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Sosnicki DM, Cohen R, Asano A, Nelson JL, Mukai C, Comizzoli P, Travis AJ. Segmental differentiation of the murine epididymis: identification of segment-specific, GM1-enriched vesicles and regulation by luminal fluid factors†. Biol Reprod 2023; 109:864-877. [PMID: 37694824 PMCID: PMC10724454 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad120] [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: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The murine epididymis has 10 distinct segments that provide the opportunity to identify compartmentalized cell physiological mechanisms underlying sperm maturation. However, despite the essential role of the epididymis in reproduction, remarkably little is known about segment-specific functions of this organ. Here, we investigate the dramatic segmental localization of the ganglioside GM1, a glycosphingolipid already known to play key roles in sperm capacitation and acrosome exocytosis. Frozen tissue sections of epididymides from adult mice were treated with the binding subunit of cholera toxin conjugated to AlexaFluor 488 to label GM1. We report that GM1-enriched vesicles were found exclusively in principal and clear cells of segment 2. These vesicles were also restricted to the lumen of segment 2 and did not appear to flow with the sperm into segment 3, within the limits of detection by confocal microscopy. Interestingly, this segment-specific presence was altered in several azoospermic mouse models and in wild-type mice after efferent duct ligation. These findings indicate that a lumicrine factor, itself dependent on spermatogenesis, controls this segmental differentiation. The RNA sequencing results confirmed global de-differentiation of the proximal epididymal segments in response to efferent duct ligation. Additionally, GM1 localization on the surface of the sperm head increased as sperm transit through segment 2 and have contact with the GM1-enriched vesicles. This is the first report of segment-specific vesicles and their role in enriching sperm with GM1, a glycosphingolipid known to be critical for sperm function, providing key insights into the segment-specific physiology and function of the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle M Sosnicki
- Cornell University, Baker Institute for Animal Health, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Department of Reproductive Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Roy Cohen
- Cornell University, Baker Institute for Animal Health, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Cornell University, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Atsushi Asano
- University of Tsukuba, Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, Tsukuba, Japan
| | | | - Chinatsu Mukai
- Cornell University, Baker Institute for Animal Health, Ithaca, NY, USA
| | - Pierre Comizzoli
- Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, Department of Reproductive Sciences, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alexander J Travis
- Cornell University, Baker Institute for Animal Health, Ithaca, NY, USA
- Cornell University, Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, Ithaca, NY, USA
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2
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Cohen R, Sosnicki DM, White MA, Nelson JL, Mukai C, Travis AJ. Real-Time Imaging of Acrosomal Calcium Dynamics and Exocytosis in Live Mouse Sperm. J Vis Exp 2023. [PMID: 37902325 DOI: 10.3791/65962] [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] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Acrosome exocytosis (AE), in which the sperm's single exocytotic vesicle fuses with the plasma membrane, is a complex, calcium-dependent process essential for fertilization. However, our understanding of how calcium signaling regulates AE is still incomplete. In particular, the interplay between intra-acrosomal calcium dynamics and the intermediate steps leading to AE is not well-defined. Here, we describe a method that provides spatial and temporal insights into acrosomal calcium dynamics and their relationship to membrane fusion and subsequent exocytosis of the acrosome vesicle. The method utilizes a novel transgenic mouse expressing an Acrosome-targeted Sensor for Exocytosis (AcroSensE). The sensor combines a genetically encoded calcium indicator (GCaMP) fused with mCherry. This fusion protein was specifically designed to enable the concurrent observation of acrosomal calcium dynamics and membrane fusion events. Real-time monitoring of acrosomal calcium dynamics and AE in live AcroSensE sperm is achieved using a combination of high frame-rate imaging and a stimulant delivery system that can target single sperm. This protocol also provides several examples of basic methods to quantify and analyze the raw data. Because the AcroSensE model is genetically encoded, its scientific significance can be augmented by using readily available genetic tools, such as crossbreeding with other mouse genetic models or gene-editing (CRISPR) based methods. With this strategy, the roles of additional signaling pathways in sperm capacitation and fertilization can be resolved. In summary, the method described here provides a convenient and effective tool to study calcium dynamics in a specific subcellular compartment-the sperm acrosome-and how those dynamics regulate the intermediate steps leading to membrane fusion and acrosome exocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Cohen
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University;
| | - Danielle M Sosnicki
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
| | - Melissa A White
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
| | - Jacquelyn L Nelson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
| | - Chinatsu Mukai
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
| | - Alexander J Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University; Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University
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Shree R, McCartney S, Cousin E, Chae A, Gammill HS, Nelson JL, Kanaan SB. Umbilical Cord Maternal Microchimerism in Normal and Preeclampsia Pregnancies. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:1157-1164. [PMID: 36168088 PMCID: PMC10900989 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01080-0] [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: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Bidirectional exchange of cells between mother and fetus establishes microchimerism (Mc). Mc can persist for decades and is associated with later-life health and disease. Greater fetal Mc is detected in the maternal compartment in preeclampsia (PE), but whether maternal Mc (MMC) in umbilical cord blood (CB) is altered in PE is unknown. We evaluated MMc in CB from normal and PE pregnancies. DNA from CB mononuclear cells following placental delivery (n = 36 PE, n = 37 controls) and maternal blood was extracted and genotyped. MMc, quantified by qPCR assays targeting maternal-specific nonshared polymorphisms in CB, was compared using logistic and negative binomial regression models. Clinically and statistically relevant confounders were included, and included the total number of cell equivalents tested, gravidity, mode of delivery, birthweight, and fetal sex. PE participants delivered at earlier gestational ages, with higher Cesarean rates, and lower infant birthweights. CB MMc detection was similar between PE and controls (52.8% vs. 51.3%, respectively, p = 0.90) and unchanged after adjustment for confounders. MMc concentration was not different between groups (mean 73.7 gEq/105 gEq in PE vs. mean 22.8 gEq/105 in controls, p = 0.56), including after controlling for confounders (p = 0.64). There was no difference in CB MMc detection or concentration between PE and normal pregnancies, despite previously noted greater fetal Mc in the maternal compartment. This suggests possible differential transfer of cells at the maternal fetal interface in PE. Phenotypic evaluation of Mc cells may uncover underlying mechanisms for differential cellular exchange between mother and fetus in PE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Shree
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356460, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA.
| | - Stephen McCartney
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356460, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Emma Cousin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356460, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Angel Chae
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356460, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Hilary S Gammill
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Washington, 1959 NE Pacific Street, Box 356460, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - J L Nelson
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sami B Kanaan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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Cohen R, Mukai C, Nelson JL, Zenilman SS, Sosnicki DM, Travis AJ. A genetically targeted sensor reveals spatial and temporal dynamics of acrosomal calcium and sperm acrosome exocytosis. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:101868. [PMID: 35346690 PMCID: PMC9046242 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.101868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 03/19/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Secretion of the acrosome, a single vesicle located rostrally in the head of a mammalian sperm, through a process known as "acrosome exocytosis" (AE), is essential for fertilization. However, the mechanisms leading to and regulating this complex process are controversial. In particular, poor understanding of Ca2+ dynamics between sperm subcellular compartments and regulation of membrane fusion mechanisms have led to competing models of AE. Here, we developed a transgenic mouse expressing an Acrosome-targeted Sensor for Exocytosis (AcroSensE) to investigate the spatial and temporal Ca2+ dynamics in AE in live sperm. AcroSensE combines a genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator (GCaMP) fused with an mCherry indicator to spatiotemporally resolve acrosomal Ca2+ rise (ACR) and membrane fusion events, enabling real-time study of AE. We found that ACR is dependent on extracellular Ca2+ and that ACR precedes AE. In addition, we show that there are intermediate steps in ACR and that AE correlates better with the ACR rate rather than absolute Ca2+ amount. Finally, we demonstrate that ACR and membrane fusion progression kinetics and spatial patterns differ with different stimuli and that sites of initiation of ACR and sites of membrane fusion do not always correspond. These findings support a model involving functionally redundant pathways that enable a highly regulated, multistep AE in heterogeneous sperm populations, unlike the previously proposed "acrosome reaction" model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Cohen
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA.
| | - Chinatsu Mukai
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Jacquelyn L Nelson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Shoshana S Zenilman
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Danielle M Sosnicki
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
| | - Alexander J Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA; Department of Public and Ecosystem Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA
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5
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Mukai C, Nelson JL, Cheong SH, Diel de Amorim M, Travis AJ. Impacts of oocyte/zygote timing for in vitro fertilization and gene editing in the dog. Theriogenology 2020; 150:347-352. [PMID: 32088047 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2020.02.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Previously, we reported the first live births of dogs using in vitro fertilization (IVF), embryo cryopreservation, and transfer. These techniques have potential applications in the conservation of endangered canids, and development of gene editing/repair technologies that could improve animal welfare by restoring normal gene function and removing predisposition to disease. Here, we used IVF as a springboard for initial attempts at genetic modification through gene editing/repair using the Clustered Regularly-Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeat (CRISPR)-CRISPR-associated endonuclease (Cas9) system. We showed previously that timing is critical for successful IVF in that the canine oocyte must be exposed to the oviductal environment beyond simply reaching metaphase II. Others have shown that timing of injection of CRISPR-Cas9 constructs is critical in gene editing, influencing the extent of genetic mosaicism. Therefore, we investigated whether timing of injection of the gene editing/repair constructs might influence the success of embryo production and gene editing in the dog. We achieved similar IVF success to our prior report in generating 2-cell control embryos, and found equally reduced embryo production whether injection was performed in oocytes prior to fertilization, or in presumptive single-cell zygotes already exposed to sperm. We had no success at generating offspring with precise single-nucleotide changes in KRT71 via homology-directed repair (HDR), but did identify mutation of FGF5 using non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). These findings underscore the difficulties inherent to gene repair, but represent important progress on reproducibility of canine IVF, improved techniques of oocyte/embryo handling, and impact of timing of injections on embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinatsu Mukai
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - Jacquelyn L Nelson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - Soon Hon Cheong
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - Mariana Diel de Amorim
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
| | - Alexander J Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.
