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Wang P, Zeng Q, Liu JC, Yang C, Tong D, Li Y, Duan YG. Immunodeviation towards T cell-mediated immune response in the testes of LPS-induced mouse epididymo-orchitis. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 164:104272. [PMID: 38838578 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104272] [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: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
The testicular consequences of acute epididymo-orchitis remain largely unelucidated in long-term damage, which might be a neglected factor for male infertility. In this study, the differential phenotype of testicular immune cell subpopulations in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mouse epididymo-orchitis were analyzed by flow cytometry on day 1, day 7, and day 28. The number of macrophages, neutrophils, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) steadily decreased in the testes with inoculation. Total F4/80-CD11c+ dendritic cells (DCs) maintained a relatively stable level, whereas conventional type 1 dendritic cells (cDC1) increased gradually from day 1 to day 28. There was a lower number of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells at day 1 and day 7, and they had similar results with a ceiling level at day 28. The testes displayed a higher level of CD3+ T cells but a lower frequency of macrophages, cDC2, and neutrophils at 28 days post-inoculation compared with the epididymis. In summary, our data indicates acute epididymo-orchitis could lead to long-term damage in the testes, which is characterized by CD3+ T cell (including CD4+ and CD8+ T cells)-mediated immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Wang
- Department of Urology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Qunxiong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Jin-Chuan Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Dali Tong
- Department of Urology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yanfeng Li
- Department of Urology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Yong-Gang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, the University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China.
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Battistone MA, Elizagaray ML, Barrachina F, Ottino K, Mendelsohn AC, Breton S. Immunoregulatory mechanisms between epithelial clear cells and mononuclear phagocytes in the epididymis. Andrology 2024; 12:949-963. [PMID: 37572347 PMCID: PMC10859549 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION One of the most intriguing aspects of male reproductive physiology is the ability of the epididymis to prevent the mounting of immune responses against the onslaught of foreign antigens carried by spermatozoa while initiating very efficient immune responses versus stressors. Epithelial clear cells are strategically positioned to work in a concerted manner with region-specific heterogeneous subsets of mononuclear phagocytes to survey the epididymal barrier and regulate the balance between inflammation and immune tolerance in the post-testicular environment. OBJECTIVE This review aims to describe how clear cells communicate with mononuclear phagocytes to contribute to the unique immune environment in which sperm mature and are stored in the epididymis. MATERIALS/METHODS A comprehensive systematic review was performed. PubMed was searched for articles specific to clear cells, mononuclear phagocytes, and epididymis. Articles that did not specifically address the target material were excluded. RESULTS In this review, we discuss the unexpected roles of clear cells, including the transfer of new proteins to spermatozoa via extracellular vesicles and nanotubes as they transit along the epididymal tubule; and we summarize the immune phenotype, morphology, and antigen capturing, processing, and presenting abilities of mononuclear phagocytes. Moreover, we present the current knowledge of immunoregulatory mechanisms by which clear cells and mononuclear phagocytes may contribute to the immune-privileged environment optimal for sperm maturation and storage. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Notably, we provide an in-depth characterization of clear cell-mononuclear phagocyte communication networks in the steady-state epididymis and in the presence of injury. This review highlights crucial concepts of mucosal immunology and cellcell interactions, all of which are critical but understudied facets of human male reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- MA Battistone
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - ML Elizagaray
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - F Barrachina
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - K Ottino
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - AC Mendelsohn
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - S Breton
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Research Center, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec (Québec), Canada
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Zhang G, Zhi W, Ye F, Xiong D, Zhang Y, Liu F, Zhao Y, Du X, Wu Y, Hou M, Liu J, Wei J, Silang Y, Xu W, Zeng J, Chen S, Liu W. Systematic analyses of the factors influencing sperm quality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Sci Rep 2024; 14:8132. [PMID: 38584153 PMCID: PMC10999436 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-58797-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: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
To figure out how does SARS-CoV-2 affect sperm parameters and what influencing factors affect the recovery of sperm quality after infection? We conducted a prospective cohort study and initially included 122 men with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The longest time to track semen quality after infection is 112 days and 58 eligible patients were included in our study eventually. We subsequently exploited a linear mixed-effects model to statistically analyze their semen parameters at different time points before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Semen parameters were significantly reduced after SARS-CoV-2 infection, including total sperm count (211 [147; 347] to 167 [65.0; 258], P < 0.001), sperm concentration (69.0 [38.8; 97.0] to 51.0 [25.5; 71.5], P < 0.001), total sperm motility (57.5 [52.3; 65.0] to 51.0 [38.5; 56.8], P < 0.001), progressive motility (50.0 [46.2; 58.0] to 45.0 [31.5; 52.8], P < 0.001). The parameters displayed the greatest diminution within 30 days after SARS-CoV-2 infection, gradually recovered thereafter, and exhibited no significant difference after 90 days compared with prior to COVID-19 infection. In addition, the patients in the group with a low-grade fever showed a declining tendency in semen parameters, but not to a significant degree, whereas those men with a moderate or high fever produced a significant drop in the same parameters. Semen parameters were significantly reduced after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and fever severity during SARS-CoV-2 infection may constitute the main influencing factor in reducing semen parameters in patients after recovery, but the effect is reversible and the semen parameters gradually return to normal with the realization of a new spermatogenic cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guohui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and the Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Weiwei Zhi
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Fei Ye
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Dongsheng Xiong
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Yanan Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Fulin Liu
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and the Center for Medical Genetics, Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology, Chengdu, 610072, China
| | - Yuhong Zhao
- School of Laboratory Medicine, Chengdu Medical College, Chengdu, 610500, China
| | - Xinrong Du
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, 610075, China
| | - Yang Wu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Mingxia Hou
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Jiu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Jiajing Wei
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Yangzhong Silang
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China
| | - Wenming Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Joint Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine (SCU-CUHK), Key Laboratory of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Pediatric Diseases and Birth Defects of Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China
| | - Jiuzhi Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China.
| | - Shiqi Chen
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China.
| | - Weixin Liu
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Chengdu, 610045, China.
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Tvrdá E, Petrovičová M, Ďuračka M, Benko F, Slanina T, Galovičová L, Kačániová M. Short-Term Storage of Rooster Ejaculates: Sperm Quality and Bacterial Profile Differences in Selected Commercial Extenders. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 12:1284. [PMID: 37627704 PMCID: PMC10451222 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics12081284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial contamination of semen has become an important contributor to the reduced shelf life of insemination doses in the poultry industry, which is why antibiotics (ATBs) are an important component of semen extenders. Due to a global rise in antimicrobial resistance, the aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of selected commercially available semen extenders to prevent possible bacterial contamination of rooster ejaculates. Two selected extenders free from or containing 31.2 µg/mL kanamycin (KAN) were used to process semen samples from 63 healthy Lohmann Brown roosters. Phosphate-buffered saline without ATBs was used as a control. The extended samples were stored at 4 °C for 24 h. Sperm motility, viability, mitochondrial activity, DNA integrity and the oxidative profile of each extended sample were assessed following 2 h and 24 h of storage. Furthermore, selective media were used to quantify the bacterial load and specific bacterial species were identified with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry. The results indicate that semen extenders enriched with KAN ensured a significantly higher preservation of sperm quality in comparison to their KAN-free counterparts. Bacterial load was significantly decreased in diluents supplemented with ATBs (p ≤ 0.001); however, KAN alone was not effective enough to eradicate all bacteria since several Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Micrococcus luteus were retrieved from samples extended in KAN-supplemented commercial extenders. As such, we may suggest that more focus should be devoted to the selection of an optimal combination and dose of antibiotics for poultry extenders, which should be accompanied by a more frequent bacteriological screening of native as well as extended poultry semen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva Tvrdá
- Institute of Biotechnology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia
| | - Michaela Petrovičová
- Department of Neuroscience, Second Faculty of Medicine (2. LF UK), Charles University, V Úvalu 84, 15006 Prague, Czech Republic;
| | - Michal Ďuračka
- AgroBioTech Research Centre, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Filip Benko
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (F.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Tomáš Slanina
- Institute of Applied Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (F.B.); (T.S.)
| | - Lucia Galovičová
- Institute of Fruit Science, Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (L.G.); (M.K.)
| | - Miroslava Kačániová
- Institute of Fruit Science, Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 94976 Nitra, Slovakia; (L.G.); (M.K.)
