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van Bever Y, Boers RG, Brüggenwirth HT, van IJcken WF, Magielsen FJ, de Klein A, Boers JB, Looijenga LH, Brosens E, Gribnau J, Hannema SE. Genome-wide methylation analysis in patients with proximal hypospadias - a pilot study and review of the literature. Epigenetics 2024; 19:2392048. [PMID: 39151125 DOI: 10.1080/15592294.2024.2392048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 08/06/2024] [Indexed: 08/18/2024] Open
Abstract
In patients with proximal hypospadias, often no genetic cause is identified despite extensive genetic testing. Many genes involved in sex development encode transcription factors with strict timing and dosing of the gene products. We hypothesised that there might be recurrent differences in DNA methylation in boys with hypospadias and that these might differ between patients born small versus appropriate for gestational age. Genome-wide Methylated DNA sequencing (MeD-seq) was performed on 32bp LpnPI restriction enzyme fragments after RE-digestion in leucocytes from 16 XY boys with unexplained proximal hypospadias, one with an unexplained XX testicular disorder/difference of sex development (DSD) and twelve, healthy, sex- and age-matched controls. Five of seven differentially methylated regions (DMRs) between patients and XY controls were in the Long Intergenic Non-Protein Coding RNA 665 (LINC00665; CpG24525). Three patients showed hypermethylation of MAP3K1. Finally, no DMRs in XX testicular DSD associated genes were identified in the XX boy versus XX controls. In conclusion, we observed no recognizable epigenetic signature in 16 boys with XY proximal hypospadias and no difference between children born small versus appropriate for gestational age. Comparison to previous methylation studies in individuals with hypospadias did not show consistent findings, possibly due to the use of different inclusion criteria, tissues and methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolande van Bever
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus MC Center of Expertise for DSD, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ruben G Boers
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Hennie T Brüggenwirth
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Erasmus MC Center of Expertise for DSD, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Wilfred Fj van IJcken
- Center for Biomics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Cell biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Frank J Magielsen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annelies de Klein
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joachim B Boers
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Leendert Hj Looijenga
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, and Department of Pathology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Erwin Brosens
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Joost Gribnau
- Department of Developmental Biology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sabine E Hannema
- Erasmus MC Center of Expertise for DSD, Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Location Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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2
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Cesarani A, Corte Pause F, Hidalgo J, Garcia A, Degano L, Vicario D, Macciota NPP, Stradaioli G. Genetic background of semen parameters in Italian Simmental bulls. ITALIAN JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/1828051x.2022.2160665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Cesarani
- Dipartimento di Agraria, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Francesca Corte Pause
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Jorge Hidalgo
- Department of Animal and Dairy Science, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Andre Garcia
- Angus Genetics Inc. - American Angus Association, Saint Joseph, MO, USA
| | - Lorenzo Degano
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Pezzata Rossa Italiana (ANAPRI), Udine, Italy
| | - Daniele Vicario
- Associazione Nazionale Allevatori Pezzata Rossa Italiana (ANAPRI), Udine, Italy
| | | | - Giuseppe Stradaioli
- Department of Agricultural, Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
