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Piechka A, Sparanese S, Witherspoon L, Hach F, Flannigan R. Molecular mechanisms of cellular dysfunction in testes from men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Nat Rev Urol 2024; 21:67-90. [PMID: 38110528 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-023-00837-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Male factor infertility affects 50% of infertile couples worldwide; the most severe form, non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA), affects 10-15% of infertile males. Treatment for individuals with NOA is limited to microsurgical sperm extraction paired with in vitro fertilization intracytoplasmic sperm injection. Unfortunately, spermatozoa are only retrieved in ~50% of patients, resulting in live birth rates of 21-46%. Regenerative therapies could provide a solution; however, understanding the cell-type-specific mechanisms of cellular dysfunction is a fundamental necessity to develop precision medicine strategies that could overcome these abnormalities and promote regeneration of spermatogenesis. A number of mechanisms of cellular dysfunction have been elucidated in NOA testicular cells. These mechanisms include abnormalities in both somatic cells and germ cells in NOA testes, such as somatic cell immaturity, aberrant growth factor signalling, increased inflammation, increased apoptosis and abnormal extracellular matrix regulation. Future cell-type-specific investigations in identifying modulators of cellular transcription and translation will be key to understanding upstream dysregulation, and these studies will require development of in vitro models to functionally interrogate spermatogenic niche dysfunction in both somatic and germ cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arina Piechka
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sydney Sparanese
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Luke Witherspoon
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Faraz Hach
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Ryan Flannigan
- Department of Urologic Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Vancouver Prostate Centre, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
- Department of Urology, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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2
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Non-Coding RNAs as Biomarkers for Embryo Quality and Pregnancy Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24065751. [PMID: 36982824 PMCID: PMC10052053 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24065751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2023] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite advances in in vitro fertilization (IVF), there is still a lack of non-invasive and reliable biomarkers for selecting embryos with the highest developmental and implantation potential. Recently, small non-coding RNAs (sncRNAs) have been identified in biological fluids, and extracellular sncRNAs are explored as diagnostic biomarkers in the prediction of IVF outcomes. To determine the predictive role of sncRNAs in embryo quality and IVF outcomes, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed. Articles were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science from 1990 to 31 July 2022. Eighteen studies that met the selection criteria were analyzed. In total, 22 and 47 different sncRNAs were found to be dysregulated in follicular fluid (FF) and embryo spent culture medium (SCM), respectively. MiR-663b, miR-454 and miR-320a in FF and miR-20a in SCM showed consistent dysregulation in two different studies. The meta-analysis indicated the potential predictive performance of sncRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers, with a pooled area under curve (AUC) value of 0.81 (95% CI 0.78, 0.844), a sensitivity of 0.79 (95% CI 0.72, 0.85), a specificity of 0.67 (95% CI 0.52, 0.79) and a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) of 8 (95% CI 5, 12). Significant heterogeneity was identified among studies in sensitivity (I2 = 46.11%) and specificity (I2 = 89.73%). This study demonstrates that sncRNAs may distinguish embryos with higher developmental and implantation potentials. They can be promising non-invasive biomarkers for embryo selection in ART. However, the significant heterogeneity among studies highlights the demand for prospective multicenter studies with optimized methods and adequate sample sizes in the future.
