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Oliveira ECS, Hu P, Shook DR, Wallrabe H, Townsend NN, Bingham GC, Barker TH, Hinton BT. Biomechanical properties of the capsule and extracellular matrix play a major role during the Wolffian/epididymal duct development. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 38988181 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13692] [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: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The epididymis is important for sperm maturation and without its proper development, male infertility will result. Biomechanical properties of tissues/organs play key roles during their morphogenesis, including the Wolffian duct. It is hypothesized that structural/bulk stiffness of the capsule and mesenchyme/extracellular matrix that surround the duct is a major biomechanical property that regulates Wolffian duct morphogenesis. These data will provide key information as to the mechanisms that regulate the development of this important organ. OBJECTIVES To measure the structural/bulk stiffness in Pascals (force/area) of the capsule and the capsule and mesenchyme together that surrounds the Wolffian duct during the development. To examine the relative membrane tension of mesenchymal cells during the Wolffian duct development. Since Ptk7 was previously shown to regulate ECM integrity and Wolffian duct elongation and coiling, the hypothesis that Ptk7 regulates structural/bulk stiffness and mesenchymal cell membrane tension was tested. MATERIALS AND METHODS Atomic force microscopy and a microsquisher compression apparatus were used to measure the structural stiffness. Biomechanical properties within the membranes of cells within the capsule and mesenchyme were examined using a membrane-tension fluorescent probe. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The structural stiffness (Pascals) of the capsule and underlying mesenchyme was relatively constant during development, with a significant increase in the capsule at the later stages. However, this increase may reflect the ECM and associated mesenchyme being close to the capsule because the coiling of the duct pushed or compressed them into that space. Keeping the capsule and mesenchyme/ECM at constant stiffness would ensure that the duct will continue to coil under similar biomechanical forces throughout the development. Cells within the capsule and mesenchyme at different Wolffian duct regions during the development had varying degrees of membrane lipid tension. It is hypothesized that the dynamic changes ensure the duct is kept at a constant stiffness regardless of any external forces. Loss of Ptk7 resulted in an increase in stiffness at E18.5, which was presumable due to the loss of integrity of the ECM within the mesenchyme. CONCLUSION Biomechanical properties of the capsule and the mesenchyme/extracellular matrix that surround the Wolffian duct play an important role toward Wolffian duct morphogenesis, thereby allowing for the proper development of the epididymis and subsequent male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika C S Oliveira
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Ping Hu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - David R Shook
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Horst Wallrabe
- W.M. Keck Center for Cellular Imaging, Department of Biology, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Natalie N Townsend
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Grace C Bingham
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Thomas H Barker
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Pinn Hall, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
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2
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Lee V, Hinton BT, Hirashima T. Collective cell dynamics and luminal fluid flow in the epididymis: A mechanobiological perspective. Andrology 2024; 12:939-948. [PMID: 37415418 PMCID: PMC11278975 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The mammalian epididymis is a specialized duct system that serves a critical role in sperm maturation and storage. Its distinctive, highly coiled tissue morphology provides a unique opportunity to investigate the link between form and function in reproductive biology. Although recent genetic studies have identified key genes and signaling pathways involved in the development and physiological functions of the epididymis, there has been limited discussion about the underlying dynamic and mechanical processes that govern these phenomena. AIMS In this review, we aim to address this gap by examining two key aspects of the epididymis across its developmental and physiological phases. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION First, we discuss how the complex morphology of the Wolffian/epididymal duct emerges through collective cell dynamics, including duct elongation, cell proliferation, and arrangement during embryonic development. Second, we highlight dynamic aspects of luminal fluid flow in the epididymis, essential for regulating the microenvironment for sperm maturation and motility, and discuss how this phenomenon emerges and interplays with epididymal epithelial cells. CONCLUSION This review not only aims to summarize current knowledge but also to provide a starting point for further exploration of mechanobiological aspects related to the cellular and extracellular fluid dynamics in the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronica Lee
- Mechanobiology, Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Barry T. Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
| | - Tsuyoshi Hirashima
- Mechanobiology, Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Physiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
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3
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Crossen MJ, Wilbourne J, Fogarty A, Zhao F. Epithelial and mesenchymal fate decisions in Wolffian duct development. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2023; 34:462-473. [PMID: 37330364 PMCID: PMC10524679 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Wolffian ducts (WDs) are the paired embryonic structures that give rise to internal male reproductive tract organs. WDs are initially formed in both sexes but have sex-specific fates during sexual differentiation. Understanding WD differentiation requires insights into the process of fate decisions of epithelial and mesenchymal cells, which are tightly coordinated by endocrine, paracrine, and autocrine signals. In this review, we discuss current advances in understanding the fate-decision process of WD epithelial and mesenchymal lineages from their initial formation at the embryonic stage to postnatal differentiation. Finally, we discuss aberrant cell differentiation in WD abnormalities and pathologies and identify opportunities for future investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- McKenna J Crossen
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Jillian Wilbourne
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Allyssa Fogarty
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Comparative Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Fei Zhao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Endocrinology and Reproductive Physiology Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA; Comparative Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA.
