K9ac level of TBX2 promoter region and its expression, and inhibited the expression of CX43. This study confirmed that PDE decreased sperm quality of male offspring, which is related to the epigenetic programming of TBX2/CX43 in the Sertoli cells, provided a theoretical and experimental basis for guiding the rational use of drugs during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liu
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Guanghui Chen
- Department of Pharmacy, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430060, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, 430071, China
- Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Developmentally Originated Disease, Wuhan, 430071, China
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Lactoferrin Restores the Deoxynivalenol-Impaired Spermatogenesis and Blood-Testis Barrier Integrity via Improving the Antioxidant Capacity and Modifying the Cell Adhesion and Inflammatory Response. Antioxidants (Basel) 2023; 12:antiox12010152. [PMID: 36671014 PMCID: PMC9855165 DOI: 10.3390/antiox12010152] [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: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is among the most prevalent contaminants in cereal crops and has been demonstrated to impair male spermatogenesis and induce oxidative stress, testicular apoptosis, and disruption of the blood-testis barrier (BTB). Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding glycoprotein with multifunctions including anti-inflammation and antioxidation. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of LF on the spermatogenesis and integrity of the BTB in DON-exposed mice. Thirty-two male mice were allotted to four groups for a 35-day feeding period: vehicle (basal diet), DON (12 mg/kg), LF (10 mg/d, p.o.), and DON + LF. The results showed that DON induced vacuolization of the spermatogenic epithelium, broke the adhesion junction between Sertoli cells and spermatids established by N-cadherin and induced testicular oxidative stress. LF administration restored sperm production, attenuated the DON-induced oxidative stress and reduced the breakages in adhesion junction. DON exposure enhanced the protein expression of occludin. Transcriptional profiling of the testis observed a disturbance in the expression profiles of cell adhesion and inflammatory response genes, and LF administration reversed these gene expressions. Furthermore, down-regulated signaling pathways, including the apical junction, TNFα signaling via NF-κB, and TGF-β in the DON group were observed. These were restored by LF. Enrichment analysis between DON + LF group and vehicle also confirmed the absence of these pathways. These findings indicated that LF eliminated the DON-induced detriment to spermatogenesis and cell connections between Sertoli cells and spermatids via improving antioxidant capacity and modifying the inflammatory response and cell adhesion genes.
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Fenclová T, Chemek M, Havránková J, Kolinko Y, Sudová V, Moravec J, Navrátilová J, Klein P, Králíčková M, Nevoral J. Effect of Bisphenol S on testicular tissue after low-dose lactation exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120114. [PMID: 36096261 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to endocrine disruptors such as bisphenols, can lead to and be the explanation for idiopathic infertility. In our study, we assessed the effect of exposure to bisphenol S (BPS) via breast milk on the testicular tissue health of adult male mice. Lactating dams were exposed to BPS through drinking water (0.216 ng g bw/day and 21.6 ng g bw/day) from post-natal day 0-15. Although there was no significant difference in testicular histopathology between the control and experimental groups, we observed an increase in the number of tight and gap junctions in the blood-testis barrier (BTB) of adult mice after lactation BPS exposure. Moreover, there was an increase in oxidative stress markers in adult testicular tissue of mice exposed via breast milk. Our lactation model indicates that breast milk is a route of exposure to an endocrine disruptor that can be responsible for idiopathic male infertility through the damage of the BTB and weakening of oxidative stress resistance in adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tereza Fenclová
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 1655/76, Pilsen, 32300, Czech Republic.
| | - Marouane Chemek
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 1655/76, Pilsen, 32300, Czech Republic
| | - Jiřina Havránková
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Karlovarská 48, Pilsen, 30166, Czech Republic.
| | - Yaroslav Kolinko
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Karlovarská 48, Pilsen, 30166, Czech Republic.
| | - Vendula Sudová
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 1655/76, Pilsen, 32300, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiří Moravec
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 1655/76, Pilsen, 32300, Czech Republic.
| | - Jana Navrátilová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, Brno, 62500, Czech Republic.
| | - Pavel Klein
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 1655/76, Pilsen, 32300, Czech Republic.
| | - Milena Králíčková
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 1655/76, Pilsen, 32300, Czech Republic; Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Karlovarská 48, Pilsen, 30166, Czech Republic.
| | - Jan Nevoral
- Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 1655/76, Pilsen, 32300, Czech Republic; Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Karlovarská 48, Pilsen, 30166, Czech Republic.
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12
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Zhang XN, Tao HP, Li S, Wang YJ, Wu SX, Pan B, Yang QE. Ldha-Dependent Metabolic Programs in Sertoli Cells Regulate Spermiogenesis in Mouse Testis. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:1791. [PMID: 36552300 PMCID: PMC9775226 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli cells play indispensable roles in spermatogenesis by providing the advanced germ cells with structural, nutritional, and regulatory support. Lactate is regarded as an essential Sertoli-cell-derived energy metabolite that nurses various types of spermatogenic cells; however, this assumption has not been tested using genetic approaches. Here, we have reported that the depletion of lactate production in Sertoli cells by conditionally deleting lactate dehydrogenase A (Ldha) greatly affected spermatogenesis. Ldha deletion in Sertoli cells significantly reduced the lactate production and resulted in severe defects in spermatogenesis. Spermatogonia and spermatocytes did not show even mild impairments, but the spermiogenesis of Ldha conditional knockout males was severely disrupted. Further analysis revealed that 2456 metabolites were altered in the sperm of the knockout animals, and specifically, lipid metabolism was dysregulated, including choline, oleic acid, and myristic acid. Surprisingly, choline supplementation completely rescued the spermiogenesis disorder that was caused by the loss of Ldha activities. Collectively, these data have demonstrated that the interruption of Sertoli-cell-derived lactate impacted sperm development through a choline-mediated mechanism. The outcomes of these findings have revealed a novel function of lactate in spermatogenesis and have therapeutic applications in treating human infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Na Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Hai-Ping Tao
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuang Li
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yu-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, 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 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bo Pan
- Farm Animal Genetic Resources Exploration and Innovation Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, College of Animal Science and Technology, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu 611130, China
| | - Qi-En Yang
- Key Laboratory of Adaptation and Evolution of Plateau Biota, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810008, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Qinghai Key Laboratory of Animal Ecological Genomics, Northwest Institute of Plateau Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xining 810001, China
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Targeting APLN/APJ restores blood-testis barrier and improves spermatogenesis in murine and human diabetic models. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7335. [PMID: 36443325 PMCID: PMC9705293 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-34990-3] [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: 09/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus is one of the most prevalent metabolic diseases presenting with systemic pathologies, including reproductive disorders in male diabetic patients. However, the molecular mechanisms that contributing to spermatogenesis dysfunction in diabetic patients have not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we perform STRT-seq to examine the transcriptome of diabetic patients' testes at single-cell resolution including all major cell types of the testis. Intriguingly, whereas spermatogenesis appears largely preserved, the gene expression profiles of Sertoli cells and the blood-testis barrier (BTB) structure are dramatically impaired. Among these deregulate pathways, the Apelin (APLN) peptide/Apelin-receptor (APJ) axis is hyper-activated in diabetic patients' testes. Mechanistically, APLN is produced locally by Sertoli cells upon high glucose treatment, which subsequently suppress the production of carnitine and repress the expression of cell adhesion genes in Sertoli cells. Together, these effects culminate in BTB structural dysfunction. Finally, using the small molecule APLN receptor antagonist, ML221, we show that blocking APLN/APJ significantly ameliorate the BTB damage and, importantly, improve functional spermatogenesis in diabetic db/db mice. We also translate and validate these findings in cultured human testes. Our findings identify the APLN/APJ axis as a promising therapeutic target to improve reproduction capacity in male diabetic patients.
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Zhao Y, Chen MS, Wang JX, Cui JG, Zhang H, Li XN, Li JL. Connexin-43 is a promising target for lycopene preventing phthalate-induced spermatogenic disorders. J Adv Res 2022:S2090-1232(22)00203-X. [PMID: 36087924 DOI: 10.1016/j.jare.2022.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Male infertility is a multifactorial pathological condition and may be a harbinger of future health. Phthalates are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that have been implicated in the global decline in male fertility. Among them, di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the most prevalently used. Lycopene (LYC) is a possible preventive and therapeutic agent for male infertility owing to its antioxidant properties. The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is formed between Sertoli cells where it creates a unique microenvironment for spermatogenesis. OBJECTIVES We hypothesize that phthalate caused male infertility and LYC plays an important role in phthalate-induced male fertility disorders. METHODS Hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining, ultrastructure observation, and fluorescence microscopy were used to examine the morphological changes. RNA-Seq, and western blotting were conducted to detect gene and protein levels. Routine testing for sperm morphology and sperm-egg binding assay were conducted to examine the morphological structure and function of sperm. Cell scratch assay and transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) were used to detect cell migration capacity and barrier integrity. RESULTS In vivo experiments, we showed that LYC prevented DEHP-induced impairment of BTB integrity, which provided a guarantee for the smooth progress of spermatogenesis. LYC improved DEHP-induced change in sperm parameters and fertilization ability. Subsequent in vitro experiments, LYC alleviated MEHP-induced disruption of intercellular junctions in mouse Spermatogonia cells (GC-1 cells) and mouse Sertoli cells (TM4 cells). In MEHP-induced BTB impairment models of Sertoli cells, treatment with LYC or overexpressing connexin-43 (Cx43) promoted cell migration capacity and normalized BTB integrity. Cx43 knockdown inhibited cell migration capacity and perturbed BTB reassembly in LYC preventing DEHP-induced BTB impairment. CONCLUSION Our study provides evidence for the role of LYC in phthalates-induced spermatogenic disorders and points to Cx43 as a potential target for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Ming-Shan Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Xin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Jia-Gen Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Hao Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Xue-Nan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China
| | - Jin-Long Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China; Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China; Heilongjiang Key Laboratory for Laboratory Animals and Comparative Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin 150030, P.R. China.
