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Bazzano MV, Köninger A, Solano ME. Beyond defence: Immune architects of ovarian health and disease. Semin Immunopathol 2024; 46:11. [PMID: 39134914 PMCID: PMC11319434 DOI: 10.1007/s00281-024-01021-w] [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: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024]
Abstract
Throughout the individual's reproductive period of life the ovary undergoes continues changes, including cyclic processes of cell death, tissue regeneration, proliferation, and vascularization. Tissue-resident leucocytes particularly macrophages, play a crucial role in shaping ovarian function and maintaining homeostasis. Macrophages crucially promote angiogenesis in the follicles and corpora lutea, thereby supporting steroidogenesis. Recent research on macrophage origins and early tissue seeding has unveiled significant insights into their role in early organogenesis, e.g. in the testis. Here, we review evidence about the prenatal ovarian seeding of leucocytes, primarily macrophages with angiogenic profiles, and its connection to gametogenesis. In the prenatal ovary, germ cells proliferate, form cysts, and undergo changes that, following waves of apoptosis, give rice to the oocytes contained in primordial follicles. These follicles constitute the ovarian reserve that lasts throughout the female's reproductive life. Simultaneously, yolk-sac-derived primitive macrophages colonizing the early ovary are gradually replaced or outnumbered by monocyte-derived fetal macrophages. However, the cues indicating how macrophage colonization and follicle assembly are related are elusive. Macrophages may contribute to organogenesis by promoting early vasculogenesis. Whether macrophages contribute to ovarian lymphangiogenesis or innervation is still unknown. Ovarian organogenesis and gametogenesis are vulnerable to prenatal insults, potentially programming dysfunction in later life, as observed in polycystic ovary syndrome. Experimental and, more sparsely, epidemiological evidence suggest that adverse stimuli during pregnancy can program defective folliculogenesis or a diminished follicle reserve in the offspring. While the ovary is highly sensitive to inflammation, the involvement of local immune responses in programming ovarian health and disease remains to be thoroughly investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Victoria Bazzano
- Laboratory of Translational Perinatology, University of Regensburg, Biopark 1-3, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Angela Köninger
- University Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinic St. Hedwig of The Order of St. John, University of Regensburg, Steinmetzstr. 1-3, D-93049, Regensburg, Germany
| | - Maria Emilia Solano
- Laboratory of Translational Perinatology, University of Regensburg, Biopark 1-3, D-93053, Regensburg, Germany.
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2
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Zhou W, Li B, Wang Z, Liu S, Wang W, He S, Chen Y, Zhang X, Zhang M. Premeiotic deletion of Eif2s2 causes oocyte arrest at the early diplotene stage and apoptosis in mice. Cell Prolif 2024:e13718. [PMID: 39044637 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 subunit 2 (EIF2S2), a subunit of the heterotrimeric G protein EIF2, is involved in the initiation of translation. Our findings demonstrate that the depletion of Eif2s2 in premeiotic germ cells causes oocyte arrest at the pachytene and early diplotene stages at 1 day postpartum (dpp) and 5 dpp, respectively, and eventually leads to oocyte apoptosis and failure of primordial follicle formation. Further studies reveal that Eif2s2 deletion downregulates homologous recombination-related and mitochondrial fission-related protein levels, and upregulates the integrated stress response-related proteins and mRNA levels. Consistently, Eif2s2 deletion significantly decreases the expression of dictyate genes and compromises mitochondrial function, characterized by elongated shapes, decreased ATP levels and mtDNA copy number, along with an excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial superoxide. Furthermore, DNA damage response and proapoptotic protein levels increase, while anti-apoptotic protein levels decrease in Eif2s2-deleted mice. An increase in oocytes with positive cleaved-Caspase-3 and TUNEL signals, alongside reduced Lamin B1 intensity, further indicates oocyte apoptosis. Collectively, Eif2s2 deletion in premeiotic germ cells causes oocyte meiotic arrest at the early diplotene stage by impairing homologous recombination, and eventually leads to oocyte apoptosis mainly through the downregulation of mitochondrial fission-related proteins, ROS accumulation and subsequent DNA damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjun Zhou
- The Innovation Centre of Ministry of Education for Development and Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Biao Li
- The Innovation Centre of Ministry of Education for Development and Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
- Center for Sleep and Circadian Medicine, The Affiliated Brain Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhijuan Wang
- The Innovation Centre of Ministry of Education for Development and Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shuang Liu
- The Innovation Centre of Ministry of Education for Development and Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weiyong Wang
