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Wu L, Shi F, Zhang Y, Xu X, Xie Z, Hua S, Xia S, Jiang J. Maternal exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) impairs angiogenesis and AR signalling pathway through suppression of TGFB1I1 in hypospadias offspring. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 270:115941. [PMID: 38184977 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.115941] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Early exposure to dibutyl phthalate (DBP) can cause hypospadias in newborn foetuses. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is not well defined. Aberrant angiogenesis is associated with various dysplasias including urogenital deficits. In vivo and in vitro angiogenesis assays showed reduced angiogenesis in the hypospadias group and DBP exposed group. RNA-sequencing analysis of DBP-treated HUVECs revealed decreased expression of transforming growth factor beta 1-induced transcript 1 (TGFB1I1) and a significantly enriched angiogenesis-associated pathway. Further experiments revealed that decreased TGFB1I1 expression was associated with disrupted tube formation and migration, which resulted in decreased angiogenesis. Functional assays revealed that the overexpression of TGFB1I1 promoted tube formation and migration of HUVECs in the DBP-treated group. Moreover, we showed that the transcription factor AR was regulated by TGFB1I1 through inhibiting its translocation from the cytoplasm to the nucleus. Together, our results identified TGFB1I1 as a component of aberrant angiogenesis in hypospadias rats and its interaction with AR might be a potential target for hypospadias development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Wu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 100 Hai Ning Road, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Shi
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, NO.100 Hai Ning Road, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, People's Republic of China
| | - Yongqing Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, NO.100 Hai Ning Road, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, People's Republic of China
| | - Xinyu Xu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, NO.100 Hai Ning Road, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiwen Xie
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, NO.100 Hai Ning Road, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, People's Republic of China
| | - Shan Hua
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, NO.100 Hai Ning Road, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, People's Republic of China
| | - Shujie Xia
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 100 Hai Ning Road, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China; Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, NO.100 Hai Ning Road, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, People's Republic of China.
| | - Juntao Jiang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, 100 Hai Ning Road, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China; Department of Urology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, NO.100 Hai Ning Road, Shanghai 200080, People's Republic of China; Institute of Urology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, People's Republic of China.
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Tarulli GA, Cripps SM, Pask AJ, Renfree MB. Spatiotemporal map of key signaling factors during early penis development. Dev Dyn 2021; 251:609-624. [PMID: 34697862 PMCID: PMC9539974 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The formation of the external genitalia is a highly complex developmental process, considering it involves a wide range of cell types and results in sexually dimorphic outcomes. Development is controlled by several secreted signalling factors produced in complex spatiotemporal patterns, including the hedgehog (HH), bone morphogenic protein (BMP), fibroblast growth factor (FGF) and WNT signalling families. Many of these factors act on or are influenced by the actions of the androgen receptor (AR) that is critical to masculinisation. This complexity of expression makes it difficult to conceptualise patterns of potential importance. Mapping expression during key stages of development is needed to develop a comprehensive model of how different cell types interact in formation of external genitalia, and the global regulatory networks at play. This is particularly true in light of the sensitivity of this process to environmental disruption during key stages of development. The goal of this review is to integrate all recent studies on gene expression in early penis development to create a comprehensive spatiotemporal map. This serves as a resource to aid in visualising potentially significant interactions involved in external genital development. Diagrams of published RNA and protein localisation data for key secreted signalling factors during early penis development. Unconventional expression patterns are identified that suggest novel signalling axes during development. Key research gaps and limitations are identified and discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerard A Tarulli
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Samuel M Cripps
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andrew J Pask
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marilyn B Renfree
- School of BioSciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Tan H, Wu G, Wang S, Lawless J, Sinn A, Chen D, Zheng Z. Prenatal exposure to atrazine induces cryptorchidism and hypospadias in F1 male mouse offspring. Birth Defects Res 2021; 113:469-484. [PMID: 33463082 PMCID: PMC7986601 DOI: 10.1002/bdr2.1865] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/03/2020] [Accepted: 12/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The main objective of the present study was to determine whether prenatal exposure to atrazine could affect testicle descent and penile masculinization. Atrazine has been demonstrated with a variety of endocrine disrupting activities and reproductive toxicities. However, the effects of prenatal atrazine exposure on male offspring's genital malformation, such as hypospadias and cryptorchidism, remain poorly understood. In this study, pregnant ICR mice were gavaged from gestational day 12.5-16.5 with different doses of atrazine. Although no sign of systemic toxicity was observed in F1 male pups, prenatal exposure to 100 mg/kg/day atrazine affected penile morphology, urethral meatus position and descent of testis, and reduced anogenital distance and penile size in postnatal day 21 F1 male pups. The comparative study with an androgen receptor (AR) antagonist vinclozolin suggested that these effects of atrazine on male genital development may not be through antagonism of AR. The results also revealed that atrazine exposure significantly reduced maternal serum testosterone levels, decreased AR nuclear translocation, and altered the expression levels of developmental gene networks in developing penis of mice. Atrazine exposure also affected the expression of insulin-like 3 (Insl3) and steroidogenic gene expression in developing reproductive tract. Therefore, our data indicate that prenatal atrazine exposure can induce hypospadias in F1 mice, likely through disruption of testosterone production, decreasing genomic androgen action, and then altering expression of developmental genes during sexual differentiation. Our data also suggest that prenatal atrazine exposure can induce cryptorchidism in F1 mice, possibly through down regulation of Insl3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongli Tan