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Shree R, Harrington WE, Kanaan SB, Forsyth A, Cousin E, Lopez A, Nelson JL, Gammill HS. Fetal microchimerism by mode of delivery: a prospective cohort study. BJOG 2018; 126:24-31. [PMID: 30102819 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.15432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare fetal microchimerism (FMc) in pregnancies with uncomplicated vaginal delivery (VD) versus caesarean delivery (CD). DESIGN Prospective cohort study. SETTING University of Washington and Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, USA. POPULATION Women delivering singleton pregnancies without pertinent antenatal complications with uncomplicated deliveries (n = 36). METHODS We collected maternal predelivery, postdelivery and umbilical cord blood for each mother-baby pair. Following maternal and fetal genotyping, FMc was measured with quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays targeting fetus-specific polymorphisms. Quantification of FMc is expressed as genome equivalents (gEq) of fetal DNA/100 000 total gEq tested. FMc detection was evaluated by logistic regression while controlling for total number of cell equivalents tested and clinically relevant covariates. FMc concentrations were compared using negative binomial regression while controlling for the same covariates and predelivery FMc positivity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE Detection and concentration of FMc by mode of delivery. RESULTS Twenty-four mother-baby pairs had a VD and 12 had a CD. Postdelivery FMc detection was higher following CD than after VD (58.3% versus 16.7%, P = 0.02). After controlling for covariates, the likelihood of postdelivery FMc detection was almost nine-fold higher after CD than VD (odds ratio 8.8, 95% CI 1.6-47.6; P = 0.01). With respect to postdelivery FMc concentration, the detection rate ratio for CD versus VD in the adjusted negative binomial regression model was 14.7 (95% CI 3.2-66.8; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION Postdelivery peripheral FMc detection and concentration are significantly higher after CD than after VD. As FMc is associated with long-term maternal health, our findings suggest that the mode of delivery may impact this risk. TWEETABLE ABSTRACT Greater fetal microchimerism found in maternal blood following caesarean delivery compared with vaginal delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Shree
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - W E Harrington
- Department of Pediatrics, Seattle Children's Hospital, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - S B Kanaan
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - A Forsyth
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - E Cousin
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - A Lopez
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - J L Nelson
- Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - H S Gammill
- Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.,Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA, USA
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7
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Asano A, Roman HB, Hirschberger LL, Ushiyama A, Nelson JL, Hinchman MM, Stipanuk MH, Travis AJ. Cysteine dioxygenase is essential for mouse sperm osmoadaptation and male fertility. FEBS J 2018; 285:1827-1839. [PMID: 29604178 PMCID: PMC5992081 DOI: 10.1111/febs.14449] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [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: 05/25/2017] [Revised: 02/11/2018] [Accepted: 03/26/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Sperm entering the epididymis are immotile and cannot respond to stimuli that will enable them to fertilize. The epididymis is a highly complex organ, with multiple histological zones and cell types that together change the composition and functional abilities of sperm through poorly understood mechanisms. Sperm take up taurine during epididymal transit, which may play antioxidant or osmoregulatory roles. Cysteine dioxygenase (CDO) is a critical enzyme for taurine synthesis. A previous study reported that male CDO-/- mice exhibit idiopathic infertility, prompting us to investigate the functions of CDO in male fertility. Immunoblotting and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis of epididymal segments showed that androgen-dependent CDO expression was highest in the caput epididymidis. CDO-/- mouse sperm demonstrated a severe lack of in vitro fertilization ability. Acrosome exocytosis and tyrosine phosphorylation profiles in response to stimuli were normal, suggesting normal functioning of pathways associated with capacitation. CDO-/- sperm had a slight increase in head abnormalities. Taurine and hypotaurine concentrations in CDO-/- sperm decreased in the epididymal intraluminal fluid and sperm cytosol. We found no evidence of antioxidant protection against lipid peroxidation. However, CDO-/- sperm exhibited severe defects in volume regulation, swelling in response to the relatively hypo-osmotic conditions found in the female reproductive tract. Our findings suggest that epididymal CDO plays a key role in post-testicular sperm maturation, enabling sperm to osmoregulate as they transition from the male to the female reproductive tract, and provide new understanding of the compartmentalized functions of the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Asano
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
- The Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca New York 14853
| | - Heather B. Roman
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
| | | | - Ai Ushiyama
- Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8577, Japan
| | - Jacquelyn L. Nelson
- The Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca New York 14853
| | - Meleana M. Hinchman
- The Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca New York 14853
| | - Martha H. Stipanuk
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853
| | - Alexander J. Travis
- The Baker Institute for Animal Health, Cornell University, Ithaca New York 14853
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8
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Mukai C, Gao L, Nelson JL, Lata JP, Cohen R, Wu L, Hinchman MM, Bergkvist M, Sherwood RW, Zhang S, Travis AJ. Biomimicry Promotes the Efficiency of a 10‐Step Sequential Enzymatic Reaction on Nanoparticles, Converting Glucose to Lactate. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201609495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Chinatsu Mukai
- Baker Institute for Animal Health College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - Lizeng Gao
- Baker Institute for Animal Health College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - Jacquelyn L. Nelson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - James P. Lata
- Baker Institute for Animal Health College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
- Biomedical Engineering Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - Roy Cohen
- Baker Institute for Animal Health College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - Lauren Wu
- Baker Institute for Animal Health College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - Meleana M. Hinchman
- Baker Institute for Animal Health College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | | | - Robert W. Sherwood
- LSCLC Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Facility Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - Sheng Zhang
- LSCLC Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Facility Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
| | - Alexander J. Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health College of Veterinary Medicine Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
- Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future Cornell University Ithaca NY 14853 USA
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Mukai C, Gao L, Nelson JL, Lata JP, Cohen R, Wu L, Hinchman MM, Bergkvist M, Sherwood RW, Zhang S, Travis AJ. Biomimicry Promotes the Efficiency of a 10-Step Sequential Enzymatic Reaction on Nanoparticles, Converting Glucose to Lactate. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2016; 56:235-238. [PMID: 27901298 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201609495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [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: 09/28/2016] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
For nanobiotechnology to achieve its potential, complex organic-inorganic systems must grow to utilize the sequential functions of multiple biological components. Critical challenges exist: immobilizing enzymes can block substrate-binding sites or prohibit conformational changes, substrate composition can interfere with activity, and multistep reactions risk diffusion of intermediates. As a result, the most complex tethered reaction reported involves only 3 enzymes. Inspired by the oriented immobilization of glycolytic enzymes on the fibrous sheath of mammalian sperm, here we show a complex reaction of 10 enzymes tethered to nanoparticles. Although individual enzyme efficiency was higher in solution, the efficacy of the 10-step pathway measured by conversion of glucose to lactate was significantly higher when tethered. To our knowledge, this is the most complex organic-inorganic system described, and it shows that tethered, multi-step biological pathways can be reconstituted in hybrid systems to carry out functions such as energy production or delivery of molecular cargo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinatsu Mukai
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Lizeng Gao
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Jacquelyn L Nelson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - James P Lata
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.,Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Roy Cohen
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Lauren Wu
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Meleana M Hinchman
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | | | - Robert W Sherwood
- LSCLC Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Facility, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Sheng Zhang
- LSCLC Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Facility, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
| | - Alexander J Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA.,Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, 14853, USA
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10
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Nagashima JB, Sylvester SR, Nelson JL, Cheong SH, Mukai C, Lambo C, Flanders JA, Meyers-Wallen VN, Songsasen N, Travis AJ. Live Births from Domestic Dog (Canis familiaris) Embryos Produced by In Vitro Fertilization. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143930. [PMID: 26650234 PMCID: PMC4674105 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Development of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in the dog has resisted progress for decades, due to their unique reproductive physiology. This lack of progress is remarkable given the critical role ART could play in conserving endangered canid species or eradicating heritable disease through gene-editing technologies—an approach that would also advance the dog as a biomedical model. Over 350 heritable disorders/traits in dogs are homologous with human conditions, almost twice the number of any other species. Here we report the first live births from in vitro fertilized embryos in the dog. Adding to the practical significance, these embryos had also been cryopreserved. Changes in handling of both gametes enabled this progress. The medium previously used to capacitate sperm excluded magnesium because it delayed spontaneous acrosome exocytosis. We found that magnesium significantly enhanced sperm hyperactivation and ability to undergo physiologically-induced acrosome exocytosis, two functions essential to fertilize an egg. Unlike other mammals, dogs ovulate a primary oocyte, which reaches metaphase II on Days 4–5 after the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. We found that only on Day 6 are oocytes consistently able to be fertilized. In vitro fertilization of Day 6 oocytes with sperm capacitated in medium supplemented with magnesium resulted in high rates of embryo development (78.8%, n = 146). Intra-oviductal transfer of nineteen cryopreserved, in vitro fertilization (IVF)-derived embryos resulted in seven live, healthy puppies. Development of IVF enables modern genetic approaches to be applied more efficiently in dogs, and for gamete rescue to conserve endangered canid species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer B. Nagashima
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Skylar R. Sylvester
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Jacquelyn L. Nelson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Soon Hon Cheong
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Chinatsu Mukai
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Colleen Lambo
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - James A. Flanders
