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Taraschi A, Cimini C, Colosimo A, Ramal-Sanchez M, Moussa F, Mokh S, Valbonetti L, Capacchietti G, Tagaram I, Bernabò N, Barboni B. Human Immune System Diseasome Networks and Female Oviductal Microenvironment: New Horizons to be Discovered. Front Genet 2022; 12:795123. [PMID: 35154249 PMCID: PMC8829125 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.795123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hypofertility and infertility are two worldwide conditions experiencing nowadays an alarming increase due to a complex ensemble of events. The immune system has been suggested as one of the responsible for some of the etiopathogenic mechanisms involved in these conditions. To shed some light into the strong correlation between the reproductive and immune system, as can be inferred by the several and valuable manuscripts published to date, here we built a network using a useful bioinformatic tool (DisGeNET), in which the key genes involved in the sperm-oviduct interaction were linked. This constitutes an important event related with Human fertility since this interaction, and specially the spermatozoa, represents a not-self entity immunotolerated by the female. As a result, we discovered that some proteins involved in the sperm-oviduct interaction are implicated in several immune system diseases while, at the same time, some immune system diseases could interfere by using different pathways with the reproduction process. The data presented here could be of great importance to understand the involvement of the immune system in fertility reduction in Humans, setting the basis for potential immune therapeutic tools in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Taraschi
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Teramo, Italy
| | - Costanza Cimini
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessia Colosimo
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Marina Ramal-Sanchez
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Fadl Moussa
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Doctoral School of Science and Technology Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Samia Mokh
- National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission (LAEC), Laboratory for Analysis of Organic Compound (LACO), Beiru, Lebanon
| | - Luca Valbonetti
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (CNR-IBBC/EMMA/Infrafrontier/IMPC), National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Capacchietti
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Israiel Tagaram
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola Bernabò
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (CNR-IBBC/EMMA/Infrafrontier/IMPC), National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Nicola Bernabò,
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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Zhang T, BaSang WD, Chang W, Huo S, Ma X, Ju X, Yu S, Cui S. Dynamics of apoptosis-related gene expression during follicular development in yak. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2021; 105:1002-1013. [PMID: 33899975 DOI: 10.1111/jpn.13527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The potential reproduction power of domestic animals is limited by a complicated follicular atresia process. P53, caspase-9 (Casp9), Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas play a crucial role in the ovarian mitochondrion-dependent apoptosis and death receptor pathway. In accordance with this study, the expression levels of Casp9, Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas were analysed in ovaries and oviducts of yak by immunohistochemistry (IHC). P53 and the above in ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) from atretic (3-6 mm) to healthy follicles (6-8 mm) and in oviducts were examined from the luteal phase to the follicular phase during the oestrous circle by Western blot (WB) and real-time PCR (RT-PCR). Results demonstrated that typical classic apoptotic factors Casp9, Bax, Bcl-2 and Fas were expressed in the cytoplasm and zonal pellucida of oocytes, primordial follicles, primary follicles, ovarian surface epithelium, ovarian GCs, granular lutein cells, surface epithelia in oviduct uterotubal junction and oviduct ampulla during the luteal phase. RT-PCR and WB revealed that P53 and Fas significantly increased in GCs of atretic follicles. P53 and Casp9 increased in oviduct epithelium during the luteal phase, but Fas was unchanged. A contrary tendency was noted in Bcl-2 and Bax expression. Overall, P53 and Fas play an essential role in inducing GC apoptosis, and Bax, Bcl-2, Casp9 and P53 are involved in oviduct epithelial regeneration in yak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taojie Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University College of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China.,Northwest Minzu University, life science and engineering college, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Wang-Dui BaSang
- Tibet Academy of Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Sciences, Institute of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Lhasa, China
| | - Weihua Chang
- Key Laboratory of Tarim Animal Husbandry Science and Technology of Xinjiang Production & Construction Group, College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Aral, China
