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Fang Y, Chen J, Wang H, Wang S, Chang M, Chen Q, Shi Q, Xian L, Feng M, Hu B, Wang R. Integrating large-scale single-cell RNA sequencing in central nervous system disease using self-supervised contrastive learning. Commun Biol 2024; 7:1107. [PMID: 39251817 PMCID: PMC11383967 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06813-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024] Open
Abstract
The central nervous system (CNS) comprises a diverse range of brain cell types with distinct functions and gene expression profiles. Although single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) provides new insights into the brain cell atlases, integrating large-scale CNS scRNA-seq data still encounters challenges due to the complexity and heterogeneity among CNS cell types/subtypes. In this study, we introduce a self-supervised contrastive learning method, called scCM, for integrating large-scale CNS scRNA-seq data. scCM brings functionally related cells close together while simultaneously pushing apart dissimilar cells by comparing the variations of gene expression, effectively revealing the heterogeneous relationships within the CNS cell types/subtypes. The effectiveness of scCM is evaluated on 20 CNS datasets covering 4 species and 10 CNS diseases. Leveraging these strengths, we successfully integrate the collected human CNS datasets into a large-scale reference to annotate cell types and subtypes in neural tissues. Results demonstrate that scCM provides an accurate annotation, along with rich spatial information of cell state. In summary, scCM is a robust and promising method for integrating large-scale CNS scRNA-seq data, enabling researchers to gain insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying CNS functions and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Fang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Chen
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - He Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
- Department of Neurosurgery, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital Medical University, Neurospine center, China International Neuroscience Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Shousen Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, 900th Hospital, Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Mengqi Chang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qingcai Chen
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Qinglei Shi
- Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) School of Medicine, People's Republic of China, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Liang Xian
- Department of Neurosurgery, 900th Hospital, Fuzong Clinical Medical College of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China
| | - Ming Feng
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
| | - Baotian Hu
- School of Computer Science and Technology, Harbin Institute of Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
| | - Renzhi Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China.
- Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen) School of Medicine, People's Republic of China, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
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2
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Cossaboon JM, Teh SJ, Sant KE. Reproductive toxicity of DDT in the Japanese medaka fish model: Revisiting the impacts of DDT+ on female reproductive health. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 357:141967. [PMID: 38615950 PMCID: PMC11160350 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
The organochlorine pesticide dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) is an endocrine-disrupting compound (EDC) that has been banned by most countries for decades. However, it continues to be detected in nearly all humans and wildlife due to its biological and environmental persistence. The ovarian dysgenesis syndrome hypothesis speculates that exposure to EDCs during sensitive developmental windows such as early gonadal differentiation lead to reproductive disorders later in life. Yet, mechanisms by which DDT affects developing gonads remain unclear due to the inherent challenge of getting developmental exposure data from adults presenting with reproductive disease. The Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) is a valuable fish model for sex-specific toxicological studies due to its chromosomal sex determination, external embryonic development, short generation time, and extensively mapped genome. It is well documented that medaka exposed to DDT and its metabolites and byproducts (herein referred to as DDT+) at different developmental time points experience permanent alterations in gonadal morphology, reproductive success, and molecular and hormonal signaling. However, the overwhelming majority of studies focus primarily on functional and morphological outcomes in males and females and have rarely investigated long-term transcriptional or molecular effects. This review summarizes previous experimental findings and the state of our knowledge concerning toxic effects DDT + on reproductive development, fertility, and health in the valuable medaka model. It also identifies gaps in knowledge, emphasizing a need for more focus on molecular mechanisms of ovarian endocrine disruption using enhanced molecular tools that have become increasingly available over the past few decades. Furthermore, DDT forms a myriad of over 45 metabolites and transformation products in biota and the environment, very few of which have been evaluated for environmental abundance or health effects. This reinforces the demand for high throughput and economical in vivo models for predictive toxicology screening, and the Japanese medaka is uniquely positioned to meet this need.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Swee J Teh
- School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - Karilyn E Sant
- School of Public Health, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA, 92182, USA.
