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Hashimoto K, Arakawa H, Imamura R, Nishimura T, Kitajima S, Sato T, Makiyama K, Ogawa T, Yokota S. A novel alternative method for long-term evaluation of male reproductive toxicity and its recovery using a pre-pubertal mouse testis organ culture system. J Appl Toxicol 2024; 44:784-793. [PMID: 38262615 DOI: 10.1002/jat.4584] [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: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Successful treatment of pediatric cancers often results in long-term health complications, including potential effects on fertility. Therefore, assessing the male reproductive toxicity of anti-cancer drug treatments and the potential for recovery is of paramount importance. However, in vivo evaluations are time-intensive and require large numbers of animals. To overcome these constraints, we utilized an innovative organ culture system that supports long-term spermatogenesis by placing the testis tissue between a base agarose gel and a polydimethylsiloxane ceiling, effectively mirroring the in vivo testicular environment. The present study aimed to determine the efficacy of this organ culture system for accurately assessing testicular toxicity induced by cisplatin, using acrosin-green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic neonatal mouse testes. The testis fragments were treated with different concentrations of cisplatin-containing medium for 24 h and incubated in fresh medium for up to 70 days. The changes in tissue volume and GFP fluorescence over time were evaluated to monitor the progression of spermatogenesis, in addition to the corresponding histopathology. Cisplatin treatment caused tissue volume shrinkage and reduced GFP fluorescence in a concentration-dependent manner. Recovery from testicular toxicity was also dependent on the concentration of cisplatin received. The results demonstrated that this novel in vitro system can be a faithful replacement for animal experiments to assess the testicular toxicity of anti-cancer drugs and their reversibility, providing a useful method for drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Hashimoto
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Arakawa
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Rikako Imamura
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Institute of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Nishimura
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kitajima
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Kazuhide Makiyama
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Satoshi Yokota
- Division of Cellular and Molecular Toxicology, Center for Biological Safety and Research, National Institute of Health Sciences, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan
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2
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Hashimoto K, Odaka H, Ishikawa-Yamauchi Y, Nagata S, Nakamura H, Kimura H, Sato T, Makiyama K, Ogawa T. Culture-space control is effective in promoting haploid cell formation and spermiogenesis in vitro in neonatal mice. Sci Rep 2023; 13:12354. [PMID: 37524742 PMCID: PMC10390558 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-39323-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The classical organ culture method, in which tissue is placed at the gas‒liquid interphase, is effective at inducing mouse spermatogenesis. However, due to reginal variations in the supply of oxygen and nutrients within a tissue, the progress of spermatogenesis was observed only in limited areas of a tissue. In addition, haploid cell formation and its differentiation to spermatozoon, i.e. spermiogenesis, were infrequent and inefficient. Here, we show that the polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-chip ceiling (PC) method, which ensures a uniform supply of nutrients and oxygen throughout the tissue by pressing it into a thin, flat shape, can provide control over the culture space. We used this method to culture testis tissue from neonatal mice, aged 1 to 4 days, and found that modulating the culture space during the experiment by replacing one chip with another that had a higher ceiling effectively increased tissue growth. This adjustment also induced more efficient spermatogenesis, with the process of spermiogenesis being particularly promoted. Meiotic cells were observed from culture day 14 onward, and haploid cells were confirmed at the end of each experiment. This technique was also shown to be a sensitive assay for testicular toxicity. Culture-space control will be a critical regulation parameter for sophisticated tissue culture experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Hashimoto
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hisakazu Odaka
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | | | - Shino Nagata
- Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Hiroko Nakamura
- Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Micro/Nano Technology Center, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazuhide Makiyama
- Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Japan.
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3
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Aydos OS, Yukselten Y, Ozkan T, Ozkavukcu S, Tuten Erdogan M, Sunguroglu A, Aydos K. Co-Culture of Cryopreserved Healthy Sertoli Cells with Testicular Tissue of Non-Obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) Patients in Culture Media Containing Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH)/Testosterone Has No Advantage in Germ Cell Maturation. J Clin Med 2023; 12:jcm12031073. [PMID: 36769720 PMCID: PMC9917953 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12031073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Revised: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Different cell culture conditions and techniques have been used to mature spermatogenic cells to increase the success of in vitro fertilization. Sertoli cells (SCs) are essential in maintaining spermatogenesis and FSH stimulation exerts its effect through direct or indirect actions on SCs. The effectiveness of FSH and testosterone added to the co-culture has been demonstrated in other studies to provide microenvironment conditions of the testicular niche and to contribute to the maturation and meiotic progression of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). In the present study, we investigated whether co-culture of healthy SCs with the patient's testicular tissue in the medium supplemented with FSH/testosterone provides an advantage in the differentiation and maturation of germ cells in NOA cases (N = 34). In men with obstructive azoospermia (N = 12), healthy SCs from testicular biopsies were identified and purified, then cryopreserved. The characterization of healthy SCs was done by flow cytometry (FC) and immunohistochemistry using antibodies specific for GATA4 and vimentin. FITC-conjugated annexin V/PI staining and the MTT assay were performed to compare the viability and proliferation of SCs before and after freezing. In annexin V staining, no difference was found in percentages of live and apoptotic SCs, and MTT showed that cryopreservation did not inhibit SC proliferation compared to the pre-freezing state. Then, tissue samples from NOA patients were processed in two separate environments containing FSH/testosterone and FSH/testosterone plus co-culture with thawed healthy SCs for 7 days. FC was used to measure 7th-day levels of specific markers expressed in spermatogonia (VASA), meiotic cells (CREM), and post-meiotic cells (protamine-2 and acrosin). VASA and acrosin basal levels were found to be lower in infertile patients compared to the OA group (8.2% vs. 30.6% and 12.8% vs. 30.5%, respectively; p < 0.05). Compared to pre-treatment measurements, on the 7th day in the FSH/testosterone environment, CREM levels increased by 58.8% and acrosin levels increased by 195.5% (p < 0.05). Similarly, in medium co-culture with healthy SCs, by day 7, CREM and acrosin levels increased to 92.2% and 204.8%, respectively (p < 0.05). Although VASA and protamine levels increased in both groups, they did not reach a significant level. No significant difference was found between the day 7 increase rates of CREM, VASA, acrosin and protamine-2 in either FSH/testosterone-containing medium or in medium additionally co-cultured with healthy SCs (58.8% vs. 92.2%, 120.6% vs. 79.4%, 195.5% vs. 204.8%, and 232.3% vs. 198.4%, respectively; p > 0.05). Our results suggest that the presence of the patient's own SCs for maturation of germ cells in the culture medium supplemented with FSH and testosterone is sufficient, and co-culture with healthy SCs does not have an additional advantage. In addition, the freezing-thawing process would not impair the viability and proliferation of SCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- O. Sena Aydos
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
- Correspondence: (O.S.A.); (Y.Y.); Tel.: +90-3125958050 (O.S.A.)
