1
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Oikawa M, Hirabayashi M, Kobayashi T. Induction of Primordial Germ Cell-Like Cells from Rat Pluripotent Stem Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2770:99-111. [PMID: 38351449 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3698-5_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
In vitro induction of primordial germ cell like-cells (PGCLCs) from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) is a robust method that will contribute to understanding the fundamentals of cell fate decisions, animal breeding, and future reproductive medicine. Here, we introduce this system established in the rat model. We describe a stepwise protocol to induce epiblast-like cells and subsequent PGCLCs by forming spherical aggregates from rat PSCs. We also describe a protocol to mature these PGCLCs from specified/migratory to the gonadal stage by aggregation with female gonadal somatic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mami Oikawa
- Division of Mammalian Embryology, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Regenerative Medicine, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masumi Hirabayashi
- Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan
- The Graduate University of Advanced Studies, Aichi, Japan
| | - Toshihiro Kobayashi
- Division of Mammalian Embryology, Center for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
- Center for Genetic Analysis of Behavior, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Aichi, Japan.
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2
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Barreñada O, González-Sanz S, López-Palacios A, Carballo JA, Del Mazo J, Brieño-Enríquez MA. Analysis of Meiotic Progression by Ex Vivo Culture of Mouse Embryonic Ovaries. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2818:133-145. [PMID: 39126471 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3906-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
Oogenesis is the central process required to produce viable oocytes in female mammals. It is initiated during embryonic development, and it involves the specification of primordial germ cells (PGCs) and progresses through the activation of the meiotic program, reaching a crucial phase in prophase I before pausing at diplotene around the time of birth. The significance of meiosis, particularly the prophase I stage, cannot be overstated, as it plays a pivotal role in ensuring the formation of healthy gametes, a prerequisite for successful reproduction. While research has explored meiosis across various organisms, understanding how environmental factors, including radiation, drugs, endocrine disruptors, reproductive age, or diet, influence this complex developmental process remains incomplete. In this chapter, we describe an ex vivo culture method to investigate meiotic prophase I and beyond and the disruption of oogenesis by external factors. Using this methodology, it is possible to evaluate the effects of individual xenobiotics by administering chemicals at specific points during oogenesis. This culture technique was optimized to study the effects of two selected endocrine disruptors (vinclozolin and MEHP), demonstrating that vinclozolin exposure delayed meiotic differentiation and MEHP exposure reduced follicle size. This approach also opens avenues for future applications, involving the exploration of established or novel pharmaceutical substances and their influence on essential events during prophase I, such as homologous recombination and chromosome segregation. These processes collectively dictate the ultimate fitness of oocytes, with potential implications for factors relevant to the reproductive age and fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Odei Barreñada
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Silvia González-Sanz
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Alba López-Palacios
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús A Carballo
- Institute of Functional Biology and Genomics (IBFG, CSIC-USAL), Salamanca, Spain.
| | - Jesús Del Mazo
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Biology. Centro de Investigaciones Biológicas Margarita Salas (CIB-CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Miguel A Brieño-Enríquez
- Magee-Womens Research Institute, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology & Reproductive Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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3
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Aizawa E, Ozonov EA, Kawamura YK, Dumeau C, Nagaoka S, Kitajima TS, Saitou M, Peters AHFM, Wutz A. Epigenetic regulation limits competence of pluripotent stem cell-derived oocytes. EMBO J 2023; 42:e113955. [PMID: 37850882 PMCID: PMC10690455 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023113955] [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: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have reported the differentiation of pluripotent cells into oocytes in vitro. However, the developmental competence of in vitro-generated oocytes remains low. Here, we perform a comprehensive comparison of mouse germ cell development in vitro over all culture steps versus in vivo with the goal to understand mechanisms underlying poor oocyte quality. We show that the in vitro differentiation of primordial germ cells to growing oocytes and subsequent follicle growth is critical for competence for preimplantation development. Systematic transcriptome analysis of single oocytes that were subjected to different culture steps identifies genes that are normally upregulated during oocyte growth to be susceptible for misregulation during in vitro oogenesis. Many misregulated genes are Polycomb targets. Deregulation of Polycomb repression is therefore a key cause and the earliest defect known in in vitro oocyte differentiation. Conversely, structurally normal in vitro-derived oocytes fail at zygotic genome activation and show abnormal acquisition of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine on maternal chromosomes. Our data identify epigenetic regulation at an early stage of oogenesis limiting developmental competence and suggest opportunities for future improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eishi Aizawa
