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Syryn H, Van de Velde J, De Clercq G, Verdin H, Dheedene A, Peelman F, Sinclair A, Ayers KL, Bathgate RAD, Cools M, De Baere E. Biallelic RXFP2 variants lead to congenital bilateral cryptorchidism and male infertility, supporting a role of RXFP2 in spermatogenesis. Hum Reprod 2024:deae195. [PMID: 39222519 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deae195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Does RXFP2 disruption impair male fertility? SUMMARY ANSWER We identified biallelic variants in RXFP2 in patients with male infertility due to spermatogenic arrest at the spermatid stage, supporting a role of RXFP2 in human spermatogenesis, specifically in germ cell maturation. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Since RXFP2, the receptor for INSL3, plays a crucial role in testicular descent during prenatal development, biallelic variants lead to bilateral cryptorchidism, as described in four families to date. While animal models have also suggested a function in spermatogenesis, the postnatal functions of RXFP2 and its ligand INSL3, produced in large amounts by the testes from puberty throughout adulthood, are largely unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A family with two male members affected by impaired fertility due to spermatogenic maturation arrest and a history of bilateral cryptorchidism underwent clinical, endocrinological, histological, genomic, in vitro cellular, and in silico investigations. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS The endocrinological and histological findings were correlated with publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data. The genomic defects have been characterized using long-read sequencing and validated with in silico modeling and an in vitro cyclic AMP reporter gene assay. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE An intragenic deletion of exon 1-5 of RXFP2 (NM_130806.5) was detected in trans with a hemizygous missense variant c.229G>A, p.(Glu77Lys). The p.(Glu77Lys) variant caused no clear change in cell surface expression or ability to bind INSL3, but displayed absence of a cAMP signal in response to INSL3, indicating a loss-of-function. Testicular biopsy in the proband showed a maturation arrest at the spermatid stage, corresponding to the highest level of RXFP2 expression in scRNA-seq data, thereby providing a potential explanation for the impaired fertility. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION Although this is so far the only study of human cases that supports the role of RXFP2 in spermatogenic maturation, this is corroborated by several animal studies that have already demonstrated a postnatal function of INSL3 and RXFP2 in spermatogenesis. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS This study corroborates RXFP2 as gene implicated in autosomal recessive congenital bilateral cryptorchidism due to biallelic variants, rather than autosomal-dominant cryptorchidism due to monoallelic RXFP2 variants. Our findings also support that RXFP2 is essential in human spermatogenesis, specifically in germ cell maturation, and that biallelic disruption can cause male infertility through spermatogenic arrest at the spermatid stage. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) Funding was provided by the Bellux Society for Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetology (BELSPEED) and supported by a Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) senior clinical investigator grant (E.D.B., 1802220N) and a Ghent University Hospital Special Research Fund grant (M.C., FIKO-IV institutional fund). The authors declare no conflict of interest. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER N/A.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannes Syryn
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Julie Van de Velde
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Griet De Clercq
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hannah Verdin
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Annelies Dheedene
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Frank Peelman
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Andrew Sinclair
- Royal Children's Hospital & Department of Paediatrics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Katie L Ayers
- Royal Children's Hospital & Department of Paediatrics, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- The Florey Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Pharmacology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Martine Cools
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elfride De Baere
- Center for Medical Genetics Ghent, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Samuel CS, Li Y, Wang Y, Widdop RE. Functional crosstalk between angiotensin receptors (types 1 and 2) and relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1): Implications for the therapeutic targeting of fibrosis. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:2302-2318. [PMID: 36560925 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Class A, rhodopsin-like, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) are by far the largest class of GPCRs and are integral membrane proteins used by various cells to convert extracellular signals into intracellular responses. Initially, class A GPCRs were believed to function as monomers, but a growing body of evidence has emerged to suggest that these receptors can function as homodimers and heterodimers and can undergo functional crosstalk to influence the actions of agonists or antagonists acting at each receptor. This review will focus on the angiotensin type 1 (AT1) and type 2 (AT2) receptors, as well as the relaxin family peptide receptor 1 (RXFP1), each of which have their unique characteristics but have been demonstrated to undergo some level of interaction when appropriately co-expressed, which influences the function of each receptor. In particular, this receptor functional crosstalk will be discussed in the context of fibrosis, the tissue scarring that results from a failed wound-healing response to injury, and which is a hallmark of chronic disease and related organ dysfunction. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue Therapeutic Targeting of G Protein-Coupled Receptors: hot topics from the Australasian Society of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacologists and Toxicologists 2021 Virtual Annual Scientific Meeting. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v181.14/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chrishan S Samuel
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yifang Li
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Yan Wang
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Robert E Widdop
- Cardiovascular Disease Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Chen D, Rehfeld JF, Watts AG, Rorsman P, Gundlach AL. History of key regulatory peptide systems and perspectives for future research. J Neuroendocrinol 2023; 35:e13251. [PMID: 37053148 DOI: 10.1111/jne.13251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023]
Abstract
Throughout the 20th Century, regulatory peptide discovery advanced from the identification of gut hormones to the extraction and characterization of hypothalamic hypophysiotropic factors, and to the isolation and cloning of multiple brain neuropeptides. These discoveries were followed by the discovery of G-protein-coupled and other membrane receptors for these peptides. Subsequently, the systems physiology associated with some of these multiple regulatory peptides and receptors has been comprehensively elucidated and has led to improved therapeutics and diagnostics and their approval by the US Food and Drug Administration. In light of this wealth of information and further potential, it is truly a time of renaissance for regulatory peptides. In this perspective, we review what we have learned from the pioneers in exemplified fields of gut peptides, such as cholecystokinin, enterochromaffin-like-cell peptides, and glucagon, from the trailblazing studies on the key stress hormone, corticotropin-releasing factor, as well as from more recently characterized relaxin-family peptides and receptors. The historical viewpoints are based on our understanding of these topics in light of the earliest phases of research and on subsequent studies and the evolution of knowledge, aiming to sharpen our vision of the current state-of-the-art and those studies that should be prioritized in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duan Chen
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Jens F Rehfeld
- Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Rigshospitalet, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Alan G Watts
- Department of Biological Sciences, Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Patrik Rorsman
- Oxford Centre for Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism, Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Andrew L Gundlach
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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Xie X, Hu J, Liu L, Lei P, Zhang P, Ran C, Liang P. Bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on cryptorchidism: Research hotspots and trends between 2000 and 2022. Heliyon 2023; 9:e19722. [PMID: 37809395 PMCID: PMC10559000 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Cryptorchidism is defined as failure of unilateral or bilateral testicular descent, which increases the risk of infertility and testicular carcinoma. Although there is much research on cryptorchidism, few studies have used the bibliometric analysis method. The purpose of this study was to conduct a comprehensive analysis of cryptorchidism from muti-dimensional perspectives to summarize the research hotspots and trends in cryptorchidism research. Methods Relevant studies on cryptorchidism were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) database from 2000 to 2022. A comprehensive bibliometric analysis of cryptorchidism was performed by using the CiteSpace, Tableau Public, and VOSviewer software, including the annual distributions of publications, countries, authors, institutions, journals, references, and keywords. Results From January 1st, 2000 to May 17th, 2022, a total of 5023 papers concerning cryptorchidism were identified for analysis. The USA contributed the most publications (n = 1193) in this field, and the annual number of publications rose rapidly in China. The University of Melbourne published the largest number of papers (n = 131). "Hutson, John M." was the most core author ranked by publications (n = 51), and "Skakkebaek, Niels E." enjoyed the largest number of citations (4441). The JOURNAL OF UROLOGY published the largest number of papers (n = 225), while the average citations per publication of the 75 papers in HUMAN REPRODUCTION reached 62.38. Additionally, burstness analysis of references and keywords showed that cryptorchidism research was mainly focused on the exploration of the optimal mode of treatment for cryptorchidism, including hypogonadism such as Kallmann syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome. Conclusion Cryptorchidism has attracted continuous attention from the scientific community concerned. International collaboration in the field has witnessed significant growth in recent years and remains essential to further enhance collaborative efforts between scholars from different countries. In addition, the exploration of the optimal treatment modality for cryptorchidism, especially in the prevention of adult infertility, remains a major focus of future research. High-quality follow-up studies are also needed in the future. The pathogenesis (especially at the genetic level) and treatment of hypogonadism such as Kallmann syndrome and Klinefelter syndrome have attracted increasing attention recently, which may usher in some breakthroughs in coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodu Xie
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Jian Hu
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Lumiao Liu
- Department of Anesthesiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Lei
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Zhang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Chongjun Ran
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, People's Republic of China
| | - Peihe Liang
- Department of Urology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400010, People's Republic of China
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Lăptoiu AR, Spoială EL, Stanciu GD, Hanganu E, Lupu VV, Ciongradi CI, Gavrilovici C. New Insights into the Role of INSL-3 in the Development of Cryptorchidism. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:children10040737. [PMID: 37189986 DOI: 10.3390/children10040737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Cryptorchidism, defined as the failure of at least one or both testicles to descend into the scrotal pouches, is the most frequent (1.6-9% at birth, 1/20 males at birth) congenital anomaly encountered in newborn males, resulting in one of the most frequent causes of non-obstructive azoospermia in men. Similar to other congenital malformations, cryptorchidism is thought to be caused by endocrine and genetic factors, combined with maternal and environmental influences. The etiology of cryptorchidism is unknown, as it involves complex mechanisms aiming to control the testicular development and descent from their initial intra-abdominal location in scrotal pouches. The implication of insulin-like 3 (INSL-3) associated with its receptor (LGR8) is critical. Genetic analysis discloses functionally deleterious mutations in INSL3 and GREAT/LGR8 genes. In this literature review, we discuss and analyze the implication of INSL3 and the INSL3/LGR8 mutation in the occurrence of cryptorchidism in both human and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alma-Raluca Lăptoiu
