The effect of pathogen-associated molecular patterns on the swine granulosa cells

Are the new phthalates safe? Evaluation of Diisononilphtalate (DINP) effects in porcine ovarian cell cultures

Phthalates are plasticizing chemicals, widely used in packaging materials and consumer products for several decades. These molecules have raised concerns because of their toxicity and their use have been restricted in several countries. Therefore, novel phthalates have been introduced. Among these, diisononilphtalate (DINP) is widely employed. However, its safety has not been properly addressed. Therefore, using a well validated granulosa cell model, collected from swine ovaries with a translational value, we studied potential DINP effects on important cellular functional parameters. In particular, we studied cell growth, steroidogenesis and redox status. Collected data showed that DINP stimulates (p < 0.05) cell growth, increases estrogen and inhibits progesterone production (p < 0.05), disrupts redox balance stimulating free radicals (p < 0.05) while reducing scavenger activities (p< 0.05). Taken together, DINP's impact on cultured swine granulosa cells provides cause for concern regarding its potential adverse effects on reproductive and endocrine functions.

Nanoplastics induced oxidative stress and VEGF production in aortic endothelial cells

Plastic is an important environmental issue and a more critical aspect concerns plastic fragments, mainly in term of nanoplastics (NPs). We demonstrated that NPs interfere with reproductive and adipose stromal cells. Since several research underlined an increased cardiovascular risk due to NPs, present study was undertaken to investigate their effect on aortic endothelial cells (AOC). We explored the specificity of their interaction with endothelial cells, quantifying their load in treated cells. Then, NPs effect was assessed on cell growth, generation of free radicals and antioxidant defence. Our data demonstrate that NPs colocalize with AOC. We found a significant (p < 0.01) increase both in metabolic activity and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) production (p < 0.01). Redox status appeared to be disrupted (p < 0.05) by NPs. Taken together, the normal function of cultured AOC appeared negatively affected by AOC. Since NPs have been detected in blood, our present data appear of particular interest.

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) affects steroidogenesis and antioxidant defence in granulosa cells from swine ovary

PFOA is mainly employed in products with water and oil repellent properties. Due to its persistence, bioaccumulation and critical effects on health, its use has been restricted in several countries. This research was intended to explore PFOA action on the main functions of swine ovarian granulosa cells, a valuable model for translational medicine. Moreover, since we previously demonstrated a disruptive effect on free radical generation we sought to explore PFOA effects on the main antioxidant enzymes. PFOA inhibited cell proliferation (p < 0.001), assessed by BrdU uptake. Steroidogenesis was disrupted: PFOA also stimulated 17β-estradiol production (p < 0.05), increased progesterone production (p < 0.05) at the lowest dose while it displayed an inhibitory effect at higher concentrations (p < 0.05). SOD (p < 0.001), catalase (p < 0.05) and peroxidase (p < 0.01) activities were stimulated. Therefore, our study supports a disruptive effect of PFOA in cultured swine granulosa cells.

Crosstalk between reproductive and immune systems: the teleostean perspective

The bidirectional interaction between the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and the immune system plays a crucial role in the adaptation of an organism to its environment, its survival and the continuance of a species. Nonetheless, very little is known about this interaction among teleost, the largest group of extant vertebrates. Fishes being seasonal breeders, their immune system is exposed to seasonally changing levels of HPG hormones. On the contrary, the presence and infiltration of leukocytes, the expression of pattern recognition receptors as well as cytokines in gonads suggest their key role in teleostean gametogenesis as in the case of mammals. Moreover, the modulation of gametogenesis and steroidogenesis by lipopolysaccharide implicates the pathological significance of inflammation on reproduction. Thus, it is important to engage in the understanding of the interaction between these two important physiological systems, not only from a phylogenetic perspective but also due to the importance of fish as an important economic resource. In view of this, the authors have reviewed the crosstalk between the reproductive and immune systems in teleosts and tried to explore the importance of this interaction in their survival and reproductive fitness.

Redox Status, Estrogen and Progesterone Production by Swine Granulosa Cells Are Impaired by Triclosan

