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Zhai YJ, Feng Y, Ma X, Ma F. Defensins: defenders of human reproductive health. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 29:126-154. [PMID: 36130055 PMCID: PMC9825273 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reproductive tract infection is an important factor leading to male and female infertility. Among female infertility factors, microbial and viral infections are the main factors affecting female reproductive health and causing tubal infertility, ectopic tubal pregnancy and premature delivery. Among male infertility factors, 13-15% of male infertility is related to infection. Defensins are cationic antibacterial and antiviral peptides, classified into α-defensins, β-defensins and θ-defensins. Humans only have α-defensins and β-defensins. Apart from their direct antimicrobial functions, defensins have an immunomodulatory function and are involved in many physiological processes. Studies have shown that defensins are widely distributed in the female reproductive tract (FRT) and male reproductive tract (MRT), playing a dual role of host defence and fertility protection. However, to our knowledge, the distribution, regulation and function of defensins in the reproductive tract and their relation to reproduction have not been reviewed. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review summarizes the expression, distribution and regulation of defensins in the reproductive tracts to reveal the updated research on the dual role of defensins in host defence and the protection of fertility. SEARCH METHODS A systematic search was conducted in PubMed using the related keywords through April 2022. Related data from original researches and reviews were integrated to comprehensively review the current findings and understanding of defensins in the human reproductive system. Meanwhile, female and male transcriptome data in the GEO database were screened to analyze defensins in the human reproductive tracts. OUTCOMES Two transcriptome databases from the GEO database (GSE7307 and GSE150852) combined with existing researches reveal the expression levels and role of the defensins in the reproductive tracts. In the FRT, a high expression level of α-defensin is found, and the expression levels of defensins in the vulva and vagina are higher than those in other organs. The expression of defensins in the endometrium varies with menstrual cycle stages and with microbial invasion. Defensins also participate in the local immune response to regulate the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. In the MRT, a high expression level of β-defensins is also found. It is mainly highly expressed in the epididymal caput and corpus, indicating that defensins play an important role in sperm maturation. The expression of defensins in the MRT varies with androgen levels, age and the status of microbial invasion. They protect the male reproductive system from bacterial infections by neutralizing lipopolysaccharide and downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, animal and clinical studies have shown that defensins play an important role in sperm maturation, motility and fertilization. WIDER IMPLICATIONS As a broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide without drug resistance, defensin has great potential for developing new natural antimicrobial treatments for reproductive tract infections. However, increasing evidence has shown that defensins can not only inhibit microbial invasion but can also promote the invasion and adhesion of some microorganisms in certain biological environments, such as human immunodeficiency virus. Therefore, the safety of defensins as reproductive tract anti-infective drugs needs more in-depth research. In addition, the modulatory role of defensins in fertility requires more in-depth research since the current conclusions are based on small-size samples. At present, scientists have made many attempts at the clinical transformation of defensins. However, defensins have problems such as poor stability, low bioavailability and difficulties in their synthesis. Therefore, the production of safe, effective and low-cost drugs remains a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xue Ma
- Correspondence address. Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7781-821X (F.M.); Department of Pediatric Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7650-6214 (X.M.)
| | - Fang Ma
- Correspondence address. Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7781-821X (F.M.); Department of Pediatric Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7650-6214 (X.M.)
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Batorek-Lukač N, Kress K, Čandek-Potokar M, Fazarinc G, Škrlep M, Poklukar K, Wesoly R, Stefanski V, Vrecl M. Immunocastration in adult boars as a model for late-onset hypogonadism. Andrology 2022; 10:1217-1232. [PMID: 35752946 PMCID: PMC9545940 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13219] [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: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Background While immunocastration has been studied in male pre‐pubertal pigs, data on older, sexually mature animals are limited. To understand the physiological effects of androgen deprivation in the late sexual development phase, we compared mature immunocastrated boars (n = 19; average age = 480 days) to young male immunocastrated pigs (n = 6; average age = 183 days) and young entire males (n = 6; average age = 186 days) as positive and negative controls, respectively. Objectives We hypothesized that the timing of gonadotropin‐releasing hormone suppression (early or late sexual development phases) influences the extent of reproductive function inhibition, histological structure of testicular tissue, and expression levels of selected genes related to steroid metabolism. Materials and methods Antibody titer, hormonal status, and histomorphometric analysis of testicular tissue were subjected to principal component analysis followed by hierarchical clustering to evaluate the immunocastration effectiveness in mature boars. Results Hierarchical clustering differentiated mature immunocastrated boars clustered with young immunocastrated pigs from those clustered with entire males. Although all mature immunocastrated boars responded to vaccination, as evidenced by the increased gonadotropin‐releasing hormone antibody titers (p < 0.001), decreased serum luteinizing hormone concentrations (p = 0.002), and changes in testicular tissue vascularization (lighter and less red testicular parenchyma; p ≤ 0.001), the responses were variable. Sharp decreases in testes index (p < 0.001), Leydig cell volume density (p < 0.001), Leydig cell nucleus‐to‐cytoplasm ratio (p < 0.001), and testosterone concentration (p < 0.001) were observed in mature immunocastrated boars clustered with young immunocastrated pigs compared with those that clustered with entire males. Additionally, mature immunocastrated boars clustered with young immunocastrated pigs showed lower hydroxysteroid 17‐beta dehydrogenase 7 expression than entire males (p < 0.05). The young immunocastrated pigs group showed higher follicle‐stimulating hormone receptors than the entire males and mature immunocastrated boars, lower steroidogenic acute regulatory protein expression levels compared with entire males, and mature immunocastrated boars clustered with entire males (p < 0.01). Conclusion The two‐dose vaccination regime resulted in progressive but variable regression of testicular function in adult (post‐pubertal) pigs; however, it was insufficient to induce a complete immunocastration response in all animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Batorek-Lukač
