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Atiakshin D, Kulchenko N, Kostin A, Ignatyuk M, Protasov A, Klabukov I, Baranovskii D, Faniev M, Korovyakova E, Chekmareva I, Buchwalow I, Tiemann M. Cyto- and Histopographic Assessment of CPA3-Positive Testicular Mast Cells in Obstructive and Non-Obstructive Azoospermia. Cells 2024; 13:833. [PMID: 38786055 PMCID: PMC11120214 DOI: 10.3390/cells13100833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Infertility is an important personal and society disease, of which the male factor represents half of all causes. One of the aspects less studied in male infertility is the immunological testicular microenvironment. Mast cells (MCs), having high potential for regulating spermatogenesis due to fine-tuning the state of the integrative buffer metabolic environment, are one of the most crucial cellular subpopulations of the testicular interstitium. One important component of the MC secretome is proteases that can act as proinflammatory agents and in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. In the testis, MCs are an important cell component of the testicular interstitial tissue (TIT). However, there are still no studies addressing the analysis of a specific MC protease-carboxypeptidase A3 (CPA3)-in cases with altered spermatogenesis. The cytological and histotopographic features of testicular CPA3+ MCs were examined in a study involving 34 men with azoospermia. As revealed, in cases with non-obstructive azoospermia, a higher content of CPA3+ MCs in the TIT and migration to the microvasculature and peritubular tissue of seminiferous tubules were observed when compared with cases with obstructive azoospermia. Additionally, a high frequency of CPA3+ MCs colocalization with fibroblasts, Leydig cells, and elastic fibers was detected in cases with NOA. Thus, CPA3 seems to be of crucial pathogenetic significance in the formation of a profibrogenic background of the tissue microenvironment, which may have direct and indirect effects on spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitrii Atiakshin
- RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (N.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.); (A.P.); (M.F.); (E.K.); (I.C.); (I.B.)
- Research Institute of Experimental Biology and Medicine, Burdenko Voronezh State Medical University, 394036 Voronezh, Russia
| | - Nina Kulchenko
- RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (N.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.); (A.P.); (M.F.); (E.K.); (I.C.); (I.B.)
| | - Andrey Kostin
- RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (N.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.); (A.P.); (M.F.); (E.K.); (I.C.); (I.B.)
| | - Michael Ignatyuk
- RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (N.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.); (A.P.); (M.F.); (E.K.); (I.C.); (I.B.)
| | - Andrey Protasov
- RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (N.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.); (A.P.); (M.F.); (E.K.); (I.C.); (I.B.)
| | - Ilya Klabukov
- National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Koroleva St. 4, 249036 Obninsk, Russia (D.B.)
| | - Denis Baranovskii
- National Medical Research Radiological Centre of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation, Koroleva St. 4, 249036 Obninsk, Russia (D.B.)
| | - Mikhail Faniev
- RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (N.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.); (A.P.); (M.F.); (E.K.); (I.C.); (I.B.)
| | - Elina Korovyakova
- RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (N.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.); (A.P.); (M.F.); (E.K.); (I.C.); (I.B.)
| | - Irina Chekmareva
- RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (N.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.); (A.P.); (M.F.); (E.K.); (I.C.); (I.B.)
| | - Igor Buchwalow
- RUDN University, 117198 Moscow, Russia; (N.K.); (A.K.); (M.I.); (A.P.); (M.F.); (E.K.); (I.C.); (I.B.)
- Institute for Hematopathology, Fangdieckstr, 75a, 22547 Hamburg, Germany;
| | - Markus Tiemann
- Institute for Hematopathology, Fangdieckstr, 75a, 22547 Hamburg, Germany;
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Islam R, Heyer J, Figura M, Wang X, Nie X, Nathaniel B, Indumathy S, Hartmann K, Pleuger C, Fijak M, Kliesch S, Dittmar F, Pilatz A, Wagenlehner F, Hedger M, Loveland B, Hotaling JH, Guo J, Loveland KL, Schuppe HC, Fietz D. T cells in testicular germ cell tumors: new evidence of fundamental contributions by rare subsets. Br J Cancer 2024:10.1038/s41416-024-02669-9. [PMID: 38649788 DOI: 10.1038/s41416-024-02669-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immune cell infiltration is heterogeneous but common in testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) and pre-invasive germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS). Tumor-infiltrating T cells including regulatory T (Treg) and follicular helper T (Tfh) cells are found in other cancer entities, but their contributions to TGCT are unknown. METHODS Human testis specimens from independent patient cohorts were analyzed using immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with special emphasis on delineating T cell subtypes. RESULTS Profound changes in immune cell composition within TGCT, shifting from macrophages in normal testes to T cells plus B and dendritic cells in TGCT, were documented. In most samples (96%), the CD4+ T cell frequency exceeded that of CD8+ cells, with decreasing numbers from central to peripheral tumor areas, and to tumor-free, contralateral testes. T cells including Treg and Tfh were most abundant in seminoma compared to mixed tumors and embryonal carcinoma. CONCLUSION Despite considerable heterogeneity between patients, T cell subtypes form a key part of the TGCT microenvironment. The novel finding of rare Treg and Tfh cells in human testis suggests their involvement in TGCT pathobiology, with implications for understanding tumor progression, to assess patients' prognosis, and as putative targets for personalized immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rashidul Islam
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Developmental Pathology, Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Jannis Heyer
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Miriam Figura
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Xiaoyan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xichen Nie
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Benedict Nathaniel
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Sivanjah Indumathy
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Katja Hartmann
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christiane Pleuger
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Monika Fijak
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sabine Kliesch
- Centre of Reproductive Medicine and Andrology, University of Muenster, Muenster, Germany
| | - Florian Dittmar
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Florian Wagenlehner
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mark Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | | | - James H Hotaling
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Jingtao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Dept. of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Dept. of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany.
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.
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Balgetir MK, Tektemur NK, Tektemur A, Türk G, Güngör İH, Cihangiroglu AC, Akkoç RF, Kuloglu T, Dabak DO. Determination of M1/M2 Macrophage Polarization in Ipsilateral and Contralateral Rat Testis Tissue Following Unilateral Torsion/Detorsion. Reprod Sci 2024:10.1007/s43032-024-01519-6. [PMID: 38532231 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-024-01519-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The present study investigates the changes in M1/M2 macrophage polarization resulting from unilateral testicular torsion in the bilateral testis. The study sample included 63 male Sprague-Dawley rats, which were randomly divided into nine groups (n = 7): Control, Sham (4 h (4 h), 24 h, 7 days (7d), 14d), and Torsion/Detorsion (T/D) (4 h, 24 h, 7d, 14d). Histopathological evaluations revealed no changes in the Sham groups, while T/D was noted to cause edema, vascular occlusion, disruption of seminiferous tubule epithelial organization, germ cell abnormalities and structural anomalies in the experimental rats, the severity and extent of which increased from 4 h to 14d after T/D. The Cosentino scores used to determine the degree of histological damage were consistent with the histopathological findings in all groups, while the Johnsen scores, as a marker of spermatogenesis, were lower in the T/D groups. Seminiferous tubule diameters and germinal epithelial thickness decreased significantly in parallel with increased tubule damage in the ipsilateral testicles. Testicular torsion significantly affected sperm motility, with significant reductions observed in the T/D 7d and T/D 14d groups. A hormone profile analysis revealed decreased testosterone levels in both the Sham and T/D groups when compared to the Controls. CD68 and CD163 immunoreactivities, as M1 and M2 macrophage surface markers, were determined in the testicular tissue using the avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method. T/D interventions caused M1/M2 macrophage polarization changes and increased M1 macrophages, particularly in contralateral testicular tissue. The increase in M1 macrophages in contralateral testicular tissue following T/D in the present study suggests that cell processes, including macrophages, may play an important role in contralateral testicular injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merve Kavak Balgetir
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Fethi Sekin City Hospital, Elazig, 23119, Turkey.
