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Murashima A, Akita H, Okazawa M, Kishigami S, Nakagata N, Nishinakamura R, Yamada G. Midline-derived Shh regulates mesonephric tubule formation through the paraxial mesoderm. Dev Biol 2013; 386:216-26. [PMID: 24370450 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2013.12.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2013] [Revised: 12/13/2013] [Accepted: 12/17/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
During organogenesis, Sonic hedgehog (Shh) possesses dual functions: Shh emanating from midline structures regulates the positioning of bilateral structures at early stages, whereas organ-specific Shh locally regulates organ morphogenesis at later stages. The mesonephros is a transient embryonic kidney in amniote, whereas it becomes definitive adult kidney in some anamniotes. Thus, elucidating the regulation of mesonephros formation has important implications for our understanding of kidney development and evolution. In Shh knockout (KO) mutant mice, the mesonephros was displaced towards the midline and ectopic mesonephric tubules (MTs) were present in the caudal mesonephros. Mesonephros-specific ablation of Shh in Hoxb7-Cre;Shh(flox/-) and Sall1(CreERT2/+);Shh(flox/-) mice embryos indicated that Shh expressed in the mesonephros was not required for either the development of the mesonephros or the differentiation of the male reproductive tract. Moreover, stage-specific ablation of Shh in Shh(CreERT2/flox) mice showed that notochord- and/or floor plate-derived Shh were essential for the regulation of the number and position of MTs. Lineage analysis of hedgehog (Hh)-responsive cells, and analysis of gene expression in Shh KO embryos suggested that Shh regulated nephrogenic gene expression indirectly, possibly through effects on the paraxial mesoderm. These data demonstrate the essential role of midline-derived Shh in local tissue morphogenesis and differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aki Murashima
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8509, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Hiroki Akita
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8509, Wakayama, Japan; Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kinki University, Kinokawa 649-6493, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Mika Okazawa
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8509, Wakayama, Japan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Osaka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kishigami
- Faculty of Biology-Oriented Science and Technology, Kinki University, Kinokawa 649-6493, Wakayama, Japan
| | - Naomi Nakagata
- Division of Reproductive Engineering, Center for Animal Resources and Development, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-0811, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Ryuichi Nishinakamura
- Department of Kidney Development, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Kumamoto 860-0811, Kumamoto, Japan
| | - Gen Yamada
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University, 811-1 Kimiidera, Wakayama 641-8509, Wakayama, Japan.
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Shum WWC, Hill E, Brown D, Breton S. Plasticity of basal cells during postnatal development in the rat epididymis. Reproduction 2013; 146:455-69. [PMID: 23960170 DOI: 10.1530/rep-12-0510] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Our previous study has shown that basal cells sense luminal factors by forming a narrow body projection that can cross epithelial tight junctions. As a first step toward characterizing the structural plasticity of basal cells, in this study, we followed their appearance and morphology in the rat epididymis and vas deferens (VD) during postnatal development and examined their modulation by androgens in adulthood. Immunofluorescence labeling for cytokeratin 5 showed that basal cells are absent at birth. They progressively appear in a retrograde manner from the VD and cauda epididymis to the initial segments during the postnatal weeks PNW1-3. At the onset of differentiation, basal cells are in contact with the lumen and their nucleus is located at the same level as that of adjacent epithelial cells. Basal cells then position their nucleus to the base of the epithelium, and while some are still in contact with the lumen, others have a 'dome-shaped' appearance. At PNW5-6, basal cells form a loose network at the base of the epithelium, and luminal-reaching basal cells are rarely detected. The arrival of spermatozoa during PNW7-8 did not trigger the development of projections in basal cells. However, cells with a narrow luminal-reaching projection began to reappear between PNW8 and PNW12 in the corpus and the cauda. Treatment with flutamide from PNW10 to PNW12 significantly reduced the number of luminal-reaching basal cell projections. In summary, basal cells exhibit significant structural plasticity during differentiation. Fewer apical-reaching projections were detected after flutamide treatment in adulthood, indicating the role of androgens in the luminal-sensing function of basal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winnie W C Shum
- Program in Membrane Biology and Nephrology Division, Harvard Medical School, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, 185 Cambridge Street Simches Research Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA
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Chang C, Yeh S, Lee SO, Chang TM. Androgen receptor (AR) pathophysiological roles in androgen-related diseases in skin, bone/muscle, metabolic syndrome and neuron/immune systems: lessons learned from mice lacking AR in specific cells. NUCLEAR RECEPTOR SIGNALING 2013; 11:e001. [PMID: 24653668 PMCID: PMC3960937 DOI: 10.1621/nrs.11001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/28/2013] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed ubiquitously and plays a variety of roles in a vast number of physiological and pathophysiological processes. Recent studies of AR knockout (ARKO) mouse models, particularly the cell type- or tissue-specific ARKO models, have uncovered many AR cell type- or tissue-specific pathophysiological roles in mice, which otherwise would not be delineated from conventional castration and androgen insensitivity syndrome studies. Thus, the AR in various specific cell types plays pivotal roles in production and maturation of immune cells, bone mineralization, and muscle growth. In metabolism, the ARs in brain, particularly in the hypothalamus, and the liver appear to participate in regulation of insulin sensitivity and glucose homeostasis. The AR also plays key roles in cutaneous wound healing and cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and abdominal aortic aneurysm. This article will discuss the results obtained from the total, cell type-, or tissue-specific ARKO models. The understanding of AR cell type- or tissue-specific physiological and pathophysiological roles using these in
