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Li L, Chen S, Li S, Duan AH, Lu D, Chu C. Implication of androgen receptor gene dysfunction in human Müllerian duct anomalies. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2024; 294:198-205. [PMID: 38295708 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2024.01.032] [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: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Müllerian duct anomalies (MDAs) are congenital developmental disorders exhibiting as a variety of malformations of female reproductive tract. The identified etiology of MDAs is limited. The present study aimed to unravel the underlying genetic causes of MDAs. METHODS Rare variants in androgen receptor (AR) were called from the cohort consists of patients with MDAs and underwent whole exome sequencing (WES) at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China. Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the causative genetic mutations. In silico analysis were used to classify the pathogenicity of each variant. Molecular modeling and simulations were conducted to investigate the conformational changes between the wild-type (WT) and mutant proteins. RESULTS A total of 3 rare heterozygous variants in AR from the MDAs cohort in our institution were identified, with unknown effects. All variants were missense mutations, including c.173A > T, c.558C > A and c.1208C > T, and were absent or rare in East Asian populations in Genome Aggregation Database and the Exome Aggregation Consortium Database. According to the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics guidelines, c.1208C > T variant was classified as likely pathogenic, while the other two were variants of uncertain significance. During molecular dynamics simulations, WT and mutant proteins all reached stable status according to root-mean-square variance. Values of radius of gyration showed that Q58L and S186R protein would be more compact than WT, while the structure of A403V became looser. Despite, in comparison with WT, the number of hydrogen bonds increased in Q58L, while decreased in the other two variants. Furthermore, the solvent-accessible surface area diminished in Q58L and A403V while enlarged in S186R proteins, when compared with WT. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the association of AR mutation and MDAs. The identification of these variants, predicted to damage the structure and function of AR protein, not only expanded the mutational spectrum of causative genes of MDAs, but provide novel molecular genetic reference for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Dongcheng, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Shuya Chen
- Central Laboratory, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Dongcheng, Beijing 100006, China
| | - Shenghui Li
- Department of Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Chaoyang, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Ai-Hong Duan
- Department of Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Chaoyang, Beijing 100026, China
| | - Dan Lu
- Department of Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Chaoyang, Beijing 100026, China.
| | - Chunfang Chu
- Department of Gynecology, Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Chaoyang, Beijing 100026, China.
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Ding Y, Wang Y, Lyu Y, Xie H, Huang Y, Wu M, Chen F, Chen Z. Urogenital sinus malformation: From development to management. Intractable Rare Dis Res 2023; 12:78-87. [PMID: 37287654 PMCID: PMC10242390 DOI: 10.5582/irdr.2023.01027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Urogenital sinus (UGS) malformation, also known as persistent urogenital sinus (PUGS), is a rare congenital malformation of the urogenital system. It arises when the urethra and vaginal opening fail to form properly in the vulva and fuse incorrectly. PUGS can occur as an isolated abnormality or as part of a complex syndrome, and is frequently associated with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). The management of PUGS is not well-established, and there are no standardized guidelines on when to perform surgery or how to follow up with patients over the long term. In this review, we discuss the embryonic development, clinical evaluation, diagnosis, and management of PUGS. We also review case reports and research findings to explore best practices for surgery and follow-up care, in hopes of increasing awareness of PUGS and improving patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Ding
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yaping Wang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiqing Lyu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center For Hypospadias Pediatric College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Hua Xie
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center For Hypospadias Pediatric College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yichen Huang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center For Hypospadias Pediatric College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center For Hypospadias Pediatric College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Fang Chen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center For Hypospadias Pediatric College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongzhong Chen
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
- Clinical Research Center For Hypospadias Pediatric College, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
- Urogenital Development Research Center, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
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3