| | - Nalan Kaya Tektemur
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Tektemur
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Gaffari Türk
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial İnsemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - İbrahim Halil Güngör
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial İnsemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Aslıhan Cakir Cihangiroglu
- Department of Reproduction and Artificial İnsemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Ramazan Fazıl Akkoç
- Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Tuncay Kuloglu
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
| | - Durrin Ozlem Dabak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Firat University, Elazig, Turkey
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Figueiredo AFA, Wnuk NT, Brener MRG, Farias TO, Campolina-Silva GH, Andrade ACSP, Queiroz-Junior CM, Menezes GB, Teixeira MM, Costa VV, Costa GMJ. Acute murine-betacoronavirus infection impairs testicular steroidogenesis and the quality of sperm production. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104214. [PMID: 38508038 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Although several testicular alterations promoted by coronavirus infection have been demonstrated, the extent, causes, and players of testicular pathogenesis are not totally understood. The present study aimed to investigate the short-term effects on male fertility of intranasally administered murine hepatitis virus strain 3 (MHV-3), a member of the genus Betacoronavirus, which causes a severe systemic acute infection. This mouse model might be used as a in vivo prototype for investigating the impact of betacoronavirus on the endocrine and exocrine testicular functions with the advantage to be performed in a biosafety level 2 condition. Herein, we performed virological, histopathological, and molecular studies regarding the testicular spermatogenesis and the spermatic quality analyses in an MHV-3-infected C57BL/6 mice. The main outcomes showed that MHV-3 infects mouse testis and induces a testicular inflammatory state, impairing the steroidogenic pathway. The infection led to several alterations in the testicular parenchyma, such as: seminiferous epithelium sloughing, retention of residual bodies, germ cell apoptosis, alterations in intercellular junction proteins, and worse spermatogenic parameters. Moreover, the levels of plasmatic testosterone as well as the quality of sperm production reduced. Therefore, the present data suggest that the viral/inflammatory impairment of the steroidogenic pathway and the consequent imbalance of androgen levels is critical in testicular pathology, disturbing the SC barrier function and the germ cell differentiation. Our study is important for comprehending the effects of beta coronavirus infections on testis function in order to develop treatments that could prevent virus-mediated male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- A F A Figueiredo
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - N T Wnuk
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - M R G Brener
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - T O Farias
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | | | - A C S P Andrade
- CHU from Quebec Research Center, Université Laval, Quebec, Canada
| | - C M Queiroz-Junior
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Research Group in Arboviral Diseases, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - G B Menezes
- Center for Gastrointestinal Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - M M Teixeira
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Immunopharmacology Lab, Department of Biochemistry and Immunology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - V V Costa
- Center for Drug Research and Development, Research Group in Arboviral Diseases, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - G M J Costa
- Laboratory of Cellular Biology, Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
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Piechka A, Sparanese S, Witherspoon L, Hach F, Flannigan R. Molecular mechanisms of cellular dysfunction in testes from men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:67-90. [PMID: 38110528 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00837-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Male factor infertility affects 50% of infertile couples worldwide; the most severe form, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), affects 10-15% of infertile males. Treatment for individuals with NOA is limited to microsurgical sperm extraction paired with in vitro fertilization intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Unfortunately, spermatozoa are only retrieved in ~50% of patients, resulting in live birth rates of 21-46%. Regenerative therapies could provide a solution; however, understanding the cell-type-specific mechanisms of cellular dysfunction is a fundamental necessity to develop precision medicine strategies that could overcome these abnormalities and promote regeneration of spermatogenesis. A number of mechanisms of cellular dysfunction have been elucidated in NOA testicular cells. These mechanisms include abnormalities in both somatic cells and germ cells in NOA testes, such as somatic cell immaturity, aberrant growth factor signalling, increased inflammation, increased apoptosis and abnormal extracellular matrix regulation. Future cell-type-specific investigations in identifying modulators of cellular transcription and translation will be key to understanding upstream dysregulation, and these studies will require development of in vitro models to functionally interrogate spermatogenic niche dysfunction in both somatic and germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arina Piechka
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sydney Sparanese
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Luke Witherspoon
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faraz Hach
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan Flannigan
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Campos RK, Liang Y, Azar SR, Ly J, Camargos VN, Hager-Soto EE, Eyzaguirre E, Sun J, Rossi SL. CD8 + T cell response promotes viral clearance and reduces chances of severe testicular damage in mouse models of long-term Zika virus infection of the testes. bioRxiv 2024:2024.01.22.575592. [PMID: 38328060 PMCID: PMC10849515 DOI: 10.1101/2024.01.22.575592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) causes human testicular inflammation and alterations in sperm parameters and causes testicular damage in mouse models. The involvement of individual immune cells in testicular damage is not fully understood. We detected virus in the testes of the interferon (IFN) α/β receptor -/- A129 mice three weeks post-infection and found elevated chemokines in the testes, suggesting chronic inflammation and long-term infection play a role in testicular damage. In the testes, myeloid cells and CD4 + T cells were absent at 7 dpi but were present at 23 days post-infection (dpi), and CD8 + T cell infiltration started at 7 dpi. CD8 -/- mice with an antibody-depleted IFN response had a significant reduction in spermatogenesis, indicating that CD8 + T cells are essential to prevent testicular damage during long-term ZIKV infections. Our findings on the dynamics of testicular immune cells and importance of CD8 + T cells functions as a framework to understand mechanisms underlying observed inflammation and sperm alterations in humans.
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Endo T, Kobayashi K, Matsumura T, Emori C, Ozawa M, Kawamoto S, Okuzaki D, Shimada K, Miyata H, Shimada K, Kodani M, Ishikawa-Yamauchi Y, Motooka D, Hara E, Ikawa M. Multiple ageing effects on testicular/epididymal germ cells lead to decreased male fertility in mice. Commun Biol 2024; 7:16. [PMID: 38177279 PMCID: PMC10766604 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05685-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024] Open
Abstract
In mammals, females undergo reproductive cessation with age, whereas male fertility gradually declines but persists almost throughout life. However, the detailed effects of ageing on germ cells during and after spermatogenesis, in the testis and epididymis, respectively, remain unclear. Here we comprehensively examined the in vivo male fertility and the overall organization of the testis and epididymis with age, focusing on spermatogenesis, and sperm function and fertility, in mice. We first found that in vivo male fertility decreased with age, which is independent of mating behaviors and testosterone levels. Second, overall sperm production in aged testes was decreased; about 20% of seminiferous tubules showed abnormalities such as germ cell depletion, sperm release failure, and perturbed germ cell associations, and the remaining 80% of tubules contained lower number of germ cells because of decreased proliferation of spermatogonia. Further, the spermatozoa in aged epididymides exhibited decreased total cell numbers, abnormal morphology/structure, decreased motility, and DNA damage, resulting in low fertilizing and developmental rates. We conclude that these multiple ageing effects on germ cells lead to decreased in vivo male fertility. Our present findings are useful to better understand the basic mechanism behind the ageing effect on male fertility in mammals including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsutomu Endo
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Department of Experimental Animal Model for Human Disease, Center for Experimental Animals, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
- Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Kiyonori Kobayashi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Chihiro Emori
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Manabu Ozawa
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shimpei Kawamoto
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuzaki
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keisuke Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Miyata
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Mayo Kodani
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yu Ishikawa-Yamauchi
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Daisuke Motooka
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Eiji Hara
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.
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Zhang Y, Hou B, Liu T, Wu Y, Wang Z. Probiotics improve polystyrene microplastics-induced male reproductive toxicity in mice by alleviating inflammatory response. Ecotoxicol Environ Saf 2023; 263:115248. [PMID: 37441951 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
As a new type of environmental pollutant, microplastics have been garnered increasing attention, especially in regard to their effects on the reproductive system. However, researchers have yet to report whether prevention and treatment measures exist for reproductive injury caused by microplastics. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the mechanism of spermatogenic injury induced by polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and the intervention effect of probiotics based on the gut microbiota-testis axis. Mice were orally exposed for 35 days to 5 µm of PS-MPs with a gavage dose was 0.1 mg/day, and the intervention group was given probiotics (Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium longum, and Enterococcus) orally. Fecal samples were then subjected to 16 S rRNA sequencing analysis, and sperm motion was analyzed by a Hamilton-Thorne Sperm analyzer. The results showed that PS-MPs exposed mice had significant spermatogenic dysfunction and testicular inflammation. In addition, the intestinal microbial structure of exposed mice changed significantly; the abundance of Lactobacillus decreased, and the abundance of Prevotella increased. Furthermore, with fecal microbiota transplantation, the recipient mice showed a significant decrease in sperm quality. However, probiotics supplementation helped inhibit the activation of IL-17A signaling driven by gut microbes, thereby alleviating the inflammatory response and improving sperm quality decline caused by PS-MPs. These results may provide a scientific basis for further understanding of the mechanism of male reproductive damage caused by environmental pollutants such as microplastics and for novel reproductive damage intervention measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yecui Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Baolian Hou
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Yanling Wu
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China
| | - Zhiping Wang
- Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong 250012, China.