| | - Yunus Yukselten
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Infectious Diseases, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
- Correspondence: (O.S.A.); (Y.Y.); Tel.: +90-3125958050 (O.S.A.)
| | - Tulin Ozkan
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
| | - Sinan Ozkavukcu
- Center for Assisted Reproduction, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
- Postgraduate Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Meltem Tuten Erdogan
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
| | - Asuman Sunguroglu
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
| | - Kaan Aydos
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara 06230, Turkey
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Temperature sensitivity of DNA double-strand break repair underpins heat-induced meiotic failure in mouse spermatogenesis. Commun Biol 2022; 5:504. [PMID: 35618762 PMCID: PMC9135715 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-03449-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a heat-vulnerable process that occurs at low temperatures, and elevated testicular temperatures cause male infertility. However, the current reliance on in vivo assays limits their potential to detail temperature dependence and destructive processes. Using ex vivo cultures of mouse testis explants at different controlled temperatures, we found that spermatogenesis failed at multiple steps, showing sharp temperature dependencies. At 38 °C (body core temperature), meiotic prophase I is damaged, showing increased DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) and compromised DSB repair. Such damaged spermatocytes cause asynapsis between homologous chromosomes and are eliminated by apoptosis at the meiotic checkpoint. At 37 °C, some spermatocytes survive to the late pachytene stage, retaining high levels of unrepaired DSBs but do not complete meiosis with compromised crossover formation. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms and significance of heat vulnerability in mammalian spermatogenesis.
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Nogueira E, Tirpák F, Hamilton LE, Zigo M, Kerns K, Sutovsky M, Kim J, Volkmann D, Jovine L, Taylor JF, Schnabel RD, Sutovsky P. A Non-Synonymous Point Mutation in a WD-40 Domain Repeat of EML5 Leads to Decreased Bovine Sperm Quality and Fertility. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:872740. [PMID: 35478957 PMCID: PMC9037033 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.872740] [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] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
This study is part of a concerted effort to identify and phenotype rare, deleterious mutations that adversely affect sperm quality, or convey high developmental and fertility potential to embryos and ensuing progeny. A rare, homozygous mutation in EML5 (EML5R1654W), which encodes a microtubule-associated protein with high expression in testis and brain was identified in an Angus bull used extensively in artificial insemination (AI) for its outstanding progeny production traits. The bull’s fertility was low in cross-breeding timed AI (TAI) (Pregnancy/TAI = 25.2%; n = 222) and, in general, AI breeding to Nellore cows (41%; n = 822). A search of the 1,000 Bull Genomes Run9 database revealed an additional 74 heterozygous animals and 8 homozygous animals harboring this exact mutation across several different breeds (0.7% frequency within the 6,191 sequenced animals). Phenotypically, spermatozoa from the homozygous Angus bull displayed prominent piriform and tapered heads, and outwardly protruding knobbed acrosomes. Additionally, an increased retention of EML5 was also observed in the sperm head of both homozygous and heterozygous Angus bulls compared to wild-type animals. This non-synonymous point mutation is located within a WD40 signaling domain repeat of EML5 and is predicted to be detrimental to overall protein function by genomic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis and protein modeling. Future work will examine how this rare mutation affects field AI fertility and will characterize the role of EML5 in spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eriklis Nogueira
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Embrapa Pantanal, Corumbá, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Veterinárias, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso do Sul, Campo Grande, Brazil
| | - Filip Tirpák
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture, Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Lauren E Hamilton
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Michal Zigo
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Karl Kerns
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Miriam Sutovsky
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - JaeWoo Kim
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Dietrich Volkmann
- Theriogenology Laboratory, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Luca Jovine
- Department of Biosciences and Nutrition, Karolinska Institutet, Huddinge, Sweden
| | - Jeremy F Taylor
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Robert D Schnabel
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Genetics Area Program, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Peter Sutovsky
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States.,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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6
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Abstract
Cryptorchidism is one of the most common abnormalities of male sexual development, and is characterized by the failure of the testis to descend into the scrotum. Despite extensive studies of cryptorchidism over the past century, the mechanisms for temperature-induced germ-cell loss are not well understood. All of the main cell types in the testis are believed to be affected by the elevated testis temperature induced by cryptorchidism. The cooler temperature in the special environment of the scrotum is required for maintaining optional conditions for normal spermatogenesis. Many studies reported that experimentally induced cryptorchidism caused germ cell apoptosis and suppressed spermatogenesis. However, other factors including hormones must also be examined for cryptorchidism. To explore the mechanism for cryptorchidism, in vitro cultures of testes have been used, but complete spermatogenesis using in vitro methods was not accomplished until 2011. In 2011, Sato et al. (Nature, 471, 504-507) reported the in vitro production of functional sperm in cultured neonatal mouse testes. Using this in vitro system, for the first time, we report that spermatogenesis was abrogated at 37 °C, in accordance with in vivo surgery-mediated cryptorchidism, while spermatogenesis proceeded at 34 °C in cultured testes. This result clearly showed that temperature is the sole determinant of cryptorchidism. Moreover, we found that spermatogenesis was arrested before early spermatocytes at 37 °C. In conclusion, using our in vitro system, we have demonstrated that (1) temperature is the determining factor for cryptorchidism, and (2) higher temperature (37 °C) suppresses DNA synthesis in spermatogenesis.