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Vicki N. Meyers-Wallen
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Nucharin Songsasen
- Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, National Zoological Park, Front Royal, Virginia, United States of America
| | - Alexander J. Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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11
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Cohen R, Lata JP, Lee Y, Hernández JCC, Nishimura N, Schaffer CB, Mukai C, Nelson JL, Brangman SA, Agrawal Y, Travis AJ. Use of Tethered Enzymes as a Platform Technology for Rapid Analyte Detection. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0142326. [PMID: 26605916 PMCID: PMC4659663 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0142326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rapid diagnosis for time-sensitive illnesses such as stroke, cardiac arrest, and septic shock is essential for successful treatment. Much attention has therefore focused on new strategies for rapid and objective diagnosis, such as Point-of-Care Tests (PoCT) for blood biomarkers. Here we use a biomimicry-based approach to demonstrate a new diagnostic platform, based on enzymes tethered to nanoparticles (NPs). As proof of principle, we use oriented immobilization of pyruvate kinase (PK) and luciferase (Luc) on silica NPs to achieve rapid and sensitive detection of neuron-specific enolase (NSE), a clinically relevant biomarker for multiple diseases ranging from acute brain injuries to lung cancer. We hypothesize that an approach capitalizing on the speed and catalytic nature of enzymatic reactions would enable fast and sensitive biomarker detection, suitable for PoCT devices. METHODS AND FINDINGS We performed in-vitro, animal model, and human subject studies. First, the efficiency of coupled enzyme activities when tethered to NPs versus when in solution was tested, demonstrating a highly sensitive and rapid detection of physiological and pathological concentrations of NSE. Next, in rat stroke models the enzyme-based assay was able in minutes to show a statistically significant increase in NSE levels in samples taken 1 hour before and 0, 1, 3 and 6 hours after occlusion of the distal middle cerebral artery. Finally, using the tethered enzyme assay for detection of NSE in samples from 20 geriatric human patients, we show that our data match well (r = 0.815) with the current gold standard for biomarker detection, ELISA-with a major difference being that we achieve detection in 10 minutes as opposed to the several hours required for traditional ELISA. CONCLUSIONS Oriented enzyme immobilization conferred more efficient coupled activity, and thus higher assay sensitivity, than non-tethered enzymes. Together, our findings provide proof of concept for using oriented immobilization of active enzymes on NPs as the basis for a highly rapid and sensitive biomarker detection platform. This addresses a key challenge in developing a PoCT platform for time sensitive and difficult to diagnose pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Cohen
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Rd., Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - James P. Lata
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Rd., Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Yurim Lee
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Jean C. Cruz Hernández
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Nozomi Nishimura
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Chris B. Schaffer
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Chinatsu Mukai
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Rd., Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Jacquelyn L. Nelson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Rd., Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
| | - Sharon A. Brangman
- Central New York ADAC, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY 13210, United States of America
| | - Yash Agrawal
- New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Campus, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 10065, United States of America
| | - Alexander J. Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Rd., Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
- Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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12
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Lata JP, Gao L, Mukai C, Cohen R, Nelson JL, Anguish L, Coonrod S, Travis AJ. Effects of Nanoparticle Size on Multilayer Formation and Kinetics of Tethered Enzymes. Bioconjug Chem 2015; 26:1931-8. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.5b00354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James P. Lata
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, ‡Biomedical Engineering, and §Atkinson Center
for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Lizeng Gao
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, ‡Biomedical Engineering, and §Atkinson Center
for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Chinatsu Mukai
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, ‡Biomedical Engineering, and §Atkinson Center
for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Roy Cohen
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, ‡Biomedical Engineering, and §Atkinson Center
for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Jacquelyn L. Nelson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, ‡Biomedical Engineering, and §Atkinson Center
for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Lynne Anguish
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, ‡Biomedical Engineering, and §Atkinson Center
for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Scott Coonrod
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, ‡Biomedical Engineering, and §Atkinson Center
for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
| | - Alexander J. Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, ‡Biomedical Engineering, and §Atkinson Center
for a Sustainable Future, Cornell University, , Ithaca, New York 14853, United States
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13
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Armstrong DG, Hanft JR, Driver VR, Smith APS, Lazaro-Martinez JL, Reyzelman AM, Furst GJ, Vayser DJ, Cervantes HL, Snyder RJ, Moore MF, May PE, Nelson JL, Baggs GE, Voss AC. Effect of oral nutritional supplementation on wound healing in diabetic foot ulcers: a prospective randomized controlled trial. Diabet Med 2014; 31:1069-77. [PMID: 24867069 PMCID: PMC4232867 DOI: 10.1111/dme.12509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2013] [Revised: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 05/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Among people with diabetes, 10-25% will experience a foot ulcer. Research has shown that supplementation with arginine, glutamine and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate may improve wound repair. This study tested whether such supplementation would improve healing of foot ulcers in persons with diabetes. METHODS Along with standard of care, 270 subjects received, in a double-blinded fashion, (twice per day) either arginine, glutamine and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate or a control drink for 16 weeks. The proportion of subjects with total wound closure and time to complete healing was assessed. In a post-hoc analysis, the interaction of serum albumin or limb perfusion, as measured by ankle-brachial index, and supplementation on healing was investigated. RESULTS Overall, there were no group differences in wound closure or time to wound healing at week 16. However, in subjects with an albumin level of ≤ 40 g/l and/or an ankle-brachial index of < 1.0, a significantly greater proportion of subjects in the arginine, glutamine and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate group healed at week 16 compared with control subjects (P = 0.03 and 0.008, respectively). Those with low albumin or decreased limb perfusion in the supplementation group were 1.70 (95% CI 1.04-2.79) and 1.66 (95% CI 1.15-2.38) times more likely to heal. CONCLUSIONS While no differences in healing were identified with supplementation in non-ischaemic patients or those with normal albumin, addition of arginine, glutamine and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate as an adjunct to standard of care may improve healing of diabetic foot ulcers in patients with risk of poor limb perfusion and/or low albumin levels. Further investigation involving arginine, glutamine and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate in these high-risk subgroups might prove clinically valuable.
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Affiliation(s)
- D G Armstrong
- Southern Arizona Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA), Department of Surgery, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, AZ
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14
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Cohen R, Buttke DE, Asano A, Mukai C, Nelson JL, Ren D, Miller RJ, Cohen-Kutner M, Atlas D, Travis AJ. Lipid modulation of calcium flux through CaV2.3 regulates acrosome exocytosis and fertilization. Dev Cell 2014; 28:310-21. [PMID: 24525187 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2014.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2012] [Revised: 10/23/2013] [Accepted: 01/10/2014] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Membrane lipid regulation of cell function is poorly understood. In early development, sterol efflux and the ganglioside GM1 regulate sperm acrosome exocytosis (AE) and fertilization competence through unknown mechanisms. Here, we show that sterol efflux and focal enrichment of GM1 trigger Ca(2+) influx necessary for AE through CaV2.3, whose activity has been highly controversial in sperm. Sperm lacking CaV2.3's pore-forming α1E subunit showed altered Ca(2+) responses, reduced AE, and a strong subfertility phenotype. Surprisingly, AE depended on spatiotemporal information encoded by flux through CaV2.3, not merely the presence/amplitude of Ca(2+) waves. Using studies in both sperm and voltage clamp of Xenopus oocytes, we define a molecular mechanism for GM1/CaV2.3 regulatory interaction, requiring GM1's lipid and sugar components and CaV2.3's α1E and α2δ subunits. Our results provide a mechanistic understanding of membrane lipid regulation of Ca(2+) flux and therefore Ca(2+)-dependent cellular and developmental processes such as exocytosis and fertilization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roy Cohen
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Danielle E Buttke
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Atsushi Asano
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Chinatsu Mukai
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Jacquelyn L Nelson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Dongjun Ren
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Northwestern University Medical School, 303 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Richard J Miller
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Northwestern University Medical School, 303 E. Chicago Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Moshe Cohen-Kutner
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Daphne Atlas
- Department of Biological Chemistry, The Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
| | - Alexander J Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Hungerford Hill Road, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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15
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Gao L, Giglio KM, Nelson JL, Sondermann H, Travis AJ. Ferromagnetic nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity enhance the cleavage of biological macromolecules for biofilm elimination. Nanoscale 2014; 6:2588-93. [PMID: 24468900 PMCID: PMC3951791 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr05422e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 150] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a "green chemical" that has various cleaning and disinfectant uses, including as an anti-bacterial agent for hygienic and medical treatments. However, its efficacy is limited against biofilm-producing bacteria, because of poor penetration into the protective, organic matrix. Here we show new applications for ferromagnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4, MNPs) with peroxidase-like activity in potentiating the efficacy of H2O2 in biofilm degradation and prevention. Our data show that MNPs enhanced oxidative cleavage of biofilm components (model nucleic acids, proteins, and oligosaccharides) in the presence of H2O2. When challenged with live, biofilm-producing bacteria, the MNP-H2O2 system efficiently broke down the existing biofilm and prevented new biofilms from forming, killing both planktonic bacteria and those within the biofilm. By enhancing oxidative cleavage of various substrates, the MNP-H2O2 system provides a novel strategy for biofilm elimination, and other applications utilizing oxidative breakdown.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lizeng Gao
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA.