- Department of Bioenergetics, Food Analysis and Microbiology, Institute of Food Technology and Nutrition, University of Rzeszow, Cwiklinskiej 1, 35-601 Rzeszow, Poland
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Liu JC, Wang P, Zeng QX, Yang C, Lyu M, Li Y, Yeung WSB, Chiu PCN, Haidl G, Allam JP, Duan YG. Myd88 Signaling Is Involved in the Inflammatory Response in LPS-Induced Mouse Epididymitis and Bone-Marrow-Derived Dendritic Cells. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24097838. [PMID: 37175545 PMCID: PMC10178089 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24097838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 04/20/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Epididymitis is an epididymal inflammation that may lead to male infertility. Dendritic cells (DCs) and myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (Myd88) were associated with epididymitis in rodents. However, the functions of Myd88 on epididymal DCs remain unclear. This study investigated the role of Myd88 in DCs for epididymitis. The Myd88 signaling pathway, phenotypes of DC subsets, and cytokines were investigated in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced epididymitis in mice. CRISPR-Cas9 was used to knockout Myd88 in bone-marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and immortalized mouse epididymal (DC2) cell line. In the vivo experiments, levels of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1α, IL-6, IL-17A, TNF-α, IL-1β, MCP-1, and GM-CSF, mRNA for MyD88 related genes, and the percentages of monocyte-derived DCs (Mo-DCs) were significantly elevated in mice with epididymitis. In the vitro experiments, LPS significantly promoted the apoptosis of BMDCs. In addition, the concentration of inflammatory cytokines in BMDCs and DC2s were increased in the LPS group, while decreasing after the knockout of Myd88. These findings indicate that Myd88 on DCs is involved in the inflammation of epididymitis in mice, which may be a potential target for better strategies regarding the treatment of immunological male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Chuan Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Urology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - Qun-Xiong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Minmin Lyu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
| | - Yanfeng Li
- Department of Urology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing 400042, China
| | - William Shu-Biu Yeung
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Philip Chi-Ngong Chiu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, LKS Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Gerhard Haidl
- Department of Andrology, Bonn University Hospital, Campus-Venusberg 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Jean-Pierre Allam
- Department of Andrology, Bonn University Hospital, Campus-Venusberg 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany
| | - Yong-Gang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen 518053, China
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Chen Y, Sun T, Gu L, Ouyang S, Liu K, Yuan P, Liu C. Identification of hub genes and biological mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of asthenozoospermia and chronic epididymitis. Front Genet 2023; 14:1110218. [PMID: 37152990 PMCID: PMC10160426 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2023.1110218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: Asthenozoospermia (AZS) is one of the most common causes of male fertility, affecting family wellbeing and population growth. Chronic epididymitis (CE) is a common and lingering inflammatory disease in the scrotum. Inflammation in the epididymis has a severe impact on sperm motility. This study aimed to explore the genetic profile and critical pathways involved in the pathological mechanisms of AZS and CE, and discover potential biomarkers. Methods: Genomic datasets of AZS and CE were obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and relevant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. GO and pathway enrichment analyses, construction of a protein-protein interaction network, and receiver operator characteristic curve analysis were conducted. The expression profile of hub genes was validated in immunohistochemical data and testicular cell data. Immune infiltration, miRNA-hub gene interactions, and gene-disease interactions were explored. The mRNA levels of hub genes were further measured by qRT-PCR. Results: A total of 109 DEGs were identified between the AZS/CE and healthy control groups. Pathways of the immune system, neutrophil degranulation, and interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling were enriched in AZS and CE. Five hub genes (CD300LB, CMKLR1, CCR4, B3GALT5, and CTSK) were selected, and their diagnostic values were validated in AZS, CE, and independent validation sets (area under the curve >0.7). Furthermore, the five-hub gene signature was well characterized in testicular immunohistochemical staining and testicular cells from healthy controls. Immune infiltration analysis showed that infiltration of CD8+ cells and T helper cells was significantly related to the expression level of five hub genes. In addition, a miRNA-hub gene network and interaction of other diseases were displayed. The mRNA levels of hub genes (CD300LB, CMKLR1, CCR4, and B3GALT5) were significantly elevated in the patient group. The mRNA level of CTSK also showed a similar trend. Conclusion: Our study uncovered the genetic profile involved in AZS and CE, and elucidated enriched pathways and molecular associations between hub genes and immune infiltration. This finding provides novel insight into the common pathogenesis of both diseases as well as the potential biomarkers for CE-associated AZS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinwei Chen
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Taotao Sun
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Longjie Gu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Song Ouyang
- Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Shihezi University, Shihezi, Xinjiang, China
| | - Kang Liu
- Department of Urology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Penghui Yuan
- Department of Urology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
- *Correspondence: Penghui Yuan, ; Chang Liu,
| | - Chang Liu
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
- *Correspondence: Penghui Yuan, ; Chang Liu,
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Barrachina F, Ottino K, Tu LJ, Soberman RJ, Brown D, Breton S, Battistone MA. CX3CR1 deficiency leads to impairment of immune surveillance in the epididymis. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 80:15. [PMID: 36550225 PMCID: PMC9948740 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04664-w] [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: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Mononuclear phagocytes (MPs) play an active role in the immunological homeostasis of the urogenital tract. In the epididymis, a finely tuned balance between tolerance to antigenic sperm and immune activation is required to maintain epididymal function while protecting sperm against pathogens and stressors. We previously characterized a subset of resident MPs that express the CX3CR1 receptor, emphasizing their role in antigen sampling and processing during sperm maturation and storage in the murine epididymis. Bacteria-associated epididymitis is the most common cause of intrascrotal inflammation and frequently leads to reproductive complications. Here, we examined whether the lack of functional CX3CR1 in homozygous mice (CX3CR1EGFP/EGFP, KO) alters the ability of MPs to initiate immune responses during epididymitis induced by LPS intravasal-epididymal injection. Confocal microscopy revealed that CX3CR1-deficient MPs located in the initial segments of the epididymis displayed fewer luminal-reaching membrane projections and impaired antigen capture activity. Moreover, flow cytometry showed a reduction of epididymal KO MPs with a monocytic phenotype under physiological conditions. In contrast, flow cytometry revealed an increase in the abundance of MPs with a monocytic signature in the distal epididymal segments after an LPS challenge. This was accompanied by the accumulation of CD103+ cells in the interstitium, and the prevention or attenuation of epithelial damage in the KO epididymis during epididymitis. Additionally, CX3CR1 deletion induced downregulation of Gja1 (connexin 43) expression in KO MPs. Together, our study provides evidence that MPs are gatekeepers of the immunological blood-epididymis barrier and reveal the role of the CX3CR1 receptor in epididymal mucosal homeostasis by inducing MP luminal protrusions and by regulating the monocyte population in the epididymis at steady state as well as upon infection. We also uncover the interaction between MPs and CD103+ dendritic cells, presumably through connexin 43, that enhance immune responses during epididymitis. Our study may lead to new diagnostics and therapies for male infertility and epididymitis by identifying immune mechanisms in the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Barrachina
- Program in Membrane Biology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - K Ottino
- Program in Membrane Biology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - L J Tu
- Program in Membrane Biology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - R J Soberman
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - D Brown
- Program in Membrane Biology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA
| | - S Breton
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec-Research Center, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - M A Battistone
- Program in Membrane Biology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Charlestown, MA, USA.
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8
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The Role of Mononuclear Phagocytes in the Testes and Epididymis. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010053. [PMID: 36613494 PMCID: PMC9820352 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) is the primary innate immune cell group in male reproductive tissues, maintaining the balance of pro-inflammatory and immune tolerance. This article aims to outline the role of mononuclear macrophages in the immune balance of the testes and epididymis, and to understand the inner immune regulation mechanism. A review of pertinent publications was performed using the PubMed and Google Scholar databases on all articles published prior to January 2021. Search terms were based on the following keywords: 'MPS', 'mononuclear phagocytes', 'testes', 'epididymis', 'macrophage', 'Mφ', 'dendritic cell', 'DC', 'TLR', 'immune', 'inflammation', and 'polarization'. Additionally, reference lists of primary and review articles were reviewed for other publications of relevance. This review concluded that MPS exhibits a precise balance in the male reproductive system. In the testes, MPS cells are mainly suppressed subtypes (M2 and cDC2) under physiological conditions, which maintain the local immune tolerance. Under pathological conditions, MPS cells will transform into M1 and cDC1, producing various cytokines, and will activate T cell specific immunity as defense to foreign pathogens or self-antigens. In the epididymis, MPS cells vary in the different segments, which express immune tolerance in the caput and pro-inflammatory condition in the cauda. Collectively, MPS is the control point for maintaining the immune tolerance of the testes and epididymis as well as for eliminating pathogens.
