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Hiroshige T, Uemura KI, Nakamura KI, Igawa T. Insights on Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Receptor α-Positive Interstitial Cells in the Male Reproductive Tract. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:4128. [PMID: 38612936 PMCID: PMC11012365 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25074128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 03/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Male infertility is a significant factor in approximately half of all infertility cases and is marked by a decreased sperm count and motility. A decreased sperm count is caused by not only a decreased production of sperm but also decreased numbers successfully passing through the male reproductive tract. Smooth muscle movement may play an important role in sperm transport in the male reproductive tract; thus, understanding the mechanism of this movement is necessary to elucidate the cause of sperm transport disorder. Recent studies have highlighted the presence of platelet-derived growth factor receptor α (PDGFRα)-positive interstitial cells (PICs) in various smooth muscle organs. Although research is ongoing, PICs in the male reproductive tract may be involved in the regulation of smooth muscle movement, as they are in other smooth muscle organs. This review summarizes the findings to date on PICs in male reproductive organs. Further exploration of the structural, functional, and molecular characteristics of PICs could provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of male infertility and potentially lead to new therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Hiroshige
- Department of Urology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Uemura
- Department of Urology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Nakamura
- Cognitive and Molecular Research Institute of Brain Diseases, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Igawa
- Department of Urology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume 830-0011, Japan
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Hiroshige T, Uemura KI, Hirashima S, Togo A, Ohta K, Nakamura KI, Igawa T. Three-dimensional analysis of interstitial cells in the lamina propria of the murine vas deferens by confocal laser scanning microscopy and FIB/SEM. Sci Rep 2022; 12:9484. [PMID: 35676513 PMCID: PMC9177838 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13245-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study aimed to explore the three-dimensional (3D) ultrastructure of interstitial cells (ICs) within the lamina propria of the murine vas deferens and the spatial relationships between epithelial cells and surrounding cells. Focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy were performed. ICs within the lamina propria had a flat, sheet-like structure of cytoplasm with multiple cellular processes. In addition, two types of 3D structures that comprised cell processes of flat, sheet-like ICs were observed: one was an accordion fold-like structure and the other was a rod-shaped structure. ICs were located parallel to the epithelium and were connected to each other via gap junctions or adherens junctions. Moreover, multiple sphere-shaped extracellular vesicle-like structures were frequently observed around the ICs. The ICs formed a complex 3D network comprising sheet-like cytoplasm and multiple cell processes with different 3D structures. From this morphological study, we noted that ICs within the lamina propria of murine vas deferens may be involved in signal transmission between the epithelium and smooth muscle cells by physical interaction and by exchanging extracellular vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Hiroshige
- Department of Urology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.
| | - Kei-Ichiro Uemura
- Department of Urology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Shingo Hirashima
- Division Microscopic and Development Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Akinobu Togo
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ohta
- Division Microscopic and Development Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.,Advanced Imaging Research Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Nakamura
- Cognitive and Molecular Research Institute of Brain Diseases, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Igawa
- Department of Urology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
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Hiroshige T, Uemura KI, Hirashima S, Hino K, Togo A, Ohta K, Igawa T, Nakamura KI. Three-Dimensional Analysis of Interstitial Cells in the Smooth Muscle Layer of Murine Vas Deferens Using Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy and FIB/SEM. MICROSCOPY AND MICROANALYSIS : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF MICROSCOPY SOCIETY OF AMERICA, MICROBEAM ANALYSIS SOCIETY, MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY OF CANADA 2022; 28:1-9. [PMID: 35078549 DOI: 10.1017/s1431927622000058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The smooth muscle contraction of the vas deferens has the important function of transporting sperm. Interstitial cells (ICs) play a critical role in the pacing and modulation of various smooth muscle organs by interactions with nerves and smooth muscle. Elucidating the three-dimensional (3D) architecture of ICs is important for understanding their spatial relationship on the mesoscale between ICs, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and nerves. In this study, the 3D ultrastructure of ICs in the smooth muscle layer of murine vas deferens and the spatial relationships between ICs, nerves, and smooth muscles were observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy and focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy. ICs have sheet-like structures as demonstrated by 3D observation using modern analytical techniques. Sheet-like ICs have two types of 3D structures, one flattened and the other curled. Multiple extracellular vesicle (EV)-like structures were frequently observed in ICs. Various spatial relations were observed in areas between ICs, nerves, and SMCs, which formed a complex 3D network with each other. These results suggest that ICs in the smooth muscle layer of murine vas deferens may have two subtypes with different sheet-like structures and may be involved in neuromuscular signal transmission via physical interaction and EVs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasuku Hiroshige
- Department of Urology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
- Division of Microscopic and Development Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Uemura
- Department of Urology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
| | - Shingo Hirashima
- Division of Microscopic and Development Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
| | - Kiyosato Hino
- Division of Microscopic and Development Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
| | - Akinobu Togo
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ohta