- The Innovation Centre of Ministry of Education for Development and Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Sihui He
- The Innovation Centre of Ministry of Education for Development and Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ye Chen
- The Innovation Centre of Ministry of Education for Development and Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaodan Zhang
- The Innovation Centre of Ministry of Education for Development and Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
| | - Meijia Zhang
- The Innovation Centre of Ministry of Education for Development and Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, China
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3
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Athar F, Karmani M, Templeman N. Metabolic hormones are integral regulators of female reproductive health and function. Biosci Rep 2024; 44:BSR20231916. [PMID: 38131197 PMCID: PMC10830447 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20231916] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The female reproductive system is strongly influenced by nutrition and energy balance. It is well known that food restriction or energy depletion can induce suppression of reproductive processes, while overnutrition is associated with reproductive dysfunction. However, the intricate mechanisms through which nutritional inputs and metabolic health are integrated into the coordination of reproduction are still being defined. In this review, we describe evidence for essential contributions by hormones that are responsive to food intake or fuel stores. Key metabolic hormones-including insulin, the incretins (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide and glucagon-like peptide-1), growth hormone, ghrelin, leptin, and adiponectin-signal throughout the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis to support or suppress reproduction. We synthesize current knowledge on how these multifaceted hormones interact with the brain, pituitary, and ovaries to regulate functioning of the female reproductive system, incorporating in vitro and in vivo data from animal models and humans. Metabolic hormones are involved in orchestrating reproductive processes in healthy states, but some also play a significant role in the pathophysiology or treatment strategies of female reproductive disorders. Further understanding of the complex interrelationships between metabolic health and female reproductive function has important implications for improving women's health overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faria Athar
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Muskan Karmani
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Nicole M. Templeman
- Department of Biology, University of Victoria, Victoria, British Columbia V8P 5C2, Canada
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4
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Aizawa E, Ozonov EA, Kawamura YK, Dumeau C, Nagaoka S, Kitajima TS, Saitou M, Peters AHFM, Wutz A. Epigenetic regulation limits competence of pluripotent stem cell-derived oocytes. EMBO J 2023; 42:e113955. [PMID: 37850882 PMCID: PMC10690455 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023113955] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have reported the differentiation of pluripotent cells into oocytes in vitro. However, the developmental competence of in vitro-generated oocytes remains low. Here, we perform a comprehensive comparison of mouse germ cell development in vitro over all culture steps versus in vivo with the goal to understand mechanisms underlying poor oocyte quality. We show that the in vitro differentiation of primordial germ cells to growing oocytes and subsequent follicle growth is critical for competence for preimplantation development. Systematic transcriptome analysis of single oocytes that were subjected to different culture steps identifies genes that are normally upregulated during oocyte growth to be susceptible for misregulation during in vitro oogenesis. Many misregulated genes are Polycomb targets. Deregulation of Polycomb repression is therefore a key cause and the earliest defect known in in vitro oocyte differentiation. Conversely, structurally normal in vitro-derived oocytes fail at zygotic genome activation and show abnormal acquisition of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine on maternal chromosomes. Our data identify epigenetic regulation at an early stage of oogenesis limiting developmental competence and suggest opportunities for future improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eishi Aizawa
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of TechnologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchKobeJapan
| | - Evgeniy A Ozonov
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
| | - Yumiko K Kawamura
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
| | - Charles‐Etienne Dumeau
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of TechnologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - So Nagaoka
- Department of EmbryologyNara Medical UniversityNaraJapan
| | | | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Antoine HFM Peters
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
- Faculty of SciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Anton Wutz
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of TechnologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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5
