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Wanjari UR, Gopalakrishnan AV. Blood-testis barrier: a review on regulators in maintaining cell junction integrity between Sertoli cells. Cell Tissue Res 2024; 396:157-175. [PMID: 38564020 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-024-03894-7] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is formed adjacent to the seminiferous basement membrane. It is a distinct ultrastructure, partitioning testicular seminiferous epithelium into apical (adluminal) and basal compartments. It plays a vital role in developing and maturing spermatocytes into spermatozoa via reorganizing its structure. This enables the transportation of preleptotene spermatocytes across the BTB, from basal to adluminal compartments in the seminiferous tubules. Several bioactive peptides and biomolecules secreted by testicular cells regulate the BTB function and support spermatogenesis. These peptides activate various downstream signaling proteins and can also be the target themself, which could improve the diffusion of drugs across the BTB. The gap junction (GJ) and its coexisting junctions at the BTB maintain the immunological barrier integrity and can be the "gateway" during spermatocyte transition. These junctions are the possible route for toxicant entry, causing male reproductive dysfunction. Herein, we summarize the detailed mechanism of all the regulators playing an essential role in the maintenance of the BTB, which will help researchers to understand and find targets for drug delivery inside the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uddesh Ramesh Wanjari
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu, Vellore, PIN 632014, India
| | - Abilash Valsala Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Bio-Sciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Tamil Nadu, Vellore, PIN 632014, India.
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2
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Hussain T, Metwally E, Murtaza G, Kalhoro DH, Chughtai MI, Tan B, Omur AD, Tunio SA, Akbar MS, Kalhoro MS. Redox mechanisms of environmental toxicants on male reproductive function. Front Cell Dev Biol 2024; 12:1333845. [PMID: 38469179 PMCID: PMC10925774 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2024.1333845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Humans and wildlife, including domesticated animals, are exposed to a myriad of environmental contaminants that are derived from various human activities, including agricultural, household, cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and industrial products. Excessive exposure to pesticides, heavy metals, and phthalates consequently causes the overproduction of reactive oxygen species. The equilibrium between reactive oxygen species and the antioxidant system is preserved to maintain cellular redox homeostasis. Mitochondria play a key role in cellular function and cell survival. Mitochondria are vulnerable to damage that can be provoked by environmental exposures. Once the mitochondrial metabolism is damaged, it interferes with energy metabolism and eventually causes the overproduction of free radicals. Furthermore, it also perceives inflammation signals to generate an inflammatory response, which is involved in pathophysiological mechanisms. A depleted antioxidant system provokes oxidative stress that triggers inflammation and regulates epigenetic function and apoptotic events. Apart from that, these chemicals influence steroidogenesis, deteriorate sperm quality, and damage male reproductive organs. It is strongly believed that redox signaling molecules are the key regulators that mediate reproductive toxicity. This review article aims to spotlight the redox toxicology of environmental chemicals on male reproduction function and its fertility prognosis. Furthermore, we shed light on the influence of redox signaling and metabolism in modulating the response of environmental toxins to reproductive function. Additionally, we emphasize the supporting evidence from diverse cellular and animal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tarique Hussain
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
- Animal Science Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIAB-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Elsayed Metwally
- Department of Cytology and Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Ghulam Murtaza
- Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Government of Sindh, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Dildar Hussain Kalhoro
- Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ismail Chughtai
- Animal Science Division, Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIAB-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Bie Tan
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Ali Dogan Omur
- Department of Artificial Insemination, Faculty, Veterinary Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Türkiye
| | - Shakeel Ahmed Tunio
- Department of Livestock Management, Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Sindh, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Shahzad Akbar
- Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, University of Poonch, Rawalakot, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Saleem Kalhoro
- Department of Agro-Industrial, Food, and Environmental Technology, Faculty of Applied Science, Food and Agro-Industrial Research Centre, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, Bangkok, Thailand
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3
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Jia L, Wang W, Liang J, Niu S, Wang Y, Yang J, Li L, Wang G, Xu X, Mu L, Cheng K, Yang X, Wang Y, Luo H, Xia G, Ke Y, Zhang Y, Zhang H. Analyzing the cellular and molecular atlas of ovarian mesenchymal cells provides a strategy against female reproductive aging. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2023; 66:2818-2836. [PMID: 37460714 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-022-2335-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Ovarian mesenchymal cells (oMCs) constitute a distinct microenvironment that supports folliculogenesis under physiological conditions. Supplementation of exogenous non-ovarian mesenchymal-related cells has been reported to be an efficient approach to improve ovarian functions. However, the development and cellular and molecular characteristics of endogenous oMCs remain largely unexplored. In this study, we surveyed the single-cell transcriptomic landscape to dissect the cellular and molecular changes associated with the aging of oMCs in mice. Our results showed that the oMCs were composed of five ovarian differentiated MC (odMC) populations and one ovarian mesenchymal progenitor (oMP) cell population. These cells could differentiate into various odMCs via an oMP-derived route to construct the ovarian stroma structures. Comparative analysis revealed that ovarian aging was associated with decreased quantity of oMP cells and reduced quality of odMCs. Based on the findings of bioinformatics analysis, we designed different strategies involving supplementation with young oMCs to examine their effects on female fertility and health. Our functional investigations revealed that oMCs supplementation prior to ovarian senescence was the optimal method to improve female fertility and extend the reproductive lifespan of aged females in the long-term.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longzhong Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Wenji Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- School of Life Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, 318000, China
| | - Jing Liang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Shudong Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yibo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jian Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lingyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ge Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xueqiang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Lu Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Kaixin Cheng
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Xuebing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Yijing Wang
- National Institute of Biological Sciences, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Haoshu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Guoliang Xia
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
- Key Laboratory of Ministry of Education for Conservation and Utilization of Special Biological Resources in Western China, College of Life Science, Ningxia University, Yinchuan, 750021, China
| | - Yuwen Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
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Mustafa M, Dar SA, Azmi S, Haque S. The Role of Environmental Toxicant-Induced Oxidative Stress in Male Infertility. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2022; 1391:17-32. [PMID: 36472814 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-12966-7_2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Infertility is a serious public health issue affecting around 15% of couples globally. Of the 60-80 million people of reproductive age affected by infertility, 40-50% are due to male factor while 30-40% of cases are still idiopathic. The recent global deterioration in sperm quality raises apprehensions regarding the toxic effects of environmental pollutants on reproductive health of males. Environmental toxicants have shown strong evidences for inducing oxidative stress affecting spermatogenesis severely, thereby leading to reduced sperm motility, count, and DNA damage. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) influences the spermatozoa development and transit process both internally and externally. Low level of ROS is indispensable for critical physiological sperm processes like sperm capacitation, motility, acrosome reaction, hyper-activation, sperm-oocyte interaction, etc., while excessive ROS disrupt antioxidant molecules which is detrimental to normal functioning of the sperm. Hence, identification of potential environmental toxicant may have clinical relevance for early screening and diagnosis of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Mustafa
- Scientific Research Centre, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Sajad Ahmad Dar
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Sarfuddin Azmi
- Scientific Research Centre, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
| | - Shafiul Haque
- Research and Scientific Studies Unit, College of Nursing, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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5
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Wu X, Gao S, Wang L, Bu T, Wu S, Zhou L, Shi J, Wu D, Sun F, Cheng CY. Role of laminin and collagen chains in human spermatogenesis - Insights from studies in rodents and scRNA-Seq transcriptome profiling. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 121:125-132. [PMID: 34325997 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Studies have demonstrated that biologically active fragments are generated from the basement membrane and the Sertoli cell-spermatid adhesion site known as apical ectoplasmic specialization (apical ES, a testis-specific actin-based anchoring junction) in the rat testis. These bioactive fragments or peptides are produced locally across the seminiferous epithelium through proteolytic cleavage of constituent proteins at the basement membrane and the apical ES. Studies have shown that they are being used to modulate and coordinate cellular functions across the seminiferous epithelium during different stages of the epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis. In this review, we briefly summarize recent findings based on studies using rat testes as a study model regarding the role of these bioactive peptides that serve as a local regulatory network to support spermatogenesis. We also used scRNA-Seq transcriptome datasets in the public domain for OA (obstructive azoospermia) and NAO (non-obstructive azoospermia) human testes versus testes from normal men for analysis in this review. It was shown that there are differential expression of different collagen chains and laminin chains in these testes, suggesting the possibility of a similar local regulatory network in the human testis to support spermatogenesis, and the possible disruption of such network in men is associated with OA and/or NOA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolong Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China; The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Sheng Gao
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China; The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Tiao Bu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Siwen Wu
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Liwei Zhou
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Di Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China.