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Harada M, Akita K. Mouse vaginal development with lateral enlargement at late embryonic stages and caudal elongation after birth. Congenit Anom (Kyoto) 2023; 63:30-39. [PMID: 36517931 DOI: 10.1111/cga.12502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Müllerian ducts give rise to the oviducts, uterus, cervix, and vagina. During female reproductive tract development in mice, the bilateral Müllerian duct epithelium grows caudally until reaching the urogenital sinus epithelium. This is followed by further caudal growth with the reduction of the urogenital sinus epithelium. Finally, the vaginal epithelium of adult mice is entirely derived from the Müllerian duct epithelium. Here, we explored the mechanisms underlying mouse vaginal development via cell proliferation, apoptosis, and lineage analyses. We found that at the late embryonic stages, apoptosis occurred at the attachment site of bilateral Müllerian duct epithelia below the cervix, resulting in bilateral lumen traffic. The Müllerian duct epithelium was enclosed by the urogenital sinus epithelium at their boundary region on embryonic day (E) 16.5, whereas the Müllerian duct epithelium encased the urogenital sinus epithelium at postnatal day (P) 0 through lateral enlargement. Lateral Müllerian duct enlargement was accompanied by focal ERK activation within the curved epithelial tips and the specific localization of mitotic nuclei on the luminal side of the Müllerian duct epithelial layer at E17.5. Descent of the Müllerian duct epithelium and shortening of the urogenital sinus epithelium occurred rapidly after birth, accompanied by cell proliferation in the Müllerian duct epithelium and its peripheral mesenchymal tissues as well as intense apoptosis in the urogenital sinus epithelium around their boundary region. Urogenital sinus epithelium was localized at the base of the vagina at P7. In conclusion, the mouse vagina develops laterally at the late embryonic stages and caudally after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masayo Harada
- Department of Clinical Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiichi Akita
- Department of Clinical Anatomy, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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4
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Amato CM, Yao HHC, Zhao F. One Tool for Many Jobs: Divergent and Conserved Actions of Androgen Signaling in Male Internal Reproductive Tract and External Genitalia. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:910964. [PMID: 35846302 PMCID: PMC9280649 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.910964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the 1940s, Alfred Jost demonstrated the necessity of testicular secretions, particularly androgens, for male internal and external genitalia differentiation. Since then, our knowledge of androgen impacts on differentiation of the male internal (Wolffian duct) and external genitalia (penis) has been drastically expanded upon. Between these two morphologically and functionally distinct organs, divergent signals facilitate the establishment of tissue-specific identities. Conversely, conserved actions of androgen signaling are present in both tissues and are largely responsible for the growth and expansion of the organs. In this review we synthesize the existing knowledge of the cell type-specific, organ specific, and conserved signaling mechanisms of androgens. Mechanistic studies on androgen signaling in the Wolffian duct and male external genitalia have largely been conducted in mouse model organisms. Therefore, the majority of the review is focused on mouse model studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciro M. Amato
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Humphrey H-C. Yao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC, United States
| | - Fei Zhao
- Department of Comparative Biosciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, United States
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Sexual fate of murine external genitalia development: Conserved transcriptional competency for male-biased genes in both sexes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2024067118. [PMID: 34074765 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2024067118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Testicular androgen is a master endocrine factor in the establishment of external genital sex differences. The degree of androgenic exposure during development is well known to determine the fate of external genitalia on a spectrum of female- to male-specific phenotypes. However, the mechanisms of androgenic regulation underlying sex differentiation are poorly defined. Here, we show that the genomic environment for the expression of male-biased genes is conserved to acquire androgen responsiveness in both sexes. Histone H3 at lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) and H3K4 monomethylation (H3K4me1) are enriched at the enhancer of male-biased genes in an androgen-independent manner. Specificity protein 1 (Sp1), acting as a collaborative transcription factor of androgen receptor, regulates H3K27ac enrichment to establish conserved transcriptional competency for male-biased genes in both sexes. Genetic manipulation of MafB, a key regulator of male-specific differentiation, and Sp1 regulatory MafB enhancer elements disrupts male-type urethral differentiation. Altogether, these findings demonstrate conservation of androgen responsiveness in both sexes, providing insights into the regulatory mechanisms underlying sexual fate during external genitalia development.