- Pediatrics Department, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Elena-Lia Spoială
- Pediatrics Department, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Gabriela Dumitrita Stanciu
- Advanced Research and Development Center for Experimental Medicine (CEMEX), "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Elena Hanganu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
- Department of Pediatric and Orthopaedic Surgery, "Sfânta Maria" Emergency Children Hospital, 700309 Iași, Romania
| | - Vasile Valeriu Lupu
- Pediatrics Department, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Carmen-Iulia Ciongradi
- Department of Pediatric and Orthopaedic Surgery, "Sfânta Maria" Emergency Children Hospital, 700309 Iași, Romania
- 2nd Department of Surgery and Ortophedics, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 16 Universitatii Street, 700115 Iasi, Romania
| | - Cristina Gavrilovici
- Pediatrics Department, "Grigore T. Popa" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 700115 Iasi, Romania
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Esteban-Lopez M, Wilson KJ, Myhr C, Kaftanovskaya EM, Henderson MJ, Southall NT, Xu X, Wang A, Hu X, Barnaeva E, Ye W, George ER, Sherrill JT, Ferrer M, Morello R, Agoulnik IU, Marugan JJ, Agoulnik AI. Discovery of small molecule agonists of the Relaxin Family Peptide Receptor 2. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1183. [PMCID: PMC9636434 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04143-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2) belongs to the family of class A G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and it is the only known target for the insulin-like factor 3 peptide (INSL3). The importance of this ligand-receptor pair in the development of the gubernacular ligament during the transabdominal phase of testicular descent is well established. More recently, RXFP2 has been implicated in maintaining healthy bone formation. In this report, we describe the discovery of a small molecule series of RXFP2 agonists. These compounds are highly potent, efficacious, and selective RXFP2 allosteric agonists that induce gubernacular invagination in mouse embryos, increase mineralization activity in human osteoblasts in vitro, and improve bone trabecular parameters in adult mice. The described RXFP2 agonists are orally bioavailable and display favorable pharmacokinetic properties, which allow for future evaluation of the therapeutic benefits of modulating RXFP2 activation in disease models. Specific small molecule RXFP2 agonists with favorable pharmacokinetic properties induce gubernacular invagination in mouse embryos, increase mineralization activity in human osteoblasts in vitro, and improve bone trabecular parameters in adult mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Esteban-Lopez
- grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Kenneth J. Wilson
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Courtney Myhr
- grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Elena M. Kaftanovskaya
- grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Mark J. Henderson
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Noel T. Southall
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Xin Xu
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Amy Wang
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Xin Hu
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Elena Barnaeva
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Wenjuan Ye
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Emmett R. George
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - John T. Sherrill
- grid.241054.60000 0004 4687 1637Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR USA
| | - Marc Ferrer
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Roy Morello
- grid.241054.60000 0004 4687 1637Department of Physiology & Cell Biology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, AR USA
| | - Irina U. Agoulnik
- grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA ,grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | - Juan J. Marugan
- grid.94365.3d0000 0001 2297 5165Early Translation Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD USA
| | - Alexander I. Agoulnik
- grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA ,grid.65456.340000 0001 2110 1845Biomolecular Sciences Institute, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
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Blasiak A, Gugula A, Gundlach AL, Olucha-Bordonau FE, Aniello F, Donizetti A. Relaxin ligand/receptor systems in the developing teleost fish brain: Conserved features with mammals and a platform to address neuropeptide system functions. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:984524. [PMID: 36277494 PMCID: PMC9580368 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.984524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The relaxins (RLNs) are a group of peptide hormone/neuromodulators that can regulate a wide range of physiological processes ranging from reproduction to brain function. All the family members have originated from a RLN3-like ancestor via different rounds of whole genome and gene specific duplications during vertebrate evolution. In mammals, including human, the divergence of the different family members and the emergence of new members led to the acquisition of specific functions for the various relaxin family peptide and associated receptor genes. In particular, in mammals, it was shown, that the role of RLN3 is correlated to the modulation of arousal, stress responses, emotion, social recognition, and other brain functions, positioning this gene/peptide as a potential therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric disorders. This review highlights the evolutionary conservation of relaxin family peptide and receptor gene expression and their associated brain neural circuits. In the zebrafish, the expression pattern of the different relaxin family members has specific features that are conserved in higher species, including a likely similar functional role for the ancestral RLN3-like gene. The use of different model organisms, particularly the zebrafish, to explore the diversification and conservation of relaxin family ligands and receptor systems, provides a relatively high-throughput platform to identify their specific conserved or differential neuromodulatory roles in higher species including human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Blasiak
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Anna Gugula
- Department of Neurophysiology and Chronobiology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Andrew L. Gundlach
- Florey Department of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Department of Anatomy and Physiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Francesco Aniello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Aldo Donizetti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
- *Correspondence: Aldo Donizetti,
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Ivell R, Mamsen LS, Andersen CY, Anand-Ivell R. Expression and Role of INSL3 in the Fetal Testis. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:868313. [PMID: 35464060 PMCID: PMC9019166 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.868313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a small peptide hormone of the insulin-relaxin family which is produced and secreted by the fetal Leydig cells in the testes only. It appears to be undetectable in female fetuses. In the human fetus INSL3 synthesis begins immediately following gonadal sex determination at weeks 7 to 8 post coitum and the peptide can be detected in amniotic fluid 1 to 2 weeks later. INSL3 acts through a unique G-protein-coupled receptor, called RelaXin-like Family Peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2), which is expressed by the mesenchymal cells of the gubernacular ligament linking the testes to the inguinal wall. The role of INSL3 in the male fetus is to cause a thickening of the gubernaculum which then retains the testes in the inguinal region, while the remainder of the abdominal organs grow away in an antero-dorsal direction. This represents the first phase of testis descent and is followed later in pregnancy by the second inguino-scrotal phase whereby the testes pass into the scrotum through the inguinal canal. INSL3 acts as a significant biomarker for Leydig cell differentiation in the fetus and may be reduced by maternal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, such as xenoestrogens or phthalates, leading to cryptorchidism. INSL3 may have other roles within the fetus, but as a Leydig cell biomarker its reduction acts also as a surrogate for anti-androgen action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Ivell
- School of Bioscience, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
| | - Linn Salto Mamsen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Section 5712, Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Claus Yding Andersen
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Section 5712, Juliane Marie Centre for Women, Children and Reproduction, Rigshospitalet, University Hospital of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Ravinder Anand-Ivell
- School of Bioscience, University of Nottingham, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom
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Kawate N. Insulin-like peptide 3 in domestic animals with normal and abnormal reproductive functions, in comparison to rodents and humans. Reprod Med Biol 2022; 21:e12485. [PMID: 36310659 PMCID: PMC9601793 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a circulating hormone secreted from only testis and ovaries in mammals. Findings on INSL3 have been gathered from subjects with normal and abnormal reproductive statuses, especially rodents and humans. However, little to no review articles focusing on INSL3 in domestic animals exist. Methods The author reviewed the past and recent literature regarding the structure, expression, roles of INSL3 in the reproductive organs, and its circulation under normal and aberrant reproductive conditions in domestic animals in comparison with rodents and humans. Main findings As with humans and rodents, blood INSL3 concentrations rise around puberty in normal male domestic animals and are associated with testicular size. INSL3 levels are acutely upregulated by luteinizing hormone (LH), and the increase is smaller than that of testosterone in male ruminants, whereas the acute regulation of INSL3 by LH does not occur in human men. Dogs with cryptorchidism and bulls with abnormal semen have lowered INSL3 levels. Conclusion The findings regarding INSL3 secretions in male domestic animals with normal and aberrant reproductive functions illustrate similar or dissimilar points to humans and rodents. Data on blood INSL3 levels in normal and abnormal female domestic species are still limited and require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noritoshi Kawate
- Graduate School of Veterinary ScienceOsaka Metropolitan UniversityIzumisanoJapan
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Development of a putative adverse outcome pathway network for male rat reproductive tract abnormalities with specific considerations for the androgen sensitive window of development. Curr Res Toxicol 2021; 2:254-271. [PMID: 34401750 PMCID: PMC8350458 DOI: 10.1016/j.crtox.2021.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2021] [Revised: 07/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Structured approaches like the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework offer great potential for depicting complex toxicological processes in a manner that can facilitate informed integration of mechanistic information in regulatory decisions. While this concept provides a structure for organizing evidence and facilitates consistency in evidence integration; the process, inputs, and manner in which AOPs and AOP networks are developed is still evolving. Following the OECD guiding principles of AOP development, we propose three AOPs for male reproductive tract abnormalities and derive a putative AOP network. The AOPs were developed using a fundamental understanding of the developmental biology of the organs of interest, paying close attention to the gestational timing of key events (KEs) to very specifically inform the domain of life stage applicability for the key event relationships (KERs). Chemical stressor data primarily from studies on low molecular weight phthalates (LMWPs) served to 'bound' the pathways of focus in this dynamic period of development and were integrated with the developmental biology data through an iterative process to define KEs and conclude on the extent of evidence in support of the KERs. The AOPs developed describe the linkage between 1) a decrease in Insl3 gene expression and cryptorchidism, 2) the sustained expression of Coup-tfII and hypospadias and 3) the sustained expression of Coup-tfII and altered Wolffian duct development/ epididymal agenesis. A putative AOP network linking AOP2 and AOP3 through decreased steroidogenic biosynthetic protein expression and converging of all AOPS at the population level impaired fertility adverse outcome is proposed. The network depiction specifies and displays the KEs aligned with their occurrence in gestational time. The pathways and network described herein are intended to catalyze collaborative initiatives for expansion into a larger network to enable effective data collection and inform alternative approaches for identifying stressors impacting this sensitive period of male reproductive tract development.
