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Wijayarathna R, Hedger MP. New aspects of activin biology in epididymal function and immunopathology. Andrology 2024; 12:964-972. [PMID: 37644728 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13523] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
The activins (A and B) and their binding protein, follistatin, play crucial roles in development, immunoregulation and inflammation throughout the body. In the male reproductive tract of the mouse, activin A and B production is largely confined to the initial segment and proximal caput of the epididymis and the efferent ducts, under normal conditions, with very low expression in the corpus, cauda and vas deferens. However, activin A protein is present throughout the epididymis and vas deferens and is largely associated with the epithelium and interstitial macrophages. Conversely, the activin-binding protein follistatin is produced in the distal epididymis, with very high expression in the vas deferens. Activin activity in the distal tract is inhibited by follistatin, and the activin-follistatin balance is important for regulating coiling of the duct during epididymal development. In further experiments, as described in this report, in situ hybridisation was used to localise activin A mRNA principally to cells in the periductal zone and interstitium in the efferent ducts and proximal caput. Activin B mRNA, on the other hand, was localised to periductal cells in the efferent ducts and proximal epididymis and, most notably, to epithelial cells in the initial segment. Activin A is implicated in the regulation of mononuclear phagocyte function and immune responses in the caput and stimulates the expression of the key immunoregulatory protein, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in this region. Activin A production in the corpus and cauda increases dramatically during bacterial epididymitis in mice, promoting inflammation and fibrosis and causing damage to the epithelium and obstruction of the epididymal duct. Consequently, it appears that the activin-follistatin axis is crucial for maintaining normal epididymal structure and function, but disruption of this balance during inflammation has deleterious effects on male fertility. Follistatin has therapeutic potential in ameliorating the proinflammatory and profibrotic effects of activins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rukmali Wijayarathna
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Melbourne, Australia
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Crucial Convolution: Genetic and Molecular Mechanisms of Coiling during Epididymis Formation and Development in Embryogenesis. J Dev Biol 2022; 10:jdb10020025. [PMID: 35735916 PMCID: PMC9225329 DOI: 10.3390/jdb10020025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
As embryonic development proceeds, numerous organs need to coil, bend or fold in order to establish their final shape. Generally, this occurs so as to maximise the surface area for absorption or secretory functions (e.g., in the small and large intestines, kidney or epididymis); however, mechanisms of bending and shaping also occur in other structures, notably the midbrain–hindbrain boundary in some teleost fish models such as zebrafish. In this review, we will examine known genetic and molecular factors that operate to pattern complex, coiled structures, with a primary focus on the epididymis as an excellent model organ to examine coiling. We will also discuss genetic mechanisms involving coiling in the seminiferous tubules and intestine to establish the final form and function of these coiled structures in the mature organism.
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Arslan Ates E, Eltan M, Sahin B, Gurpinar Tosun B, Seven Menevse T, Geckinli BB, Greenfield A, Turan S, Bereket A, Guran T. Homozygosity for a novel INHA mutation in two male siblings with hypospadias, primary hypogonadism, and high-normal testicular volume. Eur J Endocrinol 2022; 186:K25-K31. [PMID: 35235537 PMCID: PMC9010807 DOI: 10.1530/eje-21-1230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The human INHA gene encodes the inhibin subunit alpha protein, which is common to both inhibin A and B. The functional importance of inhibins in male sex development, sexual function, and reproduction remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE We report for the first time two male siblings with homozygous INHAmutations. METHODS The medical files were examined for clinical, biochemical, and imaging data. Genetic analysis was performed using next-generation and Sanger sequencing methods. RESULTS Two brothers complained of gynecomastia, testicular pain, and had a history of hypospadias. Biochemistry revealed low serum testosterone, high gonadotropin and anti-Mullerian hormone, and very low/undetectable inhibin concentrations, where available. Both patients had azoospermia in the spermiogram. We have identified a homozygous 2 bp deletion (c.208_209delAG, R70Gfs*3) variant, which leads to a truncated INHA protein in both patients, and confirmed heterozygosity in the parents. The external genital development, pubertal onset and progression, reproductive functions, serum gonadotropins, and sex hormones of mother and father, who were heterozygous carriers of the identified mutation, were normal. CONCLUSION Homozygosity for INHA mutations causes decreased prenatal and postnatal testosterone production and infertility in males, while the heterozygous female and male carriers of INHA mutations do not have any abnormality in sex development and reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esra Arslan Ates
- Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital, Genetic Diseases Diagnostic Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Eltan
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bahadir Sahin
- Department of Urology, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Busra Gurpinar Tosun
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tuba Seven Menevse
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Bilgen Bilge Geckinli
- Marmara University Pendik Training and Research Hospital, Genetic Diseases Diagnostic Center, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Andy Greenfield