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4
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Alves MBR, Girardet L, Augière C, Moon KH, Lavoie-Ouellet C, Bernet A, Soulet D, Calvo E, Teves ME, Beauparlant CJ, Droit A, Bastien A, Robert C, Bok J, Hinton BT, Belleannée C. Hedgehog signaling regulates Wolffian duct development through the primary cilium†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:241-257. [PMID: 36525341 PMCID: PMC9930401 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac210] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia play pivotal roles in embryonic patterning and organogenesis through transduction of the Hedgehog signaling pathway (Hh). Although mutations in Hh morphogens impair the development of the gonads and trigger male infertility, the contribution of Hh and primary cilia in the development of male reproductive ductules, including the epididymis, remains unknown. From a Pax2Cre; IFT88fl/fl knock-out mouse model, we found that primary cilia deletion is associated with imbalanced Hh signaling and morphometric changes in the Wolffian duct (WD), the embryonic precursor of the epididymis. Similar effects were observed following pharmacological blockade of primary cilia formation and Hh modulation on WD organotypic cultures. The expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix, mesenchymal-epithelial transition, canonical Hh and WD development was significantly altered after treatments. Altogether, we identified the primary cilia-dependent Hh signaling as a master regulator of genes involved in WD development. This provides new insights regarding the etiology of sexual differentiation and male infertility issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maíra Bianchi Rodrigues Alves
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Laura Girardet
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Céline Augière
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Kyeong Hye Moon
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Camille Lavoie-Ouellet
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Agathe Bernet
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Denis Soulet
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Neurosciences, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Ezequiel Calvo
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Maria E Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Charles Joly Beauparlant
- Computational Biology Laboratory Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Computational Biology Laboratory Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandre Bastien
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Claude Robert
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Jinwoong Bok
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Clémence Belleannée
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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5
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Chan MMY, Sadeghi-Alavijeh O, Lopes FM, Hilger AC, Stanescu HC, Voinescu CD, Beaman GM, Newman WG, Zaniew M, Weber S, Ho YM, Connolly JO, Wood D, Maj C, Stuckey A, Kousathanas A, Kleta R, Woolf AS, Bockenhauer D, Levine AP, Gale DP. Diverse ancestry whole-genome sequencing association study identifies TBX5 and PTK7 as susceptibility genes for posterior urethral valves. eLife 2022; 11:e74777. [PMID: 36124557 PMCID: PMC9512401 DOI: 10.7554/elife.74777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Posterior urethral valves (PUV) are the commonest cause of end-stage renal disease in children, but the genetic architecture of this rare disorder remains unknown. We performed a sequencing-based genome-wide association study (seqGWAS) in 132 unrelated male PUV cases and 23,727 controls of diverse ancestry, identifying statistically significant associations with common variants at 12q24.21 (p=7.8 × 10-12; OR 0.4) and rare variants at 6p21.1 (p=2.0 × 10-8; OR 7.2), that were replicated in an independent European cohort of 395 cases and 4151 controls. Fine mapping and functional genomic data mapped these loci to the transcription factor TBX5 and planar cell polarity gene PTK7, respectively, the encoded proteins of which were detected in the developing urinary tract of human embryos. We also observed enrichment of rare structural variation intersecting with candidate cis-regulatory elements, particularly inversions predicted to affect chromatin looping (p=3.1 × 10-5). These findings represent the first robust genetic associations of PUV, providing novel insights into the underlying biology of this poorly understood disorder and demonstrate how a diverse ancestry seqGWAS can be used for disease locus discovery in a rare disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie MY Chan
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Filipa M Lopes
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of ManchesterManchesterUnited Kingdom
| | - Alina C Hilger
- Children's Hospital, University of BonnBonnGermany