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Pleuger C, Ai D, Hoppe ML, Winter LT, Bohnert D, Karl D, Guenther S, Epelman S, Kantores C, Fijak M, Ravens S, Middendorff R, Mayer JU, Loveland KL, Hedger M, Bhushan S, Meinhardt A. The regional distribution of resident immune cells shapes distinct immunological environments along the murine epididymis. eLife 2022; 11:82193. [PMID: 36515584 DOI: 10.7554/elife.82193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The epididymis functions as transition zone for post-testicular sperm maturation and storage and faces contrasting immunological challenges, i.e. tolerance towards spermatozoa vs. reactivity against pathogens. Thus, normal organ function and integrity relies heavily on a tightly controlled immune balance. Previous studies described inflammation-associated tissue damage solely in the distal regions (corpus, cauda), but not in the proximal regions (initial segment, caput). To understand the observed region-specific immunity along the epididymal duct, we have used an acute bacterial epididymitis mouse model and analyzed the disease progression. Whole transcriptome analysis using RNAseq 10 days post infection showed a pro-inflammatory environment within the cauda, while the caput exhibited only minor transcriptional changes. High-dimensional flow cytometry analyses revealed drastic changes in the immune cell composition upon infection with uropathogenic Escherichia coli. A massive influx of neutrophils and monocytes was observed exclusively in distal regions and was associated with bacterial appearance and tissue alterations. In order to clarify the reasons for the region-specific differences in the intensity of immune responses, we investigated the heterogeneity of resident immune cell populations under physiological conditions by scRNASeq analysis of extravascular CD45+ cells. Twelve distinct immune cell subsets were identified, displaying substantial differences in distribution along the epididymis as further assessed by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence staining. Macrophages constituted the majority of resident immune cells and were further separated in distinct subgroups based on their transcriptional profile, tissue location and monocyte-dependence. Crucially, the proximal and distal regions showed striking differences in their immunological landscapes. These findings indicate that resident immune cells are strategically positioned along the epididymal duct, potentially providing different immunological environments required for addressing the contrasting immunological challenges and thus, preserving tissue integrity and organ function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Pleuger
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dingding Ai
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Minea L Hoppe
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Laura T Winter
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Daniel Bohnert
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Dominik Karl
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Stefan Guenther
- ECCPS Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim, Germany
| | - Slava Epelman
- Ted Rogers Center of Heart Research, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Crystal Kantores
- Ted Rogers Center of Heart Research, Peter Munk Cardiac Centre, Toronto General Hospital Research Institute, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada
| | - Monika Fijak
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sarina Ravens
- Institute of Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hanover, Germany
| | - Ralf Middendorff
- Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Signal Transduction, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Johannes U Mayer
- Department of Dermatology and Allergology, Philipps-University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre of Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Mark Hedger
- Centre of Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash Medical Centre, Monash University, Clayton, Australia
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Center of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Centre of Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Australia
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10
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Li Y, Zhu J, Zhao X, Sun Y, Xu F, Xu S, Shang X. Oral Lycopene Administration Attenuates Inflammation and Oxidative Stress by Regulating Plasma Lipids in Rats with Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Epididymitis. J Inflamm Res 2022; 15:6517-6531. [PMCID: PMC9719710 DOI: 10.2147/jir.s380785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Epididymitis histological alterations and related long-term reproductive issues cannot be cured by antibiotics alone. Few studies have been done on the effect of lycopene on epididymitis, despite the fact that it is an efficient antioxidant. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of lycopene on Lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced epididymis and lipid metabolism. Methods Thirty-one 260–290g rats were separated into the blank control group (n=10), the oil-control group (n=10), the single intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg LPS (n=5), and the continuous intragastric of 5 mg/kg lycopene (n=6). The animals were euthanized after four weeks, and blood and the epididymis were removed for analysis. Results Lycopene significantly decreased IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, MCP-1, IL-6 and lipid peroxidation product Malondialdehyde in serum and epididymis. It significantly increased the epididymis’s antioxidant enzyme and total antioxidant capacity. According to LC-MS plasma lipidomics, lycopene increased phosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylcholine, decreased phosphatidylethanolamine, triacylglycerol, and diacylglycerol levels, changed the composition of lipids, altered metabolic pathways, and these changes were related to the mechanism of anti-inflammatory and oxidative stress. 20 lipids, including PC (20:5e) and LPC (14:0), were identified through additional Spearman correlation analysis as being related to cytokines and oxidation indices. They served as possible lipid markers that may be utilized to gauge the severity of inflammation. Conclusion Lycopene has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that improve histopathological and functional damage in LPS-induced epididymitis and is an alternate supplement for treating epididymitis. Lipidomics provide new perspectives on the possible mechanism of lycopene in protecting against LPS-induced epididymitis by integrating lipid metabolism and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Li
- Department of Urology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jinde Zhu
- Department of Urology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaodong Zhao
- Department of Urology, Jinling Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Sun
- Department of Urology, Jinling Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China,Department of Pathology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Feng Xu
- Department of Urology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China,Department of Urology, Jinling Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Song Xu
- Department of Urology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China,Department of Urology, Jinling Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xuejun Shang
- Department of Urology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China,Department of Urology, Jinling Clinical Medical College of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, People’s Republic of China,Correspondence: Xuejun Shang, Department of Urology, Jinling Hospital, The First School of Clinical Medicine, Southern Medical University, No. 305 East Zhongshan Road, Nanjing, 210002, People’s Republic of China, Tel +8613813905418, Email
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11
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Liu DL, Liu SJ, Hu SQ, Chen YC, Guo J. Probing the Potential Mechanism of Quercetin and Kaempferol against Heat Stress-Induced Sertoli Cell Injury: Through Integrating Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms231911163. [PMID: 36232461 PMCID: PMC9570440 DOI: 10.3390/ijms231911163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Quercetin and kaempferol are flavonoids widely present in fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants. They have attracted much attention due to their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, antibacterial, and neuroprotective properties. As the guarantee cells in direct contact with germ cells, Sertoli cells exert the role of support, nutrition, and protection in spermatogenesis. In the current study, network pharmacology was used to explore the targets and signaling pathways of quercetin and kaempferol in treating spermatogenic disorders. In vitro experiments were integrated to verify the results of quercetin and kaempferol against heat stress-induced Sertoli cell injury. The online platform was used to analyze the GO biological pathway and KEGG pathway. The results of the network pharmacology showed that quercetin and kaempferol intervention in spermatogenesis disorders were mostly targeting the oxidative response to oxidative stress, the ROS metabolic process and the NFκB pathway. The results of the cell experiment showed that Quercetin and kaempferol can prevent the decline of cell viability induced by heat stress, reduce the expression levels of HSP70 and ROS in Sertoli cells, reduce p-NF-κB-p65 and p-IκB levels, up-regulate the expression of occludin, vimentin and F-actin in Sertoli cells, and protect cell structure. Our research is the first to demonstrate that quercetin and kaempferol may exert effects in resisting the injury of cell viability and structure under heat stress.
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12
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Zhai YJ, Feng Y, Ma X, Ma F. Defensins: defenders of human reproductive health. Hum Reprod Update 2022; 29:126-154. [PMID: 36130055 PMCID: PMC9825273 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmac032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Revised: 07/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Reproductive tract infection is an important factor leading to male and female infertility. Among female infertility factors, microbial and viral infections are the main factors affecting female reproductive health and causing tubal infertility, ectopic tubal pregnancy and premature delivery. Among male infertility factors, 13-15% of male infertility is related to infection. Defensins are cationic antibacterial and antiviral peptides, classified into α-defensins, β-defensins and θ-defensins. Humans only have α-defensins and β-defensins. Apart from their direct antimicrobial functions, defensins have an immunomodulatory function and are involved in many physiological processes. Studies have shown that defensins are widely distributed in the female reproductive tract (FRT) and male reproductive tract (MRT), playing a dual role of host defence and fertility protection. However, to our knowledge, the distribution, regulation and function of defensins in the reproductive tract and their relation to reproduction have not been reviewed. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This review summarizes the expression, distribution and regulation of defensins in the reproductive tracts to reveal the updated research on the dual role of defensins in host defence and the protection of fertility. SEARCH METHODS A systematic search was conducted in PubMed using the related keywords through April 2022. Related data from original researches and reviews were integrated to comprehensively review the current findings and understanding of defensins in the human reproductive system. Meanwhile, female and male transcriptome data in the GEO database were screened to analyze defensins in the human reproductive tracts. OUTCOMES Two transcriptome databases from the GEO database (GSE7307 and GSE150852) combined with existing researches reveal the expression levels and role of the defensins in the reproductive tracts. In the FRT, a high expression level of α-defensin is found, and the expression levels of defensins in the vulva and vagina are higher than those in other organs. The expression of defensins in the endometrium varies with menstrual cycle stages and with microbial invasion. Defensins also participate in the local immune response to regulate the risk of spontaneous preterm birth. In the MRT, a high expression level of β-defensins is also found. It is mainly highly expressed in the epididymal caput and corpus, indicating that defensins play an important role in sperm maturation. The expression of defensins in the MRT varies with androgen levels, age and the status of microbial invasion. They protect the male reproductive system from bacterial infections by neutralizing lipopolysaccharide and downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, animal and clinical studies have shown that defensins play an important role in sperm maturation, motility and fertilization. WIDER IMPLICATIONS As a broad-spectrum antimicrobial peptide without drug resistance, defensin has great potential for developing new natural antimicrobial treatments for reproductive tract infections. However, increasing evidence has shown that defensins can not only inhibit microbial invasion but can also promote the invasion and adhesion of some microorganisms in certain biological environments, such as human immunodeficiency virus. Therefore, the safety of defensins as reproductive tract anti-infective drugs needs more in-depth research. In addition, the modulatory role of defensins in fertility requires more in-depth research since the current conclusions are based on small-size samples. At present, scientists have made many attempts at the clinical transformation of defensins. However, defensins have problems such as poor stability, low bioavailability and difficulties in their synthesis. Therefore, the production of safe, effective and low-cost drugs remains a challenge.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Xue Ma
- Correspondence address. Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7781-821X (F.M.); Department of Pediatric Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7650-6214 (X.M.)
| | - Fang Ma
- Correspondence address. Center for Translational Medicine, Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children (Sichuan University), Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7781-821X (F.M.); Department of Pediatric Urology, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610041, China. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7650-6214 (X.M.)