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9
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Barrachina F, Ottino K, Elizagaray ML, Gervasi MG, Tu LJ, Markoulaki S, Spallanzani RG, Capen D, Brown D, Battistone MA. Regulatory T cells play a crucial role in maintaining sperm tolerance and male fertility. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2306797120. [PMID: 37676910 PMCID: PMC10500189 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2306797120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) modulate tissue homeostatic processes and immune responses. Understanding tissue-Treg biology will contribute to developing precision-targeting treatment strategies. Here, we show that Tregs maintain the tolerogenic state of the testis and epididymis, where sperm are produced and mature. We found that Treg depletion induces severe autoimmune orchitis and epididymitis, manifested by an exacerbated immune cell infiltration [CD4 T cells, monocytes, and mononuclear phagocytes (MPs)] and the development of antisperm antibodies (ASA). In Treg-depleted mice, MPs increased projections toward the epididymal lumen as well as invading the lumen. ASA-bound sperm enhance sperm agglutination and might facilitate sperm phagocytosis. Tolerance breakdown impaired epididymal epithelial function and altered extracellular vesicle cargo, both of which play crucial roles in the acquisition of sperm fertilizing ability and subsequent embryo development. The affected mice had reduced sperm number and motility and severe fertility defects. Deciphering these immunoregulatory mechanisms may help to design new strategies to treat male infertility, as well as to identify potential targets for immunocontraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ferran Barrachina
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02129
| | - Kiera Ottino
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02129
| | - Maia Lina Elizagaray
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02129
| | - Maria Gracia Gervasi
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA01003
- Genetically Engineered Models Center, Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Leona J. Tu
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02129
| | - Styliani Markoulaki
- Genetically Engineered Models Center, Whitehead Institute of Biomedical Research, Cambridge, MA02142
| | - Raul G. Spallanzani
- Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Diane Capen
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02129
| | - Dennis Brown
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02129
| | - Maria Agustina Battistone
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02129
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10
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Sposato AL, Llewellyn DR, Weber JM, Hollins HL, Schrock MN, Farrell JA, Gagnon JA. Germ cells do not progress through spermatogenesis in the infertile zebrafish testis. bioRxiv 2023:2023.09.05.556432. [PMID: 37732254 PMCID: PMC10508784 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.05.556432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Vertebrate spermatogonial stem cells maintain sperm production over the lifetime of an animal but fertility declines with age. While morphological studies have greatly informed our understanding of typical spermatogenesis, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying spermatogenesis are not yet understood, particularly with respect to the onset of fertility. We used single-cell RNA sequencing to generate a developmental atlas of the zebrafish testis. Using 5 timepoints across the adult life of a zebrafish, we described cellular profiles in the testis during and after fertility. While all germ cell stages of spermatogenesis are detected in testes from fertile adult zebrafish, testes from older infertile males only contained spermatogonia and a reduced population of spermatocytes. These remaining germ cells are transcriptionally distinct from fertile spermatogonia. Immune cells including macrophages and lymphocytes drastically increase in abundance in infertile testes. Our developmental atlas reveals the cellular changes as the testis ages and defines a molecular roadmap for the regulation of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L. Sposato
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | | | - Jenna M. Weber
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | - Hailey L. Hollins
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | - Madison N. Schrock
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
| | - Jeffrey A. Farrell
- Division of Developmental Biology, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, NIH, Bethesda, MD 20814
| | - James A. Gagnon
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
- Henry Eyring Center for Cell and Genome Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
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11
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Dong F, Ma Y, Chen XF. Identification of a novel pyroptosis-related gene signature in human spermatogenic dysfunction. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:2251-2266. [PMID: 37553495 PMCID: PMC10440330 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02892-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To reveal the underlying roles that pyroptosis-related genes (PRGs) played in human spermatogenic dysfunction. METHODS One discovery set and three validation sets were employed to inspect the previously reported 33 PRGs in the human testis with different status of spermatogenesis. PRGs that differentially expressed in all sets were considered as key differentially expressed pyroptosis-related genes (PR-DEGs). The relationships between key PR-DEGs and samples' clinicopathological, therapeutic, and immune patterns were respectively studied. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNS-seq) analyses were conducted to show the expression changes and related mechanisms of key PR-DEGs at a single-cell resolution. RESULTS CASP4 and GPX4 were identified as two key PR-DEGs. These two genes were significantly dysregulated in spermatogenic dysfunctional samples, but with opposite tendency. CASP4 was negatively correlated with Johnsen scores but positively correlated with follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels (all p < 0.05), while GPX4 exhibited significant positive correlations with Johnsen scores and negative relevance with FSH. For treatments, both molecules showed a prospective value of being predictors for sperm retrieval surgeries. Moreover, CASP4 and GPX4 were potential immunoregulators in the testicular immune microenvironment and showed significant correlations to testicular macrophages and mast cell infiltration. In scRNA-seq analyses, GPX4 was highly expressed in germ cells, which therefore suffered a sharp reduction with the loss of germ cells in spermatogenic dysfunction. On the other hand, CASP4 were basically somatic cell-derived, and the proportion of CASP4-positive Leydig cells significantly increased in disease testes (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION In all, we revealed two key PRGs of human testes that might be functional in spermatogenic dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Dong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiang-Feng Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai, China.
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12
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Broniowska Ż, Tomczyk I, Grzmil P, Bystrowska B, Skórkowska A, Maciejska A, Kazek G, Budziszewska B. Benzophenone-2 exerts reproductive toxicity in male rats. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 120:108450. [PMID: 37543253 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2023.108450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Benzophenone derivatives such as benzophenone-2 (BP-2) belong to the group of endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs). Increased exposure to EDCs is considered to be an important factor behind the decline of human fertility. The main aim of the present study was to determine the effect of BP-2 on testicular function specified by sperm analysis, the level of sex hormones and their receptors. Since BP-2 has been shown to activate the immune system, another aim of the research was to verify the hypothesis that the immune system may be contributing to the testis toxicity of this compound and for this purpose changes in macrophage and lymphocyte populations in the testes were determined. BP-2 at a dose of 100 mg/kg was administered dermally, twice daily at a dose of 100 mg/kg for 4-weeks. It was shown that BP-2 reduced the number and motility of sperm and increased the number of sperm showing morphological changes. By determining the concentration of sex hormones, a significant decrease in testosterone levels and an increase in the blood levels of 17β-estradiol were demonstrated. Similar to the results obtained from the blood samples, testosterone levels in the testes were lowered, which could affect sperm parameters. The effect of BP-2 on lowering testosterone levels and the number of sperm cells may be due to immunoactivation in the testes, because it has been detected that this compound significantly decreased the number of the immunosuppressive resident testicular macrophages (TMs) (CD68-CD163+), but increased pro-inflammatory TMs with monocyte-like properties (CD68+CD163-).
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Affiliation(s)
- Żaneta Broniowska
- Department of Biochemical Toxicology Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, PL, Poland.
| | - Igor Tomczyk
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Paweł Grzmil
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Beata Bystrowska
- Department of Biochemical Toxicology Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, PL, Poland
| | - Alicja Skórkowska
- Department of Biochemical Toxicology Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, PL, Poland
| | - Alicja Maciejska
- Department of Biochemical Toxicology Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, PL, Poland
| | - Grzegorz Kazek
- Department of Pharmacodynamics, Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Bogusława Budziszewska
- Department of Biochemical Toxicology Medical College, Jagiellonian University, Medyczna 9, 30-688 Kraków, PL, Poland
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13
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Wanjari UR, Gopalakrishnan AV. A review on immunological aspects in male reproduction: An immune cells and cytokines. J Reprod Immunol 2023; 158:103984. [PMID: 37390629 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2023.103984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023]
Abstract
The male reproductive system, particularly the male gamete, offers a unique barrier to the immune system. The growing germ cells in the testis need to be shielded from autoimmune damage. Hence the testis has to establish and sustain an immune-privileged milieu. Sertoli cells create this safe space, protected by the blood-testis barrier. Cytokines are a type of immune reaction that can positively and negatively affect male reproductive health. Inflammation, disease, and obesity are just a few physiological conditions for which cytokines mediate signals. They interact with steroidogenesis, shaping the adrenals and testes to produce the hormones needed for survival. In particular pathological condition, including autoimmune disorders, contains high levels of the same cytokines in semen that play an essential role in the immunomodulation of the male gonad. This review focuses on understanding the immunological role of cytokines in the control and development of male reproduction. Also, in maintaining male reproductive health and diseases linked with their aberrant function in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632014, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamil Nadu 632014, India.
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14
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Ly J, Campos RK, Hager-Soto EE, Camargos VN, Rossi SL. Testicular pathological alterations associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Front Reprod Health 2023; 5:1229622. [PMID: 37457430 PMCID: PMC10338913 DOI: 10.3389/frph.2023.1229622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the etiologic agent of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which caused one of the pandemics with the highest mortalities with millions of deaths and hundreds of millions of cases to date. Due to its potential for airborne transmission, many studies have focused on SARS-CoV-2 primarily as a respiratory disease. However, the spread of SARS-CoV-2 to non-respiratory organs has been experimentally demonstrated and clinically observed. During autopsy studies, histopathological lesions, and disruption of the blood-testes barrier (BTB) have been observed in the male reproductive tract. Here, we review findings from both autopsy cases and animal models that demonstrate testicular disease due to COVID-19 and present an overview of the pathological alterations that occur in the testes resulting from SARS-CoV-2 infection and explore its potential mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judy Ly
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Rafael K. Campos
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - E. Eldridge Hager-Soto
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Vidyleison N. Camargos
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
| | - Shannan L. Rossi
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, United States
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15
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Dong F, Ping P, Wang SQ, Ma Y, Chen XF. Identification and validation of CCL2 as a potential biomarker relevant to mast cell infiltration in the testicular immune microenvironment of spermatogenic dysfunction. Cell Biosci 2023; 13:94. [PMID: 37221631 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-023-01034-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatogenic dysfunction is an important cause of azoospermia. Numerous studies have focused on germ-cell-related genes that lead to spermatogenic impairment. However, based on the immune-privileged characteristics of the testis, the relationship of immune genes, immune cells or immune microenvironment with spermatogenic dysfunction has rarely been reported. RESULTS Using integrated methods including single-cell RNA-seq, microarray data, clinical data analyses and histological/pathological staining, we found that testicular mast cell infiltration levels were significantly negatively related to spermatogenic function. We next identified a functional testicular immune biomarker, CCL2, and externally validated that testicular CCL2 was significantly upregulated in spermatogenic dysfunctional testes and was negatively correlated with Johnsen scores (JS) and testicular volumes. We also demonstrated that CCL2 levels showed a significant positive correlation with testicular mast cell infiltration levels. Moreover, we showed myoid cells and Leydig cells were two of the important sources of testicular CCL2 in spermatogenic dysfunction. Mechanistically, we drew a potential "myoid/Leydig cells-CCL2-ACKR1-endothelial cells-SELE-CD44-mast cells" network of somatic cell-cell communications in the testicular microenvironment, which might play roles in spermatogenic dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS The present study revealed CCL2-relevant changes in the testicular immune microenvironment in spermatogenic dysfunction, providing new evidence for the role of immunological factors in azoospermia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fan Dong
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Ping Ping
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Si-Qi Wang
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, People's Republic of China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Ma
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China.
| | - Xiang-Feng Chen
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 845 Lingshan Road, Shanghai, 200135, People's Republic of China.
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China.
- Shanghai Human Sperm Bank, Shanghai, China.
