1
|
Yang J, Ou X, Shu M, Wang J, Zhang X, Wu Z, Hao W, Zeng H, Shao L. Inhibition of p38MAPK signalling pathway alleviates radiation-induced testicular damage through improving spermatogenesis. Br J Pharmacol 2024; 181:393-412. [PMID: 37580308 DOI: 10.1111/bph.16217] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/16/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Damage to the testis following exposure to ionizing radiation has become an urgent problem to be solved. Here we have investigated if inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) signalling could alleviate radiation-induced testicular damage. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH In mice exposed to whole body radiation (2-6 Gy), morphological changes of the epididymis and testis was measured by histochemical staining. immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence procedures and western blotting were used to monitor expression and cellular location of proteins. Expression of genes was assessed by qPCR and RNA-Seq was used to profile gene expression. KEY RESULTS Exposure to ionizing radiation induced dose-dependent damage to mouse testis. The sperm quality decreased at 6 and 8 weeks after 6 Gy X-ray radiation. Radiation decreased PLZF+ cells and increased SOX9+ cells, and affected the expression of 969 genes, compared with data from non-irradiated mice. Expression of genes related to p38MAPK were enriched by GO analysis and were increased in the irradiated testis, and confirmed by qPCR. Levels of phospho-p38MAPK protein increased at 28 days after irradiation. In irradiated mice, SB203580 treatment increased spermatozoa, SOX9+ cells, the area and diameter of seminiferous tubules, sperm movement rate and density. Furthermore, SB203580 treatment increased SCP3+ cells, accelerating the process of spermatogenesis. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Exposure to ionizing radiation clearly changed gene expression in mouse testis, involving activation of p38MAPK signalling pathways. Inhibition of p38MAPK by SB203580 partly alleviated the testicular damage caused by radiation and accelerated the recovery of sperms through promoting spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Juan Yang
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiangying Ou
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Manling Shu
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Jie Wang
- School of Basic Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Zhenyu Wu
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Wei Hao
- School of Basic Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Huihong Zeng
- School of Basic Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Lijian Shao
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Yan Q, Li T, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Wang Q, Yuan L. Caveolin 1 Regulates the Tight Junctions between Sertoli Cells and Promotes the Integrity of Blood-Testis Barrier in Yak via the FAK/ERK Signaling Pathway. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:183. [PMID: 38254351 PMCID: PMC10812639 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020183] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Yaks, a valuable livestock species endemic to China's Tibetan plateau, have a low reproductive rate. Cryptorchidism is believed to be one of the leading causes of infertility in male yaks. In this study, we compared the morphology of the normal testis of the yak with that of the cryptorchidism, and found dysplasia of the seminiferous tubules, impaired tightness of the Sertoli cells, and a disruption of the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in the cryptorchidism. Previous studies have shown that CAV1 significantly contributes to the regulation of cell tight junctions and spermatogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesize that CAV1 may play a regulatory role in tight junctions and BTB in Yaks Sertoli cells, thereby influencing the development of cryptorchidism. Additional analysis using immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting confirmed that CAV1 expression is up-regulated in yak cryptorchidism. CAV1 over-expression plasmids and small RNA interference sequences were then transfected in vitro into yak Sertoli cells. It was furthermore found that CAV1 has a positive regulatory effect on tight junctions and BTB integrity, and that this regulatory effect is achieved through the FAK/ERK signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings, the first application of CAV1 to yak cryptorchidism, provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of cell tight junctions and BTB. This paper suggests that CAV1 could be used as a potential therapeutic target for yak cryptorchidism and may provide insight for future investigations into the occurrence of cryptorchidism, the maintenance of a normal physiological environment for spermatogenesis and male reproductive physiology in the yak.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Tianan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xingxu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Qi Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Ligang Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nguyen HT, Martin LJ. Classical cadherins in the testis: how are they regulated? Reprod Fertil Dev 2023; 35:641-660. [PMID: 37717581 DOI: 10.1071/rd23084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadherins (CDH) are crucial intercellular adhesion molecules, contributing to morphogenesis and creating tissue barriers by regulating cells' movement, clustering and differentiation. In the testis, classical cadherins such as CDH1, CDH2 and CDH3 are critical to gonadogenesis by promoting the migration and the subsequent clustering of primordial germ cells with somatic cells. While CDH2 is present in both Sertoli and germ cells in rodents, CDH1 is primarily detected in undifferentiated spermatogonia. As for CDH3, its expression is mainly found in germ and pre-Sertoli cells in developing gonads until the establishment of the blood-testis barrier (BTB). This barrier is made of Sertoli cells forming intercellular junctional complexes. The restructuring of the BTB allows the movement of early spermatocytes toward the apical compartment as they differentiate during a process called spermatogenesis. CDH2 is among many junctional proteins participating in this process and is regulated by several pathways. While cytokines promote the disassembly of the BTB by enhancing junctional protein endocytosis for degradation, testosterone facilitates the assembly of the BTB by increasing the recycling of endocytosed junctional proteins. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are also mediators of the BTB kinetics in many chemically induced damages in the testis. In addition to regulating Sertoli cell functions, follicle stimulating hormone can also regulate the expression of CDH2. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on regulatory mechanisms of cadherin localisation and expression in the testis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ha Tuyen Nguyen
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Luc J Martin
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Qi HY, Li ZF, Wang LM, Zhao Z, Wang JM, Tan FQ, Yang WX. Myosin VI stabilizes intercellular junctions in the testis through the LHR and MAPK signalling pathway during spermatogenesis in Eriocheir sinensis. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 248:125842. [PMID: 37454996 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.125842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
The myosin motor protein myosin VI plays an essential role in mammalian spermatogenesis, however, the effects of myosin VI on male reproduction in Crustacea remain obscure. We identified the macromolecule es-Myosin VI in Eriocheir sinensis, and studied it by multiple methods. It co-localized with F-actin and was highly expressed in the testis. We interfered es-Myosin VI using dsRNA in vivo, an apparent decrease in spermatozoa count was detected. We also found that the MAPK signalling pathway was changed, subsequently causing disruption of intercellular junctions and damage to the functional hemolymph-testis barrier. We observed that luteinizing hormone receptor es-LHR was located within seminiferous tubules, which was different from the expression in mammals. Es-LHR could bind with es-Myosin VI in testis of E. sinensis, its localization was significantly altered when es-Myosin VI was deleted. Moreover, we obtained consistent results for the MAPK signalling pathway and spermatogenesis defects between the es-LHR and es-Myosin VI knockdown groups. In summary, our research demonstrated that knockdown of es-Myosin VI disturbed the intercellular junction and HTB function via the MAPK signalling pathway by changing the localization of es-LHR in the testis of E. sinensis, which was the potential reason for its negative impact on spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Yu Qi
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhen-Fang Li
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lan-Min Wang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhan Zhao
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Jia-Ming Wang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Fu-Qing Tan
- The First Affiliated Hospital, College of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310003, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Guney C, Bal NB, Akar F. The impact of dietary fructose on gut permeability, microbiota, abdominal adiposity, insulin signaling and reproductive function. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18896. [PMID: 37636431 PMCID: PMC10447940 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The excessive intake of fructose in the regular human diet could be related to global increases in metabolic disorders. Sugar-sweetened soft drinks, mostly consumed by children, adolescents, and young adults, are the main source of added fructose. Dietary high-fructose can increase intestinal permeability and circulatory endotoxin by changing the gut barrier function and microbial composition. Excess fructose transports to the liver and then triggers inflammation as well as de novo lipogenesis leading to hepatic steatosis. Fructose also induces fat deposition in adipose tissue by stimulating the expression of lipogenic genes, thus causing abdominal adiposity. Activation of the inflammatory pathway by fructose in target tissues is thought to contribute to the suppression of the insulin signaling pathway producing systemic insulin resistance. Moreover, there is some evidence that high intake of fructose negatively affects both male and female reproductive systems and may lead to infertility. This review addresses dietary high-fructose-induced deteriorations that are obvious, especially in gut permeability, microbiota, abdominal fat accumulation, insulin signaling, and reproductive function. The recognition of the detrimental effects of fructose and the development of relevant new public health policies are necessary in order to prevent diet-related metabolic disorders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fatma Akar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Liu Q, Sun Y, Guan L, Chen X, Zhou J, Liu P, Huo B. Detection of the effect of microvibrational stimulation on human discarded immature oocytes by single-cell transcriptome sequencing technology. J Assist Reprod Genet 2023; 40:1773-1781. [PMID: 37273164 PMCID: PMC10352214 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-023-02837-5] [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: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate the changes in oocytes at the transcriptome level after applying continuous microvibrational mechanical stimulation to human immature oocytes during in vitro maturation. METHODS The discarded germinal-vesicle stage (GV) oocytes with no fertilization value after oocytes retrieval in assisted reproduction cycles were collected. Part of them was stimulated with vibration (n = 6) at 10 Hz for 24 h after obtaining informed consent; the other was cultured in static condition (n = 6). Single-cell transcriptome sequencing was used to detect the differences in oocyte transcriptome compared with the static culture group. RESULTS The applied 10-Hz continuous microvibrational stimulation altered the expression of 352 genes compared with the static culture. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis suggested that the altered genes were mainly enriched with 31 biological processes. The mechanical stimulation upregulated 155 of these genes and downregulated 197 genes. Among them, the genes related to mechanical signaling, such as protein localization to intercellular adhesion (DSP and DLG-5) and cytoskeleton (DSP, FGD6, DNAJC7, KRT16, KLHL1, HSPB1, MAP2K6), were detected. DLG-5, which was related to protein localization to intercellular adhesion, was selected for immunofluorescence experiments based on the transcriptome sequencing results. The protein expression of DLG-5 in the microvibration-stimulated oocytes was higher than that in the static culture oocytes. CONCLUSIONS Mechanical stimulation affects the transcriptome during oocyte maturation, causing the express changes in intercellular adhesion and cytoskeleton-related genes. We speculate that the mechanical signal may be transmitted to the cell through DLG-5 protein and cytoskeleton-related protein to regulate cellular activities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Qinli Liu
- Biomechanics Lab, Department of Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China.
| | - Yanxia Sun
- Reproductive Medical Center, Amcare Women's & Children's Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Lijun Guan
- Reproductive Medical Center, Amcare Women's & Children's Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Xinna Chen
- Reproductive Medical Center, Amcare Women's & Children's Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Jian Zhou
- Reproductive Medical Center, Amcare Women's & Children's Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Ping Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Medical Centre, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Huo
- Sport Biomechanics Center, Sports Artificial Intelligence Institute, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, 100191, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mechanisms underlying impaired spermatogenic function in orchitis induced by busulfan. Reprod Toxicol 2023; 115:1-7. [PMID: 36372306 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2022.11.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Busulfan is an alkylating agent commonly used in cancer chemotherapy. It is also an ideal agent for preparing transplant recipients of spermatogonial stem cells because of its high efficiency in destroying endogenous germ cells in the testis. However, its toxicity mechanism remains unclear, affecting its clinical use and applications. Based on reports of busulfan causing orchitis and a previous study by our team, this article summarizes the relationship between busulfan and orchitis, cytokines, the blood-testis barrier, and the cytoskeleton, unravels the regulatory pathways and mechanism behind busulfan-induced orchitis, and reveals the molecular mechanism underlying impaired spermatogenic function in orchitis, providing new ideas for the clinical application of busulfan while reducing its testicular toxicity.