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Wang JY, Zhang FL, Li XX, Zhu KX, Zuo N, Wang JJ, Shen W, Li L. Cyanidin-3- O-glucoside Mitigates the Ovarian Defect Induced by Zearalenone via p53-GADD45a Signaling during Primordial Follicle Assembly. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2023; 71:16715-16726. [PMID: 37889105 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.3c03315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEN) is well known as a kind of endocrine disruptor whose exposure is capable of causing reproductive toxicity in animals. Cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) is a derivative of cyanidin and owns multiple biofunctions, and prior efforts have suggested that C3G has therapeutic actions for reproductive diseases. In this article, a ZEN exposure model during primordial follicle assembly was constructed using the in vitro culture platform of neonatal mouse ovaries. We investigated the protective effect of C3G on ZEN-induced ovarian toxicity during primordial follicle assembly in mice, as well as its potential mechanism. Interestingly, we observed that C3G could effectively protect the ovary from ZEN damage, mainly by restoring primordial follicle assembly, which upregulated the expression of LHX8 and SOHLH1 proteins and relieved ZEN-induced DNA damage. Next, to explore the mechanism by which C3G rescued ZEN-induced injury, we performed RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The bioinformatic analysis illustrated that the rescue pathway of C3G was associated with p53-Gadd45a signaling and cell cycle. Then, western blotting and flow cytometry results revealed that C3G restored the expression levels of cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) and cyclin D2 (CCND2) and regulated the ovarian cell cycle to normal. In conclusion, our findings manifested that C3G could alleviate ZEN-induced primordial follicle assembly impairment by restoring the cell cycle involved in p53-GADD45a signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing-Ya Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Fa-Li Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Xiu-Xiu Li
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an 271018, China
| | - Ke-Xin Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Ning Zuo
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Jun-Jie Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Lan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
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6
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Appeltant R, Hermes R, Holtze S, Modina SC, Galli C, Bjarkadottir BD, Adeniran BV, Wei X, Swegen A, Hildebrandt TB, Williams SA. The neonatal southern white rhinoceros ovary contains oogonia in germ cell nests. Commun Biol 2023; 6:1049. [PMID: 37848538 PMCID: PMC10582104 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-023-05256-5] [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: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The northern white rhinoceros is functionally extinct with only two females left. Establishing methods to culture ovarian tissues, follicles, and oocytes to generate eggs will support conservation efforts using in vitro embryo production. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of the structure and molecular signature of any rhinoceros, more specifically, we describe the neonatal and adult southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) ovary; the closest relation of the northern white rhinoceros. Interestingly, all ovaries contain follicles despite advanced age. Analysis of the neonate reveals a population of cells molecularly characterised as mitotically active, pluripotent with germ cell properties. These results indicate that unusually, the neonatal ovary still contains oogonia in germ cell nests at birth, providing an opportunity for fertility preservation. Therefore, utilising ovaries from stillborn and adult rhinoceros can provide cells for advanced assisted reproductive technologies and investigating the neonatal ovaries of other endangered species is crucial for conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Appeltant
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Gamete Research Centre, Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Robert Hermes
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Holtze
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Alfred-Kowalke-Str 17, D-10315, Berlin, Germany
| | - Silvia Clotilde Modina
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
| | - Cesare Galli
- Avantea srl, Laboratory of Reproductive Technologies, Via Porcellasco 7/F, 26100, Cremona, Italy
- Fondazione Avantea, 26100, Cremona, Italy
| | - Briet D Bjarkadottir
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Babatomisin V Adeniran
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Xi Wei
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - Aleona Swegen
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - Thomas Bernd Hildebrandt
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via dell'Università 6, 26900, Lodi, Italy
- Freie Universität Berlin, D-14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Suzannah A Williams
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Women's Centre, Level 3, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, UK.
