1
|
Gatti M, Belli M, De Rubeis M, Khalili MA, Familiari G, Nottola SA, Macchiarelli G, Hajderi E, Palmerini MG. Ultrastructural Evaluation of Mouse Oocytes Exposed In Vitro to Different Concentrations of the Fungicide Mancozeb. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12050698. [PMID: 37237511 DOI: 10.3390/biology12050698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Mancozeb is a widely used fungicide, considered to be an endocrine disruptor. In vivo and in vitro studies evidenced its reproductive toxicity on mouse oocytes by altering spindle morphology, impairing oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo implantation. Mancozeb also induces dose-dependent toxicity on the ultrastructure of mouse granulosa cells, including chromatin condensation, membrane blebbing, and vacuolization. We evaluated the effects on the ultrastructure of mouse oocytes isolated from cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs), exposed in vitro to increasing concentrations of mancozeb. COCs were matured in vitro with or without (control) low fungicide concentrations (0.001-1 μg/mL). All mature oocytes were collected and prepared for light and transmission electron microscopy. Results showed a preserved ultrastructure at the lowest doses (0.001-0.01 μg/mL), with evident clusters of round-to-ovoid mitochondria, visible electron-dense round cortical granules, and thin microvilli. Mancozeb concentration of 1 μg/mL affected organelle density concerning controls, with a reduction of mitochondria, appearing moderately vacuolated, cortical granules, and microvilli, short and less abundant. In summary, ultrastructural data revealed changes mainly at the highest concentration of mancozeb on mouse oocytes. This could be responsible for the previously described impaired capability in oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo implantation, demonstrating its impact on the reproductive health and fertility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Marta Gatti
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Manuel Belli
- MEBIC Consortium, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00166 Rome, Italy
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Mariacarla De Rubeis
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Mohammad Ali Khalili
- Department of Reproductive Biology, Yazd Reproductive Sciences Institute, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd 8916877391, Iran
| | - Giuseppe Familiari
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Stefania Annarita Nottola
- Department of Anatomy, Histology, Forensic Medicine and Orthopaedics, Sapienza University, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Guido Macchiarelli
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| | - Edmond Hajderi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Catholic University Our Lady of Good Counsel, 1000 Tirana, Albania
| | - Maria Grazia Palmerini
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L'Aquila, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bustamante-Barrientos FA, Méndez-Ruette M, Molina L, Koning T, Ehrenfeld P, González CB, Wyneken U, Henzi R, Bátiz LF. Alpha-SNAP (M105I) mutation promotes neuronal differentiation of neural stem/progenitor cells through overactivation of AMPK. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1061777. [PMID: 37113766 PMCID: PMC10127105 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1061777] [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: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The M105I point mutation in α-SNAP (Soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment protein-alpha) leads in mice to a complex phenotype known as hyh (hydrocephalus with hop gait), characterized by cortical malformation and hydrocephalus, among other neuropathological features. Studies performed by our laboratory and others support that the hyh phenotype is triggered by a primary alteration in embryonic neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) that leads to a disruption of the ventricular and subventricular zones (VZ/SVZ) during the neurogenic period. Besides the canonical role of α-SNAP in SNARE-mediated intracellular membrane fusion dynamics, it also negatively modulates AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activity. AMPK is a conserved metabolic sensor associated with the proliferation/differentiation balance in NSPCs. Methods: Brain samples from hyh mutant mice (hydrocephalus with hop gait) (B6C3Fe-a/a-Napahyh/J) were analyzed by light microscopy, immunofluorescence, and Western blot at different developmental stages. In addition, NSPCs derived from WT and hyh mutant mice were cultured as neurospheres for in vitro characterization and pharmacological assays. BrdU labeling was used to assess proliferative activity in situ and in vitro. Pharmacological modulation of AMPK was performed using Compound C (AMPK inhibitor) and AICAR (AMPK activator). Results: α-SNAP was preferentially expressed in the brain, showing variations in the levels of α-SNAP protein in different brain regions and developmental stages. NSPCs from hyh mice (hyh-NSPCs) displayed reduced levels of α-SNAP and increased levels of phosphorylated AMPKα (pAMPKαThr172), which were associated with a reduction in their proliferative activity and a preferential commitment with the neuronal lineage. Interestingly, pharmacological inhibition of AMPK in hyh-NSPCs increased proliferative activity and completely abolished the increased generation of neurons. Conversely, AICAR-mediated activation of AMPK in WT-NSPCs reduced proliferation and boosted neuronal differentiation. Discussion: Our findings support that α-SNAP regulates AMPK signaling in NSPCs, further modulating their neurogenic capacity. The naturally occurring M105I mutation of α-SNAP provokes an AMPK overactivation in NSPCs, thus connecting the α-SNAP/AMPK axis with the etiopathogenesis and neuropathology of the hyh phenotype.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Maxs Méndez-Ruette
- Neuroscience Program, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
- PhD Program in Biomedicine, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
- IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago, Chile
| | - Luis Molina
- Facultad de Medicina y Ciencia, Universidad San Sebastián, Puerto Montt, Chile
| | - Tania Koning
- Instituto de Inmunología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Pamela Ehrenfeld
- Laboratory of Cellular Pathology, Institute of Anatomy, Histology and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
- Center for Interdisciplinary Studies on Nervous System (CISNe), Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Carlos B. González
- Instituto de Fisiología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Austral de Chile, Valdivia, Chile
| | - Ursula Wyneken
- Neuroscience Program, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
- IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago, Chile
- School of Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Los Andes, Santiago, Chile
| | - Roberto Henzi
- Neuroscience Program, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
- Laboratorio de Reproducción Animal, Escuela de Medicina Veterinaria, Facultad de Recursos Naturales, Universidad Católica de Temuco, Temuco, Chile