- Mammalian Genetics Unit, MRC Harwell Institute, Oxfordshire, UK
| | - Serap Turan
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Bereket
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tulay Guran
- Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes, Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
- Correspondence should be addressed to T Guran;
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Wijayarathna R, Genovese R, Meinhardt A, Loveland KL, Groome NP, Hinton BT, Hedger MP. Examination of testicular lumicrine regulation of activins and immunoregulatory genes in the epididymal caput. Andrology 2021; 10:190-201. [PMID: 34415685 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunoregulatory genes encoding activin A (Inhba) and B (Inhbb), and indolamine 2,3-dioxygenase-1 (Ido1) are highly expressed in the murine caput epididymidis, which also has a network of intraepithelial mononuclear phagocytes. This environment is postulated to promote immunological tolerance to epididymal sperm. The factors regulating the immunoregulatory agents in the epididymal caput are poorly understood. OBJECTIVES This study aimed to investigate the potential role of testicular lumicrine factors in regulating activin and other immune-related genes in the caput epididymidis. MATERIALS AND METHODS The efferent ducts in adult C57/Bl6 mice were exposed and ligated bilaterally. Serum and tissues were collected seven days later. Animals with bilateral sham ligation and animals with no ligations (collectively referred to as the "intact" group) were used as controls. RESULTS Pressure-induced seminiferous epithelial damage due to intratubular fluid accumulation was observed in all ligated testes. Testicular inhibin was significantly increased and testosterone was elevated in some animals following bilateral ligation, but serum testosterone, serum LH, and serum inhibin were normal. Ligation caused epithelial regression in the initial segment, with similar but less severe effects in other caput segments. Activin A staining by immunohistochemistry in the epithelium was reduced in bilateral ligation, particularly in the initial segment, with moderately reduced staining intensity in the rest of the caput. Inhba expression within the caput was not significantly affected by bilateral ligation, but Inhbb was reduced by more than 60%. Transcripts encoding the macrophage-specific receptor Cx3cr1 were significantly reduced following bilateral ligation, but other immune cell markers, Ido1, and inflammatory genes were unaffected. CONCLUSION These data indicate that testicular lumicrine secretion regulates several genes that are preferentially expressed in the initial segment, but has marginal effects on genes such as those encoding activin A and IDO1, which are expressed more widely in the caput.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rukmali Wijayarathna
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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He J, Liu Q, Yu S, Lei M, Liu J, Di R, Ge Z, Hu W, Wang X, Liu N, Chu M. Expression and functional analysis of the Follistatin-like 3 (FSTL3) gene in the sheep ovary during the oestrous cycle. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 56:427-436. [PMID: 33314336 PMCID: PMC7986853 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13879] [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: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Follistatin‐like 3 (FSTL3) is a regulator of cellular apoptosis and was previously identified via RNA‐Seq to be associated with follicular development in mammalian ovaries. However, the mechanism underlying the FSTL3 regulation of oestrus in sheep remained poorly understood. In this study, the oestrogen (E2) and progesterone (P4) concentrations in blood were detected, and the expression level and functional analysis of FSTL3 in the ovary were studied during the different reproductive stage in Aohan fine wool sheep (seasonal breeding breed in China). The concentrations of E2 and P4 at the anestrus were significantly lower compared to dioestrus, proestrus and oestrus stages. Higher expression levels of FSTL3 were observed in the sheep ovary, hypothalamus, and thyroid. During different reproductive stages, higher expression levels were found during the stages of dioestrus and proestrus, while lower levels were found during the oestrus and anestrus stages. Functional analysis of FSTL3 was performed in primary granulosa cells (GCs) of sheep. The concentration of E2 increased significantly after RNAi interference of FSTL3, while the P4 level decreased. FSTL3 can decrease P4 levels, which might be involved in mediating oestrous cycle in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianning He
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Qiuyue Liu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shunyu Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Mengyuan Lei
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jifeng Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Ran Di
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaojia Ge
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wenping Hu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangyu Wang
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Nan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Mingxing Chu
- Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China
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Wijayarathna R, Hedger MP. Activins, follistatin and immunoregulation in the epididymis. Andrology 2019; 7:703-711. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2019] [Revised: 06/18/2019] [Accepted: 06/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. Wijayarathna
- Centre for Reproductive Health Hudson Institute of Medical Research Clayton Vic. Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences School of Clinical Sciences Monash University Clayton Vic. Australia
| | - M. P. Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health Hudson Institute of Medical Research Clayton Vic. Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences School of Clinical Sciences Monash University Clayton Vic. Australia
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