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3
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Zhang Y, Qi J, Zhao J, Li M, Zhang Y, Hu H, Wei L, Zhou K, Qin H, Qu P, Cao W, Liu E. Effect of Dietetic Obesity on Testicular Transcriptome in Cynomolgus Monkeys. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030557. [PMID: 36980830 PMCID: PMC10048326 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Obesity is a metabolic disorder resulting from behavioral, environmental and heritable causes, and can have a negative impact on male reproduction. There have been few experiments in mice, rats, and rabbits on the effects of obesity on reproduction, which has inhibited the development of better treatments for male subfertility caused by obesity. Nonhuman primates are most similar to human beings in anatomy, physiology, metabolism, and biochemistry and are appropriate subjects for obesity studies. In this investigation, we conducted a transcriptome analysis of the testes of cynomolgus monkeys on high-fat, high-fructose, and cholesterol-rich diets to determine the effect of obesity on gene expression in testes. The results showed that the testes of obese monkeys had abnormal morphology, and their testes transcriptome was significantly different from that of non-obese animals. We identified 507 differentially abundant genes (adjusted p value < 0.01, log2 [FC] > 2) including 163 up-regulated and 344 down-regulated genes. Among the differentially abundant genes were ten regulatory genes, including IRF1, IRF6, HERC5, HERC6, IFIH1, IFIT2, IFIT5, IFI35, RSAD2, and UBQLNL. Gene ontology (GO) and KEGG pathway analysis was conducted, and we found that processes and pathways associated with the blood testes barrier (BTB), immunity, inflammation, and DNA methylation in gametes were preferentially enriched. We also found abnormal expression of genes related to infertility (TDRD5, CLCN2, MORC1, RFX8, SOHLH1, IL2RB, MCIDAS, ZPBP, NFIA, PTPN11, TSC22D3, MAPK6, PLCB1, DCUN1D1, LPIN1, and GATM) and down-regulation of testosterone in monkeys with dietetic obesity. This work not only provides an important reference for research and treatment on male infertility caused by obesity, but also valuable insights into the effects of diet on gene expression in testes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanru Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Jia Qi
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Juan Zhao
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Miaojing Li
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Yulin Zhang
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Huizhong Hu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Liangliang Wei
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Kai Zhou
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Hongyu Qin
- Precision Medicine Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Pengxiang Qu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
| | - Wenbin Cao
- Key Laboratory of Environment and Genes Related to Diseases, Ministry of Education of China, Xi’an 710049, China
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (E.L.)
| | - Enqi Liu
- Laboratory Animal Center, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Centre, Xi’an 710061, China
- Correspondence: (W.C.); (E.L.)
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4
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Wang X, Ramat A, Simonelig M, Liu MF. Emerging roles and functional mechanisms of PIWI-interacting RNAs. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 2023; 24:123-141. [PMID: 36104626 DOI: 10.1038/s41580-022-00528-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 61.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that associate with proteins of the PIWI clade of the Argonaute family. First identified in animal germ line cells, piRNAs have essential roles in germ line development. The first function of PIWI-piRNA complexes to be described was the silencing of transposable elements, which is crucial for maintaining the integrity of the germ line genome. Later studies provided new insights into the functions of PIWI-piRNA complexes by demonstrating that they regulate protein-coding genes. Recent studies of piRNA biology, including in new model organisms such as golden hamsters, have deepened our understanding of both piRNA biogenesis and piRNA function. In this Review, we discuss the most recent advances in our understanding of piRNA biogenesis, the molecular mechanisms of piRNA function and the emerging roles of piRNAs in germ line development mainly in flies and mice, and in infertility, cancer and neurological diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Anne Ramat
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France
| | - Martine Simonelig
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Montpellier, CNRS, Montpellier, France.
| | - Mo-Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China. .,Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China. .,School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai, China.
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5
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Wang HY, Liu X, Chen JY, Huang Y, Lu Y, Tan F, Liu Q, Yang M, Li S, Zhang X, Qin Y, Ma W, Yang Y, Meng L, Liu K, Wang Q, Fan G, Nóbrega RH, Liu S, Piferrer F, Shao C. Single-cell-resolution transcriptome map revealed novel genes involved in testicular germ cell progression and somatic cells specification in Chinese tongue sole with sex reversal. SCIENCE CHINA LIFE SCIENCES 2022; 66:1151-1169. [PMID: 36437386 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-021-2236-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Female-to-male sex reversals (pseudomales) are common in lower vertebrates and have been found in natural populations, which is a concern under rapid changes in environmental conditions. Pseudomales can exhibit altered spermatogenesis. However, the regulatory mechanisms underlying pseudomale spermatogenesis remain unclear. Here, we characterized spermatogenesis in Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis), a species with genetic and environmental sex determination, based on a high-resolution single-cell RNA-seq atlas of cells derived from the testes of genotypic males and pseudomales. We identified five germ cell types and six somatic cell types and obtained a single-cell atlas of dynamic changes in gene expression during spermatogenesis in Chinese tongue sole, including alterations in pseudomales. We detected decreased levels of Ca2+ signaling pathway-related genes in spermatogonia, insufficient meiotic initiation in spermatocytes, and a malfunction of somatic niche cells in pseudomales. However, a cluster of CaSR genes and MAPK signaling factors were upregulated in undifferentiated spermatogonia of pseudomales. Additionally, we revealed that Z chromosome-specific genes, such as piwil2, dhx37, and ehmt1, were important for spermatogenesis. These results improve our understanding of reproduction after female-to-male sex-reversal and provide new insights into the adaptability of reproductive strategies in lower vertebrates.