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7
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Hu M, Schultz RM, Namekawa SH. Epigenetic programming in the ovarian reserve. Bioessays 2023; 45:e2300069. [PMID: 37417392 PMCID: PMC10698196 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202300069] [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: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 06/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
The ovarian reserve defines female reproductive lifespan, which in humans spans decades. The ovarian reserve consists of oocytes residing in primordial follicles arrested in meiotic prophase I and is maintained independent of DNA replication and cell proliferation, thereby lacking stem cell-based maintenance. Largely unknown is how cellular states of the ovarian reserve are established and maintained for decades. Our recent study revealed that a distinct chromatin state is established during ovarian reserve formation in mice, uncovering a novel window of epigenetic programming in female germline development. We showed that an epigenetic regulator, Polycomb Repressive Complex 1 (PRC1), establishes a repressive chromatin state in perinatal mouse oocytes that is essential for prophase I-arrested oocytes to form the ovarian reserve. Here we discuss the biological roles and mechanisms underlying epigenetic programming in ovarian reserve formation, highlighting current knowledge gaps and emerging research areas in female reproductive biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengwen Hu
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Richard M. Schultz
- Department of Biology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Cell Biology, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Satoshi H. Namekawa
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Davis, California, USA
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8
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Hughes CHK, Smith OE, Meinsohn MC, Brunelle M, Gévry N, Murphy BD. Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1; Nr5a1) regulates the formation of the ovarian reserve. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2220849120. [PMID: 37494420 PMCID: PMC10410717 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2220849120] [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: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The ovarian follicle reserve, formed pre- or perinatally, comprises all oocytes for lifetime reproduction. Depletion of this reserve results in infertility. Steroidogenic factor 1 (SF-1; Nr5a1) and liver receptor homolog 1 (LRH-1; Nr5a2) are two orphan nuclear receptors that regulate adult endocrine function, but their role in follicle formation is unknown. We developed models of conditional depletion of SF-1 or LRH-1 from prenatal ovaries. Depletion of SF-1, but not LRH-1, resulted in dramatically smaller ovaries and fewer primordial follicles. This was mediated by increased oocyte death, resulting from increased ovarian inflammation and increased Notch signaling. Major dysregulated genes were Iroquois homeobox 3 and 5 and their downstream targets involved in the establishment of the ovarian laminin matrix and oocyte-granulosa cell gap junctions. Disruptions of these pathways resulted in follicles with impaired basement membrane formation and compromised oocyte-granulosa communication networks, believed to render them more prone to atresia. This study identifies SF-1 as a key regulator of the formation of the ovarian reserve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilla H. K. Hughes
- Centre de recherche en reproduction et fertilité, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QCJ2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Olivia E. Smith
- Centre de recherche en reproduction et fertilité, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QCJ2S 2M2, Canada
| | - Marie-Charlotte Meinsohn
- Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA02114
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA02115
| | - Mylène Brunelle
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QCJ1K 0A5, Canada
| | - Nicolas Gévry
- Département de biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QCJ1K 0A5, Canada
| | - Bruce D. Murphy
- Centre de recherche en reproduction et fertilité, Faculté de médecine vétérinaire, Université de Montréal, St-Hyacinthe, QCJ2S 2M2, Canada
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9
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Ikami K, Shoffner-Beck S, Tyczynska Weh M, Schnell S, Yoshida S, Diaz Miranda EA, Ko S, Lei L. Branched germline cysts and female-specific cyst fragmentation facilitate oocyte determination in mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2219683120. [PMID: 37155904 PMCID: PMC10194012 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2219683120] [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: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023] Open
Abstract
During mouse gametogenesis, germ cells derived from the same progenitor are connected via intercellular bridges forming germline cysts, within which asymmetrical or symmetrical cell fate occurs in female and male germ cells, respectively. Here, we have identified branched cyst structures in mice, and investigated their formation and function in oocyte determination. In fetal female cysts, 16.8% of the germ cells are connected by three or four bridges, namely branching germ cells. These germ cells are preferentially protected from cell death and cyst fragmentation and accumulate cytoplasm and organelles from sister germ cells to become primary oocytes. Changes in cyst structure and differential cell volumes among cyst germ cells suggest that cytoplasmic transport in germline cysts is conducted in a directional manner, in which cellular content is first transported locally between peripheral germ cells and further enriched in branching germ cells, a process causing selective germ cell loss in cysts. Cyst fragmentation occurs extensively in female cysts, but not in male cysts. Male cysts in fetal and adult testes have branched cyst structures, without differential cell fates between germ cells. During fetal cyst formation, E-cadherin (E-cad) junctions between germ cells position intercellular bridges to form branched cysts. Disrupted junction formation in E-cad-depleted cysts led to an altered ratio in branched cysts. Germ cell-specific E-cad knockout resulted in reductions in primary oocyte number and oocyte size. These findings shed light on how oocyte fate is determined within mouse germline cysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kanako Ikami