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Key Words
- AGD, Anogenital distance
- AO, Adverse Outcome
- AOP, Adverse Outcome Pathway
- Adverse outcome pathway
- Adverse outcome pathway network
- DBP, Dibutyl phthalate
- DEHP, Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate
- DHT, 5α-dihydrotestosterone
- DPP, Dipentyl phthalate
- E, Embryonic day (ED1=GD1 gestational day 1)
- GD, Gestational day (GD1=ED1 embryonic day 1)
- KE, Key event
- KER, Key event relationship
- LMWP, low molecular weight phthalate straight chain length of the esterified alcohols between 3 and 6 carbon atoms
- MPW, male programming window
- Male programming window
- Phthalate
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Abstract
Insulin-like 3 peptide (INSL3) is a member of the insulin-like peptide superfamily and is the only known physiological ligand of relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR). In mammals, INSL3 is primarily produced both in testicular Leydig cells and in ovarian theca cells, but circulating levels of the hormone are much higher in males than in females. The INSL3/RXFP2 system has an essential role in the development of the gubernaculum for the initial transabdominal descent of the testis and in maintaining proper reproductive health in men. Although its function in female physiology has been less well-characterized, it was reported that INSL3 deletion affects antral follicle development during the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle and uterus function. Since the discovery of its role in the reproductive system, the study of INSL3/RXFP2 has expanded to others organs, such as skeletal muscle, bone, kidney, thyroid, brain, and eye. This review aims to summarize the various advances in understanding the physiological function of this ligand-receptor pair since its first discovery and elucidate its future therapeutic potential in the management of various diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Esteban-Lopez
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
- Biomolecular Science Institute, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA
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Panagidis A, Kostopoulou E, Rojas Gil AP, Sinopidis X, Kourea H, Skiadopoulos S, Georgiou G, Spiliotis BE. Correlation between insulin-like peptide 3 and appendix testis length in congenital cryptorchidism. J Paediatr Child Health 2020; 56:1283-1289. [PMID: 32668093 DOI: 10.1111/jpc.14924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
AIM The appendix testis (AT) is a vestigial remnant of Müller's paramesonephric duct. Insulin-like 3 hormone (INSL3) is produced in the Leydig cells of the testis. We investigated the possible correlation between AT length and plasma INSL3 concentrations in patients with congenital cryptorchidism (CCO) and patients with hydrocele, who served as controls. METHODS A total of 40 patients with CCO and 34 patients with hydrocele and orthotopic testes were investigated. Sixteen patients presented high cryptorchidism and 24 low cryptorchidism. During surgery, AT was identified in 34 patients with CCO (high cryptorchidism:15, low cryptorchidism:19) and 28 controls. Plasma INSL3 levels were measured with a spectrophotometry enzyme immunoassay Elisa sandwich technique. RESULTS AT was present in 85.0% of the boys with CCO and 82.4% of the controls. A significant positive correlation was found between the AT length and INSL3 concentrations in CCO patients. CONCLUSIONS A longer AT may reflect better testicular function in boys with CCO, since it is correlated with higher INSL3 concentrations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonios Panagidis
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karamandaneion General Hospital, Patras, Greece
| | - Eirini Kostopoulou
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Andrea Paola Rojas Gil
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, University of Peloponnese, Tripoli, Greece
| | - Xenophon Sinopidis
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Helen Kourea
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Spyros Skiadopoulos
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - George Georgiou
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, Karamandaneion General Hospital, Patras, Greece
| | - Bessie E Spiliotis
- Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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13
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Hsueh AJW, Feng Y. Discovery of polypeptide ligand-receptor pairs based on their co-evolution. FASEB J 2020; 34:8824-8832. [PMID: 32501617 DOI: 10.1096/fj.202000779r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2020] [Revised: 05/05/2020] [Accepted: 05/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Sequencing diverse genomes allowed the tracing of orthologous and paralogous genes to understand the co-evolution of polypeptide ligands and receptors. This review documents the discovery of several polypeptide ligands and their cognate receptors mainly expressed in the reproductive tissue using evolutionary genomics. We discussed the sub-functionization of paralogs and co-evolution of ligand-receptor families. Based on the conserved signaling among paralogous receptors and common knock-out phenotypes of ligand-receptor pairs, relationships between relaxin family peptides and leucine-rich repeat-containing, G protein-coupled receptors (LGR) were revealed. We also described the identification of a novel paralogous glycoprotein hormone thyrostimulin and design of a long-acting FSH. Human stresscopin and stresscopin-related peptide, paralogous to CRH, were also identified based on the conserved signaling pathways. Recently, a novel ligand placensin expressed in human placenta was found based on the paralogous relationship with a metabolic hormone asprosin. Placensin likely contributes to stage-dependent increases in insulin resistance during human pregnancy and its elevated secretion was associated with gestational diabetes mellitus. Although many ligands were predicted based on sequence signatures, ligands of shorter sequences have not been identified, together with many "orphan" receptors without known ligands. Future development of tools for predicting ligands and high throughput assays to identify ligand-receptor pairs based on ligand binding and/or signal transduction could advance hormone-based physiology and pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron J W Hsueh
- Division of Reproductive and Stem Cell Biology, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Yi Feng
- Division of Reproductive and Stem Cell Biology, Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.,Department of Integrative Medicine and Neurobiology, State Key Lab of Medical Neurobiology, Institute of Integrative Medicine, Institute of Brain Science, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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14
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Han H, Dong H, Chen Q, Gao Y, Li J, Li W, Dang R, Lei C. Transcriptomic Analysis of Testicular Gene Expression in Normal and Cryptorchid Horses. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10010102. [PMID: 31936283 PMCID: PMC7022935 DOI: 10.3390/ani10010102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Cryptorchidism is a common congenital malformation that results in impaired fertility in horses. The high abdominal temperature and the effects of this disease lead to differences in gene expression between retained testes and descended testes (DTs). Here, we focus on the genetic effects of cryptorchidism. All the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between undescended testes (UDTs) and DTs were analyzed in this study. A total of 84 DEGs were associated with functions related to sperm development and male reproductive performance. Our study has provided fundamental transcriptomic data for future studies on equine testes and cryptorchidism. Abstract Testes produce sperm, and investigations into gene expression in the testes will enhance the understanding of the roles of testicular genes in male reproduction. Cryptorchidism, the failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotal sac, is a common congenital malformation in horses. The major clinical consequence of this abnormality is impaired fertility. The aim of this study was to analyze the expression patterns of testicular genes and to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in testes between cryptorchid and normal horses. In this study, the gene expression patterns in equine testes and the DEGs between mature descended testes (DTs) and undescended testes (UDTs) were identified by RNA-seq and validated by real-time qPCR. Our results provide comprehensive transcriptomic data on equine testes. The transcriptomic analysis revealed 11 affected genes that were downregulated in UDTs, possibly as a result of the higher temperature in the abdomen than in the scrotal sac. These 11 genes have previously been associated with male reproduction, and their downregulation might explain the impaired fertility of cryptorchid horses. Two homozygous missense mutations detected in horses with cryptorchidism were absent in normal horses and were listed as potential pathogenic mutations; these mutations should be verified in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haoyuan Han
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou 450046, China (J.L.)
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Hong Dong
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China
| | - Qiuming Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Yuan Gao
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Jun Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and Economy, Zhengzhou 450046, China (J.L.)
| | - Wantao Li
- Henan Genetic Protection Engineering Research Center for Livestock and Poultry, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Ruihua Dang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Chuzhao Lei
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
- Correspondence:
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15
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Ayers K, Kumar R, Robevska G, Bruell S, Bell K, Malik MA, Bathgate RA, Sinclair A. Familial bilateral cryptorchidism is caused by recessive variants in RXFP2. J Med Genet 2019; 56:727-733. [PMID: 31167797 PMCID: PMC6860408 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2019-106203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2019] [Revised: 05/09/2019] [Accepted: 05/10/2019] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptorchidism or failure of testicular descent is the most common genitourinary birth defect in males. While both the insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) and its receptor, relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2), have been demonstrated to control testicular descent in mice, their link to human cryptorchidism is weak, with no clear cause-effect demonstrated. OBJECTIVE To identify the genetic cause of a case of familial cryptorchidism. METHODS We recruited a family in which four boys had isolated bilateral cryptorchidism. A fourth-degree consanguineous union in the family was reported. Whole exome sequencing was carried out for the four affected boys and their parents, and variants that segregated with the disorder and had a link to testis development/descent were analysed. Functional analysis of a RXFP2 variant in cell culture included receptor localisation, ligand binding and cyclic AMP (cAMP) pathway activation. RESULTS Genomic analysis revealed a homozygous missense variant in the RXFP2 gene (c.1496G>A .p.Gly499Glu) in all four affected boys and heterozygous in both parents. No other variant with a link to testis biology was found. The RXFP2 variant is rare in genomic databases and predicted to be damaging. It has not been previously reported. Functional analysis demonstrated that the variant protein had poor cell surface expression and failed to bind INSL3 or respond to the ligand with cAMP signalling. CONCLUSION This is the first reported genomic analysis of a family with multiple individuals affected with cryptorchidism. It demonstrates that recessive variants in the RXFP2 gene underlie familial cryptorchidism and solidifies the link between this gene and testicular descent in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katie Ayers
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes Unit, Department of Paediatric Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Gorjana Robevska
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shoni Bruell
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Katrina Bell
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Muneer A Malik
- Department of Paediatric Surgery, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, India
| | - Ross A Bathgate
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew Sinclair
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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16
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Ng HH, Esteban-Lopez M, Agoulnik AI. Targeting the relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 1 and 2 with small molecule compounds. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2019; 487:40-44. [PMID: 30590098 PMCID: PMC6451876 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2018.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The peptide hormone relaxin has beneficial roles in several organs through its action on its cognate G protein-coupled receptor, RXFP1. Relaxin administration is limited to intravenous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or spinal injection. Another drawback of peptide-based therapy is the short half-life, which requires continuous delivery of the drug to achieve efficient concentration in target organs. The discovery of a non-peptide small molecule agonist of RXFP1, ML290, provides an alternative to the natural ligand. This review summarizes the development of ML290 and its potential future therapeutic applications in various diseases, including liver fibrosis and cardiovascular diseases. We also discuss the development of small molecule agonists targeting the insulin-like 3 receptor, RXFP2, and propose the potential use of these small molecules in the context of bone and muscle remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooi Hooi Ng
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
| | - Maria Esteban-Lopez
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
| | - Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, 33199, USA.
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KUMAR GSNAVEEN, NAGARAJA CS, NAGARAJA R, JAYASHANKAR MR, KUMAR MASUNIL. Ovine relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2) gene polymorphism – no association with cryptorchidism. THE INDIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCES 2019. [DOI: 10.56093/ijans.v89i3.88035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
The polymorphism in ovine relaxin family peptide receptor 2 gene and the relevance of earlier established human and mice cryptorchidism associated SNP’s in Mandya and Hassan Sheep was studied. Genomic DNA was extracted from 60 cryptorchid and 80 normal unrelated sheep. Two sets of primers were designed to amplify exon 8 and exon 12–13 regions of ovine RXFP2 gene. SSCP revealed no polymorphism at exon 8, exon 12 and exon 13 of ovine RXFP2 indicating absence of T222P in exon 8 and D294G in exon 12 as reported in human and mice cryptorchids respectively. A novel SNP (KF527573.1, 171T>A) in intron12 of ovine RXFP2 was observed. The sheep population studied was in Hardy Weinberg equilibrium for the genotypes of the SNP. The distribution of genotypes was significantly different for Hassan and Mandya sheep breeds. However, the SNP in both the breeds studied was not associated with the cryptorchid phenotype.