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16
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Peserico A, Barboni B, Russo V, Nardinocchi D, Turriani M, Cimini C, Bernabò N, Parolini O, Silini AR, Antonucci I, Stuppia L, Berardinelli P, Falanga I, Perruzza D, Valbonetti L, Mauro A. AEC and AFMSC Transplantation Preserves Fertility of Experimentally Induced Rat Varicocele by Expressing Differential Regenerative Mechanisms. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24108737. [PMID: 37240083 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24108737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid derived cells are regarded as a promising stem cell source for developing regenerative medicine techniques, although they have never been tested on male infertility diseases such as varicocele (VAR). The current study aimed to examine the effects of two distinct cell sources, human Amniotic Fluid Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (hAFMSCs) and amniotic epithelial cells (hAECs), on male fertility outcomes in a rat induced VAR model. To explain cell-dependent enhancement of reproductive outcomes in rats transplanted with hAECs and hAFMSCs, insights on testis morphology, endocannabinoid system (ECS) expression and inflammatory tissue response have been carried out alongside cell homing assessment. Both cell types survived 120 days post-transplantation by modulating the ECS main components, promoting proregenerative M2 macrophages (Mφ) recruitment and a favorable anti-inflammatory IL10 expression pattern. Of note, hAECs resulted to be more effective in restoring rat fertility rate by enhancing both structural and immunoresponse mechanisms. Moreover, immunofluorescence analysis revealed that hAECs contributed to CYP11A1 expression after transplantation, whereas hAFMSCs moved towards the expression of Sertoli cell marker, SOX9, confirming a different contribution into the mechanisms leading to testis homeostasis. These findings highlight, for the first time, a distinct role of amniotic membrane and amniotic fluid derived cells in male reproduction, thus proposing innovative targeted stem-based regenerative medicine protocols for remedying high-prevalence male infertility conditions such as VAR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Peserico
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Valentina Russo
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Delia Nardinocchi
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Maura Turriani
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Costanza Cimini
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola Bernabò
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Ornella Parolini
- Department of Life Sciences and Public Health, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Largo Vito, 1, 00168 Rome, Italy
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "Agostino Gemelli" IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonietta Rosa Silini
- Centro di Ricerca E. Menni, Fondazione Poliambulanza Istituto Ospedaliero, 25124 Brescia, Italy
| | - Ivana Antonucci
- Department of Oral Sciences, Nano and Biotechnologies, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti, Italy
| | - Liborio Stuppia
- Department of Oral Sciences, Nano and Biotechnologies, "G. d'Annunzio" University, Via dei Vestini 31, 66013 Chieti, Italy
| | - Paolo Berardinelli
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Ilaria Falanga
- Medline Srl, Via Galileo Ferraris 1, 84018 Scafati, Italy
| | - Davide Perruzza
- Reproductive Medicine Unit, S.I.S.Me.R., Via Mazzini 12, 40138 Bologna, Italy
| | - Luca Valbonetti
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
| | - Annunziata Mauro
- Department of Bioscience and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Via R. Balzarini 1, 64100 Teramo, Italy
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17
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Gu X, Heinrich A, Li SY, DeFalco T. Testicular macrophages are recruited during a narrow fetal time window and promote organ-specific developmental functions. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1439. [PMID: 36922518 PMCID: PMC10017703 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37199-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/17/2023] Open
Abstract
A growing body of evidence demonstrates that fetal-derived tissue-resident macrophages have developmental functions. It has been proposed that macrophages promote testicular functions, but which macrophage populations are involved is unclear. Previous studies showed that macrophages play critical roles in fetal testis morphogenesis and described two adult testicular macrophage populations, interstitial and peritubular. There has been debate regarding the hematopoietic origins of testicular macrophages and whether distinct macrophage populations promote specific testicular functions. Here our hematopoietic lineage-tracing studies in mice show that yolk-sac-derived macrophages comprise the earliest testicular macrophages, while fetal hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) generate monocytes that colonize the gonad during a narrow time window in a Sertoli-cell-dependent manner and differentiate into adult testicular macrophages. Finally, we show that yolk-sac-derived versus HSC-derived macrophages have distinct functions during testis morphogenesis, while interstitial macrophages specifically promote adult Leydig cell steroidogenesis. Our findings provide insight into testicular macrophage origins and their tissue-specific roles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Gu
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Anna Heinrich
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Shu-Yun Li
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Tony DeFalco
- Reproductive Sciences Center, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA.
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18
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Washburn RL, Dufour JM. Complementing Testicular Immune Regulation: The Relationship between Sertoli Cells, Complement, and the Immune Response. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24043371. [PMID: 36834786 PMCID: PMC9965741 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24043371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 02/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells within the testis are instrumental in providing an environment for spermatogenesis and protecting the developing germ cells from detrimental immune responses which could affect fertility. Though these immune responses consist of many immune processes, this review focuses on the understudied complement system. Complement consists of 50+ proteins including regulatory proteins, immune receptors, and a cascade of proteolytic cleavages resulting in target cell destruction. In the testis, Sertoli cells protect the germ cells from autoimmune destruction by creating an immunoregulatory environment. Most studies on Sertoli cells and complement have been conducted in transplantation models, which are effective in studying immune regulation during robust rejection responses. In grafts, Sertoli cells survive activated complement, have decreased deposition of complement fragments, and express many complement inhibitors. Moreover, the grafts have delayed infiltration of immune cells and contain increased infiltration of immunosuppressive regulatory T cells as compared to rejecting grafts. Additionally, anti-sperm antibodies and lymphocyte infiltration have been detected in up to 50% and 30% of infertile testes, respectively. This review seeks to provide an updated overview of the complement system, describe its relationship with immune cells, and explain how Sertoli cells may regulate complement in immunoprotection. Identifying the mechanism Sertoli cells use to protect themselves and germ cells against complement and immune destruction is relevant for male reproduction, autoimmunity, and transplantation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Washburn
- Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79424, USA
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79424, USA
| | - Jannette M Dufour
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79424, USA
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19
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Luo X, Zheng H, Nai Z, Li M, Li Y, Lin N, Li Y, Wu Z. Identification of biomarkers associated with macrophage infiltration in non-obstructive azoospermia using single-cell transcriptomic and microarray data. Ann Transl Med 2023; 11:55. [PMID: 36819497 PMCID: PMC9929779 DOI: 10.21037/atm-22-5601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Background Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a common clinical cause of male infertility. Research suggests that macrophages are linked to testicular function; however, their involvement in NOA remains unknown. Methods To evaluate the importance of macrophages infiltration in NOA and identify the macrophage-related biomarkers, the gene-expression microarray data GSE45885 and the single-cell transcriptomic data GSE149512 were utilized from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO). A single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was conducted to investigate immune cell proliferation. The Seurat package was used for the single-cell data analysis, and the limma package was used to identify the differentially expressed genes between the NOA and normal samples. Moreover, we conducted a weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) to identify the macrophage-related key modules and genes, and conducted Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) analyses for the functional exploration. To identify the macrophage-related biomarkers, we conducted least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) analyses. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to verify the marker genes present in NOA. Results We confirmed that open reading frame 72 gene on chromosome 9 (C9orf72) [area under the curve (AUC) =0.861] and cartilage-associated protein (CRTAP) (AUC =0.917) were the hub genes of NOA, and the RT-qPCR analysis revealed the critical expression of both genes in NOA. Conclusions Through the combination of tissue transcriptomic and single-cell RNA-sequencing analyses, we concluded that macrophage infiltration is significant in different subtypes of NOA, and we hypothesized that C9orf72 and CRTAP play critical roles in NOA due to their high expression in macrophages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Luo
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China;,Reproductive Medical Center of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China;,NHC Key Laboratory of Periconception Health Birth in Western China, Kunming, China;,Faculty of Life science and Technology, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China;,Medical school, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China
| | - Haishan Zheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China;,Reproductive Medical Center of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China;,NHC Key Laboratory of Periconception Health Birth in Western China, Kunming, China
| | - Zhen Nai
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China;,Reproductive Medical Center of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China;,NHC Key Laboratory of Periconception Health Birth in Western China, Kunming, China
| | - Mingying Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China;,Reproductive Medical Center of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China;,NHC Key Laboratory of Periconception Health Birth in Western China, Kunming, China
| | - Yonggang Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China;,Reproductive Medical Center of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China;,NHC Key Laboratory of Periconception Health Birth in Western China, Kunming, China
| | - Na Lin
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China;,Reproductive Medical Center of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China;,NHC Key Laboratory of Periconception Health Birth in Western China, Kunming, China
| | - Yunxiu Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China;,Reproductive Medical Center of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China;,NHC Key Laboratory of Periconception Health Birth in Western China, Kunming, China
| | - Ze Wu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming, China;,Reproductive Medical Center of Yunnan Province, The Affiliated Hospital of Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, China;,NHC Key Laboratory of Periconception Health Birth in Western China, Kunming, China
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20
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Shi X, Zhao H, Kang Y, Dong X, Yu C, Xie Q, Duan Y, Liao A, Huang D. The Role of Mononuclear Phagocytes in the Testes and Epididymis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24. [PMID: 36613494 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) is the primary innate immune cell group in male reproductive tissues, maintaining the balance of pro-inflammatory and immune tolerance. This article aims to outline the role of mononuclear macrophages in the immune balance of the testes and epididymis, and to understand the inner immune regulation mechanism. A review of pertinent publications was performed using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases on all articles published prior to January 2021. Search terms were based on the following keywords: 'MPS', 'mononuclear phagocytes', 'testes', 'epididymis', 'macrophage', 'Mφ', 'dendritic cell', 'DC', 'TLR', 'immune', 'inflammation', and 'polarization'. Additionally, reference lists of primary and review articles were reviewed for other publications of relevance. This review concluded that MPS exhibits a precise balance in the male reproductive system. In the testes, MPS cells are mainly suppressed subtypes (M2 and cDC2) under physiological conditions, which maintain the local immune tolerance. Under pathological conditions, MPS cells will transform into M1 and cDC1, producing various cytokines, and will activate T cell specific immunity as defense to foreign pathogens or self-antigens. In the epididymis, MPS cells vary in the different segments, which express immune tolerance in the caput and pro-inflammatory condition in the cauda. Collectively, MPS is the control point for maintaining the immune tolerance of the testes and epididymis as well as for eliminating pathogens.