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15
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Connexin43 represents an important regulator for Sertoli cell morphology, Sertoli cell nuclear ultrastructure, and Sertoli cell maturation. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12898. [PMID: 35902708 PMCID: PMC9334284 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16919-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The Sertoli cell (SC)-specific knockout (KO) of connexin43 (Cx43) was shown to be an effector of multiple histological changes in tubular morphology, resulting in germ cell loss through to a Sertoli-cell-only (SCO) phenotype and vacuolated seminiferous tubules containing SC-clusters. Our present study focused on the effects of Cx43 loss on SC ultrastructure. Using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), we could confirm previous results. Ultrastructural analysis of Sertoli cell nuclei (SCN) revealed that these appear in clusters with a phenotype resembling immature/proliferating SCs in KO mice. Surprisingly, SCs of fertile wild type (WT) mice contained SCN with a predominantly smooth surface instead of deep indentations of the nuclear envelope, suggesting that these indentations do not correlate with germ cell support or spermatogenesis. SBF-SEM facilitated the precise examination of clustered SCs. Even if the exact maturation state of mutant SCs remained unclear, our study could detect indications of cellular senescence as well as immaturity, emphasising that Cx43 affects SC maturation. Moreover, Sudan III staining and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated an altered lipid metabolism in SCs of Cx43 deficient mice.
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16
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Zheng Y, Gao Q, Li T, Liu R, Cheng Z, Guo M, Xiao J, Wu D, Zeng W. Sertoli cell and spermatogonial development in pigs. J Anim Sci Biotechnol 2022; 13:45. [PMID: 35399096 PMCID: PMC8996595 DOI: 10.1186/s40104-022-00687-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Spermatogenesis is an intricate developmental process during which undifferentiated spermatogonia, containing spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), undergo self-renewal and differentiation to generate eventually mature spermatozoa. Spermatogenesis occurs in seminiferous tubules within the testis, and the seminiferous tubules harbor Sertoli and germ cells. Sertoli cells are an essential somatic cell type within the microenvironment that support and steer male germ cell development, whereas spermatogonia are the primitive male germ cells at the onset of spermatogenesis. While the developmental progression of Sertoli cells and spermatogonia has been well established in mice, much less is known in other mammalian species including pigs. Results To acquire knowledge of Sertoli cell and spermatogonial development in pigs, here we collected as many as nine ages of Duroc porcine testes from the neonate to sexual maturity, i.e., testes from 7-, 30-, 50-, 70-, 90-, 110-, 130-, 150- and 210-day-old boars, and performed histological and immunohistochemical analyses on testis sections. We first examined the development of spermatogenic cells and seminiferous tubules in porcine testes. Then, by immunofluorescence staining for marker proteins (AMH, SOX9, DBA, UCHL1, VASA, KIT, Ki67 and/or PCNA), we delved into the proliferative activity and development of Sertoli cells and of spermatogonial subtypes (pro-, undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia). Besides, by immunostaining for β-catenin and ZO-1, we studied the establishment of the blood-testis barrier in porcine testes. Conclusions In this longitudinal study, we have systematically investigated the elaborate Sertoli cell and spermatogonial developmental patterns in pigs from the neonate to sexual maturity that have so far remained largely unknown. The findings not only extend the knowledge about spermatogenesis and testicular development in pigs, but also lay the theoretical groundwork for porcine breeding and rearing.
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Liu B, Liu C, Ma B, Zhang R, Zhao Z, Xiao S, Cao W, Ma Y, Zhu G, Li W, Li Z. PA1 participates in the maintenance of blood-testis barrier integrity via cooperation with JUN in the Sertoli cells of mice. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:41. [PMID: 35379345 PMCID: PMC8981650 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00773-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The blood–testis barrier (BTB) is essential to the microenvironment of spermatogenesis, and Sertoli cells provide the cellular basis for BTB construction. Numerous nuclear transcription factors have been identified to be vital for the proper functioning of Sertoli cells. PA1 has been reported to play important roles during diverse biological processes, yet its potential function in male reproduction is still unknown. Results Here, we show that PA1 was highly expressed in human and mouse testis and predominantly localized in the nuclei of Sertoli cells. Sertoli cell-specific Pa1 knockout resulted in an azoospermia-like phenotype in mice. The knockout of this gene led to multiple defects in spermatogenesis, such as the disorganization of the cytoskeleton during basal and apical ectoplasmic specialization and the disruption of the BTB. Further transcriptomic analysis, together with Cut-Tag results of PA1 in Sertoli cells, revealed that PA1 could affect the expression of a subset of genes that are essential for the normal function of Sertoli cells, including those genes associated with actin organization and cellular junctions such as Connexin43 (Cx43). We further demonstrated that the expression of Cx43 depended on the interaction between JUN, one of the AP-1 complex transcription factors, and PA1. Conclusion Overall, our findings reveal that PA1 is essential for the maintenance of BTB integrity in Sertoli cells and regulates BTB construction-related gene expression via transcription factors. Thus, this newly discovered mechanism in Sertoli cells provides a potential diagnostic or even therapeutic target for some individuals with azoospermia. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00773-y.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Liu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, 510000, China
| | - Binfang Ma
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Ruidan Zhang
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Zhiwei Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Sai Xiao
- University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Wanjun Cao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China
| | - Yanjie Ma
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, 510000, China.,University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Guozhang Zhu
- Department of Biology, Marshall University, Huntington, WV, 25755, USA
| | - Wei Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health and Perinatology, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou, 510000, China.
| | - Zhen Li
- Department of Human Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi'an, 710032, China.
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Yang H, Wang H, Wen C, Bai S, Wei P, Xu B, Xu Y, Liang C, Zhang Y, Zhang G, Wen H, Zhang L. Effects of iron oxide nanoparticles as T 2-MRI contrast agents on reproductive system in male mice. J Nanobiotechnology 2022; 20:98. [PMID: 35236363 PMCID: PMC8889634 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-022-01291-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs)-based contrast agents are widely used for T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in clinical diagnosis, highlighting the necessity and importance to evaluate their potential systematic toxicities. Although a few previous studies have documented the toxicity concerns of IONPs to major organs, limited data are available on the potential reproductive toxicity caused by IONPs, especially when administrated via intravenous injection to mimic clinical use of MRI contrast agents. Our study aimed to determine whether exposure to IONPs would affect male reproductive system and cause other related health concerns in ICR mice. The mice were intravenously injected with different concentrations IONPs once followed by routine toxicity tests of major organs and a series of reproductive function-related analyses at different timepoints. As a result, most of the contrast agents were captured by reticuloendothelial system (RES) organs such as liver and spleen, while IONPs have not presented adverse effects on the normal function of these major organs. In contrast, although IONPs were not able to enter testis through the blood testicular barrier (BTB), and they have not obviously impaired the overall testicular function or altered the serum sex hormones levels, IONPs exposure could damage Sertoli cells in BTB especially at a relative high concentration. Moreover, IONPs administration led to a short-term reduction in the quantity and quality of sperms in a dose-dependent manner, which might be attributed to the increase of oxidative stress and apoptotic activity in epididymis. However, the semen parameters have gradually returned to the normal range within 14 days after the initial injection of IONPs. Collectively, these results demonstrated that IONPs could cause reversible damage to the reproductive system of male mice without affecting the main organs, providing new guidance for the clinical application of IONPs as T2-MRI contrast agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heyu Yang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Chenghao Wen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Shun Bai
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, Department of Radiology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Pengfei Wei
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Prescription Effect and Clinical Evaluation of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Bo Xu
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, Department of Radiology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Yunjun Xu
- Reproductive and Genetic Hospital, Department of Radiology, Anhui Provincial Hospital, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230001, China
| | - Chaozhao Liang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yunjiao Zhang
- School of Medicine and Institutes for Life Sciences, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Guilong Zhang
- School of Pharmacy, The Key Laboratory of Prescription Effect and Clinical Evaluation of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, 264003, China.
| | - Huiqin Wen
- Department of Blood Transfusion, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China.
| | - Li Zhang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Institute of Urology, Anhui Medical University and Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Genitourinary Diseases, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,Center for Scientific Research of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230022, China. .,Anhui Provincial Institute of Translational Medicine, Hefei, 230032, China.