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7
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Fukunaga H, Yokoya A, Prise KM. A Brief Overview of Radiation-Induced Effects on Spermatogenesis and Oncofertility. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14030805. [PMID: 35159072 PMCID: PMC8834293 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14030805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Spermatogenesis is one of the most important processes for the propagation of life; however, the testes’ ability to form sperm via this differentiation process is highly radiosensitive and easily impacted by exposure to environmental, occupational, or therapeutic radiation. Furthermore, the possibility that radiation effects on the gonads can be passed on from generation to generation should not be overlooked. This review focuses on the radiation-induced effects on spermatogenesis and the transgenerational effects. We also explore the potential of novel radiobiological approaches to improve male fertility preservation during radiotherapy. Abstract The genotoxicity of radiation on germ cells may be passed on to the next generation, thus its elucidation is not only a scientific issue but also an ethical, legal, and social issue in modern society. In this article, we briefly overview the effects of radiation on spermatogenesis and its associated genotoxicity, including the latest findings in the field of radiobiology. The potential role of transgenerational effects is still poorly understood, and further research in this area is desirable. Furthermore, from the perspective of oncofertility, we discuss the historical background and clinical importance of preserving male fertility during radiation treatment and the potential of microbeam radiotherapy. We hope that this review will contribute to stimulating further discussions and investigations for therapies for pediatric and adolescent/young adult patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisanori Fukunaga
- Center for Environmental and Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo 060-0812, Japan
- Correspondence:
| | - Akinari Yokoya
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum Science and Technology, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan;
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Ibaraki University, Ibaraki 310-8512, Japan
| | - Kevin M. Prise
- Patrick G Johnstone Centre for Cancer Research, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, UK;
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Higuch K, Matsumura T, Akiyama H, Kanai Y, Ogawa T, Sato T. Sertoli cell replacement in explanted mouse testis tissue supporting host spermatogenesis. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:934-943. [PMID: 34057178 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab104] [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: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Spermatogenesis takes place in the seminiferous tubules, starting from the spermatogonial stem cell and maturing into sperm through multiple stages of cell differentiation. Sertoli cells, the main somatic cell constituting the seminiferous tubule, are in close contact with every germ cell and play pivotal roles in the progression of spermatogenesis. In this study, we developed an in vitro Sertoli cell replacement method by combining an organ culture technique and a toxin receptor-mediated cell knockout (Treck) system. We used Amh- diphtheria toxin receptor (DTR) transgenic mice, whose Sertoli cells specifically express human DTR, which renders them sensitive to diphtheria toxin (DT). An immature Amh-DTR testis was transplanted with donor testis cells followed by culturing in a medium containing DT. This procedure successfully replaced the original Sertoli cells with the transplanted Sertoli cells, and spermatogenesis originating from resident germ cells was confirmed. In addition, Sertoli cells in the mouse testis tissues were replaced by transplanted rat Sertoli cells within culture conditions, without requiring immunosuppressive treatments. This method works as a functional assay system, making it possible to evaluate any cells that might function as Sertoli cells. It would also be possible to investigate interactions between Sertoli and germ cells more closely, providing a new platform for the study of spermatogenesis and its impairments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazusa Higuch
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Haruhiko Akiyama
- Department of Orthopedics, Gifu University School of Medicine, Gifu, Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Yayoi 1-1-1, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan.,Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Laboratory of Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
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Fukunaga H, Kaminaga K, Sato T, Butterworth KT, Watanabe R, Usami N, Ogawa T, Yokoya A, Prise KM. Spatially Fractionated Microbeam Analysis of Tissue-sparing Effect for Spermatogenesis. Radiat Res 2021; 194:698-706. [PMID: 33348374 DOI: 10.1667/rade-19-00018.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Spatially fractionated radiation therapy (SFRT) has been based on the delivery of a single high-dose fraction to a large treatment area that has been divided into several smaller fields, reducing the overall toxicity and adverse effects. Complementary microbeam studies have also shown an effective tissue-sparing effect (TSE) in various tissue types and species after spatially fractionated irradiation at the microscale level; however, the underlying biological mechanism remains elusive. In the current study, using the combination of an ex vivo mouse spermatogenesis model and high-precision X-ray microbeams, we revealed the significant TSE for maintaining spermatogenesis after spatially fractionated microbeam irradiation. We used the following ratios of the irradiated to nonirradiated areas: 50:50, 150:50 and 350:50 µm-slit, where approximately 50, 75 and 87.5% of the sample was irradiated (using center-to-center distances of 100, 200 and 400 µm, respectively). We found that the 50 and 75% micro-slit irradiated testicular tissues showed an almost unadulterated TSE for spermatogenesis, whereas the 87.5% micro-slit irradiated tissues showed an incomplete TSE. This suggests that the TSE efficiency for spermatogenesis is dependent on the size of the nonirradiated spermatogonial stem cell pool in the irradiated testicular tissues. In addition, there would be a spatiotemporal limitation of stem cell migration/competition, resulting in the insufficient TSE for 87.5% micro-slit irradiated tissues. These stem cell characteristics are essential for the accurate prediction of tissue-level responses during or after SFRT, indicating the clinical potential for achieving better outcomes while preventing adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisanori Fukunaga
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom.,Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, Kamakura 247-8533, Japan
| | - Kiichi Kaminaga
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Tokai 319-1106, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Karl T Butterworth
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom
| | - Ritsuko Watanabe
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Tokai 319-1106, Japan
| | - Noriko Usami
- Photon Factory, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, Tsukuba 305-0801, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Akinari Yokoya
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), Tokai 319-1106, Japan
| | - Kevin M Prise
- Patrick G. Johnston Centre for Cancer Research, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom
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10