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI48109
- Buck Institute for Research on Aging, Novato, CA94945
| | - Suzanne Shoffner-Beck
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Malgorzata Tyczynska Weh
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Santiago Schnell
- Department of Molecular & Integrative Physiology, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI48109
| | - Shosei Yoshida
- Division of Germ Cell Biology, National Institute for Basic Biology, Okazaki, Aichi444-8585, Japan
- Graduate Institute for Advanced Studies, Sokendai, Okazaki, Aichi444-8585, Japan
| | - Edgar Andres Diaz Miranda
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO65211
| | - Sooah Ko
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO65211
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO65211
- Division of Biological Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO65211
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10
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Lodde V, Luciano AM, Garcia Barros R, Giovanardi G, Sivelli G, Franciosi F. Review: The putative role of Progesterone Receptor membrane Component 1 in bovine oocyte development and competence. Animal 2023; 17 Suppl 1:100783. [PMID: 37567656 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2023.100783] [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: 12/30/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Acquisition of developmental competence is a complex process in which many cell types cooperate to support oocyte maturation, fertilisation, and preimplantation embryonic development. In recent years, compelling evidence has shown that Progesterone Receptor Membra Component 1 (PGRMC1) is expressed in many cell types of the mammalian reproductive system where it exerts diverse functions. In the ovary, PGRMC1 affects follicular growth by controlling cell viability and proliferation of granulosa cells. PGRMC1 has also a direct role in promoting a proper completion of bovine oocyte maturation, as altering its function leads to defective chromosome segregation and polar body extrusion. Strikingly, the mechanism by which PGRMC1 controls mitotic and meiotic cell division seems to be conserved, involving an association with the spindle apparatus and the chromosomal passenger complex through Aurora kinase B. Conclusive data on a possible role of PGRMC1 in the preimplantation embryo are lacking and further research is needed to test whether the mechanisms that are set in place in mitotic cells also govern blastomere cleavage and subsequent differentiation. Finally, PGRMC1 is also expressed in oviductal cells and, as such, it might also impact fertilisation and early embryonic development, although this issue is completely unexplored. However, the study of PGRMC1 function in the mammalian reproductive system remains a complex matter, due to its pleiotropic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Lodde
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy.
| | - A M Luciano
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - R Garcia Barros
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - G Giovanardi
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - G Sivelli
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
| | - F Franciosi
- Reproductive and Developmental Biology Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, via dell'Università 6, 26900 Lodi, Italy
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11
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Beachum AN, Hinnant TD, Williams AE, Powell AM, Ables ET. β-importin Tnpo-SR promotes germline stem cell maintenance and oocyte differentiation in female Drosophila. Dev Biol 2023; 494:1-12. [PMID: 36450333 PMCID: PMC9870978 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2022.11.006] [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: 09/22/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Germ cell development requires interplay between factors that balance cell fate and division. Early in their development, germ cells in many organisms divide mitotically with incomplete cytokinesis. Key regulatory events then lead to the specification of mature gametes, marked by the switch to a meiotic cell cycle program. Though the regulation of germ cell proliferation and meiosis are well understood, how these events are coordinated during development remains incompletely described. Originally characterized in their role as nucleo-cytoplasmic shuttling proteins, β-importins exhibit diverse functions during male and female gametogenesis. Here, we describe novel, distinct roles for the β-importin, Transportin-Serine/Arginine rich (Tnpo-SR), as a regulator of the mitosis to meiosis transition in the Drosophila ovary. We find that Tnpo-SR is necessary for germline stem cell (GSC) establishment and self-renewal, likely by controlling the response of GSCs to bone morphogenetic proteins. Depletion of Tnpo-SR results in germ cell counting defects and loss of oocyte identity. We show that in the absence of Tnpo-SR, proteins typically suppressed in germ cells when they exit mitosis fail to be down-regulated, and oocyte-specific factors fail to accumulate. Together, these findings provide new insight into the balance between germ cell division and differentiation and identify novel roles for β-importins in germ cell development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allison N Beachum
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Taylor D Hinnant
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Anna E Williams
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Amanda M Powell
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Ables
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, 27858, USA.
