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Trapphoff T, Dieterle S. Cryopreservation of Ovarian and Testicular Tissue and the Influence on Epigenetic Pattern. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11061. [PMID: 37446239 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241311061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) or testicular tissue cryopreservation (TTC) are effective and often the only options for fertility preservation in female or male patients due to oncological, medical, or social aspects. While TTC and resumption of spermatogenesis, either in vivo or in vitro, has still be considered an experimental approach in humans, OTC and autotransplantation has been applied increasingly to preserve fertility, with more than 200 live births worldwide. However, the cryopreservation of reproductive cells followed by the resumption of gametogenesis, either in vivo or in vitro, may interfere with sensitive and highly regulated cellular processes. In particular, the epigenetic profile, which includes not just reversible modifications of the DNA itself but also post-translational histone modifications, small non-coding RNAs, gene expression and availability, and storage of related proteins or transcripts, have to be considered in this context. Due to complex reprogramming and maintenance mechanisms of the epigenome in germ cells, growing embryos, and offspring, OTC and TTC are carried out at very critical moments early in the life cycle. Given this background, the safety of OTC and TTC, taking into account the epigenetic profile, has to be clarified. Cryopreservation of mature germ cells (including metaphase II oocytes and mature spermatozoa collected via ejaculation or more invasively after testicular biopsy) or embryos has been used successfully for many years in medically assisted reproduction (MAR). However, tissue freezing followed by in vitro or in vivo gametogenesis has become more attractive in the past, while few human studies have analysed the epigenetic effects, with most data deriving from animal studies. In this review, we highlight the potential influence of the cryopreservation of immature germ cells and subsequent in vivo or in vitro growth and differentiation on the epigenetic profile (including DNA methylation, post-translational histone modifications, and the abundance and availability of relevant transcripts and proteins) in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Stefan Dieterle
- Dortmund Fertility Centre, 44135 Dortmund, Germany
- Division of Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Witten/Herdecke University, 44135 Dortmund, Germany
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Chen H, Zhang L, Meng L, Liang L, Zhang C. Advantages of vitrification preservation in assisted reproduction and potential influences on imprinted genes. Clin Epigenetics 2022; 14:141. [PMID: 36324168 PMCID: PMC9632035 DOI: 10.1186/s13148-022-01355-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryopreservation has important application in assisted reproductive technology (ART). The vitrification technique has been widely used in the cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos, as a large number of clinical results and experimental studies have shown that vitrification can achieve a higher cell survival rate and preimplantation development rate and better pregnancy outcomes. Ovarian tissue vitrification is an alternative method to slow freezing that causes comparatively less damage to the original follicular DNA. At present, sperm preservation mainly adopts slow freezing or rapid freezing (LN2 vapor method), although the vitrification method can achieve higher sperm motility after warming. However, due to the use of high-concentration cryoprotectants and ultra-rapid cooling, vitrification may cause strong stress to gametes, embryos and tissue cells, resulting in potentially adverse effects. Imprinted genes are regulated by epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, and show single allele expression. Their accurate regulation and correct expression are very important for the placenta, fetal development and offspring health. Considering that genome imprinting is very sensitive to changes in the external environment, we comprehensively summarized the effect of cryopreservation—especially the vitrification method in ART—on imprinted genes. Animal studies have found that the vitrification of oocytes and embryos can have a significant impact on some imprinted genes and DNA methylation, but the few studies in humans have reported almost no influence, which need to be further explored. This review provides useful information for the safety assessment and further optimization of the current cryopreservation techniques in ART.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanhuan Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Li Meng
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China.,Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China
| | - Linlin Liang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. .,Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
| | - Cuilian Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital of Henan University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China. .,Henan Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproductive Bioengineering, Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