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16
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Mukai C, Gao L, Bergkvist M, Nelson JL, Hinchman MM, Travis AJ. Biomimicry enhances sequential reactions of tethered glycolytic enzymes, TPI and GAPDHS. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61434. [PMID: 23626684 PMCID: PMC3634084 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2012] [Accepted: 03/10/2013] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Maintaining activity of enzymes tethered to solid interfaces remains a major challenge in developing hybrid organic-inorganic devices. In nature, mammalian spermatozoa have overcome this design challenge by having glycolytic enzymes with specialized targeting domains that enable them to function while tethered to a cytoskeletal element. As a step toward designing a hybrid organic-inorganic ATP-generating system, we implemented a biomimetic site-specific immobilization strategy to tether two glycolytic enzymes representing different functional enzyme families: triose phosphoisomerase (TPI; an isomerase) and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDHS; an oxidoreductase). We then evaluated the activities of these enzymes in comparison to when they were tethered via classical carboxyl-amine crosslinking. Both enzymes show similar surface binding regardless of immobilization method. Remarkably, specific activities for both enzymes were significantly higher when tethered using the biomimetic, site-specific immobilization approach. Using this biomimetic approach, we tethered both enzymes to a single surface and demonstrated their function in series in both forward and reverse directions. Again, the activities in series were significantly higher in both directions when the enzymes were coupled using this biomimetic approach versus carboxyl-amine binding. Our results suggest that biomimetic, site-specific immobilization can provide important functional advantages over chemically specific, but non-oriented attachment, an important strategic insight given the growing interest in recapitulating entire biological pathways on hybrid organic-inorganic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chinatsu Mukai
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Lizeng Gao
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Magnus Bergkvist
- College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, New York, United States of America
| | - Jacquelyn L. Nelson
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Meleana M. Hinchman
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
| | - Alexander J. Travis
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, United States of America
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17
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Peterson SE, Nelson JL, Guthrie KA, Gadi VK, Aydelotte TM, Oyer DJ, Prager SW, Gammill HS. Prospective assessment of fetal-maternal cell transfer in miscarriage and pregnancy termination. Hum Reprod 2012; 27:2607-12. [PMID: 22752611 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/des244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal cells (microchimerism) are acquired by women during pregnancy. Fetal microchimerism persists decades later and includes cells with pluripotent capacity. Persistent microchimerism has the capacity for both beneficial and detrimental maternal health consequences. Both miscarriage and termination of pregnancy can result in fetal microchimerism. We sought to determine whether cellular fetal microchimerism is acquired during management of pregnancy loss and further explored factors that could influence fetal cell transfer, including viability of fetal tissue, surgical versus medical management and gestational age. METHODS Pregnant women (n= 150 samples from 75 women) with singleton pregnancies undergoing a TOP (n= 63) or treatment for embryonic or fetal demise (miscarriage, n= 12) were enrolled. Mononuclear cells were isolated from blood samples drawn before, and 30 min after, treatment. Fetal cellular microchimerism concentrations were determined using quantitative PCR for a Y chromosome-specific sequence, expressed as genome equivalents of fetal DNA per 100 000 maternal cell equivalents (gEq/10(5)). Detection rate ratios were determined according to clinical characteristics. RESULTS Cellular fetal microchimerism was found more often in post- compared with pretreatment samples, 24 versus 5% (P= 0.004) and at higher concentrations, 0-36 versus 0-0.7 gEq/10(5) (P< 0.001). Likelihood of microchimerism was higher in surgical than medical management, detection rate ratio 24.7 (P= 0.02). The detection rate ratio for TOP versus miscarriage was 16.7 for known male fetuses (P= 0.02). Microchimerism did not vary with gestational age. CONCLUSIONS Significant fetal cell transfer occurs during miscarriage and TOP. Exploratory analyses support relationships between obstetric clinical factors and acquisition of fetal cellular microchimerism; however, our limited sample size precludes definitive analysis of these relationships, and confirmation is needed. In addition, the long-term persistence and potential consequences of fetal microchimerism on maternal health merit further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- S E Peterson
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of Washington, Box 356460, Seattle, WA 98195-6460, USA
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18
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Asano A, Nelson JL, Zhang S, Travis AJ. Characterization of the proteomes associating with three distinct membrane raft sub-types in murine sperm. Proteomics 2011; 10:3494-505. [PMID: 20815087 DOI: 10.1002/pmic.201000002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Mammalian sperm are transcriptionally and translationally inactive. To meet changing needs in the epididymis and female tract, they rely heavily on post-translational modifications and protein acquisition/degradation. Membrane rafts are sterol and sphingolipid-enriched micro-domains that organize and regulate various pathways. Rafts have significance in sperm by transducing the stimulus of sterol efflux into changes in intracellular signaling that confer fertilization competence. We recently characterized three biochemically distinct sub-types of sperm rafts, and now present profiles for proteins targeting to and associating with these sub-types, along with a fraction largely comprised of "non-raft" domains. Proteomics analysis using a gel-based LC-MS/MS approach identified 190 strictly validated proteins in the raft sub-types. Interestingly, many of these are known to be expressed in the epididymis, where sperm membrane composition matures. To investigate potential roles for rafts in epididymal protein acquisition, we compared the expression and localization of two different sterol-interacting proteins, apolipoprotein-A1 (apoA1) and prominin-1 (prom1) in sperm from different zones. We found that apoA1 was gradually added to the plasma membrane overlying the acrosome, whereas prom1 was not, suggesting different mechanisms for raft protein acquisition. Our results define raft-associating proteins, demonstrate functional similarities and differences among raft sub-types, and provide insights into raft-mediated epididymal protein acquisition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Asano
- The Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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19
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Selvaraj V, Asano A, Page JL, Nelson JL, Kothapalli KSD, Foster JA, Brenna JT, Weiss RS, Travis AJ. Mice lacking FABP9/PERF15 develop sperm head abnormalities but are fertile. Dev Biol 2010; 348:177-89. [PMID: 20920498 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2010.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2009] [Revised: 09/22/2010] [Accepted: 09/23/2010] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The male germ cell-specific fatty acid-binding protein 9 (FABP9/PERF15) is the major component of the murine sperm perforatorium and perinuclear theca. Based on its cytoskeletal association and sequence homology to myelin P2 (FABP8), it has been suggested that FABP9 tethers sperm membranes to the underlying cytoskeleton. Furthermore, its upregulation in apoptotic testicular germ cells and its increased phosphorylation status during capacitation suggested multiple important functions for FABP9. Therefore, we investigated specific functions for FABP9 by means of targeted gene disruption in mice. FABP9(-/-) mice were viable and fertile. Phenotypic analysis showed that FABP9(-/-) mice had significant increases in sperm head abnormalities (~8% greater than their WT cohorts); in particular, we observed the reduction or absence of the characteristic structural element known as the "ventral spur" in ~10% of FABP9(-/-) sperm. However, deficiency of FABP9 affected neither membrane tethering to the perinuclear theca nor the fatty acid composition of sperm. Moreover, epididymal sperm numbers were not affected in FABP9(-/-) mice. Therefore, we conclude that FABP9 plays only a minor role in providing the murine sperm head its characteristic shape and is not absolutely required for spermatogenesis or sperm function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vimal Selvaraj
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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20
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Adams Waldorf KM, Gammill HS, Lucas J, Aydelotte TM, Leisenring WM, Lambert NC, Nelson JL. Dynamic changes in fetal microchimerism in maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells, CD4+ and CD8+ cells in normal pregnancy. Placenta 2010; 31:589-94. [PMID: 20569981 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2010.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2010] [Revised: 04/16/2010] [Accepted: 04/24/2010] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cell trafficking during pregnancy results in persistence of small populations of fetal cells in the mother, known as fetal microchimerism (FMc). Changes in cell-free fetal DNA during gestation have been well described, however, less is known about dynamic changes in fetal immune cells in maternal blood. We have investigated FMc in maternal peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) longitudinally across gestation. STUDY DESIGN Thirty-five women with normal pregnancies were studied. FMc was identified in PBMC, CD4+ and CD8+ subsets employing quantitative PCR assays targeting fetal-specific genetic polymorphisms. FMc quantities were reported as fetal genome equivalents (gEq) per 1,000,000 gEq mother's cells. Poisson regression modeled the rate of FMc detection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE FMc in PBMC. RESULTS The probability of detecting one fetal cell equivalent increased 6.2-fold each trimester [Incidence Rate Ratio (IRR) 95% CI: 1.73, 21.91; p = 0.005]. Although FMc in PBMC was not detected for the majority of time points, 7 of 35 women had detectable FMc during pregnancy at one or more time points, with the majority of positive samples being from the third trimester. There was a suggestion of greater HLA-sharing in families where women had FMc in PBMC. FMc was detected in 9% of CD4+ (2/23) and 18% of CD8+ (3/25) subsets. CONCLUSIONS FMc in PBMC increased as gestation progressed and was found within CD4+ and CD8+ subsets in some women in the latter half of gestation. A number of factors could influence cellular FMc levels including sub-clinical fetal-maternal interface changes and events related to parturition. Whether FMc during pregnancy predicts persistent FMc and/or correlates with fetal-maternal HLA relationships also merits further study.
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Affiliation(s)
- K M Adams Waldorf
- Division of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98195-6460, USA.