Collapse
|
8
|
Deng Y, Meng X, Ling C, Lu T, Chang H, Li L, Yang Y, Song G, Ding Y. Nanosized Titanium Dioxide Induced Apoptosis and Abnormal Expression of Blood-Testis Barrier Junction Proteins Through JNK Signaling Pathway in TM4 Cells. Biol Trace Elem Res 2022; 200:5172-5187. [PMID: 35013891 DOI: 10.1007/s12011-022-03099-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Nanosized titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) has been widely used in consumer products. It can cross the blood-testis barrier (BTB), and it has adverse effects on the male reproductive system. However, the specific mechanism has not been fully elucidated. The purpose of this study was to understand the role of the JNK signaling pathway in the apoptosis and abnormal expression of BTB junction proteins induced by nano-TiO2 in TM4 cells. After different concentration of nano-TiO2 treatments, the cell viability, apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential (Δψm), BTB junction proteins (Claudin-11, ZO-1, β-catenin), apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3), and phosphorylated (p)-JNK protein were examined. The results showed that cell viability, apoptosis rates, Δψm, and apoptosis-related protein levels changed in a concentration-dependent manner. Cell viability decreased significantly from 100 μg/mL nano-TiO2 group. Apoptosis rates increased significantly from 150 μg/mL nano-TiO2 group, and Δψm decreased significantly from 150 μg/mL nano-TiO2 group. The protein levels of Bax, cleaved caspase-9, and cleaved caspase-3 increased significantly from 150 μg/mL nano-TiO2 group, and the protein level of Bcl-2 decreased significantly from 100 μg/mL nano-TiO2 group. The protein level of p-JNK increased significantly from 100 μg/mL nano-TiO2 group. Abnormal expression of ZO-1 and β-catenin started from 150 μg/mL nano-TiO2 group, and abnormal expression of Claudin-11 started from 100 μg/mL nano-TiO2 group. Cells were treated with JNK inhibitor SP100625 to determine whether the changes of the above indicators in the concentration of 150 μg/mL nano-TiO2 group can be reversed. We found that SP100625 at 20 μM significantly reversed these effects. These results highlighted that nano-TiO2 could activate the JNK signaling pathway to induce mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and abnormal expression of BTB junction proteins in TM4 cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yaxin Deng
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang, China
| | - Xiaojia Meng
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang, China
| | - Chunmei Ling
- The Third People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi, 830091, Xinjiang, China
| | - Tianjiao Lu
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang, China
| | - Hongmei Chang
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang, China
| | - Li Li
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang, China
| | - Yaqian Yang
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang, China
| | - Guanling Song
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang, China.
- Department of Public Health, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang, China.
| | - Yusong Ding
- Department of Preventive Medicine/the Key Laboratories for Xinjiang Endemic and Ethnic Diseases, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, 832002, Xinjiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Role of p38 MAPK Signalling in Testis Development and Male Fertility. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2022; 2022:6891897. [PMID: 36092154 PMCID: PMC9453003 DOI: 10.1155/2022/6891897] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
The testis is an important male reproductive organ, which ensures reproductive function via the secretion of testosterone and the generation of spermatozoa. Testis development begins in the embryonic period, continues after birth, and generally reaches functional maturation at puberty. The stress-activated kinase, p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), regulates multiple cell processes including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and cellular stress responses. p38 MAPK signalling plays a crucial role in testis development by regulating spermatogenesis, the fate determination of pre-Sertoli, and primordial germ cells during embryogenesis, the proliferation of testicular cells in the postnatal period, and the functions of mature Sertoli and Leydig cells. In addition, p38 MAPK signalling is involved in decreased male fertility when exposed to various harmful stimuli. This review will describe in detail the biological functions of p38 MAPK signalling in testis development and male reproduction, together with its pathological role in male infertility.
Collapse
|
10
|
Tsai HY, Cheng HT, Tsai YT. Biogenesis of C. elegans spermatogenesis small RNAs is initiated by a zc3h12a-like ribonuclease. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabm0699. [PMID: 35947655 PMCID: PMC9365287 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abm0699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2021] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Small RNAs regulate spermatogenesis across species ranging from Caenorhabditis elegans to humans. In C. elegans, two Argonaute proteins, ALG-3 and ALG-4, and their associated alg-3/4 26G-small RNAs are essential for spermiogenesis at 25°C. The alg-3/4 26G-small RNAs are antisense to their target mRNAs and produced by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, RRF-3. However, it remains unclear how the RNA templates for RRF-3 are generated and which cellular processes are affected by alg-3/4 26G-small RNAs. Here, we demonstrate a previously unidentified zc3h12a-like ribonuclease protein, NYN-3, in alg-3/4 26G-small RNAs biogenesis. NYN-3 is not only required for proper abundance of alg-3/4 26G-small RNAs but also crosslinked to their targeted mRNAs before RRF-3 from ePAR-CLIP-seq. Bioinformatics analysis was then used to parse the 26G-small RNA-targeted genes into functional subclasses. Collectively, these findings implicate NYN-3 as an initiator of alg-3/4 26G-small RNA generation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Yue Tsai
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
- Center of Precision Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
| | - Hsian-Tang Cheng
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ting Tsai
- Institute of Molecular Medicine, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, No. 7 Chung-Shan South Road, Taipei 10002, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Liu X, Zang C, Wu Y, Meng R, Chen Y, Jiang T, Wang C, Yang X, Guo Y, Situ C, Hu Z, Zhang J, Guo X. Homeodomain-interacting protein kinase HIPK4 regulates phosphorylation of manchette protein RIMBP3 during spermiogenesis. J Biol Chem 2022; 298:102327. [PMID: 35931115 PMCID: PMC9440445 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2022.102327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) is the most serious form of spermatogenesis abnormalities in male infertility. Genetic factors are important to consider as elements leading to NOA. Although many pathogenic genes have been reported, the causative genes of NOA for many patients are still unknown. In this study, we found ten point mutations in the gene encoding homeodomain-interacting protein kinase 4 (HIPK4) in patients with NOA, and using in vitro studies, we determined a premature termination point mutation (p. Lys490∗, c.1468A>T) that can cause decreased expression of HIPK4. Our phosphoproteomic analysis of Hipk4−/− testes revealed phosphorylation of multiple proteins regulated by HIPK4 during spermiogenesis. We also confirmed that a substrate of HIPK4 with four downregulated phosphorylation sites matching the xSPx motif is the known manchette-related protein RIMS-binding protein 3, which is required for sperm head morphogenesis. Therefore, we conclude HIPK4 regulates the phosphorylation of manchette protein RIMS-binding protein 3 and plays essential roles in sperm head shaping and male fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xiaofei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chunyan Zang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yifei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Ru Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Tao Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Cheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Xiaoyu Yang
- Center of Reproductive Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Yueshuai Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Chenghao Situ
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China
| | - Zhibin Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| | - Xuejiang Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 211166, China.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Qian X, Zhang Y. EZH2 enhances proliferation and migration of trophoblast cell lines by blocking GADD45A-mediated p38/MAPK signaling pathway. Bioengineered 2022; 13:12583-12597. [PMID: 35609316 PMCID: PMC9275956 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2022.2074620] [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] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired activity of the trophoblasts is a major contributor to the progression of pregnancy pathologies including preeclampsia (PE). This research probed the function of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in activity of trophoblast cells and its correlation with growth arrest and DNA damage inducible alpha (GADD45A). EZH2 was predicted to be downregulated in placental tissues in PE according to a gene chip analysis, and reduced expression of EZH2 was detected in the placental tissues of patients with PE. Overexpression of EZH2 augmented proliferation and invasiveness of two trophoblast cell lines HTR-8/SVneo and JEG3 cells. EZH2 catalyzed trimethylation of lysine 27 on histone 3 (H3K27me3) in GADD45A promoter to suppress its transcription. GADD45A silencing increased the activity of the trophoblast cell lines and inactivated the p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway. Rescue experiments confirmed that either inhibition of GADD45A or p38 restored the proliferation, migration, and invasiveness of the trophoblast cell lines suppressed by EZH2 silencing. In conclusion, this work suggests that EZH2 enhances activity of trophoblast cell lines by suppressing GADD45A-mediated p38/MAPK signaling pathway.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuefang Qian
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Suzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Suzhou, P.R. China
| | - Yuying Zhang
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Suzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine, Suzhou, P.R. China
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Real FM, Lao-Pérez M, Burgos M, Mundlos S, Lupiáñez DG, Jiménez R, Barrionuevo FJ. Cell adhesion and immune response, two main functions altered in the transcriptome of seasonally regressed testes of two mammalian species. JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL ZOOLOGY. PART B, MOLECULAR AND DEVELOPMENTAL EVOLUTION 2022; 340:231-244. [PMID: 35535962 DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In species with seasonal breeding, male specimens undergo substantial testicular regression during the nonbreeding period of the year. However, the molecular mechanisms that control this biological process are largely unknown. Here, we report a transcriptomic analysis on the Iberian mole, Talpa occidentalis, in which the desquamation of live, nonapoptotic germ cells is the major cellular event responsible for testis regression. By comparing testes at different reproductive states (active, regressing, and inactive), we demonstrate that the molecular pathways controlling the cell adhesion function in the seminiferous epithelium, such as the MAPK, ERK, and TGF-β signaling, are altered during the regression process. In addition, inactive testes display a global upregulation of genes associated with immune response, indicating a selective loss of the "immune privilege" that normally operates in sexually active testes. Interspecies comparative analyses using analogous data from the Mediterranean pine vole, a rodent species where testis regression is controlled by halting meiosis entry, revealed a common gene expression signature in the regressed testes of these two evolutionary distant species. Our study advances in the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms associated to gonadal seasonal breeding, highlighting the existence of a conserved transcriptional program of testis involution across mammalian clades.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francisca M Real
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain.,RG Development & Disease, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Miguel Lao-Pérez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Miguel Burgos
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Stefan Mundlos
- RG Development & Disease, Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics, Berlin, Germany
| | - Darío G Lupiáñez
- Epigenetics and Sex Development Group, Max-Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, Berlin Institute for Medical Systems Biology, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rafael Jiménez
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Francisco J Barrionuevo
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Lab. 127, Centro de Investigación Biomédica, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
de Moraes ACN, Caires FO, Imperio GE, Nóbrega RH, Ortiga-Carvalho TM, de Magalhães VF. Cylindrospermopsin Disrupts Estrous Cycle and Increases Spermatogenesis in Mice. Reprod Sci 2022; 29:2876-2884. [PMID: 35257354 DOI: 10.1007/s43032-022-00907-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Cylindrospermopsin (CYN) is a water-soluble cyanotoxin that has been linked to several cases of poisoning in the world. In vitro studies have shown that CYN acts as an endocrine disruptor by inhibiting progesterone synthesis in primary cell cultures of women, showing estrogenic activity. However, in vivo assessment of CYN in the female and male reproductive systems remains unknown. We thus aimed to evaluate the in vivo effects of CYN in both the female and male reproductive systems of mice. A single intraperitoneal exposure to 64 µg of CYN/kg body weight was performed in females. Estrous cycle was evaluated daily by vaginal cytology, and serum progesterone and estradiol levels were measured after 50 days. We showed an impairment in the estrous cycle as well as a decrease in circulating plasma progesterone levels. In males, weekly intraperitoneal doses of 20 μg of CYN/kg body weight were given and groups were killed after one, two, or four doses. CYN increased the testosterone levels in the groups that received one or two doses of CYN. Additionally, CYN induced a transient increase in spermatozoa in males after four doses. Our results highlight that CYN interferes with both male and female reproductive systems and may lead to infertility. As far as we know, this is the first report showing the impacts of CYN on the mammalian reproductive system, suggesting a threat from this cyanotoxin to human and environmental health.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Carvalho Natal de Moraes
- Laboratory of Ecophysiology and Toxicology of Cyanobacteria, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil.
| | - Fernanda Oliveira Caires
- Laboratory of Ecophysiology and Toxicology of Cyanobacteria, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Guinever Eustaquio Imperio
- Laboratory of Translational Endocrinology, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Rafael Henrique Nóbrega
- Reproductive and Molecular Biology Group, Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo, 18618-970, Brazil
| | - Tania Maria Ortiga-Carvalho
- Laboratory of Translational Endocrinology, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| | - Valéria Freitas de Magalhães
- Laboratory of Ecophysiology and Toxicology of Cyanobacteria, Institute of Biophysics Carlos Chagas Filho, UFRJ, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, 21941-902, Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Wang L, Bu T, Wu X, Gao S, Li X, De Jesus AB, Wong CKC, Chen H, Chung NPY, Sun F, Cheng CY. Cell-Cell Interaction-Mediated Signaling in the Testis Induces Reproductive Dysfunction—Lesson from the Toxicant/Pharmaceutical Models. Cells 2022; 11:cells11040591. [PMID: 35203242 PMCID: PMC8869896 DOI: 10.3390/cells11040591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Emerging evidence has shown that cell-cell interactions between testicular cells, in particular at the Sertoli cell-cell and Sertoli-germ cell interface, are crucial to support spermatogenesis. The unique ultrastructures that support cell-cell interactions in the testis are the basal ES (ectoplasmic specialization) and the apical ES. The basal ES is found between adjacent Sertoli cells near the basement membrane that also constitute the blood-testis barrier (BTB). The apical ES is restrictively expressed at the Sertoli-spermatid contact site in the apical (adluminal) compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. These ultrastructures are present in both rodent and human testes, but the majority of studies found in the literature were done in rodent testes. As such, our discussion herein, unless otherwise specified, is focused on studies in testes of adult rats. Studies have shown that the testicular cell-cell interactions crucial to support spermatogenesis are mediated through distinctive signaling proteins and pathways, most notably involving FAK, Akt1/2 and Cdc42 GTPase. Thus, manipulation of some of these signaling proteins, such as FAK, through the use of phosphomimetic mutants for overexpression in Sertoli cell epithelium in vitro or in the testis in vivo, making FAK either constitutively active or inactive, we can modify the outcome of spermatogenesis. For instance, using the toxicant-induced Sertoli cell or testis injury in rats as study models, we can either block or rescue toxicant-induced infertility through overexpression of p-FAK-Y397 or p-FAK-Y407 (and their mutants), including the use of specific activator(s) of the involved signaling proteins against pAkt1/2. These findings thus illustrate that a potential therapeutic approach can be developed to manage toxicant-induced male reproductive dysfunction. In this review, we critically evaluate these recent findings, highlighting the direction for future investigations by bringing the laboratory-based research through a translation path to clinical investigations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Wang
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China; (L.W.); (T.B.); (X.W.); (S.G.)