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Gallo-Ebert C, Francisco J, Liu HY, Draper R, Modi K, Hayward MD, Jones BK, Buiakova O, McDonough V, Nickels JT. Mice lacking ARV1 have reduced signs of metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:5956-5974. [PMID: 29491146 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra117.000800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2017] [Revised: 02/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a term used to characterize individuals having at least three of the following diseases: obesity, dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hypertension, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). It is widespread, and the number of individuals with MetS is increasing. However, the events leading to the manifestation of MetS are not well-understood. Here, we show that loss of murine ARV1 (mARV1) results in resistance to acquiring diseases associated with MetS. Arv1-/- animals fed a high-fat diet were resistant to diet-induced obesity, had lower blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and retained glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity. Livers showed no gross morphological changes, contained lower levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, and fatty acids, and showed fewer signs of NAFLD. Knockout animals had elevated levels of liver farnesol X receptor (FXR) protein and its target, small heterodimer protein (SHP). They also had decreased levels of CYP7α1, CYP8β1, and mature SREBP1 protein, evidence suggesting that liver FXR signaling was activated. Strengthening this hypothesis was the fact that peroxisome proliferator-activating receptor α (PPARα) protein was elevated, along with its target, fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Arv1-/- animals excreted more fecal cholesterol, free fatty acids, and bile acids. Their small intestines had 1) changes in bile acid composition, 2) an increase in the level of the intestinal FXR antagonist, tauromuricholic acid, and 3) showed signs of attenuated FXR signaling. Overall, we believe that ARV1 function is deleterious when consuming a high-fat diet. We further hypothesize that ARV1 is critical for initiating events required for the progression of diseases associated with MetS and NAFLD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina Gallo-Ebert
- From the Institute of Metabolic Disorders, Genesis Biotechnology Group, Hamilton, New Jersey 08691
| | - Jamie Francisco
- From the Institute of Metabolic Disorders, Genesis Biotechnology Group, Hamilton, New Jersey 08691
| | - Hsing-Yin Liu
- From the Institute of Metabolic Disorders, Genesis Biotechnology Group, Hamilton, New Jersey 08691
| | | | - Kinnari Modi
- From the Institute of Metabolic Disorders, Genesis Biotechnology Group, Hamilton, New Jersey 08691
| | - Michael D Hayward
- Invivotek, Genesis Biotechnology Group, Hamilton, New Jersey 08691, and
| | - Beverly K Jones
- Invivotek, Genesis Biotechnology Group, Hamilton, New Jersey 08691, and
| | - Olesia Buiakova
- Invivotek, Genesis Biotechnology Group, Hamilton, New Jersey 08691, and
| | | | - Joseph T Nickels
- From the Institute of Metabolic Disorders, Genesis Biotechnology Group, Hamilton, New Jersey 08691, .,the Rutgers Center for Lipid Research, New Jersey Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901
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Lotz L, Liebenthron J, Nichols-Burns SM, Montag M, Hoffmann I, Beckmann MW, van der Ven H, Töpfer D, Dittrich R. Spontaneous antral follicle formation and metaphase II oocyte from a non-stimulated prepubertal ovarian tissue xenotransplant. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2014; 12:41. [PMID: 24886634 PMCID: PMC4036711 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-12-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2014] [Accepted: 04/26/2014] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Current strategies in cancer treatment have markedly increased the rates of remission and survival for cancer patients, but are often associated with subsequent sterility. While there are various options available to an adult female depending on the patient's particular situation, the only realistic option for preserving fertility in prepubertal females is to cryopreserve ovarian tissue. This is the first report of a morphologically mature oocyte collected from non-stimulated prepubertal ovarian tissue xenotransplants. METHODS Ovarian tissue from a 6 year old patient suffering from nephroblastoma was removed and cryopreserved for fertility preservation. The frozen-thawed ovarian tissue fragments were xenotransplanted to bilaterally oophorectomized severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice to assess follicle development. RESULTS Antral follicle formation occurred post-xenotransplantation in a single ovarian fragment without exogenous hormone stimulation. A morphologically maturing oocyte was harvested from these follicles. CONCLUSIONS Prepubertal human ovarian follicles and oocytes can be matured after xenotransplantation even without exogenous hormone stimulation. These results indicate that tissue collected from prepubertal patients can support fertility in cancer survivors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Lotz
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Jana Liebenthron
- Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Women’s Hospital, Bonn, Germany
| | - Stephanie M Nichols-Burns
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Montag
- ilabcomm GmbH, Eisenachstr. 34, 53757 St. Augustin, Germany
| | - Inge Hoffmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Matthias W Beckmann
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hans van der Ven
- Department of Gynecologic Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Women’s Hospital, Bonn, Germany
| | - Dagmar Töpfer
- Department of Reproductive Biology, University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Foundation, Buenteweg 2, 30559 Hannover, Germany
| | - Ralf Dittrich
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erlangen University Hospital, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Liu XJ, Jia GH, Zhang G, Tian KY, Wang HX, Zhong WY, Zhang YM, Lu XL, Li JT, Zhang JM. Effect of vitrification of mouse oocyte on the behavior of adult offspring. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2013; 169:279-82. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2013.05.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2012] [Revised: 04/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/06/2013] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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