- Department of PhysiologySchool of Medicine, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondaleIllinoisUSA
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and HealthJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Guohui Wu
- Department of PhysiologySchool of Medicine, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondaleIllinoisUSA
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery and ReconstructionJiangxi Provincial People's HospitalNanchangChina
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of PhysiologySchool of Medicine, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondaleIllinoisUSA
| | - John Lawless
- Department of PhysiologySchool of Medicine, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondaleIllinoisUSA
| | - Austin Sinn
- Department of PhysiologySchool of Medicine, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondaleIllinoisUSA
| | - Da Chen
- School of Environment and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and HealthJinan UniversityGuangzhouChina
| | - Zhengui Zheng
- Department of PhysiologySchool of Medicine, Southern Illinois University CarbondaleCarbondaleIllinoisUSA
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Chang J, Wang S, Zheng Z. Etiology of Hypospadias: A Comparative Review of Genetic Factors and Developmental Processes Between Human and Animal Models. Res Rep Urol 2021; 12:673-686. [PMID: 33381468 PMCID: PMC7769141 DOI: 10.2147/rru.s276141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Hypospadias is a congenital anomaly of the penis with an occurrence of approximately 1 in 200 boys, but the etiology of the majority of hypospadias has remained unknown. Numerous genes have been reported as having variants in hypospadias patients, and many studies on genetic deletion of key genes in mouse genital development have also been published. Until now, no comparative analysis in the genes related literature has been reported. The basic knowledge of penile development and hypospadias is mainly obtained from animal model studies. Understanding of the differences and similarities between human and animal models is crucial for studies of hypospadias. In this review, mutations and polymorphisms of hypospadias-related genes have been compared between humans and mice, and differential genotype–phenotype relationships of certain genes between humans and mice have been discussed using the data available in PubMed and MGI online databases, and our analysis only revealed mutations in seven out of 43 human hypospadias related genes which have been reported to show similar phenotypes in mutant mice. The differences and similarities in the processes of penile development and hypospadias malformation among human and commonly used animal models suggest that the guinea pig may be a good model to study the mechanism of human penile development and etiology of hypospadias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Chang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA.,School of Life Science, Jiangxi Science & Technology Normal University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330013, People's Republic of China
| | - Shanshan Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
| | - Zhengui Zheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL 62901, USA
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Stadler HS, Peters CA, Sturm RM, Baker LA, Best CJM, Bird VY, Geller F, Hoshizaki DK, Knudsen TB, Norton JM, Romao RLP, Cohn MJ. Meeting report on the NIDDK/AUA Workshop on Congenital Anomalies of External Genitalia: challenges and opportunities for translational research. J Pediatr Urol 2020; 16:791-804. [PMID: 33097421 PMCID: PMC7885182 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Congenital anomalies of the external genitalia (CAEG) are a prevalent and serious public health concern with lifelong impacts on the urinary function, sexual health, fertility, tumor development, and psychosocial wellbeing of affected individuals. Complications of treatment are frequent, and data reflecting long-term outcomes in adulthood are limited. To identify a path forward to improve treatments and realize the possibility of preventing CAEG, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the American Urological Association convened researchers from a range of disciplines to coordinate research efforts to fully understand the different etiologies of these common conditions, subsequent variation in clinical phenotypes, and best practices for long term surgical success. Meeting participants concluded that a central data hub for clinical evaluations, including collection of DNA samples from patients and their parents, and short interviews to determine familial penetrance (small pedigrees), would accelerate research in this field. Such a centralized datahub will advance efforts to develop detailed multi-dimensional phenotyping and will enable access to genome sequence analyses and associated metadata to define the genetic bases for these conditions. Inclusion of tissue samples and integration of clinical studies with basic research using human cells and animal models will advance efforts to identify the developmental mechanisms that are disrupted during development and will add cellular and molecular granularity to phenotyping CAEG. While the discussion focuses heavily on hypospadias, this can be seen as a potential template for other conditions in the realm of CAEG, including cryptorchidism or the exstrophy-epispadias complex. Taken together with long-term clinical follow-up, these data could inform surgical choices and improve likelihood for long-term success.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Scott Stadler
- Department of Skeletal Biology, Shriners Hospital for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Portland, 97239, OR, USA.