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19
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Shen P, Ji S, Li X, Yang Q, Xu B, Wong CKC, Wang L, Li L. LPS-Induced Systemic Inflammation Caused mPOA-FSH/LH Disturbance and Impaired Testicular Function. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:886085. [PMID: 35813649 PMCID: PMC9259990 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.886085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Male reproductive function is key to the continuation of species and is under sophisticated regulation, challenged by various stressors including inflammation. In the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneal injection-induced acute systemic inflammation, male fecundity was compromised with decreased testosterone level, damaged spermatogenesis, and downregulations of testicular gene expression levels involved in steroidogenesis regulation and blood-testis barrier. It is also noteworthy that the testis is more sensitive to acute stress caused by LPS-induced systemic inflammation. LPS treatment resulted in lower testicular gene expression levels of steroidogenic acute regulatory protein, cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme, and cytochrome P450 family 11 subfamily B member 1 after LPS treatment, while no such decrease was found in the adrenal gland. In parallel to the significant decreases in testicular intercellular adhesion molecule 1, tight junction protein 1, and gap junction alpha-1 protein gene expression with LPS treatment, no decrease was found in the epididymis. In the brain, LPS treatment caused higher medial preoptic area (mPOA) activation in the hypothalamus, which is accompanied by elevated blood follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, suggesting a disturbed hypothalamic-pituitary-gonad axis function. Besides mPOA, brain c-fos mapping and quantitative analysis demonstrated a broad activation of brain nuclei by LPS, including the anterior cingulate cortex, lateral septum, paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, basolateral amygdala, ventral tegmental area, lateral habenular nucleus, locus coeruleus, Barrington's nucleus, and the nucleus of the solitary tract, accompanied by abnormal animal behavior. Our data showed that LPS-induced inflammation caused not only local testicular damage but also a systemic disturbance at the brain-testis axis level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peilei Shen
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuqin Ji
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xulin Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingning Yang
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Bingxian Xu
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, United States
| | - Chris Kong Chu Wong
- Croucher Institute for Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- *Correspondence: Chris Kong Chu Wong, ; Liping Wang, ; Lei Li,
| | - Liping Wang
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science–Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Chris Kong Chu Wong, ; Liping Wang, ; Lei Li,
| | - Lei Li
- Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Behavior, Shenzhen, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Brain Connectome and Manipulation, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen-Hong Kong Institute of Brain Science–Shenzhen Fundamental Research Institutions, Shenzhen, China
- *Correspondence: Chris Kong Chu Wong, ; Liping Wang, ; Lei Li,
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20
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Hofmann MC, McBeath E. Sertoli Cell-Germ Cell Interactions Within the Niche: Paracrine and Juxtacrine Molecular Communications. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:897062. [PMID: 35757413 PMCID: PMC9226676 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.897062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Male germ cell development depends on multiple biological events that combine epigenetic reprogramming, cell cycle regulation, and cell migration in a spatio-temporal manner. Sertoli cells are a crucial component of the spermatogonial stem cell niche and provide essential growth factors and chemokines to developing germ cells. This review focuses mainly on the activation of master regulators of the niche in Sertoli cells and their targets, as well as on novel molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of growth and differentiation factors such as GDNF and retinoic acid by NOTCH signaling and other pathways.
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21
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Markiewicz-Gospodarek A, Wdowiak P, Czeczelewski M, Forma A, Flieger J, Januszewski J, Radzikowska-Büchner E, Baj J. The Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Infection on Fertility and Female and Male Reproductive Systems. J Clin Med 2021; 10:4520. [PMID: 34640536 PMCID: PMC8509208 DOI: 10.3390/jcm10194520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection remains a huge challenge for contemporary healthcare systems. Apart from widely reported acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), the virus affects many other systems inducing a vast number of symptoms such as gastrointestinal, neurological, dermatological, cardiovascular, and many more. Currently it has also been hypothesized that the virus might affect female and male reproductive systems; SARS-CoV-2 infection could also have a role in potential disturbances to human fertility. In this article, we aimed to review the latest literature regarding the potential effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on female and male reproductive systems as well as fertility, in general.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Paulina Wdowiak
- Chair and Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.M.-G.); (P.W.); (M.C.)
| | - Marcin Czeczelewski
- Chair and Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.M.-G.); (P.W.); (M.C.)
| | - Alicja Forma
- Chair and Department of Forensic Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Jolanta Flieger
- Department of Analytical Chemistry, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Jacek Januszewski
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillary Surgery, Central Clinical Hospital MSWiA, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland; (J.J.); (E.R.-B.)
| | - Elżbieta Radzikowska-Büchner
- Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Maxillary Surgery, Central Clinical Hospital MSWiA, 02-507 Warsaw, Poland; (J.J.); (E.R.-B.)
| | - Jacek Baj
- Chair and Department of Anatomy, Medical University of Lublin, 20-090 Lublin, Poland; (A.M.-G.); (P.W.); (M.C.)
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22
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Li S, Wang Q, Yu H, Yang L, Sun Y, Xu N, Wang N, Lei Z, Hou J, Jin Y, Zhang H, Li L, Xu F, Zhang L. Polystyrene microplastics induce blood-testis barrier disruption regulated by the MAPK-Nrf2 signaling pathway in rats. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:47921-47931. [PMID: 33895957 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-13911-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As a persistent pollutant, microplastics (MPs) have been reported to induce sperm quantity decrease in mice. However, the related mechanism remains obscure. Therefore, this study is intended to explore the effects of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on male reproduction and its related mechanism of blood-testis barrier (BTB) impairment. Thirty-two adult male Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups fed with PS-MPs for 90 days at doses of 0 mg/day (control group), 0.015 mg/day, 0.15 mg/day, and 1.5 mg/day, respectively. The present results have shown that PS-MP exposure led to the damage of seminiferous tubule, resulted in apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, and decreased the motility and concentration of sperm, while the abnormality of sperm was elevated. Meanwhile, PS-MPs could induce oxidative stress and activate the p38 MAPK pathway and thus deplete the nuclear factor erythroid-2 related factor 2 (Nrf2). Noteworthily, PS-MPs led to the BTB-related protein expression decrease. All these results demonstrated that PS-MP exposure may lead to the destruction of BTB integrity and the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells through the activation of the MAPK-Nrf2 pathway. The current study provided novelty evidence for elucidating the effects of PS-MPs on male reproductive toxicity and its potential mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shengda Li
- College of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yan Tai, People's Republic of China
| | - Qimeng Wang
- College of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yan Tai, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Yu
- College of Basic Medicine & Xu Rongxiang Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Long Yang
- College of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yan Tai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiqing Sun
- College of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yan Tai, People's Republic of China
| | - Ning Xu
- College of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yan Tai, People's Republic of China
| | - Nana Wang
- College of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yan Tai, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Lei
- College of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yan Tai, People's Republic of China
| | - Junyu Hou
- College of Clinical Medicine, Binzhou Medical University, Yan Tai, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinchuan Jin
- Department of Medical Psychology, Fourth Military Medical University, No. 169 West Changle Road, Xi'an, People's Republic of China.
| | - Hongqin Zhang
- College of Basic Medicine & Xu Rongxiang Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Lianqin Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yantai Affiliated Hospital of Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, China
| | - Feibo Xu
- College of Basic Medicine & Xu Rongxiang Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China
| | - Lianshuang Zhang
- College of Basic Medicine & Xu Rongxiang Regenerative Medicine Research Center, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, People's Republic of China.