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong 226001, China; (X.L.); (H.C.)
| | - Tiao Bu
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China; (L.W.); (T.B.); (X.W.); (S.G.)
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong 226001, China; (X.L.); (H.C.)
| | - Xiaolong Wu
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China; (L.W.); (T.B.); (X.W.); (S.G.)
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong 226001, China; (X.L.); (H.C.)
| | - Sheng Gao
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China; (L.W.); (T.B.); (X.W.); (S.G.)
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong 226001, China; (X.L.); (H.C.)
| | - Xinyao Li
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong 226001, China; (X.L.); (H.C.)
| | | | - Chris K. C. Wong
- Department of Biology, Croucher Institute for Environmental Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China;
| | - Hao Chen
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong 226001, China; (X.L.); (H.C.)
| | - Nancy P. Y. Chung
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Cornell Medical College, New York, NY 10065, USA;
| | - Fei Sun
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China; (L.W.); (T.B.); (X.W.); (S.G.)
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (C.Y.C.)
| | - C. Yan Cheng
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310016, China; (L.W.); (T.B.); (X.W.); (S.G.)
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong 226001, China; (X.L.); (H.C.)
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
- Correspondence: (F.S.); (C.Y.C.)
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Akar F, Yildirim OG, Yucel Tenekeci G, Tunc AS, Demirel MA, Sadi G. Dietary high-fructose reduces barrier proteins and activates mitogenic signalling in the testis of a rat model: Regulatory effects of kefir supplementation. Andrologia 2021; 54:e14342. [PMID: 34872158 DOI: 10.1111/and.14342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There are limited data on the influence of fructose rich diet on the male reproductive system. Kefir may have health beneficial effects, but its mechanism of action remains mostly unclear. Herein, we investigated the impact of dietary high fructose on tight junction proteins and mitogenic pathways in rat testis as well as their modulation by kefir supplementation. Twenty-two male Wistar rats (4 weeks old) were divided into the following three groups: Control; Fructose; Fructose + Kefir. Fructose was added to drinking water at concentration of 20% and administered to the rats for 15 weeks and kefir was supplemented by gavage once a day during final 6 weeks. Dietary fructose-induced testicular degeneration was associated with the downregulation of the blood-testis barrier proteins, claudin-11 and N-cadherin as well as SIRT1 expression in testicular tissue of rats. However, p38MAPK, p-p38MAPK and p-ERK1/2 levels were increased in testis of fructose-fed rats. Interestingly, JNK1 and p-JNK1 protein levels were decreased following this dietary intervention. Raf1, ERK1/2, and caspase 3 and TUNEL staining of the testis reveal the activation of apoptosis due to fructose intake. Kefir supplementation markedly promoted the expression of claudin-11, SIRT1, JNK1 and p-JNK1 but suppressed testicular mitogenic and apoptotic factors in fructose-fed rats.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fatma Akar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Onur Gokhan Yildirim
- Department of Pharmacy Services, Vocational School of Health Services, Artvin Coruh University, Artvin, Turkey
| | - Gozde Yucel Tenekeci
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Arda Selin Tunc
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Murside Ayse Demirel
- Laboratory Animals Breeding and Experimental Researches Center, Department of Basic Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gokhan Sadi
- Department of Biology, KO Science Faculty, Karamanoglu Mehmetbey University, Karaman, Turkey
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
circBTBD7 Promotes Immature Porcine Sertoli Cell Growth through Modulating miR-24-3p/ MAPK7 Axis to Inactivate p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22179385. [PMID: 34502294 PMCID: PMC8431111 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22179385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells are the crucial coordinators to guarantee normal spermatogenesis and male fertility. Although circular RNAs (circRNAs) exhibit developmental-stage-specific expression in porcine testicular tissues and have been thought of as potential regulatory molecules in spermatogenesis, their functions and mechanisms of action remain largely unknown, especially in domestic animals. A novel circBTBD7 was identified from immature porcine Sertoli cells using reverse transcription PCR, Sanger sequencing, and fluorescence in situ hybridization assays. Functional assays illustrated that circBTBD7 overexpression promoted cell cycle progression and cell proliferation, as well as inhibited cell apoptosis in immature porcine Sertoli cells. Mechanistically, circBTBD7 acted as a sponge for the miR-24-3p and further facilitated its target mitogen-activated protein kinase 7 (MAPK7) gene. Overexpression of miR-24-3p impeded cell proliferation and induced cell apoptosis, which further attenuated the effects of circBTBD7 overexpression. siRNA-induced MAPK7 deficiency resulted in a similar effect to miR-24-3p overexpression, and further offset the effects of miR-24-3p inhibition. Both miR-24-3p overexpression and MAPK7 knockdown upregulated the p38 phosphorylation activity. The SB202190 induced the inhibition of p38 MAPK pathway and caused an opposite effect to that of miR-24-3p overexpression and MAPK7 knockdown. Collectively, circBTBD7 promotes immature porcine Sertoli cell growth through modulating the miR-24-3p/MAPK7 axis to inactivate the p38 MAPK signaling pathway. This study expanded our knowledge of noncoding RNAs in porcine normal spermatogenesis through deciding the fate of Sertoli cells.
Collapse
|
18
|
Mediterranean Pine Vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus: A Paradigm of an Opportunistic Breeder. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11061639. [PMID: 34205873 PMCID: PMC8228771 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary In temperate zones of the Earth, some mammalian species reproduce seasonally whereas others do it continuously. Other species are summer breeders in the north and winter breeders in the south. Thus, the reproductive pattern seems not to be a species-specific but a population-specific trait. We investigated the reproduction pattern of the Mediterranean pine vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus, in the area around the city of Granada in Southern Spain, and found that individuals living in wastelands reproduce seasonally whereas those living in close poplar plantations (just 8 km apart) reproduce throughout the year, as did voles captured in wastelands and kept in captivity. These animals represent thus a paradigm of an opportunistic breeder as particular individuals stop breeding or not, depending on the environmental conditions they face at any moment. Sexually inactive male voles undergo complete testis inactivation and their sperm production is halted. The immune system in active testes is depressed, a phenomenon known as “immune privilege” that protect germ cells from autoimmune attack. We studied gene activity in active and inactive testes and our results indicate that such an immune privilege is lost in inactive testes, suggesting an important role for this process during testis regression. Abstract Most mammalian species of the temperate zones of the Earth reproduce seasonally, existing a non-breeding period in which the gonads of both sexes undergo functional regression. It is widely accepted that photoperiod is the principal environmental cue controlling these seasonal changes, although several exceptions have been described in other mammalian species in which breeding depends on cues such as food or water availability. We studied the circannual reproductive cycle in males of the Mediterranean pine vole, Microtus duodecimcostatus, in the Southeastern Iberian Peninsula. Morphological, hormonal, functional, molecular and transcriptomic analyses were performed. As reported for populations of other species from the same geographic area, male voles captured in wastelands underwent seasonal testis regression in summer whereas, surprisingly, those living either in close poplar plantations or in our animal house reproduced throughout the year, showing that it is the microenvironment of a particular vole subpopulation what determines its reproductive status and that these animals are pure opportunistic, photoperiod-independent breeders. In addition, we show that several molecular pathways, including MAPK, are deregulated and that the testicular “immune privilege” is lost in the inactive testes, providing novel mechanisms linking seasonal testosterone reduction and testis regression.
Collapse
|
19
|
Herrera SC, Bach EA. The Emerging Roles of JNK Signaling in Drosophila Stem Cell Homeostasis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115519. [PMID: 34073743 PMCID: PMC8197226 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway is an evolutionary conserved kinase cascade best known for its roles during stress-induced apoptosis and tumor progression. Recent findings, however, have identified new roles for this pleiotropic pathway in stem cells during regenerative responses and in cellular plasticity. Here, we provide an overview of recent findings about the new roles of JNK signaling in stem cell biology using two well-established Drosophila models: the testis and the intestine. We highlight the pathway’s roles in processes such as proliferation, death, self-renewal and reprogramming, and discuss the known parallels between flies and mammals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Salvador C. Herrera
- Centro Andaluz de Biología del Desarrollo, CSIC/Universidad Pablo de Olavide/JA, Carretera de Utrera km 1, 41018 Sevilla, Spain
- Correspondence: (S.C.H.); (E.A.B.)
| | - Erika A. Bach
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Center for Stem Cell Biology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Correspondence: (S.C.H.); (E.A.B.)
| |
Collapse
|
20
|
L-carnitine extenuates endocrine disruption, inflammatory burst and oxidative stress in carbendazim-challenged male rats via upregulation of testicular StAR and FABP9, and downregulation of P38-MAPK pathways. Toxicology 2021; 457:152808. [PMID: 33965443 DOI: 10.1016/j.tox.2021.152808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/03/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
We have addressed in the current study the potential of L-carnitine (LC) to extenuate the reproductive toxic insults of carbendazim (CBZ) in male rats, and the molecular mechanisms whereby carnitine would modify the spermatogenic and steroidogenic derangements invoked by the endocrine disruptor. Herein, animals received daily doses of carbendazim (100 mg/kg) by gavage for 8 weeks. Another CBZ-challenged group was co-supplemented with LC (500 mg/kg, IP) twice weekly for 8 weeks. Sperm quantity and quality (morphology, motility and viability), serum testosterone and gonadotropins, and thyroid hormone levels were assessed. Serum tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) concentrations were determined by ELISA. Oxidant/antioxidant status in rat testis was investigated via measuring testicular contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reduced glutathione (GSH), as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Immunohistochemical localizations of the junctional protein; occludin, and inflammatory markers; inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and nuclear factor kappa beta (NF-κB) were further analyzed. A host of transduction genes that regulate spermatogenic and steroidogenic pathways, and their encoded proteins namely, Steroidogenic Acute Regulatory Protein (StAR), Fatty acid binding protein 9 (FABP9) and P38-mitogen activated protein kinase (P38-MAPK) were assessed by real time quantitative (RT-qPCR) and Western blot. LC improved rat spermiogram, testicular histological alterations and endocrine perturbances, and modulated genes' expressions and their respective proteins. In conclusion, LC effects appear to reside for the most part on its endocrine-preserving, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties through a myriad of interlaced signal transductions that ultimately recapitulated its beneficial effects on spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis.