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of BonnBonnGermany
| | - Horia C Stanescu
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Catalin D Voinescu
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Glenda M Beaman
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUnited Kingdom
- Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of ManchesterManchesterUnited Kingdom
| | - William G Newman
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester University NHS Foundation TrustManchesterUnited Kingdom
- Evolution and Genomic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of ManchesterManchesterUnited Kingdom
| | - Marcin Zaniew
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Zielona GóraZielona GoraPoland
| | - Stefanie Weber
- Department of Pediatric Nephrology, University of MarburgMarburgGermany
| | - Yee Mang Ho
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of ManchesterManchesterUnited Kingdom
| | - John O Connolly
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Department of Adolescent Urology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Dan Wood
- Department of Adolescent Urology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Carlo Maj
- Center for Human Genetics, University of MarburgMarburgGermany
- Institute for Genomic Statistics and Bioinformatics, Medical Faculty, University of BonnBonnGermany
| | - Alexander Stuckey
- Genomics England, Queen Mary University of LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | | | - Robert Kleta
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Nephrology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Adrian S Woolf
- Division of Cell Matrix Biology & Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of ManchesterManchesterUnited Kingdom
- Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science CentreManchesterUnited Kingdom
| | - Detlef Bockenhauer
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Nephrology Department, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation TrustLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Adam P Levine
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
- Research Department of Pathology, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
| | - Daniel P Gale
- Department of Renal Medicine, University College LondonLondonUnited Kingdom
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6
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Machado-Neves M. Effect of heavy metals on epididymal morphology and function: An integrative review. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 291:133020. [PMID: 34848222 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 10/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Male fertility has deteriorated over the last decades, and environmental risk factors are among the possible causes of this phenomenon. Pollutants such as heavy metals might accumulate in male reproductive organs to levels that are associated with reproductive disorders. Several studies reported detrimental effects of inorganic arsenic (iAs+3/iAs+5), cadmium (Cd+2), lead (Pb+2), and mercury (Hg+2/CH3Hg+2) on the epididymis, which plays a crucial role in sperm maturation. However, the magnitude of their effects and the consequences on the physiology of the epididymis are still unclear. Therefore, an integrative review with meta-analyses was conducted examining 138 studies to determine how exposure to arsenic, cadmium, lead, and mercury affects epididymal morphology and functions, using primarily murine data from experimental studies as a source. This study showed that exposure to metal(loids) reduced epididymal weight, sperm motility, and sperm number. Inorganic arsenic, cadmium, and lead damaged sperm structures within the epididymal duct. While sodium arsenite, sodium arsenate, and lead acetate generate oxidative stress by an imbalance between ROS production and scavenging, cadmium chloride causes an increase in the pH level of the luminal fluid (from 6.5 to 7.37) that diminishes sperm viability. Inorganic arsenic induced a delay in the sperm transit time by modulating noradrenaline and dopamine secretion. Subacute exposure to heavy metals at concentrations < 0.1 mg L-1 initiates a dyshomeostasis of calcium, copper, iron, and zinc that disturbs sperm parameters and reduces epididymal weight. These alterations worsen with prolonged exposure time and higher doses. Most studies evaluated the effects of concentrations > 1.1 mg L-1 of heavy metals on the epididymis rather than doses with relevant importance for human health risk. This meta-analytical study faced limitations regarding a deeper analysis of epididymis physiology. Hence, several recommendations for future investigations are provided. This review creates a baseline for the comprehension of epididymal toxicology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana Machado-Neves
- Departamento de Biologia Geral, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Av. P.H. Rolfs, s/n, DBG, Campus Universitário, Viçosa, 36570-900, Minas Gerais, Brasil.