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21
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Abstract
The mammalian testis adopts an immune privileged environment to protect male germ cells from adverse autoimmune reaction. The testicular immune privileged status can be also hijacked by various microbial pathogens as a sanctuary to escape systemic immune surveillance. In particular, several viruses have a tropism for the testis. To overcome the immune privileged status and mount an effective local defense against invading viruses, testicular cells are well equipped with innate antiviral machinery. However, several viruses may persist an elongated duration in the testis and disrupt the local immune homeostasis, thereby impairing testicular functions and male fertility. Moreover, the viruses in the testis, as well as other organs of the male reproductive system, can shed to the semen, thus allowing sexual transmission to partners. Viral infection in the testis, which can impair male fertility and lead to sexual transmission, is a serious concern in research on known and on new emerging viruses. To provide references for our scientific peers, this article reviews research achievements and suggests future research focuses in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Yongmei Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Daishu Han
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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22
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Du Z, Li W, Liu C, Wang C, Wang D, Zhu S, Kang X, Jiang R, Deng L, Li D, Sun G. Transcriptome analysis of the testes of male chickens with high and low sperm motility. Poult Sci 2022. [PMID: 36215742 PMCID: PMC9554828 DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2022.102183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The reproductive performance of chicken breeders has significant economic importance in the poultry industry, and sperm motility is an indicator of reproductive performance. This study performed RNA-seq of the testes of Gushi chicken roosters with high and low sperm motility and identified differentially expressed RNAs involved in sperm motility. RNA-seq analysis showed that 73 and 67 differentially expressed mRNAs were up- and downregulated, and 47 and 56 differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs were up- and downregulated, respectively. The genes related to sperm motility and spermatogenesis included KIFC1, KCNK2, and REC8. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the pathways related to sperm motility included oxidative phosphorylation and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism. In addition, the MSTRG.15920.1-REC8-MSTRG.11860.2-VWC2 pathway may regulate sperm motility. This study helped elucidate the molecular genetic mechanism of sperm motility in chicken.
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23
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Santacroce L, Imbimbo C, Ballini A, Crocetto F, Scacco S, Cantore S, Di Zazzo E, Colella M, Jirillo E. Testicular Immunity and Its Connection with the Microbiota. Physiological and Clinical Implications in the Light of Personalized Medicine. J Pers Med 2022; 12:1335. [PMID: 36013286 PMCID: PMC9409709 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproduction is a complex process, which is based on the cooperation between the endocrine-immune system and the microbiota. Testicular immunity is characterized by the so-called immune privilege, a mechanism that avoids autoimmune attacks against proteins expressed by spermatozoa. Testicular microbiota is connected with the gut microbiota, the most prevalent site of commensals inthe body. Both microbiotas take part inthe development of the immune system and protection againstpathogen invasion. Dysbiosis is caused by concurrent pathologies, such as obesity, diabetes, infections and trauma. The substitution of beneficial bacteria with pathogens may lead to destruction of spermatozoa directly or indirectly and, ultimately, to male infertility. Novel therapeutic interventions, i.e., nutritional interventions and supplementation of natural products, such as, probiotics, prebiotics, antioxidants and polyphenols, may lead to the restoration of the otherwise-impaired male reproductive potential, even if experimental and clinical results are not always concordant. In this review, the structure and immune function of the testis will be described with special reference to the blood-testisbarrier. The regulatory role of both the gut and testicular microbiota will be illustrated in health and disease, also emphasizing therapeutic attempts with natural products for the correction of male infertility, in the era of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Santacroce
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ciro Imbimbo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballini
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Crocetto
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Scacco
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Cantore
- Independent Researcher, Sorriso & Benessere—Ricerca e Clinica, 70129 Bari, Italy
| | - Erika Di Zazzo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Marica Colella
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Emilio Jirillo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
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24
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Dietrich MA, Adamek M, Teitge F, Teich L, Jung-Schroers V, Malinowska A, Świderska B, Rakus K, Kodzik N, Chadzińska M, Karol H, Liszewska E, Ciereszko A. Proteomic analysis of carp seminal plasma provides insights into the immune response to bacterial infection of the male reproductive system. Fish Shellfish Immunol 2022; 127:822-835. [PMID: 35840052 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2022.07.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Aeromonas salmonicida is recognized as a significant bacterial pathogen in ulcerative disease of cyprinid fish. However, the mechanism of immunity to these bacteria in common carp is still not well understood, especially the immune regulation in the gonad to bacterial infection. The aims of our study were to analyze changes in the seminal plasma proteome following A. salmonicida infection in carp males. The observed pathological changes in the tissue (liver, spleen, kidney and testis) morphology and upregulation of immune-related genes (tnfa2, il6a) confirmed the successful infection challenge. Using mass spectrometry-based label-free quantitative proteomics, we identified 1402 seminal plasma proteins, and 44 proteins (20 up- and 24 downregulated) were found to be differentially abundant between infected and control males. Most differentially abundant proteins were involved in the immune response mechanisms, such as acute phase response, complement activation and coagulation, inflammation, lipid metabolism, cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesion, creatine-phosphate biosynthesis and germ cell-Sertoli cell junction signaling. Bacterial infection also caused profound changes in expression of selected genes in the testis and hematopoietic organs, which contributed to changes in seminal proteins. The altered seminal proteins and bacterial proteins in seminal plasma may serve as valuable markers of infection in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariola A Dietrich
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland.
| | - Mikołaj Adamek
- Fish Disease Research Unit, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Felix Teitge
- Fish Disease Research Unit, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Lukas Teich
- Fish Disease Research Unit, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Verena Jung-Schroers
- Fish Disease Research Unit, Institute for Parasitology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559, Hannover, Germany
| | - Agata Malinowska
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Bianka Świderska
- Mass Spectrometry Laboratory, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Pawinskiego 5a, 02-106, Warszawa, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Rakus
- Department of Evolutionary Immunology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Natalia Kodzik
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Magdalena Chadzińska
- Department of Evolutionary Immunology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, Gronostajowa 9, 30-387, Krakow, Poland
| | - Halina Karol
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewa Liszewska
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Andrzej Ciereszko
- Department of Gamete and Embryo Biology, Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Tuwima 10, 10-748, Olsztyn, Poland
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25
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Hosseini S, Moody SC, Fietz D, Indumathy S, Schuppe HC, Hedger MP, Loveland KL. The changing landscape of immune cells in the fetal mouse testis. Histochem Cell Biol 2022; 158:345-368. [PMID: 35829816 PMCID: PMC9512757 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-022-02129-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Fetal testis growth involves cell influx and extensive remodeling. Immediately after sex determination in mouse, macrophages enable normal cord formation and removal of inappropriately positioned cells. This study provides new information about macrophages and other immune cells after cord formation in fetal testes, including their density, distribution, and close cellular contacts. C57BL6J mouse testes from embryonic day (E) 13.5 to birth (post-natal day 0; PND0), were examined using immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and RT-qPCR to identify macrophages (F4/80, CD206, MHCII), T cells (CD3), granulocytes/neutrophils (Ly6G), and germ cells (DDX4). F4/80+ cells were the most abundant, comprising 90% of CD45+ cells at E13.5 and declining to 65% at PND0. Changes in size, shape, and markers (CD206 and MHCII) documented during this interval align with the understanding that F4/80+ cells have different origins during embryonic life. CD3+ cells and F4/80−/MHCII+ were absent to rare until PND0. Ly6G+ cells were scarce at E13.5 but increased robustly by PND0 to represent half of the CD45+ cells. These immunofluorescence data were in accord with transcript analysis, which showed that immune marker mRNAs increased with testis age. F4/80+ and Ly6G+ cells were frequently inside cords adjacent to germ cells at E13.5 and E15.5. F4/80+ cells were often in clusters next to other immune cells. Macrophages inside cords at E13.5 and E15.5 (F4/80Hi/CD206+) were different from macrophages at PND0 (F4/80Dim/CD206−), indicating that they have distinct origins. This histological quantification coupled with transcript information identifies new cellular interactions for immune cells in fetal testis morphogenesis, and highlights new avenues for studies of their functional significance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samira Hosseini
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Sarah C Moody
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Institute of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sivanjah Indumathy
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright St, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia. .,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia. .,Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, School of Biomedical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia.
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26
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Rotimi DE, Olaolu TD, Adeyemi OS. Pharmacological action of quercetin against testicular dysfunction: A mini review. J Integr Med 2022; 20:396-401. [PMID: 35850969 DOI: 10.1016/j.joim.2022.07.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The testis is an immune-privileged organ susceptible to oxidative stress and inflammation, two major factors implicated in male infertility. A reduction in the concentration and activities of testicular function biomarkers has been shown to correlate with impaired hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis and oxidative stress. However, the use of natural products to ameliorate these oxidative stress-induced changes may be essential to improving male reproductive function. Quercetin possesses several pharmacological activities that may help to combat cellular reproduction-related assaults, such as altered sperm function and reproductive hormone dysfunction, and dysregulated testicular apoptosis, oxidative stress, and inflammation. Studies have shown that quercetin ameliorates testicular toxicity, largely by inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species, with the aid of the two antioxidant pharmacophores present in its ring structure. The radical-scavenging property of quercetin may alter signal transduction of oxidative stress-induced apoptosis, prevent inflammation, and increase sperm quality in relation to the hormonal concentration. In this review, the therapeutic potential of quercetin in mediating male reproductive health is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Damilare E Rotimi
- SDG 03 Group-Good Health & Well-being, Landmark University, Omu-Aran 251101, Kwara State, Nigeria; Department of Biochemistry, Medicinal Biochemistry, Nanomedicine & Toxicology Laboratory, Landmark University, Omu-Aran 251101, Kwara State, Nigeria.