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Mata-Martínez E, Sánchez-Cárdenas C, Chávez JC, Guerrero A, Treviño CL, Corkidi G, Montoya F, Hernandez-Herrera P, Buffone MG, Balestrini PA, Darszon A. Role of calcium oscillations in sperm physiology. Biosystems 2021; 209:104524. [PMID: 34453988 DOI: 10.1016/j.biosystems.2021.104524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/24/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Intracellular Ca2+ is a key regulator of cell signaling and sperm are not the exception. Cells often use cytoplasmic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) oscillations as a means to decodify external and internal information. [Ca2+]i oscillations faster than those usually found in other cells and correlated with flagellar beat were the first to be described in sperm in 1993 by Susan Suarez, in the boar. More than 20 years passed before similar [Ca2+]i oscillations were documented in human sperm, simultaneously examining their flagellar beat in three dimensions by Corkidi et al. 2017. On the other hand, 10 years after the discovery of the fast boar [Ca2+]i oscillations, slower ones triggered by compounds from the egg external envelope were found to regulate cell motility and chemotaxis in sperm from marine organisms. Today it is known that sperm display fast and slow spontaneous and agonist triggered [Ca2+]i oscillations. In mammalian sperm these Ca2+ transients may act like a multifaceted tool that regulates fundamental functions such as motility and acrosome reaction. This review covers the main sperm species and experimental conditions where [Ca2+]i oscillations have been described and discusses what is known about the transporters involved, their regulation and the physiological purpose of these oscillations. There is a lot to be learned regarding the origin, regulation and physiological relevance of these Ca2+ oscillations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esperanza Mata-Martínez
- Laboratorio de Fusión de Membranas y Exocitosis Acrosomal, Instituto de Histología y Embriología Dr. Mario H. Burgos (IHEM) Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, CONICET, Mendoza, Argentina.
| | - Claudia Sánchez-Cárdenas
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Julio C Chávez
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Adán Guerrero
- Laboratorio Nacional de Microscopía Avanzada, IBT, UNAM, Mexico.
| | - Claudia L Treviño
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
| | - Gabriel Corkidi
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Laboratorio de Imágenes y Visión por Computadora, IBT, UNAM, Mexico.
| | - Fernando Montoya
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Laboratorio de Imágenes y Visión por Computadora, IBT, UNAM, Mexico.
| | - Paul Hernandez-Herrera
- Departamento de Ingeniería Celular y Biocatálisis, Laboratorio de Imágenes y Visión por Computadora, IBT, UNAM, Mexico.
| | - Mariano G Buffone
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Paula A Balestrini
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IBYME), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Alberto Darszon
- Departamento de Genética del Desarrollo y Fisiología Molecular, Instituto de Biotecnología (IBT), Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
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24
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Rode K, Langeheine M, Seeger B, Brehm R. Connexin43 in Germ Cells Seems to Be Dispensable for Murine Spermatogenesis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22157924. [PMID: 34360693 PMCID: PMC8348783 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22157924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular Connexin43 (Cx43) connects adjacent Sertoli cells (SC) and SC to germ cells (GC) in the seminiferous epithelium and plays a crucial role in spermatogenesis. However, the distinction whether this results from impaired inter-SC communication or between GC and SC is not possible, so far. Thus, the question arises, whether a GC-specific Cx43 KO has similar effects on spermatogenesis as it is general or SC-specific KO. Using the Cre/loxP recombinase system, two conditional KO mouse lines lacking Cx43 in premeiotic (pGCCx43KO) or meiotic GC (mGCCx43KO) were generated. It was demonstrated by qRT-PCR that Cx43 mRNA was significantly decreased in adult pGCCx43KO mice, while it was also reduced in mGCCx43KO mice, yet not statistically significant. Body and testis weights, testicular histology, tubular diameter, numbers of intratubular cells and Cx43 protein synthesis and localization did not show any significant differences in semi-quantitative Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry comparing adult male KO and WT mice of both mouse lines. Male KO mice were fertile. These results indicate that Cx43 in spermatogonia/spermatids does not seem to be essential for successful termination of spermatogenesis and fertility as it is known for Cx43 in somatic SC, but SC-GC communication might rather occur via heterotypic GJ channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina Rode
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30173 Hanover, Germany; (K.R.); (M.L.)
| | - Marion Langeheine
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30173 Hanover, Germany; (K.R.); (M.L.)
| | - Bettina Seeger
- Institute for Food Quality and Food Safety, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30173 Hanover, Germany;
| | - Ralph Brehm
- Institute of Anatomy, University of Veterinary Medicine Foundation, 30173 Hanover, Germany; (K.R.); (M.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-511-8457215
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25
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Brodjonegoro SR, Ghinorawa T, Wonatorey NKR, Zulfiqqar A, Heriyanto DS. Effect of hyperglycemia on fertility in streptozotocin-induced diabetic male Wistar rats: focus on glucose transporters and oxidative stress. MEDICAL JOURNAL OF INDONESIA 2021. [DOI: 10.13181/mji.oa.214635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Glucose transporters (GLUTs) and oxidant metabolism are associated with the mechanism of infertility. This study evaluated the impact of hyperglycemia on glucose and oxidant metabolisms of Sertoli cells (SCs).
METHODS This study was an animal study to investigate the expression of messenger RNA monocarboxylate transporter 4 (MCT4), GLUT1, GLUT3, nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase, catalase (CAT), and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) of Wistar rats testes that were induced hyperglycemia. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was used. Hyperglycemic state in the Wistar rats was induced by streptozotocin. 24 rats were divided into 3 groups: non-hyperglycemia (control), 2-week, and 4-week hyperglycemic state. All data were collected and analyzed using SPSS version 15.0 (IBM Corp., USA).
RESULTS The expression of glucose transporter (GLUT1 and GLUT3), lactate transporter (MCT4), and cellular defense protein against oxidant (Nrf2 and CAT) was significantly increased in the 2-week and 4-week hyperglycemic state groups with p<0.01, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS Hyperglycemic state affects the metabolism of SCs. Alteration of GLUTs and oxidative metabolism may indicate metabolic alterations by a prolonged exposure to hyperglycemia that may be responsible for diabetes-related male infertility.
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26
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Ghanami Gashti N, Sadighi Gilani MA, Abbasi M. Sertoli cell-only syndrome: etiology and clinical management. J Assist Reprod Genet 2021; 38:559-572. [PMID: 33428073 PMCID: PMC7910341 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-021-02063-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Almost 50% of infertility cases are due to male factors, and spermatogenesis failure is one of the most severe forms of male infertility. Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) also known as germ cell aplasia is characterized by azoospermia in which the seminiferous tubules of testicular biopsy are lined only with Sertoli cells. The definitive diagnosis of SCOS is by diagnostic testicular biopsy. Although SCOS may be a result of Klinefelter syndrome, most of the SCOS men have a normal karyotype. Along with genetic aberrations, signaling pathways and endocrine processes might be major factors in the development of SCOS. Sperm retrieval and intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) are available treatments for SCOS. However, some SCOS patients do not have therapeutic options to help them having a biological child. This review aims to summarize our present knowledge about SCOS and to highlight the importance of future researches in the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nasrin Ghanami Gashti
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Ali Sadighi Gilani
- Department of Urology, Shariati Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Abbasi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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27
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The role of different compounds on the integrity of blood-testis barrier: A concise review based on in vitro and in vivo studies. Gene 2021; 780:145531. [PMID: 33631249 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2021.145531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli cells are "nurturing cells'' in the seminiferous tubules of the testis which have essential roles in the development, proliferation and differentiation of germ cells. These cells also divide the seminiferous epithelium into a basal and an adluminal compartment and establish the blood-testis barrier (BTB). BTB shields haploid germ cells from recognition by the innate immune system. Moreover, after translocation of germ cells into the adluminal compartment their nutritional source is separated from the circulatory system being only supplied by the Sertoli cells. The integrity of BTB is influenced by several organic/ organometallic, hormonal and inflammatory substances. Moreover, several environmental contaminants such as BPA have hazardous effects on the integrity of BTB. In the current review, we summarize the results of studies that assessed the impact of these agents on the integrity of BTB. These studies have implications in understanding the molecular mechanism of male infertility and also in the male contraception.
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28
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The Role of Connexin 43 in Lung Disease. Life (Basel) 2020; 10:life10120363. [PMID: 33352732 PMCID: PMC7766413 DOI: 10.3390/life10120363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The term lung disease describes a broad category of disorders that impair lung function. More than 35 million Americans have a preventable chronic lung disease with high mortality rates due to limited treatment efficacy. The recent increase in patients with lung disease highlights the need to increase our understanding of mechanisms driving lung inflammation. Connexins, gap junction proteins, and more specifically connexin 43 (Cx43), are abundantly expressed in the lung and are known to play a role in lung diseases. This review focuses on the role of Cx43 in pathology associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Additionally, we discuss the role of Cx43 in preventing disease through the transfer of mitochondria between cells. We aim to highlight the need to better understand what cell types are expressing Cx43 and how this expression influences lung disease.