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7
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Jia S, Zhao F. Ex vivo development of the entire mouse fetal reproductive tract by using microdissection and membrane-based organ culture techniques. Differentiation 2022; 123:42-49. [PMID: 35030420 PMCID: PMC8821157 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2022.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
Ex vivo explant culture is an appealing alternative to in vivo studies on fetal reproductive organ development. There is extensive literature on ex vivo methods of growing the fetal gonad. However, a method for culturing the whole fetal reproductive tract that has a different shape and size has not been documented. Here, with careful dissection and proper tissue orientation, we successfully cultured the entire bicornuate reproductive tracts from mouse embryos of both sexes on the Transwell insert membrane. The cultured reproductive tract system undergoes sexually dimorphic establishment and region-specific morphogenesis comparable to in vivo development of their counterparts. To test this culture method's applications, we used chemical treatment (dihydrotestosterone and BMS 564929) and genetic cellular ablation mouse model (Gli1-CreER; Rosa-DTA) to investigate the roles of androgen signaling and Gli1+ mesenchyme in Wolffian duct development. Dihydrotestosterone and BMS 564929 promoted the ectopic maintenance of Wolffian ducts in cultured XX tissues. The efficient and specific elimination of Gli1+ mesenchyme was successfully achieved in the cultured tissues, resulting in defective coiling of Wolffian ducts. These results demonstrate the amenability of this organ culture method for chemical and genetic manipulations that are otherwise difficult to study in vivo. Taken together, the establishment of this organ culture method provides a valuable tool complementary to in vivo studies for understanding fetal reproductive tract development in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Jia
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA
| | - Fei Zhao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA,Corresponding author: Fei Zhao, Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, USA, Tel: 608-890-2610.
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8
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Ferreira LGA, Nishino FA, Fernandes SG, Ribeiro CM, Hinton BT, Avellar MCW. Epididymal embryonic development harbors TLR4/NFKB signaling pathway as a morphogenetic player. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 149:103456. [PMID: 34915277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Wolffian duct (WD) is an embryonic tissue that undergoes androgen-induced morphological changes to become the epididymis. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)- and nuclear factor kB (NFKB)-induced effectors are expressed in the adult epididymis and represent important players in epididymal innate immune responses. TLR4/NFKB signaling pathway is evolutionarily conserved and plays a critical morphogenetic role in several species; however, its function during WD morphogenesis is unknown. We hypothesized that TLR4/NFKB pathway plays a role during WD development. Here we examined TLR4 expression and regulation of TLR4-target genes during rat WD morphogenesis between embryonic days (e) 17.5-20.5. The functionality of TLR4/NFKB signaling was examined using WD organotypic cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli (TLR4 agonist) and PDTC (NFKB inhibitor). TLR4 was detected at mRNA level in e17.5 (uncoiled duct) and e20.5 (coiled duct) WDs, and spatio-temporal changes in TLR4 immunoreactivity were observed between these two time points. Expression level analysis of a subset of TLR4-regulated genes showed that TLR4/NFKB pathway was activated after exposure of cultured WD to LPS (4 h), an event that was abrogated by PDTC. Long-term exposure of cultured WDs to LPS (96 h) resulted in dysregulations of morphogenetic events and LAMA1 immunodistribution changes, suggesting the extracellular matrix at the intersection between WD morphogenesis and balance of innate immune components. Our results unveil the epididymal morphogenesis as an event equipped with TLR4/NFKB signaling components that may serve developmental functions, and eventually transition to host defense function when the fetus is exposed to an infectious or noninfectious threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas G A Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Fernanda A Nishino
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Samuel G Fernandes
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Camilla M Ribeiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil; Centro Universitário do Planalto de Araxá (UNIARAXÁ), Araxá, MG, 38180-084, Brazil
| | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Maria Christina W Avellar
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil.