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Selvaraj V, Asano A, Page JL, Nelson JL, Kothapalli KS, Foster JA, Brenna JT, Weiss RS, Travis AJ. Mice Lacking FABP9/PERF15 Develop Sperm Head Abnormalities but Are Fertile. Biol Reprod 2009. [DOI: 10.1093/biolreprod/81.s1.446] [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] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
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22
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Rueda B, Broen J, Simeon C, Hesselstrand R, Diaz B, Suárez H, Ortego-Centeno N, Riemekasten G, Fonollosa V, Vonk MC, van den Hoogen FHJ, Sanchez-Román J, Aguirre-Zamorano MA, García-Portales R, Pros A, Camps MT, Gonzalez-Gay MA, Coenen MJH, Airo P, Beretta L, Scorza R, van Laar J, Gonzalez-Escribano MF, Nelson JL, Radstake TRDJ, Martin J. The STAT4 gene influences the genetic predisposition to systemic sclerosis phenotype. Hum Mol Genet 2009; 18:2071-7. [PMID: 19286670 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddp119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the possible role of STAT4 gene in the genetic predisposition to systemic sclerosis (SSc) susceptibility or clinical phenotype. A total of 1317 SSc patients [896 with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and 421 with diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc)] and 3113 healthy controls, from an initial case-control set of Spanish Caucasian ancestry and five independent cohorts of European ancestry (The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, Italy and USA), were included in the study. The rs7574865 polymorphism was selected as STAT4 genetic marker. We observed that the rs7574865 T allele was significantly associated with susceptibility to lcSSc in the Spanish population [P = 1.9 x 10(-5) odds ratio (OR) 1.61 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.29-1.99], but not with dcSSc (P = 0.41 OR 0.84 95% CI 0.59-1.21). Additionally, a dosage effect was observed showing individuals with rs7574865 TT genotype higher risk for lcSSc (OR 3.34, P = 1.02 x 10(-7) 95% CI 2.11-5.31). The association of the rs7574865 T allele with lcSSc was confirmed in all the replication cohorts with different effect sizes (OR ranging between 1.15 and 1.86), as well as the lack of association of STAT4 with dcSSc. A meta-analysis to test the overall effect of the rs7574865 polymorphism showed a strong risk effect of the T allele for lcSSc susceptibility (pooled OR 1.54 95% CI 1.36-1.74; P < 0.0001). Our data show a strong and reproducible association of the STAT4 gene with the genetic predisposition to lcSSc suggesting that this gene seems to be one of the genetic markers influencing SSc phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Rueda
- Instituto de Parasitologia y Biomedicina Lopez-Neyra (CSIC), Granada, Spain
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Asano A, Selvaraj V, Buttke DE, Nelson JL, Green KM, Evans JE, Travis AJ. Biochemical characterization of membrane fractions in murine sperm: identification of three distinct sub-types of membrane rafts. J Cell Physiol 2009; 218:537-48. [PMID: 19006178 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.21623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Despite enormous interest in membrane raft micro-domains, no studies in any cell type have defined the relative compositions of the raft fractions on the basis of their major components--sterols, phospholipids, and proteins--or additional raft-associating lipids such as the ganglioside, G(M1). Our previous localization data in live sperm showed that the plasma membrane overlying the acrosome represents a stabilized platform enriched in G(M1) and sterols. These findings, along with the physiological requirement for sterol efflux for sperm to function, prompted us to characterize sperm membrane fractions biochemically. After confirming limitations of commonly used detergent-based approaches, we utilized a non-detergent-based method, separating membrane fractions that were reproducibly distinct based on sterol, G(M1), phospholipid, and protein compositions (both mass amounts and molar ratios). Based on fraction buoyancy and biochemical composition, we identified at least three highly reproducible sub-types of membrane raft. Electron microscopy revealed that raft fractions were free of visible contaminants and were separated by buoyancy rather than morphology. Quantitative proteomic comparisons and fluorescence localization of lipids suggested that different organelles contributed differentially to individual raft sub-types, but that multiple membrane micro-domain sub-types could exist within individual domains. This has important implications for scaffolding functions broadly associated with rafts. Most importantly, we show that the common practice of characterizing membrane domains as either "raft" or "non-raft" oversimplifies the actual biochemical complexity of cellular membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atsushi Asano
- The Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
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Rueda B, Simeon C, Hesselstrand R, Herrick A, Worthington J, Ortego-Centeno N, Riemekasten G, Fonollosa V, Vonk MC, van den Hoogen FHJ, Sanchez-Román J, Aguirre-Zamorano MA, García-Portales R, Pros A, Camps MT, Gonzalez-Gay MA, Gonzalez-Escribano MF, Coenen MJ, Lambert N, Nelson JL, Radstake TRDJ, Martin J. A large multicentre analysis of CTGF -945 promoter polymorphism does not confirm association with systemic sclerosis susceptibility or phenotype. Ann Rheum Dis 2008; 68:1618-20. [PMID: 19054816 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2008.100180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To conduct a replication study to investigate whether the -945 CTGF genetic variant is associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) susceptibility or specific SSc phenotype. METHODS The study population comprised 1180 patients with SSc and 1784 healthy controls from seven independent case-control sets of European ancestry (Spanish, French, Dutch, German, British, Swedish and North American). The -945 CTGF genetic variant was genotyped using a Taqman 5' allelic discrimination assay. RESULTS An independent association study showed in all the case-control cohorts no association of the CTGF -945 polymorphism with SSc susceptibility. These findings were confirmed by a meta-analysis giving a pooled OR = 1.12 (95% CI 0.99 to 1.25), p = 0.06. Investigation of the possible contribution of the -945 CTGF genetic variant to SSc phenotype showed that stratification according to SSc subtypes (limited or diffuse), selective autoantibodies (anti-topoisomerase I or anticentromere) or pulmonary involvement reached no statistically significant skewing. CONCLUSION The results do not confirm previous findings and suggest that the CTGF -945 promoter polymorphism does not play a major role in SSc susceptibility or clinical phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Rueda
- Instituto de Parasitologia y Biomedicina López-Neyra, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Avenida del Conocimiento s/n 18100-Armilla, Granada, Spain
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Guthrie KA, Tishkevich NR, Nelson JL. Non-inherited maternal human leukocyte antigen alleles in susceptibility to familial rheumatoid arthritis. Ann Rheum Dis 2008; 68:107-9. [PMID: 18684745 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2008.092312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Some patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) lack RA-associated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alleles. Prior studies investigated non-inherited maternal HLA alleles (NIMA) in RA risk with conflicting results. METHODS We examined NIMA in a large cohort of families from the North American Rheumatoid Arthritis Consortium (NARAC). RESULTS Among 620 patients with 1 or both parents having a HLA genotype, patients with RA informative for analysis included 176 without HLA-DRB1*04 and 86 without the HLA shared epitope (SE). The frequency of NIMA encoding HLA-DR4 or the SE was compared to the non-inherited paternal allele (NIPA). DR4-encoding NIMA vs NIPA revealed no significant difference (27% vs 20%). However, parity is known to modulate RA risk and analyses stratified by sex and age of onset showed significant variation among women. Interestingly, among women with onset <45 years DR4-encoding NIMA was increased compared to NIPA; among women > or =45 years at onset the reverse was observed (31% vs 16% compared to 10% vs 60%, p = 0.008). DR4 encoding NIMA vs NIPA did not differ in men. The SE did not differ in men or women. CONCLUSIONS Risk of RA was associated with HLA-DR4 encoding NIMA in younger-onset women but not in older-onset women or men. These observations could help explain conflicting prior results of NIMA in RA.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Guthrie
- Clinical Statistics D5-360, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109-1024, USA.
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Yan Z, Ferucci ED, Geraghty DE, Yang Y, Lanier AP, Smith WP, Zhao LP, Hansen JA, Nelson JL. Resequencing of the human major histocompatibility complex in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and healthy controls in Alaska Natives of Southeast Alaska. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2008; 70:487-94. [PMID: 17990987 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2007.00949.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
High prevalence and severity of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an early age of onset have previously been described in Alaska Native and American Indian (AN/AI) populations. The contribution of HLA-DRB1 alleles encoding a similar amino acid sequence, referred to as the shared epitope (SE), to RA risk is well recognized in multiple populations worldwide. DRB1*1402 allele is the major SE-encoding allele in AN/AI populations. However, DRB1*1402 is highly prevalent in healthy Alaska Natives of Southeast Alaska (AN), with no significant difference from RA patients, indicating this allele alone is not informative for defining genetic risk and non-human leukocyte antigen (non-HLA) genes are likely important in AN. We sought to deep resequence the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC) to characterize the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) haplotypes within this region in RA cases and controls in AN. Approximately 99 kb of the MHC was resequenced with 95 amplicons throughout this region. Thirty-four cases and 74 controls were examined. A total of 696 SNPs were discovered from 85 of the selected 95 amplicons. Disease association signals were detected for nine of the 95 amplicons analyzed. Increased risk of RA was associated with five amplicons in the class I, class II or class III region and resistance to disease with four amplicons in the class I region. Our results indicate that non-HLA MHC genes and/or unknown exogenous factors likely modulate risk of RA in the AN population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Yan
- Department of Clinical Research, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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McPartlin LA, Littell J, Mark E, Nelson JL, Travis AJ, Bedford-Guaus SJ. A defined medium supports changes consistent with capacitation in stallion sperm, as evidenced by increases in protein tyrosine phosphorylation and high rates of acrosomal exocytosis. Theriogenology 2008; 69:639-50. [PMID: 18242679 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2007.11.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2007] [Accepted: 11/13/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Efficient in vitro capacitation of stallion sperm has not yet been achieved, as suggested by low sperm penetration rates reported in in vitro fertilization (IVF) studies. Our objectives were to evaluate defined incubation conditions that would support changes consistent with capacitation in stallion sperm. Protein tyrosine phosphorylation events and the ability of sperm to undergo acrosomal exocytosis under various incubation conditions were used as end points for capacitation. Sperm incubated 4-6h in modified Whitten's (MW) with the addition of 25 mM NaHCO3 and 7 mg/mL BSA (capacitating medium) yielded high rates of protein tyrosine phosphorylation. Either HCO3(-) or BSA was required to support these changes, with the combination of both providing the most intense results. When a membrane-permeable form of cAMP and a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (IBMX) were added to MW in the absence of HCO3(-) and BSA, the tyrosine phosphorylation results obtained in our capacitating conditions could not be replicated, suggesting either effects apart from cAMP were responsible for tyrosine phosphorylation, or that stallion sperm might respond differently to these reagents as compared to sperm from other mammals. Sperm incubation in capacitating conditions was also associated with high percentages (P<or=0.001) of acrosomal exocytosis upon exposure to progesterone (44.6%) or calcium ionophore (51.6%), as compared to sperm incubated in medium devoid of BSA and NaHCO3. Our results were novel in that we report protein tyrosine phosphorylation in stallion sperm incubated in defined conditions, coupled with significant percentages of acrosome reacted sperm. The continuation of these studies might help to elucidate the conditions and pathways supporting sperm capacitation in the horse.