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13
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Santacroce L, Imbimbo C, Ballini A, Crocetto F, Scacco S, Cantore S, Di Zazzo E, Colella M, Jirillo E. Testicular Immunity and Its Connection with the Microbiota. Physiological and Clinical Implications in the Light of Personalized Medicine. J Pers Med 2022; 12:1335. [PMID: 36013286 PMCID: PMC9409709 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12081335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproduction is a complex process, which is based on the cooperation between the endocrine-immune system and the microbiota. Testicular immunity is characterized by the so-called immune privilege, a mechanism that avoids autoimmune attacks against proteins expressed by spermatozoa. Testicular microbiota is connected with the gut microbiota, the most prevalent site of commensals inthe body. Both microbiotas take part inthe development of the immune system and protection againstpathogen invasion. Dysbiosis is caused by concurrent pathologies, such as obesity, diabetes, infections and trauma. The substitution of beneficial bacteria with pathogens may lead to destruction of spermatozoa directly or indirectly and, ultimately, to male infertility. Novel therapeutic interventions, i.e., nutritional interventions and supplementation of natural products, such as, probiotics, prebiotics, antioxidants and polyphenols, may lead to the restoration of the otherwise-impaired male reproductive potential, even if experimental and clinical results are not always concordant. In this review, the structure and immune function of the testis will be described with special reference to the blood-testisbarrier. The regulatory role of both the gut and testicular microbiota will be illustrated in health and disease, also emphasizing therapeutic attempts with natural products for the correction of male infertility, in the era of personalized medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luigi Santacroce
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Ciro Imbimbo
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea Ballini
- Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Crocetto
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, School of Medicine, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80131Naples, Italy
| | - Salvatore Scacco
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Stefania Cantore
- Independent Researcher, Sorriso & Benessere—Ricerca e Clinica, 70129 Bari, Italy
| | - Erika Di Zazzo
- Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise, 86100 Campobasso, Italy
| | - Marica Colella
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Emilio Jirillo
- Interdisciplinary Department of Medicine, Section of Microbiology and Virology, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
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14
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Gong J, Wang P, Liu JC, Li J, Zeng QX, Yang C, Li Y, Yu D, Cao D, Duan YG. Integrative Analysis of Small RNA and mRNA Expression Profiles Identifies Signatures Associated With Chronic Epididymitis. Front Immunol 2022; 13:883803. [PMID: 35634321 PMCID: PMC9130659 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.883803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic epididymitis (CE) refers to a long-lasting inflammatory condition of the epididymis, which is considered the most common site of intrascrotal inflammation and an important aetiological factor of male infertility. Recent studies demonstrate that small RNAs secreted from epididymal epithelium modulate embryo development and offspring phenotypes via sperm transmission, and the resulting modifications may lead to transgenerational inheritance. However, to date, the genome-wide analysis of small RNA together with the transcriptomic expression profiles of human epididymis and CE is still lacking. In this study, we facilitated next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics to comprehensively analyze the small RNA and mRNA in an integrative way and identified signatures associated with CE. Both of the small RNA and mRNA expression data demonstrated relatively larger molecular differences among the segmental region of the epididymides, including caput, corpus, and cauda, than that of the inflammatory conditions. By comparing the inflamed caputs to the controls, a total of 1727 genes (1220 upregulated and 507 downregulated; 42 most significant genes, adjusted P <0.05) and 34 miRNAs (23 upregulated and 11 downregulated) were identified as differentially expressed. In silico functional enrichment analysis showed their roles in regulating different biological activities, including leukocyte chemotaxis, extracellular milieu reconstruction, ion channel and transporter-related processes, and nervous system development. Integrative analysis of miRNA and mRNA identified a regulatory network consisting of 22 miRNAs and 31 genes (miRNA-mRNA) which are strong candidates for CE. In addition, analysis about other species of small RNA, including (miRNA), piwi-interacting RNA (piRNA), tRNA-derived small RNA (tsRNA), Y RNA, and rsRNA identified the distinct expression pattern of tsRNA in CE. In summary, our study performed small RNA and miRNA profiling and integrative analysis in human CE. The findings will help to understand the role of miRNA-mRNA in the pathogenesis of CE and provide molecular candidates for the development of potential biomarkers for human CE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jialei Gong
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Peng Wang
- Department of Urology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Jin-Chuan Liu
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Jianlin Li
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Qun-Xiong Zeng
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chen Yang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yanfeng Li
- Department of Urology, Daping Hospital, Army Medical University, Chongqing, China
| | - Di Yu
- The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Woolloongabba, QLD, Australia
| | - Dandan Cao
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yong-Gang Duan
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Fertility Regulation, Center of Assisted Reproduction and Embryology, The University of Hong Kong - Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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15
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The NLRP3 inflammasome: molecular activation and regulation in spermatogenesis and male infertility; a systematic review. Basic Clin Androl 2022; 32:8. [PMID: 35637440 PMCID: PMC9150048 DOI: 10.1186/s12610-022-00157-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Infertility related to varicocele, infections, metabolic dysfunctions, oxidative stress and environmental toxicants is also associated with inflammatory processes that ultimately lead to the activation of the inflammasome pathway (IP). IP is classically activated by DAMPs, MAMPs or LAMPs, which stand for Damage-, Microbe- or Lifestyle-Associated Molecular Patterns, respectively. The most important player in IP activation is the NLRP3 (NOD[Nuclear oligomerization domain]-, LRR[Leucine rich repeat]- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3) which functions as an intracellular sensor of D/M/L-AMPs resulting in activation of caspase-1, promotion of apoptosis, pyroptosis and generation of inflammatory cytokines. This review addresses the question of whether IP activation might be associated with male infertility situations. Results & conclusions We conducted a systematic review of articles published in the Google Scholar, and PubMed databases through October 2021. It turns out that inflammasome activation and its consequences including cytokine storms, apoptosis and pyroptosis could be associated with the reduced sperm count as well as the structural and functional sperm defects recorded in several situations associated with male infertility suggesting that anti-inflammatory therapeutic strategies could be possibly considered to restore male fertility in future research.
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16
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Sano M, Komiyama H, Shinoda R, Ozawa R, Watanabe H, Karasawa T, Takahashi M, Torii Y, Iwata H, Kuwayama T, Shirasuna K. NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in testicular inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide in mice. Am J Reprod Immunol 2022; 87:e13527. [PMID: 35148014 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM Systemic inflammation induced by infection, which is associated with testicular inflammation, predisposes males to subfertility. Recently, the nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat-, and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome was identified as a key mediator of inflammation, and excessive activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome was shown to contribute to the pathogenesis of a wide variety of diseases. However, the mechanisms underlying infectious inflammation in the testis remain unclear. We investigated the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced systemic inflammation on the role of the NLRP3 inflammasome in murine testes. METHOD OF STUDY We performed in vivo and in vitro studies using an LPS-induced model of NLRP3 inflammasome activation and testicular inflammation. RESULTS Intraperitoneal administration of LPS significantly impaired sperm motility in the epididymis of wild type (WT) and NLRP3-knockout (KO) mice. LPS administration stimulated interleukin (IL)-1β production and secretion in the testes of WT mice, and these adverse effects were improved in the testes of NLRP3-KO mice. LPS administration also stimulated neutrophil infiltration as well as its chemoattractant C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) in WT testes, which were suppressed in NLRP3-KO testes. In in vitro cell culture, treatment with LPS and NLRP3 inflammasome activation significantly induced IL-1β and CCL2 secretion from WT but not NLRP3-KO testicular cells. CONCLUSIONS Taken together, our results suggest that testicular cells have the potential to secrete IL-1β and CCL2 in an NLRP3 inflammasome-dependent manner and that these cytokines from the testis may further exacerbate testicular function, resulting in subfertility during infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michiya Sano
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiromu Komiyama
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Riina Shinoda
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Ren Ozawa
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Watanabe
- Department of Life and Food Sciences, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Obihiro, Hokkaido, Japan
| | - Tadayoshi Karasawa
- Division of Inflammation Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Masafumi Takahashi
- Division of Inflammation Research, Center for Molecular Medicine, Jichi Medical University, Shimotsuke, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Yasushi Torii
- Laboratory of Animal Health, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Hisataka Iwata
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Takehito Kuwayama
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
| | - Koumei Shirasuna
- Laboratory of Animal Reproduction, Department of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan
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17
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Ferreira LGA, Nishino FA, Fernandes SG, Ribeiro CM, Hinton BT, Avellar MCW. Epididymal embryonic development harbors TLR4/NFKB signaling pathway as a morphogenetic player. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 149:103456. [PMID: 34915277 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
The Wolffian duct (WD) is an embryonic tissue that undergoes androgen-induced morphological changes to become the epididymis. Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)- and nuclear factor kB (NFKB)-induced effectors are expressed in the adult epididymis and represent important players in epididymal innate immune responses. TLR4/NFKB signaling pathway is evolutionarily conserved and plays a critical morphogenetic role in several species; however, its function during WD morphogenesis is unknown. We hypothesized that TLR4/NFKB pathway plays a role during WD development. Here we examined TLR4 expression and regulation of TLR4-target genes during rat WD morphogenesis between embryonic days (e) 17.5-20.5. The functionality of TLR4/NFKB signaling was examined using WD organotypic cultures treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from E. coli (TLR4 agonist) and PDTC (NFKB inhibitor). TLR4 was detected at mRNA level in e17.5 (uncoiled duct) and e20.5 (coiled duct) WDs, and spatio-temporal changes in TLR4 immunoreactivity were observed between these two time points. Expression level analysis of a subset of TLR4-regulated genes showed that TLR4/NFKB pathway was activated after exposure of cultured WD to LPS (4 h), an event that was abrogated by PDTC. Long-term exposure of cultured WDs to LPS (96 h) resulted in dysregulations of morphogenetic events and LAMA1 immunodistribution changes, suggesting the extracellular matrix at the intersection between WD morphogenesis and balance of innate immune components. Our results unveil the epididymal morphogenesis as an event equipped with TLR4/NFKB signaling components that may serve developmental functions, and eventually transition to host defense function when the fetus is exposed to an infectious or noninfectious threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas G A Ferreira
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Fernanda A Nishino
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Samuel G Fernandes
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Camilla M Ribeiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil; Centro Universitário do Planalto de Araxá (UNIARAXÁ), Araxá, MG, 38180-084, Brazil
| | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA
| | - Maria Christina W Avellar
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, 04044-020, Brazil.
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18
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Kontsevaya GV, Gerlinskaya LA, Moshkin YM, Anisimova MV, Stanova AK, Babochkina TI, Moshkin MP. The Effects of Sperm and Seminal Fluid of Immunized Male Mice on In Vitro Fertilization and Surrogate Mother-Embryo Interaction. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms221910650. [PMID: 34638989 PMCID: PMC8508670 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The latest vaccination campaign has actualized the potential impact of antigenic stimuli on reproductive functions. To address this, we mimicked vaccination’s effects by administering keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH ) to CD1 male mice and used their sperm for in vitro fertilization (IVF). Two-cell embryos after IVF with spermatozoa from control (C) or KLH-treated (Im) male mice were transferred to surrogate mothers mated with vasectomized control (C) or KLH-treated (Im) male mice, resulting in four experimental groups: C–C, Im–C, C–Im, and Im–Im. The pre-implantation losses were significantly lower in the Im–C group than in the C–Im group. At the same time, the resorption rates reduced markedly in the C–Im compared to the Im–C group. Embryo and placenta weights were significantly higher in the Im–Im group. Although the GM-CSF levels were lower in the amniotic fluid of the gestating surrogate mothers in the Im–Im group, they were strongly correlated with embryo mass. The number–size trade-off was only significant in the Im–Im group. This suggests a positive, cooperative effect of spermatozoa and seminal fluid from immune-primed males on embryo growth and the optimal distribution of surrogate mother maternal resources despite the negative impact of males’ antigenic challenge on the IVF success rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina Vladimirovna Kontsevaya
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (G.V.K.); (Y.M.M.); (M.V.A.); (A.K.S.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Ludmila Alekseevna Gerlinskaya
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (G.V.K.); (Y.M.M.); (M.V.A.); (A.K.S.); (M.P.M.)