| | - Tomilola D Olaolu
- SDG 03 Group-Good Health & Well-being, Landmark University, Omu-Aran 251101, Kwara State, Nigeria; Department of Biochemistry, Medicinal Biochemistry, Nanomedicine & Toxicology Laboratory, Landmark University, Omu-Aran 251101, Kwara State, Nigeria
| | - Oluyomi S Adeyemi
- SDG 03 Group-Good Health & Well-being, Landmark University, Omu-Aran 251101, Kwara State, Nigeria; Department of Biochemistry, Medicinal Biochemistry, Nanomedicine & Toxicology Laboratory, Landmark University, Omu-Aran 251101, Kwara State, Nigeria
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27
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Abstract
The testis must create and maintain an immune privileged environment to protect maturing germ cells from autoimmune destruction. The establishment of this protective environment is due, at least in part, to Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells line the seminiferous tubules and form the blood-testis barrier (BTB), a barrier between advanced germ cells and the immune system. The BTB compartmentalizes the germ cells and facilitates the appropriate microenvironment necessary for spermatogenesis. Further, Sertoli cells modulate innate and adaptive immune processes through production of immunoregulatory compounds. Sertoli cells, when transplanted ectopically (outside the testis), can also protect transplanted tissue from the recipient’s immune system and reduce immune complications in autoimmune diseases primarily by immune regulation. These properties make Sertoli cells an attractive candidate for inflammatory disease treatments and cell-based therapies. Conversely, the same properties that protect the germ cells also allow the testis to act as a reservoir site for infections. Interestingly, Sertoli cells also have the ability to mount an antimicrobial response, if necessary, as in the case of infections. This review aims to explore how Sertoli cells act as a double-edged sword to both protect germ cells from an autoimmune response and activate innate and adaptive immune responses to fight off infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel L Washburn
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Immunology and Infectious Disease Concentration, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Taylor Hibler
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Immunology and Infectious Disease Concentration, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Gurvinder Kaur
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
| | - Jannette M Dufour
- Department of Cell Biology and Biochemistry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Immunology and Infectious Disease Concentration, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States.,Department of Medical Education, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX, United States
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28
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Chen T, Wang Y, Tian L, Guo X, Xia J, Wang Z, Song N. Aberrant Gene Expression Profiling in Men With Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome. Front Immunol 2022; 13:821010. [PMID: 35833143 PMCID: PMC9273009 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.821010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) is the most severe and common pathological type of non-obstructive azoospermia. The etiology of SCOS remains largely unknown to date despite a handful of studies reported in this area. According to the gene expression of testicular tissue samples in six datasets from the Gene Expression Omnibus, we detected 1441 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between SCOS and obstructive azoospermia (OA) testicular tissue samples. Enriched GO terms and KEGG pathways for the downregulated genes included various terms and pathways related to cell cycle and reproduction, while the enrichment for the upregulated genes yielded many inflammation-related terms and pathways. In accordance with the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network, all genes in the most critical module belonged to the downregulated DEGs, and we obtained nine hub genes, including CCNB1, AURKA, CCNA2, BIRC5, TYMS, UBE2C, CDC20, TOP2A, and OIP5. Among these hub genes, six were also found in the most significant SCOS-specific module obtained from consensus module analysis. In addition, most of SCOS-specific modules did not have a consensus counterpart. Based on the downregulated genes, transcription factors (TFs) and kinases within the upstream regulatory network were predicted. Then, we compared the difference in infiltrating levels of immune cells between OA and SCOS samples and found a significantly higher degree of infiltration for most immune cells in SCOS than OA samples. Moreover, CD56bright natural killer cell was significantly associated with six hub genes. Enriched hallmark pathways in SCOS had remarkably more upregulated pathways than the downregulated ones. Collectively, we detected DEGs, significant modules, hub genes, upstream TFs and kinases, enriched downstream pathways, and infiltrated immune cells that might be specifically implicated in the pathogenesis of SCOS. These findings provide new insights into the pathogenesis of SCOS and fuel future advances in its theranostics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tong Chen
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yichun Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Linlin Tian
- Department of Microbiology Laboratory, Nanjing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanjing, China
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jiadong Xia
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zengjun Wang
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Ninghong Song, ; Zengjun Wang,
| | - Ninghong Song
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- The Affiliated Kezhou People’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Kezhou, China
- *Correspondence: Ninghong Song, ; Zengjun Wang,
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29
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Zhou Y, Ding X, Wei H. Reproductive immune microenvironment. J Reprod Immunol 2022; 152:103654. [PMID: 35728349 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
About 10 %-12 % of couples in the world suffer from infertility, and immunological factors are being paid more and more attention. Attempts to induce peripheral immune tolerance in pregnant women by injecting husband cells have been widely promoted, but ultimately proved unsuccessful. Over the past two decades, our understanding of how the immune system is involved in gametogenesis and embryonic development, especially in early pregnancy, has undergone a major shift, going from the periphery to the local area of reproductive tissue. However, a holistic overview of immune responses in reproductive organs and tissues is currently lacking. Here, we further highlight the importance of regional immunity research for understanding reproductive health by reviewing the research mileage of the testis, ovary, and uterine immune microenvironment. We propose the concept of "reproductive immune microenvironment (RIM)" by summarizing the common features and basic functions of the tissue microenvironment in which immune cells reside, including the interstitial space of the testis, the ovarian stroma and the endometrium. The establishment of the concept of RIM not only focuses on the comprehensive description of the immune response in reproductive tissues, but also provides a macroscopic perspective for a deeper understanding of the immune etiology of reproductive system-related diseases.
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O'Donnell L, Smith LB, Rebourcet D. Sperm-specific proteins: new implications for diagnostic development and cancer immunotherapy. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2022; 77:102104. [PMID: 35671587 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2022.102104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Spermatozoa are comprised of many unique proteins not expressed elsewhere. Sperm-specific proteins are first expressed at puberty, after the development of immune tolerance to self-antigens, and have been assumed to remain confined inside the seminiferous tubules, protected from immune cell recognition by various mechanisms of testicular immune privilege. However, new data has shown that sperm-specific proteins are released by the tubules into the surrounding interstitial fluid; from here they can contact immune cells, potentially promote immune tolerance, and enter the circulation. These new findings have clinical implications for diagnostics and therapeutics targeted at a specific class of proteins known as cancer-testis antigens (CTA), the opportunity to identify new communication pathways in the testis, and to discover new ways to monitor testis function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza O'Donnell
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, 3168, Victoria, Australia; Monash University, Clayton, 3168, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Lee B Smith
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK; Griffith University, Parklands Drive, Southport, 4222, Queensland, Australia
| | - Diane Rebourcet
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Navaneethabalakrishnan S, Wilcox BK, Goodlett BL, Murphy MM, Mitchell BM. Hypertension Induces Gonadal Macrophage Imbalance, Inflammation, Lymphangiogenesis, and Dysfunction. Clin Sci (Lond) 2022:CS20220117. [PMID: 35532133 DOI: 10.1042/CS20220117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Hypertension (HTN) is associated with gonadal dysfunction and impaired reproductive health in both men and women. An imbalance in the systemic and renal pro-inflammatory (M1)/anti-inflammatory (M2) macrophage ratio, increased inflammation, and inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis have been observed in animals with HTN. However, the impact of HTN on gonadal macrophages, inflammation, and lymphatics remains obscure. We hypothesized that salt-sensitive HTN (SSHTN) and HTN alters gonadal macrophage polarization, which is associated with inflammation, inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis and reproductive dysfunction. Flow cytometry analyses revealed a significant increase in M1 macrophages in the testes of SSHTN and nitric oxide synthase inhibition-induced HTN (LHTN) mice, with a concurrent decrease in M2 macrophages in SSHTN mice yet an increase in M2 macrophages in LHTN mice. Ovaries from SSHTN mice exhibited increase in M1 and a decrease in M2 macrophages, while ovaries from LHTN mice had a significant increase in M2 and a decrease in M1 macrophages. Gene expression patterns of pro-inflammatory cytokines revealed gonadal inflammation in all hypertensive mice. Increased lymphatic vessel density in the gonads of both male and female hypertensive mice was confirmed by immunofluorescence staining for LYVE-1. HTN adversely affected the expression pattern of steroidogenic enzymes, hormone receptors, and secretory proteins in both the testes and ovaries. In line with these results, male hypertensive mice also presented with decreased sperm concentration, and increased percentage of sperm with abnormal morphology, damaged acrosome, and non-functional mitochondrial activity. These data demonstrate that HTN alters gonadal macrophage polarization, which is associated with gonadal inflammation, inflammation-associated lymphangiogenesis, and dysfunction.
