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Kong L, Zhao AH, Wang QW, Feng YQ, Yan ZH, Li MH, Zhang FL, Wang H, Shen KY, Liu Y, Sun YJ, Shen W, Li L. Maternal Zearalenone exposure impacted ovarian follicle formation and development of suckled offspring. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147792. [PMID: 34134368 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2021] [Revised: 05/10/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Zearalenone (ZEN) is a secondary metabolite, which is mainly produced by Fusarium fungi and exists in various feeds and agricultural products. Recently, an increasing amount of data has shown that ZEN, as an estrogen-like hormone, can have harmful effects on the female reproductive system, especially on oogenesis and folliculogenesis. Breast milk is considered to be the ideal form of nutrition for infants; however, there are some records of contaminants in food, such as mycotoxins, which may be transferred from maternal blood to milk. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of breast milk on folliculogenesis in offspring following maternal ZEN exposure. Our results showed that maternal ZEN exposure significantly inhibited the process of primordial follicle (PF) assembly and reduced the number of PFs in suckled offspring's ovaries. In addition, RNA-seq analysis showed that RIG-I-like receptor (RLRs) signaling pathways were activated after exposed to ZEN, which increased the expression levels of DNA damage (γ-H2AX, RAD51, and PARP1) and apoptosis related protein (BAX/BCL2 and Caspase-3). Finally, ZEN exposure interfered with follicular development, as evidenced by the reduced percentages of oocyte maturation and embryonic development when the offspring grew to adolescence. It is worth noting that maternal ZEN exposure disrupted the tri-methylation levels of H3K4, H3K9, and H3K27 in the offspring's oocytes. Our results indicated that maternal ZEN exposure affected ovarian development in offspring through the breast milk, which may be detrimental to their reproductive capability in adult life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Kong
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Ai-Hong Zhao
- Qingdao Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Qian-Wen Wang
- Central Laboratory, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Yan-Qin Feng
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Zi-Hui Yan
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Ming-Hao Li
- 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
| | - Han Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Kai-Yu Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Ying Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Key Laboratory of Animal Reproduction and Biotechnology in Universities of Shandong, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China
| | - Yu-Jiang Sun
- College of Animal Sciences and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, China; Dongying Vocational Institute, Dongying 257091, 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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Tomac J, Mazor M, Lisnić B, Golemac M, Kveštak D, Bralić M, Bilić Zulle L, Brinkmann MM, Dölken L, Reinert LS, Paludan SR, Krmpotić A, Jonjić S, Juranić Lisnić V. Viral infection of the ovaries compromises pregnancy and reveals innate immune mechanisms protecting fertility. Immunity 2021; 54:1478-1493.e6. [PMID: 34015257 DOI: 10.1016/j.immuni.2021.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2020] [Revised: 11/29/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Viral infections during pregnancy are a considerable cause of adverse outcomes and birth defects, and the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Among those, cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection stands out as the most common intrauterine infection in humans, putatively causing early pregnancy loss. We employed murine CMV as a model to study the consequences of viral infection on pregnancy outcome and fertility maintenance. Even though pregnant mice successfully controlled CMV infection, we observed highly selective, strong infection of corpus luteum (CL) cells in their ovaries. High infection densities indicated complete failure of immune control in CL cells, resulting in progesterone insufficiency and pregnancy loss. An abundance of gap junctions, absence of vasculature, strong type I interferon (IFN) responses, and interaction of innate immune cells fully protected the ovarian follicles from viral infection. Our work provides fundamental insights into the effect of CMV infection on pregnancy loss and mechanisms protecting fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Tomac
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Marija Mazor
- Center for Proteomics, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Berislav Lisnić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Center for Proteomics, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Mijo Golemac
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Daria Kveštak
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Marina Bralić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Lidija Bilić Zulle
- Clinical Hospital Rijeka, University of Rijeka, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Melanie M Brinkmann
- Viral Immune Modulation Research Group, Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, 38124 Braunschweig, Germany; Institute of Genetics, Technische Universität Braunschweig, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lars Dölken
- Institute for Virology and Immunobiology, Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, 97080 Würzburg, Germany; Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI), Helmholtz-Centre for Infection Research, 97080 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Line S Reinert
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Soren R Paludan
- Department of Biomedicine, Aarhus University, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Astrid Krmpotić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Stipan Jonjić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Center for Proteomics, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
| | - Vanda Juranić Lisnić
- Department of Histology and Embryology, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Center for Proteomics, University of Rijeka, Faculty of Medicine, B. Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia.