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6
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Wang C, Zhang C, Fu Q, Zhang N, Ding M, Zhou Z, Chen X, Zhang F, Zhang C, Zhang CY, Wang JJ. Increased serum piwi-interacting RNAs as a novel potential diagnostic tool for brucellosis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:992775. [PMID: 36189348 PMCID: PMC9519857 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.992775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have emerged as potential novel indicators for various diseases; however, their diagnostic value for brucellosis remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of altered serum piRNAs in patients with brucellosis. Methods Illumina sequencing via synthesis (SBS) technology was used to screen the serum piRNA profile in brucellosis patients, and markedly dysregulated piRNAs were confirmed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) assay in two sets from a cohort of 73 brucellosis patients and 65 controls. Results Illumina SBS technology results showed that seven piRNAs were markedly elevated in brucellosis patients compared to normal controls. The seven upregulated piRNAs were further validated individually by qRT-PCR, of which three piRNAs (piR-000753, piR-001312, and piR-016742) were confirmed to be significantly and steadily increased in the patients (> 2-fold, P < 0.01). The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUCs) for the three piRNAs ranged from 0.698 to 0.783. The AUC for the three piRNAs combination was 0.772, with a specificity of 86% and a positive predictive value of 90%, respectively. Conclusions The three-piRNA panel identified in this study has potential as a novel blood-based auxiliary tool for brucellosis detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), Institute of Artificial Intelligence Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Cuiping Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), Institute of Artificial Intelligence Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Women’s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Nanjing, China
| | - Quan Fu
- Department of Microbiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meng Ding
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), Institute of Artificial Intelligence Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhen Zhou
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), Institute of Artificial Intelligence Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), Institute of Artificial Intelligence Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fengmin Zhang
- Department of Microbiology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, China
| | - Chunni Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), Institute of Artificial Intelligence Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jun-Jun Wang, ; Chunni Zhang, ; Chen-Yu Zhang,
| | - Chen-Yu Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), Institute of Artificial Intelligence Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jun-Jun Wang, ; Chunni Zhang, ; Chen-Yu Zhang,
| | - Jun-Jun Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinling Hospital, State Key Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry for Life Science, NJU Advanced Institute for Life Sciences (NAILS), School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Center of Molecular Diagnostic and Therapy, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Research Unit of Extracellular RNA, State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Jiangsu Engineering Research Center for MicroRNA Biology and Biotechnology, NJU Advanced Institute of Life Sciences (NAILS), Institute of Artificial Intelligence Biomedicine, School of Life Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Jun-Jun Wang, ; Chunni Zhang, ; Chen-Yu Zhang,
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7
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Wang X, Gou LT, Liu MF. Noncanonical Functions of PIWIL1/piRNAs in animal male germ cells and human diseases. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:101-108. [PMID: 35403682 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI proteins and PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are specifically expressed in animal germlines and play essential roles during gametogenesis in animals. The primary function of PIWI/piRNAs is known to silence transposable elements for protecting genome integrity in animal germlines, while their roles beyond silencing transposons are also documented by us and others. In particular, we show that mouse PIWIL1 (MIWI)/piRNAs play a dual role in regulating protein-coding genes in mouse spermatids through interacting with different protein factors in a developmental stage-dependent manner, including translationally activating a subset of ARE-containing mRNAs in round spermatids and inducing massive mRNA degradation in late spermatids. We further show that MIWI is eliminated through the ubiquitin-26S proteasome pathway during late spermiogenesis. By exploring the biological function of MIWI ubiquitination by APC/C, we identified ubiquitination-deficient mutations in human PIWIL1 of infertile men and further established their causative role in male infertility in mouse model, supporting PIWIL1 as a human male infertility-relevant gene. Additionally, we reported that PIWIL1, aberrantly induced in human tumors, functions as an oncoprotein in a piRNA-independent manner in cancer cells. In the current review, we summarize our latest findings regarding the roles and mechanisms of PIWIL1 and piRNAs in mouse spermatids and human diseases, and discuss the related works in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Lan-Tao Gou
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China
| | - Mo-Fang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai 200031, China.,School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.,School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghai Tech University, Shanghai 201210, China
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8