- Division of Microscopic and Development Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
| | - Tsukasa Igawa
- Department of Urology, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Nakamura
- Division of Microscopic and Development Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
- Cognitive and Molecular Research Institute of Brain Diseases, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume830-0011, Japan
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Mirancea N, Mirancea GV, Moroşanu AM, Moroşanu AM. Telocytes inside of the peripheral nervous system - a 3D endoneurial network and putative role in cell communication. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY = REVUE ROUMAINE DE MORPHOLOGIE ET EMBRYOLOGIE 2022; 63:335-347. [PMID: 36374139 PMCID: PMC9804078 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.63.2.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
In this paper, we developed the hypothesis concerning the reasons to assimilate endoneurial fibroblast-like dendritic phenotype [shortly termed endoneurial dendritic cells (EDCs)] to the endoneurial telocytes (TCs). We reviewed the literature concerning EDCs status and report our observations on ultrastructure and some immune electron microscopic aspects of the cutaneous peripheral nerves. Our data demonstrate that EDCs long time considered as fibroblasts or fibroblast-like, with an ovoidal nucleus and one or more moniliform cell extensions [telopodes (Tps)], which perform homocellular junctions, also able to shed extracellular microvesicles can be assimilated to TC phenotype. Sometimes, small profiles of basement membrane accompany to some extent Tps. Altogether data resulted from scientific literature and our results strength the conclusion EDCs are really TCs inside of the peripheral nervous system. The inner three-dimensional (3D) network of endoneurial TCs by their homo- and heterocellular communications appears as a genuine cell-to-cell communication system inside of each peripheral nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolae Mirancea
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of Biology Bucharest of Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania;
| | | | - Ana-Maria Moroşanu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Institute of
Biology Bucharest of Romanian Academy, Bucharest, Romania
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Hirashima S, Ohta K, Togo A, Nakamura KI. 3D Mesoscopic Architecture of a Heterogeneous Cellular Network in the Cementum-Periodontal Ligament-Alveolar Bone Complex. Microscopy (Oxf) 2021; 71:22-33. [PMID: 34850074 DOI: 10.1093/jmicro/dfab051] [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: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 11/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-to-cell communication orchestrates various cell and tissue functions. This communication enables cells to form cellular networks with each other through direct contact via intercellular junctions. Because these cellular networks are closely related to tissue and organ functions, elucidating the morphological characteristics of cellular networks could lead to the development of novel therapeutic approaches. The tooth, periodontal ligament (PDL), and alveolar bone form a complex via collagen fibres. Teeth depend on the co-ordinated activity of this complex to maintain their function, with cellular networks in each of its three components. Imaging methods for three-dimensional (3D) mesoscopic architectural analysis include focused ion beam/scanning electron microscopy (FIB/SEM), which is characterised by its ability to select observation points and acquire data from complex tissue after extensive block-face imaging, without the need to prepare numerous ultrathin sections. Previously, we employed FIB/SEM to analyse the 3D mesoscopic architecture of hard tissue including the PDL, which exists between the bone and tooth root. The imaging results showed that the cementum, PDL, and alveolar bone networks are in contact and form a heterogeneous cellular network. This cellular network may orchestrate mechanical loading-induced remodelling of the cementum-PDL-alveolar bone complex as the remodelling of each complex component is coordinated, as exemplified by tooth movement due to orthodontic treatment and tooth dislocation due to occlusal loss. In this review, we summarise and discuss the 3D mesoscopic architecture of cellular networks in the cementum, PDL, and alveolar bone as observed in our recent mesoscopic and morphological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shingo Hirashima
- Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.,Dental and Oral Medical Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Keisuke Ohta
- Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.,Advanced Imaging Research Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Akinobu Togo
- Advanced Imaging Research Center, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
| | - Kei-Ichiro Nakamura
- Division of Microscopic and Developmental Anatomy, Department of Anatomy, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan.,Cognitive and Molecular Research Institute of Brain Diseases, Kurume University School of Medicine, Kurume, 830-0011, Japan
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Morphological analysis of interstitial cells in murine epididymis using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Acta Histochem 2021; 123:151761. [PMID: 34298316 DOI: 10.1016/j.acthis.2021.151761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Smooth muscle contraction of the epididymis plays an important role in sperm transport. Although PDGFRα-positive interstitial cells (PDGFRα (+) ICs) are thought to be involved in controlling smooth muscle movement via intercellular signaling, they have not yet been reported to date in the epididymis. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics of PDGFRα (+) ICs in the interstitial space of the murine epididymis. Immunohistochemistry showed that PDGFRα (+) ICs co-labeled with CD34 (PDGFRα (+) CD34 (+) ICs were distributed in the interstitial space of the murine epididymis from the initial segment (IS) to the cauda of the epididymis. PDGFRα (+) ICs that were not co-labeled with CD34 (PDGFRα (+) CD34 (-) ICs) were observed just beneath the epithelium from the corpus to the cauda but not in the IS. Both types of PDGFRα (+) ICs were in close proximity to each other as well as the surrounding nerves and macrophages. In addition, PDGFRα (+) CD34 (-) ICs beneath the epithelium were also in close proximity to the basal cells. Using transmission electron microscopy, we identified ICs that possessed elongated and woven cellular processes and were in close proximity to each other, surrounding the cells in the interstitial space. In the murine epididymis, it is suggested that there are two subtypes of ICs that show different distribution patterns depending on the segment, which may reflect segmental differences in mechanisms of sperm transport, forming a cellular network by physical interactions in the murine epididymis.
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