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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6
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Li H, Liu S, Wu S, Li L, Ge R, Cheng CY. Bioactive fragments of laminin and collagen chains: lesson from the testis. Reproduction 2021; 159:R111-R123. [PMID: 31581125 DOI: 10.1530/rep-19-0288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Recent studies have shown that the testis is producing several biologically active peptides, namely the F5- and the NC1-peptides from laminin-γ3 and collagen α3 (IV) chain, respectively, that promotes blood-testis barrier (BTB) remodeling and also elongated spermatid release at spermiation. Also the LG3/4/5 peptide from laminin-α2 chain promotes BTB integrity which is likely being used for the assembly of a 'new' BTB behind preleptotene spermatocytes under transport at the immunological barrier. These findings thus provide a new opportunity for investigators to better understand the biology of spermatogenesis. Herein, we briefly summarize the recent findings and provide a critical update. We also present a hypothetical model which could serve as the framework for studies in the years to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huitao Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Shiwen Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Siwen Wu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Linxi Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Renshan Ge
- The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
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7
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Bu T, Wang L, Wu X, Li L, Mao B, Wong CKC, Perrotta A, Silvestrini B, Sun F, Cheng CY. A laminin-based local regulatory network in the testis that supports spermatogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2021; 121:40-52. [PMID: 33879391 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
In adult rat testes, the basement membrane is structurally constituted by laminin and collagen chains that lay adjacent to the blood-testis barrier (BTB). It plays a crucial scaffolding role to support spermatogenesis. On the other hand, laminin-333 comprised of laminin-α3/ß3/γ3 at the apical ES (ectoplasmic specialization, a testis-specific cell-cell adherens junction at the Sertoli cell-step 8-19 spermatid interface) expressed by spermatids serves as a unique cell adhesion protein that forms an adhesion complex with α6ß1-integrin expressed by Sertoli cells to support spermiogenesis. Emerging evidence has shown that biologically active fragments are derived from basement membrane and apical ES laminin chains through proteolytic cleavage mediated by matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and MMP2, respectively. Two of these laminin bioactive fragments: one from the basement membrane laminin-α2 chain called LG3/4/5-peptide, and one from the apical ES laminin-γ3 chain known as F5-peptide, are potent regulators that modify cell adhesion function at the Sertoli-spermatid interface (i.e., apical ES) but also at the Sertoli cell-cell interface designated basal ES at the blood-testis barrier (BTB) with contrasting effects. These findings not only highlight the physiological significance of these bioactive peptides that create a local regulatory network to support spermatogenesis, they also open a unique area of research. For instance, it is likely that several other bioactive peptides remain to be identified. These bioactive peptides including their downstream signaling proteins and cascades should be studied collectively in future investigations to elucidate the underlying mechanism(s) by which they coordinate with each other to maintain spermatogenesis. This is the goal of this review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiao Bu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Lingling Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Xiaolong Wu
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - Linxi Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Baiping Mao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Chris K C Wong
- Department of Biology, Croucher Institute for Environmental Sciences, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Adolfo Perrotta
- Department of Translational & Precision Medicine, La Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | | | - Fei Sun
- Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Institute of Reproductive Medicine, Nantong University School of Medicine, Nantong, Jiangsu 226001, China.
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8
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Li L, Li H, Wang L, Bu T, Liu S, Mao B, Cheng CY. A local regulatory network in the testis mediated by laminin and collagen fragments that supports spermatogenesis. Crit Rev Biochem Mol Biol 2021; 56:236-254. [PMID: 33761828 DOI: 10.1080/10409238.2021.1901255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
It is almost five decades since the discovery of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis. This refers to the hormonal axis that connects the hypothalamus, pituitary gland and testes, which in turn, regulates the production of spermatozoa through spermatogenesis in the seminiferous tubules, and testosterone through steroidogenesis by Leydig cells in the interstitium, of the testes. Emerging evidence has demonstrated the presence of a regulatory network across the seminiferous epithelium utilizing bioactive molecules produced locally at specific domains of the epithelium. Studies have shown that biologically active fragments are produced from structural laminin and collagen chains in the basement membrane. Additionally, bioactive peptides are also produced locally in non-basement membrane laminin chains at the Sertoli-spermatid interface known as apical ectoplasmic specialization (apical ES, a testis-specific actin-based anchoring junction type). These bioactive peptides are derived from structural laminins and/or collagens at the corresponding sites through proteolytic cleavage by matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). They in turn serve as autocrine and/or paracrine factors to modulate and coordinate cellular events across the epithelium by linking the apical and basal compartments, the apical and basal ES, the blood-testis barrier (BTB), and the basement membrane of the tunica propria. The cellular events supported by these bioactive peptides/fragments include the release of spermatozoa at spermiation, remodeling of the immunological barrier to facilitate the transport of preleptotene spermatocytes across the BTB, and the transport of haploid spermatids across the epithelium to support spermiogenesis. In this review, we critically evaluate these findings. Our goal is to identify research areas that deserve attentions in future years. The proposed research also provides the much needed understanding on the biology of spermatogenesis supported by a local network of regulatory biomolecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxi Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Huitao Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lingling Wang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tiao Bu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Shiwen Liu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - Baiping Mao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, NY, USA
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9
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Park HJ, Yun JI, Kim M, Choi K, Lee E, Lee ST. Screening of Integrin Heterodimers Expressed Functionally on the Undifferentiated Spermatogonial Stem Cells in the Outbred ICR Mice. Int J Stem Cells 2020; 13:353-363. [PMID: 32840227 PMCID: PMC7691863 DOI: 10.15283/ijsc20061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2020] [Revised: 06/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Objectives Outbred mice are widely used in toxicology, pharmacology, and fundamental biomedical research. However, there have been no reports of in vitro culture systems for spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) derived from these mice. Methods As a step towards constructing a non-cellular niche supporting the in vitro maintenance of outbred mouse SSC self-renewal, we systematically investigated the types of integrin heterodimers that are expressed transcriptionally, translationally, and functionally in SSCs derived from Imprinting Control Region (ICR) mice. Results Among the genes encoding 25 integrin subunits, integrin α1, α5, α6, α9, αV, and αE, and integrin β1 and β5 had significantly higher transcriptional levels than the other subunits. Furthermore, at the translational level, integrin α5, α6, α9, αV, αE, and β1 were localized on the surface of SSCs, but integrin α1 and β5 not. Moreover, significantly stronger translational expression than integrin α9 and αE was observed in integrin α5, α6, αV, and β1. SSCs showed significantly increased adhesion to fibronectin, laminin, tenascin C and vitronectin, and functional blocking of integrin α5β1, α6β1, α9β1 or αVβ1 significantly inhibited adhesion to these molecules. Conclusions We confirmed that integrin α5β1, α6β1, α9β1 and αVβ1 actively function on the surface of undifferentiated SSCs derived from outbred ICR mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hye Jin Park
- Department of Animal Life Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | | | - Minseok Kim
- Department of Animal Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea
| | | | - Eunsong Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
| | - Seung Tae Lee
- Department of Animal Life Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea.,KustoGen Inc., Chuncheon, Korea.,Department of Applied Animal Science, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Korea
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10
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Modulating the Blood–Testis Barrier Towards Increasing Drug Delivery. Trends Pharmacol Sci 2020; 41:690-700. [DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2020.07.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2020] [Revised: 07/02/2020] [Accepted: 07/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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11
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Endogenously produced LG3/4/5-peptide protects testes against toxicant-induced injury. Cell Death Dis 2020; 11:436. [PMID: 32513914 PMCID: PMC7280515 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-020-2608-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2020] [Accepted: 05/13/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Laminin-α2 chain is one of the major constituent proteins of the basement membrane in the mammalian testis. The laminin-type globular (LG) domains of LG3, 4 and 5 (LG3/4/5, an 80 kDa fragment) can be cleaved from laminin-α2 chain at the C-terminus via the action of matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9). This LG3/4/5 is a biologically active fragment, capable of modulating the Sertoli cell blood–testis barrier (BTB) function by tightening the barrier both in vitro and in vivo. Overexpression of LG3/4/5 cloned into a mammalian expression vector pCI-neo in Sertoli cells in a Sertoli cell in vitro model with a functional BTB also protected Sertoli cells from cadmium chloride (CdCl2, an environmental toxicant) mediated cell injury. Importantly, overexpression of LG3/4/5 in the testis in vivo was found to block or rescue cadmium-induced BTB disruption and testis injury. LG3/4/5 was found to exert its BTB and spermatogenesis promoting effects through corrective spatiotemporal expression of actin- and MT-based regulatory proteins by maintaining the cytoskeletons in the testis, illustrating the therapeutic implication of this novel bioactive fragment.