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6
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Liang Z, Chen J, Yu X, Zhu L. Persistent Labial Minora Fusion in Reproductive Age Women: A Retrospective Case Series of Nine Patients and Review of Literature. Organogenesis 2021; 17:20-25. [PMID: 34014808 DOI: 10.1080/15476278.2021.1905477] [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] [Indexed: 10/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Labial minora fusion persisting to the reproductive age is a rare type of labial fusion. Only 17 sporadic case-reports have been published to describe this disease. We report a retrospective cohort study of nine patients undergone surgical dissections in our hospital with labial minora fusion of reproductive age. General information, a medical history, gynecological examinations, preoperative ultrasonography and observations during surgery were reviewed. Four patients found vulva deformity at age 1.25 ± 1.09 years, and the remaining 5 patients discovered the disease when they reached child-bearing age (25.20 ± 4.31). The average age of operation was 22.89 ± 6.21 years. The characteristic symptoms of the disease were menstrual blood and urine excretion from the urethral orifice. No endometriosis was detected in all 9 patients. One patient was found to have congenital defects, with a double cervical and complete uterine septum. All patients recovered well without re-adhesion. Seven patients (7/9, 77.80%) were interviewed by telephone. Three patients had normal sexual life and all patients were able to control urination normally. This labial fusion was found in 44.44% patients shortly after birth and might combined with other defects, suggesting a congenital nature of the disease, and further indicates the developmental feature of the vulva.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ze Liang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Juan Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xin Yu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lan Zhu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China
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7
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Xie HB, Wang LG, Fan CY, Zhang LC, Adeniyi CA, Yin X, Zeng ZB, Wang LX, Zhang YP. Genetic architecture underlying nascent speciation - The evolution of Eurasian pigs under domestication. Mol Biol Evol 2021; 38:3556-3566. [PMID: 33892509 PMCID: PMC8382894 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msab117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Speciation is a process whereby the evolution of reproductive barriers leads to isolated species. Although many studies have addressed large-effect genetic footprints in the advanced stages of speciation, the genetics of reproductive isolation in nascent stage of speciation remains unclear. Here, we show that pig domestication offers an interesting model for studying the early stages of speciation in great details. Pig breeds have not evolved the large X-effect of hybrid incompatibility commonly observed between “good species.” Instead, deleterious epistatic interactions among multiple autosomal loci are common. These weak Dobzhansky–Muller incompatibilities confer partial hybrid inviability with sex biases in crosses between European and East Asian domestic pigs. The genomic incompatibility is enriched in pathways for angiogenesis, androgen receptor signaling and immunity, with an observation of many highly differentiated cis-regulatory variants. Our study suggests that partial hybrid inviability caused by pervasive but weak interactions among autosomal loci may be a hallmark of nascent speciation in mammals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hai-Bing Xie
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Li-Gang Wang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Chen-Yu Fan
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resource, School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Long-Chao Zhang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - C Adeola Adeniyi
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
| | - Xue Yin
- State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resource, School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, China
| | - Zhao-Bang Zeng
- Bioinformatics Research Center, Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Li-Xian Wang
- Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, Yunnan Laboratory of Molecular Biology of Domestic Animals, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China.,State Key Laboratory for Conservation and Utilization of Bio-resource, School of Life Science, Yunnan University, Kunming, China.,Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming 650223, China
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8
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Stadler HS, Peters CA, Sturm RM, Baker LA, Best CJM, Bird VY, Geller F, Hoshizaki DK, Knudsen TB, Norton JM, Romao RLP, Cohn MJ. Meeting report on the NIDDK/AUA Workshop on Congenital Anomalies of External Genitalia: challenges and opportunities for translational research. J Pediatr Urol 2020; 16:791-804. [PMID: 33097421 PMCID: PMC7885182 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpurol.2020.09.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Congenital anomalies of the external genitalia (CAEG) are a prevalent and serious public health concern with lifelong impacts on the urinary function, sexual health, fertility, tumor development, and psychosocial wellbeing of affected individuals. Complications of treatment are frequent, and data reflecting long-term outcomes in adulthood are limited. To identify a path forward to improve treatments and realize the possibility of preventing CAEG, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases and the American Urological Association convened researchers from a range of disciplines to coordinate research efforts to fully understand the different etiologies of these common conditions, subsequent variation in clinical phenotypes, and best practices for long term surgical success. Meeting participants concluded that a central data hub for clinical evaluations, including collection of DNA samples from patients and their parents, and short interviews to determine familial penetrance (small pedigrees), would accelerate research in this field. Such a centralized datahub will advance efforts to develop detailed multi-dimensional phenotyping and will enable access to genome sequence analyses and associated metadata to define the genetic bases for these conditions. Inclusion of tissue samples and integration of clinical studies with basic research using human cells and animal models will advance efforts to identify the developmental mechanisms that are disrupted during development and will add cellular and molecular granularity to phenotyping CAEG. While the discussion focuses heavily on hypospadias, this can be seen as a potential template for other conditions in the realm of CAEG, including cryptorchidism or the exstrophy-epispadias complex. Taken together with long-term clinical follow-up, these data could inform surgical choices and improve likelihood for long-term success.