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He L, Wu X, Wu R, Guo P, He W, Sun W, Chen H. Seminal plasma piRNA array analysis and identification of possible biomarker piRNAs for the diagnosis of asthenozoospermia. Exp Ther Med 2022; 23:347. [PMID: 35493429 PMCID: PMC9019763 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2022.11275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is characterized by reduced sperm motility and its pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have been indicated to serve important roles in spermatogenesis. However, little is known about the correlation of piRNA expression with AZS. In the present study, small RNA sequencing (small RNA-seq) was performed on sperm samples from AZS patients and fertile controls. Reverse transcription-quantitative (RT-q) PCR was used to validate the small RNA-seq results. Bioinformatics analyses were performed to predict the functions of differentially expressed piRNAs (DEpiRNAs). Logistic regression models were constructed and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis was used to evaluate their diagnostic performance. A total of 114 upregulated and 169 downregulated piRNAs were detected in AZS patients. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses showed that the DEpiRNAs were mainly associated with transcription, signal transduction, cell differentiation, metal ion binding and focal adhesion. These results were verified by RT-qPCR analysis of eight selected piRNAs. The PCR results were consistent with the sequencing results in patients with AZS compared with controls in the first cohort. The expression of piR-hsa-32694, piR-hsa-26591, piR-hsa-18725 and piR-hsa-18586 was significantly upregulated in patients with AZS. The diagnostic power of the four piRNAs was further analyzed using ROC analysis; piR-hsa-26591 exhibited an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.913 (95% CI: 0.795-0.994). Logistic regression modelling and subsequent ROC analysis indicated that the combination of the 4 piRNAs achieved good diagnostic efficacy (AUC: 0.935).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling He
- Department of Geratology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Xingwu Wu
- Assisted Reproductive Center, Jiangxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Rongye Wu
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Jiangxi Health Vocational College, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330052, P.R. China
| | - Ping Guo
- Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yichun Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Jiangxi 336000, P.R. China
| | - Wenfeng He
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - Wanlei Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
| | - He Chen
- Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, P.R. China
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9
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Ghosh B, Sarkar A, Mondal S, Bhattacharya N, Khatua S, Ghosh Z. piRNAQuest V.2: an updated resource for searching through the piRNAome of multiple species. RNA Biol 2021; 19:12-25. [PMID: 34965192 PMCID: PMC8786328 DOI: 10.1080/15476286.2021.2010960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
PIWI interacting RNAs (piRNAs) have emerged as important gene regulators in recent times. Since the release of our first version of piRNAQuest in 2014, lots of novel piRNAs have been annotated in different species other than human, mouse and rat. Such new developments in piRNA research have led us to develop an updated database piRNAQuest V.2. It consists of 92,77,689 piRNA entries for 25 new species of different phylum along with human, mouse and rat. Besides providing primary piRNA features which include their genomic location, with further information on piRNAs overlapping with repeat elements, pseudogenes and syntenic regions, etc., the novel features of this version includes (i) density based cluster prediction, (ii) piRNA expression profile across various healthy and disease systems and (iii) piRNA target prediction. The concept of density-based piRNA cluster identification is robust as it does not consider parametric distribution in its model. The piRNA expression profile for 21 disease systems including cancer have been hosted in addition to 32 tissue specific piRNA expression profile for various species. Further, the piRNA target prediction section includes both predicted and curated piRNA targets within eight disease systems and developmental stages of mouse testis. Further, users can visualize the piRNA-target duplex structure and the ping-pong signature pattern for all the ping-pong piRNA partners in different species. Overall, piRNAQuest V.2 is an updated user-friendly database which will serve as a useful resource to survey, search and retrieve information on piRNAs for multiple species. This freely accessible database is available at http://dibresources.jcbose.ac.in/zhumur/pirnaquest2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byapti Ghosh
- Division of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
| | - Arijita Sarkar
- Division of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India.,Present Affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sudip Mondal
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Namrata Bhattacharya
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology, Delhi, India
| | - Sunirmal Khatua
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India
| | - Zhumur Ghosh
- Division of Bioinformatics, Bose Institute, Kolkata, India
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10
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Aliakbari F, Eshghifar N, Mirfakhraie R, Pourghorban P, Azizi F. Coding and Non-Coding RNAs, as Male Fertility and Infertility Biomarkers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FERTILITY & STERILITY 2021; 15:158-166. [PMID: 34155862 PMCID: PMC8233923 DOI: 10.22074/ijfs.2021.134602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2020] [Accepted: 10/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Semen analysis is usually the first step in the assessment of male fertility. Although analyzes provide valuable information about male fertility, success of cytoplasmic sperm injection using this method is not predictable. In the recent years, studies have shown that sperm quality assessment helps clinicians predict male fertility status based on the expression of biomarkers. To write this article, a comprehensive study was conducted on several RNA transcripts by searching related words on medical information databases by 2018. According to the literature, spermatogenesis based disorders in male infertility have a significant relationship with the expression level of some RNA molecules (like DAZ and PRM1/PRM2 ratio) in semen and testicular tissue. Thus, they might be used as predictor biomarkersto evaluate success rate of testicular sperm extraction (TESE) procedure, but confirmation of this hypothesis requires more extensive research. By comparing the number of RNAs attributed to each fertility disorder in men, it is possible to trace the causes of disease or return fertility to some infertile patients by regulating the mentioned molecules. Further researches can provide a better understanding of the use of RNA expression profiles in the diagnosis and treatment of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fereshteh Aliakbari
- Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nahal Eshghifar
- Men's Health and Reproductive Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Cellular and Molecular Sciences, Faculty of Advanced Sciences and Technology, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Mirfakhraie
- Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Parisa Pourghorban
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Sabzevar Branch, Islamic Azad University, Sabzevar, Iran
| | - Faezeh Azizi
- Non-Communicable Disease Control Department, Public Health Department, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran.
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11
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Wu X, Lin D, Sun F, Cheng CY. Male Infertility in Humans: An Update on Non-obstructive Azoospermia (NOA) and Obstructive Azoospermia (OA). ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2021; 1288:161-173. [PMID: 34453736 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-77779-1_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) and obstructive azoospermia (OA) are two common causes of infertility that affect a considerable number of men. However, few studies were performed to understand the molecular etiology of these disorders. Studies based on bioinformatics and genetic analyses in recent years, however, have yielded insightful information and have identified a number of genes that are involved in these disorders. In this review, we briefly summarize and evaluate these findings. We also discuss findings based on epigenetic modifications of sperm DNAs that affect a number of genes pertinent to NOA and OA. The information summarized in this Chapter should be helpful to investigators in future functional studies of NOA and OA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Dengfeng Lin
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (SRRSH), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital (SRRSH), Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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12
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Nätt D, Öst A. Male reproductive health and intergenerational metabolic responses from a small RNA perspective. J Intern Med 2020; 288:305-320. [PMID: 32415866 DOI: 10.1111/joim.13096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The world has recently experienced a decline in male reproductive (e.g. sperm counts and motility) and metabolic (e.g. obesity and diabetes) health. Accumulated evidence from animal models also shows that the metabolic health of the father may influence the metabolic health in his offspring. Vectors for such paternal intergenerational metabolic responses (IGMRs) involve small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) that often increase in spermatozoa during the last days of maturation in the epididymis. We and others have shown that the metabolic state - depending on factors such as diet, obesity and physical exercise - may affect sperm quality and sperm sncRNA. Together, this suggests that there are overlapping aetiologies between the male metabolic syndrome, male factor infertility and intergenerational responses. In this review, we present a theoretical framework for an overlap of these aetiologies by exploring the advances in our understanding of the roles of sncRNA in spermatogenesis and offspring development. A special focus will lie on novel findings about tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA), rRNA-derived small RNA (rsRNA) and small mitochondrial RNA (mitoRNA), and their emerging roles in intergenerational metabolic and reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- D Nätt
- From the, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - A Öst
- From the, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden
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13
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Wu X, Pan Y, Fang Y, Zhang J, Xie M, Yang F, Yu T, Ma P, Li W, Shu Y. The Biogenesis and Functions of piRNAs in Human Diseases. MOLECULAR THERAPY. NUCLEIC ACIDS 2020; 21:108-120. [PMID: 32516734 PMCID: PMC7283962 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtn.2020.05.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) are a novel type of small noncoding RNAs, which are 26-30 nt in length and bind to Piwi proteins. These short RNAs were originally discovered in germline cells and are considered as key regulators for germline maintenance. A growing body of evidence has now extended our views into piRNA biological significance showing that they can also regulate gene expression in somatic cells through transposon silencing, epigenetic programming, DNA rearrangements, mRNA turnover, and translational control. Mounting studies have revealed that the dysregulation of piRNAs may cause epigenetic changes and contribute to diverse diseases. This review illustrates piRNA biogenesis, mechanisms behind piRNA-mediated gene regulation, and changes of piRNAs in different diseases, especially in cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi Wu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yutian Pan
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Yuan Fang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingxin Zhang
- Department of General Surgery, The Affiliated People's Hospital of Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212002, People's Republic of China
| | - Mengyan Xie
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Fengming Yang
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Tao Yu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, People's Republic of China
| | - Pei Ma
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Wei Li
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, People's Republic of China; Department of Oncology, Affiliated Sir Run Run Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yongqian Shu
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, People's Republic of China; Department of Oncology, Affiliated Sir Run Run Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China; Jiangsu Key Lab of Cancer Biomarkers, Prevention and Treatment, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Personalized Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 211166, People's Republic of China.