- Correspondence: (L.A.G.); (T.I.B.)
| | - Yury Mikhailovich Moshkin
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (G.V.K.); (Y.M.M.); (M.V.A.); (A.K.S.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Margarita Vladimirovna Anisimova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (G.V.K.); (Y.M.M.); (M.V.A.); (A.K.S.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Aliya Konstantinovna Stanova
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (G.V.K.); (Y.M.M.); (M.V.A.); (A.K.S.); (M.P.M.)
| | - Tatyana Ivanovna Babochkina
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (G.V.K.); (Y.M.M.); (M.V.A.); (A.K.S.); (M.P.M.)
- Correspondence: (L.A.G.); (T.I.B.)
| | - Mikhail Pavlovich Moshkin
- Federal Research Center Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of RAS, 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (G.V.K.); (Y.M.M.); (M.V.A.); (A.K.S.); (M.P.M.)
- Biological Institute at Tomsk State University, 634050 Tomsk, Russia
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19
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Wu Y, Li H, Qin Y. S100A4 promotes the progression of lipopolysaccharide-induced acute epididymitis in mice†. Biol Reprod 2021; 102:1213-1224. [PMID: 32072170 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa022] [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: 08/10/2019] [Revised: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
S100A4 has been suggested to be a critical regulator of tumor metastasis and is implicated in the progression of inflammation. The aim of this study is to investigate the expression and possible role of S100A4 in epididymitis. Using a mouse model of epididymitis induced by the injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in the deferent duct, we found that LPS administration induced an upregulation of S100a4 transcription (P < 0.05) and a recruitment of S100A4 positive cells in the epididymal interstitium of wild type (WT) mice. Co-immunofluorescence showed that S100A4 was mainly expressed by granulocytes, CD4 lymphocytes, and macrophages. Deficiency of S100A4 reduced epididymal pathological reaction and the mRNA levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and TNF-α (P < 0.01), suggesting that S100A4 promotes the progression of epididymitis. Furthermore, S100A4 deficiency alleviated the decline of sperm motility and rectified the abnormal expression of sperm membrane protein AMAD3, which suggested that in the progression of epididymitis, S100A4 aggravates the damage to sperm vitality. In addition, both Ki-67 marked cell proliferation and transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling detected cell apoptosis were reduced in S100a4-/- mice compared with WT mice after LPS treatment, indicating that S100A4 promotes both cell proliferation and cell apoptosis in epididymitis. Overall, these results demonstrate that S100A4 promotes the progression of LPS-induced epididymitis and facilitates a decline in sperm vitality, and its function may be related to the process of cell proliferation and apoptosis during inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingjie Wu
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Haoran Li
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
| | - Yinghe Qin
- National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, People's Republic of China
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20
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Liu SJ, Hu SQ, Chen YC, Guo J. Uncovering the mechanism of quercetin for treating spermatogenesis impairment by a network pharmacology approach. ALL LIFE 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/26895293.2021.1961878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Si-Jia Liu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Su-Qin Hu
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yu-Cai Chen
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Jian Guo
- School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
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21
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Chen Y, Bi F, Sun Z. A network pharmacology approach to determine the underlying mechanisms of action of Yishen Tongluo formula for the treatment of oligoasthenozoospermia. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0252906. [PMID: 34153045 PMCID: PMC8216565 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Oligoasthenozoospermia is a complex disease caused by a variety of factors, and its incidence is increasing yearly worldwide. Yishen Tongluo formula (YSTLF), created by Professor Sun Zixue, has been used to treat oligoasthenozoospermia in clinical practice for several decades with a good therapeutic effect. However, the chemical and pharmacological profiles of YSTLF remain unclear and need to be elucidated. In this study, a network pharmacology approach was applied to explore the potential mechanisms of YSTLF in oligoasthenozoospermia treatment. All of the compounds in YSTLF were retrieved from the corresponding databases, and the bioactive ingredients were screened according to their oral bioavailability (OB) and drug-likeness (DL). The potential proteins of YSTLF were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology (TCMSP) database and the Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) database, while the potential genes of oligoasthenozoospermia were obtained from the GeneCards database and the DisGeNET database. The STRING database was used to construct an interaction network according to the common targets identified by the online tool Venny for YSTLF and oligoasthenozoospermia. The topological characteristics of nodes were visualized and analyzed through Cytoscape. Biological functions and significant pathways were determined and analyzed using the Gene Ontology (GO) knowledgebase, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Metascape. Finally, the disease-formula-compound-target-pathway network was constructed by Cytoscape. A total of 106 bioactive ingredients and 134 potential targets from YSTLF were associated with oligoasthenozoospermia or considered to be therapeutically relevant. Pathway analysis indicated that the PI3K/Akt, MAPK and apoptosis signaling pathways were significant pathways involved in oligoasthenozoospermia. In conclusion, the current study expounded the pharmacological actions and molecular mechanisms of YSTLF in treating oligoasthenozoospermia from a holistic viewpoint. The potential molecular mechanisms were closely related to antioxidative stress, antiapoptosis and anti-inflammation, with TNF, CCND1, ESR1, NFKBIA, NR3C1, MAPK8, and IL6 being possible targets. This network pharmacology prediction may offer a helpful tool to illustrate the molecular mechanisms of the Chinese herbal compound YSTLF in oligoasthenozoospermia treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yangdi Chen
- Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, Henan, P. R. China
| | - Fanggang Bi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zixue Sun
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Henan Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine (The Second Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine), Zhengzhou, Henan, P. R. China
- * E-mail:
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22
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Carneiro F, Teixeira TA, Bernardes FS, Pereira MS, Milani G, Duarte-Neto AN, Kallas EG, Saldiva PHN, Chammas MC, Hallak J. Radiological patterns of incidental epididymitis in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 patients revealed by colour Doppler ultrasound. Andrologia 2021; 53:e13973. [PMID: 33565141 PMCID: PMC7994978 DOI: 10.1111/and.13973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The testis is a potential target organ for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our study intended to investigate any testicular involvement in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 men. We conduct a cross-sectional study in 18 to 55-year-old men hospitalised for confirmed COVID-19. A senior radiologist executed the ultrasound with multi-frequency linear probe in all participants, regardless of any scrotal complaints. Exclusion criteria involved any situation that could impair testicular function. Statistical analysis compared independent groups, classified by any pathological change. Categorical and numerical outcome hypotheses were tested by Fisher's Exact and Mann-Whitney tests, using the Excel for Mac, version 16.29 (p < .05). The sample size was 26 men (mean 33.7 ± 6.2 years; range: 21-42 years), all without scrotal complaints. No orchitis was seen. Eleven men (32.6 ± 5.8 years) had epididymitis (42.3%), bilateral in 19.2%. More than half of men with epididymitis displayed epididymal head augmentation > 1.2 cm (p = .002). Two distinct epididymitis' patterns were reported: (a) disseminated micro-abscesses (n = 6) and (b) inhomogeneous echogenicity with reactional hydrocele (n = 5). Both patterns revealed increased epididymal head, augmented Doppler flow and scrotal skin thickening. The use of colour Doppler ultrasound in mild-to-moderate COVID-19 men, even in the absence of testicular complaints, might be useful to diagnose epididymitis that could elicit fertility complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Carneiro
- Androscience, Science and Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Department of Radiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thiago A Teixeira
- Androscience, Science and Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Division of Urology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Men's Health Study Group, Institute for Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Division of Urology, School of Medicine, Federal University of Amapa, Macapa, Brazil
| | - Felipe S Bernardes
- Androscience, Science and Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Division of Urology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Men's Health Study Group, Institute for Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | | | - Giovanna Milani
- Androscience, Science and Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,ABC School of Medicine, Santo Andre, Brazil
| | - Amaro N Duarte-Neto
- BIAS - Brazilian Image Autopsy Study Group, Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Esper G Kallas
- Department of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo H N Saldiva
- BIAS - Brazilian Image Autopsy Study Group, Department of Pathology, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Reproductive Toxicology Unit, Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Maria C Chammas
- Department of Radiology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
| | - Jorge Hallak
- Androscience, Science and Innovation Center in Andrology and High-Complex Clinical and Research Andrology Laboratory, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Division of Urology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Men's Health Study Group, Institute for Advanced Studies, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.,Reproductive Toxicology Unit, Department of Pathology, University of São Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil
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23
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Pleuger C, Silva EJR, Pilatz A, Bhushan S, Meinhardt A. Differential Immune Response to Infection and Acute Inflammation Along the Epididymis. Front Immunol 2020; 11:599594. [PMID: 33329594 PMCID: PMC7729520 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.599594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Accepted: 11/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The epididymis is a tubular structure connecting the vas deferens to the testis. This organ consists of three main regions—caput, corpus, and cauda—that face opposing immunological tasks. A means of combating invading pathogens is required in the distally located cauda, where there is a risk of ascending bacterial infections originating from the urethra. Meanwhile, immune tolerance is necessary at the caput, where spermatozoa with immunogenic neo-antigens originate from the testis. Consistently, when challenged with live bacteria or inflammatory stimuli, the cauda elicits a much stronger immune response and inflammatory-inflicted damage than the caput. At the cellular level, a role for diverse and strategically positioned mononuclear phagocytes is emerging. At the mechanistic level, differential expression of immunoprotective and immunomodulatory mediators has been detected between the three main regions of the epididymis. In this review, we summarize the current state of knowledge about region-specific immunological characteristics and unveil possible underlying mechanisms on cellular and molecular levels. Improved understanding of the different immunological microenvironments is the basis for an improved therapy and counseling of patients with epididymal infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christiane Pleuger
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Erick José Ramo Silva
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Department of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, University Hospital, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany.,Hessian Centre of Reproductive Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
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24
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Andrade AD, Almeida PGC, Mariani NAP, Freitas GA, Kushima H, Filadelpho AL, Spadella MA, Avellar MCW, Silva EJR. Lipopolysaccharide-induced epididymitis modifies the transcriptional profile of Wfdc genes in mice†. Biol Reprod 2020; 104:144-158. [PMID: 33034631 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Whey-acidic protein four-disulfide core domain (WFDC) genes display putative roles in innate immunity and fertility. In mice, a locus on chromosome 2 contains 5 and 11 Wfdc genes in its centromeric and telomeric subloci, respectively. Although Wfdc genes are highly expressed in the epididymis, their contributions to epididymal function remain elusive. Here, we investigated whether Wfdc genes are regulated in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced epididymitis, an inflammatory condition that impairs male fertility. We induced epididymitis in mice via (i) interstitial LPS injection into epididymal initial segment and (ii) intravasal LPS injection into the vas deferens towards cauda epididymis. Interstitial and intravasal LPS induced a differential upregulation of inflammatory mediators (interleukin 1 beta, interleukin 6, tumor necrosis factor, interferon gamma, and interleukin 10) in the initial segment and cauda epididymis within 72 h post-treatment. These changes were accompanied by a time-dependent endotoxin clearance from the epididymis. In the initial segment, interstitial LPS upregulated all centromeric (Slpi, Wfdc5, Wfdc12, Wfdc15a, and Wfdc15b) and five telomeric (Wfdc2, Wfdc3, Wfdc6b, Wfdc10, and Wfdc13) Wfdc transcripts at 24 and 72 h. In the cauda epididymis, intravasal LPS upregulated Wfdc5 and Wfdc2 transcripts at 24 h, followed by a downregulation of Wfdc15b and three telomeric (Wfdc6a, Wfdc11, and Wfdc16) gene transcripts at 72 h. Pharmacological inhibition of nuclear factor kappa B activation prevented LPS-induced upregulation of centromeric and telomeric Wfdc genes depending on the epididymal region. We show that LPS-induced inflammation differentially regulated the Wfdc locus in the proximal and distal epididymis, indicating region-specific roles for the Wfdc family in innate immune responses during epididymitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandre D Andrade
