1
|
Wang Q, Yang Y, Li P, Dong R, Sun C, Song G, Wang Y. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles induce apoptosis through ROS-Ca 2+-p38/AKT/mTOR pathway in TM4 cells. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:818-832. [PMID: 38272789 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4583] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) can cause apoptosis in TM4 cells; however, the underlying mechanism has not been entirely elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of TiO2 NPs on ROS, Ca2+ level, p38/AKT/mTOR pathway, and apoptosis in TM4 cells and to evaluate the role of Ca2+ in p38/AKT/mTOR pathway and apoptosis. After exposure to different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 μg/mL) of TiO2 NPs for 24 h, cell viability, ROS, Ca2+ level, Ca2+-ATPase activity, p38/AKT/mTOR pathway-related proteins, apoptosis rate, and apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase 3, Caspase 9, and p53) were detected. The ROS scavenger NAC was used to determine the effect of ROS on Ca2+ level. The Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM was used to evaluate the role of Ca2+ in p38/AKT/mTOR pathway and apoptosis. TiO2 NPs significantly inhibited cell viability, increased ROS level, and elevated Ca2+ level while suppressing Ca2+-ATPase activity. TiO2 NPs regulated the p38/AKT/mTOR pathway via increasing p-p38 level and decreasing p-AKT and p-mTOR levels. TiO2 NPs significantly enhanced the apoptosis. NAC attenuated Ca2+ overload and reduction in Ca2+-ATPase activity caused by TiO2 NPs. BAPTA-AM alleviated TiO2 NPs-induced abnormal expression of p38/AKT/mTOR pathway-related proteins. BAPTA-AM assuaged the apoptosis caused by TiO2 NPs. Altogether, this study revealed that TiO2 NPs elevated intracellular Ca2+ level through ROS accumulation. Subsequently, the heightened intracellular Ca2+ level was observed to exert regulation over the p38/AKT/mTOR pathway, ultimately culminating in apoptosis. These results provides a complementary understanding to the mechanism of TiO2 NPs-induced apoptosis in TM4 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Wang
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | | | - Pengfei Li
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Ruoyun Dong
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Chenhao Sun
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Guanling Song
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratory for Prevention and Control of Emerging Infectious Diseases and Public Health Security, the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| | - Yan Wang
- School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hong Q, Fan M, Cai R, Shi W, Xie F, Chen Y, Li C. SOX4 regulates proliferation and apoptosis of human ovarian granulosa-like tumor cell line KGN through the Hippo pathway. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2024; 705:149738. [PMID: 38447391 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2024.149738] [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: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024]
Abstract
The proliferation and apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells are important for folliculogenesis. As a transcription factor, SRY-box transcription factor 4 (SOX4) has important roles in regulating cellular proliferation and apoptosis. Nonetheless, the regulatory mechanisms of SOX4 on proliferation and apoptosis of granulosa cells remain elusive. Therefore, a stably overexpressed SOX4 ovarian granulosa cell line KGN was generated by lentivirus encapsulation. We observed that overexpression of SOX4 inhibits apoptosis, promotes proliferation and migration of KGN cells. Comparative analysis of the transcriptome revealed 868 upregulated and 696 downregulated DEGs in LV-SOX4 in comparison with LV-CON KGN cell lines. Afterward, further assessments were performed to explore the possible functions about these DEGs. The data showed their involvement in many biological processes, particularly the Hippo signaling pathway. Moreover, the expression levels of YAP1, WWTR1, WTIP, DLG3, CCN2, and AMOT, which were associated with the Hippo signaling pathway, were further validated by qRT-PCR. In addition, the protein expression levels of YAP1 were markedly elevated, while p-YAP1 were notably reduced after overexpression of SOX4 in KGN cells. Thus, these results suggested that SOX4 regulates apoptosis, proliferation and migration of KGN cells, at least partly, through activation of the Hippo signaling pathway, which might be implicated in mammalian follicle development.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Hong
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Mengmeng Fan
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China
| | - Rui Cai
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Wenhui Shi
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Fenfen Xie
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Yuanhua Chen
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230032, China
| | - Cong Li