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Barros D, Amaral IF, Pêgo AP. Laminin-Inspired Cell-Instructive Microenvironments for Neural Stem Cells. Biomacromolecules 2019; 21:276-293. [PMID: 31789020 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.9b01319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Laminin is a heterotrimeric glycoprotein with a key role in the formation and maintenance of the basement membrane architecture and properties, as well as on the modulation of several biological functions, including cell adhesion, migration, differentiation and matrix-mediated signaling. In the central nervous system (CNS), laminin is differentially expressed during development and homeostasis, with an impact on the modulation of cell function and fate. Within neurogenic niches, laminin is one of the most important and well described extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. Specifically, efforts have been made to understand laminin assembly, domain architecture, and interaction of its different bioactive domains with cell surface receptors, soluble signaling molecules, and ECM proteins, to gain insight into the role of this ECM protein and its receptors on the modulation of neurogenesis, both in homeostasis and during repair. This is also expected to provide a rational basis for the design of biomaterial-based matrices mirroring the biological properties of the basement membrane of neural stem cell niches, for application in neural tissue repair and cell transplantation. This review provides a general overview of laminin structure and domain architecture, as well as the main biological functions mediated by this heterotrimeric glycoprotein. The expression and distribution of laminin in the CNS and, more specifically, its role within adult neural stem cell niches is summarized. Additionally, a detailed overview on the use of full-length laminin and laminin derived peptide/recombinant laminin fragments for the development of hydrogels for mimicking the neurogenic niche microenvironment is given. Finally, the main challenges associated with the development of laminin-inspired hydrogels and the hurdles to overcome for these to progress from bench to bedside are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Barros
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde , Universidade do Porto (UPorto) , Porto 4200-153 , Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica , UPorto , Porto 4200-153 , Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar , UPorto , Porto 4200-153 , Portugal
| | - Isabel F Amaral
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde , Universidade do Porto (UPorto) , Porto 4200-153 , Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica , UPorto , Porto 4200-153 , Portugal.,FEUP - Faculdade de Engenharia , UPorto , Porto 4200-153 , Portugal
| | - Ana P Pêgo
- i3S - Instituto de Investigação e Inovação em Saúde , Universidade do Porto (UPorto) , Porto 4200-153 , Portugal.,INEB - Instituto de Engenharia Biomédica , UPorto , Porto 4200-153 , Portugal.,ICBAS - Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas Abel Salazar , UPorto , Porto 4200-153 , Portugal.,FEUP - Faculdade de Engenharia , UPorto , Porto 4200-153 , Portugal
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Wu S, Yan M, Ge R, Cheng CY. Crosstalk between Sertoli and Germ Cells in Male Fertility. Trends Mol Med 2019; 26:215-231. [PMID: 31727542 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2019.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 08/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis is supported by intricate crosstalk between Sertoli cells and germ cells including spermatogonia, spermatocytes, haploid spermatids, and spermatozoa, which takes place in the epithelium of seminiferous tubules. Sertoli cells, also known as 'mother' or 'nurse' cells, provide nutrients, paracrine factors, cytokines, and other biomolecules to support germ cell development. Sertoli cells facilitate the generation of several biologically active peptides, which include F5-, noncollagenous 1 (NC1)-, and laminin globular (LG)3/4/5-peptide, to modulate cellular events across the epithelium. Here, we critically evaluate the involvement of these peptides in facilitating crosstalk between Sertoli and germ cells to support spermatogenesis and thus fertility. Modulating or mimicking the activity of F5-, NC1-, and LG3/4/5-peptide could be used to enhance the transport across the blood-testis barrier (BTB) of contraceptive drugs or to treat male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siwen Wu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA
| | - Ming Yan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210009, China
| | - Renshan Ge
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.
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Mao BP, Li L, Yan M, Ge R, Lian Q, Cheng CY. Regulation of BTB dynamics in spermatogenesis - insights from the adjudin toxicant model. Toxicol Sci 2019; 172:75-88. [PMID: 31397872 PMCID: PMC6813747 DOI: 10.1093/toxsci/kfz180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 07/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, cell organelles and germ cells, most notably haploid spermatids, are transported across the seminiferous epithelium so that fully developed spermatids line-up at the edge of the tubule lumen to undergo spermiation at stage VIII of the cycle. Studies have suggested that the microtubule (MT)-based cytoskeleton is necessary to support these cellular events. However, the regulatory molecule(s) and underlying mechanism(s) remain poorly understood. Herein, we sought to better understand this event by using an adjudin-based animal model. Adult rats were treated with adjudin at low-dose (10 mg/kg b.w.) which by itself had no notable effects on spermatogenesis. Rats were also treated with low-dose adjudin combined with overexpression of two endogenously produced blood-testis barrier (BTB) modifiers, namely rpS6 [ribosomal protein S6, the downstream signaling protein of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)] and F5-peptide (a biological active peptide released from laminin-γ3 chain at the Sertoli-spermatid interface) versus the two BTB modifiers alone. Overexpression of these two BTB modifiers in the testis was shown to enhance delivery of adjudin to the testis, effectively inducing disruptive changes in MT cytoskeletons, causing truncation of MT conferred tracks that led to their collapse across the epithelium. The net result was massive germ cell exfoliation in the tubules, disrupting germ cell transport and cell adhesion across the seminiferous epithelium that led to aspermatogenesis. These changes were the result of disruptive spatial expression of several MT-based regulatory proteins. In summary, MT cytoskeleton supported by the network of MT regulatory proteins is crucial to maintain spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bai-Ping Mao
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,The Mary Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, New York
| | - Linxi Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,The Mary Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, New York
| | - Ming Yan
- The Mary Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, New York
| | - Renshan Ge
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingquan Lian
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.,The Mary Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, New York
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15
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Mao B, Li L, Yan M, Wong CKC, Silvestrini B, Li C, Ge R, Lian Q, Cheng CY. F5-Peptide and mTORC1/rpS6 Effectively Enhance BTB Transport Function in the Testis-Lesson From the Adjudin Model. Endocrinology 2019; 160:1832-1853. [PMID: 31157869 PMCID: PMC6637795 DOI: 10.1210/en.2019-00308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2019] [Accepted: 05/26/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, the blood-testis barrier (BTB) undergoes cyclic remodeling that is crucial to support the transport of preleptotene spermatocytes across the immunological barrier at stage VIII to IX of the epithelial cycle. Studies have shown that this timely remodeling of the BTB is supported by several endogenously produced barrier modifiers across the seminiferous epithelium, which include the F5-peptide and the ribosomal protein S6 [rpS6; a downstream signaling molecule of the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)] signaling protein. Herein, F5-peptide and a quadruple phosphomimetic (and constitutively active) mutant of rpS6 [i.e., phosphorylated (p-)rpS6-MT] that are capable of inducing reversible immunological barrier remodeling, by making the barrier "leaky" transiently, were used for their overexpression in the testis to induce BTB opening. We sought to examine whether this facilitated the crossing of the nonhormonal male contraceptive adjudin at the BTB when administered by oral gavage, thereby effectively improving its BTB transport to induce germ cell adhesion and aspermatogenesis. Indeed, it was shown that combined overexpression of F5-peptide and p-rpS6-MT and a low dose of adjudin, which by itself had no noticeable effects on spermatogenesis, was capable of perturbing the organization of actin- and microtubule (MT)-based cytoskeletons through changes in the spatial expression of actin- and MT-binding/regulatory proteins to the corresponding cytoskeleton. These findings thus illustrate the possibility of delivering drugs to any target organ behind a blood-tissue barrier by modifying the tight junction permeability barrier using endogenously produced barrier modifiers based on findings from this adjudin animal model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baiping Mao
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Linxi Li
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ming Yan
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Druggability of Biopharmaceuticals, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chris K C Wong
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - Chao Li
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Renshan Ge
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qingquan Lian
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York
- The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Correspondence: C. Yan Cheng, PhD, The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065. E-mail:
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Yan M, Li L, Mao B, Li H, Li SYT, Mruk D, Silvestrini B, Lian Q, Ge R, Cheng CY. mTORC1/rpS6 signaling complex modifies BTB transport function: an in vivo study using the adjudin model. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2019; 317:E121-E138. [PMID: 31112404 PMCID: PMC6689739 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00553.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Revised: 04/30/2019] [Accepted: 05/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Studies have shown that the mTORC1/rpS6 signaling cascade regulates Sertoli cell blood-testis barrier (BTB) dynamics. For instance, specific inhibition of mTORC1 by treating Sertoli cells with rapamycin promotes the Sertoli cell barrier, making it "tighter." However, activation of mTORC1 by overexpressing a full-length rpS6 cDNA clone (i.e., rpS6-WT, wild type) in Sertoli cells promotes BTB remodeling, making the barrier "leaky." Also, there is an increase in rpS6 and p-rpS6 (phosphorylated and activated rpS6) expression at the BTB in testes at stages VIII-IX of the epithelial cycle, and it coincides with BTB remodeling to support the transport of preleptotene spermatocytes across the barrier, illustrating that rpS6 is a BTB-modifying signaling protein. Herein, we used a constitutively active, quadruple phosphomimetic mutant of rpS6, namely p-rpS6-MT of p-rpS6-S235E/S236E/S240E/S244E, wherein Ser (S) was converted to Glu (E) at amino acid residues 235, 236, 240, and 244 from the NH2 terminus by site-directed mutagenesis, for its overexpression in rat testes in vivo using the Polyplus in vivo jet-PEI transfection reagent with high transfection efficiency. Overexpression of this p-rpS6-MT was capable of inducing BTB remodeling, making the barrier "leaky." This thus promoted the entry of the nonhormonal male contraceptive adjudin into the adluminal compartment in the seminiferous epithelium to induce germ cell exfoliation. Combined overexpression of p-rpS6-MT with a male contraceptive (e.g., adjudin) potentiated the drug bioavailability by modifying the BTB. This approach thus lowers intrinsic drug toxicity due to a reduced drug dose, further characterizing the biology of BTB transport function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yan
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
| | - Linxi Li
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
- Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, Zhejiang , China
| | - Baiping Mao
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
- Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, Zhejiang , China
| | - Huitao Li
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
- Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, Zhejiang , China
| | - Stephen Y T Li
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
| | - Dolores Mruk
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
| | | | - Qingquan Lian
- Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, Zhejiang , China
| | - Renshan Ge
- Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University , Wenzhou, Zhejiang , China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
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Wen Q, Wu S, Lee WM, Wong CKC, Lui WY, Silvestrini B, Cheng CY. Myosin VIIa Supports Spermatid/Organelle Transport and Cell Adhesion During Spermatogenesis in the Rat Testis. Endocrinology 2019; 160:484-503. [PMID: 30649248 PMCID: PMC6372944 DOI: 10.1210/en.2018-00855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/08/2019] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The biology of transport of spermatids and spermatid adhesion across the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle remains largely unexplored. Nonetheless, studies have implicated the role of motor proteins in these cellular events. In this article, we report findings to unravel the role of myosin VIIa, an F-actin-based barbed (+)-end-directed motor protein, to support cellular transport and adhesion in the testis. Using RNA interference to knock down myosin VIIa in Sertoli cells cultured in vitro as a study model was shown to perturb the Sertoli cell tight junction permeability barrier, mediated through disorganization of actin- or microtubule (MT)-based cytoskeletons owing to disruptive changes on the spatiotemporal expression of F-actin or MT-regulatory proteins. Consistent with these in vitro findings, knockdown of myosin VIIa in the testis in vivo also induced disorganization of the actin- and MT-based cytoskeletons across the seminiferous epithelium, mediated by disruptive changes in the spatiotemporal expression of actin- and MT-based regulatory proteins. More important, the transport of spermatids and organelles across the epithelium, as well as cell adhesion, was grossly disrupted. For instance, step 19 spermatids failed to be transported to the adluminal compartment near the tubule lumen to undergo spermiation; in this manner, step 19 spermatids were persistently detected in stage IX and XII tubules, intermingling with step 9 and 12 spermatids, respectively. Also, phagosomes were detected near the tubule lumen in stage I to III tubules when they should have been degraded near the base of the seminiferous epithelium via the lysosomal pathway. In summary, myosin VIIa motor protein was crucial to support cellular transport and adhesion during spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wen
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York
| | - Siwen Wu
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York
| | - Will M Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chris K C Wong
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing-yee Lui
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York
- Correspondence: C. Yan Cheng, PhD, The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10065. E-mail:
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F5-peptide enhances the efficacy of the non-hormonal male contraceptive adjudin. Contraception 2019; 99:350-356. [PMID: 30763581 DOI: 10.1016/j.contraception.2019.01.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The bioavailability of the non-hormonal male contraceptive adjudin is low in rats due to the blood-testis barrier (BTB). This study was designed to examine if F5-peptide, an endogenously produced reversible BTB modifier, could enhance the bioavailability of adjudin to affect spermatogenesis and provide a contraceptive effect in rats while reducing systemic toxicity. STUDY DESIGN We overexpressed F5-peptide in adult male rats (n=10 rats; with 3 or 4 rats for each of the three different experiments noted in the three regimens) by intratesticular injection of a mammalian expression vector pCI-neo (pCI-neo/F5-peptide) vs. empty vector alone (pCI-neo/Ctrl) to be followed by treatment with adjudin by oral gavage at a dose of 10 or 20 mg/kg. The status of spermatogenesis was assessed by histological analysis and dual-labeled immunofluorescence analysis on Day 16. To assess fertility, we allowed treated males (n=3-4 rats) to mate with mature female rats (n=3-4) individually, and assessed the number of pups on Days 23, 36 and 82 to assess fertility and reversibility. RESULTS All 4 treated rats overexpressed with F5-peptide and low-dose adjudin were infertile by Day 36, and half of these rats were fertile by Day 82, illustrating reversibility. However, overexpression of F5-peptide alone (or low-dose adjudin alone) had no effects on fertility in n=3 rats. These findings were consistent with the histology data that illustrated the BTB modifier F5-peptide promoted the action of adjudin to induce germ cell exfoliation, mediated by changes in cytoskeletal organization of F-actin and microtubules across the epithelium, thereby reducing the systemic toxicity of adjudin. CONCLUSION In this proof-of-concept study, it was shown that overexpression of the F5-peptide prior to administration of adjudin to rats at a low (and ineffective dose by itself) was found to induce reversible male infertility. IMPLICATIONS Overexpression of F5-peptide, an endogenously produced biomolecule in the testis known to induce BTB remodeling, enhanced the contraceptive effect of adjudin in rats, supporting proof of concept studies of BTB disrupters in men.
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Wei Y, Gao Q, Niu P, Xu K, Qiu Y, Hu Y, Liu S, Zhang X, Yu M, Liu Z, Wang B, Mu Y, Li K. Integrative Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Profiling of Testis from Wip1 Phosphatase-Knockout Mice: Insights into Mechanisms of Reduced Fertility. Mol Cell Proteomics 2019; 18:216-230. [PMID: 30361445 PMCID: PMC6356077 DOI: 10.1074/mcp.ra117.000479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2017] [Revised: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mice lacking wild-type p53-induced phosphatase 1 (Wip1) display male reproductive defects including smaller testes, subfertility and spermatogenesis defects at the round- and elongating-spermatid stages. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these abnormalities remain unclear. Here we examined the proteome and phosphoproteome of testes from Wip1-knockout mice using a quantitative proteomic approach. From a total of 6872 proteins and 4280 phosphorylation sites identified, 58 proteins and 159 phosphorylation sites were found to be differentially regulated compared with wild type mice. Pathway enrichment analyses revealed that these regulated proteins and phosphosites were mainly involved in adherens/tight junctions, apoptosis, inflammatory response, spermatogenesis, sperm motility, and cytoskeletal assembly and depolymerization. Wip1-knockout mice showed decreased expression of junction-associated proteins (occludin, ZO-1, and N-cadherin) and impaired integrity of the blood-testis barrier. In addition, Wip1 deficiency was associated with elevated levels of cytokines and germ cell apoptosis in the testis. These results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines may impair the blood-testis barrier dynamics by decreasing the expression of junction-associated proteins, which could lead to subfertility and spermatogenesis defects. Collectively, these findings help to explain the low reproductive function caused by Wip1 deletion and provide novel insights into our understanding of causes of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinghui Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Qian Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Pengxia Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Kui Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yiqing Qiu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yanqing Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shasha Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xue Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Miaoying Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhiguo Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Bingyuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yulian Mu
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Kui Li
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition, Institute of Animal Sciences, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China.