vivo mouse models will provide useful information in uncovering AR roles in humans and eventually help us to develop better therapies via targeting the AR or its downstream signaling molecules to combat androgen/AR-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chawnshang Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and the Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA (CC, SY, SOL, T-MC) and Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University/Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan (CC)
| | - Shuyuan Yeh
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and the Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA (CC, SY, SOL, T-MC) and Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University/Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan (CC)
| | - Soo Ok Lee
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and the Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA (CC, SY, SOL, T-MC) and Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University/Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan (CC)
| | - Ta-Min Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, Radiation Oncology, and the Wilmot Cancer Center, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, New York, USA (CC, SY, SOL, T-MC) and Sex Hormone Research Center, China Medical University/Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan (CC)
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Chang C, Lee SO, Wang RS, Yeh S, Chang TM. Androgen receptor (AR) physiological roles in male and female reproductive systems: lessons learned from AR-knockout mice lacking AR in selective cells. Biol Reprod 2013; 89:21. [PMID: 23782840 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.109132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgens/androgen receptor (AR) signaling is involved primarily in the development of male-specific phenotypes during embryogenesis, spermatogenesis, sexual behavior, and fertility during adult life. However, this signaling has also been shown to play an important role in development of female reproductive organs and their functions, such as ovarian folliculogenesis, embryonic implantation, and uterine and breast development. The establishment of the testicular feminization (Tfm) mouse model exploiting the X-linked Tfm mutation in mice has been a good in vivo tool for studying the human complete androgen insensitivity syndrome, but this mouse may not be the perfect in vivo model. Mouse models with various cell-specific AR knockout (ARKO) might allow us to study AR roles in individual types of cells in these male and female reproductive systems, although discrepancies are found in results between labs, probably due to using various Cre mice and/or knocking out AR in different AR domains. Nevertheless, no doubt exists that the continuous development of these ARKO mouse models and careful studies will provide information useful for understanding AR roles in reproductive systems of humans and may help us to develop more effective and more specific therapeutic approaches for reproductive system-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chawnshang Chang
- George Whipple Lab for Cancer Research, Departments of Pathology, Urology, and Radiation Oncology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA.
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Wang K, Li N, Yeung C, Li J, Wang H, Cooper T. Oncogenic Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathways in the cancer-resistant epididymis have implications for cancer research. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2012; 19:57-71. [DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gas051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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Zoeller RT, Brown TR, Doan LL, Gore AC, Skakkebaek NE, Soto AM, Woodruff TJ, Vom Saal FS. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and public health protection: a statement of principles from The Endocrine Society. Endocrinology 2012; 153:4097-110. [PMID: 22733974 PMCID: PMC3423612 DOI: 10.1210/en.2012-1422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 694] [Impact Index Per Article: 57.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
An endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC) is an exogenous chemical, or mixture of chemicals, that can interfere with any aspect of hormone action. The potential for deleterious effects of EDC must be considered relative to the regulation of hormone synthesis, secretion, and actions and the variability in regulation of these events across the life cycle. The developmental age at which EDC exposures occur is a critical consideration in understanding their effects. Because endocrine systems exhibit tissue-, cell-, and receptor-specific actions during the life cycle, EDC can produce complex, mosaic effects. This complexity causes difficulty when a static approach to toxicity through endocrine mechanisms driven by rigid guidelines is used to identify EDC and manage risk to human and wildlife populations. We propose that principles taken from fundamental endocrinology be employed to identify EDC and manage their risk to exposed populations. We emphasize the importance of developmental stage and, in particular, the realization that exposure to a presumptive "safe" dose of chemical may impact a life stage when there is normally no endogenous hormone exposure, thereby underscoring the potential for very low-dose EDC exposures to have potent and irreversible effects. Finally, with regard to the current program designed to detect putative EDC, namely, the Endocrine Disruptor Screening Program, we offer recommendations for strengthening this program through the incorporation of basic endocrine principles to promote further understanding of complex EDC effects, especially due to developmental exposures.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Thomas Zoeller
- Biology Department, University of Massachusetts, 611 North Pleasant Street, Amherst, Massachusetts 01003, USA.