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9
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Hashimoto D, Hirashima T, Yamamura H, Kataoka T, Fujimoto K, Hyuga T, Yoshiki A, Kimura K, Kuroki S, Tachibana M, Suzuki K, Yamamoto N, Morioka S, Sasaki T, Yamada G. Dynamic erectile responses of a novel penile organ model utilizing TPEM†. Biol Reprod 2021; 104:875-886. [PMID: 33511393 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Male penis is required to become erect during copulation. In the upper (dorsal) part of penis, the erectile tissue termed corpus cavernosum (CC) plays fundamental roles for erection by regulating the inner blood flow. When blood flows into the CC, the microvascular complex termed sinusoidal space is reported to expand during erection. A novel in vitro explant system to analyze the dynamic erectile responses during contraction/relaxation is established. The current data show regulatory contraction/relaxation processes induced by phenylephrine (PE) and nitric oxide (NO) donor mimicking dynamic erectile responses by in vitro CC explants. Two-photon excitation microscopy (TPEM) observation shows the synchronous movement of sinusoidal space and the entire CC. By taking advantages of the CC explant system, tadalafil (Cialis) was shown to increase sinusoidal relaxation. Histopathological changes have been generally reported associating with erection in several pathological conditions. Various stressed statuses have been suggested to occur in the erectile responses by previous studies. The current CC explant model enables to analyze such conditions through directly manipulating CC in the repeated contraction/relaxation processes. Expression of oxidative stress marker and contraction-related genes, Hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (Hif1a), glutathione peroxidase 1 (Gpx1), Ras homolog family member A (RhoA), and Rho-associated protein kinase (Rock), was significantly increased in such repeated contraction/relaxation. Altogether, it is suggested that the system is valuable for analyzing structural changes and physiological responses to several regulators in the field of penile medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiki Hashimoto
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University (WMU), Wakayama, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Hirashima
- Department of Pathology and Biology of Diseases, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hisao Yamamura
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tomoya Kataoka
- Department of Clinical Pharmaceutics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Kota Fujimoto
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University (WMU), Wakayama, Japan
| | - Taiju Hyuga
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University (WMU), Wakayama, Japan
| | - Atsushi Yoshiki
- Experimental Animal Division, RIKEN BioResource Research Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Kazunori Kimura
- Department of Clinical Pharmaceutics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan.,Department of Hospital Pharmacy, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Shunsuke Kuroki
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Makoto Tachibana
- Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kentaro Suzuki
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University (WMU), Wakayama, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Yamamoto
- Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology Group, Graduate School of Frontier Biosciences, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Shin Morioka
- Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Takehiko Sasaki
- Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Gen Yamada
- Department of Developmental Genetics, Institute of Advanced Medicine, Wakayama Medical University (WMU), Wakayama, Japan
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Xue R, Lin W, Sun J, Watanabe M, Xu A, Araki M, Nasu Y, Tang Z, Huang P. The role of Wnt signaling in male reproductive physiology and pathology. Mol Hum Reprod 2021; 27:gaaa085. [PMID: 33543289 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Accumulating evidence has shown that Wnt signaling is deeply involved in male reproductive physiology, and malfunction of the signal path can cause pathological changes in genital organs and sperm cells. These abnormalities are diverse in manifestation and have been constantly found in the knockout models of Wnt studies. Nevertheless, most of the research solely focused on a certain factor in the Wnt pathway, and there are few reports on the overall relation between Wnt signals and male reproductive physiology. In our review, Wnt findings relating to the reproductive system were sought and summarized in terms of Wnt ligands, Wnt receptors, Wnt intracellular signals and Wnt regulators. By sorting out and integrating relevant functions, as well as underlining the controversies among different reports, our review aims to offer an overview of Wnt signaling in male reproductive physiology and pathology for further mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruizhi Xue
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Wenfeng Lin
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Jingkai Sun