| | - Shengdong Huo
- Northwest Minzu University, life science and engineering college, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
| | - Xingbin Ma
- Veterinary Medicine, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Xianghong Ju
- Veterinary Medicine, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, China
| | - Sijiu Yu
- Academic of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sheng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Agrobiotechnology, China Agricultural University College of Biological Sciences, Beijing, China
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Pinto-Bravo P, Rebordão MR, Amaral A, Fernandes C, Galvão A, Silva E, Pessa-Santos P, Alexandre-Pires G, Roberto da Costa RP, Skarzynski DJ, Ferreira-Dias G. Microvascularization and Expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor and Their Receptors in the Mare Oviduct. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11041099. [PMID: 33921416 PMCID: PMC8070128 DOI: 10.3390/ani11041099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The oviduct provides the ideal conditions for fertilization and early embryonic development. Adequate vascularization is essential for proper oviduct physiological function. In this work on the mare oviduct, differences in the oviductal artery and arterioles and their ramifications in the infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus were examined. Locally, vascularization is modulated by the action of angiogenic factors, mediated by their specific receptors. In the present study, the isthmus presented the largest vascular area and the highest number of vascular structures in the follicular phase. We have also shown that the relative abundance of angiogenic transcripts and proteins, such as fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) and 2 (FGF2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and their respective receptors (FGFR1, FGFR2, VEGFR2 = KDR), were present in all portions of the oviduct throughout the estrous cycle. There was an increase in the transcripts of angiogenic receptors FGF1 and FGFR1 in the ampulla and isthmus, and of FGF2 and KDR in the isthmus. This was also observed in the isthmus, where the relative abundance of proteins FGFR1 and KDR was the highest. This study shows that the equine oviduct presents differences in microvascular density in its portions. The angiogenic factors VEGF, FGF1, FGF2 and their respective receptors are expressed in all studied regions of the mare oviduct, in agreement with microvascular patterns. Abstract The oviduct presents the ideal conditions for fertilization and early embryonic development. In this study, (i) vascularization pattern; (ii) microvascular density; (iii) transcripts of angiogenic factors (FGF1, FGF2, VEGF) and their receptors—FGFR1, FGFR2, KDR, respectively, and (iv) the relative protein abundance of those receptors were assessed in cyclic mares’ oviducts. The oviductal artery, arterioles and their ramifications, viewed by means of vascular injection-corrosion, differed in the infundibulum, ampulla and isthmus. The isthmus, immunostained with CD31, presented the largest vascular area and the highest number of vascular structures in the follicular phase. Transcripts (qPCR) and relative protein abundance (Western blot) of angiogenic factors fibroblast growth factor 1 (FGF1) and 2 (FGF2) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and their respective receptors (FGFR1, FGFR2, VEGFR2 = KDR), were present in all oviduct portions throughout the estrous cycle. Upregulation of the transcripts of angiogenic receptors FGF1 and FGFR1 in the ampulla and isthmus and of FGF2 and KDR in the isthmus were noted. Furthermore, in the isthmus, the relative protein abundance of FGFR1 and KDR was the highest. This study shows that the equine oviduct presents differences in microvascular density in its three portions. The angiogenic factors VEGF, FGF1, FGF2 and their respective receptors are expressed in all studied regions of the mare oviduct, in agreement with microvascular patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Pinto-Bravo
- CERNAS (Research Center for Natural Resources, Environment and Society), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal; (P.P.-B.); (R.P.R.d.C.)
- Coimbra College of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Maria Rosa Rebordão
- Coimbra College of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal;
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.A.); (C.F.); (E.S.); (G.A.-P.)
| | - Ana Amaral
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.A.); (C.F.); (E.S.); (G.A.-P.)
| | - Carina Fernandes
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.A.); (C.F.); (E.S.); (G.A.-P.)
| | - António Galvão
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Science, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland; (A.G.); (D.J.S.)
| | - Elisabete Silva
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.A.); (C.F.); (E.S.); (G.A.-P.)
| | | | - Graça Alexandre-Pires
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.A.); (C.F.); (E.S.); (G.A.-P.)
| | - Rosário P. Roberto da Costa
- CERNAS (Research Center for Natural Resources, Environment and Society), Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal; (P.P.-B.); (R.P.R.d.C.)