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14
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Cerván-Martín M, Castilla JA, Palomino-Morales RJ, Carmona FD. Genetic Landscape of Nonobstructive Azoospermia and New Perspectives for the Clinic. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9020300. [PMID: 31973052 PMCID: PMC7074441 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9020300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) represents the most severe expression of male infertility, involving around 1% of the male population and 10% of infertile men. This condition is characterised by the inability of the testis to produce sperm cells, and it is considered to have an important genetic component. During the last two decades, different genetic anomalies, including microdeletions of the Y chromosome, karyotype defects, and missense mutations in genes involved in the reproductive function, have been described as the primary cause of NOA in many infertile men. However, these alterations only explain around 25% of azoospermic cases, with the remaining patients showing an idiopathic origin. Recent studies clearly suggest that the so-called idiopathic NOA has a complex aetiology with a polygenic inheritance, which may alter the spermatogenic process. Although we are far from a complete understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying NOA, the use of the new technologies for genetic analysis has enabled a considerable increase in knowledge during the last years. In this review, we will provide a comprehensive and updated overview of the genetic basis of NOA, with a special focus on the possible application of the recent insights in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miriam Cerván-Martín
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Av. del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
| | - José A. Castilla
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Unidad de Reproducción, UGC Obstetricia y Ginecología, HU Virgen de las Nieves, Av. de las Fuerzas Armadas 2, 18014 Granada, Spain
- CEIFER Biobanco—NextClinics, Calle Maestro Bretón 1, 18004 Granada, Spain
| | - Rogelio J. Palomino-Morales
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular I, Universidad de Granada, Facultad de Ciencias, Av. de Fuente Nueva s/n, 18071 Granada, Spain
| | - F. David Carmona
- Departamento de Genética e Instituto de Biotecnología, Universidad de Granada, Centro de Investigación Biomédica (CIBM), Parque Tecnológico Ciencias de la Salud, Av. del Conocimiento, s/n, 18016 Granada, Spain;
- Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, Av. de Madrid, 15, Pabellón de Consultas Externas 2, 2ª Planta, 18012 Granada, Spain; (J.A.C.); (R.J.P.-M.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-958-241-000 (ext 20170)
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15
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Single nucleotide polymorphisms in piRNA-pathway genes: an insight into genetic determinants of human diseases. Mol Genet Genomics 2019; 295:1-12. [DOI: 10.1007/s00438-019-01612-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2019] [Accepted: 09/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
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16
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Sun T, Han X. The disease-related biological functions of PIWI-interacting RNAs (piRNAs) and underlying molecular mechanisms. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019. [DOI: 10.1186/s41544-019-0021-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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17
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The applications of anti-CD20 antibodies to treat various B cells disorders. Biomed Pharmacother 2018; 109:2415-2426. [PMID: 30551501 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2018.11.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
B-lymphocyte antigen CD20 (called CD20) is known as an activated-glycosylated phosphoprotein which is expressed on the surface of all B-cells. CD20 is involved in the regulation of trans-membrane Ca2+ conductance and also play critical roles in cell-cycle progression during human B cell proliferation and activation. The appearance of monoclonal antibody (mAb) technology provided an effective field for targeted therapy in treatment of a variety of diseases such as cancer, and autoimmune diseases. Anti-CD20 is one of important antibodies which could be employed in treatment of several diseases. Increasing evidences revealed that efficacy of different anti-CD20 antibodies is implicated by their function. Hence, evaluation of anti-CD20 antibodies function could provide and introduce new anti-CD20 based therapies. In the present study, we summarized several applications of anti-CD20 antibodies in various immune related disorders including B-CLL (B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), multiple sclerosis (MS) and melanoma.
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