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Venditti M, Donizetti A, Aniello F, Minucci S. EH domain binding protein 1-like 1 (EHBP1L1), a protein with calponin homology domain, is expressed in the rat testis. ZYGOTE 2020; 28:441-446. [PMID: 32795384 DOI: 10.1017/s0967199420000301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, with the aim to find new genes involved in mammalian spermatogenesis, we isolated, for the first time in the rat testis, a partial cDNA clone that encoded EH domain binding protein 1-like 1 (Ehbp1l1), a protein that has a single calponin homology domain (CH). Bioinformatic analysis showed that EHBP1l1 contains three domains: the N-terminal C2-like, the CH and the C-terminal bivalent Mical/EHBP Rab binding (bMERB) domains, which are evolutionarily conserved in vertebrates. We found that Ehbp1l1 mRNA was expressed in several rat tissues, including the liver, intestine, kidney and also in the testis during its development, with a higher level in testis from 12-month-old animals. Interestingly, in situ hybridization experiments revealed that Ehbp1l1 is specifically expressed by types I and II spermatocytes, this result was validated by RT-PCR performed on total RNA obtained from enriched fractions of different testicular cell types. As EHBP1l1 has been described as linked to vesicular transport to the actin cytoskeleton and as an effector of the small GTPase Rab8, we hypothesized that it could participate both in cytoskeletal remodelling and in the regulation of vesicle sorting from the trans-Golgi network to the apical plasma membrane. Our findings provide a better understand of the molecular mechanisms of the differentiation process of spermatogenesis; Ehbp1l1 may also be used as a new marker of testicular activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate 'F. Bottazzi', Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' via Costantinopoli, 16-80138 - Napoli, Italy
| | - Aldo Donizetti
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli 'Federico II, via Cinthia', 21-80126 - Napoli, Italy
| | - Francesco Aniello
- Dipartimento di Biologia, Università di Napoli 'Federico II, via Cinthia', 21-80126 - Napoli, Italy
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate 'F. Bottazzi', Università degli Studi della Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli' via Costantinopoli, 16-80138 - Napoli, Italy
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11
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Abe T, Nishimura H, Sato T, Suzuki H, Ogawa T, Suzuki T. Transcriptome analysis reveals inadequate spermatogenesis and immediate radical immune reactions during organ culture in vitro spermatogenesis. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 530:732-738. [PMID: 32782148 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.06.161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/30/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Cultivation of neonatal mouse testis tissue can induce spermatogenesis and produce fertile sperms. However, in vitro spermatogenesis mediated by the current organ culture method comes short in fully mimicking the in vivo counterpart, partly due to a lack of knowledge underlying molecular phenotypes of in vitro spermatogenesis. In this study, we investigated transcriptome of cultured testis tissues using microarray method. Principle component analysis of the transcriptome data revealed delay and/or arrest of spermatogenesis and immediate radical immune reactions in the cultured testis tissues. The delay/arrest of spermatogenesis occurred before and during early meiotic phase, resulting in inefficient progression of meiosis. The immune reaction, on the other hand, was drastic and overwhelming, in which TLR4-NF-kB signaling was speculated to be involved. Notably, treatment with TAK242, an inhibitor of TLR4-NF-kB signaling pathway, ameliorated the macrophage activation which otherwise would exacerbate the inflammation. Thus, the present study revealed for the first time at molecular level that the deficiency of germ cell differentiation and the immense immune reaction are major abnormalities in the cultured testis tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeru Abe
- Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; Laboratory for Cellular Function Conversion Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hajime Nishimura
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Conversion Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Harukazu Suzuki
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Conversion Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Biopharmaceutical and Regenerative Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
| | - Takahiro Suzuki
- Laboratory for Cellular Function Conversion Technology, RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan; Functional Genomics, Graduate School of Medical Life Science, Yokohama City University, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan.
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12
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The Tissue-Sparing Effect of Spatially Fractionated X-rays for Maintaining Spermatogenesis: A Radiobiological Approach for the Preservation of Male Fertility after Radiotherapy. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9041089. [PMID: 32290436 PMCID: PMC7231089 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9041089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2020] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Radiotherapy can result in temporary or permanent gonadal toxicity in male cancer patients despite the high precision and accuracy of modern radiation treatment techniques. Previous radiobiological studies have shown an effective tissue-sparing response in various tissue types and species following exposure to spatially fractionated radiation. In the present study, we used an ex vivo mouse testicular tissue culture model and a conventional X-ray irradiation device to evaluate the tissue-sparing effect (TSE) of spatially fractionated X-rays for the protection of male fertility from radiotherapy-related adverse effects. We revealed a significant TSE for maintaining spermatogenesis in the ex vivo testes model following spatially fractionated X-ray irradiation. Moreover, we experimentally propose a possible mechanism by which the migration of spermatogonial cells, from the non-irradiated areas to the irradiated ones, in irradiated testicular tissue, is essential for the TSE and maintaining spermatogenesis. Therefore, our findings demonstrate that the control of TSE following spatially fractionated X-rays in the testes has a considerable potential for clinical application. Interdisciplinary research will be essential for further expanding the applicability of this method as an approach for the preservation of male fertility during or after radiotherapy.
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13
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Fukunaga H, Kaminaga K, Sato T, Butterworth KT, Watanabe R, Usami N, Ogawa T, Yokoya A, Prise KM. High-precision microbeam radiotherapy reveals testicular tissue-sparing effects for male fertility preservation. Sci Rep 2019; 9:12618. [PMID: 31575926 PMCID: PMC6773706 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-48772-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Microbeam radiotherapy (MRT) is based on a spatial fractionation of synchrotron X-ray microbeams at the microscale level. Although the tissue-sparing effect (TSE) in response to non-uniform radiation fields was recognized more than one century ago, the TSE of MRT in the testes and its clinical importance for preventing male fertility remain to be determined. In this study, using the combination of MRT techniques and a unique ex vivo testes organ culture, we show, for the first time, the MRT-mediated TSE for the preservation of spermatogenesis. Furthermore, our high-precision microbeam analysis revealed that the survival and potential migration steps of the non-irradiated germ stem cells in the irradiated testes tissue would be needed for the effective TSE for spermatogenesis. Our findings indicated the distribution of dose irradiated in the testes at the microscale level is of clinical importance for delivering high doses of radiation to the tumor, while still preserving male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hisanori Fukunaga
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK.,Shonan Kamakura General Hospital, 1370-1 Okamoto, Kamakura, Kanagawa, 247-8533, Japan
| | - Kiichi Kaminaga
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 2-4 Shirakata-Shirane, Tokai, Ibaraki, 319-1195, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Karl T Butterworth
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK
| | - Ritsuko Watanabe
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 2-4 Shirakata-Shirane, Tokai, Ibaraki, 319-1195, Japan
| | - Noriko Usami
- Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-0801, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, 236-0004, Japan
| | - Akinari Yokoya
- Institute for Quantum Life Science, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 2-4 Shirakata-Shirane, Tokai, Ibaraki, 319-1195, Japan.
| | - Kevin M Prise
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast, BT9 7AE, UK.