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova ulica 17, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Kevin Kress
- University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 17, Stuttgart, 70599, Germany.,Schweinezuchtverband Baden-Württemberg e.V., Im Wolfer 10, Stuttgart, 70599, Germany
| | - Marjeta Čandek-Potokar
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova ulica 17, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia.,Faculty of Agriculture and Life Sciences, University of Maribor, Pivola 10, Hoče, SI-2311, Slovenia
| | - Gregor Fazarinc
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Martin Škrlep
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova ulica 17, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Klavdija Poklukar
- Agricultural Institute of Slovenia, Hacquetova ulica 17, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
| | - Raffael Wesoly
- Schweinezuchtverband Baden-Württemberg e.V., Im Wolfer 10, Stuttgart, 70599, Germany
| | - Volker Stefanski
- University of Hohenheim, Garbenstraße 17, Stuttgart, 70599, Germany
| | - Milka Vrecl
- Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva ulica 60, Ljubljana, SI-1000, Slovenia
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Cunha Bustamante-Filho I, Renato Menegassi S, Ribas Pereira G, Dias Salton G, Mosena Munari F, Roberto Schneider M, Costa Mattos R, Otávio Jardim Barcellos J, Pereira Laurino J, Obino Cirne-Lima E, Inês Mascarenhas Jobim M. Bovine seminal plasma osteopontin: Structural modelling, recombinant expression and its relationship with semen quality. Andrologia 2020; 53:e13905. [PMID: 33225455 DOI: 10.1111/and.13905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2020] [Revised: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Osteopontin (OPN) is a multifunctional phosphoprotein that has been linked to fertility in bulls. However, the exact mechanism by which OPN contributes to fertilisation is yet unknown. The biotechnological use of OPN in bovine reproduction is promising but some gaps remain unfilled. The present work aimed: (a) to verify whether the seminal plasma OPN is associated with seminal traits and a standard breeding soundness exam; (b) to predict OPN interactions with integrins, CD44 and glycosaminoglycans through molecular docking; and (c) to develop a protocol for recombinant expression of OPN from vesicular gland cDNA. Ejaculates from top ranked bulls had higher amounts of seminal plasma OPN in comparison with bulls classified as questionable (p < .01). The structural modelling and molecular docking predictions indicated that bovine OPN binds to heparin disaccharide, hyaluronic acid and hyaluronan. In addition, docking studies described the binding complexes of OPN with CD44 and the integrin heterodimers α5β1 and αVβ3. Finally, expression of rOPN-6His was successfully obtained after 3 hr of induction with 0.5 mM IPTG at 37°C and a denaturing purification protocol resulted in efficiently purified recombinant OPN. The present results contribute to the development of biotechnological uses of OPN as a biomarker in bovine reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Cunha Bustamante-Filho
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari - UNIVATES, Lajeado, RS, Brazil.,Departamento de Ciência Animal, PPG Zootecnia - NESPRO, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Gene Center, Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Munich, Bayern, Germany
| | - Silvio Renato Menegassi
- Departamento de Ciência Animal, PPG Zootecnia - NESPRO, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabriel Ribas Pereira
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari - UNIVATES, Lajeado, RS, Brazil
| | - Gabrielle Dias Salton
- Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Fernanda Mosena Munari
- Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | | | - Rodrigo Costa Mattos
- Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Júlio Otávio Jardim Barcellos
- Departamento de Ciência Animal, PPG Zootecnia - NESPRO, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Jomar Pereira Laurino
- Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Elizabeth Obino Cirne-Lima
- Centro de Pesquisa Experimental, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.,Faculdade de Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Souza APB, Lopes TN, da Silva AFT, Santi L, Beys-da-Silva WO, Yates JR, Bustamante-Filho IC. Changes in porcine cauda epididymal fluid proteome by disrupting the HPT axis: Unveiling potential mechanisms of male infertility. Mol Reprod Dev 2020; 87:952-965. [PMID: 32749760 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.23408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Male infertility or subfertility is frequently associated with disruption of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testis axis events, like secondary hypogonadism. However, little is known how this condition affects the proteomic composition of the epididymal fluid. In the present study, we evaluated the proteomic changes in the cauda epididymal fluid (CEF) in a swine model of secondary hypogonadism induced by anti-GnRH immunization using multidimensional protein identification technology. Seven hundred and eighteen proteins were identified in both GnRH-immunized and control groups. GnRH immunization doubled the number of proteins in the CEF, with 417 proteins being found exclusively in samples from GnRH-immunized boars. CEF from GnRH-immunized boars presented an increase in the number of proteins related to cellular and metabolic processes, with affinity to organic cyclic compounds, small molecules, and heterocyclic compounds, as well changed the enzymatic profile of the CEF. Also, a significant increase in the number of proteins associated to the ubiquitin-proteasome system was identified in CEF from GnRH-immunized animals. These results bring strong evidence of the impact of secondary hypogonadism on the epididymal environment, which is responsible for sperm maturation and storage prior ejaculation. Finally, the differently expressed proteins in the CEF are putative seminal biomarkers for testicular and epididymal disorders caused by secondary hypogonadism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana P B Souza
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari-Univates, Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Tayná N Lopes
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari-Univates, Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Anna F T da Silva
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari-Univates, Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Lucélia Santi
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Walter O Beys-da-Silva
- Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - John R Yates
- Department of Molecular Medicine, Scripps Research, La Jolla, California
| | - Ivan C Bustamante-Filho
- Laboratório de Biotecnologia, Universidade do Vale do Taquari-Univates, Lajeado, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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