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20
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Wen Q, Tang EI, Lui WY, Lee WM, Wong CKC, Silvestrini B, Cheng CY. Dynein 1 supports spermatid transport and spermiation during spermatogenesis in the rat testis. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2018; 315:E924-E948. [PMID: 30016153 PMCID: PMC6293164 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00114.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
In the mammalian testis, spermatogenesis is dependent on the microtubule (MT)-specific motor proteins, such as dynein 1, that serve as the engine to support germ cell and organelle transport across the seminiferous epithelium at different stages of the epithelial cycle. Yet the underlying molecular mechanism(s) that support this series of cellular events remain unknown. Herein, we used RNAi to knockdown cytoplasmic dynein 1 heavy chain (Dync1h1) and an inhibitor ciliobrevin D to inactivate dynein in Sertoli cells in vitro and the testis in vivo, thereby probing the role of dynein 1 in spermatogenesis. Both treatments were shown to extensively induce disruption of MT organization across Sertoli cells in vitro and the testis in vivo. These changes also perturbed the transport of spermatids and other organelles (such as phagosomes) across the epithelium. These changes thus led to disruption of spermatogenesis. Interestingly, the knockdown of dynein 1 or its inactivation by ciliobrevin D also perturbed gross disruption of F-actin across the Sertoli cells in vitro and the seminiferous epithelium in vivo, illustrating there are cross talks between the two cytoskeletons in the testis. In summary, these findings confirm the role of cytoplasmic dynein 1 to support the transport of spermatids and organelles across the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wen
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
| | - Elizabeth I Tang
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
| | - Wing-Yee Lui
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Will M Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chris K C Wong
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | | | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
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Mao BP, Li L, Yan M, Lian Q, Ge R, Cheng CY. Environmental toxicants and cell polarity in the testis. Reprod Toxicol 2018; 81:253-258. [DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 08/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
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22
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Wen Q, Mruk D, Tang EI, Wong CK, Lui WY, Lee WM, Xiao X, Silvestrini B, Cheng CY. Cell polarity and cytoskeletons-Lesson from the testis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 81:21-32. [PMID: 28965865 PMCID: PMC5889362 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.09.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2017] [Accepted: 09/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Cell polarity in the adult mammalian testis refers to the polarized alignment of developing spermatids during spermiogenesis and the polarized organization of organelles (e.g., phagosomes, endocytic vesicles, Sertoli cell nuclei, Golgi apparatus) in Sertoli cells and germ cells to support spermatogenesis. Without these distinctive features of cell polarity in the seminiferous epithelium, it is not possible to support the daily production of millions of sperm in the limited space provided by the seminiferous tubules in either rodent or human males through the adulthood. In short, cell polarity provides a novel mean to align spermatids and the supporting organelles (e.g., phagosomes, Golgi apparatus, endocytic vesicles) in a highly organized fashion spatially in the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis. This is analogous to different assembling units in a manufacturing plant such that as developing spermatids move along the "assembly line" conferred by Sertoli cells, different structural/functional components can be added to (or removed from) the developing spermatids during spermiogenesis, so that functional spermatozoa are produced at the end of the assembly line. Herein, we briefly review findings regarding the regulation of cell polarity in the testis with specific emphasis on developing spermatids, supported by an intriguing network of regulatory proteins along a local functional axis. Emerging evidence has suggested that cell cytoskeletons provide the tracks which in turn confer the unique assembly lines in the seminiferous epithelium. We also provide some thought-provoking concepts based on which functional experiments can be designed in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wen
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, 1230 York Ave, New York, New York 10065
| | - Dolores Mruk
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, 1230 York Ave, New York, New York 10065
| | - Elizabeth I. Tang
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, 1230 York Ave, New York, New York 10065
| | - Chris K.C. Wong
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Wing-yee Lui
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Will M. Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | | | - C. Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, 1230 York Ave, New York, New York 10065
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Hejmej A, Bilinska B. The effects of flutamide on cell-cell junctions in the testis, epididymis, and prostate. Reprod Toxicol 2018; 81:1-16. [PMID: 29958919 DOI: 10.1016/j.reprotox.2018.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2018] [Revised: 06/15/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
In this review, we summarize recent findings on the effect of the anti-androgen flutamide on cell-cell junctions in the male reproductive system. We outline developmental aspects of flutamide action on the testis, epididymis, and prostate, and describe changes in junction protein expression and organization of junctional complexes in the adult boar following prenatal and postnatal exposure. We also discuss findings on the mechanisms by which flutamide induces alterations in cell-cell junctions in reproductive tissues of adult males, with special emphasis on cytoplasmic effects. Based on the results from in vivo and in vitro studies in the rat, we propose that flutamide affects the expression of junction proteins and junction complex structure not only by inhibiting androgen receptor activity, but equally important by modulating protein kinase-dependent signaling in testicular cells. Additionally, results from studies on prostate cancer cell lines point to a role for the cellular molecular outfit in response to flutamide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Hejmej
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Barbara Bilinska
- Department of Endocrinology, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland.
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Gao Y, Mruk DD, Lui WY, Lee WM, Cheng CY. F5-peptide induces aspermatogenesis by disrupting organization of actin- and microtubule-based cytoskeletons in the testis. Oncotarget 2018; 7:64203-64220. [PMID: 27611949 PMCID: PMC5325436 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
During the release of sperm at spermiation, a biologically active F5-peptide, which can disrupt the Sertoli cell tight junction (TJ) permeability barrier, is produced at the site of the degenerating apical ES (ectoplasmic specialization). This peptide coordinates the events of spermiation and blood-testis barrier (BTB) remodeling at stage VIII of the epithelial cycle, creating a local apical ES-BTB axis to coordinate cellular events across the epithelium. The mechanism(s) by which F5-peptide perturbs BTB restructuring, and its involvement in apical ES dynamics remain unknown. F5-peptide, besides perturbing BTB integrity, was shown to induce germ cell release from the epithelium following its efficient in vivo overexpression in the testis. Overexpression of F5-peptide caused disorganization of actin- and microtubule (MT)-based cytoskeletons, mediated by altering the spatiotemporal expression of actin binding/regulatory proteins in the seminiferous epithelium. F5-peptide perturbed the ability of actin microfilaments and/or MTs from converting between their bundled and unbundled/defragmented configuration, thereby perturbing adhesion between spermatids and Sertoli cells. Since apical ES and basal ES/BTB are interconnected through the underlying cytoskeletal networks, this thus provides an efficient and novel mechanism to coordinate different cellular events across the epithelium during spermatogenesis through changes in the organization of actin microfilaments and MTs. These findings also illustrate the potential of F5-peptide being a male contraceptive peptide for men.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gao
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, USA
| | - Dolores D Mruk
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, USA
| | - Wing-Yee Lui
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Will M Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, USA
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25
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Li SYT, Yan M, Chen H, Jesus T, Lee WM, Xiao X, Cheng CY. mTORC1/rpS6 regulates blood-testis barrier dynamics and spermatogenetic function in the testis in vivo. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2018; 314:E174-E190. [PMID: 29089336 PMCID: PMC5866417 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00263.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2017] [Revised: 10/02/2017] [Accepted: 10/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The blood-testis barrier (BTB), conferred by Sertoli cells in the mammalian testis, is an important ultrastructure that supports spermatogenesis. Studies using animal models have shown that a disruption of the BTB leads to meiotic arrest, causing defects in spermatogenesis and male infertility. To better understand the regulation of BTB dynamics, we report findings herein to understand the role of ribosomal protein S6 (rpS6), a downstream signaling protein of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1), in promoting BTB disruption in the testis in vivo, making the barrier "leaky." Overexpression of wild-type rpS6 (rpS6-WT, the full-length cDNA cloned into the mammalian expression vector pCI-neo) and a constitutively active quadruple phosphomimetic mutant cloned into pCI-neo (p-rpS6-MT) vs. control (empty pCI-neo vector) was achieved by transfecting adult rat testes with the corresponding plasmid DNA using a Polyplus in vivo-jetPEI transfection reagent. On the basis of an in vivo functional BTB integrity assay, p-rpS6-MT was found to induce BTB disruption better than rpS6-WT did (and no effects in empty vector control), leading to defects in spermatogenesis, including loss of spermatid polarity and failure in the transport of cells (e.g., spermatids) and organelles (e.g., phagosomes), to be followed by germ exfoliation. More important, rpS6-WT and p-rpS6-MT exert their disruptive effects through changes in the organization of actin- and microtubule (MT)-based cytoskeletons, which are mediated by changes in the spatiotemporal expression of actin- and MT-based binding and regulatory proteins. In short, mTORC1/rpS6 signaling complex is a regulator of spermatogenesis and BTB by modulating the organization of the actin- and MT-based cytoskeletons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Y T Li
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
| | - Ming Yan
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Drug Screening, China Pharmaceutical University , Nanjing , China
| | - Haiqi Chen
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
| | - Tito Jesus
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
| | - Will M Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences , Hangzhou , China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council , New York, New York