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3
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Royan MR, Hodne K, Nourizadeh-Lillabadi R, Weltzien FA, Henkel C, Fontaine R. Day length regulates gonadotrope proliferation and reproduction via an intra-pituitary pathway in the model vertebrate Oryzias latipes. Commun Biol 2024; 7:388. [PMID: 38553567 PMCID: PMC10980775 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06059-y] [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: 06/22/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
In seasonally breeding mammals and birds, the production of the hormones that regulate reproduction (gonadotropins) is controlled by a complex pituitary-brain-pituitary pathway. Indeed, the pituitary thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) regulates gonadotropin expression in pituitary gonadotropes, via dio2-expressing tanycytes, hypothalamic Kisspeptin, RFamide-related peptide, and gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurons. However, in fish, how seasonal environmental signals influence gonadotropins remains unclear. In addition, the seasonal regulation of gonadotrope (gonadotropin-producing cell) proliferation in the pituitary is, to the best of our knowledge, not elucidated in any vertebrate group. Here, we show that in the vertebrate model Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), a long day seasonally breeding fish, photoperiod (daylength) not only regulates hormone production by the gonadotropes but also their proliferation. We also reveal an intra-pituitary pathway that regulates gonadotrope cell number and hormone production. In this pathway, Tsh regulates gonadotropes via folliculostellate cells within the pituitary. This study suggests the existence of an alternative regulatory mechanism of seasonal gonadotropin production in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Rahmad Royan
- Department of Preclinical Science and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Kjetil Hodne
- Department of Preclinical Science and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Rasoul Nourizadeh-Lillabadi
- Department of Preclinical Science and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Department of Preclinical Science and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Christiaan Henkel
- Department of Preclinical Science and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Romain Fontaine
- Department of Preclinical Science and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
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4
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Du R, Shi X, Chen F, Wang L, Liang H, Hu G. Corticotropin-Releasing Hormone: A Novel Stimulator of Somatolactin in Teleost Pituitary Cells. Cells 2023; 12:2770. [PMID: 38132090 PMCID: PMC10741825 DOI: 10.3390/cells12242770] [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: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 11/29/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) is known for its crucial role in the stress response system, which could induce pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) secretion to promote glucocorticoid release in the adrenal gland. However, little is known about other pituitary actions of CRH in teleosts. Somatolactin is a fish-specific hormone released from the neurointermediate lobe (NIL) of the posterior pituitary. A previous study has reported that ACTH was also located in the pituitary NIL region. Interestingly, our present study found that CRH could significantly induce two somatolactin isoforms' (SLα and SLβ) secretion and synthesis in primary cultured grass carp pituitary cells. Pharmacological analysis further demonstrated that CRH-induced pituitary somatolactin expression was mediated by the AC/cAMP/PKA, PLC/IP3/PKC, and Ca2+/CaM/CaMK-II pathways. Finally, transcriptomic analysis showed that both SLα and SLβ should play an important role in the regulation of lipid metabolism in primary cultured hepatocytes. These results indicate that CRH is a novel stimulator of somatolactins in teleost pituitary cells, and somatolactins may participate in the stress response by regulating energy metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixin Du
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (R.D.); (X.S.); (F.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Xuetao Shi
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (R.D.); (X.S.); (F.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Feng Chen
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (R.D.); (X.S.); (F.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Li Wang
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (R.D.); (X.S.); (F.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Hongwei Liang
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (R.D.); (X.S.); (F.C.); (L.W.)
- Key Lab of Freshwater Biodiversity Conservation Ministry of Agriculture, Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute, The Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Wuhan 430223, China
| | - Guangfu Hu
- Hubei Hongshan Laboratory, College of Fisheries, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China; (R.D.); (X.S.); (F.C.); (L.W.)