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18
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Sharma V, Lehmann T, Stuckas H, Funke L, Hiller M. Loss of RXFP2 and INSL3 genes in Afrotheria shows that testicular descent is the ancestral condition in placental mammals. PLoS Biol 2018; 16:e2005293. [PMID: 29953435 PMCID: PMC6023123 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.2005293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2018] [Accepted: 05/24/2018] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Descent of testes from a position near the kidneys into the lower abdomen or into the scrotum is an important developmental process that occurs in all placental mammals, with the exception of five afrotherian lineages. Since soft-tissue structures like testes are not preserved in the fossil record and since key parts of the placental mammal phylogeny remain controversial, it has been debated whether testicular descent is the ancestral or derived condition in placental mammals. To resolve this debate, we used genomic data of 71 mammalian species and analyzed the evolution of two key genes (relaxin/insulin-like family peptide receptor 2 [RXFP2] and insulin-like 3 [INSL3]) that induce the development of the gubernaculum, the ligament that is crucial for testicular descent. We show that both RXFP2 and INSL3 are lost or nonfunctional exclusively in four afrotherians (tenrec, cape elephant shrew, cape golden mole, and manatee) that completely lack testicular descent. The presence of remnants of once functional orthologs of both genes in these afrotherian species shows that these gene losses happened after the split from the placental mammal ancestor. These “molecular vestiges” provide strong evidence that testicular descent is the ancestral condition, irrespective of persisting phylogenetic discrepancies. Furthermore, the absence of shared gene-inactivating mutations and our estimates that the loss of RXFP2 happened at different time points strongly suggest that testicular descent was lost independently in Afrotheria. Our results provide a molecular mechanism that explains the loss of testicular descent in afrotherians and, more generally, highlight how molecular vestiges can provide insights into the evolution of soft-tissue characters. While fossils of whales with legs demonstrate that these species evolved from legged ancestors, the ancestral state of nonfossilizing soft-tissue structures can only be indirectly inferred. This difficulty is also confounded by uncertainties in the phylogenetic relationships between the animals concerned. A prime example is the case of testicular descent, a developmental process that determines the final position of testes, which occurs in most placental mammals but is absent from several afrotherian lineages. Here, we discovered that afrotherians possess remnants of genes known to be required for testicular descent. These “molecular vestiges” show that testicular descent was already present in the placental ancestor and was subsequently lost in Afrotheria. Our study highlights the potential of molecular vestiges in resolving contradictory ancestral states of soft-tissue characters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virag Sharma
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Lehmann
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Liane Funke
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Michael Hiller
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems, Dresden, Germany
- Center for Systems Biology Dresden, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Di Nisio A, De Toni L, Rocca MS, Ghezzi M, Selice R, Taglialavoro G, Ferlin A, Foresta C. Negative Association Between Sclerostin and INSL3 in Isolated Human Osteocytes and in Klinefelter Syndrome: New Hints for Testis-Bone Crosstalk. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2018; 103:2033-2041. [PMID: 29452406 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2017-02762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2018] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT The regulation of bone mass by the testis is a well-recognized mechanism, but the role of Leydig-specific marker insulin-like 3 peptide (INSL3) on the most abundant bone cell population, osteocytes, is unknown. In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between INSL3 and sclerostin, an osteocyte-specific protein that negatively regulates bone formation. DESIGN Serum sclerostin and INSL3 levels were evaluated in Klinefelter syndrome (KS) and healthy controls. In vitro effect of INSL3 on sclerostin production was evaluated in human cultured osteocytes. PATIENTS A total of 103 KS patients and 60 age- and sex-matched controls were recruited. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Serum sclerostin and INSL3 levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Osteocytes were isolated by fluorescence-assisted cell sorting. Sclerostin expression was evaluated by western blot, immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Measurement of bone mineral density was done by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar spine (L1-L4) and femoral neck. RESULTS Sclerostin levels were significantly increased in KS subjects, and negatively correlated with INSL3 levels in both cohorts and with bone mineral density in the KS group. Stimulation of cultured osteocytes with INSL3 at 10-7 M significantly decreased both sclerostin messenger RNA and protein expression. CONCLUSIONS We report a negative association between the testicular hormone INSL3 and the osteocytic negative regulator of bone formation, sclerostin. We further explored this association in vitro and showed that INSL3 was able to reduce sclerostin expression. These results add further knowledge on the emerging role of sclerostin as a therapeutic target for osteoporosis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Di Nisio
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Maria Santa Rocca
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Ghezzi
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Riccardo Selice
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Taglialavoro
- Department of Surgical, Oncological and Gastroenterological Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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20
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The Role of the Appendix Testis in Normal Testicular Descent: Is There a Connection? BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 2018:3078031. [PMID: 29850503 PMCID: PMC5937597 DOI: 10.1155/2018/3078031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2017] [Revised: 02/24/2018] [Accepted: 03/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Objective The presence of testicular appendices was prospectively evaluated in 89 boys with 96 undescended testes who underwent orchidopexy over the period of 4 years. Results The patients were divided into two groups. Group A included 42 boys with 49 undescended testes positioned close to the internal inguinal ring, and Group B included 47 boys with 47 undescended testes close to the external inguinal ring. The incidence of appendix testis (AT) in Group A was 57.1% (28 in 49) and 78.7% (37 in 47) in Group B. The results of our study showed significantly decreased incidence of testicular appendices in undescended testes positioned close to the internal inguinal ring compared with undescended testes positioned close to the external inguinal ring (p < 0.05). Conclusion AT may play a role in normal testicular descent and the undescended testis positioned close to the external inguinal ring can be considered as a separate entity of the true congenital undescended testis.
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21
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Li J, Lu D, Liu H, Williams BO, Overbeek PA, Lee B, Zheng L, Yang T. Sclt1 deficiency causes cystic kidney by activating ERK and STAT3 signaling. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:2949-2960. [PMID: 28486600 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2016] [Accepted: 05/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Ciliopathies form a group of inherited disorders sharing several clinical manifestations because of abnormal cilia formation or function, and few treatments have been successful against these disorders. Here, we report a mouse model with mutated Sclt1 gene, which encodes a centriole distal appendage protein important for ciliogenesis. Sodium channel and clathrin linker 1 (SCLT1) mutations were associated with the oral-facial-digital syndrome (OFD), an autosomal recessive ciliopathy. The Sclt1-/- mice exhibit typical ciliopathy phenotypes, including cystic kidney, cleft palate and polydactyly. Sclt1-loss decreases the number of cilia in kidney; increases proliferation and apoptosis of renal tubule epithelial cells; elevates protein kinase A, extracellular signal-regulated kinases, SMAD and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathways; and enhances pro-inflammation and pro-fibrosis pathways with disease progression. Embryonic kidney cyst formation of Sclt1-/- mice was effectively reduced by an anti-STAT3 treatment using pyrimethamine. Overall, we reported a new mouse model for the OFD; and our data suggest that STAT3 inhibition may be a promising treatment for SCLT1-associated cystic kidney.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianshuang Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, P.R. China.,Program for Skeletal Disease and Tumor Metastasis, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Di Lu
- Program for Skeletal Disease and Tumor Metastasis, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Huadie Liu
- Program for Skeletal Disease and Tumor Metastasis, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | - Bart O Williams
- Program for Skeletal Disease and Tumor Metastasis, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
| | | | - Brendan Lee
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ling Zheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, Department of Cell Biology, College of Life Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei 430072, P.R. China
| | - Tao Yang
- Program for Skeletal Disease and Tumor Metastasis, Center for Cancer and Cell Biology, Van Andel Research Institute, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, USA
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Ferlin A, De Toni L, Agoulnik AI, Lunardon G, Armani A, Bortolanza S, Blaauw B, Sandri M, Foresta C. Protective Role of Testicular Hormone INSL3 From Atrophy and Weakness in Skeletal Muscle. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2018; 9:562. [PMID: 30323788 PMCID: PMC6172310 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2018.00562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Androgens are primarily involved in muscle growth, whilst disease-driven muscle wasting is frequently associated with hypogonadism. The Leydig cells of the testes also produce the peptide-hormone Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3). INSL3 displays anabolic activity on bone, a target tissue of androgens, and its plasma concentrations are diminished in male hypogonadism. Here we tested the role of INSL3 on muscle mass regulation, in physiological and pathological conditions. Studies on C2C12 cell line showed that INSL3, acting on his specific receptor RXFP2, promotes skeletal muscle protein synthesis through the Akt/mTOR/S6 pathway. Next, studies on Rxfp2 -/- mice showed that INSL3 is required to prevent excessive muscle loss after denervation. Mechanistically, denervated Rxfp2 -/- mice lacked the compensatory activation of the Akt/mTOR/S6 pathway and showed an abnormal ubiquitin-proteasome system activation. Lack of INSL3 activity resulted also in reduced contractile force. These findings underlie a role of INSL3/RXFP2 in protein turnover, contributing to muscle wasting in male hypogonadism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ferlin
- Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Alexander I. Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, United States
| | | | - Andrea Armani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Sergia Bortolanza
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Bert Blaauw
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Sandri
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine, Padova, Italy
- *Correspondence: Marco Sandri
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
- Carlo Foresta
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Ivell R, Agoulnik AI, Anand‐Ivell R. Relaxin-like peptides in male reproduction - a human perspective. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:990-1001. [PMID: 27933606 PMCID: PMC5406299 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2016] [Revised: 11/10/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The relaxin family of peptide hormones and their cognate GPCRs are becoming physiologically well-characterized in the cardiovascular system and particularly in female reproductive processes. Much less is known about the physiology and pharmacology of these peptides in male reproduction, particularly as regards humans. H2-relaxin is involved in prostate function and growth, while insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) is a major product of the testicular Leydig cells and, in the adult, appears to modulate steroidogenesis and germ cell survival. In the fetus, INSL3 is a key hormone expressed shortly after sex determination and is responsible for the first transabdominal phase of testicular descent. Importantly, INSL3 is becoming a very useful constitutive biomarker reflecting both fetal and post-natal development. Nothing is known about roles for INSL4 in male reproduction and only very little about relaxin-3, which is mostly considered as a brain peptide, or INSL5. The former is expressed at very low levels in the testes, but has no known physiology there, whereas the INSL5 knockout mouse does exhibit a testicular phenotype with mild effects on spermatogenesis, probably due to a disruption of glucose homeostasis. INSL6 is a major product of male germ cells, although it is relatively unexplored with regard to its physiology or pharmacology, except that in mice disruption of the INSL6 gene leads to a disruption of spermatogenesis. Clinically, relaxin analogues may be useful in the control of prostate cancer, and both relaxin and INSL3 have been considered as sperm adjuvants for in vitro fertilization. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard Ivell
- School of BiosciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamLE12 5RDUK
- School of Veterinary and Medical SciencesUniversity of NottinghamNottinghamLE12 5RDUK
| | - Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of MedicineFlorida International UniversityMiamiFLUSA
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Agoulnik AI, Agoulnik IU, Hu X, Marugan J. Synthetic non-peptide low molecular weight agonists of the relaxin receptor 1. Br J Pharmacol 2017; 174:977-989. [PMID: 27771940 PMCID: PMC5406302 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2016] [Revised: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin is a small heterodimeric peptide hormone of the insulin/relaxin superfamily produced mainly in female and male reproductive organs. It has potent antifibrotic, vasodilatory and angiogenic effects and regulates the normal function of various physiological systems. Preclinical studies and recent clinical trials have shown the promise of recombinant relaxin as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of cardiovascular and fibrotic diseases. However, there are the universal drawbacks of peptide-based pharmacology that apply to relaxin: a short half-life in vivo requires its continuous delivery, and there are high costs of production, storage and treatment, as well as the possibility of immune responses. All these issues can be resolved by the development of low non-peptide MW agonists of the relaxin receptors which are stable, bioavailable, easily synthesized and specific. In this review, we describe the discovery and characterization of the first series of such compounds. The lead compound, ML290, binds to an allosteric site of the relaxin GPCR, RXFP1. ML290 shows high activity and efficacy, measured by cAMP response, in cells expressing endogenous or transfected RXFP1. Relaxin-like effects of ML290 were shown in various functional cellular assays in vitro. ML290 has excellent absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion properties and in vivo stability. The identified series of low MW agonists does not activate rodent RXFP1 receptors and thus, the production of a RXFP1 humanized mouse model is needed for preclinical studies. The future analysis and clinical perspectives of relaxin receptor agonists are discussed. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of MedicineFlorida International UniversityMiamiFLUSA
| | - Irina U Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of MedicineFlorida International UniversityMiamiFLUSA
| | - Xin Hu
- NIH Chemical Genomics Center, National Center for Advancing Translational SciencesNational Institutes of HealthRockvilleMDUSA
| | - Juan Marugan
- NIH Chemical Genomics Center, National Center for Advancing Translational SciencesNational Institutes of HealthRockvilleMDUSA
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Komarowska MD, Milewski R, Charkiewicz R, Matuszczak E, Sulewska A, Zelazowska-Rutkowska B, Hermanowicz J, Niklinski J, Debek W, Hermanowicz A. Are anti-Müllerian hormone and its receptor polymorphism associated with the hormonal condition of undescended testes? Adv Med Sci 2016; 61:288-292. [PMID: 27162065 DOI: 10.1016/j.advms.2016.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2016] [Revised: 03/05/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Numerous genetic and endocrine factors are involved in the process of testicular descent, but only a few genetic causes have been reported in human. The aim of this study was to investigate the density and distribution of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and AMHRII receptors in cryptorchid patients and determine potential hormone imbalance connected with undescended testes by assessing the levels of AMH, Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) and inhibin B. MATERIALS AND METHODS The serum hormone levels (AMH, INSL3 and inhibin B) were compared in the two groups - cryptorchidism (n=105) and control group (n=58). The frequency of AMHRII -482 A>G, AMHRII IVS 10+77 A>G, AMHRII IVS 5-6 C>T, and AMH Ile49Ser polymorphisms among cryptorchid boys were compared with the control group. RESULTS None of the hormones levels were different between the cryptorchid and the control groups. All cases of IVS 5-6 C>T homozygote and heterozygote mutation were accompanied by an IVS 10+77 A>G and 482 A>G homozygote and heterozygote mutation. Interestingly, in most cases of all four polymorphisms, homozygote recessive genotype was associated with cases of cryptorchidism. However, the groups of patients were too small to draw definite conclusions. CONCLUSION The AMHRII -482 A>G, AMHRII IVS 10+77 A>G, AMHRII IVS 5-6 C>T and AMH Ile49Ser genotypes should be determined in a much larger group of boys with cryptorchidism.