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Li L, Tang EI, Chen H, Lian Q, Ge R, Silvestrini B, Cheng CY. Sperm Release at Spermiation Is Regulated by Changes in the Organization of Actin- and Microtubule-Based Cytoskeletons at the Apical Ectoplasmic Specialization-A Study Using the Adjudin Model. Endocrinology 2017; 158:4300-4316. [PMID: 29040437 PMCID: PMC5711386 DOI: 10.1210/en.2017-00660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2017] [Accepted: 10/05/2017] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The mechanism that regulates sperm release at spermiation is unknown. Herein, we used an animal model wherein rats were treated with adjudin, 1-(2,4-dichlorobenzyl)-1H-indazole-3-carbohydrazide, via oral gavage to induce premature release of elongating/elongated spermatids, followed by round spermatids and spermatocytes. Spermatid release mimicking spermiation occurred within 6 to 12 hours following adjudin treatment and, by 96 hours, virtually all tubules were devoid of elongating/elongated spermatids. Using this model, we tracked the organization of F-actin and microtubules (MTs) by immunofluorescence microscopy, and the association of actin or MT regulatory proteins that either promote or demolish cytoskeletal integrity through changes in the organization of actin microfilaments or MTs by coimmunoprecipitation. Adjudin treatment induced an increase in the association of (1) epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8 (an actin barbed-end capping and bundling protein) or formin 1 (an actin nucleator) with actin and (2) end-binding protein 1 (an MT stabilizing protein) with MT shortly after adjudin exposure (at 6 hours), in an attempt to maintain spermatid adhesion to the Sertoli cell at the apical ectoplasmic specialization (ES). However, this was followed by a considerable decline of their steady-state protein levels, replacing with an increase in association of (1) actin-related protein 3 (a branched actin nucleator that converts actin filaments into a branched/unbundled network) with actin and (2) MT affinity-regulating kinase 4 (an MT destabilizing protein kinase) with MTs by 12 hours after adjudin treatment. These latter changes thus promoted actin and MT disorganization, leading to apical ES disruption and the release of elongating/elongated spermatids, mimicking spermiation. In summary, spermiation is a cytoskeletal-dependent event, involving regulatory proteins that modify cytoskeletal organization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxi Li
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, New York 10065
- 2Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Elizabeth I. Tang
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, New York 10065
| | - Haiqi Chen
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, New York 10065
| | - Qingquan Lian
- 2Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Renshan Ge
- 2Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children’s Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | | | - C. Yan Cheng
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, New York 10065
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Eve AMJ, Smith JC. Knockdown of Laminin gamma-3 (Lamc3) impairs motoneuron guidance in the zebrafish embryo. Wellcome Open Res 2017; 2:111. [PMID: 29417095 PMCID: PMC5785718 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.12394.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Previous work in the zebrafish embryo has shown that laminin γ-3 ( lamc3) is enriched in endothelial cells marked by expression of fli1a, but the role of Lamc3 has been unknown. Methods: We use antisense morpholino oligonucleotides, and CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis of F0 embryos, to create zebrafish embryos in which lamc3 expression is compromised. Transgenic imaging, immunofluorescence, and in situ hybridisation reveal that Lamc3 loss-of-function affects the development of muscle pioneers, endothelial cells, and motoneurons. Results: Lamc3 is enriched in endothelial cells during zebrafish development, but it is also expressed by other tissues. Depletion of Lamc3 by use of antisense morpholino oligonucleotides perturbs formation of the parachordal chain and subsequently the thoracic duct, but Lamc3 is not required for sprouting of the cardinal vein. F0 embryos in which lamc3 expression is perturbed by a CRISPR/Cas9 approach also fail to form a parachordal chain, but we were unable to establish a stable lamc3 null line. Lamc3 is dispensable for muscle pioneer specification and for the expression of netrin-1a in these cells. Lamc3 knockdown causes netrin-1a up-regulation in the neural tube and there is increased Netrin-1 protein throughout the trunk of the embryo. Axonal guidance of rostral primary motoneurons is defective in Lamc3 knockdown embryos. Conclusions: We suggest that knockdown of Lamc3 perturbs migration of rostral primary motoneurons at the level of the horizontal myoseptum, indicating that laminin γ3 plays a role in motoneuron guidance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M. J. Eve
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - James C. Smith
- Developmental Biology Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London, NW1 1AT, UK
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28
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Li L, Gao Y, Chen H, Jesus T, Tang E, Li N, Lian Q, Ge RS, Cheng CY. Cell polarity, cell adhesion, and spermatogenesis: role of cytoskeletons. F1000Res 2017; 6:1565. [PMID: 28928959 PMCID: PMC5580414 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.11421.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/21/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In the rat testis, studies have shown that cell polarity, in particular spermatid polarity, to support spermatogenesis is conferred by the coordinated efforts of the Par-, Crumbs-, and Scribble-based polarity complexes in the seminiferous epithelium. Furthermore, planar cell polarity (PCP) is conferred by PCP proteins such as Van Gogh-like 2 (Vangl2) in the testis. On the other hand, cell junctions at the Sertoli cell–spermatid (steps 8–19) interface are exclusively supported by adhesion protein complexes (for example, α6β1-integrin-laminin-α3,β3,γ3 and nectin-3-afadin) at the actin-rich apical ectoplasmic specialization (ES) since the apical ES is the only anchoring device in step 8–19 spermatids. For cell junctions at the Sertoli cell–cell interface, they are supported by adhesion complexes at the actin-based basal ES (for example, N-cadherin-β-catenin and nectin-2-afadin), tight junction (occludin-ZO-1 and claudin 11-ZO-1), and gap junction (connexin 43-plakophilin-2) and also intermediate filament-based desmosome (for example, desmoglein-2-desmocollin-2). In short, the testis-specific actin-rich anchoring device known as ES is crucial to support spermatid and Sertoli cell adhesion. Accumulating evidence has shown that the Par-, Crumbs-, and Scribble-based polarity complexes and the PCP Vangl2 are working in concert with actin- or microtubule-based cytoskeletons (or both) and these polarity (or PCP) protein complexes exert their effects through changes in the organization of the cytoskeletal elements across the seminiferous epithelium of adult rat testes. As such, there is an intimate relationship between cell polarity, cell adhesion, and cytoskeletal function in the testis. Herein, we critically evaluate these recent findings based on studies on different animal models. We also suggest some crucial future studies to be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linxi Li
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, USA.,The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Gao
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, USA
| | - Haiqi Chen
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, USA
| | - Tito Jesus
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, USA
| | - Elizabeth Tang
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, USA
| | - Nan Li
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, USA
| | - Qingquan Lian
- The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ren-Shan Ge
- The Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, New York, USA
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29
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Chen H, Mruk DD, Lee WM, Cheng CY. Regulation of spermatogenesis by a local functional axis in the testis: role of the basement membrane-derived noncollagenous 1 domain peptide. FASEB J 2017; 31:3587-3607. [PMID: 28487282 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201700052r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2017] [Accepted: 04/11/2017] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Spermatogenesis takes place in the epithelium of the seminiferous tubules of the testes, producing millions of spermatozoa per day in an adult male in rodents and humans. Thus, multiple cellular events that are regulated by an array of signaling molecules and pathways are tightly coordinated to support spermatogenesis. Here, we report findings of a local regulatory axis between the basement membrane (BM), the blood-testis barrier (BTB), and the apical ectoplasmic specialization (apical ES; a testis-specific, actin-rich adherens junction at the Sertoli cell-spermatid interface) to coordinate cellular events across the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle. In short, a biologically active fragment, noncollagenous 1 (NC1) domain that is derived from collagen chains in the BM, was found to modulate cell junction dynamics at the BTB and apical ES. NC1 domain from the collagen α3(IV) chain was cloned into a mammalian expression vector, pCI-neo, with and without a collagen signal peptide. We also prepared a specific Ab against the purified recombinant NC1 domain peptide. These reagents were used to examine whether overexpression of NC1 domain with high transfection efficacy would perturb spermatogenesis, in particular, spermatid adhesion (i.e., inducing apical ES degeneration) and BTB function (i.e., basal ES and tight junction disruption, making the barrier leaky), in the testis in vivo We report our findings that NC1 domain derived from collagen α3(IV) chain-a major structural component of the BM-was capable of inducing BTB remodeling, making the BTB leaky in studies in vivo Furthermore, NC1 domain peptide was transported across the epithelium via a microtubule-dependent mechanism and is capable of inducing apical ES degeneration, which leads to germ cell exfoliation from the seminiferous epithelium. Of more importance, we show that NC1 domain peptide exerted its regulatory effect by disorganizing actin microfilaments and microtubules in Sertoli cells so that they failed to support cell adhesion and transport of germ cells and organelles (e.g., residual bodies, phagosomes) across the seminiferous epithelium. This local regulatory axis between the BM, BTB, and the apical ES thus coordinates cellular events that take place across the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis.-Chen, H., Mruk, D. D., Lee, W. M., Cheng, C. Y. Regulation of spermatogenesis by a local functional axis in the testis: role of the basement membrane-derived noncollagenous 1 domain peptide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiqi Chen
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dolores D Mruk
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Will M Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA; .,School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China
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30
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Wen Q, Tang EI, Gao Y, Jesus TT, Chu DS, Lee WM, Wong CKC, Liu YX, Xiao X, Silvestrini B, Cheng CY. Signaling pathways regulating blood-tissue barriers - Lesson from the testis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-BIOMEMBRANES 2017; 1860:141-153. [PMID: 28450047 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamem.2017.04.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 04/18/2017] [Accepted: 04/21/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Signaling pathways that regulate blood-tissue barriers are important for studying the biology of various blood-tissue barriers. This information, if deciphered and better understood, will provide better therapeutic management of diseases particularly in organs that are sealed by the corresponding blood-tissue barriers from systemic circulation, such as the brain and the testis. These barriers block the access of antibiotics and/or chemotherapeutical agents across the corresponding barriers. Studies in the last decade using the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in rats have demonstrated the presence of several signaling pathways that are crucial to modulate BTB function. Herein, we critically evaluate these findings and provide hypothetical models regarding the underlying mechanisms by which these signaling molecules/pathways modulate BTB dynamics. This information should be carefully evaluated to examine their applicability in other tissue barriers which shall benefit future functional studies in the field. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Gap Junction Proteins edited by Jean Claude Herve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wen
- The Mary M. Woldford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Elizabeth I Tang
- The Mary M. Woldford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Ying Gao
- The Mary M. Woldford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Tito T Jesus
- The Mary M. Woldford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Darren S Chu
- The Mary M. Woldford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Will M Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chris K C Wong
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yi-Xun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Department of Reproductive Physiology, Zhejiang Academy of Medical Sciences, Hangzhou 310013, Zhejiang, China
| | | | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Woldford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, United States.
