Effect of myostatin inhibitor (myostatin pro-peptide) microinjection on in vitro maturation and subsequent early developmental stages of buffalo embryo

Sulforaphane Promotes Proliferation of Porcine Granulosa Cells via the H3K27ac-Mediated GDF8-ALK5-ERK Pathway

Follicle development, a crucial process in reproductive biology, hinges upon the dynamic proliferation of granulosa cells (GCs). Growth differentiation factor-8 (GDF8) is well-known as myostatin for inhibiting skeletal muscle growth, and it also exists in ovarian GCs and follicle fluid. However, the relationship between GCs proliferation and GDF8 remains elusive. Sulforaphane (SFN) is a potent bioactive compound, which in our study has been demonstrated to induce the expression of GDF8 in GCs. Meanwhile, we discover a novel role of SFN in promoting the proliferation of porcine GCs. Specifically, SFN enhances GCs proliferation by accelerating the progression of the cell cycle through the G1 phase to the S phase. By performing gene expression profiling, we showed that the promoting proliferative effects of SFN are highly correlated with the TGF-β signaling pathways and cell cycle. Among the ligand factors of TGF-β signaling, we identify GDF8 as a critical downstream effector of SFN, which acts through ALK5 to mediate SFN-induced proliferation and G1/S transition. In addition, we identify a noncanonical downstream pathway by which GDF8 induces the activation of MAPK/ERK to facilitate the cell cycle progression in GCs. Moreover, we reveal that the expression of GDF8 is regulated by SFN through epigenetic modifications of H3K27 acetylation. These findings not only provide mechanistic insights into the regulation of GCs proliferation but also establish a previously unrecognized role of GDF8 in follicle development, which have significant implications for developing strategies to improve female fertility.

Evolution and Comparative Genomics of the Transforming Growth Factor-β-Related Proteins in Nile Tilapia

The members of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family of cell signaling polypeptides have garnered a great deal of interest due to its capacity from nematodes to mammals to regulate cell-based activities which control the growth of embryos and sustain tissue homeostasis. The current study designed a computational analysis of the TGF-β protein family for understanding these proteins at the molecular level. This study determined the genomic structure of TGF-β gene family in Nile tilapia for the first time. We chose 33 TGF-β genes for identification and divided them into two subgroups, TGF-like and BMP-like. Moreover, the subcellular localization of the Nile tilapia TGF-β proteins have showed that majority of the members of TGF-β proteins family are present into extracellular matrix and plasma except BMP6, BMP7, and INHAC. All TGF-β proteins were thermostable excluding BMP1. Each protein exhibited basic nature, excluding of BMP1, BMP2, BMP7, BMP10, GDF2, GDF8, GDF11, AMH, INHA, INHBB, and NODAL M. All proteins gave impression of being unstable depending on the instability index, having values exceeding 40 excluding BMP1 and BMP2. Each TGF-β protein was found to be hydrophobic with lowered values of GRAVY. Moreover, every single one of the discovered TGF-β genes had a consistent evolutionary pattern. The TGF-β gene family had eight segmental duplications, and the Ka/Ks ratio demonstrated that purifying selection had an impact on the duplicated gene pairs which have experienced selection pressure. This study highlights important functionality of TGF-β and depicts the demand for further investigation to better understand the role and mechanism of transforming growth factor β in fishes and other species.

Pentraxins in invertebrates and vertebrates: From structure, function and evolution to clinical applications

The immune system is divided into two broad categories, consisting of innate and adaptive immunity. As recognition and effector factors of innate immunity and regulators of adaptive immune responses, lectins are considered to be important defense chemicals against microbial pathogens, cell trafficking, immune regulation, and prevention of autoimmunity. Pentraxins, important members of animal lectins, play a significant role in protecting the body from pathogen infection and regulating inflammatory reactions. They can recognize and bind to a variety of ligands, including carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids and their complexes, and protect the host from pathogen invasion by activating the complement cascade and Fcγ receptor pathways. Based on the primary structure of the subunit, pentraxins are divided into short and long pentraxins. The short pentraxins are comprised of C-reactive protein (CRP) and serum amyloid P (SAP), and the most important member of the long pentraxins is pentraxin 3 (PTX3). The CRP and SAP exist in both vertebrates and invertebrates, while the PTX3 may be present only in vertebrates. The major ligands and functions of CRP, SAP and PTX3 and three activation pathways involved in the complement system are summarized in this review. Their different characteristics in various animals including humans, and their evolutionary trees are analyzed. The clinical applications of CRP, SAP and PTX3 in human are reviewed. Some questions that remain to be understood are also highlighted.

Protective effect of onion peel extract on ageing mouse oocytes

Mammalian oocytes not fertilized immediately after ovulation can undergo ageing and a rapid decline in quality. The addition of antioxidants can be an efficient approach to delaying the oocyte ageing process. Onion peel extract (OPE) contains quercetin and other flavonoids with natural antioxidant activities. In this study, we investigated the effect of OPE on mouse oocyte ageing and its mechanism of action. The oocytes were aged in vitro in M16 medium for 16 h after adding OPE at different concentrations (0, 50, 100, 200, and 500 μg/ml). The addition of 100 μg/ml OPE reduced the oocyte fragmentation rate, decreased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level, increased the glutathione (GSH) level, and improved the mitochondrial membrane potential compared with the control group. The addition of OPE also increased the expression of SOD1, CAT, and GPX3 genes, and the caspase-3 activity in OPE-treated aged oocytes was significantly lower than that in untreated aged oocytes and similar to that in fresh oocytes. These results indicated that OPE delayed mouse oocyte ageing by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis and enhancing mitochondrial function.