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of TechnologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
- RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics ResearchKobeJapan
| | - Evgeniy A Ozonov
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
| | - Yumiko K Kawamura
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
| | - Charles‐Etienne Dumeau
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of TechnologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - So Nagaoka
- Department of EmbryologyNara Medical UniversityNaraJapan
| | | | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (ASHBi)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of MedicineKyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA)Kyoto UniversityKyotoJapan
| | - Antoine HFM Peters
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical ResearchBaselSwitzerland
- Faculty of SciencesUniversity of BaselBaselSwitzerland
| | - Anton Wutz
- Institute of Molecular Health Sciences, Swiss Federal Institute of TechnologyETH ZurichZurichSwitzerland
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4
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Akimoto Y, Fujii W, Naito K, Sugiura K. The effect of ACVR1B/TGFBR1/ACVR1C signaling inhibition on oocyte and granulosa cell development during in vitro growth culture. J Reprod Dev 2023; 69:270-278. [PMID: 37722883 PMCID: PMC10602769 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2023-041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The signals of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily play a critical role in follicular development in mammals. ACVR1B/TGFBR1/ACVR1C receptors mediate the signaling of several TGF-β superfamily ligands in granulosa cells. Although the requirement for ACVR1B/TGFBR1/ACVR1C receptor signaling in follicular development has been confirmed using mutant mouse models, the detailed roles of the signaling in granulosa cell and oocyte development have not been clearly defined. In the present study, we examined the requirement for ACVR1B/TGFBR1/ACVR1C receptor signaling in granulosa cells using an in vitro growth culture of oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) and SB431542, a potent inhibitor of the receptor signaling. Although cumulus-oocyte complexes isolated from the control OGCs were able to undergo cumulus expansion, those isolated from OGCs grown with the inhibitor were not competent, even in the presence of in vivo-grown oocytes. The diameter of the oocytes in the SB431542-treated OGCs was comparable with that of the control; however, these oocytes were not competent for complete meiotic maturation or preimplantation development. Therefore, ACVR1B/TGFBR1/ACVR1C receptor signaling is not required for oocytes to increase their volume but is essential for the normal development of cumulus cells and oocyte developmental competence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Akimoto
- Laboratory of Applied Genetics, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Wataru Fujii
- Laboratory of Applied Genetics, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
- Present: Department of Veterinary Medical Science, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kunihiko Naito
- Laboratory of Applied Genetics, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Koji Sugiura
- Laboratory of Applied Genetics, Department of Animal Resource Sciences, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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5
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Kohama T, Masago M, Tomioka I, Morohaku K. In vitro production of viable eggs from isolated mouse primary follicles by successive culture. J Reprod Dev 2021; 68:38-44. [PMID: 34776458 PMCID: PMC8872750 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2021-095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
To produce viable eggs from single primary follicles in vitro, primary follicles containing oocytes (average 39.0 ± 0.2 µm in diameter) were isolated from the ovaries of
1-week-old mice, and cultured in combination with culture membranes for the first 8 days up to the secondary follicle stage, followed by the next 12 days to the later stages. After culture
with a combination of first and second culture membranes using high and low adhesion characteristics, the average oocyte diameters of the surviving follicles increased by almost two-fold in
all four groups. Further, the oocyte maturation rate was the highest (74.1%) in the culture group with low adhesion with collagenase and high adhesion. In this culture group, when the
O2 concentration was changed from 20% in the first culture to 5% in the second culture, the cleavage rate increased to 47.5%, which was comparable to the level of the in
vivo control (34.6%). Finally, 39 embryos at the 2- to 8-cell stages were transferred into the oviducts of three pseudopregnant females, and eight live pups (20.5%) were obtained.