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Affiliation(s)
- L A McPartlin
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, United States
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Selvaraj V, Buttke DE, Asano A, McElwee JL, Wolff CA, Nelson JL, Klaus AV, Hunnicutt GR, Travis AJ. GM1 dynamics as a marker for membrane changes associated with the process of capacitation in murine and bovine spermatozoa. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007; 28:588-99. [PMID: 17377143 DOI: 10.2164/jandrol.106.002279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We previously showed that in live murine and bovine sperm heads, the ganglioside G(M1) localizes to the sterol-rich plasma membrane overlying the acrosome (APM). Labeling G(M1) using the pentameric cholera toxin subunit B (CTB) induced a dramatic redistribution of signal from the APM to the sterol-poor postacrosomal plasma membrane (PAPM) upon sperm death. We now show a similar phenomenon in the flagellum where CTB induces G(M1) redistribution to sterol-poor membrane subdomains of the annulus and flagellar zipper. Because sterol efflux from the plasma membrane is required for capacitation, we examined whether G(M1) localization might be useful to detect membrane changes associated with capacitation and/or acrosomal exocytosis. First, incubation of murine and bovine sperm with their respective stimuli for capacitation did not change G(M1) distribution in live cells. However, incubation of sperm of both species with specific stimuli for capacitation, followed by the use of specific fixation conditions, induced reproducible, stimulus-specific patterns of G(M1) distribution. By assessing changes in G(M1) distribution in response to progesterone-induced AE, we show that these patterns reflect the response of murine sperm populations to capacitating stimuli. These data suggest that G(M1) localization can be used as a diagnostic tool for evaluating sperm response to stimuli for capacitation and/or AE. Such information could be useful when deciding between technologies of assisted reproduction or when screening for male fertility. Furthermore, stimulus-specific changes in G(M1) distribution showed that sperm could respond to NaHCO(3) or mediators of sterol efflux independently, thereby refining existing models of capacitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vimal Selvaraj
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
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Selvaraj V, Asano A, Buttke DE, McElwee JL, Nelson JL, Wolff CA, Merdiushev T, Fornés MW, Cohen AW, Lisanti MP, Rothblat GH, Kopf GS, Travis AJ. Segregation of micron-scale membrane sub-domains in live murine sperm. J Cell Physiol 2006; 206:636-46. [PMID: 16222699 DOI: 10.1002/jcp.20504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Lipid rafts, membrane sub-domains enriched in sterols and sphingolipids, are controversial because demonstrations of rafts have often utilized fixed cells. We showed in living sperm that the ganglioside G(M1) localized to a micron-scale membrane sub-domain in the plasma membrane overlying the acrosome. We investigated four models proposed for membrane sub-domain maintenance. G(M1) segregation was maintained in live sperm incubated under non-capacitating conditions, and after sterol efflux, a membrane alteration necessary for capacitation. The complete lack of G(M1) diffusion to the post-acrosomal plasma membrane (PAPM) in live cells argued against the transient confinement zone model. However, within seconds after cessation of sperm motility, G(M1) dramatically redistributed several microns from the acrosomal sub-domain to the post-acrosomal, non-raft sub-domain. This redistribution was not accompanied by movement of sterols, and was induced by the pentameric cholera toxin subunit B (CTB). These data argued against a lipid-lipid interaction model for sub-domain maintenance. Although impossible to rule out a lipid shell model definitively, mice lacking caveolin-1 maintained segregation of both sterols and G(M1), arguing against a role for lipid shells surrounding caveolin-1 in sub-domain maintenance. Scanning electron microscopy of sperm freeze-dried without fixation identified cytoskeletal structures at the sub-domain boundary. Although drugs used to disrupt actin and intermediate filaments had no effect on the segregation of G(M1), we found that disulfide-bonded proteins played a significant role in sub-domain segregation. Together, these data provide an example of membrane sub-domains extreme in terms of size and stability of lipid segregation, and implicate a protein-based membrane compartmentation mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vimal Selvaraj
- The James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
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Buttke DE, Nelson JL, Schlegel PN, Hunnicutt GR, Travis AJ. Visualization of GM1 with cholera toxin B in live epididymal versus ejaculated bull, mouse, and human spermatozoa. Biol Reprod 2006; 74:889-95. [PMID: 16452464 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.105.046219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The organization of membrane subdomains in mammalian sperm has recently generated controversy, with several reports describing widely differing localization patterns for the ganglioside GM1. Using the pentameric B subunit of cholera toxin (CTB), we found GM1 to be restricted to the plasma membrane overlying the acrosome in the heads of live murine sperm. Interestingly, CTB had minimal binding to live bovine and human sperm. To investigate whether this difference in GM1 localization was because of species differences or differences between collection from the epididymis (mouse) or an ejaculate (bull, human), we examined epididymal bovine and human sperm. We found that GM1 localized to the plasma membrane overlying the acrosome in sperm from these species. To determine whether some component of seminal plasma was interfering with the ability of CTB to access GM1, we incubated epididymal mouse sperm with fluid from murine seminal vesicles and epididymal bull sperm with bovine seminal plasma. This treatment largely abolished the ability of the CTB to bind to GM1, producing a fluorescence pattern similar to that reported for the human. The most abundant seminal plasma protein, PDC-109, was not responsible for this loss. As demonstration that the seminal plasma was not removing GM1, sperm exposed to seminal plasma were fixed before CTB addition, and again displayed fluorescence over the acrosome. These observations reconcile inconsistencies reported for the localization of GM1 in sperm of different species, and provide evidence for the segregation of GM1 to a stable subdomain in the plasma membrane overlying the acrosome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danielle E Buttke
- The James A. Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA
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Mullarkey ME, Stevens AM, McDonnell WM, Loubière LS, Brackensick JA, Pang JM, Porter AJ, Galloway DA, Nelson JL. Human leukocyte antigen class II alleles in Caucasian women with primary biliary cirrhosis. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2005; 65:199-205. [PMID: 15713222 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0039.2005.00351.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
In the current study, we investigated human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles in Caucasian women with primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), a disease that preferentially affects women. Alleles of DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 were determined by DNA-based HLA typing for women with PBC (n = 72) and healthy women (n = 381). All study subjects were Caucasian. HLA DRB1*08 was significantly increased in women with PBC compared to healthy women. The increase was primarily due to the DRB1*0801 allele, also the most common DRB1*08 allele among controls. DQB1*04 and DQA1*0401 were significantly increased. DRB1*1501, DQA1*0102, and DQB1*0602 were associated with decreased risk. Analyses conducted comparing parous women with PBC to parous healthy women (n = 68 and n = 282, respectively) yielded similar significant results. Although the DRB1*08-DQA1*0401-DQB1*04 haplotype was significantly associated with PBC, consistent with other studies, this haplotype nevertheless represented only 19% (14/72) of all PBC patients and can account for only a minority of the risk of PBC.
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Affiliation(s)
- M E Mullarkey
- Immunogenetics Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA
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Abstract
Beef carcasses (n = 150) of A-maturity were selected randomly to determine baseline shear force and sensory panel ratings, assess variation in tenderness, and evaluate mean value differences between Certified Angus Beef (CAB), commodity Choice, and Select steaks. Three steaks were removed from the triceps brachii (TB), longissimus lumborum (LL), gluteus medius (GM), semimembranosus (SM), biceps femoris (BF), and quadriceps femoris complex (QF), and assigned to Warner-Bratzler shear (WBSF) and sensory panel analyses. As anticipated, marbling score and measured percentage of i.m. fat were greatest (P < 0.05) for CAB, intermediate (P < 0.05) for Choice, and least (P < 0.05) for Select carcasses. A muscle x quality level interaction (P < 0.05) was observed for WBSF values and sensory panel tenderness ratings. The TB, LL, GM, and BF steaks from CAB carcasses had lower (P < 0.05) WBSF than Select steaks from the same muscles. Even though WBSF values did not differ (P > 0.05) between CAB and Choice QF and TB steaks, the LL and GM steaks from CAB carcasses were more tender (P < 0.05) than Choice-grade LL and GM steaks. The TB from Select carcasses had higher (P < 0.05) WBSF values than TB steaks from CAB or Choice carcasses, but sensory panel ratings indicated that quality level showed little consistency among the GM, SM, BF, and QF. Trained sensory panelists rated CAB LL steaks more tender (P < 0.05) than LL steaks from Choice and Select carcasses, and Choice LL steaks were evaluated as more (P < 0.05) tender than those from Select carcasses. These results demonstrate that the influence of marbling on tenderness was more evident in muscles of middle meats than in end cuts, particularly in muscles of the round.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Nelson
- Department of Animal Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078, USA
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Loubière LS, Lambert NC, Madeleine MM, Porter AJ, Mullarkey ME, Pang JM, Galloway DA, Furst DE, Nelson JL. HLA allelic variants encoding DR11 in diffuse and limited systemic sclerosis in Caucasian women. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2005; 44:318-22. [PMID: 15572392 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keh489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated HLA class II alleles in women with systemic sclerosis (SSc), a rare disease that preferentially affects women. METHODS Specific alleles of DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 were determined by DNA-based HLA typing for women with SSc (n = 102) and healthy women (n = 533). All study subjects were Caucasian. DRB1, DQA1 and DQB1 allele frequencies of women with SSc were compared with those of healthy women. RESULTS Among women with SSc, 29.4% (30/102) and among healthy women 10.7% (57/533) had DRB1*11. Allele frequencies were compared for women with SSc and healthy women (each woman has two alleles). The allele frequency of DRB1*11 was 15.7% (32/204 alleles) in SSc women and 5.8% (62/1066 alleles) in healthy women (P = 0.000002). The increase of DRB1*11 was found both in diffuse (P = 0.0001) and limited SSc (P = 0.002) (allele frequencies 15.0 and 17.2%, respectively). Among women with diffuse SSc, there was a disproportionate increase of the DRB1*1104 allele (P = 0.0004) with no increase of DRB1*1101 (P = 1.00). In contrast, in limited SSc the strongest association was with DRB1*1101 (P = 0.008), with a less significant increase of DRB1*1104 (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS An increase of DRB1*11 in SSc is consistent with other reports. Although present in both diffuse and limited SSc disease subsets, the increase was predominantly due to over-representation of DRB1*1104 in women with diffuse SSc. Women with limited SSc had a preponderance of DRB1*1101, the most common allele in healthy women. DRB1*1104 and DRB1*1101 differ by a single amino acid at position 86, where the former has valine and the latter glycine.