- Department of Hematology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, 230601, China.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nguyen HT, Martin LJ. Classical cadherins in the testis: how are they regulated? Reprod Fertil Dev 2023; 35:641-660. [PMID: 37717581 DOI: 10.1071/rd23084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadherins (CDH) are crucial intercellular adhesion molecules, contributing to morphogenesis and creating tissue barriers by regulating cells' movement, clustering and differentiation. In the testis, classical cadherins such as CDH1, CDH2 and CDH3 are critical to gonadogenesis by promoting the migration and the subsequent clustering of primordial germ cells with somatic cells. While CDH2 is present in both Sertoli and germ cells in rodents, CDH1 is primarily detected in undifferentiated spermatogonia. As for CDH3, its expression is mainly found in germ and pre-Sertoli cells in developing gonads until the establishment of the blood-testis barrier (BTB). This barrier is made of Sertoli cells forming intercellular junctional complexes. The restructuring of the BTB allows the movement of early spermatocytes toward the apical compartment as they differentiate during a process called spermatogenesis. CDH2 is among many junctional proteins participating in this process and is regulated by several pathways. While cytokines promote the disassembly of the BTB by enhancing junctional protein endocytosis for degradation, testosterone facilitates the assembly of the BTB by increasing the recycling of endocytosed junctional proteins. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are also mediators of the BTB kinetics in many chemically induced damages in the testis. In addition to regulating Sertoli cell functions, follicle stimulating hormone can also regulate the expression of CDH2. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on regulatory mechanisms of cadherin localisation and expression in the testis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha Tuyen Nguyen
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Luc J Martin
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Nguyen HT, Martin LJ. Regulation of Cdh2 by the AP-1 family transcription factor Junb in TM4 Sertoli cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2023; 663:32-40. [PMID: 37119763 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2023.04.078] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Cadherins are transmembrane proteins that mediate cell-to-cell adhesion and various cellular processes. In Sertoli cells of the testis, Cdh2 contributes to the development of the testis and the formation of the blood-testis barrier, being essential for germ cells' protection. Analyses of chromatin accessibility and epigenetic marks in adult mouse testis have shown that the region from -800 to +900 bp respective to Cdh2 transcription start site (TSS) is likely the active regulatory region of this gene. In addition, the JASPAR 2022 matrix has predicted an AP-1 binding element at about -600 bp. Transcription factors of the activator protein 1 (AP-1) family have been implicated in the regulation of the expression of genes encoding cell-to-cell interaction proteins such as Gja1, Nectin2 and Cdh3. To test the potential regulation of Cdh2 by members of the AP-1 family, siRNAs were transfected into TM4 Sertoli cells. The knockdown of Junb led to a decrease in Cdh2 expression. ChIP-qPCR and luciferase reporter assays with site-directed mutagenesis confirmed the recruitment of Junb to several AP-1 regulatory elements in the proximal region of the Cdh2 promoter in TM4 cells. Further investigation with luciferase reporter assays showed that other AP-1 members can also activate the Cdh2 promoter albeit to a lesser extent than Junb. Taken together, these data suggest that in TM4 Sertoli cells, Junb is responsible for the regulation of Cdh2 expression which requires its recruitment to the proximal region of the Cdh2 promoter.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha Tuyen Nguyen
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Luc J Martin
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, New Brunswick, E1A 3E9, Canada.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Impact of Fetal Exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemical Mixtures on FOXA3 Gene and Protein Expression in Adult Rat Testes. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24021211. [PMID: 36674726 PMCID: PMC9863867 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24021211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/01/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Perinatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been shown to affect male reproductive functions. However, the effects on male reproduction of exposure to EDC mixtures at doses relevant to humans have not been fully characterized. In previous studies, we found that in utero exposure to mixtures of the plasticizer di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and the soy-based phytoestrogen genistein (Gen) induced abnormal testis development in rats. In the present study, we investigated the molecular basis of these effects in adult testes from the offspring of pregnant SD rats gavaged with corn oil or Gen + DEHP mixtures at 0.1 or 10 mg/kg/day. Testicular transcriptomes were determined by microarray and RNA-seq analyses. A protein analysis was performed on paraffin and frozen testis sections, mainly by immunofluorescence. The transcription factor forkhead box protein 3 (FOXA3), a key regulator of Leydig cell function, was identified as the most significantly downregulated gene in testes from rats exposed in utero to Gen + DEHP mixtures. FOXA3 protein levels were decreased in testicular interstitium at a dose previously found to reduce testosterone levels, suggesting a primary effect of fetal exposure to Gen + DEHP on adult Leydig cells, rather than on spermatids and Sertoli cells, also expressing FOXA3. Thus, FOXA3 downregulation in adult testes following fetal exposure to Gen + DEHP may contribute to adverse male reproductive outcomes.