Of the eight pups, six survived for at least six months and were fertile. The present study shows successive in vitro cultures of single isolated primary follicles for the
production of viable eggs. We believe that this culture system, with a combination of culture membranes under controlled O2 conditions, is applicable to other mammalian species,
including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Kohama
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Physiology and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Maika Masago
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Physiology and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Ikuo Tomioka
- Laboratory of Applied Reproductive Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Kanako Morohaku
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Physiology and Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Shinshu University, Nagano 399-4598, Japan.,Institute for Biomedical Sciences, Shinshu University, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
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6
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Abstract
Mammalian ovaries contain a large number of immature follicles. Follicular culture can contribute to the production of fertile oocytes from latent immature follicles, providing a useful
tool for exploring the developmental competencies and related factors that oocytes acquire during growth. However, the potential of oocytes produced by follicular culture is limited. Herein,
the optimal follicular culture conditions for the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone to the medium and oxygen concentration were investigated. Polyvinylpyrrolidone with a high molecular weight
(≥ 360,000) and a 7% oxygen concentration were found to increase the blastocyst formation rate by more than 20% compared with conventional culture conditions. Although the developmental
ability of oocytes produced by follicular culture remained inferior to that of in vivo-derived oocytes, these findings may pave the way for enhanced production of fertile
oocytes in vitro and for studying the process of full developmental potency acquisition by oocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saya Ota
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Shinya Ikeda
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Tomoya Takashima
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Yayoi Obata
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
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7
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Tanaka K, Hayashi Y, Takehara A, Ito-Matsuoka Y, Tachibana M, Yaegashi N, Matsui Y. Abnormal early folliculogenesis due to impeded pyruvate metabolism in mouse oocytes†. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:64-75. [PMID: 33824958 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab064] [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] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 03/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal ovarian germ cells show characteristic energy metabolism status, such as enhanced mitochondrial metabolism as well as glycolysis, but their roles in early folliculogenesis are unclear. We show here that inhibition of pyruvate uptake to mitochondria by UK5099 in organ cultures of fetal mouse ovaries resulted in repressed early folliculogenesis without affecting energy production, survival of oocytes, or meiosis. In addition, the abnormal folliculogenesis by UK5099 was partially rescued by α-ketoglutarate and succinate, intermediate metabolites in the TCA cycle, suggesting the importance of those metabolites. The expression of TGFβ-related genes Gdf9 and Bmp15 in ovarian germ cells, which are crucial for folliculogenesis, was downregulated by UK5099, and the addition of recombinant GDF9 partially rescued the abnormal folliculogenesis induced by UK5099. We also found that early folliculogenesis was similarly repressed, as in the culture, in the ovaries of a germ cell-specific knockout of Mpc2, which encodes a mitochondria pyruvate carrier that is targeted by UK5099. These results suggest that insufficient Gdf9 expression induced by abnormal pyruvate metabolism in oocytes results in early follicular dysgenesis, which is a possible cause of defective folliculogenesis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keiko Tanaka
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yohei Hayashi
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Asuka Takehara
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yumi Ito-Matsuoka
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Masahito Tachibana
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Nobuo Yaegashi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Matsui
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan.,Graduate School of Medicine, Tohoku University, Sendai, Japan
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8
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Tanimoto R, Sekii K, Morohaku K, Li J, Pépin D, Obata Y. Blocking estrogen-induced AMH expression is crucial for normal follicle formation. Development 2021; 148:dev197459. [PMID: 33658225 PMCID: PMC7990856 DOI: 10.1242/dev.197459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Accepted: 02/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, primordial follicles assembled in fetuses or during infancy constitute the oocyte resources for life. Exposure to 17beta-estradiol and phytogenic or endocrine-disrupting chemicals during pregnancy and/or the perinatal period leads to the failure of normal follicle formation. However, the mechanisms underlying estrogen-mediated abnormal follicle formation and physiological follicle formation in the presence of endogenous natural estrogen are not well understood. Here, we reveal that estrogen receptor 1, activated by estrogen, binds to the 5' region of the anti-Mullerian hormone (Amh) gene and upregulates its transcription before follicle formation in cultured mouse fetal ovaries. Ectopic expression of AMH protein was observed in pregranulosa cells of these explants. Furthermore, the addition of AMH to the culture medium inhibited normal follicle formation. Conversely, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) produced in the fetal liver reportedly blocks estrogen action, although its role in follicle formation is unclear. We further demonstrated that the addition of AFP to the medium inhibited ectopic AMH expression via estrogen, leading to successful follicle formation in vitro Collectively, our in vitro experiments suggest that upon estrogen exposure, the integrity of follicle assembly in vivo is ensured by AFP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ren Tanimoto