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Du J, Yuan X, Deng H, Huang R, Liu B, Xiong T, Long X, Zhang L, Li Y, She Q. Single-cell and spatial heterogeneity landscapes of mature epicardial cells. J Pharm Anal 2023; 13:894-907. [PMID: 37719196 PMCID: PMC10499659 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpha.2023.07.011] [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: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Tbx18, Wt1, and Tcf21 have been identified as epicardial markers during the early embryonic stage. However, the gene markers of mature epicardial cells remain unclear. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis was performed with the Seurat, Monocle, and CellphoneDB packages in R software with standard procedures. Spatial transcriptomics was performed on chilled Visium Tissue Optimization Slides (10x Genomics) and Visium Spatial Gene Expression Slides (10x Genomics). Spatial transcriptomics analysis was performed with Space Ranger software and R software. Immunofluorescence, whole-mount RNA in situ hybridization and X-gal staining were performed to validate the analysis results. Spatial transcriptomics analysis revealed distinct transcriptional profiles and functions between epicardial tissue and non-epicardial tissue. Several gene markers specific to postnatal epicardial tissue were identified, including Msln, C3, Efemp1, and Upk3b. Single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed that cardiac cells from wildtype mouse hearts (from embryonic day 9.5 to postnatal day 9) could be categorized into six major cell types, which included epicardial cells. Throughout epicardial development, Wt1, Tbx18, and Upk3b were consistently expressed, whereas genes including Msln, C3, and Efemp1 exhibited increased expression during the mature stages of development. Pseudotime analysis further revealed two epicardial cell fates during maturation. Moreover, Upk3b, Msln, Efemp1, and C3 positive epicardial cells were enriched in extracellular matrix signaling. Our results suggested Upk3b, Efemp1, Msln, C3, and other genes were mature epicardium markers. Extracellular matrix signaling was found to play a critical role in the mature epicardium, thus suggesting potential therapeutic targets for heart regeneration in future clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianlin Du
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xin Yuan
- Department of Nephrology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Haijun Deng
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology for Infectious Diseases, Ministry of Education, Institute for Viral Hepatitis, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Rongzhong Huang
- Precision Medicine Center, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Bin Liu
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Tianhua Xiong
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Xianglin Long
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Ling Zhang
- Basic Medicine Research and Innovation Center for Novel Target and Therapeutic Intervention, Ministry of Education, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Yingrui Li
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
| | - Qiang She
- Department of Cardiology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400010, China
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Munipalli SB, Yenugu S. Uroplakin 1a Knockout Mice Display Marginal Reduction in Fecundity, Decreased Bacterial Clearance Capacity, and Drastic Changes in the Testicular Transcriptome. Reprod Sci 2023; 30:914-927. [PMID: 36042152 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-01057-z] [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: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
Uroplakins (UPKs) form physical and chemical barriers in the bladder and other urinary tract tissues. We previously reported the identification and localization of UPKs in the male reproductive tract of rat. In this study, we characterized Upk1a knockout mice and report a marginal reduction in fecundity associated with significant decrease in sperm count. Upk1a mice had lower bacterial clearance capacity when challenged with uropathogenic Escherichia coli for 1 to 5 days. High-throughput analyses of testicular transcriptome indicated that 1128 genes that are expressed in testis of wild-type mice were completely absent in the knockout, while 2330 genes were found to be expressed only in the testis of knockout mice. Furthermore, differential regulation of 148 (67 upregulated and 81 downregulated) was observed. Gene ontology analyses indicated that processes related to integral components of membrane (plasma membrane), G-protein receptor activity and signaling, olfactory receptor activity and perception of smell, organization of extracellular space/region, immune and inflammatory responses to pathogens, spermatid development, meiotic cell cycle, and formation of synaptonemal complex were affected. Results of this study provide evidence on the possible multi-functional role of Upk1a in male reproductive tract and in other tissues as well.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, 500046, India.