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Affiliation(s)
- L S Loubière
- Immunogenetics Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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Lambert NC, Pang JM, Yan Z, Erickson TD, Stevens AM, Furst DE, Nelson JL. Male microchimerism in women with systemic sclerosis and healthy women who have never given birth to a son. Ann Rheum Dis 2004; 64:845-8. [PMID: 15550532 PMCID: PMC1755528 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2004.029314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Male DNA or cells are often used to measure microchimerism in a woman. In studies of autoimmune diseases male microchimerism is most often attributed to the previous birth of a son. OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of male microchimerism in healthy women or women with systemic sclerosis who had never given birth to a son. METHODS Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction targeting the Y chromosome specific sequence DYS14 was employed to test DNA extracted from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 26 women with systemic sclerosis and 23 healthy women who had never given birth to a son. RESULTS are expressed as the genome equivalent number of male cells per million host cells (gEq/mil).Results: Male DNA was found in 15% of women with systemic sclerosis (range 0 to 23.7 gEq/mil) and in 13% of healthy women (range 0 to 5.1 gEq/mil). Although two women with male DNA had an induced abortion, most had no history of spontaneous or induced abortion (either systemic sclerosis or healthy). CONCLUSIONS Microchimerism with male DNA can be found in the circulation of women who have never given birth to a son. Thus sources other than a male birth must be considered when male DNA is used to measure microchimerism. Although other studies are needed, there was no apparent difference in women with systemic sclerosis and healthy women. Possible sources of male DNA include unrecognised male pregnancy or unrecognised male twin, an older male sibling with transfer through the maternal circulation, or sexual intercourse alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- N C Lambert
- INSERM U639, Faculté de Médecine La Timone, 13005 Marseille, France.
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Østensen M, Förger F, Nelson JL, Schuhmacher A, Hebisch G, Villiger PM. Pregnancy in patients with rheumatic disease: anti-inflammatory cytokines increase in pregnancy and decrease post partum. Ann Rheum Dis 2004; 64:839-44. [PMID: 15539410 PMCID: PMC1755520 DOI: 10.1136/ard.2004.029538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate changes in the levels of circulating cytokines with a focus on the Th1/Th2 balance during and after pregnancy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS Plasma and serum samples of 34 pregnant patients, 19 with RA, 6 with JIA, and 9 with AS, and of 30 healthy pregnant women, 20 non-pregnant patients, and 10 non-pregnant healthy women were analysed for levels of interferon gamma (IFNgamma), interleukin (IL) 1beta, IL10, IL1 receptor antagonist (IL1Ra), soluble tumour necrosis factor receptor (sTNFR), and soluble CD30 (sCD30) by ELISA. Clinical assessment and blood sampling in pregnant women was done once in each trimester and 6, 12, and 24 weeks post partum. Disease activity in the patients was evaluated by validated clinical instruments and correlated with circulating levels of cytokines. RESULTS Low levels of IL10 were found sporadically, whereas IFNgamma and IL1beta were below detection level in the samples tested. Significantly higher concentrations of sTNFR and IL1Ra were measured in pregnant than in non-pregnant subjects. An increase of IL1Ra from the second to the third trimester correlated with improvement of disease activity in patients with RA and AS. Compared with non-pregnant patients and the other pregnant women, patients with RA showed markedly raised levels of sCD30 during pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS IFNgamma and IL10, markers of a Th1 and Th2 response, respectively, were either low or undetectable in the cohorts analysed. The increase of cytokine inhibitors IL1Ra and sTNFR was related to pregnancy and was independent of an underlying disease. These anti-inflammatory mediators seem to affect disease activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Østensen
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology and Allergy, University Hospital, CH-3010 Bern, Switzerland.
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Stevens AM, Hermes HM, Lambert NC, Nelson JL, Meroni PL, Cimaz R. Maternal and sibling microchimerism in twins and triplets discordant for neonatal lupus syndrome-congenital heart block. Rheumatology (Oxford) 2004; 44:187-91. [PMID: 15536065 DOI: 10.1093/rheumatology/keh453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neonatal lupus syndrome-congenital heart block (NLS-CHB) is an acquired autoimmune disease in which maternal autoantibodies are necessary but not sufficient for disease. Maternal myocardial cells have been found in the hearts of patients with NLS-CHB, suggesting that maternal microchimerism may also play a role. In this study we asked whether levels of microchimerism in the blood are associated with NLS-CHB in discordant twins and triplets. METHODS Human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-specific and Y-chromosome-specific real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to quantitatively assay maternal and sibling microchimerism in peripheral blood. Because of HLA allele sharing in families, it was not always possible to distinguish between multiple sources of microchimerism. RESULTS In one family, maternal and/or sibling microchimerism was detected in two triplets who had CHB, but not in the triplet with transient hepatitis. Levels ranged from 4 to 948 genome-equivalents of foreign deoxyribonucleic acid per million host genome-equivalents (gEq/million). Over the first year levels of sibling microchimerism decreased in the triplet with complete CHB and increased in the triplet who progressed from first- to second-degree CHB. In a second family, maternal and/or sibling microchimerism was detected in the healthy twin (1223 gEq/million) but not in the twin with CHB. CONCLUSIONS Maternal and/or sibling microchimerism was detectable in the blood of infant twins and triplets discordant for NLS. Microchimerism in the blood was not specific for NLS-CHB, although in one family levels correlated with disease. Thus, microchimerism in the blood and/or tissues may be involved in the pathogenesis or progression of NLS-CHB, but additional factors must also contribute. Further investigation is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Stevens
- Immunogenetics, D2-100, P.O. Box 19024, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. North, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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Giacomelli R, Cipriani P, Fulminis A, Nelson JL, Matucci-Cerinic M. Gamma/delta T cells in placenta and skin: their different functions may support the paradigm of microchimerism in systemic sclerosis. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2004; 22:S28-30. [PMID: 15344594] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
Increased amounts of foetal cells persisting after pregnancy could be involved in the pathogenesis of systemic sclerosis (SSc) and other autoimmune diseases. Evidence suggests a specific role for a subset of T lymphocytes showing the gamma/delta T cell receptor (TCR) at the foetal/maternal interface. gamma/delta T cells significantly increase in the early pregnancy decidua and recognize trophoblast antigens, probably a highly evolutionarily conserved molecule such as Hsp60 or Hsp60-derived peptides, and are likely to suppress the maternal anti-foetal immune response via TGFbeta production, thus contributing to pregnancy maintenance. The similarity between the presence of host gamma/delta T cells in pregnancy decidua and in SSc skin suggests that the functional activities of these cells can be differentially modulated by several mechanisms including the nature of the antigen and the involved organs. To support pregnancy, the decidual microenvironment might induce a Th2 activity of host Vdelta1 + T cells. On the contrary, either the presence of foetal cells in the skin of SSc patients or an as yet unidentified stimulus (i.e. infections), may trigger Vdelta1 + T cells toward the Th1 phenotype with the subsequent activation of cytotoxicity and modulation of the cytotoxic alpha/beta acquired T cell response. On these grounds, understanding the mechanisms which prevent the maternal immune system from rejecting a semiallogenic foetus could be helpful to understand the development of some autoimmune diseases, and potentially to develop new targeted therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Giacomelli
- Internal Medicine, University of L'Aquila, School of Medicine, Italy.
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Nelson HL, Nelson JL. Care at home: virtue in multigenerational households. Generations 2003; 22:52-7. [PMID: 12785345] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- H L Nelson
- Center of Applied and Professional Ethics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, USA
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Abstract
Cells traffic in both directions between the fetus and the mother during pregnancy. Recent studies indicate that a low level of fetal cells commonly persists in the maternal circulation for years after pregnancy completion. The harboring of DNA or cells from another individual at low levels is called microchimerism. Chronic graft-vs-host disease is a condition of human chimerism that shares similarities to some autoimmune diseases and for which the specific HLA genes of donor and host are known to be of central importance. Considered together with the female predilection to autoimmunity, these observations led to the hypothesis that microchimerism and HLA genes of host and non-host cells are involved in autoimmune disease. The hypothesis also extends to men and females who have not been pregnant because there are other sources of microchimerism. Maternal cells are now know to persist in her progeny and microchimerism can also derive from a twin or from a blood transfusion. Studies of systemic sclerosis, primary biliary cirrhosis, Sjögrens syndrome, polymorpyhic eruption of pregnancy, myositis and thyroid disease have both lent support and raised doubts about the role of microchimerism in autoimmune disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Nelson
- Program in Human Immunogenetics, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle 98109-1024, USA.