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Kiyono Sekii
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - Kanako Morohaku
- Department of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Shinshu University 8304 Minami-Minowa-mura Kamiina-gun, Nagano 399-4598, Japan
| | - Jianzhen Li
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
| | - David Pépin
- Department of Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
- Pediatric Surgical Research Laboratories, Department of Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Yayoi Obata
- Department of Bioscience, Tokyo University of Agriculture, 1-1-1 Sakuragaoka, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 156-8502, Japan
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Tian Y, Zhang MY, Zhao AH, Kong L, Wang JJ, Shen W, Li L. Single-cell transcriptomic profiling provides insights into the toxic effects of Zearalenone exposure on primordial follicle assembly. Am J Cancer Res 2021; 11:5197-5213. [PMID: 33859742 PMCID: PMC8039963 DOI: 10.7150/thno.58433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Zearalenone (ZEN), a pollutant in our daily diet, seriously threatens the reproductive health of humans and animals. The primordial follicle (PF) assembly in the mouse occurs during the perinatal period, which determines the whole ovarian reserve in reproductive lifespan. In the current investigation, we administered ZEN orally to perinatal mice from 16.5 days post coitum (dpc) to postnatal day 3 (PD3), and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was performed on PD0 and PD3 ovarian tissues in the offspring to check ZEN toxic to primordial follicle formation at the single cell level. Methods: Ovarian tissues (in vivo) were examined by single cell RNA sequencing analysis, Immunostaining, and Western blotting. Ovarian tissues (in vitro) were examined by qRT-PCR, Immunostaining, and Western blotting. Results: We found that ZEN exposure altered the developmental trajectory of both germ cells and granulosa cells. Furthermore, after establishing the cell-cell communication network between germ cells and granulosa cells, we found that this was perturbed by ZEN exposure, especially during the Hippo signaling pathway. Conclusions: This study showed that ZEN affected the status of germ cells and granulosa cells through the Hippo signaling pathway and blocked the assembly of PFs. This research contributes to our deeper understanding of the mechanisms of toxicity in different cell types and the disruption of normal intercellular signaling by ZEN exposure.
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10
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Ge W, Wang JJ, Zhang RQ, Tan SJ, Zhang FL, Liu WX, Li L, Sun XF, Cheng SF, Dyce PW, De Felici M, Shen W. Dissecting the initiation of female meiosis in the mouse at single-cell resolution. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:695-713. [PMID: 32367190 PMCID: PMC11072979 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-020-03533-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2019] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Meiosis is one of the most finely orchestrated events during gametogenesis with distinct developmental patterns in males and females. However, the molecular mechanisms involved in this process remain not well known. Here, we report detailed transcriptome analyses of cell populations present in the mouse female gonadal ridges (E11.5) and the embryonic ovaries from E12.5 to E14.5 using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA seq). These periods correspond with the initiation and progression of meiosis throughout the first stage of prophase I. We identified 13 transcriptionally distinct cell populations and 7 transcriptionally distinct germ cell subclusters that correspond to mitotic (3 clusters) and meiotic (4 clusters) germ cells. By analysing cluster-specific gene expression profiles, we found four cell clusters correspond to different cell stages en route to meiosis and characterized their detailed transcriptome dynamics. Our scRNA seq analysis here represents a new important resource for deciphering the molecular pathways driving female meiosis initiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Ge
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Jun-Jie Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Rui-Qian Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Shao-Jing Tan
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Fa-Li Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Wen-Xiang Liu
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Lan Li
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Xiao-Feng Sun
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Shun-Feng Cheng
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China
| | - Paul W Dyce
- Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA
| | - Massimo De Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Wei Shen
- College of Life Sciences, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, 266109, China.