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Björkgren I, Saastamoinen L, Krutskikh A, Huhtaniemi I, Poutanen M, Sipilä P. Dicer1 ablation in the mouse epididymis causes dedifferentiation of the epithelium and imbalance in sex steroid signaling. PLoS One 2012; 7:e38457. [PMID: 22701646 PMCID: PMC3368854 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0038457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2012] [Accepted: 05/05/2012] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The postnatal development of the epididymis is a complex process that results in a highly differentiated epithelium, divided into several segments. Recent studies indicate a role for RNA interference (RNAi) in the development of the epididymis, however, the actual requirement for RNAi has remained elusive. Here, we present the first evidence of a direct need for RNAi in the differentiation of the epididymal epithelium. Methodology/Principal Findings By utilizing the Cre-LoxP system we have generated a conditional knock-out of Dicer1 in the two most proximal segments of the mouse epididymis. Recombination of Dicer1, catalyzed by Defb41iCre/wt, took place before puberty, starting from 12 days postpartum. Shortly thereafter, downregulation of the expression of two genes specific for the most proximal epididymis (lipocalin 8 and cystatin 8) was observed. Following this, segment development continued until week 5 at which age the epithelium started to regress back to an undifferentiated state. The dedifferentiated epithelium also showed an increase in estrogen receptor 1 expression while the expression of androgen receptor and its target genes; glutathione peroxidase 5, lipocalin 5 and cysteine-rich secretory protein 1 was downregulated, indicating imbalanced sex steroid signaling. Conclusions/Significance At the time of the final epididymal development, Dicer1 acts as a regulator of signaling pathways essential for maintaining epithelial cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ida Björkgren
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Turku, Finland
| | - Lauri Saastamoinen
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Anton Krutskikh
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ilpo Huhtaniemi
- Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, London, United Kingdom
| | - Matti Poutanen
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Center for Disease Modeling, (TCDM), University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Petra Sipilä
- Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- Turku Center for Disease Modeling, (TCDM), University of Turku, Turku, Finland
- * E-mail:
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Laronda MM, Unno K, Butler LM, Kurita T. The development of cervical and vaginal adenosis as a result of diethylstilbestrol exposure in utero. Differentiation 2012; 84:252-60. [PMID: 22682699 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2012.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2012] [Revised: 04/26/2012] [Accepted: 05/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Exposure to exogenous hormones during development can result in permanent health problems. In utero exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) is probably the most well documented case in human history. DES, an orally active synthetic estrogen, was believed to prevent adverse pregnancy outcome and thus was routinely given to selected pregnant women from the 1940s to the 1960s. It has been estimated that 5 million pregnant women worldwide were prescribed DES during this period. In the early 1970s, vaginal clear cell adenocarcinomas (CCACs) were diagnosed in daughters whose mother took DES during pregnancy (known as DES daughters). Follow-up studies demonstrated that exposure to DES in utero causes a spectrum of congenital anomalies in female reproductive tracts and CCACs. Among those, cervical and vaginal adenoses are most commonly found, which are believed to be the precursors of CCACs. Transformation related protein 63 (TRP63/p63) marks the cell fate decision of Müllerian duct epithelium (MDE) to become squamous epithelium in the cervix and vagina. DES disrupts the TRP63 expression in mice and induces adenosis lesions in the cervix and vagina. This review describes mouse models that can be used to study the development of DES-induced anomalies, focusing on cervical and vaginal adenoses, and discusses their molecular pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica M Laronda
- Division of Reproductive Biology Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
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