Collapse
|
21
|
Miki Y, Devi L, Imai Y, Minami N, Koide T, Goel S. Deletion of the PDZ-binding kinase (Pbk) gene does not affect male fertility in mice. Reprod Fertil Dev 2021; 32:893-902. [PMID: 32586419 DOI: 10.1071/rd19445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
The PDZ-binding kinase (PBK) protein is localised exclusively in spermatogenic cells, such as spermatogonia, spermatocytes and round spermatids, of the adult testis. However, its role in male fertility remains unknown. Analysis of adult Pbk-knockout (KO) male mice showed no significant difference in the weight of the testes, epididymis and seminal vesicle compared with adult wild-type (WT) mice. There were no significant differences in testis morphology, tubule diameter and the number of offspring born to females mated with KO or WT male mice. Sperm number, motility and morphology did not differ significantly between KO and WT mice. The oocyte fertilisation rate and embryo development following IVF were comparable between groups fertilised using spermatozoa from KO versus WT mice (P>0.05). Further analysis revealed that the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) p38 kinase, c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinases was dysregulated in the testis of KO mice. In conclusion, Pbk-KO male mice are fertile and their spermatozoa and testis do not show any morphological and functional abnormalities despite the dysregulated phosphorylation of MAPKs. It is likely that functional redundancy of PBK and overlapping substrate specificities of the MAPK superfamily compensated for the loss of PBK from the testis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yuka Miki
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Lalitha Devi
- Mouse Genomics Resource Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka-ken 411-8540, Japan; and Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India
| | - Yuji Imai
- Mouse Genomics Resource Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka-ken 411-8540, Japan
| | - Naojiro Minami
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Koide
- Mouse Genomics Resource Laboratory, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka-ken 411-8540, Japan
| | - Sandeep Goel
- Laboratory of Reproductive Biology, Graduate School of Agriculture, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan; and Laboratory for the Conservation of Endangered Species, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Uppal Road, Hyderabad 500 007, India; and Corresponding author.
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Bai X, Tang Y, Li Q, Chen Y, Liu D, Liu G, Fan X, Ma R, Wang S, Li L, Zhou K, Zheng Y, Liu Z. Network pharmacology integrated molecular docking reveals the bioactive components and potential targets of Morinda officinalis-Lycium barbarum coupled-herbs against oligoasthenozoospermia. Sci Rep 2021; 11:2220. [PMID: 33500463 PMCID: PMC7838196 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-80780-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Oligoasthenozoospermia (OA) is one of the most common types of male infertility affecting sperm count and sperm motility. Unfortunately, it is difficult for existing drugs to fundamentally improve the sperm quality of OA patients, because the pathological mechanism of OA has not been fully elucidated yet. Morinda officinalis-Lycium barbarum coupled-herbs (MOLBCH), as traditional Chinese Medicines, has been widely used for treating OA over thousands of years, but its molecular mechanism is still unclear. For this purpose, we adopted a comprehensive approach integrated network pharmacology and molecular docking to reveal the bioactive components and potential targets of MOLBCH against OA. The results showed that MOLBCH alleviated apoptosis, promoted male reproductive function, and reduced oxidant stress in the treatment of OA. Ohioensin-A, quercetin, beta-sitosterol and sitosterol were the key bioactive components. Androgen receptor (AR), Estrogen receptor (ESR1), Mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1), Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) were the core potential targets. PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, prostate cancer, AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in diabetic complications were the most representative pathways. Moreover, molecular docking was performed to validate the strong binding interactions between the obtained core components and targets. These observations provide deeper insight into the pathogenesis of OA and can be used to design new drugs and develop new therapeutic instructions to treat OA.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xue Bai
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Yibo Tang
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Qiang Li
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Yafei Chen
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Dan Liu
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Guimin Liu
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Xiaolei Fan
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Ru Ma
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Shuyan Wang
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Lingru Li
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Kailin Zhou
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Humanities, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Yanfei Zheng
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| | - Zhenquan Liu
- grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China ,grid.24695.3c0000 0001 1431 9176National Institute of TCM Constitution and Preventive Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 100029 China
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
The role of estrogen receptors in rat Sertoli cells at different stages of development. Heliyon 2020; 6:e05363. [PMID: 33163677 PMCID: PMC7609458 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e05363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of estrogen receptors (ESR1 and ESR2) on the expression of the proteins involved with proliferation (CCND1) and differentiation (CDKN1B and CTNNB) of Sertoli cells from rat in different stages of development. ESR1-selective agonist PPT, but not ESR2-selective agonist DPN, increased CCND1 expression in Sertoli cells from 5- and 15-day old rats. PPT did not have any effect on CCND1 expression in Sertoli cells from 20- and 30-day-old rats. DPN, but not PPT, increased CDKN1B expression in Sertoli cells from 15-, 20-, 30-day-old rats. DPN did not have any effect on Sertoli cells from 5-day-old rats. 17β-estradiol (E2) and PPT enhanced the [Methyl-3H] thymidine incorporation in Sertoli cells from 15-day-old rats, whereas the treatment did not have any effect in 20-day-old rats. E2 and DPN, but not PPT, increased non-phosphorylated CTNNB expression in Sertoli cells from 20-day-old rats. This upregulation was blocked by ESR2-selective antagonist PHTPP. The activation of ESR1 and ESR2, respectively, plays a role in the proliferation and differentiation of Sertoli cells in a critical period of testicular development. Furthermore, in Sertoli cells from 20-day-old rats, upregulation of non-phosphorylated CTNNB by E2/ESR2, via c-SRC/ERK1/2 and PI3K/AKT, may play a role in the interaction between Sertoli cells and/or in cell-germ cell adhesion and/or in the stabilization and accumulation of CTNNB in the cytosol. CTNNB could be translocated to the nucleus and modulate the transcriptional activity of specific target genes. The present study reinforces the important role of estrogen in normal testis development.
Collapse
|
24
|
Cheng L, Yi X, Shi Y, Yu S, Zhang L, Wang J, Su P. Abnormal lipid metabolism induced apoptosis of spermatogenic cells by increasing testicular HSP60 protein expression. Andrologia 2020; 52:e13781. [PMID: 32892424 DOI: 10.1111/and.13781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Revised: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-term consumption of high-fat and high-calorie foods not only causes obesity, but also may cause a decline in sperm quality in men. Rats with abnormal lipid metabolism (high-fat rats) were established by high-fat diet for 24 weeks. HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes of testis in rats, TUNEL and flow cytometer was used to detect the cell apoptosis in rat testis and in vitro. Immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of protein. After 24 weeks of high-fat food feeding, the body weight, serum lipids and number of apoptotic spermatogenic cells in the high-fat group rat were significantly higher than those in the control group. In vivo, the expression of HSP60 protein in testis of high-fat rats was positive related to apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, cleaved caspase 3/caspase 3 protein expression and Bax/Bcl2 protein expression in testis of high-fat rats. Proportion of apoptotic spermatogenic cells was increased by up-regulation of HSP60 protein expression in vitro. Long-term consumption of high-fat diets can cause high expression of HSP60 and spermatogenic cells apoptosis in rats, while HSP60 over-expression promotes spermatogenic cell apoptosis and MAPK signal pathway in vitro.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lixian Cheng
- Key laboratory of functional and clinical translational medicine of Fujian University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen key laboratory of respiratory diseases, Xiamen, China
| | - Xue Yi
- Key laboratory of functional and clinical translational medicine of Fujian University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen key laboratory of respiratory diseases, Xiamen, China
| | - Ying Shi
- Key laboratory of functional and clinical translational medicine of Fujian University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen key laboratory of respiratory diseases, Xiamen, China
| | - Shuwei Yu
- Key laboratory of functional and clinical translational medicine of Fujian University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen key laboratory of respiratory diseases, Xiamen, China
| | - Liyuan Zhang
- Key laboratory of functional and clinical translational medicine of Fujian University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen key laboratory of respiratory diseases, Xiamen, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Key laboratory of functional and clinical translational medicine of Fujian University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen key laboratory of respiratory diseases, Xiamen, China
| | - Ping Su
- Key laboratory of functional and clinical translational medicine of Fujian University, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen Medical College, Xiamen, China.,Xiamen key laboratory of respiratory diseases, Xiamen, China
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Fan J, Yu Y, Han X, He H, Luo Y, Yu S, Cui Y, Xu G, Wang L, Pan Y. The expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha in primary reproductive organs of the female yak (Bos grunniens) at different reproductive stages. Reprod Domest Anim 2020; 55:1371-1382. [PMID: 32706432 DOI: 10.1111/rda.13783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2020] [Accepted: 07/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The yak (Bos grunniens) is the most important livestock animal in high-altitude regions owing to its prominent adaptability to cold conditions, nutritional deficiencies and hypoxia. The reproductive organs exhibit different histological appearances and physiological processes at different reproductive stages. Hypoxia-inducible factor-1 alpha (HIF-1α) is the regulatory subunit of HIF-1 that crucially regulates the response to hypoxia in mammalian organisms. The goal of our study was to investigate the expression and distribution of HIF-1α in the primary yak reproductive organs at different reproductive stages. Samples of the ovary, oviduct and uterus of 15 adult female yaks were collected and used in the experiment. The expression and localization of HIF-1α proteins and mRNA were investigated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blot (WB) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). The results indicated that the expression of HIF-1α protein in the ovary was higher during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase and gestation period (p < .05). In the oviduct, HIF-1α protein was also more highly expressed during the luteal phase than during the follicular phase and gestation period (p < .01). However, in the uterus, the HIF-1α protein had stronger expression during the gestation period than during the follicular phase (p < .01) and luteal phase (p < .05). The expression of HIF-1α mRNA was similar to that of its protein. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed intense immunostaining of HIF-1α proteins in the follicular granulosa cells, granular luteal cells, villous epithelial cells of the oviduct, endometrial glandular epithelium and luminal epithelium, foetal villous trophoblast, and epithelia of caruncular crypts. This study showed that the expression of HIF-1α in the ovary, oviduct and uterus varies according to the stage of the reproductive cycle. This implies that HIF-1α plays an important role in regulating the stage-specific physiological function of yak reproductive organs under hypoxic environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jiangfeng Fan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yiteng Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaohong Han
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Honghong He
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yuzhu Luo
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Sijiu Yu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yan Cui
- Technology and Research Center of Gansu Province for Embryonic Engineering of Bovine and Sheep & Goat, Lanzhou, China
| | - Gengquan Xu
- Technology and Research Center of Gansu Province for Embryonic Engineering of Bovine and Sheep & Goat, Lanzhou, China
| | - Libin Wang
- Technology and Research Center of Gansu Province for Embryonic Engineering of Bovine and Sheep & Goat, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yangyang Pan
- Technology and Research Center of Gansu Province for Embryonic Engineering of Bovine and Sheep & Goat, Lanzhou, China
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Molecular insights into hormone regulation via signaling pathways in Sertoli cells: With discussion on infertility and testicular tumor. Gene 2020; 753:144812. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.144812] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
|
27
|
Yawer A, Sychrová E, Labohá P, Raška J, Jambor T, Babica P, Sovadinová I. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals rapidly affect intercellular signaling in Leydig cells. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2020; 404:115177. [PMID: 32739526 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2020.115177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2020] [Revised: 07/19/2020] [Accepted: 07/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
A decline in male fertility possibly caused by environmental contaminants, namely endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), is a topic of public concern and scientific interest. This study addresses a specific role of testicular gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) between adjacent prepubertal Leydig cells in endocrine disruption and male reproductive toxicity. Organochlorine pesticides (lindane, methoxychlor, DDT), industrial chemicals (PCB153, bisphenol A, nonylphenol and octylphenol) as well as personal care product components (triclosan, triclocarban) rapidly dysregulated GJIC in murine Leydig TM3 cells. The selected GJIC-inhibiting EDCs (methoxychlor, triclosan, triclocarban, lindane, DDT) caused the immediate GJIC disruption by the relocation of gap junctional protein connexin 43 (Cx43) from the plasma membrane and the alternation of Cx43 phosphorylation pattern (Ser368, Ser279, Ser282) of its full-length and two N-truncated isoforms. After more prolonged exposure (24 h), EDCs decreased steady-state levels of full-length Cx43 protein and its two N-truncated isoforms, and eventually (triclosan, triclocarban) also tight junction protein Tjp-1. The disturbance of GJIC was accompanied by altered activity of mitogen-activated protein kinases MAPK-Erk1/2 and MAPK-p38, and a decrease in stimulated progesterone production. Our results indicate that EDCs might disrupt testicular homeostasis and development via disruption of testicular GJIC, a dysregulation of junctional and non-junctional functions of Cx43, activation of MAPKs, and disruption of an early stage of steroidogenesis in prepubertal Leydig cells. These critical disturbances of Leydig cell development and functions during a prepubertal period might be contributing to impaired male reproduction health later on.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Affiefa Yawer
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, building A29, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Eliška Sychrová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, building A29, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Labohá
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, building A29, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Raška
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, building A29, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Tomáš Jambor
- BioFood Centre, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovac Republic
| | - Pavel Babica
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, building A29, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Sovadinová
- RECETOX, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, building A29, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic.