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11
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The antiandrogenic vinclozolin induces differentiation delay of germ cells and changes in energy metabolism in 3D cultures of fetal ovaries. Sci Rep 2020; 10:18036. [PMID: 33093579 PMCID: PMC7582921 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-75116-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vinclozolin is a pesticide with antiandrogenic activity as an endocrine disruptor compound. Its effects upon the progression of primordial follicles were assessed in cultures of mouse fetal ovaries from the onset of meiotic differentiation of germ cells (13.5 days post coitum) and from both in vivo exposed mice and in vitro exposed ovaries. Exposure of ovaries to vinclozolin—at in vitro dosages ranging from 10 to 200 μM and in 3D ex vivo culture following in vivo exposure to 50 mg/kg bw/day—showed delays in meiocyte differentiation and in follicle growth, even at the lowest in vitro dose exposure. Immunofluorescent analysis showed the presence of the proteins MSY2 and NOBOX in the primary follicles but no difference in the level of protein signals or in the number of follicles in relation to treatment. However, assessing the cytological differentiation of germ cells by detecting the synaptonemal complex protein SYCP3, the exposure to vinclozolin delayed meiotic differentiation from both in vitro- and in vivo-exposed ovaries. These effects were concomitant with changes in the energy metabolism, detected as a relative increase of glycolytic metabolism in live-cell metabolic assays in exposed ovaries.
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12
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Sorrenti M, Klinger FG, Iona S, Rossi V, Marcozzi S, DE Felici M. Expression and possible roles of extracellular signal-related kinases 1-2 (ERK1-2) in mouse primordial germ cell development. J Reprod Dev 2020; 66:399-409. [PMID: 32418930 PMCID: PMC7593634 DOI: 10.1262/jrd.2019-141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
In the present work, we described the expression and activity of extracellular signal-related kinases 1-2 (ERK1-2) in mouse primordial germ cells (PGCs) from
8.5–14.5 days post coitum (dpc) and investigated whether these kinases play a role in regulating the various processes of PGC development. Using
immunofluorescence and immunoblotting to detect the active phosphorylated form of ERK1-2 (p-ERK1-2), we found that the kinases were present in most
proliferating 8.5–10.5 dpc PGCs, low in 11.5 dpc PGCs, and progressively increasing between 12.5–14.5 dpc both in female and male PGCs. In
vitro culture experiments showed that inhibiting activation of ERK1-2 with the MEK-specific inhibitor U0126 significantly reduced the growth of 8.5
dpc PGCs in culture but had little effect on 11.5–12.5 dpc PGCs. Moreover, we found that the inhibitor did not affect the adhesion of 11.5 dpc PGCs, but it
significantly reduced their motility features onto a cell monolayer. Further, while the ability of female PGCs to begin meiosis was not significantly affected
by U0126, their progression through meiotic prophase I was slowed down. Notably, the activity of ERK1-2 was necessary for maintaining the correct expression of
oocyte-specific genes crucial for germ cells survival and the formation of primordial follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Sorrenti
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Francesca Gioia Klinger
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Saveria Iona
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Valerio Rossi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Serena Marcozzi
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
| | - Massimo DE Felici
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Section of Histology and Embryology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Rome 00173, Italy
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13
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The Conundrum of Poor Ovarian Response: From Diagnosis to Treatment. Diagnostics (Basel) 2020; 10:diagnostics10090687. [PMID: 32932955 PMCID: PMC7555981 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics10090687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2020] [Revised: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite recent striking advances in assisted reproductive technology (ART), poor ovarian response (POR) diagnosis and treatment is still considered challenging. Poor responders constitute a heterogeneous cohort with the common denominator of under-responding to controlled ovarian stimulation. Inevitably, respective success rates are significantly compromised. As POR pathophysiology entails the elusive factor of compromised ovarian function, both diagnosis and management fuel an ongoing heated debate depicted in the literature. From the criteria employed for diagnosis to the plethora of strategies and adjuvant therapies proposed, the conundrum of POR still puzzles the practitioner. What is more, novel treatment approaches from stem cell therapy and platelet-rich plasma intra-ovarian infusion to mitochondrial replacement therapy have emerged, albeit not claiming clinical routine status yet. The complex and time sensitive nature of this subgroup of infertile patients indicates the demand for a consensus on a horizontally accepted definition, diagnosis and subsequent effective treating strategy. This critical review analyzes the standing criteria employed in order to diagnose and aptly categorize POR patients, while it proceeds to critically evaluate current and novel strategies regarding their management. Discrepancies in diagnosis and respective implications are discussed, while the existing diversity in management options highlights the need for individualized management.