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31
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Gao Y, Mruk D, Chen H, Lui WY, Lee WM, Cheng CY. Regulation of the blood-testis barrier by a local axis in the testis: role of laminin α2 in the basement membrane. FASEB J 2017; 31:584-597. [PMID: 27815338 PMCID: PMC5240664 DOI: 10.1096/fj.201600870r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Laminin α2 is one of the constituent components of the basement membrane (BM) in adult rat testes. Earlier studies that used a mouse genetic model have shown that a deletion of laminin α2 impedes male fertility by disrupting ectoplasmic specialization (ES; a testis-specific, actin-rich anchoring junction) function along the length of Sertoli cell in the testis. This includes ES at the Sertoli cell-elongating/elongated spermatid interface, which is known as apical ES and possibly the Sertoli-Sertoli cell interface, known as basal ES, at the blood-testis barrier (BTB). Studies have also illustrated that there is a local regulatory axis that functionally links cellular events of spermiation that occur near the luminal edge of tubule lumen at the apical ES and the basal ES/BTB remodeling near the BM at opposite ends of the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle, known as the apical ES-BTB-BM axis. However, the precise role of BM in this axis remains unknown. Here, we show that laminin α2 in the BM serves as the crucial regulator in this axis as laminin α2, likely its 80-kDa fragment from the C terminus, was found to be transported across the seminiferous epithelium at stages VIII-IX of the epithelial cycle, from the BM to the luminal edge of the tubule, possibly being used to modulate apical ES restructuring at these stages. Of more importance, a knockdown of laminin α2 in Sertoli cells was shown to induce the Sertoli cell tight junction permeability barrier disruption via changes in localization of adhesion proteins at the tight junction and basal ES at the Sertoli cell BTB. These changes were found to be mediated by a disruption of F-actin organization that was induced by changes in the spatiotemporal expression of actin binding/regulatory proteins. Furthermore, laminin α2 knockdown also perturbed microtubule (MT) organization by considerable down-regulation of MT polymerization via changes in the spatiotemporal expression of EB1 (end-binding protein 1), a +TIP (MT plus-end tracking protein). In short, laminin α2 in the BM seems to play a crucial role in the BTB-BM axis by modulating BTB dynamics during spermatogenesis.-Gao, Y., Mruk, D., Chen, H., Lui, W.-Y., Lee, W. M., Cheng, C. Y. Regulation of the blood-testis barrier by a local axis in the testis: role of laminin α2 in the basement membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gao
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Dolores Mruk
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Haiqi Chen
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA
| | - Wing-Yee Lui
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Will M Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA;
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Annexin A2 is critical for blood-testis barrier integrity and spermatid disengagement in the mammalian testis. BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR CELL RESEARCH 2016; 1864:527-545. [PMID: 27974247 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2016.12.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2016] [Revised: 12/06/2016] [Accepted: 12/09/2016] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Throughout spermatogenesis, two important processes occur at late stage VIII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle in the rat testis: preleptotene spermatocytes commence entry into the adluminal compartment and step 19 spermatids release from the seminiferous epithelium. Presently, it is not clear how these processes, which involve extensive restructuring of unique Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-germ cell junctions, are mediated. We aimed to determine whether annexin A2 (ANXA2), a Ca2+-dependent and phospholipid-binding protein, participates in cell junction dynamics. To address this, in vitro and in vivo RNA interference studies were performed on prepubertal Sertoli cells and adult rat testes. The endpoints of Anxa2 knockdown were determined by immunoblotting, morphological analyses, fluorescent immunostaining, and barrier integrity assays. In the testis, ANXA2 localized to the Sertoli cell stalk, with specific staining at the blood-testis barrier and the concave (ventral) surface of elongated spermatids. ANXA2 also bound actin when testis lysates were used for immunoprecipitation. Anxa2 knockdown was found to disrupt the Sertoli cell/blood-testis barrier in vitro and in vivo. The disruption in barrier function was substantiated by changes in the localization of claudin-11, zona occludens-1, N-cadherin, and β-catenin. Furthermore, Anxa2 knockdown resulted in spermiation defects caused by a dysfunction of tubulobulbar complexes, testis-specific actin-rich ultrastructures that internalize remnant cell junction components prior to spermiation. Additionally, there were changes in the localization of several tubulobulbar complex component proteins, including actin-related protein 3, cortactin, and dynamin I/II. Our results indicate that ANXA2 is critical for the integrity of the blood-testis barrier and the timely release of spermatids.
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Autoimmunity against laminins. Clin Immunol 2016; 170:39-52. [PMID: 27464450 DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2016.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2016] [Revised: 04/30/2016] [Accepted: 07/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Laminins are ubiquitous constituents of the basement membranes with major architectural and functional role as supported by the fact that absence or mutations of laminins lead to either lethal or severely impairing phenotypes. Besides genetic defects, laminins are involved in a wide range of human diseases including cancer, infections, and inflammatory diseases, as well as autoimmune disorders. A growing body of evidence implicates several laminin chains as autoantigens in blistering skin diseases, collagenoses, vasculitis, or post-infectious autoimmunity. The current paper reviews the existing knowledge on autoimmunity against laminins referring to both experimental and clinical data, and on therapeutic implications of anti-laminin antibodies. Further investigation of relevant laminin epitopes in pathogenic autoimmunity would facilitate the development of appropriate diagnostic tools for thorough characterization of patients' antibody specificities and should decisively contribute to designing more specific therapeutic interventions.
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Gao Y, Lui WY, Lee WM, Cheng CY. Polarity protein Crumbs homolog-3 (CRB3) regulates ectoplasmic specialization dynamics through its action on F-actin organization in Sertoli cells. Sci Rep 2016; 6:28589. [PMID: 27358069 PMCID: PMC4928075 DOI: 10.1038/srep28589] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2016] [Accepted: 06/07/2016] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Crumbs homolog 3 (or Crumbs3, CRB3) is a polarity protein expressed by Sertoli and germ cells at the basal compartment in the seminiferous epithelium. CRB3 also expressed at the blood-testis barrier (BTB), co-localized with F-actin, TJ proteins occludin/ZO-1 and basal ES (ectoplasmic specialization) proteins N-cadherin/β-catenin at stages IV-VII only. The binding partners of CRB3 in the testis were the branched actin polymerization protein Arp3, and the barbed end-capping and bundling protein Eps8, illustrating its possible role in actin organization. CRB3 knockdown (KD) by RNAi in Sertoli cells with an established tight junction (TJ)-permeability barrier perturbed the TJ-barrier via changes in the distribution of TJ- and basal ES-proteins at the cell-cell interface. These changes were the result of CRB3 KD-induced re-organization of actin microfilaments, in which actin microfilaments were truncated, and extensively branched, thereby destabilizing F-actin-based adhesion protein complexes at the BTB. Using Polyplus in vivo-jetPEI as a transfection medium with high efficiency for CRB3 KD in the testis, the CRB3 KD testes displayed defects in spermatid and phagosome transport, and also spermatid polarity due to a disruption of F-actin organization. In summary, CRB3 is an actin microfilament regulator, playing a pivotal role in organizing actin filament bundles at the ES.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Gao
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, 10065, New York, USA
| | - Wing-Yee Lui
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Will M Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, 10065, New York, USA
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Chen H, Mruk DD, Xia W, Bonanomi M, Silvestrini B, Cheng CY. Effective Delivery of Male Contraceptives Behind the Blood-Testis Barrier (BTB) - Lesson from Adjudin. Curr Med Chem 2016; 23:701-13. [PMID: 26758796 PMCID: PMC4845722 DOI: 10.2174/0929867323666160112122724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2014] [Revised: 12/18/2014] [Accepted: 01/11/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is one of the tightest blood-tissue barriers in the mammalian body. It divides the seminiferous epithelium of the seminiferous tubule, the functional unit of the testis, where spermatogenesis takes place, into the basal and the adluminal (apical) compartments. Functionally, the BTB provides a unique microenvironment for meiosis I/II and post-meiotic spermatid development which take place exclusively in the apical compartment, away from the host immune system, and it contributes to the immune privilege status of testis. However, the BTB also poses major obstacles in developing male contraceptives (e.g., adjudin) that exert their effects on germ cells in the apical compartment, such as by disrupting spermatid adhesion to the Sertoli cell, causing germ cell exfoliation from the testis. Besides the tight junction (TJ) between adjacent Sertoli cells at the BTB that restricts the entry of contraceptives from the microvessels in the interstitium to the adluminal compartment, drug transporters, such as P-glycoprotein and multidrug resistance-associated protein 1 (MRP1), are also present that actively pump drugs out of the testis, limiting drug bioavailability. Recent advances in drug formulations, such as drug particle micronization (<50 μm) and co-grinding of drug particles with ß-cyclodextrin have improved bioavailability of contraceptives via considerable increase in solubility. Herein, we discuss development in drug formulations using adjudin as an example. We also put emphasis on the possible use of nanotechnology to deliver adjudin to the apical compartment with multidrug magnetic mesoporous silica nanoparticles. These advances in technology will significantly enhance our ability to develop effective non-hormonal male contraceptives for men.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Chuen-Yan Cheng
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York 10065, USA..