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Effects of letrozole administration on growth and reproductive performance in Markhoz goat bucklings. Theriogenology 2020; 147:183-191. [PMID: 31785859 DOI: 10.1016/j.theriogenology.2019.11.017] [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: 02/10/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 11/17/2019] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
This study evaluated the growth performance, testicular and semen characteristics, and hormonal profile of Markhoz (Iranian Angora) bucklings injected with letrozole (LTZ). Twenty-eight 4-4.5 month old bucks were randomly assigned into four groups and received either 0.25 mg/kg body weight (BW) LTZ subcutaneously (sc LTZ) or intramuscularly (im LTZ), and also sc (sc CONT) or im (im CONT) controls every week for 3 months. The study was performed at the beginning of the breeding season in Sanandaj Animal Husbandry Research Station (46.99 °E, 35.31 °N). The results showed that LTZ causes increased final body weight (25.78 ± 1.61 kg), higher average daily gain (104 ± 0.03 g/days), and decreased feed conversion ratio (7.81 ± 2.57) (P < 0.05). The pre-slaughter, hot, and cold carcass weights (27.56 ± 2.40, 11.45 ± 1.07 and 11.11 ± 1.05 kg, respectively) were (P < 0.05) heavier in LTZ groups while other carcass characteristics did not differ between groups. No differences occurred between the groups in biochemical parameters, except high-density lipoprotein levels (35.47 ± 2.43 mg/dL) which was higher in LTZ treatments (P < 0.05). LTZ-treated bucks had larger scrotal circumference (20.12 ± 5.75 cm), higher relative testicular weight (560.91 ± 78.59 mg/100 g BW) and volume (175.5 ± 29.71 cm3), greater diameter of seminiferous tubules (224.5 ± 5.21 μm), and number of Sertoli cells (8.39 ± 0.77) (P < 0.05). Semen volume (0.74 ± 0.16 mL), sperm concentration (2.64 ± 0.19 × 10-9/mL), total sperm per ejaculate (1.95 ± 0.49 × 10-9), and semen index (1248 ± 323) increased (P < 0.05) by LTZ treatments, while semen pH (6.77), motility (80.91%), progressive motility (76.75%), viability (83.35%), abnormality (13.70%), acrosome integrity (78.06%), and membrane integrity (80.05%) of sperm remained unaffected. Intratesticular and serum testosterone (T) levels (7.97 ± 0.89 ng/mg protein and 2.47 ± 0.59 ng/mL, respectively), serum luteinizing hormone (LH), growth hormone (GH) levels (1.71 ± 0.24 and 3.62 ± 0.33 ng/mL, respectively) of LTZ groups were elevated, whereas intratesticular and serum estradiol (E2) levels (84.14 ± 8.15 pg/mg protein and 32.33 ± 2.16 pg/mL, respectively) decreased (P < 0.05). No differences were recorded between the sc and im routes of LTZ administration in the measured parameters. To conclude, we have found that LTZ treatment improves growth and reproductive functions of goat bucklings associated with increased serum LH and GH, elevated T and reduced E2 levels in both serum and testis.
Collapse
|
29
|
The Expression of ERK1/2 in Female Yak ( Bos grunniens) Reproductive Organs. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10020334. [PMID: 32093255 PMCID: PMC7070411 DOI: 10.3390/ani10020334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 02/15/2020] [Accepted: 02/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The main reproductive organs undergo different histological appearances and physiological processes under different reproductive statuses. The variation of these organs depends on a delicate regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Extracellular signal-regulated kinases1/2 (ERK1/2) are members of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) super family. They have important roles in regulating various biological processes of different cells, tissues, and organ types. Activated ERK1/2 generally promotes cell survival, but under certain conditions, ERK1/2 also have the function of inducing apoptosis. It is widely believed that ERK1/2 play a significant role in regulating the reproductive processes of mammals. The goal of our research is to investigate the expression and distribution of ERK1/2 in the yak's main reproductive organs during different stages. In the present study, samples of the ovary, oviduct, and uterus of 15 adult female yak were collected and used in the experiment. The ERK1/2 proteins, localization, and quantitative expression of their mRNA were investigated using immunohistochemistry (IHC), western blot (WB) and relative quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results indicated that ERK1/2 proteins and their mRNA were highly expressed in the ovary of the luteal phase and gestation period, in the oviduct of the luteal phase, and in the uterus of the luteal phase and gestation period. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed a strong distribution of ERK1/2 proteins in follicular granulosa cells, granular luteal cells, villous epithelial cells of the oviduct, endometrial glandular epithelium, and luminal epithelium. These results demonstrated that the expression of ERK1 and ERK2 proteins and their mRNA in the yak's ovary, oviduct, and uterus varies with the stage of the reproductive cycle. The variation character of ERK1 and ERK 2 expression in the yak's main reproductive organs during different stages implies that they play an important role in regulating the reproductive function under different physiological statuses.
Collapse
|
30
|
Gorga A, Rindone GM, Centola CL, Sobarzo C, Pellizzari EH, Camberos MDC, Cigorraga SB, Riera MF, Galardo MN, Meroni SB. In vitro effects of glyphosate and Roundup on Sertoli cell physiology. Toxicol In Vitro 2020; 62:104682. [PMID: 31626902 DOI: 10.1016/j.tiv.2019.104682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2019] [Revised: 09/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Roundup (R), a formulation that contains glyphosate (G) as the active ingredient, is a commonly used nonselective herbicide that has been proposed to affect male fertility. It is well known that an adequate Sertoli cell function is essential to maintain germ cell development. The aim of the present study was to analyze whether G and R are able to affect Sertoli cell functions, such as energy metabolism and blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity. Sertoli cell cultures from 20-day-old rats were exposed to 10 and 100 ppm of G or R, doses which do not decrease cell viability. Neither G nor R caused impairment in lactate production or fatty acid oxidation. G and R decreased Transepithelial Electrical Resistance, which indicates the establishment of a Sertoli cell junction barrier. However, neither G nor R modified the expression of claudin11, ZO1 and occludin, proteins that constitute the BTB. Analysis of cellular distribution of claudin11 by immunofluorescence showed that G and R induced a delocalization of the signal from membrane to the cytoplasm. The results suggest that G and R could alter an important function of Sertoli cell such as BTB integrity and thus they could compromise the normal development of spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Agostina Gorga
- CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr César Bergadá", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Argentina
| | - Gustavo Marcelo Rindone
- CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr César Bergadá", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Lucia Centola
- CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr César Bergadá", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Argentina
| | - Cristian Sobarzo
- Facultad de Medicina, UBA, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED), Argentina
| | - Eliana Herminia Pellizzari
- CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr César Bergadá", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Argentina
| | - María Del Carmen Camberos
- CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr César Bergadá", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Argentina
| | - Selva Beatriz Cigorraga
- CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr César Bergadá", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Argentina
| | - Maria Fernanda Riera
- CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr César Bergadá", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Argentina
| | - Maria Noel Galardo
- CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr César Bergadá", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Argentina
| | - Silvina Beatriz Meroni
- CONICET-FEI-División de Endocrinología, Centro de Investigaciones Endocrinológicas "Dr César Bergadá", Hospital de Niños Ricardo Gutiérrez, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
31
|
Arato I, Milardi D, Giovagnoli S, Grande G, Bellucci C, Lilli C, Bartoli S, Corneli S, Mazzone P, Calvitti M, Baroni T, Calafiore R, Mancuso F, Luca G. In "Vitro" Lps-Stimulated Sertoli Cells Pre-Loaded With Microparticles: Intracellular Activation Pathways. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:611932. [PMID: 33488524 PMCID: PMC7817811 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.611932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/20/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells (SC) are immune privileged cells with the capacity of modulating the immune response by expressing several immune-regulatory factors. SC have the capacity to respond to external stimuli through innate phagocytic and antibacterial activities. This evidence evoked a potential role of SC as drug carriers and therapeutic agents. Such stimuli drive SC towards a still unknown evolution, the clinical relevance of which as yet remains undisclosed. This study sought to investigate the effects of external stimuli in the form of polymeric microparticles (MP) and bacteria derived endotoxins, such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS), in order to identify the pathways potentially involved in cell phenotype modifications. Compared to single stimulation, when combined, MP and LPS provoked a significant increase in the gene expression of IDO, PD-L1, FAS-L, TLR-3, TLR-4, MHC-II, ICAM-1, TFGβ1, BDF123, BDF129, BDF3 and pEP2C. Western Blotting analysis demonstrated up-regulation of the ERK 1-2 and NF-kB p65 phosphorylation ratios. Our study, showing the exponential increase of these mediators upon combined MP and LPS stimulation, suggests a "switch" of SC function from typical cells of the blood-testicular barrier to nonprofessional tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells. Further studies should target the clinical and technological implications of such stimuli-induced SC transformation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Iva Arato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Domenico Milardi
- International Scientific Institute “Paul VI”, Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli”, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Giovagnoli
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Grande
- 2nd Department of Medicine, “Ca’ Foncello” Regional Hospital, ULSS2 Marca Trevigiana, Treviso, Italy
| | - Catia Bellucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Lilli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sara Bartoli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Sara Corneli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Piera Mazzone
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Umbria e delle Marche "Togo Rosati", Perugia, Italy
| | - Mario Calvitti
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Tiziano Baroni
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Riccardo Calafiore
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Division of Medical Andrology and Endocrinology of Reproduction, Saint Mary Hospital, Terni, Italy
| | - Francesca Mancuso
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- *Correspondence: Francesca Mancuso,
| | - Giovanni Luca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Division of Medical Andrology and Endocrinology of Reproduction, Saint Mary Hospital, Terni, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
32
|
Yu Y, Wang C, Zhang X, Zhu J, Wang L, Ji M, Zhang Z, Ji XM, Wang SL. Perfluorooctane sulfonate disrupts the blood brain barrier through the crosstalk between endothelial cells and astrocytes in mice. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 256:113429. [PMID: 31706766 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2019] [Revised: 10/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a classic environmental pollutant, is reported to accumulate in brain and induce neurotoxicity. However, little is known the route and mechanism of its entrance in brain. In the present study, ICR mice were treated with PFOS for 28 days, the cerebral PFOS were measured and the morphological and ultrastructural changes of blood-brain barrier (BBB) were observed. Also, the expression and localization of the proteins related to the cerebral damages, tight junctions (TJs) and p38 activation were detected. Additionally, U87 cells were used to explore the role of p38 in PFOS-induced damages of astrocytes. PFOS significantly decreased the expression of TJ-related proteins (ZO-1, Claudin-5, Claudin-11, Occludin) in endothelial cells and disrupted BBB, which subsequently led PFOS to astrocytes and increased the expression of the proteins related to astrocytic damages (Aquaporin 4 and S100β). These results aggravated BBB disruption and further increased the cerebral PFOS levels. Besides, phosphorylated p38 activation was involved into PFOS-induced astrocytic damages in vivo and in vitro. In conclusion, the crosstalk between endothelial cells and astrocytes facilitated the BBB disruption and increased the accumulation of PFOS in brain. Our findings provided a new insight into the toxicological and physiological profiles of PFOS-induced neurotoxicity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongquan Yu
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China; State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China
| | - Chao Wang
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China; State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China
| | - Xuhui Zhang
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China
| | - Jiansheng Zhu
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China; State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China
| | - Li Wang
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China
| | - Minghui Ji
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China
| | - Zhan Zhang
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China
| | - Xiao-Ming Ji
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China
| | - Shou-Lin Wang
- Key Lab of Modern Toxicology of Ministry of Education, Center for Global Health, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China; State Key Lab of Reproductive Medicine, Institute of Toxicology, Nanjing Medical University, 101 Longmian Avenue, Nanjing, 211166, PR China.