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Sato M, Takabayashi S, Akasaka E, Nakamura S. Recent Advances and Future Perspectives of In Vivo Targeted Delivery of Genome-Editing Reagents to Germ Cells, Embryos, and Fetuses in Mice. Cells 2020; 9:cells9040799. [PMID: 32225003 PMCID: PMC7226049 DOI: 10.3390/cells9040799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The recently discovered clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) systems that occur in nature as microbial adaptive immune systems are considered an important tool in assessing the function of genes of interest in various biological systems. Thus, development of efficient and simple methods to produce genome-edited (GE) animals would accelerate research in this field. The CRISPR/Cas9 system was initially employed in early embryos, utilizing classical gene delivery methods such as microinjection or electroporation, which required ex vivo handling of zygotes before transfer to recipients. Recently, novel in vivo methods such as genome editing via oviductal nucleic acid delivery (GONAD), improved GONAD (i-GONAD), or transplacental gene delivery for acquiring genome-edited fetuses (TPGD-GEF), which facilitate easy embryo manipulation, have been established. Studies utilizing these techniques employed pregnant female mice for direct introduction of the genome-editing components into the oviduct or were dependent on delivery via tail-vein injection. In mice, embryogenesis occurs within the oviducts and the uterus, which often hampers the genetic manipulation of embryos, especially those at early postimplantation stages (days 6 to 8), owing to a thick surrounding layer of tissue called decidua. In this review, we have surveyed the recent achievements in the production of GE mice and have outlined the advantages and disadvantages of the process. We have also referred to the past achievements in gene delivery to early postimplantation stage embryos and germ cells such as primordial germ cells and spermatogonial stem cells, which will benefit relevant research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masahiro Sato
- Section of Gene Expression Regulation, Frontier Science Research Center, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-99-275-5246
| | - Shuji Takabayashi
- Laboratory Animal Facilities & Services, Preeminent Medical Photonics Education & Research Center, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-ku, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka 431-3192, Japan;
| | - Eri Akasaka
- Section of Gene Expression Regulation, Frontier Science Research Center, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-8544, Japan;
| | - Shingo Nakamura
- Division of Biomedical Engineering, National Defense Medical College Research Institute, Saitama 359-8513, Japan;
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Takae S, Suzuki N. Current state and future possibilities of ovarian tissue transplantation. Reprod Med Biol 2019; 18:217-224. [PMID: 31312099 PMCID: PMC6613018 DOI: 10.1002/rmb2.12268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 03/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As a result of recent developments in cancer treatment, cancer survivorship and survivors' quality of life have been emphasized. Although ovarian tissue cryopreservation (OTC) is an experimental technique, it would be the sole technique for fertility preservation treatment for girls with malignant disease. Indeed, OTC requires ovarian tissue transplantation (OTT) for conception. As for OTC, there is room to investigate OTT. The present review focused on the current state and progress of OTT. METHOD The literature regarding OTT, which is currently under development, was reviewed. MAIN FINDINGS To improve the outcome of OTT, both efficacy and safety are important. Good surgical technique and the optimal site are important surgical factors, with orthotopic transplantation increasing. Treatment of growth factors, gonadotropins, antioxidants, apoptosis suppression factors, and cell therapy may improve the efficacy of OTT by inducing neo-angiogenesis and preventing damage. Artificial ovaries, complete in vitro primordial follicle culture technique, and non-invasive ovarian imaging techniques, such as optical coherence tomography, to select the best ovarian tissue are future possibilities. CONCLUSION Improving neo-angiogenesis and preventing damage with optimization, as well as investigation of future techniques, may bring us to the next stage of a fertility preservation strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seido Takae
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySt. Marianna University School of MedicineKawasaki CityJapan
| | - Nao Suzuki
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologySt. Marianna University School of MedicineKawasaki CityJapan
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