- *Correspondence: Luis Federico Bátiz, ; Roberto Henzi,
| | - Luis Federico Bátiz
- Neuroscience Program, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Biomédica (CiiB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile
- IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago, Chile
- School of Medicine, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Los Andes, Santiago, Chile
- *Correspondence: Luis Federico Bátiz, ; Roberto Henzi,
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
de Paola M, Garrido F, Zanetti MN, Michaut MA. VAMPs sensitive to tetanus toxin are required for cortical granule exocytosis in mouse oocytes. Exp Cell Res 2021; 405:112629. [PMID: 34023392 DOI: 10.1016/j.yexcr.2021.112629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Fusion of cortical granules with oocyte plasma membrane is one of the most significant secretory events to prevent polyspermy during oocyte activation. Cortical granule exocytosis (CGE) is distinct from most other exocytosis because cortical granules are not renewed after secretion. However, it is thought to be mediated by SNARE complex, which mediates membrane fusion in other exocytoses. SNAREs proteins are divided into Q (glutamine)- and R (arginine)-SNAREs. Q-SNAREs include Syntaxins and SNAP25 family, and R-SNAREs include VAMPs family. In mouse oocytes, Syntaxin4 and SNAP23 have been involved in CGE; nevertheless, it is unknown if VAMP is required. Here, we demonstrated by RT-PCR and immunoblotting that VAMP1 and VAMP3 are expressed in mouse oocyte, and they localized in the cortical region of this cell. Using a functional assay to quantify CGE, we showed that tetanus toxin -which specifically cleavages VAMP1, VAMP2 or VAMP3- inhibited CGE suggesting that at least one VAMP was necessary. Function blocking assays demonstrated that only the microinjection of anti-VAMP1 or anti-VAMP3 antibodies abolished CGE in activated oocytes. These findings demonstrate that R-SNAREs sensitive to tetanus toxin, VAMP1 and VAMP3 -but not VAMP2-, are required for CGE and demonstrate that CGE is mediated by the SNARE complex.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Matilde de Paola
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Molecular, Instituto de Histología y Embriología, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-CONICET, Av. Libertador 80, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Av. Libertador 80, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Facundo Garrido
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Molecular, Instituto de Histología y Embriología, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-CONICET, Av. Libertador 80, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - María N Zanetti
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Molecular, Instituto de Histología y Embriología, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-CONICET, Av. Libertador 80, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - Marcela Alejandra Michaut
- Laboratorio de Biología Reproductiva y Molecular, Instituto de Histología y Embriología, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo-CONICET, Av. Libertador 80, 5500, Mendoza, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Cuyo, Padre Jorge Contreras, 1300, Mendoza, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
McKnight I, Hart C, Park IH, Shim JW. Genes causing congenital hydrocephalus: Their chromosomal characteristics of telomere proximity and DNA compositions. Exp Neurol 2021; 335:113523. [PMID: 33157092 PMCID: PMC7750280 DOI: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2020.113523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 10/10/2020] [Accepted: 10/30/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Congenital hydrocephalus (CH) is caused by genetic mutations, but whether factors impacting human genetic mutations are disease-specific remains elusive. Given two factors associated with high mutation rates, we reviewed how many disease-susceptible genes match with (i) proximity to telomeres or (ii) high adenine and thymine (A + T) content in human CH as compared to other disorders of the central nervous system (CNS). We extracted genomic information using a genome data viewer. Importantly, 98 of 108 genes causing CH satisfied (i) or (ii), resulting in >90% matching rate. However, such a high accordance no longer sustained as we checked two factors in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and/or familial Parkinson's disease (fPD), resulting in 84% and 59% matching, respectively. A disease-specific matching of telomere proximity or high A + T content predicts causative genes of CH much better than neurodegenerative diseases and other CNS conditions, likely due to sufficient number of known causative genes (n = 108) and precise determination and classification of the genotype and phenotype. Our analysis suggests a need for identifying genetic basis of both factors before human clinical studies, to prioritize putative genes found in preclinical models into the likely (meeting at least one) and more likely candidate (meeting both), which predisposes human genes to mutations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ian McKnight
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - Christoph Hart
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA
| | - In-Hyun Park
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06519, USA
| | - Joon W Shim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Quercetin promotes in vitro maturation of oocytes from humans and aged mice. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:965. [PMID: 33177495 PMCID: PMC7658351 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-03183-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Revised: 10/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Maternal fertility declines irreversibly with aging, and advanced maternal age is mostly related to impaired oocyte quality. The flavonol compound quercetin is considered to be an anti-aging agent due to its cytoprotective actions as an antioxidant. However, its role and mechanisms on aged oocytes are unclear. In this study, the quercetin promotes in vitro maturation (IVM) and early embryonic development of oocytes from aged mice. It is extended these findings in human oocytes, showing that quercetin promotes the IVM rate by 19.6% and increases the blastocyst formation rate by 15.5% compared to untreated controls. The overall oocyte quality of aged mice is improved by quercetin treatment, assessed as spindle/chromosome morphology and cortical granule distribution. Mitochondria is the primary endogenous source of age-related oxidative stress, and an RNA-seq analysis of quercetin-treated oocytes reveals molecular insights including scavenged mitochondrial-ROS, reduced apoptosis, and improved autophagy. Further, this study demonstrates that quercetin reduces ROS via SIRT3-mediated acetylation of SOD2's K68 residue. Thus, beyond demonstrating that quercetin confers beneficial mitochondria-related impacts in aged oocytes, this study illustrates a potential strategy to prevent or delay oocyte aging and to improve success rates of assisted human reproductive technologies (ART).
Collapse
|