| |
Collapse
|
33
|
Wu D, Huang CJ, Jiao XF, Ding ZM, Zhang SX, Miao YL, Huo LJ. Bisphenol AF compromises blood-testis barrier integrity and sperm quality in mice. CHEMOSPHERE 2019; 237:124410. [PMID: 31362132 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.124410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 07/04/2019] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The profound influence of environmental chemicals on human health including inducing life-threatening gene mutation has been publicly recognized. Being a substitute for the extensively used endocrine-disrupting chemical BPA, Bisphenol AF (BPAF) has been known as teratogen with developmental toxicities and therefore potentially putting human into the risk of biological hazards. Herein, we deciphered the detrimental effects of BPAF on spermatogenesis and spermiotiliosis in sexual maturity of mice exposing to BPAF (5, 20, 50 mg/kg/d) for consecutive 28 days. BPAF exposure significantly compromises blood-testis barrier integrity and sperm quantity and quality in a dose-dependent manner. Sperms from BPAF exposure mice are featured by severe DNA damage, altered SUMOylation and ubiquitination dynamics and interfered epigenetic inheritance with hypermethylation of H3K27me3 presumably due to the aggregation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Furthermore, BPAF treatment (50 μM for 24 h) compromises cytoskeleton architecture and tight junction permeability in primary cultured Sertoli cells evidenced by dysfunction of actin regulatory proteins (e.g. Arp3 and Palladin) via activation of ERK signaling, thereby perturbing the privilege microenvironment created by Sertoli cells for spermatogenesis. Overall, our study determines BPAF is deleterious for male fertility, leading to a better appreciation of its toxicological features in our life.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Di Wu
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Chun-Jie Huang
- Stowers Institute for Medical Research, 1000 East 50th Street, Kansas City, MO, 64110, USA
| | - Xiao-Fei Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Zhi-Ming Ding
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Shou-Xin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China; Biochip Laboratory, The Affiliated Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital of Qingdao University, Yantai, 264000, Shandong, China
| | - Yi-Liang Miao
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China
| | - Li-Jun Huo
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding and Reproduction of Ministry of Education, College of Animal Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, Hubei, China.
| |
Collapse
|
34
|
Ni FD, Hao SL, Yang WX. Multiple signaling pathways in Sertoli cells: recent findings in spermatogenesis. Cell Death Dis 2019; 10:541. [PMID: 31316051 PMCID: PMC6637205 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-019-1782-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The functions of Sertoli cells in spermatogenesis have attracted much more attention recently. Normal spermatogenesis depends on Sertoli cells, mainly due to their influence on nutrient supply, maintenance of cell junctions, and support for germ cells' mitosis and meiosis. Accumulating evidence in the past decade has highlighted the dominant functions of the MAPK, AMPK, and TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways during spermatogenesis. Among these pathways, the MAPK signaling pathway regulates dynamics of tight junctions and adherens junctions, proliferation and meiosis of germ cells, proliferation and lactate production of Sertoli cells; the AMPK and the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathways both affect dynamics of tight junctions and adherens junctions, as well as the proliferation of Sertoli cells. The AMPK signaling pathway also regulates lactate supply. These signaling pathways combine to form a complex regulatory network for spermatogenesis. In testicular tumors or infertile patients, the activities of these signaling pathways in Sertoli cells are abnormal. Clarifying the mechanisms of signaling pathways in Sertoli cells on spermatogenesis provides new insights into the physiological functions of Sertoli cells in male reproduction, and also serves as a pre-requisite to identify potential therapeutic targets in abnormal spermatogenesis including testicular tumor and male infertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fei-Da Ni
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Shuang-Li Hao
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Wan-Xi Yang
- The Sperm Laboratory, College of Life Sciences, Zhejiang University, 310058, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| |
Collapse
|
35
|
Zanatta AP, Gonçalves R, Zanatta L, de Oliveria GT, Ludwig Moraes AL, Zamoner A, Fernández-Dueñas V, Lanznaster D, Ciruela F, Tasca CI, Delalande C, Menegaz D, Mena Barreto Silva FR. New ionic targets of 3,3′,5′-triiodothyronine at the plasma membrane of rat Sertoli cells. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2019; 1861:748-759. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2019.01.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Revised: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
|
36
|
Castillo J, Knol JC, Korver CM, Piersma SR, Pham TV, de Goeij-de Haas RR, van Pelt AMM, Jimenez CR, Jansen BJH. Human Testis Phosphoproteome Reveals Kinases as Potential Targets in Spermatogenesis and Testicular Cancer. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:S132-S144. [PMID: 30683686 PMCID: PMC6427237 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra118.001278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is a complex cell differentiation process that includes marked genetic, cellular, functional and structural changes. It requires tight regulation, because disturbances in any of the spermatogenic processes would lead to fertility deficiencies as well as disorders in offspring. To increase our knowledge of signal transduction during sperm development, we carried out a large-scale identification of the phosphorylation events that occur in the human male gonad. Metal oxide affinity chromatography using TiO2 combined with LC-MS/MS was conducted to profile the phosphoproteome of adult human testes with full spermatogenesis. A total of 8187 phosphopeptides derived from 2661 proteins were identified, resulting in the most complete report of human testicular phosphoproteins to date. Phosphorylation events were enriched in proteins functionally related to spermatogenesis, as well as to highly active processes in the male gonad, such as transcriptional and translational regulation, cytoskeleton organization, DNA packaging, cell cycle and apoptosis. Moreover, 174 phosphorylated kinases were identified. The most active human protein kinases in the testis were predicted both by the number of phosphopeptide spectra identified and the phosphorylation status of the kinase activation loop. The potential function of cyclin-dependent kinase 12 (CDK12) and p21-activated kinase 4 (PAK4) has been explored by in silico, protein-protein interaction analysis, immunodetection in testicular tissue, and a functional assay in a human embryonal carcinoma cell line. The colocalization of CDK12 with Golgi markers suggests a potential crucial role of this protein kinase during sperm formation. PAK4 has been found expressed in human spermatogonia, and a role in embryonal carcinoma cell response to apoptosis has been observed. Together, our protein discovery analysis confirms that phosphoregulation by protein kinases is highly active in sperm differentiation and opens a window to detailed characterization and validation of potential targets for the development of drugs modulating male fertility and tumor behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judit Castillo
- Lead Pharma BV, Pivot Park, Kloosterstraat 9, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands;.
| | - Jaco C Knol
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Cindy M Korver
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sander R Piersma
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thang V Pham
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Richard R de Goeij-de Haas
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ans M M van Pelt
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Research Institute Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Connie R Jimenez
- OncoProteomics Laboratory, Department of Medical Oncology, VU University Medical Center, De Boelelaan 1117, 1081HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan J H Jansen
- Lead Pharma BV, Pivot Park, Kloosterstraat 9, 5349 AB Oss, The Netherlands;.
| |
Collapse
|
37
|
Chohan H, Esfandiarei M, Arman D, Van Raamsdonk CD, van Breemen C, Friedman JM, Jett KA. Neurofibromin haploinsufficiency results in altered spermatogenesis in a mouse model of neurofibromatosis type 1. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0208835. [PMID: 30571760 PMCID: PMC6301684 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0208835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The fertility of men with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is reduced. Despite this observation, gonadal function has not been examined in patients with NF1. In order to assess the role of reduced neurofibromin in the testes, we examined testicular morphology and function in an Nf1+/- mouse model. We found that although Nf1+/- male mice are able to reproduce, they have significantly fewer pups per litter than Nf1+/+ control males. Reduced fertility in Nf1+/- male mice is associated with disorganization of the seminiferous epithelium, with exfoliation of germ cells and immature spermatids into the tubule lumen. Morphometric analysis shows that these alterations are associated with decreased Leydig cell numbers and increased spermatid cell numbers. We hypothesized that hyper-activation of Ras in Nf1+/- males affects ectoplasmic specialization, a Sertoli-spermatid adherens junction involved in spermiation. Consistent with this idea, we found increased expression of phosphorylated ERK, a downstream effector of Ras that has been shown to alter ectoplasmic specialization, in Nf1+/- males in comparison to control Nf1+/+ littermates. These data demonstrate that neurofibromin haploinsufficiency impairs spermatogenesis and fertility in a mouse model of NF1.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Harleen Chohan
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Mitra Esfandiarei
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, BC Children Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Graduate Studies, Midwestern University, Glendale, Arizona, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Darian Arman
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, BC Children Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Catherine D. Van Raamsdonk
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Cornelis van Breemen
- Department of Anesthesiology, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, BC Children Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Jan M. Friedman
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Kimberly A. Jett
- Department of Medical Genetics, BC Children Hospital Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
38
|
Sarakul M, Elzo MA, Koonawootrittriron S, Suwanasopee T, Jattawa D, Laodim T. Characterization of biological pathways associated with semen traits in the Thai multibreed dairy population. Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 197:324-334. [PMID: 30213568 DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2018] [Accepted: 09/04/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this research was to characterize biological pathways associated with semen volume (VOL), number of sperm (NS), and sperm motility (MOT) of dairy bulls in the Thai multibreed dairy population. Phenotypes for VOL (n = 13,535), NS (n = 12,773), and MOT (n = 12,660) came from 131 bulls of the Dairy Farming Promotion Organization of Thailand. Genotypic data consisted of 76,519 imputed and actual single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) from 72 animals. The SNP variances for VOL, NS, and MOT were estimated using a three-trait genomic-polygenic repeatability model. Fixed effects were contemporary group, ejaculate order, age of bull, ambient temperature, and heterosis. Random effects were animal additive genetic, permanent environmental, and residual. Individual SNP explaining at least 0.001% of the total genetic variance for each trait were selected to identify associated genes in the NCBI database (UMD Bos taurus 3.1 assembly) using the R package Map2NCBI. A set of 1,999 NCBI genes associated with all three semen traits was utilized for the pathway analysis conducted with the ClueGO plugin of Cytoscape using information from the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database. The pathway analysis revealed seven significant biological pathways involving 127 genes that explained 1.04% of the genetic variance for VOL, NS, and MOT. These genes were known to affect cell structure, motility, migration, proliferation, differentiation, survival, apoptosis, signal transduction, oxytocin release, calcium channel, neural development, and immune system functions related to sperm morphology and physiology during spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mattaneeya Sarakul
- Department of Animal Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Mauricio A Elzo
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611-0910, USA
| | | | | | - Danai Jattawa
- Department of Animal Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| | - Thawee Laodim
- Department of Animal Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok, 10900, Thailand
| |
Collapse
|
39
|
Hu F, Xu K, Zhou Y, Wu C, Wang S, Xiao J, Wen M, Zhao R, Luo K, Tao M, Duan W, Liu S. Different expression patterns of sperm motility-related genes in testis of diploid and tetraploid cyprinid fish†. Biol Reprod 2018; 96:907-920. [PMID: 28340181 PMCID: PMC5441299 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Sperm motility is an important standard to measure the fertility of male. In our previous study, we found that the diploid spermatozoa from allotetraploid hybrid (4nAT) had longer durations of rapid and slow progressive motility than haploid spermatozoa from common carp (COC). In this study, to explore sperm motility-related molecular mechanisms, we compared the testis tissues transcriptomes from 2-year-old male COC and 4nAT. The RNA-seq data revealed that 2985 genes were differentially expressed between COC and 4nAT, including 2216 upregulated and 769 downregulated genes in 4nAT. Some differentially expressed genes, such as tubulin genes, dynein, axonemal, heavy chain(dnah) genes, mitogen-activated protein kinase(mapk) genes, tektin 4, FOX transcription factors, proteasome genes, and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase(uchl) genes, are involved in the regulation of cell division, flagellar and ciliary motility, gene transcription, cytoskeleton, energy metabolism, and the ubiquitin–proteasome system, suggesting that these genes were related to sperm motility of the 4nAT. We confirmed the differential expression of 12 such genes in 4nAT by quantitative PCR. By western blotting, we also confirmed increased expression of Uchl3 in 4nAT testis. In addition, we identified 1915 and 2551 predicted long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) transcripts from testis tissue transcriptomes of COC and 4nAT, respectively. Of these, 1575 lncRNAs were specifically expressed in 4nAT and 939 were specifically expressed in COC. This study provides insights into the transcriptome profile of testis tissues from diploid and tetraploid, which are useful for research on regulatory mechanisms behind sperm motility in male polyploidy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fangzhou Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Kang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Yunfan Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Chang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Shi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Jun Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Min Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Rurong Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Kaikun Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Min Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Wei Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| | - Shaojun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Developmental Biology of Freshwater Fish, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China.,College of Life Sciences, Hunan Normal University, Changsha, Hunan, P. R. of China
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Luna C, Mendoza N, Casao A, Pérez-Pé R, Cebrián-Pérez JA, Muiño-Blanco T. c-Jun N-terminal kinase and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways link capacitation with apoptosis and seminal plasma proteins protect sperm by interfering with both routes†. Biol Reprod 2018; 96:800-815. [PMID: 28379343 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/iox017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 MAP kinase (p38) signaling cascades are involved in triggering apoptosis in somatic cells. Given that spermatozoa are able to undergo apoptosis, we tested the hypothesis that these pathways might be functional in ram spermatozoa as two signal transduction mechanisms that contribute to the modulation of capacitation and apoptosis. Indirect immunofluorescence and western blot analysis evidenced the presence of JNK and p38 in ram spermatozoa. To verify the involvement of these enzymes in sperm physiology, we determined the effect of specific inhibitors of JNK or p38 on in vitro capacitation induced with either cAMP-elevating agents or epidermal growth factor (EGF). Both inhibitions reduced the EGF-induced capacitation with a decrease in the chlortetracycline capacitated-sperm pattern, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase-3 and -7 activation, and the proportion of DNA-damaged spermatozoa. No significant changes were found in the high-cAMP capacitated samples. The addition of 3.4 mg/ml seminal plasma proteins (SPPs) to the EGF-containing samples, either alone or together with each inhibitor, resulted in a decreased proportion of capacitated sperm pattern, protein tyrosine phosphorylation, loss of plasma membrane integrity, and apoptotic alterations. Furthermore, SPPs significantly reduced the phosphorylation level of JNK and p38 MAPK (active forms). These findings show a relationship between capacitation and apoptosis, and represent a step forward in the knowledge of the SPP protective mechanism in spermatozoa.