Triclosan is a chlorinated biphenolic with a broad spectrum of antiseptic activities used in cosmetics and hygiene products. Continuous exposure can lead to absorption and bioaccumulation of this substance with harmful health effects. In fact, previous studies have shown that Triclosan acts as an endocrine-disrupting chemical on reproductive organs, with consequent negative effects on reproductive physiology. Therefore, to assess potential adverse impacts on fertility, we tested Triclosan on swine granulosa cells, a model of endocrine reproductive cells. We examined its effects on the main features of granulosa cell functions such as cell growth (BrdU incorporation and ATP production) and steroidogenesis (17-β estradiol and progesterone secretion). Moreover, since oxidant−antioxidant balance plays a pivotal role in follicular function, redox status markers (superoxide, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide production, enzymatic and non-enzymatic scavenging activity) were studied. Our results show that Triclosan significantly inhibits cell growth (p < 0.001), steroidogenesis (p < 0.001), superoxide and nitric oxide production (p < 0.001), while it increases (p < 0.05) enzymatic defense systems. Collectively, these data suggest a disruption of the main granulosa cell functions, i.e., proliferation and hormone production, as well as an imbalance in redox status. On these bases, we can speculate that Triclosan would impair granulosa cell functions, thus exerting negative effects on reproductive function. Further studies are needed to explore lower Triclosan concentrations and to unravel its mechanisms of action at gene level.

Role of Autophagy in Lysophosphatidylcholine-Induced Apoptosis of Mouse Ovarian Granulosa Cells

Lysophosphatidylcholine (LPC), also known as lysolecithin, is one of the major components of oxidized low-density lipoproteins (ox-LDL). In the pathogenetic process of diverse diseases, LPC acts as a significant lipid mediator. However, no evidence shows that LPC can affect the female reproductive system. In our study, we found that LPC inhibited the cell viability of primary mouse ovarian granulosa cells. Meanwhile, LPC was shown to induce apoptosis, which is accompanied by an increase in apoptosis-related protein levels, such as cleaved caspase-3, cleaved caspase-8 and Bax, as well as a decrease in Bcl-2. The total numbers of early and late apoptotic cells also increased in the LPC-treated cells. These results indicated that LPC could induce apoptosis of mouse ovarian granulosa cells. Furthermore, the increase in autophagy-related protein levels and the number of autophagic vesicles suggested that LPC could induce autophagy. The inhibition of oxidative stress by N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) could rescue the induction of apoptosis and autophagy by LPC, which indicated that oxidative stress was involved in LPC-induced apoptosis and autophagy. Interestingly, the inhibition of autophagy by 3-MA could reserve the inhibition of cell viability and the induction of apoptosis by LPC. In conclusion, oxidative stress was involved in LPC-induced apoptosis, whileautophagy of mouse ovarian granulosa cells and the inhibition of autophagy could alleviate LPC-induced apoptosis.

The m6A mRNA demethylase FTO in granulosa cells retards FOS-dependent ovarian aging

Multifunctional N6-methyladenosine (m6A) has been revealed to be an important epigenetic component in various physiological and pathological processes, but its role in female ovarian aging remains unclear. Thus, we demonstrated m6A demethylase FTO downregulation and the ensuing increased m6A in granulosa cells (GCs) of human aged ovaries, while FTO-knockdown GCs showed faster aging-related phenotypes mediated. Using the m6A-RNA-sequence technique (m6A-seq), increased m6A was found in the FOS-mRNA-3'UTR, which is suggested to be an erasing target of FTO that slows the degradation of FOS-mRNA to upregulate FOS expression in GCs, eventually resulting in GC-mediated ovarian aging. FTO acts as a senescence-retarding protein via m6A, and FOS knockdown significantly alleviates the aging of FTO-knockdown GCs. Altogether, the abovementioned results indicate that FTO in GCs retards FOS-dependent ovarian aging, which is a potential diagnostic and therapeutic target against ovarian aging and age-related reproductive diseases.

Nanoplastics impair in vitro swine granulosa cell functions

Soil, water, and air pollution by plastic represents an issue of great concern since the particles produced by degradation of plastic materials can be ingested by animals and humans, with still uncertain health consequences. As a contribution on this crucial subject, the present work reports an investigation on the in vitro effects of different concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics (5, 25, and 75 µg/mL) on swine granulosa cells, a model of endocrine reproductive cells. In particular, cell growth (BrDU incorporation and ATP production), steroidogenesis (17-β estradiol and progesterone secretion) and redox status (superoxide and nitric oxide production, enzymatic and non-enzymatic scavenging activity) were studied. Nanoplastics, at the highest concentration, stimulated cell proliferation (P < 0.05), while cell viability resulted unaffected. Steroidogenesis was disrupted (P < 0.05). Both enzymatic and non-enzymatic scavenging activity were increased after exposure at the highest nanoplastic dose (P < 0.05, P < 0.001). Nitric oxide secretion was increased by 25 and 75 µg/mL (P < 0.05) while superoxide generation was stimulated (P < 0.001) only by the highest concentration tested. Taken together, main features of cultured swine granulosa cells resulted affected by exposure to nanoplastics. These results raise concerns since environment nanoplastic contamination can represents a serious threat to animal and human health.