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Priscila G C Almeida
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Noemia A P Mariani
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - Geanne A Freitas
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Hélio Kushima
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | - André L Filadelpho
- Department of Structural and Functional Biology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Maria Christina W Avellar
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Erick J R Silva
- Department of Biophysics and Pharmacology, Instituto de Biociências de Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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25
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Zhao H, Yu C, He C, Mei C, Liao A, Huang D. The Immune Characteristics of the Epididymis and the Immune Pathway of the Epididymitis Caused by Different Pathogens. Front Immunol 2020; 11:2115. [PMID: 33117332 PMCID: PMC7561410 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.02115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/05/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The epididymis is an important male accessory sex organ where sperm motility and fertilization ability develop. When spermatozoa carrying foreign antigens enter the epididymis, the epididymis shows "immune privilege" to tolerate them. It is well-known that a tolerogenic environment exists in the caput epididymis, while pro-inflammatory circumstances prefer the cauda epididymis. This meticulously regulated immune environment not only protects spermatozoa from autoimmunity but also defends spermatozoa against pathogenic damage. Epididymitis is one of the common causes of male infertility. Up to 40% of patients suffer from permanent oligospermia or azoospermia. This is related to the immune characteristics of the epididymis itself. Moreover, epididymitis induced by different pathogenic microbial infections has different characteristics. This article elaborates on the distribution and immune response characteristics of epididymis immune cells, the role of epididymis epithelial cells (EECs), and the epididymis defense against different pathogenic infections (such as uropathogenic Escherichia coli, Chlamydia trachomatis, and viruses to provide therapeutic approaches for epididymitis and its subsequent fertility problems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hu Zhao
- Department of Human Anatomy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Caiqian Yu
- Department of Human Anatomy, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunyu He
- Institute of Reproduction Health Research, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Chunlei Mei
- Institute of Reproduction Health Research, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Aihua Liao
- Institute of Reproduction Health Research, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Donghui Huang
- Institute of Reproduction Health Research, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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26
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Song X, Lin NH, Wang YL, Chen B, Wang HX, Hu K. Comprehensive transcriptome analysis based on RNA sequencing identifies critical genes for lipopolysaccharide-induced epididymitis in a rat model. Asian J Androl 2020; 21:605-611. [PMID: 31044753 PMCID: PMC6859662 DOI: 10.4103/aja.aja_21_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Epididymitis is a commonly diagnosed disease associated with male infertility. However, little is known about the molecules that are involved in its development. This study was to identify critical genes associated with lipopolysaccharide-induced epididymitis and analyze the molecular mechanism of epididymitis through RNA sequencing. Experimental epididymitis models were generated by administering male Sprague–Dawley rats' lipopolysaccharide. A total of 1378 differentially expressed genes, including 531 upregulated and 847 downregulated genes, were identified in the epididymitis model rats compared with those in sham-operated rats by RNA sequencing. Functional enrichment analyses suggested that the upregulated genes were markedly enriched in inflammation-related biological processes, as well as in the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signaling pathway, cytokine–cytokine receptor interactions, complement and coagulation cascades, and in the chemokine signaling pathway. Four downregulated genes (collagen type XXVIII alpha 1 chain [Col28α1], cyclin-dependent kinase-like 1 [Cdkl1], phosphoserine phosphatase [Psph], and fatty acid desaturase 2 [Fads2]) and ten upregulated genes (CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein beta [Cebpβ], C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 2 [Cxcr2], interleukin 11 [Il11], C-C motif chemokine ligand 20 [Ccl20], nuclear factor-kappa-B inhibitor alpha [Nfkbiα], claudin 4 [Cldn4], matrix metallopeptidase 9 [Mmp9], heat shock 70 kDa protein 8 [Hspa8], intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 [Icam1], and Jun) were successfully confirmed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Western blot demonstrated that CDKL1 was decreased, while MMP9 and NFKBIA were increased in the experimental model group compared with those in the sham-operated group. Our study sheds new light on the understanding of the early response of the epididymis during bacterial epididymitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Song
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Nan-He Lin
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - You-Lin Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Bin Chen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Hong-Xiang Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
| | - Kai Hu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Institute of Andrology, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200001, China
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Wijayarathna R, Pasalic A, Nicolas N, Biniwale S, Ravinthiran R, Genovese R, Muir JA, Loveland KL, Meinhardt A, Fijak M, Hedger MP. Region-specific immune responses to autoimmune epididymitis in the murine reproductive tract. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 381:351-360. [PMID: 32383098 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03215-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Epididymitis is a common pathology of the male reproductive tract, potentially leading to infertility. Studies on bacterial epididymitis indicate that the cauda epididymis is more susceptible to inflammatory damage than the caput. These regional differences in immunoregulation are further investigated using an experimental autoimmune epididymo-orchitis model. Adult mice were immunized against testicular antigens and tissues were collected at 30 and 50 days following the first immunization. Epididymitis developed progressively; 70% of the mice developed disease at 30 days after the initial immunization and 93% at 50 days. Epididymitis was characterized by epithelial damage, immune cell infiltrates and fibrosis in the cauda, with minimal changes in the corpus, while the caput was unaffected. The incidence of epididymitis was greater than that of orchitis but similar to vasitis. The severity of epididymitis was positively correlated with the orchitis severity. Expression of key genes implicated in epididymal immunoregulation, inflammation and fibrosis, such as Ido1, Tnf, Tgfb1, Ccl2, Il1b, Il10, Cx3cl1 and Col1a1, was unchanged in the caput but increased in proportion to damage severity in the cauda at 50 days. Activin receptor mRNA expression in the cauda was negatively correlated with disease severity. These data suggest that the cauda is highly susceptible to inflammatory damage following an autoimmune challenge but the caput is minimally affected. This may be because the cauda is required to combat ascending infections through a robust inflammatory response, while the caput provides a more tolerogenic environment in order to protect the auto-antigenic sperm released from the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rukmali Wijayarathna
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia. .,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Alen Pasalic
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nour Nicolas
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sneha Biniwale
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rama Ravinthiran
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Rosemary Genovese
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julie A Muir
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Monika Fijak
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.,Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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28
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Klein B, Bhushan S, Günther S, Middendorff R, Loveland KL, Hedger MP, Meinhardt A. Differential tissue-specific damage caused by bacterial epididymo-orchitis in the mouse. Mol Hum Reprod 2020; 26:215-227. [PMID: 32011693 PMCID: PMC7187874 DOI: 10.1093/molehr/gaaa011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ascending bacterial urinary tract infections can cause epididymo-orchitis. In the cauda epididymidis, this frequently leads to persistent tissue damage. Less coherent data is available concerning the functional consequences of epididymo-orchitis on testis and caput epididymidis. This in vivo study addresses the functional and spatial differences in responsiveness of murine epididymis and testis to infection with uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). Whole transcriptome analysis (WTA) was performed on testis, caput, corpus and cauda epididymidis of adult C57BL/6 J wildtype mice. Following UPEC-induced epididymo-orchitis in these mice, epididymal and testicular tissue damage was evaluated histologically and semi-quantitatively at 10 days and 31 days post-inoculation. Expression of inflammatory markers and candidate antimicrobial genes were analysed by RT-qPCR. WTA revealed distinct differences in gene signatures between caput and cauda epididymidis, particularly amonst immunity-related genes. Cellular and molecular signs of testicular inflammation and disruption of spermatogenesis were noticed at day 10, but recovery was observed by day 31. In contrast to the cauda, the caput epididymidis did not reveal any signs of gross morphological damage or presence of pro-inflammatory processes despite confirmed infection. In contrast to beta-defensins, known UPEC-associated antimicrobial peptides (AMP), like Lcn2, Camp and Lypd8, were inherently highly expressed or upregulated in the caput following infection, potentially allowing an early luminal protection from UPEC. At the time points investigated, the caput epididymidis was protected from any obvious infection/inflammation-derived tissue damage. Studies addressing earlier time-points will conclude whether in the caput epididymidis a pro-inflammatory response is indeed not essential for effective protection from UPEC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Britta Klein
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen 35385, Germany
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen 35385, Germany
| | - Stefan Günther
- ECCPS Bioinformatics and Deep Sequencing Platform, Max Planck Institute for Heart and Lung Research, Bad Nauheim 61231, Germany
| | - Ralf Middendorff
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen 35385, Germany
| | - Kate L Loveland
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Australia
- Department of Molecular and Translational Sciences, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton 3168, Australia
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Giessen 35385, Germany
- Centre for Reproductive Health, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Clayton 3168, Australia
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29
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Kasthuriarachchi TDW, Wan Q, Lee J. Identification, expression profiling and functional characterization of interleukin 11a ortholog from redlip mullet Liza haematocheila: Insight into its roles in the inflammation and apoptosis regulation. FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 99:44-51. [PMID: 32001356 DOI: 10.1016/j.fsi.2020.01.045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 01/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Interleukin 11 (IL-11) is a secretory cytokine with pleotropic properties, including anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic functions. This study aimed to functionally characterize a teleostean IL-11a ortholog from redlip mullet (LhIL-11a) through bioinformatic analysis, transcriptional expression profiling and protein function assays. The deduced LhIL-11a protein sequence is 200 amino acids long, with a predicted molecular weight of 23.168 kDa. Multiple sequence alignment indicates that LhIL-11a has a typical four-bundle architecture of α-helixes as observed in other IL-11s. The identity-similarity matrix show a higher identity between LhIL-11a and other fish IL-11a sequences. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that LhIL-11a falls within a clade including other fish counterparts. In the tissue distribution analysis, the highest constitutive expression of LhIL-11a mRNA was observed in the mullet gastrointestinal tract and brain tissues. Following the challenges with LPS, poly I:C and Lactococcus garvie, the transcription levels of LhIL-11a were significantly upregulated in both PBCs and liver. In the biological functional assay, recombinant LhIL-11a protein showed strong activities of suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and apoptotic gene expression in mullet kidney cells and reducing LPS stimulated NO production in murine macrophage cells. Overall, the findings in this study provide the experimental clues to understanding the functional roles of fish IL-11a in inflammation and apoptosis regulation during host defense against invading microbial pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- T D W Kasthuriarachchi
- Department of Marine Life Sciences & Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63243, Republic of Korea; Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63333, Republic of Korea
| | - Qiang Wan
- Department of Marine Life Sciences & Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63243, Republic of Korea; Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63333, Republic of Korea
| | - Jehee Lee
- Department of Marine Life Sciences & Fish Vaccine Research Center, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63243, Republic of Korea; Marine Science Institute, Jeju National University, Jeju Self-Governing Province, 63333, Republic of Korea.