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Caine EA, Scheaffer SM, Broughton DE, Salazar V, Govero J, Poddar S, Osula A, Halabi J, Skaznik-Wikiel ME, Diamond MS, Moley KH. Zika Virus Causes Acute Infection and Inflammation in the Ovary of Mice Without Apparent Defects in Fertility. J Infect Dis 2019; 220:1904-1914. [PMID: 31063544 PMCID: PMC6834068 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiz239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2019] [Accepted: 05/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Zika virus (ZIKV) has become a global concern because infection of pregnant mothers was linked to congenital birth defects. Zika virus is unique from other flaviviruses, because it is transmitted vertically and sexually in addition to by mosquito vectors. Prior studies in mice, nonhuman primates, and humans have shown that ZIKV targets the testis in males, resulting in persistent infection and oligospermia. However, its effects on the corresponding female gonads have not been evaluated. METHODS In this study, we assessed the effects of ZIKV on the ovary in nonpregnant mice. RESULTS During the acute phase, ZIKV productively infected the ovary causing accumulation of CD4+ and virus-specific CD8+ T cells. T cells protected against ZIKV infection in the ovary, as higher viral burden was measured in CD8-/- and TCRβδ-/- mice. Increased cell death and tissue inflammation in the ovary was observed during the acute phase of infection, but this normalized over time. CONCLUSIONS In contrast to that observed with males, minimal persistence and no long-term consequences of ZIKV infection on ovarian follicular reserve or fertility were demonstrated in this model. Thus, although ZIKV replicates in cells of the ovary and causes acute oophoritis, there is rapid resolution and no long-term effects on fertility, at least in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Caine
- Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Suzanne M Scheaffer
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Darcy E Broughton
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Vanessa Salazar
- Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jennifer Govero
- Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Subhajit Poddar
- Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Augustine Osula
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jacques Halabi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | | | - Michael S Diamond
- Departments of Medicine, Molecular Microbiology, Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Kelle H Moley
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Yan K, Liang J, Zhang X, Deng L, Feng D, Ling B. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid induces innate immune responses via Toll-like receptor 3 in human ovarian granulosa cells. Immunol Cell Biol 2019; 97:753-765. [PMID: 31111539 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2019] [Accepted: 05/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The ovary can be infected by a variety of viruses, which may come from the female reproductive tract or the peritoneum. The innate immune responses to viral infection in the human ovary are poorly understood. The present study demonstrated that human ovarian granulosa cells had innate immune activity in response to viral RNA challenge through Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) activation. TLR3 was constitutively expressed in the human ovary and predominantly located in granulosa cells of developmental follicles at all stages. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid [poly (I:C)], a synthetic viral double-stranded RNA analog, induced innate immune responses in human ovarian granulosa cells and affected endocrine function. Poly (I:C) significantly upregulated proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β and type I interferon (IFN-α/β), and the innate immune responses were significantly reduced by blocking TLR3 signaling. Furthermore, poly (I:C) induced antiviral genes expression, including 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, Mx GTPase 1, IFN-stimulating gene 15 and double-stranded RNA-activated protein kinase R. In contrast, the expression of P450 aromatase and inhibin was dramatically inhibited by poly (I:C). Both silencing of TLR3 and neutralizing TNF-α reversed the inhibitory effect of poly (I:C) on P450 aromatase and inhibin expression. Our study demonstrates that granulosa cells play a potential role in innate immune protection against viral infection in the normal human ovary, and the innate immune response perturbs cell endocrine function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keqin Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dingqing Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Ling
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
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What Changed on the Folliculogenesis in the Process of Mouse Ovarian Aging? BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2019; 2019:3842312. [PMID: 31058188 PMCID: PMC6463680 DOI: 10.1155/2019/3842312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
There are about 1-2 million follicles presented in the ovary at birth, while only around 1000 primordial follicles are left at menopause. The ovarian function also decreases in parallel with aging. Folliculogenesis is vital for ovarian function, no matter the synthesis of female hormones or ovulation, yet the mechanisms for its changing with increasing age are not fully understood. Early follicle growth up to the large preantral stage is independent of gonadotropins in rodents and relies on intraovarian factors. To further understand the age-related molecular changes in the process of folliculogenesis, we performed microarray gene expression profile analysis using total RNA extracted from young (9 weeks old) and old (32 weeks old) mouse ovarian secondary follicles. The results of our current microarray study revealed that there were 371 (≥2-fold, q-value ≤0.05) genes differentially expressed in which 174 genes were upregulated and 197 genes were downregulated in old mouse ovarian secondary follicles compared to young mouse ovarian secondary follicles. The gene ontology and KEGG pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes uncovered critical biological functions such as immune system process, aging, transcription, DNA replication, DNA repair, protein stabilization, and apoptotic process were affected in the process of aging. The considerable changes in gene expression profile may have an adverse influence on follicle quality and folliculogenesis. Our study provided information on the processes that may contribute to age-related decline in ovarian function.