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Skroblyn T, Joedicke JJ, Pfau M, Krüger K, Bourquin JP, Izraeli S, Eckert C, Höpken UE. CXCR4 mediates leukemic cell migration and survival in the testicular microenvironment. J Pathol 2022; 258:12-25. [PMID: 35522562 DOI: 10.1002/path.5924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The testis is the second most frequent extramedullary site of relapse in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The mechanism for B-cell (B) ALL cell migration towards and survival within the testis remains elusive. Here, we identified CXCL12-CXCR4 as the leading signaling axis for B-ALL cell migration and survival in the testicular leukemic niche. We combined analysis of primary human ALL with a novel patient-derived xenograft (PDX)-ALL mouse model with testicular involvement. Prerequisites for leukemic cell infiltration in the testis were pre-pubertal age of the recipient mice, high surface expression of CXCR4 on PDX-ALL cells, and CXCL12 secretion from the testicular stroma. Analysis of primary pediatric patient samples revealed that CXCR4 was the only chemokine receptor being robustly expressed on B-ALL cells both at the time of diagnosis and relapse. In affected patient testes, leukemic cells localized within the interstitial space in close proximity to testicular macrophages. Mouse macrophages isolated from affected testes, in the PDX model, revealed a macrophage polarization towards a M2-like phenotype in the presence of ALL cells. Therapeutically, blockade of CXCR4-mediated functions using an anti-CXCR4 antibody treatment completely abolished testicular infiltration of PDX-ALL cells and strongly impaired the overall development of leukemia. Collectively, we identified a pre-pubertal condition together with high CXCR4 expression as factors affecting the leukemia permissive testicular microenvironment. We propose CXCR4 as a promising target for therapeutic prevention of testicular relapses in childhood B-ALL. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Skroblyn
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, Department of Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, 13125, Berlin, Germany.,Charité-University Medicine, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Campus Virchow Klinikum, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jara J Joedicke
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, Department of Translational Tumorimmunology, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Madlen Pfau
- Charité-University Medicine, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Campus Virchow Klinikum, 13353, Berlin, Germany
| | - Kerstin Krüger
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, Department of Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, 13125, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jean P Bourquin
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Shai Izraeli
- Schneider Children's Medical Center of Israel, Petach Tiqva, and Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Cornelia Eckert
- Charité-University Medicine, Department of Pediatric Oncology, Campus Virchow Klinikum, 13353, Berlin, Germany.,German Cancer Consortium, and German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Uta E Höpken
- Max-Delbrück-Center for Molecular Medicine, MDC, Department of Microenvironmental Regulation in Autoimmunity and Cancer, 13125, Berlin, Germany
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Kalavska K, Sestakova Z, Mlcakova A, Gronesova P, Miskovska V, Rejlekova K, Svetlovska D, Sycova-mila Z, Obertova J, Palacka P, Mardiak J, Chovanec M, Chovanec M, Mego M. Detection of Specific Immune Cell Subpopulation Changes Associated with Systemic Immune Inflammation–Index Level in Germ Cell Tumors. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:678. [PMID: 35629346 PMCID: PMC9147028 DOI: 10.3390/life12050678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 04/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The tumor microenvironment (TME) and the host inflammatory response are closely interconnected. The interplay between systemic inflammation and the local immune response may influence tumor development and progression in various types of cancer. The systemic immune–inflammation index (SII) represents a prognostic marker for germ cell tumors (GCTs). The aim of the present study was to detect specific immune cell subpopulation changes which were associated with the SII level in chemotherapy-naïve GCT patients. In total, 51 GCT patients, prior to cisplatin-based chemotherapy, were included in the present study. Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations was performed using flow cytometry. The SII level was correlated with the percentage of various leukocyte subpopulations. The obtained results demonstrated that SII levels above the cut-off value of SII ≥ 1003 were associated with higher neutrophil percentages. An inverse correlation was found between the SII and the peripheral lymphocyte percentage that logically reflects the calculations of the SII index. Furthermore, the presented data also showed that in the lymphocyte subpopulation, the association with the SII was driven by T-cell subpopulations. In innate immunity–cell subpopulations, we observed a correlation between SII level and neutrophils as well as associations with eosinophil, basophil, natural killer cell and dendritic cell percentages. We suppose that the described interactions represent a manifestation of cancer-induced immune suppression. The results of the present study contribute to the elucidation of the interrelationship between tumor cells and the innate/adaptive immune system of the host.
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Chen R, Wang F, Chen Y, Hai D. Immune homeostasis and disorder in the testis —roles of Sertoli cells. J Reprod Immunol 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
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Kalavska K, Sestakova Z, Mlcakova A, Gronesova P, Miskovska V, Rejlekova K, Svetlovska D, Sycova-Mila Z, Obertova J, Palacka P, Mardiak J, Chovanec M, Chovanec M, Mego M. Comprehensive Assessment of Selected Immune Cell Subpopulations Changes in Chemotherapy-Naïve Germ Cell Tumor Patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:858797. [PMID: 35359385 PMCID: PMC8963339 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.858797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The pattern of immune cell distribution in testicular germ cell tumors (GCT) significantly differs from the immune environment in normal testicular tissues. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of different leukocyte subpopulation in GCTs. A cohort of 84 chemotherapy-naïve GCT patients was analyzed. Immunophenotyping of peripheral blood leukocyte subpopulations was carried out by flow cytometry. In addition, the data assessing the immunophenotypes and the baseline clinicopathological characteristics of the included subjects were statistically evaluated. Their prognostic value for the assessment of progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) was estimated. The percentage of different innate/adaptive immune cell subpopulations was significantly associated with poor risk-related clinical features, including the number of metastatic sites, presence of retroperitoneal, mediastinal, lung, brain and non-pulmonary visceral metastases as well as with the S-stage and International Germ Cell Consensus Classification Group (IGCCCG) risk groups. In univariate analysis, the percentages of neutrophils, eosinophils, dendritic cells type 2, lymphocytes and T cytotoxic cells were significantly associated with PFS, while the neutrophil, non-classical monocyte and lymphocyte percentage were associated with OS. However, all these outcome correlations were not independent of IGCCCG in multivariate analysis. The data indicated a link among different innate/adaptive peripheral immune cell subpopulations in GCT patients. In addition, the association between these subpopulations and tumor characteristics was also investigated. The findings of the present study may contribute to a deeper understanding of the interactions between cancer and innate/adaptive immune response in GCT patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katarina Kalavska
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Molecular Oncology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Zuzana Sestakova
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Institute of Children's Diseases, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Andrea Mlcakova
- Department of Hematology, National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Paulina Gronesova
- Department of Tumor Immunology, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Viera Miskovska
- 1Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, St. Elisabeth Cancer Institute, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Katarina Rejlekova
- 2Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Daniela Svetlovska
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | | | - Jana Obertova
- 2Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Patrik Palacka
- 2Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Mardiak
- 2Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Miroslav Chovanec
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Chovanec
- 2Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- Translational Research Unit, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Genetics, Cancer Research Institute, Biomedical Research Center, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia
- 2Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, National Cancer Institute, Comenius University, Bratislava, Slovakia
- Department of Oncology, National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
- *Correspondence: Michal Mego,
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Abstract
The male reproductive system consists of testes, a series of ducts connecting the testes to the external urethral orifice, accessory sex glands, and the penis. Spermatogonial stem cells differentiate and mature in testes and epididymides, and spermatozoa are ejaculated with exocrine fluids secreted by accessory sex glands. Many studies have clarified the detailed structure and function of the male reproductive system, and have shown that various biologic controls, including genomics, epigenetics, and the neuroendocrine-immune system regulate proliferation, differentiation, and maturation of germ cells. In other words (1) genetic deletion or abnormalities, (2) aberration of DNA methylation and histone modifications, as well as small RNA dysfunction, and (3) neuroendocrine-immune disorders are involved in functional failure of the male reproductive system. In this article, we review these three factors for germ cell microcircumstance, especially focused on the immunoendocrine environment. In particular, the relation between factors protecting germ cells with strong auto-immunogenicity and opposite factors compromising this protection are discussed. Reductions in sperm count, concentration, and semen quality are serious problems in developed countries, although the causes are complex and remain unclear. The accumulation of basic knowledge regarding the structure, function, and regulation of the male reproductive system under various experimental conditions will be important to resolve these problems.
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Biniwale S, Wijayarathna R, Pleuger C, Bhushan S, Loveland KL, Meinhardt A, Hedger MP. Regulation of macrophage number and gene transcript levels by activin A and its binding protein, follistatin, in the testes of adult mice. J Reprod Immunol 2022; 151:103618. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2022.103618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Peng W, Kepsch A, Kracht TO, Hasan H, Wijayarathna R, Wahle E, Pleuger C, Bhushan S, Günther S, Kauerhof AC, Planinić A, Fietz D, Schuppe HC, Wygrecka M, Loveland KL, Ježek D, Meinhardt A, Hedger MP, Fijak M. Activin A and CCR2 regulate macrophage function in testicular fibrosis caused by experimental autoimmune orchitis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:602. [PMID: 36434305 PMCID: PMC9700630 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04632-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Experimental autoimmune-orchitis (EAO), a rodent model of chronic testicular inflammation and fibrosis, replicates pathogenic changes seen in some cases of human spermatogenic disturbances. During EAO, increased levels of pro-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic mediators such as TNF, CCL2, and activin A are accompanied by infiltration of leukocytes into the testicular parenchyma. Activin A levels correlate with EAO severity, while elevated CCL2 acting through its receptor CCR2 mediates leukocyte trafficking and recruits macrophages. CCR2 + CXCR4 + macrophages producing extracellular matrix proteins contribute widely to fibrogenesis. Furthermore, testicular macrophages (TMs) play a critical role in organ homeostasis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the role of the activin A/CCL2-CCR2/macrophage axis in the development of testicular fibrosis. Following EAO induction, we observed lower levels of organ damage, collagen deposition, and leukocyte infiltration (including fibronectin+, collagen I+ and CXCR4+ TMs) in Ccr2-/- mice than in WT mice. Furthermore, levels of Il-10, Ccl2, and the activin A subunit Inhba mRNAs were lower in Ccr2-/- EAO testes. Notably, fibronectin+ TMs were also present in biopsies from patients with impaired spermatogenesis and fibrotic alterations. Overexpression of the activin A antagonist follistatin reduced tissue damage and collagen I+ TM accumulation in WT EAO testes, while treating macrophages with activin A in vitro increased the expression of Ccr2, Fn1, Cxcr4, and Mmp2 and enhanced migration along a CCL2 gradient; these effects were abolished by follistatin. Taken together, our data indicate that CCR2 and activin A promote fibrosis during testicular inflammation by regulating macrophage function. Inhibition of CCR2 or activin A protects against damage progression, offering a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Peng
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Artem Kepsch
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Till O Kracht
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hiba Hasan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Rukmali Wijayarathna
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Eva Wahle
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Christiane Pleuger
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- ECCPS Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - A Christine Kauerhof
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Ana Planinić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Daniela Fietz
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Department of Urology, Paediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Małgorzata Wygrecka
- Center for Infection and Genomics of the Lung, German Center for Lung Research, University of Giessen and Marburg Lung Center, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Davor Ježek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, VIC, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia
| | - Monika Fijak
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Aulweg 123, 35392, Giessen, Germany.