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Zhu Y, Zhao Z, Thandar M, Cheng J, Chi P, Huang S. Expression patterns and prognostic value of key regulators associated with m7G RNA modification based on all gene expression in colon adenocarcinoma. BMC Gastroenterol 2023; 23:22. [PMID: 36681801 PMCID: PMC9867544 DOI: 10.1186/s12876-023-02657-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND N7-methylguanosine (m7G) is present in a wide variety of organisms and has important roles. m7G has been reported to be involved in multiple biological processes, and recent studies have reported that changes in RNA modifications result in tumor cellular transformation and cancer, such as colon adenocarcinoma, lung cancer, and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. However, little is known about the function of the m7G in colon adenocarcinoma. METHODS We established two clusters based on the expression of all genes associated with m7G to explore the expression pattern of 31 key regulatory factors of m7G RNA and assess the prognostic value of regulatory factors. Wilcoxon test and differential box line plots were applied for bioinformatics analysis. Receiver Operating and Kaplan‒Meier curves were utilized to evaluate the prognostic value. Finally, four genes' expression in the colon cancer cell line was confirmed by qRT-PCR. RESULTS From The Cancer Genome Atlas database, we found that the expression levels of 25 out of the 31 key N7-methylguanosine RNA modification regulators were significantly different in colon adenocarcinoma. According to 25 methylation regulators' expression, we identified two subgroups by consensus clustering, in which the prognosis was worse in Group 2 than in Group 1 and was significantly correlated with age. Cluster 2 was significantly enriched in tumor-associated pathways, and immune cells were highly infiltrated in Cluster 1 but weakly infiltrated in Cluster 2. Further results indicated that this risk profile may serve as a standalone predictive factor for colon adenocarcinoma, and the four genetic risk profiles' prognostic relatedness was successfully verified through Gene Expression Omnibus dataset. At last, A nomogram for prognosis was created according to age, sex, histological grading, clinicopathological staging, and hazard score to accurately predict patient prognosis in colon adenocarcinoma. We successfully validated the differential expression of four genes using qRT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS In the present study, we revealed the important contribution of key regulators associated with m7G RNA modifications based on all gene expression in colon adenocarcinoma and developed a signature of risk that serves as a promising prognostic marker for patients with colon adenocarcinoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanchang Zhu
- grid.411176.40000 0004 1758 0478Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29, Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province China
| | - Zeyi Zhao
- grid.411176.40000 0004 1758 0478Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29, Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province China
| | - Mya Thandar
- grid.411176.40000 0004 1758 0478Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29, Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province China
| | - Junhao Cheng
- grid.411176.40000 0004 1758 0478Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29, Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province China
| | - Pan Chi
- grid.411176.40000 0004 1758 0478Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29, Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province China ,grid.411176.40000 0004 1758 0478Training Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian China
| | - Shenghui Huang
- grid.411176.40000 0004 1758 0478Department of Colorectal Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, No. 29, Xinquan Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, Fujian Province China ,grid.411176.40000 0004 1758 0478Training Center of Minimally Invasive Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian China
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6
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CEP128 is involved in spermatogenesis in humans and mice. Nat Commun 2022; 13:1395. [PMID: 35296684 PMCID: PMC8927350 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29109-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Centrosomal proteins are necessary components of the centrosome, a conserved eukaryotic organelle essential to the reproductive process. However, few centrosomal proteins have been genetically linked to fertility. Herein we identify a homozygous missense variant of CEP128 (c.665 G > A [p.R222Q]) in two infertile males. Remarkably, male homozygous knock-in mice harboring the orthologous CEP128R222Q variant show anomalies in sperm morphology, count, and motility. Moreover, Cep128 knock-out mice manifest male infertility associated with disrupted sperm quality. We observe defective sperm flagella in both homozygous Cep128 KO and KI mice; the cilia development in other organs is normal—suggesting that CEP128 variants predominantly affected the ciliogenesis in the testes. Mechanistically, CEP128 is involved in male reproduction via regulating the expression of genes and/or the phosphorylation of TGF-β/BMP-signalling members during spermatogenesis. Altogether, our findings unveil a crucial role for CEP128 in male fertility and provide important insights into the functions of centrosomal proteins in reproductive biology. CEP128 is a centrosomal protein important for the organization of centriolar microtubules. Here, the authors show that a CEP128 variant observed in human male siblings causes reduced sperm counts and morphologically abnormal sperm when modeled in mice, suggesting a role for CEP128 in male fertility.