| | - Craig A Peters
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, 75390-9110, TX, USA; Pediatric Urology, Children's Health System Texas, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, 75390, TX, USA.
| | - Renea M Sturm
- Department of Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, University of California Los Angeles, 200 Medical Plaza #170, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Linda A Baker
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, 75390-9110, TX, USA
| | - Carolyn J M Best
- American Urological Association, 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, 21090, MD, USA
| | - Victoria Y Bird
- Department of Urology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA; National Medical Association and Research Group, 5745 SW 75th Street, #507, Gainesville, 32608, FL, USA
| | - Frank Geller
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 5 Artillerivej, Copenhagen S, DK-2300, Denmark
| | - Deborah K Hoshizaki
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, 20892, MD, USA
| | - Thomas B Knudsen
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Research Triangle Park, 27711, NC, USA
| | - Jenna M Norton
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, 20892, MD, USA
| | - Rodrigo L P Romao
- Departments of Surgery and Urology, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Martin J Cohn
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Department of Biology, And UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, PO Box 103610, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA.
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Wang S, Lawless J, Zheng Z. Prenatal low-dose methyltestosterone, but not dihydrotestosterone, treatment induces penile formation in female mice and guinea pigs†. Biol Reprod 2020; 102:1248-1260. [PMID: 32219310 PMCID: PMC7253790 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genital tubercle has bisexual potential before sex differentiation. Females exposed to androgen during sex differentiation show masculinized external genitalia, but the effects of different androgens on tubular urethral and penile formation in females are mostly unknown. In this study, we compared the masculinization effects of commonly used androgens methyltestosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and testosterone on the induction of penile formation in females. Our results suggested that prenatal treatment with low doses of methyltestosterone, but not same doses of dihydrotestosterone or testosterone, could induce penile formation in female mice. The minimum dose of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone for inducing tubular urethral formation in female mice was, respectively, 50 and 20 times higher than that of methyltestosterone. In vivo methyltestosterone treatment induced more nuclear translocation of androgen receptors in genital tubercles of female mice, affected Wnt signaling gene expressions, and then led to similar patterns of cell proliferation and death in developing genital tubercles to those of control males. We further revealed that low-dose methyltestosterone, but not same dose of dihydrotestosterone or testosterone, treatment induced penile formation in female guinea pigs. Exposure of female mouse genital tubercle organ culture to methyltestosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or testosterone could induce nuclear translocation of androgen receptors, suggesting that the differential effect of the three androgens in vivo might be due to the hormonal profile in mother or fetus, rather than the local genital tissue. To understand the differential role of these androgens in masculinization process involved is fundamental to androgen replacement therapy for diseases related to external genital masculinization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - John Lawless
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - Zhengui Zheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA
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Wang S, Zheng Z. Differential cell proliferation and cell death during the urethral groove formation in guinea pig model. Pediatr Res 2019; 86:452-459. [PMID: 30467344 DOI: 10.1038/s41390-018-0236-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urethral groove (UG) formation is an important step in penile formation. Because commonly used animal models do not have UG, the mechanisms of UG formation have never been discovered. We aim to discover the cellular mechanism of the UG formation using guinea pig model. METHODS Histology was used to study the ontogeny of UG. BrdU immunofluorescence was used to label proliferating cells, cell death was determined using LysoTracker Red and TUNEL staining, and stereology was used for quantification. To reveal Shh mRNA expression patterns, in situ hybridization was performed in guinea pig genital tubercles (GTs) and ShhGFPcre-LacZ-reporter mice were used for comparison. RESULTS Cell proliferation in the outer layers and programmed cell death in the inner layers of urethral epithelium played key roles during urethral canal movement from dorsal to ventral aspect and final opening to form UG. Shh mRNA expression domain shifted out to the ventral surface of GT from proximal throughout to distal in guinea pigs, but was excluded from the ventral surface epithelium in midshaft and distal of mouse GT. CONCLUSION Differential cell proliferation and cell death in developing urethral epithelium lead to UG formation and Shh expression in ventral surface epithelium of GT may play an important role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA
| | - Zhengui Zheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, 62901, USA.
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