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Mohammadzadeh E, Mirzapour T, Nowroozi MR, Nazarian H, Piryaei A, Alipour F, Modarres Mousavi SM, Ghaffari Novin M. Differentiation of spermatogonial stem cells by soft agar three-dimensional culture system. ARTIFICIAL CELLS NANOMEDICINE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY 2019; 47:1772-1781. [DOI: 10.1080/21691401.2019.1575230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elham Mohammadzadeh
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tooba Mirzapour
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Guilan, Iran
| | | | - Hamid Nazarian
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Piryaei
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Urogenital Stem Cell Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Alipour
- Shefa Neuroscience Research Center, Khatam Alanbia Hospital, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Marefat Ghaffari Novin
- Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Fukunaga H, Kaminaga K, Sato T, Usami N, Watanabe R, Butterworth KT, Ogawa T, Yokoya A, Prise KM. Application of anEx VivoTissue Model to Investigate Radiobiological Effects on Spermatogenesis. Radiat Res 2018; 189:661-667. [DOI: 10.1667/rr14957.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hisanori Fukunaga
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom
- Tokai Quantum Beam Science Center, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
| | - Kiichi Kaminaga
- Tokai Quantum Beam Science Center, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Ibaraki University, 2-1-1 Bunkyo, Mito, Ibaraki 310-8512, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Noriko Usami
- Photon Factory, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization, 1-1 Oho, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0801, Japan
| | - Ritsuko Watanabe
- Tokai Quantum Beam Science Center, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
| | - Karl T. Butterworth
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, 3-9 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, Japan
| | - Akinari Yokoya
- Tokai Quantum Beam Science Center, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, 2-4 Shirakata, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1106, Japan
- Graduate School of Science and Technology, Ibaraki University, 2-1-1 Bunkyo, Mito, Ibaraki 310-8512, Japan
| | - Kevin M. Prise
- Centre for Cancer Research and Cell Biology, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7AE, United Kingdom
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Wei YL, Yang WX. The acroframosome-acroplaxome-manchette axis may function in sperm head shaping and male fertility. Gene 2018; 660:28-40. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.03.059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2018] [Revised: 03/09/2018] [Accepted: 03/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
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17
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Stage-specific expression of DDX4 and c-kit at different developmental stages of the porcine testis. Anim Reprod Sci 2018; 190:18-26. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anireprosci.2017.12.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 11/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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18
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Li Q, Yang H, He L, Wang Q. Characterization of the Es -DDX52 involved in the spermatogonial mitosis and spermatid differentiation in Chinese mitten crab ( Eriocheir sinensis ). Gene 2018; 646:106-119. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2017.12.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Revised: 12/14/2017] [Accepted: 12/20/2017] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Pumpless microfluidic system driven by hydrostatic pressure induces and maintains mouse spermatogenesis in vitro. Sci Rep 2017; 7:15459. [PMID: 29133858 PMCID: PMC5684205 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-15799-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional aggregation and organ culture methods are critical for recreating in vivo cellular phenomena outside the body. Previously, we used the conventional gas liquid interphase organ culture method to induce complete mouse spermatogenesis. After incorporating microfluidic systems, we achieved a significant increase in efficiency and duration of spermatogenesis. One of the major drawbacks preventing the popularization of microfluidics, however, is the use of a power-pump to generate medium flow. In this study, we produced a pumpless microfluidic device using hydrostatic pressure and a resistance circuit to facilitate slow, longer lasting medium flow. During three months of culture, results in induction and maintenance of spermatogenesis showed no difference between pumpless and pump-driven devices. Correspondingly, the spermatogonial population was favorably maintained in the pumpless device compared to the conventional method. These results show the advantage of using microfluidic systems for organ culture experiments. Our pumpless device could be applied to a variety of other tissues and organs, and may revolutionize organ culture methods as a whole.
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Reda A, Hou M, Winton TR, Chapin RE, Söder O, Stukenborg JB. In vitro differentiation of rat spermatogonia into round spermatids in tissue culture. Mol Hum Reprod 2016; 22:601-12. [PMID: 27430551 PMCID: PMC5013872 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaw047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2016] [Accepted: 07/08/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION Do the organ culture conditions, previously defined for in vitro murine male germ cell differentiation, also result in differentiation of rat spermatogonia into post-meiotic germ cells exhibiting specific markers for haploid germ cells? SUMMARY ANSWER We demonstrated the differentiation of rat spermatogonia into post-meiotic cells in vitro, with emphasis on exhibiting, protein markers described for round spermatids. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Full spermatogenesis in vitro from immature germ cells using an organ culture technique in mice was first reported 5 years ago. However, no studies reporting the differentiation of rat spermatogonia into post-meiotic germ cells exhibiting the characteristic protein expression profile or into functional sperm have been reported. STUDY DESIGN, SAMPLES/MATERIALS, METHODS Organ culture of testicular fragments of 5 days postpartum (dpp) neonatal rats was performed for up to 52 days. Evaluation of microscopic morphology, testosterone levels, mRNA and protein expression as measured by RT-qPCR and immunostaining were conducted to monitor germ cell differentiation in vitro. Potential effects of melatonin, Glutamax® medium, retinoic acid and the presence of epidydimal fat tissue on the spermatogenic process were evaluated. A minimum of three biological replicates were performed for all experiments presented in this study. One-way ANOVA, ANOVA on ranks and student's t-test were applied to perform the statistical analysis. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE Male germ cells, present in testicular tissue pieces grown from 5 dpp rats, exhibited positive protein expression for Acrosin and Crem (cAMP (cyclic adenosine mono phosphate) response element modulator) after 52 days of culture in vitro. Intra-testicular testosterone production could be observed after 3 days of culture, while when epididymal fat tissue was added, spontaneous contractility of cultured seminiferous tubules could be observed after 21 days. However, no supportive effect of the supplementation with any factor or the co-culturing with epididymal fat tissue on germ cell differentiation in vitro or testosterone production was observed. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION The human testis is very different in physiology from the rat testis, further investigations are still needed to optimize the organ culture system for future use in humans. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The successful differentiation of undifferentiated spermatogonia using the testis explant culture system might be employed in future to produce sperm from human spermatogonia as a clinical tool for fertility preservation in boys and men suffering infertility. LARGE SCALE DATA None. STUDY FUNDING AND COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was supported financially by the Frimurare Barnhuset in Stockholm, the Paediatric Research Foundation, Jeanssons Foundation, Sällskåpet Barnåvard in Stockholm, Swedish Research Council/Academy of Finland, Emil and Wera Cornells Foundation, Samariten Foundation, the Swedish Childhood Cancer Foundation as well as through the regional agreement on medical training and clinical research (ALF) between Stockholm County Council and Karolinska Institutet. All authors declare no conflicts of interests.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Reda
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit; Q2:08; Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - M Hou
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit; Q2:08; Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - T R Winton
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Drug Safety R&D, MS-8274-1336 , Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - R E Chapin
- Pfizer Worldwide R&D, Drug Safety R&D, MS-8274-1336 , Groton, CT 06340, USA
| | - O Söder
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit; Q2:08; Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - J-B Stukenborg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Pediatric Endocrinology Unit; Q2:08; Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, SE-17176 Stockholm, Sweden