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29
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Noguchi J, Kaneko H, Ikeda M, Kikuchi K, Dang‐Nguyen TQ, Furusawa T. Sperm immunization and rat spermatogenesis: Dysfunctional blood‐testis barrier and perturbed Sertoli cell cytoskeleton. Andrology 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Junko Noguchi
- Reproductive Biology Unit Division of Animal Sciences Institute of Agrobiological SciencesNARO Tsukuba Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kaneko
- Reproductive Biology Unit Division of Animal Sciences Institute of Agrobiological SciencesNARO Tsukuba Japan
| | - Mitsumi Ikeda
- Animal Biotechnology Unit Division of Animal Sciences Institute of Agrobiological SciencesNARO Tsukuba Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Kikuchi
- Reproductive Biology Unit Division of Animal Sciences Institute of Agrobiological SciencesNARO Tsukuba Japan
| | - Thanh Quang Dang‐Nguyen
- Reproductive Biology Unit Division of Animal Sciences Institute of Agrobiological SciencesNARO Tsukuba Japan
| | - Tadashi Furusawa
- Animal Biotechnology Unit Division of Animal Sciences Institute of Agrobiological SciencesNARO Tsukuba Japan
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30
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Sheikhzadeh Hesari F, Hosseinzadeh SS, Asl Monadi Sardroud MA. Review of COVID-19 and male genital tract. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13914. [PMID: 33236375 PMCID: PMC7744899 DOI: 10.1111/and.13914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
COVID‐19 pandemic leads to health challenges globally, and its diverse aspects need to be uncovered. Multi‐organ injuries have been reported by describing potential SARS‐CoV‐2 entrance routes: ACE2 and TMPRSS2. Since these cell surface receptors’ expression has been disclosed within the male reproductive system, its susceptibility to being infected by SARS‐CoV‐2 has been summarised through this literature review. Expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 at RNA or protein level has been reported across various investigations indicates that the male genitalia potentially is vulnerable to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Presence of SARS‐CoV‐2 within semen samples and following direct viral damage, secondary inflammatory response causing orchitis or testicular discomfort and finally the amount of viral load leading testicular damage and immune response activation are among probable underlying mechanisms. Therefore, genital examination and laboratory tests should be considered to address the male reproductive tract complications and fertility issues.
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31
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Yang W, Wang L, Wang F, Yuan S. Roles of AMP-Activated Protein Kinase (AMPK) in Mammalian Reproduction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:593005. [PMID: 33330475 PMCID: PMC7710906 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.593005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproduction is an energy demanding function and only take place in case of sufficient available energy status in mammals. Metabolic diseases such as anorexia nervosa are clinically associated with reduced fertility. AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), as a major regulator of cellular energy homeostasis, is activated in limited energy reserves to ensure the orderly progress of various physiological activities. In recent years, mounting evidence shows that AMPK is involved in the regulation of reproductive function through multiple mechanisms. AMPK is likely to be a metabolic sensor integrating central and peripheral signals. In this review, we aim to explore the preclinical studies published in the last decade that investigate the role of AMP-activated protein kinase in the reproductive field, and its role as a target for drug therapy of reproductive system-related diseases. We also emphasized the emerging roles of AMPK in transcriptional regulation of reproduction processes and metabolisms, which are tightly related to the energy state and fertility of an organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weina Yang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Lingjuan Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Fengli Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Shuiqiao Yuan
- Institute of Reproductive Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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32
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Burton J, Umu SU, Langseth H, Grotmol T, Grimsrud TK, Haugen TB, Rounge TB. Serum RNA Profiling in the 10-Years Period Prior to Diagnosis of Testicular Germ Cell Tumor. Front Oncol 2020; 10:574977. [PMID: 33251139 PMCID: PMC7673397 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2020.574977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) overall is highly curable, patients may experience late effects after treatment. An increased understanding of the mechanisms behind the development of TGCT may pave the way for better outcome for patients. To elucidate molecular changes prior to TGCT diagnosis we sequenced small RNAs in serum from 69 patients who were later diagnosed with TGCT and 111 matched controls. The deep RNA profiles, with on average 18 million sequences per sample, comprised of nine classes of RNA, including microRNA. We found that circulating RNA signals differed significantly between cases and controls regardless of time to diagnosis. Different levels of TSIX related to X-chromosome inactivation and TEX101 involved in spermatozoa production are among the interesting findings. The RNA signals differed between seminoma and non-seminoma TGCT subtypes, with seminoma cases showing lower levels of RNAs and non-seminoma cases showing higher levels of RNAs, compared with controls. The differentially expressed RNAs were typically associated with cancer related pathways. Our results indicate that circulating RNA profiles change during TGCT development according to histology and may be useful for early detection of this tumor type.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Burton
- Department of Lifesciences and Health, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sinan U. Umu
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Hilde Langseth
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom Grotmol
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Tom K. Grimsrud
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trine B. Haugen
- Department of Lifesciences and Health, OsloMet - Oslo Metropolitan University, Oslo, Norway
| | - Trine B. Rounge
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
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Lustig L, Guazzone VA, Theas MS, Pleuger C, Jacobo P, Pérez CV, Meinhardt A, Fijak M. Pathomechanisms of Autoimmune Based Testicular Inflammation. Front Immunol 2020; 11:583135. [PMID: 33101310 PMCID: PMC7546798 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.583135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 08/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Infection and inflammation of the male reproductive tract are relevant causes of infertility. Inflammatory damage occurs in the special immunosuppressive microenvironment of the testis, a hallmark termed testicular immune privilege, which allows tolerance to neo-antigens from developing germ cells appearing at puberty, long after the establishment of systemic immune tolerance. Experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) is a well-established rodent model of chronic testicular inflammation and organ specific autoimmunity that offers a valuable in vivo tool to investigate the pathological and molecular mechanisms leading to the breakdown of the testicular immune privilege. The disease is characterized by the infiltration of the interstitium by immune cells (mainly macrophages, dendritic cells, and T cells), formation of autoantibodies against testicular antigens, production of pro-inflammatory mediators such as NO, MCP1, TNFα, IL6, or activins and dysregulation of steroidogenesis with reduced levels of serum testosterone. EAO leads to sloughing of germ cells, atrophic seminiferous tubules and fibrotic remodeling, parameters all found similarly to changes in human biopsies from infertile patients with inflammatory infiltrates. Interestingly, testosterone supplementation during the course of EAO leads to expansion of the regulatory T cell population and inhibition of disease development. Knowledge of EAO pathogenesis aims to contribute to a better understanding of human testicular autoimmune disease as an essential prerequisite for improved diagnosis and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Livia Lustig
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/Unidad Académica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tècnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Vanesa A Guazzone
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/Unidad Académica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tècnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - María S Theas
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/Unidad Académica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tècnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Christiane Pleuger
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Patricia Jacobo
- Departamento de Biología Celular e Histología/Unidad Académica II, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina.,Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tècnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Cecilia V Pérez
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Tècnicas (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires (UBA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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Couture R, Martin LJ. The transcription factors SF-1 and SOX8 cooperate to upregulate Cx43 expression in mouse TM4 sertoli cells. Biochem Biophys Rep 2020; 24:100828. [PMID: 33088929 PMCID: PMC7558832 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2020.100828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Gap junctions made by connexins within the adult testis are essential for communication between Sertoli cells and for spermatogenesis. Sertoli cells play an important role in supporting germ cells differentiation and maturation into spermatozoa. Connexin43 (Cx43) is the most abundant and important connexin of the testis. We have shown previously that the expression of Cx43 is being regulated by SOX and AP-1 transcription factors in Sertoli cells. However, additional regulatory elements being able to recruit orphan nuclear receptors may be involved. Since SOX and SF-1 transcription factors have been shown to cooperate to regulate gene expression in Sertoli cells, we wondered if such mechanism could be involved in the activation of Cx43 expression. Thus, the activity of the Cx43 promoter was measured by co-transfections of luciferase reporter plasmid constructs with different expression vectors for transcription factors in the TM4 Sertoli cell line. The recruitment of SF-1 to the proximal region of the Cx43 promoter was evaluated by chromatin immunoprecipitation. Our results indicate that SOX8 and SF-1, as well as SOX9 and Nur77, cooperate to activate the expression of Cx43 and that SF-1 is being recruited to the −132 to −26 bp region of the Cx43 promoter. These results allow us to have a better understanding of the mechanisms regulating Cx43 expression and could explain some disturbances in communication between Sertoli cells responsible for impaired fertility. SF-1 and SOX8 cooperate to activate Cx43 expression in TM4 Sertoli cells. SF-1 is being recruited to the proximal region of the Cx43 promoter. LRH-1 and Nur77 also cooperate with SOX factors to activate Cx43 expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxanne Couture
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New-Brunswick, E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Luc J Martin
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New-Brunswick, E1A 3E9, Canada
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Cao Z, Huang W, Sun Y, Li Y. Deoxynivalenol induced spermatogenesis disorder by blood-testis barrier disruption associated with testosterone deficiency and inflammation in mice. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 264:114748. [PMID: 32416428 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Deoxynivalenol (DON) is an unavoidable cereal crops contaminants and environmental pollutants, which seriously threated the health of human and animal. DON has been reported to exert significant toxicity effects on spermatogenesis, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely inconclusive. The blood-testis barrier (BTB) provides a specialized biochemical microenvironment for maintaining spermatogenesis. Thus, we hypothesized that DON could impair BTB and lead to spermatogenesis disorder. To confirm this hypothesis, sixty male mice were intragastrically administered with 0, 1.2, 2.4 and 4.8 mg/kg body weight DON for 28 days, and several important observations were obtained in present study. First, we found that DON induced spermatogenesis disorder, reflected by the declines of sperm concentration and quality, sperm ultrastructural damage as well as seminiferous tubular damage. Then, we proved that DON induced BTB disruption as well as decreased the expressions of BTB junction proteins, including Occludin, Connexin 43 and N-cadherin. Finally, the present study showed that DON induced inflammation and inhibited T biosynthesis in testis of mice. These results revealed that DON induced spermatogenesis disorder by BTB disruption associated with testosterone deficiency and inflammation in mice, which shed a new light on the potential mechanisms of reproductive toxicity induced by DON.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng Cao
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Wanyue Huang
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Yiran Sun
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China
| | - Yanfei Li
- Key Laboratory of the Provincial Education, Department of Heilongjiang for Common Animal Disease Prevention and Treatment, College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, 150030, China.