- Coimbra College of Agriculture, Polytechnic Institute of Coimbra, 3045-601 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Dariusz J. Skarzynski
- Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Science, 10-748 Olsztyn, Poland; (A.G.); (D.J.S.)
| | - Graça Ferreira-Dias
- CIISA—Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, 1300-477 Lisbon, Portugal; (A.A.); (C.F.); (E.S.); (G.A.-P.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +351-213-652-859
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Composing the Early Embryonic Microenvironment: Physiology and Regulation of Oviductal Secretions. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 21:ijms21010223. [PMID: 31905654 PMCID: PMC6982147 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21010223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The oviductal fluid is the first environment experienced by mammalian embryos at the very beginning of life. However, it has long been believed that the oviductal environment was not essential for proper embryonic development. Successful establishment of in vitro embryo production techniques (which completely bypass the oviduct) have reinforced this idea. Yet, it became evident that in vitro produced embryos differ markedly from their in vivo counterparts, and these differences are associated with lower pregnancy outcomes and more health issues after birth. Nowadays, researchers consider the oviduct as the most suitable microenvironment for early embryonic development and a substantial effort is made to understand its dynamic, species-specific functions. In this review, we touch on the origin and molecular components of the oviductal fluid in mammals, where recent progress has been made thanks to the wider use of mass spectrometry techniques. Some of the factors and processes known to regulate oviductal secretions, including the embryo itself, as well as ovulation, insemination, endogenous and exogenous hormones, and metabolic and heat stress, are summarized. Special emphasis is laid on farm animals because, owing to the availability of sample material and the economic importance of fertility in livestock husbandry, a large part of the work on this topic has been carried out in domestic animals used for dairy and/or meat production.
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Kowsar R, Kowsar Z, Miyamoto A. Up-regulated mRNA expression of some anti-inflammatory mediators in bovine oviduct epithelial cells by urea in vitro: Cellular pathways by Reactome analysis. Reprod Biol 2019; 19:75-82. [PMID: 30626534 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2019.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2018] [Revised: 12/06/2018] [Accepted: 01/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Increased urea concentration is a major cause of low fertility in dairy cows fed high-protein diets. A strong correlation exists between the urea concentration in the blood and oviduct fluid of dairy cows. In this study, bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOECs) were incubated with varying concentrations of urea (0, 20, 40, and 80 mg/dL) in the absence of ovarian sex steroids (estradiol and progesterone) and luteinizing hormone. The 80 mg/dL urea reduced the cell viability, and thus was excluded in further analysis. Compared to the control (U0), the 20 mg/dL urea (U20) increased the mRNA expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4, interleukin (IL) 10, IL4, and prostaglandin (PG) E synthase (mPGES) but decreased the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor α (TNFA). Compared to U0, the 40 mg/dL urea (U40) decreased the mRNA expression of TNFA and increased alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP). U40 also increased TLR2, IL10, and IL4 mRNA expression compared to U0. In addition, compared to U20, the U40 decreased the mRNA expression of TLR4 and IL1B but increased that of AGP and TLR2. Subsequently, the mRNA expression data were then projected into the Reactome database. The Reactome analysis showed that pathways, including cytokine signaling in the immune system (i.e., TNFs bind their physiological receptors) and death receptor signaling (i.e., TNF signaling), were down-regulated in the presence of urea compared to the U0 group. These in vitro data implied that high urea level can alter the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in BOECs, thus providing a suboptimal environment for the early reproductive events or a weakened innate immune system, predisposing the oviduct to infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasoul Kowsar
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran; Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan.
| | - Zohre Kowsar
- Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agriculture, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 84156-83111, Iran
| | - Akio Miyamoto
- Graduate School of Animal and Food Hygiene, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido 080-8555, Japan
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Supplementation of 17β-estradiol and progesterone in the co-culture medium of bovine oviductal epithelial cells and ovine spermatozoa reduces the sperm kinematics and capacitation. Reprod Biol 2018; 18:368-379. [DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2018.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/13/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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