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7
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Post-Surgical Peritoneal Scarring and Key Molecular Mechanisms. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11050692. [PMID: 34063089 PMCID: PMC8147932 DOI: 10.3390/biom11050692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Post-surgical adhesions are internal scar tissue and a major health and economic burden. Adhesions affect and involve the peritoneal lining of the abdominal cavity, which consists of a continuous mesothelial covering of the cavity wall and majority of internal organs. Our understanding of the full pathophysiology of adhesion formation is limited by the fact that the mechanisms regulating normal serosal repair and regeneration of the mesothelial layer are still being elucidated. Emerging evidence suggests that mesothelial cells do not simply form a passive barrier but perform a wide range of important regulatory functions including maintaining a healthy peritoneal homeostasis as well as orchestrating events leading to normal repair or pathological outcomes following injury. Here, we summarise recent advances in our understanding of serosal repair and adhesion formation with an emphasis on molecular mechanisms and novel gene expression signatures associated with these processes. We discuss changes in mesothelial biomolecular marker expression during peritoneal development, which may help, in part, to explain findings in adults from lineage tracing studies using experimental adhesion models. Lastly, we highlight examples of where local tissue specialisation may determine a particular response of peritoneal cells to injury.
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Dalghi MG, Montalbetti N, Carattino MD, Apodaca G. The Urothelium: Life in a Liquid Environment. Physiol Rev 2020; 100:1621-1705. [PMID: 32191559 PMCID: PMC7717127 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00041.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 03/02/2020] [Accepted: 03/14/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The urothelium, which lines the renal pelvis, ureters, urinary bladder, and proximal urethra, forms a high-resistance but adaptable barrier that surveils its mechanochemical environment and communicates changes to underlying tissues including afferent nerve fibers and the smooth muscle. The goal of this review is to summarize new insights into urothelial biology and function that have occurred in the past decade. After familiarizing the reader with key aspects of urothelial histology, we describe new insights into urothelial development and regeneration. This is followed by an extended discussion of urothelial barrier function, including information about the roles of the glycocalyx, ion and water transport, tight junctions, and the cellular and tissue shape changes and other adaptations that accompany expansion and contraction of the lower urinary tract. We also explore evidence that the urothelium can alter the water and solute composition of urine during normal physiology and in response to overdistension. We complete the review by providing an overview of our current knowledge about the urothelial environment, discussing the sensor and transducer functions of the urothelium, exploring the role of circadian rhythms in urothelial gene expression, and describing novel research tools that are likely to further advance our understanding of urothelial biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianela G Dalghi
- Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Nicolas Montalbetti
- Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Marcelo D Carattino
- Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Gerard Apodaca
- Department of Medicine, Renal-Electrolyte Division, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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9
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Babu Munipalli S, Yenugu S. Uroplakin expression in the male reproductive tract of rat. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 281:153-163. [PMID: 31181195 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Uroplakins (UPKs) play an important role in the normal and pathophysiology of the urothelium. They protect the urothelium and play a crucial role during urothelial infections by Uropathogenic E. coli. However, their functions beyond this organ system remain unexplored. A wide variety of proteins secreted in the male reproductive tract tissues contribute to spermatogenesis, sperm maturation, fertilization and innate immunity. However, the presence of UPKs and their possible contribution to the male reproductive tract physiology is not yet reported. Hence, in this study, we characterized UPKs in the male reproductive tract of rats. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time, we report the expression of UPKs in the male reproductive system. Upk1a, Upk1b, Upk2 and Upk3b mRNA and their corresponding proteins were abundantly expressed in the caput, cauda, testis, seminal vesicles and the prostate. Their expression was not developmentally regulated. UPK protein expression was also localized on the spermatozoa, suggesting a role for these proteins in sperm function. To study the role of UPKs in innate immunity, Upk mRNA expression in response to endotoxin challenge was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In the rat testicular and epididymal cell lines, Upk mRNA levels increased in response to lipopolysaccharide challenge. However, in the caput, cauda, testes, seminal vesicle and prostate obtained from LPS treated rats, Upk mRNA expression was significantly reduced. Results of this study indicate a role for UPKs in male reproductive physiology and innate immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India.
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10
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Taatjes DJ, Roth J. In focus in HCB. Histochem Cell Biol 2016; 147:1-3. [PMID: 27900525 DOI: 10.1007/s00418-016-1517-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Douglas J Taatjes
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, The University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, VT, 05405, USA.
| | - Jürgen Roth
- University of Zurich, 8091, Zurich, Switzerland
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