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Komeya M, Kimura H, Nakamura H, Yokonishi T, Sato T, Kojima K, Hayashi K, Katagiri K, Yamanaka H, Sanjo H, Yao M, Kamimura S, Inoue K, Ogonuki N, Ogura A, Fujii T, Ogawa T. Long-term ex vivo maintenance of testis tissues producing fertile sperm in a microfluidic device. Sci Rep 2016; 6:21472. [PMID: 26892171 PMCID: PMC4759809 DOI: 10.1038/srep21472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2015] [Accepted: 01/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
In contrast to cell cultures, particularly to cell lines, tissues or organs removed from the body cannot be maintained for long in any culture conditions. Although it is apparent that in vivo regional homeostasis is facilitated by the microvascular system, mimicking such a system ex vivo is difficult and has not been proved effective. Using the culture system of mouse spermatogenesis, we addressed this issue and devised a simple microfluidic device in which a porous membrane separates a tissue from the flowing medium, conceptually imitating the in vivo relationship between the microvascular flow and surrounding tissue. Testis tissues cultured in this device successfully maintained spermatogenesis for 6 months. The produced sperm were functional to generate healthy offspring with micro-insemination. In addition, the tissue kept producing testosterone and responded to stimulation by luteinizing hormone. These data suggest that the microfluidic device successfully created in vivo-like conditions, in which testis tissue maintained its physiologic functions and homeostasis. The present model of the device, therefore, would provide a valuable foundation of future improvement of culture conditions for various tissues and organs, and revolutionize the organ culture method as a whole.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitsuru Komeya
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kimura
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
| | - Hiroko Nakamura
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tokai University, Hiratsuka, Kanagawa 259-1292, Japan
| | - Tetsuhiro Yokonishi
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | - Takuya Sato
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Kojima
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Hayashi
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | - Kumiko Katagiri
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamanaka
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Sanjo
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yao
- Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
| | | | - Kimiko Inoue
- RIKEN, Bioresource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Narumi Ogonuki
- RIKEN, Bioresource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Atsuo Ogura
- RIKEN, Bioresource Center, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-0074, Japan
| | - Teruo Fujii
- Institute of Industrial Science, University of Tokyo, Komaba, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
- Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Kanagawa 236-0004, Japan
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22
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Sato T, Katagiri K, Kojima K, Komeya M, Yao M, Ogawa T. In Vitro Spermatogenesis in Explanted Adult Mouse Testis Tissues. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0130171. [PMID: 26065832 PMCID: PMC4467084 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0130171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Research on in vitro spermatogenesis is important for elucidating the spermatogenic mechanism. We previously developed an organ culture method which can support spermatogenesis from spermatogonial stem cells up to sperm formation using immature mouse testis tissues. In this study, we examined whether it is also applicable to mature testis tissues of adult mice. We used two lines of transgenic mice, Acrosin-GFP and Gsg2-GFP, which carry the marker GFP gene specific for meiotic and haploid cells, respectively. Testis tissue fragments of adult GFP mice, aged from 4 to 29 weeks old, which express GFP at full extension, were cultured in medium supplemented with 10% KSR or AlbuMAX. GFP expression decreased rapidly and became the lowest at 7 to 14 days of culture, but then slightly increased during the following culture period. This increase reflected de novo spermatogenesis, confirmed by BrdU labeling in spermatocytes and spermatids. We also used vitamin A-deficient mice, whose testes contain only spermatogonia. The testes of those mice at 13-21 weeks old, showing no GFP expression at explantation, gained GFP expression during culturing, and spermatogenesis was confirmed histologically. In addition, the adult testis tissues of Sl/Sld mutant mice, which lack spermatogenesis due to Kit ligand mutation, were cultured with recombinant Kit ligand to induce spermatogenesis up to haploid formation. Although the efficiency of spermatogenesis was lower than that of pup, present results showed that the organ culture method is effective for the culturing of mature adult mouse testis tissue, demonstrated by the induction of spermatogenesis from spermatogonia to haploid cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takuya Sato
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kumiko Katagiri
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Kojima
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Komeya
- Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Masahiro Yao
- Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
| | - Takehiko Ogawa
- Laboratory of Proteomics, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Life Science, Yokohama City University Association of Medical Science, Yokohama, Japan; Department of Urology, Yokohama City University Graduate School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan
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O'Donnell L. Mechanisms of spermiogenesis and spermiation and how they are disturbed. SPERMATOGENESIS 2015; 4:e979623. [PMID: 26413397 DOI: 10.4161/21565562.2014.979623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 151] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2014] [Accepted: 10/16/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Haploid round spermatids undergo a remarkable transformation during spermiogenesis. The nucleus polarizes to one side of the cell as the nucleus condenses and elongates, and the microtubule-based manchette sculpts the nucleus into its species-specific head shape. The assembly of the central component of the sperm flagellum, known as the axoneme, begins early in spermiogenesis, and is followed by the assembly of secondary structures needed for normal flagella. The final remodelling of the mature elongated spermatid occurs during spermiation, when the spermatids line up along the luminal edge, shed their residual cytoplasm and are ultimately released into the lumen. Defects in spermiogenesis and spermiation are manifested as low sperm number, abnormal sperm morphology and poor motility and are commonly observed during reproductive toxicant administration, as well as in genetically modified mouse models of male infertility. This chapter summarizes the major physiological processes and the most commonly observed defects in spermiogenesis and spermiation, to aid in the diagnosis of the potential mechanisms that could be perturbed by experimental manipulation such as reproductive toxicant administration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza O'Donnell
- MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research ; Clayton, Victoria, Australia ; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology; Monash University ; Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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24
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Offspring production with sperm grown in vitro from cryopreserved testis tissues. Nat Commun 2014; 5:4320. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms5320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2014] [Accepted: 06/05/2014] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
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25
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O'Donnell L, O'Bryan MK. Microtubules and spermatogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014; 30:45-54. [PMID: 24440897 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2013] [Revised: 01/04/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Microtubules are dynamic polymers of tubulin subunits that underpin many essential cellular processes, such as cell division and migration. Spermatogenesis is the process by which spermatogenic stem cells undergo mitotic and meiotic division and differentiation to produce streamlined spermatozoa capable of motility and fertilization. This review summarizes the current knowledge of microtubule-based processes in spermatogenesis. We describe the involvement of microtubule dynamics in Sertoli cell shape and function, as well as in the mitotic and meiotic division of germ cells. The roles of microtubules in sperm head shaping, via the development and function of the manchette, and in sperm flagella development are also discussed. The review brings together data from microscopy studies and genetically modified mouse models, and reveals that the regulation of microtubule dynamics is essential for male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liza O'Donnell
- MIMR-PHI Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia; Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia.