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36
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Awogbindin IO, Adedara IA, Adeniyi PA, Agedah AE, Oyetunde BF, Olorunkalu PD, Ogbuewu E, Akindoyeni IA, Mustapha YE, Ezekiel OG, Farombi EO. Nigral and ventral tegmental area lesioning induces testicular and sperm morphological abnormalities in a rotenone model of Parkinson's disease. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2020; 78:103412. [PMID: 32439558 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2020.103412] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 04/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although sexual health is affected by Parkinson's disease (PD), the effect on testicular health and/or sperm quality is not well discussed. After 21 days of rotenone lesioning, we observed dopaminergic neuronal degeneration in the substantia nigra and hypothalamus. There were minimal SPACA-1-expressing epididymal spermatozoa with morphological abnormalities, scanty luminal spermatozoa and reduced testicular spermatids and post-meiotic germ cells indicating hypospermatogenesis. Occludin-expressing sertoli cells were dispersed over a wide area indicating compromised blood-testes barrier. Activated caspase-3 expression was intense while immunoreactivity of spermatogenic-enhancing SRY and GADD45 g was weak. Although serum follicle stimulating hormone level was not affected, the lesion was associated with reduced serum testosterone level, testicular oxidative damage and inhibition of acetylcholinesterase activity, even when rotenone was not detected in the testes. Together, dopaminergic lesions may mediate testicular and sperm abnormalities via the brain-hypothalamic-testicular circuit independent of the pituitary, thereby establishing a causal link between Parkinsonism and reproductive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ifeoluwa O Awogbindin
- Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Isaac A Adedara
- Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Philip A Adeniyi
- Cell Biology and Neurotoxicity Unit, Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria
| | - Alberta E Agedah
- Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Bisola F Oyetunde
- Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Precious D Olorunkalu
- Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Emmanuel Ogbuewu
- Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Inioluwa A Akindoyeni
- Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Yusuf E Mustapha
- Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Oluwatoyin G Ezekiel
- Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
| | - Ebenezer O Farombi
- Drug Metabolism and Molecular Toxicology Research Laboratories, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria.
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Nozaki S, Naiki T, Naiki-Ito A, Iwatsuki S, Takeda T, Etani T, Nagai T, Iida K, Kato H, Suzuki T, Takahashi S, Umemoto Y, Yasui T. Selective lysine-specific demethylase 1 inhibitor, NCL1, could cause testicular toxicity via the regulation of apoptosis. Andrology 2020; 8:1895-1906. [PMID: 32598553 PMCID: PMC7689788 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2019] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
Background Recent studies have shown that epigenetic alterations, such as those involving lysine‐specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), lead to oncogenic activation and highlight such alterations as therapeutic targets. However, studies evaluating the effect of LSD1 inhibitors on male fertility are lacking. Objectives We analyzed the potential toxicity of a new selective LSD1 inhibitor, N‐[(1S)‐3‐[3‐(trans‐2‐aminocyclopropyl)phenoxy]‐1‐(benzylcarbamoyl)propyl] benzamide (NCL1), in testes. Materials and methods Human testicular samples were immunohistochemically analyzed. Six‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice were injected intraperitoneally with dimethyl sulfoxide vehicle (n = 15), or 1.0 (n = 15) or 3.0 (n = 15) mg/kg NCL1 biweekly. After five weeks, toxicity and gene expression were analyzed in testicular samples by ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) using RNA sequence data and quantitative reverse transcriptase (qRT)–PCR; hormonal damage was analyzed in blood samples. NCL1 treated GC‐1, TM3, and TM4 cell lines were analyzed by cell viability, chromatin immunoprecipitation, flow cytometry, and Western blot assays. Results LSD1 was mainly expressed in human Sertoli and germ cells, with LSD1 levels significantly decreased in a progressive meiosis‐dependent manner; germ cells showed similar expression patterns in normal spermatogenesis and early/late maturation arrest. Histological examination revealed significantly increased levels of abnormal seminiferous tubules in 3.0 mg/kg NCL1–treated mice compared to control, with increased cellular detachment, sloughing, vacuolization, eosinophilic changes, and TUNEL‐positive cells. IPA and qRT–PCR revealed NCL1 treatment down‐regulated LSD1 activity. NCL1 also reduced total serum testosterone levels. Western blots of mouse testicular samples revealed NCL1 induced a marked elevation in cleaved caspases 3, 7, and 8, and connexin 43 proteins. NCL1 treatment significantly reduced GC‐1, but not TM3 and TM4, cell viability in a dose‐dependent manner. In flow cytometry analysis, NCL1 induced apoptosis in GC‐1 cells. Conclusions High‐dose NCL1 treatment targeting LSD1 caused dysfunctional spermatogenesis and induced caspase‐dependent apoptosis. This suggests the LSD1 inhibitor may cause testicular toxicity via the regulation of apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoshi Nozaki
- Department of Nephro-urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Taku Naiki
- Department of Nephro-urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Aya Naiki-Ito
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shoichiro Iwatsuki
- Department of Nephro-urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoki Takeda
- Department of Nephro-urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Toshiki Etani
- Department of Nephro-urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takashi Nagai
- Department of Nephro-urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Keitaro Iida
- Department of Nephro-urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Kato
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takayoshi Suzuki
- Department of Complex Molecular Chemistry, The Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University, Suita, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Department of Experimental Pathology and Tumor Biology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yukihiro Umemoto
- Department of Nephro-urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Education and Research Center for Advanced Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yasui
- Department of Nephro-urology, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
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38
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Ma N, Zhou J. Functions of Endothelial Cilia in the Regulation of Vascular Barriers. Front Cell Dev Biol 2020; 8:626. [PMID: 32733899 PMCID: PMC7363763 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2020.00626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The vascular barrier between blood and tissues is a highly selective structure that is essential to maintain tissue homeostasis. Defects in the vascular barrier lead to a variety of cardiovascular diseases. The maintenance of vascular barriers is largely dependent on endothelial cells, but the precise mechanisms remain elusive. Recent studies reveal that primary cilia, microtubule-based structures that protrude from the surface of endothelial cells, play a critical role in the regulation of vascular barriers. Herein, we discuss recent advances on ciliary functions in the vascular barrier and suggest that ciliary signaling pathways might be targeted to modulate the vascular barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jun Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin, China.,Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, Collaborative Innovation Center of Cell Biology in Universities of Shandong, College of Life Sciences, Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, China
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39
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Gao Y, Lu W, Jian L, Machaty Z, Luo H. Vitamin E promotes ovine Sertoli cell proliferation by regulation of genes associated with cell division and the cell cycle. Anim Biotechnol 2020; 33:392-400. [PMID: 32615852 DOI: 10.1080/10495398.2020.1788044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yuefeng Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Luyang Jian
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Zoltan Machaty
- Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Hailing Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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40
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Dostalova P, Zatecka E, Ded L, Elzeinova F, Valaskova E, Kubatova A, Korenkova V, Langerova L, Komrskova K, Peknicova J. Gestational and pubertal exposure to low dose of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate impairs sperm quality in adult mice. Reprod Toxicol 2020; 96:175-184. [PMID: 32619501 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2020.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 06/23/2020] [Accepted: 06/25/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Di-(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate (DEHP) is a compound widely used as a plasticizer, which can leach from plastics into the environment and thus influence human health. The aim of this study was to analyze whether exposure to an environmentally relevant dose of DEHP during mice fetal development or puberty can cause long-lasting changes detectable month/s after the last exposure. We used a DEHP concentration relevant to a daily human intake of 2.4-3 μg/kg of body weight/day. CD1 outbred mice were treated either in utero or postnatally during puberty and analyzed in adulthood. Analyzing fertility parameters using morphometric, histologic, genomic and proteomic methods we showed that DEHP exposure leads to decreased sperm concentration and quality, in both experimental groups. Moreover, the changes in anogenital distance, seminal vesicle weight, and testicular gene expression suggest a disturbance of androgen signaling in exposed animals. In conclusion, we hereby present, that the prenatal and pubertal exposure to a low dose of DEHP negatively influenced reproductive endpoints in male mice, and some of the effects were persistent until adulthood.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavla Dostalova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Eva Zatecka
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic.