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30
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Özbek M, Hitit M, Ergün E, Ergün L, Beyaz F, Erhan F, Yıldırım N, Kandil B, Özgenç Ö, Memili E. Expression profile of Toll-like receptor 4 in rat testis and epididymis throughout postnatal development. Andrologia 2020; 52:e13518. [PMID: 32003057 DOI: 10.1111/and.13518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) belonging to pattern recognition receptors are involved in maintaining testicular and epididymal immune homeostasis. The purpose of the current study was to investigate TLR4 expression in rat testis and epididymis throughout postnatal development. Weak staining was detected in peritubular myoid cells and immature Sertoli cells while no staining was observed in gonocytes during prepubertal period. However, TLR4 expression began to appear in spermatocytes in pubertal period and gradually increased in spermatids. An intense staining was observed in steps 5-19 spermatids in post pubertal and mature periods. Similarly, TLR4 expression in the testes steadily increased from pubertal period to mature period. Puberty also caused a significant increase in TLR4 expression in epididymis. TLR4 expression in cauda epididymis was lower as compared to those of other epididymal segments. The majority of epididymal epithelial cells exhibited apical TLR4 expression, whereas basal cells showed intense intracytoplasmic immunoreaction. We detected an intense staining in epididymal smooth muscle cells. The expression levels of TLR4 showed dynamic changes in both spermatogenic cells, and entire testicular and epididymal tissues during postnatal development. These results suggest that TLR4 expression contributes not only to inflammation but also to the development of spermatogenic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehmet Özbek
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Hitit
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kastamonu University, Kastamonu, Turkey
| | - Emel Ergün
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Levent Ergün
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Feyzullah Beyaz
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Füsun Erhan
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nuh Yıldırım
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Banu Kandil
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Özge Özgenç
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Erdoğan Memili
- Department of Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, MS, USA
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31
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Effects of Diets Enriched in Linseed and Fish Oil on the Expression Pattern of Toll-Like Receptors 4 and Proinflammatory Cytokines on Gonadal Axis and Reproductive Organs in Rabbit Buck. OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY 2020; 2020:4327470. [PMID: 32064024 PMCID: PMC6996712 DOI: 10.1155/2020/4327470] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 12/11/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Infections of the genital tract can perturb the fertility in humans and animals. Pathogen recognition and activation of innate immunity onset through the pattern recognition receptor activation, such as Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and mediators. TLR4 is expressed both on leukocytes and nonimmune cells. Rabbit TLR4 shows great similarity to its human counterpart. Moreover, the TLR4 signalling pathway could be modulated by long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA). The objectives of this study were (i) to determine the expression levels of TLR4 and proinflammatory cytokines in the reproductive hypothalamic-gonadal axis of the male rabbit and (ii) to evaluate if the n-3 PUFA-enriched diets can modify their expression levels in the tissues and LC-PUFA profiles in seminal plasma. Fifteen rabbit bucks (n = 5/experimental group) were fed with different diets: commercial standard (group C), rich in extruded linseed (10%, group L), and in fish oil (3%, group FO) for 110 days. TLR4, TNF-α, and IL-1β mRNA were ubiquitously expressed throughout the hypothalamic-gonadal axis. However, TLR4 mRNA expression was lower in the hypothalamus than the epididymis (P < 0.01), seminal vesicles (P < 0.01), and pituitary gland (P < 0.05). Dietary enrichment in PUFA did not modify the gene expression profile nor the histological characteristics of the tissues. Conversely in seminal plasma, rabbits fed with L and FO had lower n-6 (P < 0.05), LC-PUFA n-6 (P < 0.05), and n-6/n-3 ratio (P < 0.05) but higher n-3 (P < 0.001) and LC-PUFA n-3 (P < 0.01) compared to the control group. Our study builds a map of the gene expression of TRL4 and proinflammatory cytokines in the reproductive hypothalamic-gonadal axis of the male rabbit, fundamental step for understanding the immune defence mechanisms. Diets enriched in LC-PUFA did not affect basal gene expression but modulated sperm fatty acid composition. Finally, rabbit may be an excellent animal model to study the relationship between inflammation and infertility, and the nutritional modulation of immune functions.
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32
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Balin PDS, Jorge BC, Leite ARR, Borges CS, Oba E, Silva EJR, de Barros AL, Horta-Júnior JDAC, Arena AC. Maternal exposure to ibuprofen can affect the programming of the hypothalamus of the male offspring. Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 111:104576. [PMID: 31911196 DOI: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2020.104576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, inhibits the activity of cyclooxygenase enzyme, leading to reduction in Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production. Due to the importance of PGE2 in promoting the brain masculinization in male fetus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of in utero and lactational exposure to ibuprofen and their late repercussions on reproductive parameters in male rats. Pregnant rats were exposed to ibuprofen (10, 30 or 60 mg/kg) or vehicle (control group) per gavage daily from gestational day 15 to day 21 after birth, and late reproductive effects were assessed during the sexual development and in the reproductive adult life in the male offspring. Males exposed to ibuprofen had a decrease in body weight and anogenital distance, as well as a delay in the ages of testicular descent and preputial separation. In adulthood, there was a decrease in the Leydig cells nuclei volume, testosterone levels and percentage of normal sperm morphology. All animals exposed to ibuprofen presented male copulatory behavior, however, in the presence of another male, they also presented a female-typical behavior. Maternal exposure to ibuprofen during the sensitive windows of brain development adversely impacted the reproductive parameters of male rats, suggesting an incomplete masculinization of the hypothalamus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola da Silva Balin
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu (UNESP), São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Campos Jorge
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu (UNESP), São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Andressa Rejani Ribeiro Leite
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu (UNESP), São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Cibele Santos Borges
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu (UNESP), São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Eunice Oba
- Department of Animal Reproduction, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Erick José Ramo Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil
| | - Aline Lima de Barros
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu (UNESP), São Paulo State, Brazil
| | | | - Arielle Cristina Arena
- Department of Morphology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu (UNESP), São Paulo State, Brazil; Center of Toxicological Assistance (CEATOX), Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Univ. Estadual Paulista, Botucatu (UNESP), São Paulo State, Brazil.