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Ferlin A, De Toni L, Sandri M, Foresta C. Relaxin and insulin-like peptide 3 in the musculoskeletal system: from bench to bedside. Br J Pharmacol 2016; 174:1015-1024. [PMID: 27059798 DOI: 10.1111/bph.13490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2015] [Revised: 03/10/2016] [Accepted: 03/17/2016] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Skeletal muscles and bones form a joined functional unit sharing a complex mechanical, biochemical and hormonal crosstalk. A number of factors, including sex hormones, physiologically regulate the musculoskeletal system. Striking gender differences in muscle and bone mass, and function are mainly caused by distinct actions exerted by oestrogens and androgens. However, relaxin and relaxin-related peptides, such as insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), might contribute to these sex-associated differences in physiological and pathological conditions (such as osteoporosis and sarcopenia). Relaxin is a 'pregnancy' hormone, but it is also produced from the prostate gland, and has recently attracted attention as a potential drug for cardiovascular disorders and fibrosis. In contrast, INSL3 is a male-specific hormone produced by the Leydig cells of the testis with a fundamental role in testicular descent during fetal life. Recent evidence suggests that both hormones have interesting roles in the musculoskeletal system. Relaxin and INSL3, by finely tuning bone formation and resorption, are involved in bone remodelling processes, and relaxin contributes to the healing of injured ligaments and promotes skeletal muscle regeneration. Here, we review the most recent findings on the effects of relaxin and INSL3 on skeletal muscle and the cell components of bone. In the light of the experimental evidence available and animal models, their clinical implications are also discussed. LINKED ARTICLES This article is part of a themed section on Recent Progress in the Understanding of Relaxin Family Peptides and their Receptors. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v174.10/issuetoc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca De Toni
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Marco Sandri
- Venetian Institute of Molecular Medicine (VIMM), Padova, Italy.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.,Institute of Neuroscience, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Padova, Italy.,Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Carlo Foresta
- Department of Medicine, Operative Unit of Andrology and Medicine of Human Reproduction, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Abstract
SummaryThe objective of the present study was to describe the frequency of the main racial traits of Morada Nova sheep and simulate the impact of this culling on the response to selection for birth weight. The data from sex, coat colour, hoof pigmentation, muzzle pigmentation, polled and cryptorchidism were collected individually at weaning from 385 Morada Nova sheep of the red variety, born between 2010 and 2012, which belonged to four different flocks in the state of Ceará, Brazil. To estimate the impact of culling of animals due to racial pattern on the genetic improvement of the Morada Nova population, the genetic gains in birth weight per generation were calculated considering the following different scenarios of culling due to racial pattern in a simulated population. The present results indicate that the most urgent step is flexibilization of the requirement of dark muzzles and hooves. The selection of Morada Nova sheep based on racial pattern has caused losses in the genetic gain for productive traits such as birth weight. Readaptation of the official racial pattern established for Morada Nova sheep is necessary so that the racial pattern is achieved and an adequate number of animals will be available for selection.
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Komarowska MD, Hermanowicz A, Debek W. Putting the pieces together: cryptorchidism - do we know everything? J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab 2015. [PMID: 26226123 DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2015-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Cryptorchidism is one of the most common birth defects in male children, and it has a potential impact on future health. It is the best-characterized risk factor for reduced fertility and testicular cancer. However, the etiology of cryptorchidism remains largely unknown. In the literature, we find different opinions and theories on this topic. Probably, the etiology is multifactorial, and hormonal, genetic and environmental factors may regulate testicular development and descent from intra-abdominal location into the bottom of the scrotum. The descent of the testis is a complex, two-stage process. A critical role in testicular descent has been attributed to androgens, insulin-like hormone 3 (insl3) and anti-Müllerian hormone. It is believed that interaction between Leydig and Sertoli cells may cause impaired spermatogenesis. Based on recent knowledge of germ cell development, it is believed that the best treatment for undescended testis is orchiopexy between 6th and 12th month of life. Long follow-up studies are needed to focus on the effect of this recommendation.
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Halls ML, Bathgate RAD, Sutton SW, Dschietzig TB, Summers RJ. International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology. XCV. Recent advances in the understanding of the pharmacology and biological roles of relaxin family peptide receptors 1-4, the receptors for relaxin family peptides. Pharmacol Rev 2015; 67:389-440. [PMID: 25761609 DOI: 10.1124/pr.114.009472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Relaxin, insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3), relaxin-3, and INSL5 are the cognate ligands for the relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors 1-4, respectively. RXFP1 activates pleiotropic signaling pathways including the signalosome protein complex that facilitates high-sensitivity signaling; coupling to Gα(s), Gα(i), and Gα(o) proteins; interaction with glucocorticoid receptors; and the formation of hetero-oligomers with distinctive pharmacological properties. In addition to relaxin-related ligands, RXFP1 is activated by Clq-tumor necrosis factor-related protein 8 and by small-molecular-weight agonists, such as ML290 [2-isopropoxy-N-(2-(3-(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)phenylcarbamoyl)phenyl)benzamide], that act allosterically. RXFP2 activates only the Gα(s)- and Gα(o)-coupled pathways. Relaxin-3 is primarily a neuropeptide, and its cognate receptor RXFP3 is a target for the treatment of depression, anxiety, and autism. A variety of peptide agonists, antagonists, biased agonists, and an allosteric modulator target RXFP3. Both RXFP3 and the related RXFP4 couple to Gα(i)/Gα(o) proteins. INSL5 has the properties of an incretin; it is secreted from the gut and is orexigenic. The expression of RXFP4 in gut, adipose tissue, and β-islets together with compromised glucose tolerance in INSL5 or RXFP4 knockout mice suggests a metabolic role. This review focuses on the many advances in our understanding of RXFP receptors in the last 5 years, their signal transduction mechanisms, the development of novel compounds that target RXFP1-4, the challenges facing the field, and current prospects for new therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle L Halls
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Ross A D Bathgate
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Steve W Sutton
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Thomas B Dschietzig
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
| | - Roger J Summers
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (M.L.H., R.J.S.); Neuropeptides Division, Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia (R.A.D.B.); Neuroscience Drug Discovery, Janssen Research & Development, LLC, San Diego, California (S.W.S.); Immundiagnostik AG, Bensheim, Germany (T.B.D.); and Charité-University Medicine Berlin, Campus Mitte, Medical Clinic for Cardiology and Angiology, Berlin, Germany (T.B.D.)
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Hannan M, Kawate N, Kubo Y, Pathirana I, Büllesbach E, Hatoya S, Inaba T, Takahashi M, Tamada H. Expression analyses of insulin-like peptide 3, RXFP2, LH receptor, and 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in testes of normal and cryptorchid dogs. Theriogenology 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2015.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Donizetti A, Fiengo M, Del Gaudio R, Iazzetti G, Pariante P, Minucci S, Aniello F. Expression pattern of zebrafish rxfp2 homologue genes during embryonic development. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY PART B-MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2015; 324:605-13. [PMID: 26173401 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.22637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
RXFP2 is one of the 4 receptors for relaxin insulin-like peptides, in particular it binds with high affinity the INSL3 peptide. INSL3/RXFP2 pair is essential for testicular descent during placental mammalian development. The evolutionary history of this ligand/receptor pair has received much attention, since its function in vertebrate species lacking testicular descent, such as the fishes, remains elusive. Herein, we analyzed the expression pattern of three rxfp2 homologue genes in zebrafish embryonic development. For all the three rxfp2 genes (rxfp2a, rxfp2b, and rxfp2-like) we showed the presence of maternally derived transcripts. Later in the development, rxfp2a is only expressed at larval stage, whereas rxfp2b is expressed in all the analyzed stage with highest level in the larvae. The rxfp2-like gene is expressed in all the analyzed stage with a transcript level that increased starting at early pharyngula stage. The spatial localization analysis of rxfp2-like gene showed that it is expressed in many cell clusters in the developing brain. In addition, other rxfp2-like-expressing cells were identified in the retina and oral epithelium. This analysis provides new insights to elucidate the evolution of rxfp2 genes in vertebrate lineage and lays the foundations to study their role in vertebrate embryonic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aldo Donizetti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Marcella Fiengo
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Giovanni Iazzetti
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Paolo Pariante
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Second University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesco Aniello
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
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Van Hiel MB, Vandersmissen HP, Proost P, Vanden Broeck J. Cloning, constitutive activity and expression profiling of two receptors related to relaxin receptors in Drosophila melanogaster. Peptides 2015; 68:83-90. [PMID: 25064813 DOI: 10.1016/j.peptides.2014.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2014] [Revised: 07/04/2014] [Accepted: 07/07/2014] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Leucine-rich repeat containing G protein-coupled receptors (LGRs) comprise a cluster of transmembrane proteins, characterized by the presence of a large N-terminal extracellular domain. This receptor group can be classified into three subtypes. Belonging to the subtype C LGRs are the mammalian relaxin receptors LGR7 (RXFP1) and LGR8 (RXFP2), which mediate important reproductive and other processes. We identified two related receptors in the genome of the fruit fly and cloned their open reading frames into an expression vector. Interestingly, dLGR3 demonstrated constitutive activity at very low doses of transfected plasmid, whereas dLGR4 did not show any basal activity. Both receptors exhibited a similar expression pattern during development, with relatively high transcript levels during the first larval stage. In addition, both receptors displayed higher expression in male adult flies as compared to female flies. Analysis of the tissue distribution of both receptor transcripts revealed a high expression of dLGR3 in the female fat body, while the expression of dLGR4 peaked in the midgut of both the wandering and adult stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias B Van Hiel
- Department of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 2465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hans Peter Vandersmissen
- Department of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 2465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Paul Proost
- Molecular Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, KU Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, P.O. Box 1030, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jozef Vanden Broeck
- Department of Animal Physiology and Neurobiology, Zoological Institute, KU Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, P.O. Box 2465, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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Feugang JM, Greene JM, Sanchez-Rodríguez HL, Stokes JV, Crenshaw MA, Willard ST, Ryan PL. Profiling of relaxin and its receptor proteins in boar reproductive tissues and spermatozoa. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2015; 13:46. [PMID: 25990010 PMCID: PMC4445784 DOI: 10.1186/s12958-015-0043-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2014] [Accepted: 05/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Relaxin levels in seminal plasma have been associated with positive effects on sperm motility and quality, and thus having potential roles in male fertility. However, the origin of seminal relaxin, within the male reproductive tract, and the moment of its release in the vicinity of spermatozoa remain unclear. Here, we assessed the longitudinal distribution of relaxin and its receptors RXFP1 and RXFP2 in the reproductive tract, sex accessory glands, and spermatozoa of adult boars. METHODS Spermatozoa were harvested from three fertile boars and reproductive tract (testes and epididymis) and sex accessory gland (prostate and seminal vesicles) tissues were collected post-mortem from each boar. Epididymis ducts were sectioned into caput, corpus, and cauda regions, and spermatozoa were mechanically collected. All samples were subjected to immunofluorescence and/or western immunoblotting for relaxin, RXFP1, and RXFP2 detection. Immunolabeled-spermatozoa were submitted to flow cytometry analyses and data were statistically analyzed with ANOVA. RESULTS Both receptors were detected in all tissues, with a predominance of mature and immature isoforms of RXFP1 and RXFP2, respectively. Relaxin signals were found in the testes, with Leydig cells displaying the highest intensity compared to other testicular cells. The testicular immunofluorescence intensity of relaxin was greater than that of other tissues. Epithelial basal cells exhibited the highest relaxin immunofluorescence intensity within the epididymis and the vas deferens. The luminal immunoreactivity to relaxin was detected in the seminiferous tubule, epididymis, and vas deferens ducts. Epididymal and ejaculated spermatozoa were immunopositive to relaxin, RXFP1, and RXFP2, and epididymal corpus-derived spermatozoa had the highest immunoreactivities across epididymal sections. Both vas deferens-collected and ejaculated spermatozoa displayed comparable, but lowest immunofluorescence signals among groups. The entire sperm length was immunopositive to both relaxin and receptors, with relaxin signal being robust in the acrosome area and RXFP2, homogeneously distributed than RXFP1 on the head of ejaculated spermatozoa. CONCLUSIONS Immunolocalization indicates that relaxin-receptor complexes may have important roles in boar reproduction and that spermatozoa are already exposed to relaxin upon their production. The findings suggest autocrine and/or paracrine actions of relaxin on spermatozoa, either before or after ejaculation, which have possible roles on the fertilizing potential of spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean M Feugang
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Jonathan M Greene
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
- Department of Pathobiology & Population Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, Robert P. Hanson Biomedical Sciences Laboratories, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 53706, USA.