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5
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Huo Y, Hu X, Lü J, Luo F, Liang J, Lei H, Lv A. Single-cell transcriptome, phagocytic activity and immunohistochemical analysis of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) in response to Rahnella aquatilis infection. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2023; 140:108970. [PMID: 37488042 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2023.108970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
In teleost fish, kidney is an important immune and hematopoietic organ with multiple physiological functions. However, the immune cells and cellular markers of kidney require further elucidation in crucian carp (C. auratus). Here we report on the single-cell transcriptional landscape in posterior kidney, immunohistochemical and phagocytic features of C. auratus with R. aquatilis infection. The results showed that a total of 18 cell populations were identified for the main immune cells such as monocytes/macrophages (Mo/Mφ), dendritic cells (DCs), B cells, T cells, granulocytes and hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs). Pseudo-time trajectory analysis was reconstructed for the immune cells using Monocle2 to obtain additional insights into their developmental lineage relationships. In the detected tissues (liver, spleen, kidney, intestine, skin, and gills) of infected fish exhibited positive immunohistochemical staining with prepared for antibody to R. aquatilis. Apoptotic cells were fluorescently demonstrated by TUNEL assay, and bacterial phagocytic activity were observed for neutrophils and Mo/Mφ cells, respectively. Moreover, a similar up-ward/down-ward expression trend of the selected immune and inflammatory genes was found in the kidney against R. aquatilis infection, which were significantly involved in TLR/NLR, ECM adhesion, phago-lysosome, apoptosis, complement and coagulation pathways. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the detailed characterization of immune cells and host-R. aquatilis interaction, which will contribute to understanding on the biology of renal immune cells and repertoire of potential markers in cyprinid fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yian Huo
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China
| | - Xiucai Hu
- Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China
| | - Jiarui Lü
- School of Foreign Languages, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Fuli Luo
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China
| | - Jing Liang
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China
| | - Haibo Lei
- College of Basic Science, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China
| | - Aijun Lv
- College of Fisheries, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China; Tianjin Key Lab of Aqua-Ecology and Aquaculture, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin, 300392, China.
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6
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Royan MR, Kayo D, Weltzien FA, Fontaine R. Sexually Dimorphic Regulation of Gonadotrope Cell Hyperplasia in Medaka Pituitary via Mitosis and Transdifferentiation. Endocrinology 2023; 164:7040530. [PMID: 36791137 PMCID: PMC9994597 DOI: 10.1210/endocr/bqad030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2023]
Abstract
The 2 pituitary gonadotropins, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH), regulate the reproductive function in all vertebrates. While many studies have investigated the regulation of gonadotropin production and release by sex steroid feedback, its role on the regulation of gonadotrope cell number remains unclear. Using medaka as a model and an optimized protocol to restore physiological sex steroids levels following gonadectomy, we show that gonadal sex steroids not only decrease fshb transcript levels, but also Fsh cell number in both sexes. We then investigated the origin of Fsh cell hyperplasia induced by gonadectomy. In both sexes, bromodeoxyuridine incubation shows that this is achieved via Fsh cell mitosis. In situ hybridization reveals that new Fsh cells also originate from transdifferentiating Tsh cells in females, but not in males. Both phenomena are inhibited by sex steroid supplementation via feeding. In males (but not females), gonadectomy (without recovery with sex steroid supplementation) also reduces sox2 transcript levels and Sox2-immunopositive population size, suggesting that Sox2 progenitors may be recruited to produce new Fsh cells. Opposite to Fsh cells, gonadectomy decreases lhb levels in both sexes, and levels are not restored by sex steroid supplementation. In addition, the regulation of Lh cell number also seems to be sex dependent. Removal of gonadal sex steroids stimulates Lh cell mitosis in male (like Fsh cells) but not in females. To conclude, our study provides the first evidence on sexually dimorphic mechanisms used in the fish pituitary to remodel gonadotrope populations in response to sex steroids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Rahmad Royan
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Daichi Kayo
- Department of Integrative Life Sciences, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 980-8577 Sendai, Japan
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Romain Fontaine
- Correspondence: Romain Fontaine, PhD, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Oluf Thesens Vei 22, 1432 Ås, Norway.
