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Chen W, Cui Y, Li C, He C, Du L, Liu W, He Z. KLF2 controls proliferation and apoptosis of human spermatogonial stem cells via targeting GJA1. iScience 2024; 27:109024. [PMID: 38352225 PMCID: PMC10863320 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Human spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. However, molecular mechanisms regulating fate determinations of human SSCs remain elusive. In this study, we revealed that KLF2 decreased the proliferation, DNA synthesis, and colonization of human SSCs as well as increased apoptosis of these cells. We identified and demonstrated that GJA1 was a target gene for KLF2 in human SSCs. Notably, KLF2 overexpression rescued the reduction of proliferation of human SSCs caused by GJA1 silencing as well as the enhancement of apoptosis of human SSCs. Abnormalities in the higher level of KLF2 and/or KIF2 mutations might lead to male infertility. Collectively, these results implicate that KLF2 inhibits proliferation of human SSCs and enhances their apoptosis by targeting GJA1. This study thus provides novel genetic mechanisms underlying human spermatogenesis and azoospermia, and it offers new endogenous targets for treating male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Chen
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Yinghong Cui
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Chunyun Li
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Caimei He
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Li Du
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Wei Liu
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
| | - Zuping He
- Key Laboratory of Model Animals and Stem Cell Biology in Hunan Province, Hunan Normal University School of Medicine, Engineering Research Center of Reproduction and Translational Medicine of Hunan Province, Manufacture-Based Learning and Research Demonstration Center for Human Reproductive Health New Technology of Hunan Normal University, Changsha, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
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Cui Y, Chen W, Du L, He Z. OIP5 Interacts with NCK2 to Mediate Human Spermatogonial Stem Cell Self-Renewal and Apoptosis through Cell Cyclins and Cycle Progression and Its Abnormality Is Correlated with Male Infertility. RESEARCH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2023; 6:0162. [PMID: 37292517 PMCID: PMC10246317 DOI: 10.34133/research.0162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) have important applications in both reproduction and regenerative medicine. Nevertheless, specific genes and signaling transduction pathways in mediating fate decisions of human SSCs remain elusive. Here, we have demonstrated for the first time that OIP5 (Opa interacting protein 5) controlled the self-renewal and apoptosis of human SSCs. RNA sequencing identified that NCK2 was a target for OIP5 in human SSCs, and interestingly, OIP5 could interact with NCK2 as shown by Co-IP (co-immunoprecipitation), IP-MS (mass spectrometry), and GST pulldown assays. NCK2 silencing decreased human SSC proliferation and DNA synthesis but enhanced their apoptosis. Notably, NCK2 knockdown reversed the influence of OIP5 overexpression on human SSCs. Moreover, OIP5 inhibition decreased the numbers of human SSCs at S and G2/M phases, while the levels of numerous cell cycle proteins, including cyclins A2, B1, D1, E1 and H, especially cyclin D1, were remarkably reduced. Significantly, whole-exome sequencing of 777 patients with nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) revealed 54 single-nucleotide polymorphism mutations of the OIP5 gene (6.95%), while the level of OIP5 protein was obviously lower in testes of NOA patients compared to fertile men. Collectively, these results implicate that OIP5 interacts with NCK2 to modulate human SSC self-renewal and apoptosis via cell cyclins and cell cycle progression and that its mutation and/or lower expression is correlated with azoospermia. As such, this study offers novel insights into molecular mechanisms underlying the fate determinations of human SSCs and the pathogenesis of NOA, and it provides new targets for treating male infertility.
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Wang X, Liu X, Qu M, Li H. Sertoli cell-only syndrome: advances, challenges, and perspectives in genetics and mechanisms. Cell Mol Life Sci 2023; 80:67. [PMID: 36814036 PMCID: PMC11072804 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-023-04723-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Male infertility can be caused by quantitative and/or qualitative abnormalities in spermatogenesis, which affects men's physical and mental health. Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) is the most severe histological phenotype of male infertility characterized by the depletion of germ cells with only Sertoli cells remaining in the seminiferous tubules. Most SCOS cases cannot be explained by the already known genetic causes including karyotype abnormalities and microdeletions of the Y chromosome. With the development of sequencing technology, studies on screening new genetic causes for SCOS are growing in recent years. Directly sequencing of target genes in sporadic cases and whole-exome sequencing applied in familial cases have identified several genes associated with SCOS. Analyses of the testicular transcriptome, proteome, and epigenetics in SCOS patients provide explanations regarding the molecular mechanisms of SCOS. In this review, we discuss the possible relationship between defective germline development and SCOS based on mouse models with SCO phenotype. We also summarize the advances and challenges in the exploration of genetic causes and mechanisms of SCOS. Knowing the genetic factors of SCOS offers a better understanding of SCO and human spermatogenesis, and it also has practical significance for improving diagnosis, making appropriate medical decisions, and genetic counseling. For therapeutic implications, SCOS research, along with the achievements in stem cell technologies and gene therapy, build the foundation to develop novel therapies for SCOS patients to produce functional spermatozoa, giving them hope to father children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaotong Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China
- The Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450052, China
| | - Xinyu Liu
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Mengyuan Qu
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China
| | - Honggang Li
- Institute of Reproductive Health/Center of Reproductive Medicine, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, 430000, China.
- Wuhan Tongji Reproductive Medicine Hospital, Wuhan, 430000, China.
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Yu S, Zhu Z, Shen Q, Zhang R, Zhang J, Wu X, Zhao W, Wu X, Yu T, Zhang S, Li N, Hua J. Comparative analysis of porcine iPSCs derived from Sertoli cells and fibroblasts. J Cell Physiol 2022; 237:4531-4543. [DOI: 10.1002/jcp.30903] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
- College of Veterinary Medicine Yangzhou University Yangzhou China
| | - Zhenshuo Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
| | - Qiaoyan Shen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
| | - Rui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
| | - Juqing Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
| | - Xiaolong Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
| | - Wenxu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
| | - Xiaojie Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
| | - Taiyong Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
| | - Shiqiang Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
| | - Na Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
| | - Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering & Technology Northwest A&F University Yangling China
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Cheng H, Shang D, Zhou R. Germline stem cells in human. Signal Transduct Target Ther 2022; 7:345. [PMID: 36184610 PMCID: PMC9527259 DOI: 10.1038/s41392-022-01197-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The germline cells are essential for the propagation of human beings, thus essential for the survival of mankind. The germline stem cells, as a unique cell type, generate various states of germ stem cells and then differentiate into specialized cells, spermatozoa and ova, for producing offspring, while self-renew to generate more stem cells. Abnormal development of germline stem cells often causes severe diseases in humans, including infertility and cancer. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) first emerge during early embryonic development, migrate into the gentile ridge, and then join in the formation of gonads. In males, they differentiate into spermatogonial stem cells, which give rise to spermatozoa via meiosis from the onset of puberty, while in females, the female germline stem cells (FGSCs) retain stemness in the ovary and initiate meiosis to generate oocytes. Primordial germ cell-like cells (PGCLCs) can be induced in vitro from embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells. In this review, we focus on current advances in these embryonic and adult germline stem cells, and the induced PGCLCs in humans, provide an overview of molecular mechanisms underlying the development and differentiation of the germline stem cells and outline their physiological functions, pathological implications, and clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanhua Cheng
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China.
| | - Dantong Shang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China
| | - Rongjia Zhou
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Cell Homeostasis, College of Life Sciences, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan University, 430072, Wuhan, China.
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