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33
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Ishaq R, Ansari MS, Rakha BA, Qadeer S, Akhter S. Evaluation of Enrofloxacin for Use in Cryopreservation of Zebu Bull (Bos indicus) Semen. Biopreserv Biobank 2019; 17:546-552. [DOI: 10.1089/bio.2018.0133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Razia Ishaq
- Department of Zoology, Government College Women University, Sialkot, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad S. Ansari
- Division of Science and Technology, University of Education, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Bushra A. Rakha
- Department of Wildlife Management, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Saima Qadeer
- Department of Zoology, University of Education, Jauharabad Campus, Khushab, Pakistan
| | - Shamim Akhter
- Department of Zoology, Pir Mehr Ali Shah Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
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34
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Duracka M, Lukac N, Kacaniova M, Kantor A, Hleba L, Ondruska L, Tvrda E. Antibiotics Versus Natural Biomolecules: The Case of In Vitro Induced Bacteriospermia by Enterococcus Faecalis in Rabbit Semen. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24234329. [PMID: 31783504 PMCID: PMC6930653 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2019] [Revised: 11/25/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Male subfertility is a global issue in human reproduction as well as in animal reproduction. Bacterial infection and semen contamination are still widely overlooked. As the collection of ejaculates is not a sterile process, it is necessary to add antimicrobial agents to avoid a possible depreciation of semen samples. As traditionally used antibiotics have been questioned because of an ever-increasing bacterial resistance, natural bioactive molecules could offer an alternative because of their antibacterial and antioxidant properties. As such, we decided to compare the effects of selected natural biomolecules (resveratrol-RES, quercetin-QUE and curcumin-CUR) with routinely used antibiotics in animal biotechnologies (penicillin-PEN, gentamicin-GEN and kanamycin-KAN) on the rabbit sperm vitality in the presence of Enterococcus faecalis. Changes in the sperm structural integrity and functional activity were monitored at 0, 2, 4 and 6 h. Computer-assisted sperm analysis (CASA) was used for the assessment of spermatozoa motility. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was evaluated using chemiluminiscence, while the mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) was examined using the JC-1 dye. Finally, the sperm chromatin dispersion (SCD) test was used to assess DNA fragmentation, and changes to the membrane integrity were evaluated with the help of annexin V/propidium iodide. The motility assessment revealed a significant sperm motility preservation following treatment with GEN (p < 0.001), followed by PEN and CUR (p < 0.01). QUE was the most capable substance to scavenge excessive ROS (p < 0.001) and to maintain ΔΨm (p < 0.01). The SCD assay revealed that the presence of bacteria and antibiotics significantly (p < 0.05) increased the DNA fragmentation. On the other hand, all bioactive compounds readily preserved the DNA integrity (p < 0.05). In contrast to the antibiotics, the natural biomolecules significantly maintained the sperm membrane integrity (p < 0.05). The microbiological analysis showed that GEN (p < 0.001), KAN (p < 0.001), PEN (p < 0.01) and CUR (p < 0.01) exhibited the strongest antibacterial activity against E. faecalis. In conclusion, all selected biomolecules provided protection to rabbit spermatozoa against deleterious changes to their structure and function as a result of Enterococcus faecalis contamination. Therefore, administration of RES, QUE and/or CUR to rabbit semen extenders in combination with a carefully selected antibacterial substance may be desirable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Duracka
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.D.); (N.L.)
| | - Norbert Lukac
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.D.); (N.L.)
| | - Miroslava Kacaniova
- Department of Fruit Growing, Viticulture and Enology, Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Engineering, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
- Department of Bioenergy and Food Technology, Faculty of Biology and Agriculture, University of Rzeszow, Zelwerowicza St. 4, 35601 Rzeszow, Poland
| | - Attila Kantor
- Department of Technology and Quality of Plant Products, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Lukas Hleba
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Lubomir Ondruska
- Institute of Small Farm Animals, Research Institute for Animal Production, Hlohovecká 2, 951 41 Lužianky, Nitra, Slovakia;
| | - Eva Tvrda
- Department of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Food Sciences, Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra, Tr. A. Hlinku 2, 949 76 Nitra, Slovakia; (M.D.); (N.L.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +421-37-641-4918
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35
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Battistone MA, Spallanzani RG, Mendelsohn AC, Capen D, Nair AV, Brown D, Breton S. Novel role of proton-secreting epithelial cells in sperm maturation and mucosal immunity. J Cell Sci 2019; 133:jcs.233239. [PMID: 31636115 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.233239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/09/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cells are immune sensors and mediators that constitute the first line of defense against infections. Using the epididymis, a model for studying tubular organs, we uncovered a novel and unexpected role for professional proton-secreting 'clear cells' in sperm maturation and immune defense. The epididymal epithelium participates in the maturation of spermatozoa via the establishment of an acidic milieu and transfer of proteins to sperm cells, a poorly characterized process. We show that proton-secreting clear cells express mRNA transcripts and proteins that are acquired by maturing sperm, and that they establish close interactions with luminal spermatozoa via newly described 'nanotubes'. Mechanistic studies show that injection of bacterial antigens in vivo induces chemokine expression in clear cells, followed by macrophage recruitment into the organ. Injection of an inflammatory intermediate mediator (IFN-γ) increased Cxcl10 expression in clear cells, revealing their participation as sensors and mediators of inflammation. The functional diversity adopted by clear cells might represent a generalized phenomenon by which similar epithelial cells decode signals, communicate with neighbors and mediate mucosal immunity, depending on their precise location within an organ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Battistone
- Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology and Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Raul German Spallanzani
- Division of Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, and Evergrande Center for Immunologic Diseases, Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alexandra C Mendelsohn
- Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology and Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Diane Capen
- Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology and Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Anil V Nair
- Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology and Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Dennis Brown
- Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology and Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States
| | - Sylvie Breton
- Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology and Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, United States
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36
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Ge WB, Xiao LF, Duan HW, Li ZS, Jiang YT, Yang SS, Hu JJ, Zhang Y, Zhao XX. Melatonin protects against lipopolysaccharide-induced epididymitis in sheep epididymal epithelial cells in vitro. Immunol Lett 2019; 214:45-51. [PMID: 31491433 DOI: 10.1016/j.imlet.2019.09.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Melatonin has protective effects against inflammation but its role in epididymitis is unknown. We addressed this in the present study using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated sheep epididymal epithelial cells as an in vitro inflammation model. We found that interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α, and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 mRNA levels; COX-2 and Toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 protein levels; and nuclear factor (NF)-κB p65 phosphorylation were increased by LPS treatment. These effects were reversed in a dose-dependent manner by melatonin (10-11-10-7 M). Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and immunofluorescence analyses showed that the melatonin receptors MT1 and MT2 were expressed in sheep epididymal epithelial cells. The inhibitory effect of melatonin on inflammation was abrogated by the MT1 and MT2 receptor antagonist luzindole and the MT2 ligand 4-phenyl-2-propanamide tetraldehyde. Thus, melatonin exerted anti-inflammatory effect in epididymal epithelial cells by inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB signaling, suggesting its potential as an effective drug for the treatment of epididymitis in sheep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wen-Bo Ge
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Long-Fei Xiao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Hong-Wei Duan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zong-Shuai Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yu-Ting Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Shan-Shan Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jun-Jie Hu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xing-Xu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agricultural University, Lanzhou, China.
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37
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Avellar MCW, Ribeiro CM, Dias-da-Silva MR, Silva EJR. In search of new paradigms for epididymal health and disease: innate immunity, inflammatory mediators, and steroid hormones. Andrology 2019; 7:690-702. [PMID: 31207127 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/29/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The primary job of the epididymis is to mature and protect the luminally transiting spermatozoa. Mounting evidence is showing that innate immune components [including Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and antimicrobial proteins, among which are β-defensins] and inflammatory mediators, under the primary influence of androgens, participate in the cellular and molecular processes that define this tissue. Here, we present an overview of the contributions of these signaling pathway components during epididymal homeostasis and discuss the hypotheses as to their involvement in epididymitis, the most common urological inflammatory condition in men, frequently impairing their fertility. Drawing primarily from rodent models, we also focus on how the distribution and functional expression of innate immune components are differentially regulated in the prenatal developing epididymis, providing new insights into the disruption of these signaling pathways throughout the lifespan. Male infertility is caused by a variety of conditions, such as congenital malformations, genetic and endocrine disorders, exposure to environmental toxicants, and inflammatory/infectious conditions. More than one-third of infertile men with an idiopathic condition cannot currently be adequately diagnosed. Thinking about the innate immunity and inflammation context of the epididymis may provide new insights and directions as to how these systems contribute to male fertility, as well as also uncover urological and andrological outcomes that may aid clinicians in diagnosing and preventing epididymal pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- M C W Avellar
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - C M Ribeiro
- Department of Pharmacology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - M R Dias-da-Silva
- Department of Medicine, Universidade Federal de São Paulo - Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - E J R Silva
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Biosciences of Botucatu, Universidade Estadual Paulista 'Júlio de Mesquita Filho', Botucatu, SP, Brazil
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Carvajal G, Brukman NG, Weigel Muñoz M, Battistone MA, Guazzone VA, Ikawa M, Haruhiko M, Lustig L, Breton S, Cuasnicu PS. Impaired male fertility and abnormal epididymal epithelium differentiation in mice lacking CRISP1 and CRISP4. Sci Rep 2018; 8:17531. [PMID: 30510210 PMCID: PMC6277452 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-35719-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Epididymal Cysteine Rich Secretory Proteins 1 and 4 (CRISP1 and CRISP4) associate with sperm during maturation and play different roles in fertilization. However, males lacking each of these molecules individually are fertile, suggesting compensatory mechanisms between these homologous proteins. Based on this, in the present work, we generated double CRISP1/CRISP4 knockout (DKO) mice and examined their reproductive phenotype. Our data showed that the simultaneous lack of the two epididymal proteins results in clear fertility defects. Interestingly, whereas most of the animals exhibited specific sperm fertilizing ability defects supportive of the role of CRISP proteins in fertilization, one third of the males showed an unexpected epididymo-orchitis phenotype with altered levels of inflammatory molecules and non-viable sperm in the epididymis. Further analysis showed that DKO mice exhibited an immature epididymal epithelium and abnormal luminal pH, supporting these defects as likely responsible for the different phenotypes observed. These observations reveal that CRISP proteins are relevant for epididymal epithelium differentiation and male fertility, contributing to a better understanding of the fine-tuning mechanisms underlying sperm maturation and immunotolerance in the epididymis with clear implications for human epididymal physiology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Carvajal
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Nicolás Gastón Brukman
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Mariana Weigel Muñoz
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - María A Battistone
- Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology, Nephrology Division, and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Vanesa A Guazzone
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED-UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Miyata Haruhiko
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Osaka, 565-0871, Japan
| | - Livia Lustig
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (INBIOMED-UBA-CONICET), Buenos Aires, C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Sylvie Breton
- Program in Membrane Biology, Center for Systems Biology, Nephrology Division, and Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Patricia S Cuasnicu
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (IByME-CONICET), Buenos Aires, C1428ADN, Argentina.
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