When Less Is More: Targeting the Myostatin Gene in Livestock for Augmenting Meat Production

How to increase meat production is one of the main questions in animal breeding. Selection for improved body weight has been made and, due to recent genomic advances, naturally occurring variants that are responsible for controlling economically relevant phenotypes have been revealed. The myostatin (MSTN) gene, a superstar gene in animal breeding, was discovered as a negative controller of muscle mass. In some livestock species, natural mutations in the MSTN gene could generate the agriculturally desirable double-muscling phenotype. However, some other livestock species or breeds lack these desirable variants. Genetic modification, particularly gene editing, offers an unprecedented opportunity to induce or mimic naturally occurring mutations in livestock genomes. To date, various MSTN-edited livestock species have been generated using different gene modification tools. These MSTN gene-edited models have higher growth rates and increased muscle mass, suggesting the high potential of utilizing MSTN gene editing in animal breeding. Additionally, post-editing investigations in most livestock species support the favorable influence of targeting the MSTN gene on meat quantity and quality. In this Review, we provide a collective discussion on targeting the MSTN gene in livestock to further encourage its utilization opportunities. It is expected that, shortly, MSTN gene-edited livestock will be commercialized, and MSTN-edited meat will be on the tables of ordinary customers.

Differential molecular and hormonal changes in oocytes, granulosa cells and follicular fluid of pregnant and non-pregnant camels

This study aimed to compare the expression of genes regulating follicles development, survival and steroid hormones secretion in oocytes and granulosa cells (GCs) and study the correlation between their expression and follicular fluid (FF) levels of progesterone (P4) in pregnant and non-pregnant camels. In total, 138 ovarian pairs from slaughtered camels were used. Gene expression and hormonal assay were determined using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. The obtained results revealed that the number of follicles (3-8 mm) was significantly (P < 0.05) lower in pregnant, compared with non-pregnant, camels. P4 level in the FF was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in pregnant, compared with non-pregnant, camels. However, no significant (P > 0.05) difference was noticed in the oestradiol (E2) level. STAR, PTEN, IGF1 and BCL2 mRNA levels were significantly higher in GCs and significantly lower in oocytes of pregnant, compared with non-pregnant, camels. However, follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) mRNA level was significantly lower in GCs and oocytes, and the BMP15 mRNA level was significantly lower in oocytes of pregnant, compared with non-pregnant, camels. P4 level in FF was positively correlated with STAR, PTEN, IGF1 and BCL2 mRNA levels in GCs and negatively correlated with BMP15 mRNA levels in oocytes and FSHR mRNA levels in GCs and oocytes of pregnant camels. It could be concluded that pregnancy-induced variations in oocytes and GC expression of BMP15, IGF1, FSHR, STAR, BCL2, and PTEN genes might be associated with a decrease in the number of follicles and an increase in the FF level of P4.

Estrogen improves the development of yak (Bos grunniens) oocytes by targeting cumulus expansion and levels of oocyte-secreted factors during in vitro maturation

The estrogen-signalling pathway is critical for normal follicular development; however, little is known about its importance during in vitro maturation (IVM) in large animals, particularly yaks (Bos grunniens). Through the present study, we aimed to determine the mechanisms underlying estrogen involvement in cumulus expansion and the subsequent development of cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs). COCs were cultured in the maturation medium supplemented with different concentrations (10⁻⁶–10⁻³ mM) of 17β-estradiol (E2) or its receptor antagonist, fulvestrant, and quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were performed to determine the expression of cumulus-expansion related factors and oocyte-secreted factors (OSFs). The cumulus expansion of COCs was observed using an inverted microscope, and COCs developmental ability were judged by the evaluation of cleavage and blastulation rates per inseminated oocytes by IVF, and the number of cells in the blastocyst. Cumulus expansion increased with 10⁻⁶–10⁻³ mM E2, but decreased with fulvestrant. HAS2, PTGS2, PTX3 and OSFs expression increased in the 10⁻⁶–10⁻³ mM E2 groups. Significantly higher cleavage and blastocyst rates were observed in the 10⁻⁴ mM E2 group than in the fulvestrant and 0 mM E2 groups. Moreover, in the 10⁻⁴ mM group, blastocysts at 7 days had higher cell counts than the other groups. In conclusion, the increase in cumulus expansion and subsequent oocyte development after the addition of E2 to IVM medium may have resulted from increased cumulus-expansion-related factor expression and OSF levels.

The potential therapeutic effect for melatonin and mesenchymal stem cells on hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND/AIM

Herein, we investigated the potential therapeutic effect of Melatonin (Mel) and/or mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) on rat model of HCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Female mature rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 10/group): normal (Nor), HCC group intraperitoneally injected with 200 mg/kg DEN, and 3 treated groups; HCC + Mel (Mel) group given Mel intraperitoneally 20 mg/kg, twice a week, HCC + MSCs (MSCs) group intravenously injected by 1 × 10⁶ cells, and HCC + MSCs (Mel +MSCs) group.

RESULTS

Rats in HCC group showed most deteriorated effect in form of increased mortality and relative liver weight, elevated serum levels of ALT, AST, ALP, AFP and GGT in addition to increased pre-neoplastic nodules in liver tissues. Liver tissues of HCC group also exhibited lower level of apoptosis as indicated by decreased DNA fragmentation and expression of p53 caspase 9 and caspase 3 genes and increased PCNA immunoreactivity. Moreover, in this group the expression of IL6 and TGFβ1 genes was significantly upregulated. All these deleterious effects induced by DEN were reversed after administration of Mel and/ or MSCs with best improvement for the combined group (MSCs + Mel).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings reveal a better therapeutic effect for MSCs when given with Mel and we attribute this beneficial effect, at least in part, to triggering apoptosis and targeting inflammation in HCC. Therefore, combined treatment with Mel and MSCs is recommended to enhance the therapeutic potential against HCC.