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7
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Ager-Wick E, Maugars G, von Krogh K, Fontaine R, Weltzien FA, Henkel C. An RNA-seq time series of the medaka pituitary gland during sexual maturation. Sci Data 2023; 10:62. [PMID: 36720883 PMCID: PMC9889309 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-023-01967-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Directing both organismal homeostasis and physiological adaptation, the pituitary is a key endocrine gland in all vertebrates. One of its major tasks is to coordinate sexual maturation through the production and release of hormones stimulating gonad development. In order to study its developmental dynamics in the model fish medaka (Oryzias latipes), we sampled both the pituitary and the ovaries of 68 female fish. Of these, 55 spanned the entire course of sexual maturation from prepubertal juveniles to spawning adults. An additional 13 showed either considerably faster or slower growth and development than the majority of fish. We used histological examination of the ovaries to determine a histological maturation stage, and analyzed the pituitary glands using RNA-seq optimized for low input. Taken together, these data reveal the timing of hormone production priorities, and form a comprehensive resource for the study of their regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eirill Ager-Wick
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Gersende Maugars
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
- Stress Environnementaux et BIOsurveillance des milieux aquatiques UMR-I 02 SEBIO, Université Le Havre Normandie, Le Havre, France
| | - Kristine von Krogh
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Romain Fontaine
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Christiaan Henkel
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
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8
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Rahmad Royan M, Siddique K, Nourizadeh-Lillabadi R, Weltzien FA, Henkel C, Fontaine R. Functional and developmental heterogeneity of pituitary lactotropes in medaka. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 330:114144. [PMID: 36270338 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
In fish, prolactin-producing cells (lactotropes) are located in the anterior part of the pituitary and play an essential role in osmoregulation. However, small satellite lactotrope clusters have been described in other parts of the pituitary in several species. The functional and developmental backgrounds of these satellite clusters are not known. We recently discovered two distinct prolactin-expressing cell types in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes), a euryhaline species, using single cell transcriptomics. In the present study, we characterize these two transcriptomically distinct lactotrope cell types and explore the hypothesis that they represent spatially distinct cell clusters, as found in other species. Single cell RNA sequencing shows that one of the two lactotrope cell types exhibits an expression profile similar to that of stem cell-like folliculo-stellate cell populations. Using in situ hybridization, we show that the medaka pituitary often develops additional small satellite lactotrope cell clusters, like in other teleost species. These satellite clusters arise early during development and grow in cell number throughout life regardless of the animal's sex. Surprisingly, our data do not show a correspondence between the stem cell-like lactotropes and these satellite lactotrope clusters. Instead, our data support a scenario in which the stem cell-like lactotropes are an intrinsic stage in the development of every spatially distinct lactotrope cluster. In addition, lactotrope activity in both spatially distinct lactotrope clusters decreases when environmental salinity increases, supporting their role in osmoregulation. However, this decrease appears weaker in the satellite lactotrope cell clusters, suggesting that these lactotropes are regulated differently.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Rahmad Royan
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Khadeeja Siddique
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | | | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Christiaan Henkel
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Romain Fontaine
- Physiology Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
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9
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Willis TL, Lodge EJ, Andoniadou CL, Yianni V. Cellular interactions in the pituitary stem cell niche. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:612. [PMID: 36451046 PMCID: PMC9712314 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04612-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Stem cells in the anterior pituitary gland can give rise to all resident endocrine cells and are integral components for the appropriate development and subsequent maintenance of the organ. Located in discreet niches within the gland, stem cells are involved in bi-directional signalling with their surrounding neighbours, interactions which underpin pituitary gland homeostasis and response to organ challenge or physiological demand. In this review we highlight core signalling pathways that steer pituitary progenitors towards specific endocrine fate decisions throughout development. We further elaborate on those which are conserved in the stem cell niche postnatally, including WNT, YAP/TAZ and Notch signalling. Furthermore, we have collated a directory of single cell RNA sequencing studies carried out on pituitaries across multiple organisms, which have the potential to provide a vast database to study stem cell niche components in an unbiased manner. Reviewing published data, we highlight that stem cells are one of the main signalling hubs within the anterior pituitary. In future, coupling single cell sequencing approaches with genetic manipulation tools in vivo, will enable elucidation of how previously understudied signalling pathways function within the anterior pituitary stem cell niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thea L Willis
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Emily J Lodge
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Cynthia L Andoniadou
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
- Department of Medicine III, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Val Yianni
- Centre for Craniofacial and Regenerative Biology, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences, King's College London, London, UK.