| | - Hector L Sanchez-Rodríguez
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
- Department of Animal Science, Mayaguez Campus, University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico.
| | - John V Stokes
- Department of Basic Sciences, Flow Cytometry facility core, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Mark A Crenshaw
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Scott T Willard
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology & Entomology and Plant Pathology, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
| | - Peter L Ryan
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Facility for Organismal and Cellular Imaging (FOCI), Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
- Department of Pathobiology & Population Medicine, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, 39762, USA.
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Kaftanovskaya EM, Lopez C, Ferguson L, Myhr C, Agoulnik AI. Genetic ablation of androgen receptor signaling in fetal Leydig cell lineage affects Leydig cell functions in adult testis. FASEB J 2015; 29:2327-37. [PMID: 25713029 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-263632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2014] [Accepted: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
It is commonly accepted that androgen-producing fetal Leydig cells (FLC) are substituted by adult Leydig cells (ALC) during perinatal testis development. The mechanisms influencing this process are unclear. We used mice with a retinoid acid receptor 2 promoter-Cre recombinase transgene (Rarb-cre) expressed in embryonic FLC precursors, but not in postnatal testis, and a dual fluorescent Cre recombinase reporter to label FLC and ALC in vivo. All FLC in newborn testis had the recombinant, whereas the majority of LC in adult testis had the nonrecombinant reporter. Primary LC cultures from adult testis had either recombinant (20%) or nonrecombinant (80%) cells, demonstrating that the FLC survive in adult testis and their ontogeny is distinct from ALC. Conditional inactivation of androgen receptor (AR) allele using the Rarb-cre transgene resulted in a 50% increase of AR-negative LC in adult testis. The mutant males became infertile with age, with all LC in older testis showing signs of incomplete differentiation, such as a large number of big lipid droplets, an increase of finger-like protrusions, and a misexpression of steroidogenic or FLC- and ALC-specific genes. We propose that the antiandrogenic exposure during early development may similarly result in an increase of FLC in adult testis, leading to abnormal LC differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena M Kaftanovskaya
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA; and
| | - Carolina Lopez
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA; and
| | - Lydia Ferguson
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA; and
| | - Courtney Myhr
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA; and
| | - Alexander I Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, USA; and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
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Duan S, Zhang X, Jiang X, Xie L, Sun Z, Ma S, Li J. An insight into insulin-like factor 3 regulate its receptor RXFP2 in mouse gubernaculum testis cells. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY 2015; 8:14806-11. [PMID: 26823808 PMCID: PMC4713594 DOI: pmid/26823808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 02/05/2023]
Abstract
The etiology of testicular dysgenesis syndrome is multifactorial and involves abnormalities in the anatomical structures and endocrine factors. Several studies have shown that the abnormal development of the gubernaculum may affect testicular descent, and the insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) appears to play an important role in development of the gubernaculum have been proved. INSL3 binds its specific receptor (Relaxin family peptide 2, RXFP2), which was highly expressed in gubernaculum, to produce a crucial effect in the first transabdominal descent stage, but its mechanism still remain unclear. In this study, in order to explore how does INSL3 regulate its receptor RXFP2, we cultured mouse gubernaculum testis cells in vitro, which was treated by INSL3, and examined the expression of RXFP2 in mouse gubernaculum testis cells. The results displayed that INSL3 changed RXFP2 expression, and we found that low dose INSL3 can increase RXFP2 expression, the mechanism of above-mentioned might be related with the hormesis of INSL3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shouxing Duan
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou, Guangdong, China
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular ImagingShantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical CollegeShenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Xuewu Jiang
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Affiliated Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Shenzhen University Medical CollegeShenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Lei Xie
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular ImagingShantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Zongbo Sun
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular ImagingShantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Shuhua Ma
- Department of Radiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou, Guangdong, China
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular ImagingShantou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jianhong Li
- Department of Pediatric Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical CollegeShantou, Guangdong, China
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Petrie EJ, Lagaida S, Sethi A, Bathgate RAD, Gooley PR. In a Class of Their Own - RXFP1 and RXFP2 are Unique Members of the LGR Family. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2015; 6:137. [PMID: 26441827 PMCID: PMC4561518 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2015.00137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2015] [Accepted: 08/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The leucine-rich repeat-containing G protein-coupled receptors (LGRs) family consists of three groups: types A, B, and C and all contain a large extracellular domain (ECD) made up of the structural motif - the leucine-rich repeat (LRR). In the LGRs, the ECD binds the hormone or ligand, usually through the LRRs, that ultimately results in activation and signaling. Structures are available for the ECD of type A and B LGRs, but not the type C LGRs. This review discusses the structural features of LRR proteins, and describes the known structures of the type A and B LGRs and predictions that can be made for the type C LGRs. The mechanism of activation of the LGRs is discussed with a focus on the role of the low-density lipoprotein class A (LDLa) module, a unique feature of the type C LGRs. While the LDLa module is essential for activation of the type C LGRs, the molecular mechanism for this process is unknown. Experimental data for the potential interactions of the type C LGR ligands with the LRR domain, the transmembrane domain, and the LDLa module are summarized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma J. Petrie
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Samantha Lagaida
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ashish Sethi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Ross A. D. Bathgate
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Paul R. Gooley
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- *Correspondence: Paul R. Gooley, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bio21 Molecular Science and Biotechnology Institute, University of Melbourne, 30 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia,
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Trabado S, Lamothe S, Maione L, Bouvattier C, Sarfati J, Brailly-Tabard S, Young J. Congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism and Kallmann syndrome as models for studying hormonal regulation of human testicular endocrine functions. ANNALES D'ENDOCRINOLOGIE 2014; 75:79-87. [PMID: 24815726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ando.2014.04.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Men with Kallmann syndrome (KS) and those with congenital isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism with normal olfaction share a chronic, usually profound deficit, in FSH and LH, the two pituitary gonadotropins. Many studies indicate that this gonadotropin deficiency is already present during fetal life, thus explaining the micropenis, cryptorchidism and marked testicular hypotrophy already present at birth. In addition, neonatal activation of gonadotropin secretion is compromised in boys with severe CHH/Kallmann, preventing the first phase of postnatal testicular activation. Finally, CHH is characterized by the persistence, in the vast majority of cases, of gonadotropin deficiency at the time of puberty and during adulthood. This prevents the normal pubertal testicular reactivation required for physiological sex steroid and testicular peptide production, and for spermatogenesis. CHH/KS thus represents a pathological paradigm that can help to unravel, in vivo, the role of each gonadotropin in human testicular exocrine and endocrine functions at different stages of development. Recombinant gonadotropins with pure LH or FSH activity have been used to stimulate Leydig's cells and Sertoli's cells, respectively, and thereby to clarify their paracrine interaction in vivo. The effects of these pharmacological probes can be assessed by measuring the changes they provoke in circulating testicular hormone concentrations. This review discusses the impact of chronic gonadotropin deficiency on the endocrine functions of the interstitial compartment, which contains testosterone-, estradiol- and INSL3-secreting Leydig's cells. It also examines the regulation of inhibin B and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) secretion in the seminiferous tubules, and the insights provided by studies of human testicular stimulation with recombinant gonadotropins, used either individually or in combination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Trabado
- Inserm U693, université Paris-Sud, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratoire d'hormonologie et génétique, hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, France
| | - Sophie Lamothe
- Service d'endocrinologie et des maladies de la reproduction, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Luigi Maione
- Service d'endocrinologie et des maladies de la reproduction, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Claire Bouvattier
- Département d'endocrinologie pédiatrique, hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Julie Sarfati
- Service d'endocrinologie et des maladies de la reproduction, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France
| | - Sylvie Brailly-Tabard
- Inserm U693, université Paris-Sud, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Laboratoire d'hormonologie et génétique, hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, France
| | - Jacques Young
- Inserm U693, université Paris-Sud, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France; Service d'endocrinologie et des maladies de la reproduction, Hôpital Bicêtre, Assistance publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, 94275 Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, France.