| | - Lukas Ded
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Fatima Elzeinova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Eliska Valaskova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Kubatova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Vlasta Korenkova
- Laboratory of Gene Expression, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Lucie Langerova
- Laboratory of Gene Expression, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Katerina Komrskova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic; Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Vinicna 7, 128 44 Prague 2, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Peknicova
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Biotechnology, Czech Academy of Sciences, BIOCEV, Vestec, Czech Republic
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41
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Establishment and functional characterization of a murine primary Sertoli cell line deficient of connexin43. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 381:309-326. [PMID: 32328805 PMCID: PMC7369266 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03203-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The Sertoli cell (SC) specific connexin43 (Cx43) knockout (SCCx43KO) mouse line is ideal to gain insight into the mechanistic gap junction formation in SC and the seminiferous epithelium. A method for developing primary SC cultures from these mice was established, validated and successfully characterized via polymerase chain reaction, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence (IF), and Western blots (WB). It was evident that both knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) primary cell cultures were similar in morphology. These highly pure SC cultures were subjected to cell proliferation assays indicating no notable proliferation in cultures of both genotypes. Measurements of cell monolayer integrity indicated significant increases in transepithelial electrical resistance and consequently in tight junction expression of the KO cultures. Using semi-quantitative WB and IF, tight junction protein claudin-11 was analyzed. These results support a role for Cx43 in regulating blood-testis barrier (BTB) function, composition, and dynamics in vitro. Thus, the SC deficient Cx43 cell cultures may provide a valuable in vitro tool for a better understanding of the mechanistic role of Cx43 in spermatogenesis and BTB assembly.
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Kato T, Mizuno K, Nishio H, Moritoki Y, Kamisawa H, Kurokawa S, Nakane A, Maruyama T, Ando R, Hayashi Y, Yasui T. Disorganization of claudin-11 and dysfunction of the blood-testis barrier during puberty in a cryptorchid rat model. Andrology 2020; 8:1398-1408. [PMID: 32196966 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Revised: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptorchidism is known to impair spermatogenesis. The blood-testis barrier (BTB) becomes defined in seminiferous tubules around puberty and provides a suitable environment for germ cells. Little is known about the BTB in undescended testes (UDT). OBJECTIVES To determine the role of BTB during puberty in UDT using a non-surgical cryptorchid rat model. MATERIAL AND METHODS Unilateral cryptorchid male rats were intraperitoneally injected with non-steroidal antiandrogen during intrauterine development; the testes were harvested at 4, 5, and 6 weeks after birth. Testicular histology, expression levels of the BTB proteins (claudin-11, occludin, zonula occludens-1), and apoptotic cells were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and TUNEL assay. The functionality of the BTB was investigated by electron microscopy using the lanthanum tracer method. RESULTS The testicular histology of undescended testes 6 weeks after birth showed maturation arrest at the spermatocyte level. The BTB protein distributions were altered in the UDT, with a noticeable difference in claudin-11(CLDN11) localization from 4 to 5 weeks after birth between control and UDT samples. BTB protein levels were similar. More apoptotic germ cells were detected in the adluminal compartment of tubules in the UDT than in the control testes. Electron microscopy showed that the lanthanum tracer was limited to the BTB of control testes, whereas it penetrated the BTB of UDT. DISCUSSION Here, loss of normal BTB function and impaired spermatogenesis were observed in UDT during puberty. CLDN11 is a pivotal tight junction protein belonging to the BTB. Tight junctions are considered as essential for normal spermatogenesis, and abnormal CLDN11 organization may cause UDT-associated male infertility. CONCLUSION CLDN11 disorganization within the BTB may cause spermatogenic impairment, possibly by limiting the BTB function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taiki Kato
- Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kentaro Mizuno
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hidenori Nishio
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yoshinobu Moritoki
- Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Hideyuki Kamisawa
- Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kurokawa
- Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akihiro Nakane
- Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tetsuji Maruyama
- Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Ando
- Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Yutaro Hayashi
- Department of Pediatric Urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takahiro Yasui
- Department of Nephro-urology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan
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43
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Ran M, Luo H, Gao H, Tang X, Chen Y, Zeng X, Weng B, Chen B. miR-362 knock-down promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in porcine immature Sertoli cells by targeting the RMI1 gene. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:547-558. [PMID: 31916301 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2019] [Revised: 12/12/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Immature Sertoli cell proliferation determines the total number of mature Sertoli cells and further regulates normal spermatogenesis. Accumulating evidence demonstrates that microRNAs (miRNAs) play regulatory roles in immature Sertoli cell proliferation, while the functions and mechanisms of the Sertoli cells of domestic animals are poorly understood. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the roles of miR-362 in cell proliferation and apoptosis of porcine immature Sertoli cells. The results showed that miR-362 inhibition promoted the entrance of cells into the S phase and increased the expressions of cell cycle-related genes c-MYC, CNNE1, CCND1 and CDK4. Knock-down of miR-362 also promoted cell proliferation and inhibited apoptosis, which was demonstrated by the results from cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) and Annexin V-FITC/PI staining assays. The recQ-mediated genome instability protein 1 (RMI1) gene was identified as a potential target gene of miR-362 via luciferase reporter assay, and miR-362 repressed the protein expression of RMI1 in porcine immature Sertoli cells. siRNA-induced RMI1 knock-down further abolished the effects of miR-362 inhibition on porcine immature Sertoli cells. Collectively, we concluded that miR-362 knock-down promotes proliferation and inhibits apoptosis in porcine immature Sertoli cells by targeting the RMI1 gene, which indicates that miR-362 determines the fate of immature Sertoli cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maoliang Ran
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Hui Luo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Hu Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Xiangwei Tang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Yao Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Xinyu Zeng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Bo Weng
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
| | - Bin Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory for Genetic Improvement of Domestic Animals, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, China
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Wang X, Wang Z, Adeniran SO, Huang F, Ma M, Zhang H, Li X, Zheng P, Zhang G. Wilms' tumour 1 (WT1) negatively regulates the expression of connexin 43 via a non-canonical Wnt signalling pathway in cultured bovine Sertoli cells. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 32:522-530. [PMID: 32023428 DOI: 10.1071/rd19088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The gap junction protein connexin (Cx) 43 between adjacent Sertoli cells (SCs) is the main testicular factor regulating the growth and development of SCs, and plays a vital role in controlling cell differentiation and maturation. However, the endogenous testicular factors that regulate Cx43 and the downstream signalling pathways that mediate Cx43-dependent SC differentiation are unclear. In this study, high-purity SCs were isolated from newborn calves' testes by differential adherence. The SCs were then cultured invitro and treated with short interference RNA to knockdown endogenous Wilms' tumour 1 (WT1). In WT1-knockdown SCs, Cx43 expression was upregulated. To elucidate the intracellular signalling mechanism of Cx43 in the differentiation and maturation of immature SCs, SCs were treated simultaneously with non-canonical Wnt signalling inhibitors CCG-1423 and GO-6983; in these SCs, Cx43 expression was upregulated. Together, these data indicate that WT1 negatively regulates the expression of Cx43 produced from SCs via a non-canonical Wnt signalling pathway in cultured bovine SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Wang
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Street, Xiangfang District, 150030 Harbin, PR China
| | - Ziming Wang
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Street, Xiangfang District, 150030 Harbin, PR China
| | - S O Adeniran
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Street, Xiangfang District, 150030 Harbin, PR China
| | - Fushuo Huang
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Street, Xiangfang District, 150030 Harbin, PR China
| | - Mingjun Ma
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Street, Xiangfang District, 150030 Harbin, PR China
| | - Han Zhang
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Street, Xiangfang District, 150030 Harbin, PR China
| | - Xiaoyu Li
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Street, Xiangfang District, 150030 Harbin, PR China
| | - Peng Zheng
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Street, Xiangfang District, 150030 Harbin, PR China
| | - Guixue Zhang
- Department of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction, College of Animal Science and Technology, Northeast Agricultural University, No. 600 Changjiang Street, Xiangfang District, 150030 Harbin, PR China; and Corresponding author.