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Affiliation(s)
- H Scott Stadler
- Department of Skeletal Biology, Shriners Hospital for Children, 3101 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR, Oregon Health & Science University, Department of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation, Portland, 97239, OR, USA.
| | - Craig A Peters
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, 75390-9110, TX, USA; Pediatric Urology, Children's Health System Texas, University of Texas Southwestern, Dallas, 75390, TX, USA.
| | - Renea M Sturm
- Department of Urology, Division of Pediatric Urology, University of California Los Angeles, 200 Medical Plaza #170, Los Angeles, 90095, CA, USA
| | - Linda A Baker
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, 75390-9110, TX, USA
| | - Carolyn J M Best
- American Urological Association, 1000 Corporate Boulevard, Linthicum, 21090, MD, USA
| | - Victoria Y Bird
- Department of Urology, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA; National Medical Association and Research Group, 5745 SW 75th Street, #507, Gainesville, 32608, FL, USA
| | - Frank Geller
- Department of Epidemiology Research, Statens Serum Institut, 5 Artillerivej, Copenhagen S, DK-2300, Denmark
| | - Deborah K Hoshizaki
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, 20892, MD, USA
| | - Thomas B Knudsen
- US Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Center for Computational Toxicology and Exposure, Research Triangle Park, 27711, NC, USA
| | - Jenna M Norton
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, 6707 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, 20892, MD, USA
| | - Rodrigo L P Romao
- Departments of Surgery and Urology, IWK Health Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Martin J Cohn
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Department of Biology, And UF Genetics Institute, University of Florida, PO Box 103610, Gainesville, 32610, FL, USA.
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9
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Maseroli E, Vignozzi L. Testosterone and Vaginal Function. Sex Med Rev 2020; 8:379-392. [DOI: 10.1016/j.sxmr.2020.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 03/08/2020] [Accepted: 03/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
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10
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Wang S, Lawless J, Zheng Z. Prenatal low-dose methyltestosterone, but not dihydrotestosterone, treatment induces penile formation in female mice and guinea pigs†. Biol Reprod 2020; 102:1248-1260. [PMID: 32219310 PMCID: PMC7253790 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioaa035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2019] [Revised: 12/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/24/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Genital tubercle has bisexual potential before sex differentiation. Females exposed to androgen during sex differentiation show masculinized external genitalia, but the effects of different androgens on tubular urethral and penile formation in females are mostly unknown. In this study, we compared the masculinization effects of commonly used androgens methyltestosterone, dihydrotestosterone, and testosterone on the induction of penile formation in females. Our results suggested that prenatal treatment with low doses of methyltestosterone, but not same doses of dihydrotestosterone or testosterone, could induce penile formation in female mice. The minimum dose of dihydrotestosterone and testosterone for inducing tubular urethral formation in female mice was, respectively, 50 and 20 times higher than that of methyltestosterone. In vivo methyltestosterone treatment induced more nuclear translocation of androgen receptors in genital tubercles of female mice, affected Wnt signaling gene expressions, and then led to similar patterns of cell proliferation and death in developing genital tubercles to those of control males. We further revealed that low-dose methyltestosterone, but not same dose of dihydrotestosterone or testosterone, treatment induced penile formation in female guinea pigs. Exposure of female mouse genital tubercle organ culture to methyltestosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or testosterone could induce nuclear translocation of androgen receptors, suggesting that the differential effect of the three androgens in vivo might be due to the hormonal profile in mother or fetus, rather than the local genital tissue. To understand the differential role of these androgens in masculinization process involved is fundamental to androgen replacement therapy for diseases related to external genital masculinization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanshan Wang
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - John Lawless
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA
| | - Zhengui Zheng
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Carbondale, IL, USA
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Cunha GR, Sinclair A, Ricke WA, Robboy SJ, Cao M, Baskin LS. Reproductive tract biology: Of mice and men. Differentiation 2019; 110:49-63. [PMID: 31622789 PMCID: PMC7339118 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2019.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Revised: 07/24/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The study of male and female reproductive tract development requires expertise in two separate disciplines, developmental biology and endocrinology. For ease of experimentation and economy, the mouse has been used extensively as a model for human development and pathogenesis, and for the most part similarities in developmental processes and hormone action provide ample justification for the relevance of mouse models for human reproductive tract development. Indeed, there are many examples describing the phenotype of human genetic disorders that have a reasonably comparable phenotype in mice, attesting to the congruence between mouse and human development. However, anatomic, developmental and endocrinologic differences exist between mice and humans that (1) must be appreciated and (2) considered with caution when extrapolating information between all animal models and humans. It is critical that the investigator be aware of both the similarities and differences in organogenesis and hormone action within male and female reproductive tracts so as to focus on those features of mouse models with clear relevance to human development/pathology. This review, written by a team with extensive expertise in the anatomy, developmental biology and endocrinology of both mouse and human urogenital tracts, focusses upon the significant human/mouse differences, and when appropriate voices a cautionary note regarding extrapolation of mouse models for understanding development of human male and female reproductive tracts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gerald R Cunha
- Department of Urology, University of California, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA; George M. O'Brien Center of Research Excellence, Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 93705, USA; Department of Pathology, Duke University, Davison Building, Box 3712, Durham, NC, 27710, USA.