Collapse
|
41
|
Pan Y, Liu Y, Wang L, Xue F, Hu Y, Hu R, Xu C. MKP-1 attenuates LPS-induced blood-testis barrier dysfunction and inflammatory response through p38 and IκBα pathways. Oncotarget 2018; 7:84907-84923. [PMID: 27783995 PMCID: PMC5356708 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.12823] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sertoli cells create a local tolerogenic microenvironment to maintain testicular immune privilege especially through the formation of a blood-testis barrier (BTB). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the immune modulation function and BTB dynamics of Sertoli cells remained elusive. MAP phosphatase (MKP)-1 acts as a crucial negative regulator of the inflammatory response. Nevertheless, the role of MKP-1 in regulating Sertoli cells has not been elucidated. In this study, we have for the first time uncovered distinct cellular localization of MKP-1 in the cells at different stages of mouse testis, and the level of MKP-1 expression was significantly up-regulated by LPS-induced acute testis inflammation. In addition, MKP-1 staining was strongly detected in nuclei and peri-nuclear regions of cytoplasm in the Sertoli cells, and it was presented at Sertoli cell tight junctions (TJs) at stages VII-VIII after LPS treatment. Moreover, we demonstrated that MKP-1 was capable of attenuating LPS-induced decrease of occludin by interaction with p38 MAP kinase and IκBα molecules. Taken together, our data highlight that MKP-1 was an important endogenous suppressor of innate immune responses involved in the regulation of BTB barrier dynamic. This study thus might offer novel targets for treating inflammatory diseases in the testis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yiqing Pan
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Li Wang
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Feng Xue
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China.,Laboratory of Dermatology, Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Yanqin Hu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Ran Hu
- Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| | - Chen Xu
- Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Shanghai 200025, China
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Biswas B, Batista F, Sundaram S, Stanley P. MGAT1 and Complex N-Glycans Regulate ERK Signaling During Spermatogenesis. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2022. [PMID: 29386567 PMCID: PMC5792458 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20465-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2017] [Accepted: 01/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Mechanisms that regulate spermatogenesis in mice are important to define as they often apply to fertility in man. We previously showed that conditional deletion of the mouse Mgat1 gene (Mgat1 cKO) in spermatogonia causes a germ-cell autonomous defect leading to infertility. MGAT1 is the N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase (GlcNAcT-I) that initiates the synthesis of complex N-glycans. Mechanistic bases of MGAT1 loss were investigated in germ cells from 22- and 23-day males, before any changes in germ cell morphology were apparent. Gene expression changes induced by deletion of Mgat1 were determined using the Affymetrix gene chip Mouse Mogene 2.0 ST array, and relationships were investigated by bioinformatics including Gene Ontology (GO), Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA), and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA). The loss of complex N-glycans promoted the premature up-regulation of genes normally expressed later in spermatogenesis and spermiogenesis, and IPA and GSEA implicated ERK signaling. EGFR and PDGFRA transcripts and ERK1/2 signaling were reduced in 22-day Mgat1 cKO germ cells. Basigin, a germ cell target of MGAT1, activated ERK1/2 in CHO cells, but not in a Lec1 CHO mutant that lacks MGAT1 and complex N-glycans. Thus, MGAT1 is required to regulate ERK1/2 signaling during spermatogenesis, potentially via different mechanisms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Barnali Biswas
- 0000000121791997grid.251993.5Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461 USA
| | - Frank Batista
- 0000000121791997grid.251993.5Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461 USA ,0000 0001 1088 8582grid.7122.6Present Address: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - Subha Sundaram
- 0000000121791997grid.251993.5Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY 10461 USA
| | - Pamela Stanley
- Department of Cell Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, NY, 10461, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
43
|
Sasaki Y, Tamura M, Takeda K, Ogi K, Nakagaki T, Koyama R, Idogawa M, Hiratsuka H, Tokino T. Identification and characterization of the intercellular adhesion molecule-2 gene as a novel p53 target. Oncotarget 2018; 7:61426-61437. [PMID: 27556181 PMCID: PMC5308662 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The p53 tumor suppressor inhibits cell growth through the activation of both cell cycle arrest and apoptosis, which maintain genome stability and prevent cancer development. Here, we report that intercellular adhesion molecule-2 (ICAM2) is transcriptionally activated by p53. Specifically, ICAM2 is induced by the p53 family and DNA damage in a p53-dependent manner. We identified a p53 binding sequence located within the ICAM2 gene that is responsive to wild-type p53, TAp73, and TAp63. In terms of function, we found that the ectopic expression of ICAM2 inhibited cancer cell migration and invasion. In addition, we demonstrated that silencing endogenous ICAM2 in cancer cells caused a marked increase in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation levels, suggesting that ICAM2 inhibits migration and invasion of cancer cells by suppressing ERK signaling. Moreover, ICAM2 is underexpressed in human cancer tissues containing mutant p53 as compared to those with wild-type p53. Notably, the decreased expression of ICAM2 is associated with poor survival in patients with various cancers. Our findings demonstrate that ICAM2 induction by p53 has a key role in inhibiting migration and invasion.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Sasaki
- Department of Medical Genome Sciences, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Miyuki Tamura
- Department of Medical Genome Sciences, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kousuke Takeda
- Department of Medical Genome Sciences, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.,Department of Oral Surgery, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Ogi
- Department of Oral Surgery, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Takafumi Nakagaki
- Department of Medical Genome Sciences, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan.,Department of Oral Surgery, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Ryota Koyama
- Department of Medical Genome Sciences, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Masashi Idogawa
- Department of Medical Genome Sciences, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| | | | - Takashi Tokino
- Department of Medical Genome Sciences, Research Institute for Frontier Medicine, Sapporo Medical University, Sapporo, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
44
|
Fan W, Xu Y, Liu Y, Zhang Z, Lu L, Ding Z. Obesity or Overweight, a Chronic Inflammatory Status in Male Reproductive System, Leads to Mice and Human Subfertility. Front Physiol 2018; 8:1117. [PMID: 29354072 PMCID: PMC5758580 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2017.01117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2017] [Accepted: 12/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Obesity is frequently accompanied with chronic inflammation over the whole body and is always associated with symptoms that include those arising from metabolic and vascular alterations. On the other hand, the chronic inflammatory status in the male genital tract may directly impair spermatogenesis and is even associated with male subfertility. However, it is still unclear if the chronic inflammation induced by obesity damages spermatogenesis in the male genital tract. To address this question, we used a high fat diet (HFD) induced obese mouse model and recruited obese patients from the clinic. We detected increased levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) in genital tract tissues including testis, epididymis, seminal vesicle, prostate, and serum from obese mice. Meanwhile, the levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG) and corticosterone were significantly higher than those in the control group in serum. Moreover, signal factors regulated by TNF-α, i.e., p38, nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and their phosphorylated status, and inflammasome protein NLRP3 were expressed at higher levels in the testis. For overweight and obese male patients, the increased levels of TNF-α and IL-6 were also observed in their seminal plasma. Furthermore, there was a positive correlation between the TNF-α and IL-6 levels and BMI whereas they were inversely correlated with the sperm concentration and motility. In conclusion, impairment of male fertility may stem from a chronic inflammatory status in the male genital tract of obese individuals.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Weimin Fan
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.,Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai Ruijin Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yali Xu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Liu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhengqing Zhang
- The Laboratory of Clinical Medicine, Shanghai No.9 People's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liming Lu
- Laboratory of Immune Regulation, Shanghai Institute of Immunology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhide Ding
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine, Department of Histology Embryology, Genetics and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| |
Collapse
|
45
|
Wei X, Li K, Zhang G, Huang Y, Lv J, Li M, Zhao L, Fan C, Pu J, Hou J, Yuan H. B7-H3 promoted proliferation of mouse spermatogonial stem cells via the PI3K signaling pathway. Oncotarget 2017; 9:1542-1552. [PMID: 29416712 PMCID: PMC5788580 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.23457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 12/06/2017] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective We found seminal B7-H3 was associated with human sperm concentration. However, the mechanism is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the expression of B7-H3 in mouse testis and determine the effects of B7-H3 on the proliferation of mouse spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) and the underlying mechanisms. Methods B7-H3 expression in the testis of mice at different ages (3 weeks, 8 weeks, 4 months and 9 months) was detected by western blot and immunohistochemistry. CCK-8 were used to measure mouse SSCs proliferation after incubation with different concentrations of B7-H3 for 1-72 h in vitro. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle of mouse SSCs after incubation with different concentrations of B7-H3 for 48 and 72 h. The signaling pathways involved were assessed by western blot. Results Four-month-old mice had the highest expression of B7-H3 in the testis, while 3-week-old mice had the lowest expression of B7-H3. B7-H3 was predominantly detected on the membrane and in the cytoplasm of Sertoli cells. Furthermore, B7-H3 promoted mouse SSCs proliferation and increased the percentage of cells in S+G2/M phase in a time- and dose-dependent manner in vitro. These effects were inhibited by LY294002, indicating the involvement of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase signaling pathway. Conclusions The expression of B7-H3 in mouse testis, especially Sertoli cells, was associated with mouse age. In vitro, B7-H3 promoted the proliferation and accelerated the cell cycle of mouse SSCs via the PI3K pathway, indicating a critical role of B7-H3 expressed by Sertoli cells in mouse spermatogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xuedong Wei
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Kai Li
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.,Department of Urology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Guangbo Zhang
- Department of Clinical Immunology Laboratory, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuhua Huang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinxing Lv
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Miao Li
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lun Zhao
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Caibin Fan
- Department of Urology, Suzhou Municipal Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinxian Pu
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianquan Hou
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hexing Yuan
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
46
|
Reglodi D, Cseh S, Somoskoi B, Fulop BD, Szentleleky E, Szegeczki V, Kovacs A, Varga A, Kiss P, Hashimoto H, Tamas A, Bardosi A, Manavalan S, Bako E, Zakany R, Juhasz T. Disturbed spermatogenic signaling in pituitary adenylate cyclase activating polypeptide-deficient mice. Reproduction 2017; 155:129-139. [PMID: 29101268 DOI: 10.1530/rep-17-0470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2017] [Revised: 10/18/2017] [Accepted: 11/03/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PACAP is a neuropeptide with diverse functions in various organs, including reproductive system. It is present in the testis in high concentrations, and in addition to the stage-specific expression within the seminiferous tubules, PACAP affects spermatogenesis and the functions of Leydig and Sertoli cells. Mice lacking endogenous PACAP show reduced fertility, but the possibility of abnormalities in spermatogenic signaling has not yet been investigated. Therefore, we performed a detailed morphological analysis of spermatozoa, sperm motility and investigated signaling pathways that play a role during spermatogenesis in knockout mice. No significant alterations were found in testicular morphology or motility of sperm in homozygous and heterozygous PACAP-deficient mice in spite of the moderately increased number of severely damaged sperms. However, we found robust changes in mRNA and/or protein expression of several factors that play an important role in spermatogenesis. Protein kinase A expression was markedly reduced, while downstream phospho-ERK and p38 were elevated in knockout animals. Expression of major transcription factors, such as Sox9 and phospho-Sox9, was decreased, while that of Sox10, as a redundant factor, was increased in PACAP-deficient mice. The reduced phospho-Sox9 expression was partly due to increased expression and activity of phosphatase PP2A in knockout mice. Targets of Sox transcription factors, such as collagen type IV, were reduced in knockout mice. In summary, our results show that lack of PACAP leads to disturbed signaling in spermatogenesis, which could be a factor responsible for reduced fertility in PACAP knockout mice, and further support the role of PACAP in reproduction.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- D Reglodi