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45
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Babakhanzadeh E, Nazari M, Ghasemifar S, Khodadadian A. Some of the Factors Involved in Male Infertility: A Prospective Review. Int J Gen Med 2020; 13:29-41. [PMID: 32104049 PMCID: PMC7008178 DOI: 10.2147/ijgm.s241099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Infertility is defined as the inability of couples to have a baby after one year of regular unprotected intercourse, affecting 10 to 15% of couples. According to the latest WHO statistics, approximately 50-80 million people worldwide sufer from infertility, and male factors are responsible for approximately 20-30% of all infertility cases. The diagnosis of infertility in men is mainly based on semen analysis. The main parameters of semen include: concentration, appearance and motility of sperm. Causes of infertility in men include a variety of things including hormonal disorders, physical problems, lifestyle problems, psychological issues, sex problems, chromosomal abnormalities and single-gene defects. Despite numerous efforts by researchers to identify the underlying causes of male infertility, about 70% of cases remain unknown. These statistics show a lack of understanding of the mechanisms involved in male infertility. This article focuses on the histology of testicular tissue samples, the male reproductive structure, factors affecting male infertility, strategies available to find genes involved in infertility, existing therapeutic methods for male infertility, and sperm recovery in infertile men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emad Babakhanzadeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran.,Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Majid Nazari
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Sina Ghasemifar
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Ali Khodadadian
- Department of Medical Genetics, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
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Xia Q, Zhang D, Wang J, Zhang X, Song W, Chen R, Li H, Xie W, Zou K. Androgen Indirectly Regulates Gap Junction Component Connexin 43 Through Wilms Tumor-1 in Sertoli Cells. Stem Cells Dev 2020; 29:169-176. [DOI: 10.1089/scd.2019.0166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Qin Xia
- Germline Stem Cells and Microenvironment Lab, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Danchen Zhang
- Germline Stem Cells and Microenvironment Lab, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jingjing Wang
- Germline Stem Cells and Microenvironment Lab, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Germline Stem Cells and Microenvironment Lab, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Weixiang Song
- Germline Stem Cells and Microenvironment Lab, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rong Chen
- Germline Stem Cells and Microenvironment Lab, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hua Li
- Bio-ID Center, School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenhai Xie
- School of Life Sciences, Shandong University of Technology, Zibo, Shandong, China
| | - Kang Zou
- Germline Stem Cells and Microenvironment Lab, College of Animal Science and Technology, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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Cui L, Gu Y, Liu S, Li M, Ye J, Zhang F, Luo X, Chang WL, Gui Y. TBC1D20 Is Essential for Mouse Blood-Testis Barrier Integrity Through Maintaining the Epithelial Phenotype and Modulating the Maturation of Sertoli Cells. Reprod Sci 2020; 27:1443-1454. [PMID: 31994000 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-020-00156-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli cells are important for spermatogenesis not only by directly interacting with germ line cells in the seminiferous epithelium but also by constituting the blood-testis barrier (BTB) structure to create a favorable environment for spermatogenesis. Blind sterile (bs) male mice are infertile, with excessive germ cell apoptosis and spermatogenesis arrest. TBC1D20 (TBC1 domain family member 20) deficiency has been identified as the causative mutation in bs mice. However, whether TBC1D20 loss of function also impairs BTB integrity, which further contributes to the failed spermatogenesis of bs male mice, remains unclear. In the present study, biotin tracer assay and transmission electron microscopy showed severely disrupted BTB integrity in bs testes. Compared to the wild-type Sertoli cells, BTB components of cultured bs Sertoli cells in vitro was perturbed with downregulation of E-cadherin, ZO-1, β-catenin, and Claudin 11. The obvious rearrangement of F-actin indicated disrupted epithelial-mesenchymal balance in TBC1D20-deficient Sertoli cells. The ability of bs Sertoli cells to maintain the clone formation of spermatogonia stem cells was also obviously limited. Furthermore, the decreasing of SOX9 (sex-determining region Y box 9) and WT1 (Wilms' tumor 1) and increasing of vimentin in bs Sertoli cells indicated that TBC1D20 loss of function attenuated the differentiation progression of bs Sertoli cells. In summary, TBC1D20 loss of function impedes the maturation of adult Sertoli cells and resulted in impaired BTB integrity, which is further implicated in the infertile phenotype of bs male mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Cui
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Yanli Gu
- Department of Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, 518109, China
| | - Shuo Liu
- College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 10083, China
| | - Minghua Li
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Jing Ye
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Fanting Zhang
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Xiaomin Luo
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China
| | - Wen-Lin Chang
- Department of Obstetrics, the People's Hospital of Longhua, Shenzhen, 518109, China.
| | - Yaoting Gui
- Guangdong and Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Male Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Institute of Urology, Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen Peking University-The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Medical Center, Shenzhen, 518036, China.
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Zhou Y, Sun M, Tang Y, Chen Y, Zhu C, Yang Y, Wang C, Yu G, Tang Z. Responses of the proteome in testis of mice exposed chronically to environmentally relevant concentrations of Microcystin-LR. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 187:109824. [PMID: 31654863 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2019] [Revised: 10/13/2019] [Accepted: 10/15/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Microcystin-LR (MC-LR), a widespread environmental contaminant, has been shown to have potent acute testicular toxicity. However, magnitudes of toxic effects, induced by MCs, depend on route and magnitude of exposure to the toxin. In the present study, male mice were orally exposed 1, 10 or 100 μg/L MC-LR for 90 or 180 days, and pathological approach and the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based proteomics were employed with testes. Proteomics revealed that a number of differentially altered proteins may be involved in MC-LR-induced chronic testicular toxicity. The biological process analysis indicated the altered proteins played an important role in biological adhesion, cellular process, response to stimulus or rhythmic process. The cellular component analysis revealed that most of the proteins with altered expression associated with cell part, extracellular region, extracellular region part, membrane, membrane part, organelle or organelle part. The molecular function showed that these proteins were critical in molecular transducer activity. Integrity analyses provide first compelling evidence that MC-LR significantly cause dysfunction of blood-testis barrier (BTB) through affecting tight junctions and gap junctions. Moreover, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT eventually contributed to injury result from chronic low-level MC-LR treatment. Identification of proteins in testis responsive to MC-LR provides insights into molecular mechanisms of chronic toxicity of MCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhou
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Menghan Sun
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Ye Tang
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Research Center of Endocrine and Metabolic Diseases, Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Jiangsu Province Academy of Traditonal Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Chan Zhu
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yan Yang
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Changming Wang
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China
| | - Guang Yu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Zongxiang Tang
- Department of Physiology, Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, 210023, Jiangsu, China.
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Wang B, Zhang M, Che J, Li K, Mu Y, Liu Z. Wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (WIP1) regulates the proliferation of swine Sertoli cells through P53. Reprod Fertil Dev 2020; 32:1350-1356. [PMID: 33287951 DOI: 10.1071/rd20215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (WIP1) plays an oncogenic function by increasing cell proliferation in various cancer types. Deficiency in WIP1 expression leads to male infertility, possibly by impairing the blood-testis barrier and spermatogenesis. However, how WIP1 functions in the Sertoli cells to affect male reproduction remains unclear. Thus, in the present study we used a swine Sertoli cell line to investigate whether WIP1 regulated the proliferation of Sertoli cells to participate in male reproduction. The WIP1 inhibitor GSK2830371, WIP1-short interference (si) RNAs and an upstream microRNA (miR-16) were used to inhibit the expression of WIP1, after which the proliferation of swine Sertoli cells, P53 expression and the levels of P53 phosphorylation were determined. Inhibiting WIP1 expression suppressed swine Sertoli cell proliferation, increased P53 expression and increased levels of P53 phosphorylation. In addition, overexpression of miR-16 in swine Sertoli cells resulted in a decrease in WIP1 expression and increases in both P53 expression and P53 phosphorylation. Together, these findings suggest that WIP1 positively regulates the proliferation of swine Sertoli cells by inhibiting P53 phosphorylation, and the miR-16 is likely also involved by targeting WIP1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingyuan Wang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Mingrui Zhang
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; and College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jingjing Che
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Kui Li
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yulian Mu
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; and Corresponding authors. ;
| | - Zhiguo Liu
- Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; and Corresponding authors. ;
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Blood Testis Barrier and Somatic Cells Impairment in a Series of 35 Adult Klinefelter Syndrome Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20225717. [PMID: 31739598 PMCID: PMC6888948 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20225717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Revised: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Klinefelter Syndrome (KS) is the most common genetic cause of infertility in men. Degeneration of the testicular tissue starts in utero and accelerates at puberty with hyalinisation of seminiferous tubules, spermatogonia apoptosis and germ cell maturation arrest. Therefore, fertility preservation in young KS boys has been proposed, although this measure is still debated due to insufficient knowledge of the pathophysiology of the disease. To better understand the underlying mechanisms of testicular failure and germ cell loss, we analysed functional and morphological alterations in the somatic compartment of KS testis, i.e., Sertoli cells, including the blood-testis barrier (BTB) and Leydig cells (LC). We compared three populations: 35 KS 47,XXY non-mosaic patients, 28 Sertoli-cell-only (SCO) syndrome patients and 9 patients with normal spermatogenesis. In KS patients the expression of BTB proteins connexin-43 and claudin-11 assessed with a semi-quantitative scoring system appeared significantly reduced with a disorganised pattern. A significant reduction in seminiferous tubules expressing androgen receptors (AR) was observed in KS compared to normal spermatogenesis controls. INSL3 expression, a marker of LC maturation, was also significantly reduced in KS compared to patients with normal spermatogenesis or SCO. Hence, the somatic compartment impairment in KS could be involved in degeneration of seminiferous tubules.
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