| | - Moira K O'Bryan
- Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Monash University, Victoria 3800, Australia
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Kleene KC. Connecting cis-elements and trans-factors with mechanisms of developmental regulation of mRNA translation in meiotic and haploid mammalian spermatogenic cells. Reproduction 2013; 146:R1-19. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-12-0362] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
mRNA-specific regulation of translational activity plays major roles in directing the development of meiotic and haploid spermatogenic cells in mammals. Although many RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) have been implicated in normal translational control and sperm development, little is known about the keystone of the mechanisms: the interactions of RBPs and microRNAs withcis-elements in mRNA targets. The problems in connecting factors and elements with translational control originate in the enormous complexity of post-transcriptional regulation in mammalian cells. This creates confusion as to whether factors have direct or indirect and large or small effects on the translation of specific mRNAs. This review argues that gene knockouts, heterologous systems, and overexpression of factors cannot provide convincing answers to these questions. As a result, the mechanisms involving well-studied mRNAs (Ddx4/Mvh,Prm1,Prm2, andSycp3) and factors (DICER1, CPEB1, DAZL, DDX4/MVH, DDX25/GRTH, translin, and ELAV1/HuR) are incompletely understood. By comparison, mutations in elements can be used to define the importance of specific pathways in regulating individual mRNAs. However, few elements have been studied, because the only reliable system to analyze mutations in elements, transgenic mice, is considered impractical. This review describes advances that may facilitate identification of the direct targets of RBPs and analysis of mutations incis-elements. The importance of upstream reading frames in the developmental regulation of mRNA translation in spermatogenic cells is also documented.
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Yokonishi T, Sato T, Katagiri K, Komeya M, Kubota Y, Ogawa T. In Vitro Reconstruction of Mouse Seminiferous Tubules Supporting Germ Cell Differentiation. Biol Reprod 2013; 89:15. [PMID: 23759307 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.113.108613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
It is known that cells of testis tissues in fetal or neonatal periods have the ability to reconstruct the testicular architecture even after dissociation into single cells. This ability, however, has not been demonstrated effectively in vitro. In our present study, we succeeded in reconstructing seminiferous tubules in vitro which supported spermatogenesis to meiotic phase. Testis cells of neonatal mice were dissociated enzymatically into single cells. The cells formed aggregates in suspension culture and were transferred to the surface of agarose gel to continue the culture with a gas-liquid interphase method, where a tubular architecture gradually developed during the following 2 weeks. Immunohistological examination confirmed Sertoli cells forming tubules and germ cells inside. With testis tissues of Acr-GFP transgenic mice, whose germ cells express GFP during meiosis, cell aggregates formed a tubular structure and showed GFP expressions in their reconstructed tissues. Meiotic figures were also confirmed by regular histology and immunohistochemistry. In addition, we mixed cell lines of spermagonial stem cells (GS cells) into the testis cell suspension, and found the incorporation of GS cells in the tubules in reconstructed tissues. When GS cells derived from Acr-GFP transgenic mice were used, GFP expression was observed, indicating that the spermatogenesis of GS cells was proceeding up to the meiotic phase. This in vitro reconstruction technique will be a useful method for the study of testis organogenesis and spermatogenesis.
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Sato T, Katagiri K, Yokonishi T, Kubota Y, Inoue K, Ogonuki N, Matoba S, Ogura A, Ogawa T. In vitro production of fertile sperm from murine spermatogonial stem cell lines. Nat Commun 2011; 2:472. [DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 165] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2011] [Accepted: 08/15/2011] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
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In vitro production of functional sperm in cultured neonatal mouse testes. Nature 2011; 471:504-7. [PMID: 21430778 DOI: 10.1038/nature09850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 498] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2010] [Accepted: 01/17/2011] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is one of the most complex and longest processes of sequential cell proliferation and differentiation in the body, taking more than a month from spermatogonial stem cells, through meiosis, to sperm formation. The whole process, therefore, has never been reproduced in vitro in mammals, nor in any other species with a very few exceptions in some particular types of fish. Here we show that neonatal mouse testes which contain only gonocytes or primitive spermatogonia as germ cells can produce spermatids and sperm in vitro with serum-free culture media. Spermatogenesis was maintained over 2 months in tissue fragments positioned at the gas-liquid interphase. The obtained spermatids and sperm resulted in healthy and reproductively competent offspring through microinsemination. In addition, neonatal testis tissues were cryopreserved and, after thawing, showed complete spermatogenesis in vitro. Our organ culture method could be applicable through further refinements to a variety of mammalian species, which will serve as a platform for future clinical application as well as mechanistic understanding of spermatogenesis.
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Gohbara A, Katagiri K, Sato T, Kubota Y, Kagechika H, Araki Y, Araki Y, Ogawa T. In Vitro Murine Spermatogenesis in an Organ Culture System1. Biol Reprod 2010; 83:261-7. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.110.083899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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Valbuena G, Hernández F, Madrid JF, Sáez FJ. Acrosome biosynthesis in spermatocytes and spermatids revealed by HPA lectin cytochemistry. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2008; 291:1097-105. [PMID: 18521902 DOI: 10.1002/ar.20721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The origin of the acrosome is controversial, because of both its lysosomal nature and at the moment of its appearance, which seems to be species-specific. Considering the amazing organization shown by the acrosome of some urodele amphibians, HPA-colloidal gold cytochemistry was used to analyze the biogenesis of the acrosome in the urodele Pleurodeles waltl at electron microscopy level. The results showed that HPA-labeling is useful to label the acrosome and its precursor vesicles and, consequently, HPA-histochemistry could be used as a marker of acrosomal content. Labeling of the Golgi apparatus and precursor vesicles was seen in primary spermatocytes and round (stage I) spermatids, thus contributing solid evidence for the beginning of acrosome biogenesis before meiosis. In both primary spermatocytes and round spermatids, an enigmatic vesicle, probably related to the biosynthesis of the neck piece or the tail, was also labeled. Labeling in elongating spermatids (stage II-IV), showed a homogeneous distribution of colloidal gold particles in the acrosomal cap, but the perforatorium was not positive to the lectin. However, in mature (stage V-VI) spermatids, a regional distribution of labeling in the acrosome was seen, with the apical knob showing a stronger labeling than the lateral barb, and the lateral barb showing a stronger labeling than the principal piece of the acrosomal cap. This regional distribution of the labeling suggests that the acrosome develops several domains with different glycoconjugate compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galder Valbuena