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has similarities to some idiopathic autoimmune diseases, including polymyositis. To investigate the relationship between chronic GVHD and idiopathic myositis we conducted a detailed analysis of all cases of myositis occurring in a large series of HSCT patients. METHODS We conducted a retrospective chart review of all cases of myositis that developed in 7161 patients who underwent HSCT at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center between 1969 and 1999. RESULTS Among 1859 individuals who developed chronic GVHD, 12 developed myositis. No patients developed myositis without chronic GVHD. Myositis was first identified between 7 and 55 months after transplantation. In histopathology, electromyography, laboratory values and response to immunosuppressive therapy, the cases resembled idiopathic polymyositis. Autoantibodies were found in eight cases. CONCLUSIONS Myositis in the chronic GVHD population occurred with an incidence higher than expected by chance, suggesting that muscle may be a target tissue for chronic GVHD. Recent studies have implicated allogeneic cells persisting after maternal-fetal cell transfer in selected autoimmune diseases, including myositis. This report lends support to the possibility that both idiopathic myositis and chronic GVHD-related myositis could involve allo-autoimmune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- A M Stevens
- Immunogenetics D2-100, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, 1100 Fairview Avenue NE, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
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Stevens AM, McDonnell WM, Nelson JL. Male cells in female recipients of hematopoietic-cell transplants. N Engl J Med 2002; 347:218-20; author reply 218-20. [PMID: 12125712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Nelson
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, 98109, Seattle, WA, USA.
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Abstract
Recent studies have established that there is bi-directional cell traffic between mother and fetus during pregnancy. Suprisingly, fetal cells have been found to persist in the maternal circulation for years after pregnancy. Maternal cells can also persist into adult life in her progeny. When cells from one individual are present in the body of another the term chimerism is used and a low level of non-host cells is referred to as microchimerism. Chronic graft-versus-host disease often occurs after stem cell transplantation, is a known condition of chimerism, and resembles spontaneously occurring autoimmune diseases including systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis and sometimes myositis and systemic lupus. Of central importance to the development of chronic graft-versus-host disease is the HLA relationship of host and donor cells. Considering this constellation of observations together led to the hypothesis that microchimerism and HLA-relationships are involved in the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases. Although much additional work is needed, results of initial studies provide support to the concept that non-host cells could participate in the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Nelson
- Program in Human Immunogenetics, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, University of Washington, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA
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Lambert NC, Stevens AM, Tylee TS, Erickson TD, Furst DE, Nelson JL. From the simple detection of microchimerism in patients with autoimmune diseases to its implication in pathogenesis. Ann N Y Acad Sci 2001; 945:164-71. [PMID: 11708474 DOI: 10.1111/j.1749-6632.2001.tb03881.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Long-term persistence of fetal cells in parous women (fetal microchimerism, FM) as well as maternal cells in their offspring (maternal microchimerism, MM) have been reported. Systemic sclerosis (SSc), primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC), and Sjögren's syndrome (SS) share similar epidemiology with a predilection for females following childbearing years, with clinical similarities to chronic graft-versus-host disease, a known condition of chimerism. This led to the hypothesis that FM could be involved in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. Initial investigations were conducted in SSc, where the hypothesis was supported by the more frequent occurrence and, quantitatively, a greater degree of FM in women with SSc compared to matched healthy women. Long-term persistence, however, of fetal cells in healthy women indicates that FM per se is not sufficient for causing SSc, but may be important in the context of other risk factors, such as genetic susceptibility and HLA relationship among host and nonhost cells. Contradictory results have recently been published for both PBC and SS and cause difficulty in drawing any conclusions about the role of FM in their pathogenesis. On the other hand, MM has been investigated as a risk factor in patients with systemic lupus (SLE) and juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM). A potential role of MM has been suggested in the pathogenesis of SLE. Recent publications also support the hypothesis that MM might lead to increased risks for JDM. In conclusion, contradictory results have been observed. This reflects a need for standardization of protocols and the selection of control populations. Detection of microchimerism has to be quantitatively studied in the context of genetic factors in order to study its relationship to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- N C Lambert
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109-1024, USA.
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Johnson KL, Nelson JL, Furst DE, McSweeney PA, Roberts DJ, Zhen DK, Bianchi DW. Fetal cell microchimerism in tissue from multiple sites in women with systemic sclerosis. Arthritis Rheum 2001; 44:1848-54. [PMID: 11508438 DOI: 10.1002/1529-0131(200108)44:8<1848::aid-art323>3.0.co;2-l] [Citation(s) in RCA: 127] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The realization that fetal cells pass into the maternal circulation and can survive for many years has raised the question of whether fetal microchimerism can cause subsequent disease in the mother. Available data suggest that fetal-maternal transfusion may be related to some autoimmune diseases, notably systemic sclerosis (SSc). The goal of the current work was to identify and quantify tissue-specific fetal microchimerism in women with SSc. METHODS We analyzed multiple tissue specimens obtained at autopsy from women with SSc as well as women who had died of causes unrelated to autoimmunity, using fluorescence in situ hybridization to detect the presence of male cells in women with sons. Tissues analyzed included adrenal gland, heart, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, lymph node, pancreas, parathyroid, skin, and spleen. RESULTS Male cells were observed in tissue from at least 1 site in each woman with SSc and were found most frequently in spleen sections. After spleen, male cells were observed most frequently in lymph node, lung, adrenal gland, and skin tissue. The only tissue type in which male cells were not seen in any patient was pancreatic tissue. Male cells were not observed in tissue from women who had died of causes unrelated to autoimmunity. CONCLUSION The results of this study suggest that fetal cells migrate from the peripheral circulation into multiple organs in women with SSc. All of the women studied had previously given birth to sons, so it is likely that these cells are of fetal origin. While the relevance of this finding to the pathogenesis of SSc remains to be elucidated, the presence of fetal cells in internal organs suggests that they could play a role in disease pathogenesis and that they may preferentially sequester in the spleen. The presence of these male cells may also be a result of disease, possibly through the migration of terminally differentiated and/or progenitor cells to areas of tissue damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- K L Johnson
- New England Medical Center and Tufts University, Boston, Massachusetts 02111, USA
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Abstract
The application of molecular techniques to the study of human pregnancy has resulted in knowledge that the placenta is only a relative barrier to traffic of fetal and maternal cells. Moreover, long-term persistence of fetal cells in the maternal circulation and maternal cells in her progeny have been described. Harboring of cells from another individual is referred to as chimerism and microchimerism indicates low levels of non-host cells. The clinical features of a known condition of human chimerism, chronic graft-versus-host disease that occurs after stem cell transplantation, resemble spontaneously occurring autoimmune diseases including systemic sclerosis, Sjögren's syndrome, primary biliary cirrhosis, and sometimes myositis and systemic lupus. A critical determinant of chronic graft-versus-host disease is the HLA relationship of donor and host cells. When considered together, these observations have led to a new area of research investigating whether microchimerism and HLA-relationships are involved in the pathogenesis of some autoimmune diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Nelson
- Immunogenetics D2-100, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Avenue North, Seattle, WA 98109-1024, USA.
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Nelson JL. Knowledge, authority and identity: a prolegomenon to an epistemology of the clinic. Theor Med Bioeth 2001; 22:107-122. [PMID: 11437269 DOI: 10.1023/a:1011460004423] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Disputes about theory in bioethics almost invariably revolve around different understandings of morality or practical reasoning; I here suggest that the field would do well to become more explicitly contentious about knowledge, and start the task of putting together a clinical epistemology. By way of providing some motivation for such a discussion, I consider two cases of resistance to shifts in clinical practice that are, by and large, not ethically controversial, highlighting how different conceptions of epistemic authority may contribute to clinicians' unwillingness to adopt these changes, and sketching out some initial suggestions for epistemic analysis of clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Nelson
- Department of Philosophy, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
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Nelson JL. The Dunlop-Dottridge Lecture. Longterm persistence of fetal and maternal cells: implications for systemic sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases. J Rheumatol 2000; 27:2922-6. [PMID: 11128687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- J L Nelson
- Program in Human Immunogenetics, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, and Rheumatology, University of Washington, Seattle 98109-1024, USA
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Carter M, Hamlin HP, Heyl J, Graber GC, Nelson JL, Rankin LA. Forming professional bioethicists: the program at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Camb Q Healthc Ethics 2000; 9:418-23. [PMID: 10858893 DOI: 10.1017/s0963180100903165] [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] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
As a way of contributing to bioethics' understanding
of itself, and, more particularly, to invigorate conversation
about how we can best educate future colleagues, we present
here a sketch of the quarter-century-old graduate concentration
in medical ethics housed in the Department of Philosophy at the
University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Our hope is to incite other
programs to share their histories, strategies, problems, and
aspirations, so as to help the field as a whole get a clearer
sense of how we are putting together our future, and of how we
might best go about this important job.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Carter
- Institute for the Medical Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, USA
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Abstract
OBJECTIVE Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is uncommon in men, and relatively little is known about factors contributing to its pathogenesis in this population. In the current study, we investigated HLA class II alleles in men with SSc. We also investigated the hypothesis that HLA compatibility of the mother could be a risk factor for SSc in men. METHODS Sequence-specific oligonucleotide probe typing was used to determine DQA1, DQB1, and DRB1 alleles of SSc patients (50 men and 36 parous women), healthy controls (59 men and 80 parous women), 26 mothers of men with SSc, and 44 mothers of healthy men. All study subjects were Caucasian, and allele frequencies were compared with those of Caucasian controls from the Eleventh International Histocompatibility Workshop as well as those of local controls. RESULTS The DQA1*0501 allele was significantly increased among men with SSc compared with healthy men (odds ratio [OR] 2.3, P = 0.006, Pcorr = 0.04). DQA1*0501 was associated with diffuse SSc in men (OR 3.0, P = 0.004, Pcorr = 0.03), but not with limited SSc in men. Maternal HLA compatibility was not a risk factor for SSc in men. CONCLUSION Previous studies have shown associations of DRB1 alleles with SSc, but have rarely determined DQA1 allele frequencies. Our findings indicate that a specific DQA1 allele is associated with SSc, and that DRB1 associations may be due to linkage disequilibrium with DQA1. Moreover, by analyzing genetic susceptibility according to sex, we found that the contribution of HLA genes to the risk of SSc was substantially greater in men than in parous women.
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Affiliation(s)
- N C Lambert
- Immunogenetics Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington 98109, USA
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