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12
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Williams AE, Ables ET. Visualizing Fusome Morphology via Tubulin Immunofluorescence in Drosophila Ovarian Germ Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2626:135-150. [PMID: 36715903 PMCID: PMC10088872 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2970-3_7] [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] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
In many species, oocytes are initially formed by the mitotic divisions of germline stem cells and their differentiating daughters. These progenitor cells are frequently interconnected in structures called cysts, which may function to safeguard oocyte quality. In Drosophila, an essential germline-specific organelle called the fusome helps maintain and coordinate the mitotic divisions of both germline stem cells and cyst cells. The fusome also serves as a useful experimental marker to identify germ cells during their mitotic divisions. Fusomes are cytoplasmic organelles composed of microtubules, endoplasmic reticulum-derived vesicles, and a meshwork of membrane skeleton proteins. The fusome branches as mitotic divisions progress, traversing the intercellular bridges of germline stem cell/cystoblast pairs and cysts. Here, we provide a protocol to visualize fusome morphology in fixed tissue by stabilizing microtubules and immunostaining for α-Tubulin and other protein constituents of the fusome. We identify a variety of fluorophore-tagged proteins that are useful for visualizing the fusome and describe how these might be combined experimentally. Taken together, these tools provide a valuable resource to interrogate the genetic control of germline stem cell function, oocyte selection, and asymmetric division.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna E Williams
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA
- Biochemistry, Cell & Developmental Biology Graduate Program, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Elizabeth T Ables
- Department of Biology, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.
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13
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The programmed death of fetal oocytes and the correlated surveillance mechanisms. REPRODUCTIVE AND DEVELOPMENTAL MEDICINE 2022. [DOI: 10.1097/rd9.0000000000000016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
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14
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Granados-Aparici S, Volodarsky-Perel A, Yang Q, Anam S, Tulandi T, Buckett W, Son WY, Younes G, Chung JT, Jin S, Terret MÉ, Clarke HJ. MYO10 promotes transzonal projection (TZP)-dependent germ line-somatic contact during mammalian folliculogenesis. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:474-487. [PMID: 35470858 PMCID: PMC9382396 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Granulosa cells of growing ovarian follicles elaborate filopodia-like structures termed transzonal projections (TZPs) that supply the enclosed oocyte with factors essential for its development. Little is known, however, of the mechanisms underlying the generation of TZPs. We show in mouse and human that filopodia, defined by an actin backbone, emerge from granulosa cells in early-stage primary follicles and that actin-rich TZPs become detectable as soon as a space corresponding to the zona pellucida appears. mRNA encoding Myosin10 (MYO10), a motor protein that accumulates at the base and tips of filopodia and has been implicated in their initiation and elongation, is present in granulosa cells and oocytes of growing follicles. MYO10 protein accumulates in foci located mainly between the oocyte and innermost layer of granulosa cells, where it co-localizes with actin. In both mouse and human, the number of MYO10 foci increases as oocytes grow, corresponding to the increase in the number of actin-TZPs. RNAi-mediated depletion of MYO10 in cultured mouse granulosa cell-oocyte complexes is associated with a 52% reduction in the number of MYO10 foci and a 28% reduction in the number of actin-TZPs. Moreover, incubation of cumulus-oocyte complexes in the presence of epidermal growth factor, which triggers a 93% reduction in the number of actin-TZPs, is associated with a 55% reduction in the number of MYO10 foci. These results suggest that granulosa cells possess an ability to elaborate filopodia, which when directed towards the oocyte become actin-TZPs, and that MYO10 increases the efficiency of formation or maintenance of actin-TZPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofia Granados-Aparici
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Alexander Volodarsky-Perel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Qin Yang
- Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Sibat Anam
- Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Togas Tulandi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - William Buckett
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Weon-Young Son
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Grace Younes
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada
| | - Jin-Tae Chung
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Shaoguang Jin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Hugh J Clarke
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, McGill University, Montreal, Canada.,Research Institute of the McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Canada.,Division of Experimental Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
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