- University of the Basque Country, Department of Cell Biology and Histology, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Leioa (Vizcaya), Spain
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West JA, Park IH, Daley GQ, Geijsen N. In vitro generation of germ cells from murine embryonic stem cells. Nat Protoc 2006; 1:2026-36. [PMID: 17487192 DOI: 10.1038/nprot.2006.303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 70] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
The demonstration of germ cell and haploid gamete development from embryonic stem cells (ESCs) in vitro has engendered a unique set of possibilities for the study of germ cell development and the associated epigenetic phenomenon. The process of embryoid body (EB) differentiation, like teratoma formation, signifies a spontaneous differentiation of ESCs into cells of all three germ layers, and it is from these differentiating aggregates of cells that putative primordial germ cells (PGCs) and more mature gametes can be identified and isolated. The differentiation system presented here requires the differentiation of murine ESCs into EBs and the subsequent isolation of PGCs as well as haploid male gametes from EBs at various stages of differentiation. It serves as a platform for studying the poorly understood process of germ cell allocation, imprint erasure and gamete formation, with 4-6 weeks being required to isolate PGCs as well as haploid cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason A West
- Graduate Program of Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Huang WP, Ho HC. Role of microtubule-dependent membrane trafficking in acrosomal biogenesis. Cell Tissue Res 2005; 323:495-503. [PMID: 16341711 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-005-0097-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2005] [Accepted: 10/05/2005] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
The role of microtubule-based trafficking in acrosomal biogenesis was examined by studying the effects of colchicine on spermiogenesis. In electron micrographs of untreated cap-phase mouse spermatids, coated vesicles were always seen on the apex and caudal margins of the developing acrosomal cap. The increase in volume and the accumulation of materials in the acrosome during the Golgi and cap phases were observed to occur via fusion of vesicles at various sites on the growing acrosome. By studying the acid phosphatase localization pattern and colchicine-treated spermatids, the role of clathrin-coated vesicles became clear. Coated vesicle formation at the caudal margin of the acrosome appeared to be responsible for the spreading and shaping of the acrosome over the surface of the nucleus and also established distinct regional differences in the acrosome. In colchicine-treated spermatids, the Golgi apparatus lost its typical membranous stack conformation and disintegrated into many small vesicles. Acrosome formation was retarded, and there was discordance of the spread of the acrosomal cap with that of the modified nuclear envelope. Many symplasts were also found because of the breakdown of intercellular bridges. Colchicine treatment thus indicated that microtubule-dependent trafficking of transport vesicles between the Golgi apparatus and the acrosome plays a vital role in acrosomal biogenesis. In addition, both anterograde and retrograde vesicle trafficking are extensively involved and seem to be equally important in acrosome formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Pang Huang
- Department of Life Science, Institute of Zoology, National Taiwan University, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
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Ventelä S, Toppari J, Parvinen M. Intercellular organelle traffic through cytoplasmic bridges in early spermatids of the rat: mechanisms of haploid gene product sharing. Mol Biol Cell 2003; 14:2768-80. [PMID: 12857863 PMCID: PMC165675 DOI: 10.1091/mbc.e02-10-0647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 163] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Stable cytoplasmic bridges (or ring canals) connecting the clone of spermatids are assumed to facilitate the sharing of haploid gene products and synchronous development of the cells. We have visualized these cytoplasmic bridges under phase-contrast optics and recorded the sharing of cytoplasmic material between the spermatids by a digital time-lapse imaging system ex vivo. A multitude of small (ca. 0.5 microm) granules were seen to move continuously over the bridges, but only 28% of those entering the bridge were actually transported into other cell. The average speed of the granules decreased significantly during the passage. Immunocytochemistry revealed that some of the shared granules contained haploid cell-specific gene product TRA54. We also demonstrate the novel function for the Golgi complex in acrosome system formation by showing that TRA54 is processed in Golgi complex and is transported into acrosome system of neighboring spermatid. In addition, we propose an intercellular transport function for the male germ cell-specific organelle chromatoid body. This mRNA containing organelle, ca. 1.8 microm in diameter, was demonstrated to go over the cytoplasmic bridge from one spermatid to another. Microtubule inhibitors prevented all organelle movements through the bridges and caused a disintegration of the chromatoid body. This is the first direct demonstration of an organelle traffic through cytoplasmic bridges in mammalian spermatogenesis. Golgi-derived haploid gene products are shared between spermatids, and an active involvement of the chromatoid body in intercellular material transport between round spermatids is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sami Ventelä
- Department of Anatomy, Turku Graduate School of Biomedical Science, University of Turku, FIN-20520 Turku, Finland.
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Naud N, Touré A, Liu J, Pineau C, Morin L, Dorseuil O, Escalier D, Chardin P, Gacon G. Rho family GTPase Rnd2 interacts and co-localizes with MgcRacGAP in male germ cells. Biochem J 2003; 372:105-12. [PMID: 12590651 PMCID: PMC1223378 DOI: 10.1042/bj20021652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2002] [Revised: 02/12/2003] [Accepted: 02/19/2003] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The male-germ-cell Rac GTPase-activating protein gene (MgcRacGAP) was initially described as a human RhoGAP gene highly expressed in male germ cells at spermatocyte stage, but exhibits significant levels of expression in most cell types. In somatic cells, MgcRacGAP protein was found to both concentrate in the midzone/midbody and be required for cytokinesis. As a RhoGAP, MgcRacGAP has been proposed to down-regulate RhoA, which is localized to the cleavage furrow and midbody during cytokinesis. Due to embryonic lethality in MgcRacGAP -null mutant mice and to the lack of an in vitro model of spermatogenesis, nothing is known regarding the role and mode of action of MgcRacGAP in male germ cells. We have analysed the expression, subcellular localization and molecular interactions of MgcRacGAP in male germ cells. Whereas MgcRacGAP was found only in spermatocytes and early spermatids, the widespread RhoGTPases RhoA, Rac1 and Cdc42 (which are, to various extents, in vitro substrates for MgcRacGAP activity) were, surprisingly, not detected at these stages. In contrast, Rnd2, a Rho family GTPase-deficient G-protein was found to be co-expressed with MgcRacGAP in spermatocytes and spermatids. MgcRacGAP was detected in the midzone of meiotic cells, but also, unexpectedly, in the Golgi-derived pro-acrosomal vesicle, co-localizing with Rnd2. In addition, a stable Rnd2-MgcRacGAP molecular complex could be evidenced by glutathione S-transferase pull-down and co-immunoprecipitation experiments. We conclude that Rnd2 is a probable physiological partner of MgcRacGAP in male germ cells and we propose that MgcRacGAP, and, quite possibly, other RhoGAPs, may participate in signalling pathways involving Rnd family proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Naud
- Institut Cochin, Département de Génétique, Développement et Pathologie Moléculaire, INSERM U567/CNRS UMR8104, 24 rue du Faubourg Saint Jacques, 75014 Paris, France
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