Effects of Orexin B on Swine Granulosa and Endothelial Cells

Simple Summary

The follicle is the ovarian functional unit. It is mainly composed of granulosa cells and angiogenesis is crucial to guarantee its development till ovulation. Carrying on our previous studies on the orexin system in the ovary, we presently demonstrate a potential role of orexin B in the control of granulosa cells’ oxidative stress and of the angiogenesis event.

Abstract

In addition to the well-known central modulatory role of orexins, we recently demonstrated a peripheral involvement in swine granulosa cells for orexin A and in adipose tissue for orexin B (OXB). The aim of present research was to verify immunolocalization of OXB and its potential role in modulating the main features of swine granulosa cells. In particular, we explored the effects on granulosa cell proliferation (through the incorporation of bromodeoxyuridine), cell metabolic activity (as indirect evaluation by the assessment of ATP), steroidogenic activity (by immunoenzymatic examination) and redox status (evaluating the production of superoxide anion by means of the WST test, production of nitric oxide through the use of the Griess test and the non-enzymatic reducing power by FRAP test). Our data point out that OXB does not modify granulosa cell growth, steroidogenesis and superoxide anion generation. On the contrary, the peptide stimulates (p < 0.05) nitric oxide output and non-enzymatic reducing power. Since new vessel growth is crucial for ovarian follicle development, a further aim of this study was to explore the expression of prepro-orexin and the effects of OXB on swine aortic endothelial cells. We found that the peptide is ineffective in modulating cell growth, while it inhibits redox status parameters. In addition, we demonstrated a stimulatory effect on angiogenesis evaluated in fibrin gel angiogenesis assay. Taken together, OXB appears to be potentially involved in the modulation of redox status in granulosa and endothelial cells and we could argue an involvement of the peptide in the follicular angiogenic events.

Perioperative alterations in the intestinal microbiota and functional changes mediate innate immune activation after small bowel transplantation

AIM

Small bowel transplantation (SBT) is the only therapy for end-stage short bowel syndrome. However, complicated pathological changes and an increased risk of postoperative infections in the perioperative period are major obstacles to patient survival, but the associated mechanisms remain unclear.

METHODS

To explore perioperative alterations in the intestinal microbiota and their functional changes after SBT, 16S rRNA sequencing of ileostomy effluents and plasma analysis were performed pre-SBT and periodically post-SBT.

RESULTS

The results suggested that the presence of Proteobacteria accelerated bacterial motility and chemotaxis during the first week in post-SBT recipients. Altered gut microbiota impaired intestinal barrier integrity and upregulated 16S rDNA, pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP) and pattern-recognition molecule (PRM) levels in peripheral circulation. Importantly, the levels of neutrophils, monocytes, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and natural killer cells and the expression of proinflammatory cytokines were increased in the peripheral blood and had potential roles in activating innate immune-mediated inflammatory injury after SBT.

CONCLUSION

Together, our results suggest that altered microbiota and functional changes are probably related to innate immune-mediated inflammatory injury and graft survival after SBT, suggesting that the monitoring and regulation of intestinal microbiota are necessary for SBT patients.

The myokine irisin: localization and effects in swine late medium and large antral ovarian follicle

Irisin is mainly synthesized by skeletal muscle tissue, where it is believed to be responsible for the benefits of exercise on metabolism and cardiovascular system. In adipose tissue, its best-known effect is the browning of white adipocytes, resulting in the increase of thermogenesis and energy expenditure. As it has been largely documented that metabolic dysfunctions can frequently be associated with reductions in fertility, the possible involvement of this molecule in the regulation of reproductive processes represents an issue to be addressed. On this basis, the first aim of this work was the evaluation of the presence of irisin in the swine ovary; then, we investigated the expression of the associated molecules FNDC5, PGC-1α, and PPAR-γ. To verify a potential modulatory role both on ovarian function and on redox status, cell growth, steroidogenesis, production of superoxide anion and nitric oxide, the nonenzymatic antioxidant scavengers, were assessed in vitro on granulosa cells treated with increasing concentrations of irisin (50, 100, and 150 ng/mL). The data collected demonstrate the presence of irisin in swine ovarian follicle. Moreover, the highest concentrations tested stimulated metabolic activity and inhibited cell proliferation (P < 0.05); the peptide exerted a biphasic effect on progesterone (P < 0.01) production and, at the highest concentrations, inhibited nitric oxide while stimulated the nonenzymatic antioxidant power (P < 0.05). Superoxide anion and estradiol 17β were unaffected. The demonstration of the local presence of irisin at the ovarian level and the highlighted effects allow us to qualify this molecule as a potential physiological regulator of follicular function.