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Trabado S, Maione L, Bry-Gauillard H, Affres H, Salenave S, Sarfati J, Bouvattier C, Delemer B, Chanson P, Le Bouc Y, Brailly-Tabard S, Young J. Insulin-like peptide 3 (INSL3) in men with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism/Kallmann syndrome and effects of different modalities of hormonal treatment: a single-center study of 281 patients. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2014; 99:E268-75. [PMID: 24243640 DOI: 10.1210/jc.2013-2288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is a testicular hormone secreted during fetal life, the neonatal period, and after puberty. OBJECTIVE To measure INSL3 levels in a large series of men with congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH)/ Kallmann syndrome (KS), in order to assess its diagnostic value and to investigate its regulation. PATIENTS We studied 281 CHH/KS patients (91 untreated, 96 receiving T, and 94 receiving combined gonadotropin therapy [human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, and FSH]) and 72 age-matched healthy men. METHODS Serum INSL3 was immunoassayed with a validated RIA. RESULTS Mean (±SD) INSL3 levels (pg/mL) were 659 ± 279 in controls and lower (60 ± 43; P < .001) in untreated CHH/KS patients, with no overlap between the two groups, when the threshold of 250 pg/mL was used. Basal INSL3 levels were lower in both untreated CHH/KS men with cryptorchidism than in those with intrascrotal testes and in patients with testicular volumes below 4 mL. Significant positive correlations between INSL3 and both serum total T and LH levels were observed in untreated CHH/KS. Mean INSL3 levels remained low in T-treated CHH/KS patients and were significantly higher in men receiving combined hCG-FSH therapy (P < .001), but the increase was lower cryptorchid patients. FSH-hCG combination therapy or hCG monotherapy, contrary to T and FSH monotherapies, significantly increased INSL3 levels in CHH/KS. CONCLUSIONS INSL3 is as sensitive a marker as T for the evaluation of altered Leydig cell function in CHH/KS patients. INSL3 levels correlate with LH levels in CHH/KS men showing, together with the rise in INSL3 levels during hCG therapy, that INSL3 secretion seems not constitutively secreted during adulthood but is dependence on pituitary LH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Séverine Trabado
- Université de Paris-Sud (S.T., L.M., S.S., P.C., J.S., C.B., S.B.T., J.Y.), Faculté de Médecine Paris-Sud, Unité Mixte de Recherche-S693, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, F-94276, France; Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (S.T., S.B.T.), Hôpital de Bicêtre, Laboratoire de Génétique Moléculaire, Pharmacogénétique et Hormonologie, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, F-94275, France; Service d'Endocrinologie et des Maladies de la Reproduction (L.M., H.B.G., H.A., S.S., J.S., P.C., J.Y.), Département de Pédiatrie Endocrinienne (C.B.), Hôpital de Bicêtre, F-94275, France; Service d'Endocrinologie (B.D.), Centre Hospitalier Robert Debré, Reims F-51092, France; Inserm U693 (S.T., L.M., P.C., S.B.T., J.Y.), IFR93, Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, F94275, France; and Laboratoire d'Explorations Fonctionnelles Hôpital Trousseau (Y.L.B.), Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris and Université Pierre et Marie Curie and Inserm UMRS-938, Paris F-75012, France
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Bay K, Anand-Ivell R. Human Testicular Insulin-Like Factor 3 and Endocrine Disrupters. VITAMINS & HORMONES 2014; 94:327-48. [DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-800095-3.00012-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
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Mamoulakis C, Georgiou I, Dimitriadis F, Tsounapi P, Giannakis I, Chatzikyriakidou A, Antypas S, Sofras F, Takenaka A, Sofikitis N. Genetic analysis of the human Insulin-like 3 gene: absence of mutations in a Greek paediatric cohort with testicular maldescent. Andrologia 2013; 46:986-96. [DOI: 10.1111/and.12184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2013] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- C. Mamoulakis
- Department of Urology; Medical School; University of Crete; Heraklion Crete Greece
| | - I. Georgiou
- Genetics and IVF Unit; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Medical School; University of Ioannina; Ioannina Greece
| | - F. Dimitriadis
- B' Department of Urology; Medical School; Aristotle University; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - P. Tsounapi
- Department of Urology; Medical School; Tottori University; Yonago Japan
| | - I. Giannakis
- Department of Urology; Medical School; University of Ioannina; Ioannina Greece
| | - A. Chatzikyriakidou
- Genetics and IVF Unit; Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology; Medical School; University of Ioannina; Ioannina Greece
| | - S. Antypas
- First Pediatric Surgery Clinic; Aghia Sophia Children's Hospital; Athens Greece
| | - F. Sofras
- Department of Urology; Medical School; University of Crete; Heraklion Crete Greece
| | - A. Takenaka
- Department of Urology; Medical School; Tottori University; Yonago Japan
| | - N. Sofikitis
- Department of Urology; Medical School; University of Ioannina; Ioannina Greece
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Ferguson L, How JJ, Agoulnik AI. The fate of spermatogonial stem cells in the cryptorchid testes of RXFP2 deficient mice. PLoS One 2013; 8:e77351. [PMID: 24098584 PMCID: PMC3789668 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0077351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2013] [Accepted: 09/02/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The environmental niche of the spermatogonial stem cell pool is critical to ensure the continued generation of the germ cell population. To study the consequences of an aberrant testicular environment in cryptorchidism we used a mouse model with a deletion of Rxfp2 gene resulting in a high intra-abdominal testicular position. Mutant males were infertile with the gross morphology of the cryptorchid testis progressively deteriorating with age. Few spermatogonia were identifiable in 12 month old cryptorchid testes. Gene expression analysis showed no difference between mutant and control testes at postnatal day 10. In three month old males a decrease in expression of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) markers Id4, Nanos2, and Ret was shown. The direct counting of ID4+ cells supported a significant decrease of SSCs. In contrast, the expression of Plzf, a marker for undifferentiated and differentiating spermatogonia was not reduced, and the number of PLZF+ cells in the cryptorchid testis was higher in three month old testes, but equal to control in six month old mutants. The PLZF+ cells did not show a higher rate of apoptosis in cryptorchid testis. The expression of the Sertoli cell FGF2 gene required for SSC maintenance was significantly reduced in mutant testis. Based on these findings we propose that the deregulation of somatic and germ cell genes in the cryptorchid testis, directs the SSCs towards the differentiation pathway. This leads to a depletion of the SSC pool and an increase in the number of PLZF+ spermatogonial cells, which too, eventually decreases with the exhaustion of the stem cell pool. Such a dynamic suggests that an early correction of cryptorchidism is critical for the retention of the SSC pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Ferguson
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Javier J. How
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
| | - Alexander I. Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida, United States of America
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
Findings in the past few years have advanced understanding of the crosstalk between testis and bone and could contribute to defining an improved clinical approach to the biochemical diagnosis and therapeutic management of hypogonadism and male osteoporosis. This Review focuses on the Leydig cells of the testis. Other than being responsible for steroidogenesis and production of testosterone, the function of these cells is fundamental to bone health in at least two other ways: Leydig cells produce insulin-like 3 (INSL3), which has a role in osteoblast function, and they contribute to 25-hydroxylation of vitamin D. Impairment of testicular function leads to low levels of testosterone, INSL3 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D and consequently to an increased risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Ferlin
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Section of Clinical Pathology & Center for Human Reproduction Pathology, University of Padova, Via Gabelli 63, 35121 Padova, Italy.
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Allais-Bonnet A, Grohs C, Medugorac I, Krebs S, Djari A, Graf A, Fritz S, Seichter D, Baur A, Russ I, Bouet S, Rothammer S, Wahlberg P, Esquerré D, Hoze C, Boussaha M, Weiss B, Thépot D, Fouilloux MN, Rossignol MN, van Marle-Köster E, Hreiðarsdóttir GE, Barbey S, Dozias D, Cobo E, Reversé P, Catros O, Marchand JL, Soulas P, Roy P, Marquant-Leguienne B, Le Bourhis D, Clément L, Salas-Cortes L, Venot E, Pannetier M, Phocas F, Klopp C, Rocha D, Fouchet M, Journaux L, Bernard-Capel C, Ponsart C, Eggen A, Blum H, Gallard Y, Boichard D, Pailhoux E, Capitan A. Novel insights into the bovine polled phenotype and horn ontogenesis in Bovidae. PLoS One 2013; 8:e63512. [PMID: 23717440 PMCID: PMC3661542 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0063512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2013] [Accepted: 04/02/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite massive research efforts, the molecular etiology of bovine polledness and the developmental pathways involved in horn ontogenesis are still poorly understood. In a recent article, we provided evidence for the existence of at least two different alleles at the Polled locus and identified candidate mutations for each of them. None of these mutations was located in known coding or regulatory regions, thus adding to the complexity of understanding the molecular basis of polledness. We confirm previous results here and exhaustively identify the causative mutation for the Celtic allele (PC) and four candidate mutations for the Friesian allele (PF). We describe a previously unreported eyelash-and-eyelid phenotype associated with regular polledness, and present unique histological and gene expression data on bovine horn bud differentiation in fetuses affected by three different horn defect syndromes, as well as in wild-type controls. We propose the ectopic expression of a lincRNA in PC/p horn buds as a probable cause of horn bud agenesis. In addition, we provide evidence for an involvement of OLIG2, FOXL2 and RXFP2 in horn bud differentiation, and draw a first link between bovine, ovine and caprine Polled loci. Our results represent a first and important step in understanding the genetic pathways and key process involved in horn bud differentiation in Bovidae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Allais-Bonnet
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Cécile Grohs
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Ivica Medugorac
- Chair of Animal Genetics and Husbandry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Stefan Krebs
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Anis Djari
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Plateforme bioinformatique Genotoul, UR875 Biométrie et Intelligence Artificielle, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Alexander Graf
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sébastien Fritz
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- National Association of Livestock & Artificial Insemination Cooperatives, Paris, France
| | | | - Aurélia Baur
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- National Association of Livestock & Artificial Insemination Cooperatives, Paris, France
| | - Ingolf Russ
- Tierzuchtforschung e.V. München, Grub, Germany
| | - Stéphan Bouet
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Sophie Rothammer
- Chair of Animal Genetics and Husbandry, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Per Wahlberg
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Diane Esquerré
- GeT-PlaGe, Genotoul, Castanet-Tolosan, France
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR444 Génétique Cellulaire, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Chris Hoze
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- National Association of Livestock & Artificial Insemination Cooperatives, Paris, France
| | - Mekki Boussaha
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Bernard Weiss
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Dominique Thépot
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | | | - Este van Marle-Köster
- Department of Animal & Wildlife Sciences, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa
| | | | - Sarah Barbey
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UE0326 Domaine expérimental du Pin-au-Haras, Exmes, France
| | - Dominique Dozias
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UE0326 Domaine expérimental du Pin-au-Haras, Exmes, France
| | - Emilie Cobo
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UE0326 Domaine expérimental du Pin-au-Haras, Exmes, France
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Daniel Le Bourhis
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- National Association of Livestock & Artificial Insemination Cooperatives, Paris, France
| | - Laetitia Clément
- National Association of Livestock & Artificial Insemination Cooperatives, Paris, France
| | - Laura Salas-Cortes
- National Association of Livestock & Artificial Insemination Cooperatives, Paris, France
| | - Eric Venot
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Maëlle Pannetier
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Florence Phocas
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Christophe Klopp
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, Plateforme bioinformatique Genotoul, UR875 Biométrie et Intelligence Artificielle, Castanet-Tolosan, France
| | - Dominique Rocha
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | | | - Laurent Journaux
- National Association of Livestock & Artificial Insemination Cooperatives, Paris, France
| | | | - Claire Ponsart
- National Association of Livestock & Artificial Insemination Cooperatives, Paris, France
| | - André Eggen
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Helmut Blum
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis, Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Yves Gallard
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UE0326 Domaine expérimental du Pin-au-Haras, Exmes, France
| | - Didier Boichard
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Eric Pailhoux
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR 1198 Biologie du Développement et Reproduction, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Aurélien Capitan
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, UMR1313 Génétique Animale et Biologie Intégrative, Jouy-en-Josas, France
- National Association of Livestock & Artificial Insemination Cooperatives, Paris, France
- * E-mail:
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44
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Kaftanovskaya EM, Neukirchner G, Huff V, Agoulnik AI. Left-sided cryptorchidism in mice with Wilms' tumour 1 gene deletion in gubernaculum testis. J Pathol 2013; 230:39-47. [PMID: 23288785 DOI: 10.1002/path.4161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2012] [Revised: 11/30/2012] [Accepted: 12/21/2012] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
A significant number of patients with germline mutations in the Wilms' tumour 1 (WT1) gene, a transcriptional factor essential for early renal and gonadal development, display cryptorchidism or non-scrotal testis position. We show here that WT1 is expressed during development in the mouse gubernacular ligament connecting the testis to the abdominal wall. Conditional inactivation of Wt1 in the gubernaculum (GU-WT1KO animals) resulted in abnormal differentiation of the gubernacula during development and, in about 40% of adult males, unilateral, always left-sided, cryptorchidism. At birth the right testis was positioned above the processus vaginalis and eventually moved into the developing scrotal pouch. In affected mutants the left testis was displaced from the normal position and the left processus vaginalis failed to form. The analysis of testicular descent at different stages of postnatal development suggests that unilateral cryptorchidism might be caused by asymmetry in the positions of the abdominal organs providing a higher degree of mobility for the left testis. Spermatogenesis in GU-WT1KO animals was blocked in cryptorchid testes located in a high pararenal position, but was maintained in testes located in a low abdominal position. Conditional inactivation of both Wt1 and androgen receptor (Ar) genes in the gubernaculum led to a bilateral asymmetrical cryptorchidism in all mutant males, with the left testis again located higher than the right one. The malformations induced by WT1 and AR deficiency in the gubernaculum and processus vaginalis, in combination with mechanical constraints on testis descent, determine the final position of the testes. In summary, our data indicate that WT1 is directly involved in gubernaculum differentiation. Taken together, the results of the study underline the complex nature of testicular descent, with an involvement in this process of several genetic factors and developmental events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena M Kaftanovskaya
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
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45
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Bathgate RAD, Halls ML, van der Westhuizen ET, Callander GE, Kocan M, Summers RJ. Relaxin family peptides and their receptors. Physiol Rev 2013; 93:405-80. [PMID: 23303914 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00001.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 379] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
There are seven relaxin family peptides that are all structurally related to insulin. Relaxin has many roles in female and male reproduction, as a neuropeptide in the central nervous system, as a vasodilator and cardiac stimulant in the cardiovascular system, and as an antifibrotic agent. Insulin-like peptide-3 (INSL3) has clearly defined specialist roles in male and female reproduction, relaxin-3 is primarily a neuropeptide involved in stress and metabolic control, and INSL5 is widely distributed particularly in the gastrointestinal tract. Although they are structurally related to insulin, the relaxin family peptides produce their physiological effects by activating a group of four G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), relaxin family peptide receptors 1-4 (RXFP1-4). Relaxin and INSL3 are the cognate ligands for RXFP1 and RXFP2, respectively, that are leucine-rich repeat containing GPCRs. RXFP1 activates a wide spectrum of signaling pathways to generate second messengers that include cAMP and nitric oxide, whereas RXFP2 activates a subset of these pathways. Relaxin-3 and INSL5 are the cognate ligands for RXFP3 and RXFP4 that are closely related to small peptide receptors that when activated inhibit cAMP production and activate MAP kinases. Although there are still many unanswered questions regarding the mode of action of relaxin family peptides, it is clear that they have important physiological roles that could be exploited for therapeutic benefit.