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Urology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Masami Watanabe
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Abai Xu
- Department of Urology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Motoo Araki
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Yasutomo Nasu
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
| | - Zhengyan Tang
- Department of Urology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Department of Urology, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
- Department of Urology, Zhujiang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Okayama Medical Innovation Center, Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Okayama, Japan
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Abstract
The cochlea, a coiled structure located in the ventral region of the inner ear, acts as the primary structure for the perception of sound. Along the length of the cochlear spiral is the organ of Corti, a highly derived and rigorously patterned sensory epithelium that acts to convert auditory stimuli into neural impulses. The development of the organ of Corti requires a series of inductive events that specify unique cellular characteristics and axial identities along its three major axes. Here, we review recent studies of the cellular and molecular processes regulating several aspects of cochlear development, such as axial patterning, cochlear outgrowth and cellular differentiation. We highlight how the precise coordination of multiple signaling pathways is required for the successful formation of a complete organ of Corti.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Carroll Driver
- Laboratory of Cochlear Development, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Matthew W Kelley
- Laboratory of Cochlear Development, National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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12
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O'Brien LL, Combes AN, Short KM, Lindström NO, Whitney PH, Cullen-McEwen LA, Ju A, Abdelhalim A, Michos O, Bertram JF, Smyth IM, Little MH, McMahon AP. Wnt11 directs nephron progenitor polarity and motile behavior ultimately determining nephron endowment. eLife 2018; 7:e40392. [PMID: 30516471 PMCID: PMC6281319 DOI: 10.7554/elife.40392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
A normal endowment of nephrons in the mammalian kidney requires a balance of nephron progenitor self-renewal and differentiation throughout development. Here, we provide evidence for a novel action of ureteric branch tip-derived Wnt11 in progenitor cell organization and interactions within the nephrogenic niche, ultimately determining nephron endowment. In Wnt11 mutants, nephron progenitors dispersed from their restricted niche, intermixing with interstitial progenitors. Nephron progenitor differentiation was accelerated, kidneys were significantly smaller, and the nephron progenitor pool was prematurely exhausted, halving the final nephron count. Interestingly, RNA-seq revealed no significant differences in gene expression. Live imaging of nephron progenitors showed that in the absence of Wnt11 they lose stable attachments to the ureteric branch tips, continuously detaching and reattaching. Further, the polarized distribution of several markers within nephron progenitors is disrupted. Together these data highlight the importance of Wnt11 signaling in directing nephron progenitor behavior which determines a normal nephrogenic program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lori L O'Brien
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Alexander N Combes
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceThe University of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
- Murdoch Children’s Research InstituteRoyal Children's HospitalMelbourneAustralia
| | - Kieran M Short
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Nils O Lindström
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Peter H Whitney
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Luise A Cullen-McEwen
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Adler Ju
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
| | - Ahmed Abdelhalim
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - Odyssé Michos
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
| | - John F Bertram
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Ian M Smyth
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
- Development and Stem Cells Program, Monash Biomedicine Discovery InstituteMonash UniversityMelbourneAustralia
| | - Melissa H Little
- Institute for Molecular BioscienceThe University of QueenslandBrisbaneAustralia
- Department of Anatomy and NeuroscienceThe University of MelbourneMelbourneAustralia
- Murdoch Children’s Research InstituteRoyal Children's HospitalMelbourneAustralia
- Department of PediatricsUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleAustralia
| | - Andrew P McMahon
- Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Eli and Edythe Broad CIRM Center for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchKeck School of Medicine, University of Southern CaliforniaLos AngelesUnited States
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