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Ma Z, Li J, Fu L, Fu R, Tang N, Quan Y, Xin Z, Ding Z, Liu Y. Epididymal RNase T2 contributes to astheno-teratozoospermia and intergenerational metabolic disorder through epididymosome-sperm interaction. BMC Med 2023; 21:453. [PMID: 37993934 PMCID: PMC10664275 DOI: 10.1186/s12916-023-03158-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epididymis is crucial for post-testicular sperm development which is termed sperm maturation. During this process, fertilizing ability is acquired through the epididymis-sperm communication via exchange of protein and small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs). More importantly, epididymal-derived exosomes secreted by the epididymal epithelial cells transfer sncRNAs into maturing sperm. These sncRNAs could mediate intergenerational inheritance which further influences the health of their offspring. Recently, the linkage and mechanism involved in regulating sperm function and sncRNAs during epididymal sperm maturation are increasingly gaining more and more attention. METHODS An epididymal-specific ribonuclease T2 (RNase T2) knock-in (KI) mouse model was constructed to investigate its role in developing sperm fertilizing capability. The sperm parameters of RNase T2 KI males were evaluated and the metabolic phenotypes of their offspring were characterized. Pandora sequencing technology profiled and sequenced the sperm sncRNA expression pattern to determine the effect of epididymal RNase T2 on the expression levels of sperm sncRNAs. Furthermore, the expression levels of RNase T2 in the epididymal epithelial cells in response to environmental stress were confirmed both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS Overexpression of RNase T2 caused severe subfertility associated with astheno-teratozoospermia in mice caput epididymis, and furthermore contributed to the acquired metabolic disorders in the offspring, including hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hyperinsulinemia. Pandora sequencing showed altered profiles of sncRNAs especially rRNA-derived small RNAs (rsRNAs) and tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in RNase T2 KI sperm compared to control sperm. Moreover, environmental stress upregulated RNase T2 in the caput epididymis. CONCLUSIONS The importance was demonstrated of epididymal RNase T2 in inducing sperm maturation and intergenerational inheritance. Overexpressed RNase T2 in the caput epididymis leads to astheno-teratozoospermia and metabolic disorder in the offspring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuoyao Ma
- Department of Histology, Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Chongqing Road (South), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jinyu Li
- Department of Histology, Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Chongqing Road (South), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Li Fu
- Department of Laboratory Animal Science, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Rong Fu
- Core Facility of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Ningyuan Tang
- Department of Histology, Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Chongqing Road (South), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yanmei Quan
- Department of Histology, Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Chongqing Road (South), Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Zhixiang Xin
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Changzheng Hospital, Naval Medical University, No. 415, Fengyang Road, Shanghai, 200003, China.
| | - Zhide Ding
- Department of Histology, Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Chongqing Road (South), Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Histology, Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, No.280, Chongqing Road (South), Shanghai, 200025, China.
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Tao S, Yao Z, Li H, Wang Y, Qiao X, Yu Y, Li Y, Ning Y, Ge RS, Li S. Exposure to 4-nonylphenol compromises Leydig cell development in pubertal male mice. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 266:115612. [PMID: 37866035 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to 4-nonyl phenol (4-NP) on Leydig cell (LC) development and function remains poorly understood. We explored the effects of 4-NP on LC development and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Male (28-day-old) mice received orally 4-NP (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/kg/day) for 28 days. We found that 4-NP at ≥ 0.125 mg/kg markedly compromised serum testosterone levels and LC numbers. Gene and protein expression analysis demonstrated downregulation of key genes and their proteins involved in LC steroidogenesis, including Star, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, Hsd17b3, Hsd3b6, and Scarb1. Furthermore, exposure to 4-NP induced oxidative stress, as evidenced by elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), as well as reduced superoxide dismutase 1/2 and catalase (CAT). Apoptosis was also observed in LCs following exposure to 4-NP, as shown by an increased BAX/BCL2 ratio and caspase-3. A TM3 mouse LC line further confirmed that 4-NP induced ROS and the expression of apoptosis-related genes and proteins. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that 4-NP exposure compromises LC development through multiple mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanhui Tao
- Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Zhiang Yao
- Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Huitao Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Yiyan Wang
- Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China
| | - Xinyi Qiao
- Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Anaesthesiology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China, Key Laboratory of Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yang Yu
- Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Anaesthesiology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China, Key Laboratory of Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yang Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Anaesthesiology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China, Key Laboratory of Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yangyang Ning
- Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China; Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Anaesthesiology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China, Key Laboratory of Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Ren-Shan Ge
- Key Laboratory of Structural Malformations in Children of Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang Province, China; Department of Anaesthesiology and Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China, Key Laboratory of Wenzhou, 325000 Zhejiang Province, China.
| | - Shijun Li
- Department of Pharmacy, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, China.
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Chromatin modifiers: A new class of pollutants with potential epigenetic effects revealed by in vitro assays and transcriptomic analyses. Toxicology 2023; 484:153413. [PMID: 36581016 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2022.153413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 12/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A great variety of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been used extensively and become widespread in the environment nowadays. Limited mammalian studies have shown that certain EDCs may target chromosome and epigenome of the germline, leading to adverse effects in subsequent generations, despite these progenies having never been exposed to the EDC before. However, the underlying mechanisms of chromosomal changes induced by these pollutants remain poorly known. Using the human ovarian granulosa tumor cell line COV434 as a model, we investigated and compared the transcriptomic changes induced by nine EDCs with diverse chemical structures (i.e. BDE-47, BPA, BP-3, DEHP, DHP, EE2, TCS, TDCPP and NP), to inquire if there is any common epigenetic modification associated with reproductive functions induced by these EDCs. Our results showed that COV434 cells were more responsive to BP-3, NP, DEHP and EE2, and more importantly, these four EDCs altered the expression of gene clusters related to DNA damage response, cell cycle, proliferation, and chromatin remodeling, which can potentially lead to epigenetic modifications and transgenerational inheritance. Furthermore, dysregulation of similar gene clusters was common in DEHP and NP treatments. Bioinformatics analysis further revealed that BP-3 disturbed signaling pathways associated with reproductive functions, whereas alterations in telomere-related pathways were highlighted upon EE2 exposure. Overall, this study highlighted chromatin modifications caused by a class of chemicals which that may potentially lead to epigenetic changes and transgenerational reproductive impairments.
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