- Department of AnatomyMTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - S Cseh
- Department and Clinic of ReproductionUniversity of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - B Somoskoi
- Department and Clinic of ReproductionUniversity of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - B D Fulop
- Department of AnatomyMTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - E Szentleleky
- Department of AnatomyHistology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - V Szegeczki
- Department of AnatomyHistology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - A Kovacs
- Department of AnatomyMTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - A Varga
- Department of AnatomyMTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - P Kiss
- Department of AnatomyMTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - H Hashimoto
- Laboratory of Molecular NeuropharmacologyGraduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Molecular Research Center for Children's Mental DevelopmentUnited Graduate School of Child Development, Osaka University, Kanazawa University, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Chiba University and University of Fukui, Suita, Osaka, Japan.,Division of BioscienceInstitute for Datability Science, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, Japan
| | - A Tamas
- Department of AnatomyMTA-PTE PACAP Research Team, Centre for Neuroscience, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary
| | - A Bardosi
- MVZ für HistologieZytologie und Molekulare Diagnostik, Trier, Germany
| | - S Manavalan
- Department of Basic SciencesNational University of Health Sciences, Pinellas Park, Florida, USA
| | - E Bako
- Cell Biology and Signalling Research Group of the Hungarian Academy of SciencesDepartment of Medical Chemistry, Research Centre for Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - R Zakany
- Department of AnatomyHistology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| | - T Juhasz
- Department of AnatomyHistology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary
| |
Collapse
|
47
|
Ggnbp2-Null Mutation in Mice Leads to Male Infertility due to a Defect at the Spermiogenesis Stage. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2017; 187:2508-2519. [PMID: 28823874 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2017.07.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Gametogenetin binding protein 2 (GGNBP2) is an evolutionarily conserved zinc finger protein. Although Ggnbp2-null embryos in the B6 background died because of a defective placenta, 6.8% of Ggnbp2-null mice in the B6/129 mixed background were viable and continued to adulthood. Adult Ggnbp2-null males were sterile, with smaller testes and an azoospermic phenotype, whereas mutant females were fertile. Histopathological analysis of 2-month-old Ggnbp2-null testes revealed absence of mature spermatozoa in the seminiferous tubules and epididymides and reduction of the number of spermatids. Ultrastructural analysis indicated dramatic morphological defects of developing spermatids in the Ggnbp2-null testes, including irregularly shaped acrosomes, acrosome detachment, cytoplasmic remnant, ectopic manchette, and ill-formed head shape in both elongating and elongated spermatids. However, the numbers of spermatogonia, spermatocytes, Leydig cells, and Sertoli cells in Ggnbp2-null testes did not significantly differ from the wild-type siblings. Gonadotropins, testosterone, and the blood-testis barrier were essentially unaffected. Western blot analyses showed increases in α-E-catenin, β-catenin, and N-cadherin, decreases in E-cadherin, afadin, and nectin-3, and no changes in vinculin, nectin-2, focal adhesion kinase, and integrin-β1 protein levels in Ggnbp2-null testes compared to wild-type siblings. Together, this study demonstrates that GGNBP2 is critically required for maintenance of the adhesion integrity of the adlumenal germ epithelium and is indispensable for normal spermatid transformation into mature spermatozoa in mice.
Collapse
|
48
|
Kulkarni MR, Mane MS, Ghosh U, Sharma R, Lad NP, Srivastava A, Kulkarni-Almeida A, Kharkar PS, Khedkar VM, Pandit SS. Discovery of tetrahydrocarbazoles as dual pERK and pRb inhibitors. Eur J Med Chem 2017; 134:366-378. [PMID: 28431342 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmech.2017.02.062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2016] [Revised: 02/25/2017] [Accepted: 02/27/2017] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
The extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) is one of the most important molecular targets for cancer that controls diverse cellular processes such as proliferation, survival, differentiation and motility. Similarly, the Rb (retinoblastoma protein) is a tumor suppressor protein and its function is to prevent excessive cell growth by inhibiting cell cycle progression. When the cell is ready to divide, pRb is phosphorylated, becomes inactive and allows cell cycle progression. Herein, we discovered a new series of tetrahydrocarbazoles as dual inhibitors of pERK and pRb phosphorylation. The in-house small molecule library was screened for inhibition of pERK and pRb phosphorylation, which led to the discovery of tetrahydrocarbazole series of compounds as potential leads. N-(3-methylcyclopentyl)-6-nitro-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-2-amine (1) is the dual inhibitor lead identified through screening, displaying inhibition of pERK and pRb phosphorylation with IC50 values of 5.5 and 4.8 μM, respectively. A short structure-activity relationship (SAR) study has been performed, which identified another dual inhibitor 9-methyl-N-(4-methylbenzyl)-2,3,4,4a,9,9a-hexahydro-1H-carbazol-2-amine (16) with IC50 values 4.4 and 3.5 μM for inhibition of pERK and pRb phosphorylation, respectively. This compound has a potential for further lead optimization to discover promising molecularly-targeted anticancer agents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mahesh R Kulkarni
- Post Graduate and Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, Padmashri Vikhe Patil College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Pravaranagar, A/P Loni, Tal. Rahata, Dist. Ahmednagar 413713, India; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Piramal Enterprises Limited 1, Nirlon Complex, Off Western Exp. Highway, Near NSE Complex, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 063, India
| | - Madhav S Mane
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Piramal Enterprises Limited 1, Nirlon Complex, Off Western Exp. Highway, Near NSE Complex, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 063, India
| | - Usha Ghosh
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Piramal Enterprises Limited 1, Nirlon Complex, Off Western Exp. Highway, Near NSE Complex, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 063, India
| | - Rajiv Sharma
- Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Piramal Enterprises Limited 1, Nirlon Complex, Off Western Exp. Highway, Near NSE Complex, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 063, India
| | - Nitin P Lad
- Post Graduate and Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, Padmashri Vikhe Patil College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Pravaranagar, A/P Loni, Tal. Rahata, Dist. Ahmednagar 413713, India; Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Piramal Enterprises Limited 1, Nirlon Complex, Off Western Exp. Highway, Near NSE Complex, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400 063, India
| | - Ankita Srivastava
- Department of Pharmacology, Piramal Enterprises Limited 1, Nirlon Complex, Off Western Exp. Highway, Near NSE Complex, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400063, India
| | - Asha Kulkarni-Almeida
- Department of Pharmacology, Piramal Enterprises Limited 1, Nirlon Complex, Off Western Exp. Highway, Near NSE Complex, Goregaon East, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400063, India
| | - Prashant S Kharkar
- SPP School of Pharmacy and Technology Management, SVKM's NMIMS, V. L. Mehta Road, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai 400 056, India
| | - Vijay M Khedkar
- School of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu Natal, Westville Campus, Durban 4000, South Africa
| | - Shivaji S Pandit
- Post Graduate and Research Centre, Department of Chemistry, Padmashri Vikhe Patil College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Pravaranagar, A/P Loni, Tal. Rahata, Dist. Ahmednagar 413713, India.
| |
Collapse
|
49
|
Squadrito F, Micali A, Rinaldi M, Irrera N, Marini H, Puzzolo D, Pisani A, Lorenzini C, Valenti A, Laurà R, Germanà A, Bitto A, Pizzino G, Pallio G, Altavilla D, Minutoli L. Polydeoxyribonucleotide, an Adenosine-A2 A Receptor Agonist, Preserves Blood Testis Barrier from Cadmium-Induced Injury. Front Pharmacol 2017; 7:537. [PMID: 28119612 PMCID: PMC5222826 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2016.00537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Cadmium (Cd) impairs blood-testis barrier (BTB). Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN), an adenosine A2A agonist, has positive effects on male reproductive system. We investigated the effects of PDRN on the morphological and functional changes induced by Cd in mice testes. Adult Swiss mice were divided into four groups: controls administered with 0.9% NaCl (1 ml/kg, i.p., daily) or with PDRN (8 mg/kg, i.p. daily), animals challenged with Cd chloride (CdCl2; 2 mg/kg, i.p, daily) and animals challenged with CdCl2 (2 mg/kg, i.p., daily) and treated with PDRN (8 mg/kg, i.p., daily). Experiments lasted 14 days. Testes were processed for biochemical, structural, and ultrastructural evaluation and hormones were assayed in serum. CdCl2 increased pERK 1/2 expression and Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) and Luteinizing Hormone (LH) levels; it decreased testosterone (TE) and inhibin-B levels and induced structural damages in extratubular compartment and in seminiferous epithelium, with ultrastructural features of BTB disruption. Many TUNEL-positive germ cells were present. CdCl2 increased tubular TGF-β3 immunoreactivity and reduced claudin-11, occludin, and N-cadherin immunoreactivity. PDRN administration reduced pERK 1/2 expression, FSH, and LH levels; it increased TE and inhibin-B levels, ameliorated germinal epithelium changes and protected BTB ultrastructure. Few TUNEL-positive germ cells were present and the extratubular compartment was preserved. Furthermore, PDRN decreased TGF-β3 immunoreactivity and enhanced claudin-11, occludin, and N-cadherin immunoreactivity. We demonstrate a protective effect of PDRN on Cd-induced damages of BTB and suggest that PDRN may play an important role against Cd, particularly against its harmful effects on gametogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Squadrito
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Antonio Micali
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Mariagrazia Rinaldi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Natasha Irrera
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Herbert Marini
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Domenico Puzzolo
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Antonina Pisani
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Cesare Lorenzini
- Department of Human Pathology, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Andrea Valenti
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Rosaria Laurà
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Antonino Germanà
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Alessandra Bitto
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Gabriele Pizzino
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pallio
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Domenica Altavilla
- Department of Biomedical and Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| | - Letteria Minutoli
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina Messina, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
50
|
Niu Z, Mu H, Zhu H, Wu J, Hua J. p38 MAPK pathway is essential for self-renewal of mouse male germline stem cells (mGSCs). Cell Prolif 2016; 50. [PMID: 27868268 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.12314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Accepted: 10/07/2016] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Male germline stem cells (mGSCs), also called spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), constantly generate spermatozoa in male animals. A number of preliminary studies on mechanisms of mGSC self-renewal have previously been conducted, revealing that several factors are involved in this regulated process. The p38 MAPK pathway is widely conserved in multiple cell types in vivo, and plays an important role in cell proliferation, differentiation, inflammation and apoptosis. However, its role in self-renewal of mGSCs has not hitherto been determined. MATERIALS AND METHODS Here, the mouse mGSCs were cultured and their identity was verified by semi-RT-PCR, alkaline phosphatase (AP) staining and immunofluorescence staining. Then, the p38 MAPK pathway was blocked by p38 MAPK-specific inhibitor SB202190. mGSC self-renewal ability was then analysed by observation of morphology, cell number, cell growth analysis, TUNEL incorporation assay and cell cycle analysis. RESULTS Results showed that mouse mGSC self-renewal ability was significantly inhibited by SB202190. CONCLUSIONS This study showed for the first time that the p38 MAPK pathway plays a key role in maintaining self-renewal capacity of mouse mGSCs, which offers a new self-renewal pathway for these cells and contributes to overall knowledge of the mechanisms of mGSC self-renewal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Zhiwei Niu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Hailong Mu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering and Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haijing Zhu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering and Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jiang Wu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering and Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jinlian Hua
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Shaanxi Centre of Stem Cells Engineering and Technology, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| |
Collapse
|