Ferroportin mRNA is down-regulated in granulosa and cervical cells from infertile women

The construction of a testis transcriptional cell atlas from embryo to adult reveals various somatic cells and their molecular roles

BACKGROUND

The testis is a complex organ that undergoes extensive developmental changes from the embryonic stage to adulthood. The development of germ cells, which give rise to spermatozoa, is tightly regulated by the surrounding somatic cells.

METHODS

To better understand the dynamics of these changes, we constructed a transcriptional cell atlas of the testis, integrating single-cell RNA sequencing data from over 26,000 cells across five developmental stages: fetal germ cells, infants, childhood, peri-puberty, and adults. We employed various analytical techniques, including clustering, cell type assignments, identification of differentially expressed genes, pseudotime analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis, and evaluation of paracrine cell-cell communication, to comprehensively analyze this transcriptional cell atlas of the testis.

RESULTS

Our analysis revealed remarkable heterogeneity in both somatic and germ cell populations, with the highest diversity observed in Sertoli and Myoid somatic cells, as well as in spermatogonia, spermatocyte, and spermatid germ cells. We also identified key somatic cell genes, including RPL39, RPL10, RPL13A, FTH1, RPS2, and RPL18A, which were highly influential in the weighted gene co-expression network of the testis transcriptional cell atlas and have been previously implicated in male infertility. Additionally, our analysis of paracrine cell-cell communication supported specific ligand-receptor interactions involved in neuroactive, cAMP, and estrogen signaling pathways, which support the crucial role of somatic cells in regulating germ cell development.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, our transcriptional atlas provides a comprehensive view of the cell-to-cell heterogeneity in the testis and identifies key somatic cell genes and pathways that play a central role in male fertility across developmental stages.

Current Understanding of and Future Directions for Endometriosis-Related Infertility Research with a Focus on Ferroptosis

BACKGROUND

To date, the development of therapy for endometriosis and disease-related infertility remains a major challenge. Iron overload caused by periodic bleeding is a hallmark of endometriosis. Ferroptosis is an iron- and lipid-reactive oxygen species-dependent type of programmed cell death that is distinct from apoptosis, necrosis, and autophagy. This review summarizes the current understanding of and future directions for the research and treatment of endometriosis and disease-related infertility, with the main focus on the molecular basis of ferroptosis in endometriotic and granulosa cells.

METHODS

Papers published between 2000 and 2022 in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases were included in this review.

RESULTS

Emerging evidence suggests that ferroptosis is closely linked to the pathophysiology of endometriosis. Endometriotic cells are characterized by ferroptosis resistance, whereas granulosa cells remain highly susceptible to ferroptosis, suggesting that the regulation of ferroptosis is utilized as an interventional target for research into the treatment of endometriosis and disease-related infertility. New therapeutic strategies are urgently needed to efficiently kill endometriotic cells while protecting granulosa cells.

CONCLUSIONS

An analysis of the ferroptosis pathway in in vitro, in vivo, and animal research enhances our understanding of the pathogenesis of this disease. Here, we discuss the role of ferroptosis modulators as a research approach and potential novel treatment for endometriosis and disease-related infertility.

Iron overload triggering ECM-mediated Hippo/YAP pathway in follicle development: a hypothetical model endowed with therapeutic implications

Disruption of iron homeostasis plays a negative role in follicle development. The dynamic changes in follicle growth are dependent on Hippo/YAP signaling and mechanical forces. However, little is known about the liaison between iron overload and the Hippo/YAP signalling pathway in term of folliculogenesis. Here, based on the available evidence, we established a hypothesized model linking excessive iron, extracellular matrix (ECM), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and Hippo/Yes-associated protein (YAP) signal regarding follicle development. Hypothetically, the TGF-β signal and iron overload may play a synergistic role in ECM production via YAP. We speculate that the dynamic homeostasis of follicular iron interacts with YAP, increasing the risk of ovarian reserve loss and may enhance the sensitivity of follicles to accumulated iron. Hence, therapeutic interventions targeting iron metabolism disorders, and Hippo/YAP signal may alter the consequences of the impaired developmental process based on our hypothesis, which provides potential targets and inspiration for further drug discovery and development applied to clinical treatment.

Differential Expression and Functional Prediction of mRNA in the Ovaries of Hanper Sheep of High and Low Fecundity

Hanper ewes that were either monotocous or polytocous provided ovarian follicles of diameter >3 mm in the follicular phase and, in the luteal phase, samples of corpora lutea that had developed from follicles of diameter >3 mm. Differentially expressed mRNAs (monotocous versus polytocous) were then identified and their functions were predicted. Results showed that 1508 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the follicular phase, with 885 being in the luteal tissues. Those which were differentially expressed in the follicular phase were mainly involved in the regulation of the ferroptosis and lysosome signaling pathways whereas, for the luteal tissue, the differentially expressed mRNAs were mainly involved in the regulation of steroid biosynthesis. Based on the results, it was inferred that these pathways could explain variations in the fecundity of sheep.

Iron metabolism gene expression and prognostic features of hepatocellular carcinoma

Iron metabolism is crucial to hepatocellular carcinoma progression and is a key determinant of prognosis. Protein-protein interactions within the iron metabolism gene network were analyzed using the European Molecular Biology Laboratory's Search Tool for Recurring Instances of Neighbouring Genes/Proteins database. We obtained 423 liver hepatocellular carcinoma gene expression profiles from the Cancer Genome Atlas database. The expression and pathway enrichment of representative iron intake genes (TFRC and DMT1), utilization genes (FTH1, FTL, HIF1A, HMOX1, SLC25A37, and SLC25A38), and efflux genes (FLVCR1 and SLC40A1) was investigated in tumor and adjacent tissues. We determined the relationship between iron metabolism and the prognostic features of liver hepatocellular carcinoma. The liver metabolism genes TFRC and FLVCR1 were related to survival, disease status, and prognosis in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Our results provide novel insight into liver cancer therapy.