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Zhang HP, Zhao K, Xu J, He C, Fang YW, Hu ZY, Peng ML, Chen YY, Su YF, Liu CY. Testicular exosomes disturb the immunosuppressive phenotype of testicular macrophages mediated by miR-155-5p in uropathogenic Escherichia coli-induced orchitis. Asian J Androl 2022; 25:389-397. [PMID: 35915541 DOI: 10.4103/aja202243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Male reproductive infections are known to shape the immunological homeostasis of the testes, leading to male infertility. However, the specific pathogenesis of these changes remains poorly understood. Exosomes released in the inflammatory microenvironment are important in communication between the local microenvironment and recipient cells. Here, we aim to identify the immunomodulatory properties of inflammatory testes-derived exosomes (IT-exos) and explore their underlying mechanisms in orchitis. IT-exos were isolated using a uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC)-induced orchitis model and confirmed that IT-exos promoted proinflammatory M1 activation with increasing expression of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) in vitro. We further used small RNA sequencing to identify the differential miRNA profiles in exosomes and primary testicular macrophages (TMs) from normal and UPEC-infected testes, respectively, and identified that miR-155-5p was highly enriched in IT-exos and TMs from inflammatory testes. Further study of bone marrow derived macrophages (BMDMs) transfected with miR-155-5p mimic showed that macrophages polarized to proinflammatory phenotype. In addition, the mice that were administrated IT-exos showed remarkable activation of TM1-like macrophages; however, IT-exos with silencing miR-155-5p showed a decrease in proinflammatory responses. Overall, we demonstrate that miR-155-5p delivered by IT-exos plays an important role in the activation of TM1 in UPEC-induced orchitis. Our study provides a new perspective on the immunological mechanisms underlying inflammation-related male infertility.
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O'Donnell L, Smith LB, Rebourcet D. Sertoli cells as key drivers of testis function. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 121:2-9. [PMID: 34229950 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Sertoli cells are the orchestrators of spermatogenesis; they support fetal germ cell commitment to the male pathway and are essential for germ cell development, from maintenance of the spermatogonial stem cell niche and spermatogonial populations, through meiosis and spermiogeneis and to the final release of mature spermatids during spermiation. However, Sertoli cells are also emerging as key regulators of other testis somatic cells, including supporting peritubular myoid cell development in the pre-pubertal testis and supporting the function of the testicular vasculature and in contributing to testicular immune privilege. Sertoli cells also have a major role in regulating androgen production within the testis, by specifying interstitial cells to a steroidogenic fate, contributing to androgen production in the fetal testis, and supporting fetal and adult Leydig cell development and function. Here, we provide an overview of the specific roles for Sertoli cells in the testis and highlight how these cells are key drivers of testicular sperm output, and of adult testis size and optimal function of other testicular somatic cells, including the steroidogenic Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza O'Donnell
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Victoria, Australia; Monash University, Clayton 3168, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Lee B Smith
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia; MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK
| | - Diane Rebourcet
- College of Engineering, Science and Environment, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Zhang Q, Cui Y, Yu S, He J, Pan Y, Bai Z. Expression characteristics of immune factors in the yak (Bos grunniens) testis. Reprod Domest Anim 2021; 56:1192-1199. [PMID: 34216048 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The goal of this study was to characterize and evaluate the main markers of macrophages, T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes and plasmocytes in the testis of juvenile and adult yaks by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry. Within the same age group, the mRNA expression of CD68 was always highest, followed by that of CD3ε, CD79α, IgG and IgA. Moreover, CD68, CD3, CD79α, IgA and IgG positive cells were all located in the testicular interstitial tissues of juvenile and adult yaks. In the same age group, the frequency of CD68 positive macrophages was higher than that of CD3 positive T lymphocytes, which was followed by that of CD79α positive B lymphocytes and IgA and IgG positive plasmocytes. No significant difference was observed between the B lymphocyte and plasmocyte frequencies in yak testes. Furthermore, CD68, CD3ε, CD79α, IgA and IgG mRNA expression levels and the frequencies of CD68, CD3, CD79α, IgA and IgG positive cells increased from juveniles to adults. Similarly, the frequencies of CD68, CD3, CD79α, IgA and IgG positive cells also increased with age. These results suggest that in the yak testis, the immune defence system against pathogens might primarily comprise macrophages and T lymphocytes in the testicular interstitial tissue. Moreover, the testicular immune environment may mature and expand to a fully functional state in adult yaks. The low frequencies of B lymphocyte and plasmocyte in yaks, differing from those in rodents and humans, might be related to the fact that yaks live in low-oxygen plateaus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yan Cui
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sijiu Yu
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Junfeng He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Pan
- Gansu Province Livestock Embryo Engineering Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zhanchun Bai
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
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Frungieri MB, Calandra RS, Bartke A, Matzkin ME. Male and female gonadal ageing: its impact on health span and life span. Mech Ageing Dev 2021; 197:111519. [PMID: 34139215 DOI: 10.1016/j.mad.2021.111519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Ageing is linked to changes in the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and a progressive decline in gonadal function. While women become infertile when they enter menopause, fertility decline in ageing men does not necessarily involve a complete cessation of spermatogenesis. Gonadal dysfunction in elderly people is characterized by morphological, endocrine and metabolic alterations affecting the reproductive function and quality of life. With advancing age, sexuality turns into a critical emotional and physical factor actually defining the number of years that ageing people live a healthy life. Gonadal ageing correlates with comorbidities and an increased risk of age-related diseases including diabetes, kidney problems, cardiovascular failures and cancer. This article briefly summarizes the current state of knowledge on ovarian and testicular senescence, explores the experimental models used in the study of gonadal ageing, and describes the local pro-inflammatory, oxidative and apoptotic events and the associated signalling pathways that take place in the gonads while people get older. Overall, literature reports that ageing exacerbates a mutual crosstalk among oxidative stress, apoptosis and the inflammatory response in the gonads leading to detrimental effects on fertility. Data also highlight the clinical implications of novel therapeutic interventions using antioxidant, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory drugs on health span and life span.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mónica B Frungieri
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, C1428ADN, Argentina; Cátedra de Química, Ciclo Básico Común, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, C1405CAE, Argentina.
| | - Ricardo S Calandra
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Andrzej Bartke
- Division of Geriatrics Research, Department of Internal Medicine, Southern Illinois University, School of Medicine, Springfield, IL 62702, USA
| | - María E Matzkin
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, C1428ADN, Argentina; Cátedra de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires, C1121ABG, Argentina
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Gu X, Li SY, DeFalco T. Immune and vascular contributions to organogenesis of the testis and ovary. FEBS J 2021; 289:2386-2408. [PMID: 33774913 PMCID: PMC8476657 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/26/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Gonad development is a highly regulated process that coordinates cell specification and morphogenesis to produce sex-specific organ structures that are required for fertility, such as testicular seminiferous tubules and ovarian follicles. While sex determination occurs within specialized gonadal supporting cells, sexual differentiation is evident throughout the entire organ, including within the interstitial compartment, which contains immune cells and vasculature. While immune and vascular cells have been traditionally appreciated for their supporting roles during tissue growth and homeostasis, an increasing body of evidence supports the idea that these cell types are critical drivers of sexually dimorphic morphogenesis of the gonad. Myeloid immune cells, such as macrophages, are essential for multiple aspects of gonadogenesis and fertility, including for forming and maintaining gonadal vasculature in both sexes at varying stages of life. While vasculature is long known for supporting organ growth and serving as an export mechanism for gonadal sex steroids in utero, it is also an important component of fetal testicular morphogenesis and differentiation; additionally, it is vital for ovarian corpus luteal function and maintenance of pregnancy. These findings point toward a new paradigm in which immune cells and blood vessels are integral components of sexual differentiation and organogenesis. In this review, we discuss the state of the field regarding the diverse roles of immune and vascular cells during organogenesis of the testis and ovary and highlight outstanding questions in the field that could stimulate new research into these previously underappreciated constituents of the gonad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaowei Gu
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH, USA
| | - Shu-Yun Li
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH, USA
| | - Tony DeFalco
- Division of Reproductive Sciences, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, OH, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, OH, USA
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Gong J, Zeng Q, Yu D, Duan YG. T Lymphocytes and Testicular Immunity: A New Insight into Immune Regulation in Testes. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 22:ijms22010057. [PMID: 33374605 PMCID: PMC7793097 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The immune privilege of the testes is necessary to prevent immune attacks to gamete-specific antigens and paternal major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, allowing for normal spermatogenesis. However, infection and inflammation of the male genital tract can break the immune tolerance and represent a significant cause of male infertility. Different T cell subsets have been identified in mammalian testes, which may be involved in the maintenance of immune tolerance and pathogenic immune responses in testicular infection and inflammation. We reviewed the evidence in the published literature on different T subtypes (regulatory T cells, helper T cells, cytotoxic T cells, γδ T cells, and natural killer T cells) in human and animal testes that support their regulatory roles in infertility and the orchitis pathology. While many in vitro studies have indicated the regulation potential of functional T cell subsets and their possible interaction with Sertoli cells, Leydig cells, and spermatogenesis, both under physiological and pathological processes, there have been no in situ studies to date. Nevertheless, the normal distribution and function of T cell subsets are essential for the immune privilege of the testes and intact spermatogenesis, and T cell-mediated immune response drives testicular inflammation. The distinct function of different T cell subsets in testicular homeostasis and the orchitis pathology suggests a considerable potential of targeting specific T cell subsets for therapies targeting chronic orchitis and immune infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialei Gong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Qunxiong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Di Yu
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD 4102, Australia
| | - Yong-Gang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
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