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Zhai J, Wang Q, Gao Y, Zhang R, Li S, Wei B, You Y, Sun X, Lu C. The mechanisms of Ag85A DNA vaccine activates RNA sensors through new signal transduction. Int Immunopharmacol 2018; 59:1-11. [PMID: 29604449 DOI: 10.1016/j.intimp.2017.11.041] [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: 09/01/2017] [Revised: 11/26/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
Abstract
Low immunogenicity is one of the major problems limiting the clinical use for DNA vaccines, which makes it impossible to obtain a strong protective immune response after vaccination. In order to explore whether Ag85A DNA vaccine could mount more efficiently protective immune response through new RNA sensor and its signal transduction pathway of antigen presentation we designed and synthesized Ag85A gene fragment containing multiple points mutations and transfected the gene fragment into the dendritic cell line (DC2.4) by CRISPR/Cas9. Subsequently, we focused on the changes of RNA sensors RIG-I, Mda-5, and the downstream adaptors MAVS, IRF3, IRF7 and IFN-β. The results indicated the significant increases in the mRNA and protein expression of RNA sensors RIG-I, Mda-5 and related adaptors MAVS, IRF3, IRF7, and IFN-β in the mutant DC 2.4 cells. The flow cytometry results demonstrated that the expression of MHC II on the surface of DC 2.4 significantly increased when compared with that in control. Therefore, it is suggested that Ag85A mutant DNA could release immunogenic message through RNA sensors and related adaptors via non protein pathway. There is at least one RNA signal transduction pathway of Ag85A DNA in DC2.4 cell. The work provides a new mode of action for nucleic acid vaccine to improve immunogenicity and meaningful data for the better understanding of the mechanisms of DNA vaccine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingbo Zhai
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Brucellosis Institute of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao 028000, China
| | - Qiubo Wang
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Yunfeng Gao
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Shengjun Li
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Bing Wei
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Yong You
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Xun Sun
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China
| | - Changlong Lu
- Department of Immunology, China Medical University, Shenyang 110122, China; Brucellosis Institute of Inner Mongolia University for the Nationalities, Tongliao 028000, China.
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Yan K, Feng D, Liang J, Wang Q, Deng L, Zhang X, Ling B, Han D. Cytosolic DNA sensor-initiated innate immune responses in mouse ovarian granulosa cells. Reproduction 2017; 153:821-834. [PMID: 28351933 DOI: 10.1530/rep-16-0674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2016] [Revised: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Viral infections of the ovary may perturb ovarian functions. However, the mechanisms underlying innate immune responses in the ovary are poorly understood. The present study demonstrates that cytosolic viral DNA sensor signaling initiates the innate immune response in mouse ovarian granulosa cells and affects endocrine function. The cytosolic DNA sensors p204 and cGAS and their common signaling adaptor stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING) were constitutively expressed in granulosa cells. Transfection with VACV70, a synthetic vaccinia virus (VACV) DNA analog, induced the expression of type I interferons (IFNA/B) and major inflammatory cytokines (TNFA and IL6) through IRF3 and NF-κB activation respectively. Moreover, several IFN-inducible antiviral proteins, including 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase, IFN-stimulating gene 15 and Mx GTPase 1, were also induced by VACV70 transfection. The innate immune responses in granulosa cells were significantly reduced by the transfection of specific small-interfering RNAs targeting p204, cGas or Sting Notably, the VACV70-triggered innate immune responses affected steroidogenesis in vivo and in vitro The data presented in this study describe the mechanism underlying ovarian immune responses to viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keqin Yan
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyChina-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Dingqing Feng
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyChina-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyChina-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Wang
- Institute of Basic Medical SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Deng
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyChina-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyChina-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bin Ling
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyChina-Japan Friendship Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Daishu Han
- Institute of Basic Medical SciencesChinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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