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Affiliation(s)
- R A D Bathgate
- Drug Discovery Biology, Monash Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences & Department of Pharmacology, Monash University, Victoria, Australia
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46
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Abstract
The failure of testicular descent or cryptorchidism is the most common defect in newborn boys. The descent of the testes during development is controlled by insulin-like 3 peptide and steroid hormones produced in testicular Leydig cells, as well as by various genetic and developmental factors. While in some cases the association with genetic abnormalities and environmental causes has been shown, the etiology of cryptorchidism remains uncertain. Cryptorchidism is an established risk factor for infertility and testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT). Experimental animal models suggest a causative role for an abnormal testicular position on the disruption of spermatogenesis however the link between cryptorchidism and TGCT is less clear. The most common type of TGCT in cryptorchid testes is seminoma, believed to be derived from pluripotent prenatal germ cells. Recent studies have shown that seminoma cells and their precursor carcinoma in situ cells express a number of spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) markers suggesting that TGCTs might originate from adult stem cells. We review here the data on changes in the SSC somatic cell niche observed in cryptorchid testes of mouse models and in human patients. We propose that the misregulation of growth factors' expression may alter the balance between SSC self-renewal and differentiation and shift stem cells toward neoplastic transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Ferguson
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International UniversityMiami, FL, USA
| | - Alexander I. Agoulnik
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International UniversityMiami, FL, USA
- *Correspondence: Alexander I. Agoulnik, Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, 11200 SW 8th Street, HLSI 419B, Miami, FL 33199, USA. e-mail:
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47
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Matuszczak E, Hermanowicz A, Komarowska M, Debek W. Serum AMH in Physiology and Pathology of Male Gonads. Int J Endocrinol 2013; 2013:128907. [PMID: 24282408 PMCID: PMC3824311 DOI: 10.1155/2013/128907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2013] [Accepted: 09/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
AMH is secreted by immature Sertoli cells (SC) and is responsible for the regression of Müllerian ducts in the male fetus as part of the sexual differentiation process. AMH is also involved in testicular development and function. AMHs are at their lowest levels in the first days after birth but increase after the first week, likely reflecting active SC proliferation. AMH rises rapidly in concentration in boys during the first month, reaching a peak level at about 6 months of age, and then slowly declines during childhood, falling to low levels in puberty. Basal and FSH-stimulated levels of AMH, might become a useful predictive marker of the spermatogenic response to gonadotropic treatment in young patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. After puberty, AMH is released preferentially by the apical pole of the SC towards the lumen of the seminiferous tubules, resulting in higher concentrations in the seminal plasma than in the serum. Defects in AMH production and insensitivity to AMH due to receptor defects result in the persistent Müllerian duct syndrome. A measurable value of AMH in a boy with bilateral cryptorchidism is predictive of undescended testes, while an undetectable value is highly suggestive of anorchia or ovaries, as would be the case in girls with female pseudohermaphroditism and pure gonadal dysgenesis. Lower serum AMH concentrations in otherwise healthy boys with cryptorchidism, who were compared with their age-matched counterparts with palpable testes, have been reported previously. AMH levels are higher in prepubertal patients with varicocele than in controls. This altered serum profile of AMH in boys with varicoceles may indicate an early abnormality in the regulation of the seminiferous epithelial function. Serum AMH is known to be valuable in assessing gonadal function. As compared to testing involving the administration of human chorionic gonadotropin, the measurement of AMH is more sensitive and equally specific. Measurement of AMH is very useful in young children, because serum gonadotropin concentrations in those who are agonadal are nondiagnostic in midchildhood and serum testosterone concentrations may fail to increase with provocative testing in children with abdominal testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Matuszczak
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
- *Ewa Matuszczak:
| | - Adam Hermanowicz
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Marta Komarowska
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
| | - Wojciech Debek
- Pediatric Surgery Department, Medical University of Bialystok, Waszyngtona 17, 15-274 Bialystok, Poland
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48
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Huang Z, Rivas B, Agoulnik AI. Insulin-like 3 signaling is important for testicular descent but dispensable for spermatogenesis and germ cell survival in adult mice. Biol Reprod 2012; 87:143. [PMID: 23100620 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.103382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Relaxin family peptide receptor 2 (RXFP2) is the cognate receptor of a peptide hormone insulin-like 3 (INSL3). INSL3 is expressed at high levels in both fetal and adult Leydig cells. Deletion of Insl3 or Rxfp2 genes in mice caused cryptorchidism resulting from a failure of gubernaculum development. Using a novel mouse transgenic line with a knock-in LacZ reporter in the Rxfp2 locus, we detected a robust Rxfp2 expression in embryonic and early postnatal gubernaculum in males and in postmeiotic spermatogenic cells in adult testis. To study the role of INSL3/RXFP2 signaling in male reproduction, we produced a floxed Rxfp2 allele and used the Cre/loxP approach to delete Rxfp2 in different tissues. Using Cre transgene driven by retinoic acid receptor beta promoter, conditional gene targeting in gubernacular mesenchymal cells at early embryonic stages caused high intraabdominal cryptorchidism as in males with a global deletion of Rxfp2. However, when the Rxfp2 was deleted in gubernacular smooth or striated muscle cells, no abnormalities of testicular descent or testis development were found. Specific ablation of Rxfp2 in male germ cells using Stra8-icre transgene did not affect testis descent, spermatogenesis, or fertility in adult males. No significant change in germ cell apoptosis was detected in mutant males. In summary, our data indicate that the INSL3/RXFP2 signaling is important for testicular descent but dispensable for spermatogenesis and fertility in adult males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaohua Huang
- Department of Human and Molecular Genetics, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Florida International University, Miami, Florida 33199, USA
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49
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Abe M, Hojo T, Kozai K, Okuda K. Possible role of insulin-like factor 3 in the bovine corpus luteum. J Vet Med Sci 2012; 75:629-32. [PMID: 23220928 DOI: 10.1292/jvms.12-0423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) is a local regulator in mammalian gonads, but little is known of its function in bovine corpus luteum (CL). Here, we show that RXFP2 protein, the receptor of INSL3, was expressed throughout the estrous cycle and significantly high at the early luteal stage compared to the regressed luteal stage. INSL3 stimulated progesterone secretion, but not prostaglandin F2α and viability in cultured luteal cells. Together, these results suggest that INSL3 plays a luteotropic role as a local regulator in the bovine CL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misato Abe
- Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Okayama University, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
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50
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Hermanowicz A, Matuszczak E, Debek W, Dzienis-Koronkiewicz E, Komarowska M, Oksiuta M, Kowalewska J, Milewski R. Expression of estrogen receptors α and β in paratesticular tissues in boys operated on for unilateral cryptorchidism between the 1st and 4th years of life. Med Sci Monit 2012; 18:CR630-4. [PMID: 23018357 PMCID: PMC3560562 DOI: 10.12659/msm.883490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2012] [Accepted: 06/13/2012] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to assess the expression of estrogen receptors alpha and beta in paratesticular tissues in a group of boys with and without cryptorchidism, and evaluation of karyotypes, localization, morphology and the major length of the undescended testes. MATERIAL/METHODS Fifty boys (1-4 years old) with unilateral cryptorchidism were evaluated. Fifty healthy boys within the same age range, with inguinal hernia, served as a control group. Measurements concerning expression of ERalpha ERbeta receptors were preformed using monoclonal mouse antibodies against human receptor alpha and beta. RESULTS In the mesothelial layer, the expression of ERalpha was higher in the patients group with undescended testes and it was statistically significant (p=0.04). There was no difference in the expression of ERbeta in this layer between groups. In the stromal cell layer there was statistically significant higher expression of ERbeta (p<0.05) in the group of patients with undescended testes. CONCLUSIONS There was no difference between expressions of ERalpha in stromal cell layer. In the endothelial layer there was no difference in expression of ERalpha and ERbeta. In the smooth muscle layer there was no expression of ERalpha in either group. The expression of ERbeta in the smooth muscle layer was nearly identical in both groups. Undescended testes were generally found in the superficial inguinal pouch (n=46). The major lengths of the undescended testes were smaller in comparison to the testes positioned normally. In 9 of the cases the testes had different shape, and turgor deficit, and epididymides were smaller, dysplastic and separated from the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Hermanowicz
- Department of Pediatric Surgery Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland.
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