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10
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Constantin S, Bjelobaba I, Stojilkovic SS. Pituitary gonadotroph-specific patterns of gene expression and hormone secretion. Curr Opin Pharmacol 2022; 66:102274. [PMID: 35994915 PMCID: PMC9509429 DOI: 10.1016/j.coph.2022.102274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Pituitary gonadotrophs play a key role in reproductive functions by secreting luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The LH secretory activity of gonadotroph is controlled by hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) via GnRH receptors and is accompanied by only minor effects on high basal Lhb gene expression. The secretory profiles of GnRH and LH are highly synchronized, with the latter reflecting a depletion of prestored LH in secretory vesicles by regulated exocytosis. In contrast, FSH is predominantly released by constitutive exocytosis, and secretory activity reflects the kinetics of Fshb gene expression controlled by GnRH, activin, and inhibin. Here is a review of recent data to improve the understanding of multiple patterns of gonadotroph gene expression and hormone secretion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Constantin
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Ivana Bjelobaba
- Department for Neurobiology, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" - National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Bulevar Despota Stefana 142, 11000, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Stanko S Stojilkovic
- Section on Cellular Signaling, Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
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11
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Fontaine R, Rahmad Royan M, Henkel C, Hodne K, Ager-Wick E, Weltzien FA. Pituitary multi-hormone cells in mammals and fish: history, origin, and roles. Front Neuroendocrinol 2022; 67:101018. [PMID: 35870647 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2022.101018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The vertebrate pituitary is a dynamic organ, capable of adapting its hormone secretion to different physiological demands. In this context, endocrinologists have debated for the past 40 years if endocrine cells are mono- or multi-hormonal. Since its establishment, the dominant "one cell, one hormone" model has been continuously challenged. In mammals, the use of advanced multi-staining approaches, sensitive gene expression techniques, and the analysis of tumor tissues have helped to quickly demonstrate the existence of pituitary multi-hormone cells. In fishes however, only recent advances in imaging and transcriptomics have enabled the identification of such cells. In this review, we first describe the history of the discovery of cells producing multiple hormones in mammals and fishes. We discuss the technical limitations that have led to uncertainties and debates. Then, we present the current knowledge and hypotheses regarding their origin and biological role, which provides a comprehensive review of pituitary plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Fontaine
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
| | - Muhammad Rahmad Royan
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Christiaan Henkel
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Kjetil Hodne
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Eirill Ager-Wick
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Finn-Arne Weltzien
- Department of Preclinical Sciences and Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway.
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12
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Stojilkovic SS, Previde RM, Sherman AS, Fletcher PA. Pituitary corticotroph identity and receptor-mediated signaling: A transcriptomics perspective. CURRENT OPINION IN ENDOCRINE AND METABOLIC RESEARCH 2022; 25. [PMID: 36177190 PMCID: PMC9514143 DOI: 10.1016/j.coemr.2022.100364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent single-cell RNA sequencing has offered an unprecedented view of pituitary cell transcriptomic profiles. In this review, these new data are briefly discussed and compared with the classical literature, focusing on pituitary corticotrophs. These cells are introduced by discussing their marker genes, followed by a review of G protein-coupled receptor gene expression, heterotrimeric G protein genes, and genes encoding signaling pathways downstream of G proteins: adenylate cyclases, phosphodiesterases, phospholipases, and protein kinases. The expression patterns of enzyme-linked plasma membrane and nuclear hormone receptor genes was also analyzed. The overview of these selected groups of genes sheds new light on corticotrophic receptors and their signaling pathways and provides guidance for further basic and clinical research by identifying genes that not been studied so far.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stanko S. Stojilkovic
- Section on Cellular Signaling, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
- Correspondence: Stanko S. Stojilkovic ()
| | - Rafael M. Previde
- Section on Cellular Signaling, The Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Arthur S. Sherman
- Laboratory of Biological Modeling, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
| | - Patrick A. Fletcher
- Laboratory of Biological Modeling, National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD 20892, USA
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Trudeau VL. Neuroendocrine Control of Reproduction in Teleost Fish: Concepts and Controversies. Annu Rev Anim Biosci 2021; 10:107-130. [PMID: 34788545 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-animal-020420-042015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
During the teleost radiation, extensive development of the direct innervation mode of hypothalamo-pituitary communication was accompanied by loss of the median eminence typical of mammals. Cells secreting follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone cells are directly innervated, distinct populations in the anterior pituitary. So far, ∼20 stimulatory and ∼10 inhibitory neuropeptides, 3 amines, and 3 amino acid neurotransmitters are implicated in the control of reproduction. Positive and negative sex steroid feedback loops operate in both sexes. Gene mutation models in zebrafish and medaka now challenge our general understanding of vertebrate neuropeptidergic control. New reproductive neuropeptides are emerging. These include but are not limited to nesfatin 1, neurokinin B, and the secretoneurins. A generalized model for the neuroendocrine control of reproduction is proposed. Hopefully, this will serve as a research framework on diverse species to help explain the evolution of neuroendocrine control and lead to the discovery of new hormones with novel applications. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Animal Biosciences, Volume 10 is February 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vance L Trudeau
- Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada; ,
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