| | - Adriane Sinclair
- Department of Urology, University of California, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Will A Ricke
- George M. O'Brien Center of Research Excellence, Department of Urology, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI, 93705, USA
| | - Stanley J Robboy
- Department of Pathology, Duke University, Davison Building, Box 3712, Durham, NC, 27710, USA
| | - Mei Cao
- Department of Urology, University of California, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Laurence S Baskin
- Department of Urology, University of California, 400 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
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12
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Baskin L, Shen J, Sinclair A, Cao M, Liu X, Liu G, Isaacson D, Overland M, Li Y, Cunha GR. Development of the human penis and clitoris. Differentiation 2018; 103:74-85. [PMID: 30249413 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2018.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
The human penis and clitoris develop from the ambisexual genital tubercle. To compare and contrast the development of human penis and clitoris, we used macroscopic photography, optical projection tomography, light sheet microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, histology and immunohistochemistry. The human genital tubercle differentiates into a penis under the influence of androgens forming a tubular urethra that develops by canalization of the urethral plate to form a wide diamond-shaped urethral groove (opening zipper) whose edges (urethral folds) fuse in the midline (closing zipper). In contrast, in females, without the influence of androgens, the vestibular plate (homologue of the urethral plate) undergoes canalization to form a wide vestibular groove whose edges (vestibular folds) remain unfused, ultimately forming the labia minora defining the vaginal vestibule. The neurovascular anatomy is similar in both the developing human penis and clitoris and is the key to successful surgical reconstructions.
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13
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Molecular mechanisms of development of the human fetal female reproductive tract. Differentiation 2017; 97:54-72. [PMID: 29053991 DOI: 10.1016/j.diff.2017.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 07/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Human female reproductive tract development rests mostly upon hematoxilyn and eosin stained sections despite recent advances on molecular mechanisms in mouse studies. We report application of immunohistochemical methods to explore the ontogeny of epithelial and mesenchymal differentiation markers (keratins, homobox proteins, steroid receptors), transcription factors and signaling molecules (TP63 and RUNX1) during human female reproductive tract development. Keratins 6, 7, 8, 10, 14 and 19 (KRT6, KRT7, KRT8, KRT10, KRT14, KRT19) were expressed in a temporally and spatially dynamic fashion. The undifferentiated Müllerian duct and uterovaginal canal, lined by simple columnar epithelia, expressed KRT7, KRT8 and KRT19. Glandular derivatives of the Müllerian duct (uterine tube, uterine corpus and endocervix) maintained expression of these keratins, while tissues that undergo stratified squamous differentiation (exocervix and vagina) expressed KRT6, KRT14 and KRT10 during development in an age-dependent fashion. TP63 and RUNX1 were expressed prior to KRT14, as these two transcription factors are known to be upstream from KRT14 in developing Müllerian epithelium. In the vagina, KRT10, a marker of terminal differentiation, appeared after endogenous estrogens transformed the epithelium to a thick glycogenated squamous epithelium. Uroplakin, a protein unique to urothelium, was expressed only in the bladder, urethra and vaginal introitus, but not in the female reproductive tract itself. Mesenchymal differentiation was examined through immunostaining for HOXA11 (expressed in uterine mesenchyme) and ISL1 (expressed in vaginal mesenchyme). A detailed ontogeny of estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), progesterone receptor (PGR) and the androgen receptor (AR) provides the mechanistic underpinning for the teratogenicity of estrogens, progestins and androgens on female reproductive tract development. Immunohistochemical analysis of differentiation markers and signaling molecules advance our understanding of normal development of the human female reproductive tract. These observations demonstrate remarkable similarities in mouse and human female reproductive tract development, but also highlight some key differences.
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Development: AR signalling and sexual development. Nat Rev Urol 2016; 14:10. [PMID: 27898098 DOI: 10.1038/nrurol.2016.245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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