Collapse
|
6
|
Wang Y, Wu Z, Fang T, Zhang Y, Chen L, Du Z, Yang C. Identification of internal reference genes for porcine immature Sertoli cells under heat stress. Reprod Domest Anim 2022; 57:1344-1352. [DOI: 10.1111/rda.14211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Yi Wang
- College of Animal Science Yangtze University 434025 Jingzhou Hubei China
| | - Zi‐Wei Wu
- College of Animal Science Yangtze University 434025 Jingzhou Hubei China
| | - Ting Fang
- College of Animal Science Yangtze University 434025 Jingzhou Hubei China
| | - Yu‐Qing Zhang
- College of Animal Science Yangtze University 434025 Jingzhou Hubei China
| | - Lu Chen
- College of Animal Science and Technology Northeast Agricultural University 150030 Harbin Heilongjiang China
| | - Zhi‐Qiang Du
- College of Animal Science Yangtze University 434025 Jingzhou Hubei China
| | - Cai‐Xia Yang
- College of Animal Science Yangtze University 434025 Jingzhou Hubei China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yang CX, Yang YW, Mou Q, Chen L, Wang C, Du ZQ. Proteomic changes induced by ascorbic acid treatment on porcine immature Sertoli cells. Theriogenology 2022; 188:13-21. [DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
|
8
|
Ni DQ, Ma DD, Hao SL, Yang WX, Kovacs T, Tan FQ. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles perturb the blood-testis barrier via disruption of actin-based cell adhesive function. Aging (Albany NY) 2021; 13:25440-25452. [PMID: 34904960 PMCID: PMC8714145 DOI: 10.18632/aging.203763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
As one of the most commonly used nanoparticles, titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2-NPs) are widely used as coating reagents in cosmetics, medicine and other industries. The increasing risk of exposure to TiO2-NPs raises concerns about their safety. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which TiO2-NPs cross the blood-testis barrier (BTB). TM-4 cells were selected as an in vitro Sertoli cell model of BTB. Cell viability, cell morphological changes, apoptosis, oxidative damage, and the expression levels of actin regulatory and tight junction (TJ) proteins were assessed in TM-4 cells treated with 3-nm and 24-nm TiO2-NPs. Cells treated with 3-nm TiO2-NPs exhibited increased cytotoxicity and decreased Annexin II expression, whereas cells treated with 24-nm TiO2-NPs exhibited increased Arp 3 and c-Src expression. Both TiO2-NPs induced significant oxidative stress, decreased the expression of TJ proteins (occludin, ZO-1 and claudin 5), damaged the TJ structure, and exhibited enlarged gaps between TM-4 cells. Our results indicated that both TiO2-NPs crossed the BTB by disrupting actin-based adhesive junctions of TM-4 cells; however, apoptosis was not observed. Our results provide new insights into how TiO2-NPs cross the BTB.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Qi Ni
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
- CAS Key Laboratory for Biomedical Effects of Nanomaterials and Nanosafety and CAS Center for Excellence in Nanoscience, National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Beijing 100190, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Dan-Dan Ma
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuang-Li Hao
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tamas Kovacs
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecens, Debrecen 4032, Hungary
| | - Fu-Qing Tan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, Zhejiang, China
| |
Collapse
|