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Korhonen HM, Yadav RP, Da Ros M, Chalmel F, Zimmermann C, Toppari J, Nef S, Kotaja N. DICER Regulates the Formation and Maintenance of Cell-Cell Junctions in the Mouse Seminiferous Epithelium. Biol Reprod 2015; 93:139. [PMID: 26510868 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.131938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2015] [Accepted: 10/26/2015] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The endonuclease DICER that processes micro-RNAs and small interfering RNAs is essential for normal spermatogenesis and male fertility. We previously showed that the deletion of Dicer1 gene in postnatal spermatogonia in mice using Ngn3 promoter-driven Cre expression caused severe defects in the morphogenesis of haploid spermatid to mature spermatozoon, including problems in cell polarization and nuclear elongation. In this study, we further analyzed the same mouse model and revealed that absence of functional DICER in differentiating male germ cells induces disorganization of the cell-cell junctions in the seminiferous epithelium. We detected discontinuous and irregular apical ectoplasmic specializations between elongating spermatids and Sertoli cells. The defective anchoring of spermatids to Sertoli cells caused a premature release of spermatids into the lumen. Our findings may help also explain the abnormal elongation process of remaining spermatids because these junctions and the correct positioning of germ cells in the epithelium are critically important for the progression of spermiogenesis. Interestingly, cell adhesion-related genes were generally upregulated in Dicer1 knockout germ cells. Claudin 5 ( Cldn5 ) was among the most upregulated genes and we show that the polarized localization of CLAUDIN5 in the apical ectoplasmic specializations was lost in Dicer1 knockout spermatids. Our results suggest that DICER-dependent pathways control the formation and organization of cell-cell junctions in the seminiferous epithelium via the regulation of cell adhesion-related genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Maria Korhonen
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Ram Prakash Yadav
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Matteo Da Ros
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | | | - Céline Zimmermann
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jorma Toppari
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland Department of Pediatrics, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Serge Nef
- Department of Genetic Medicine and Development, University of Geneva Medical School, Geneva, Switzerland iGE3, Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Noora Kotaja
- Institute of Biomedicine, Department of Physiology, University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Li N, Mruk DD, Wong CKC, Han D, Lee WM, Cheng CY. Formin 1 Regulates Ectoplasmic Specialization in the Rat Testis Through Its Actin Nucleation and Bundling Activity. Endocrinology 2015; 156:2969-83. [PMID: 25901598 PMCID: PMC4511136 DOI: 10.1210/en.2015-1161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, developing spermatids and preleptotene spermatocytes are transported across the adluminal compartment and the blood-testis barrier (BTB), respectively, so that spermatids line up near the luminal edge to prepare for spermiation, whereas preleptotene spermatocytes enter the adluminal compartment to differentiate into late spermatocytes to prepare for meiosis I/II. These cellular events involve actin microfilament reorganization at the testis-specific, actin-rich Sertoli-spermatid and Sertoli-Sertoli cell junction called apical and basal ectoplasmic specialization (ES). Formin 1, an actin nucleation protein known to promote actin microfilament elongation and bundling, was expressed at the apical ES but limited to stage VII of the epithelial cycle, whereas its expression at the basal ES/BTB stretched from stage III to stage VI, diminished in stage VII, and was undetectable in stage VIII tubules. Using an in vitro model of studying Sertoli cell BTB function by RNA interference and biochemical assays to monitor actin bundling and polymerization activity, a knockdown of formin 1 in Sertoli cells by approximately 70% impeded the tight junction-permeability function. This disruptive effect on the tight junction barrier was mediated by a loss of actin microfilament bundling and actin polymerization capability mediated by changes in the localization of branched actin-inducing protein Arp3 (actin-related protein 3), and actin bundling proteins Eps8 (epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8) and palladin, thereby disrupting cell adhesion. Formin 1 knockdown in vivo was found to impede spermatid adhesion, transport, and polarity, causing defects in spermiation in which elongated spermatids remained embedded into the epithelium in stage IX tubules, mediated by changes in the spatiotemporal expression of Arp3, Eps8, and palladin. In summary, formin 1 is a regulator of ES dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- Center for Biomedical Research (N.L., D.D.M., C.Y.C.), Population Council, New York, New York 10065; Department of Biology (C.K.C.W.), Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Department of Cell Biology (D.H.), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; and School of Biological Sciences (W.M.L.), University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Dolores D Mruk
- Center for Biomedical Research (N.L., D.D.M., C.Y.C.), Population Council, New York, New York 10065; Department of Biology (C.K.C.W.), Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Department of Cell Biology (D.H.), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; and School of Biological Sciences (W.M.L.), University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Chris K C Wong
- Center for Biomedical Research (N.L., D.D.M., C.Y.C.), Population Council, New York, New York 10065; Department of Biology (C.K.C.W.), Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Department of Cell Biology (D.H.), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; and School of Biological Sciences (W.M.L.), University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Daishu Han
- Center for Biomedical Research (N.L., D.D.M., C.Y.C.), Population Council, New York, New York 10065; Department of Biology (C.K.C.W.), Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Department of Cell Biology (D.H.), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; and School of Biological Sciences (W.M.L.), University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Will M Lee
- Center for Biomedical Research (N.L., D.D.M., C.Y.C.), Population Council, New York, New York 10065; Department of Biology (C.K.C.W.), Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Department of Cell Biology (D.H.), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; and School of Biological Sciences (W.M.L.), University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Center for Biomedical Research (N.L., D.D.M., C.Y.C.), Population Council, New York, New York 10065; Department of Biology (C.K.C.W.), Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; Department of Cell Biology (D.H.), Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing 100005, China; and School of Biological Sciences (W.M.L.), University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
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Abstract
Androgens such as testosterone are steroid hormones essential for normal male reproductive development and function. Mutations of androgen receptors (AR) are often found in patients with disorders of male reproductive development, and milder mutations may be responsible for some cases of male infertility. Androgens exert their action through AR and its signalling in the testis is essential for spermatogenesis. AR is not expressed in the developing germ cell lineage so is thought to exert its effects through testicular Sertoli and peri-tubular myoid (PTM) cells. AR signalling in spermatogenesis has been investigated in rodent models where testosterone levels are chemically supressed or models with transgenic disruption of AR. These models have pinpointed the steps of spermatogenesis that require AR signalling, specifically maintenance of spermatogonial numbers, blood-testis barrier integrity, completion of meiosis, adhesion of spermatids and spermiation, together these studies detail the essential nature of androgens in the promotion of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura O'Hara
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
| | - Lee B Smith
- MRC Centre for Reproductive Health, University of Edinburgh, The Queen's Medical Research Institute, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4TJ, UK.
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Devi AN, Anil Kumar TR, Pillai SM, Jayakrishnan K, Kumar PG. Expression profiles of NPHP1 in the germ cells in the semen of men with male factor infertility. Andrology 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. N. Devi
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology; Thiruvananthapuram Kerala India
| | - T. R. Anil Kumar
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology; Thiruvananthapuram Kerala India
| | - S. M. Pillai
- Samad IVF Hospital; Thiruvananthapuram Kerala India
| | | | - P. G. Kumar
- Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology; Thiruvananthapuram Kerala India
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Li N, Mruk DD, Wong CKC, Lee WM, Han D, Cheng CY. Actin-bundling protein plastin 3 is a regulator of ectoplasmic specialization dynamics during spermatogenesis in the rat testis. FASEB J 2015; 29:3788-805. [PMID: 26048141 DOI: 10.1096/fj.14-267997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2015] [Accepted: 05/18/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Ectoplasmic specialization (ES) is an actin-rich adherens junction in the seminiferous epithelium of adult mammalian testes. ES is restricted to the Sertoli-spermatid (apical ES) interface, as well as the Sertoli cell-cell (basal ES) interface at the blood-testis barrier (BTB). ES is typified by the presence of an array of bundles of actin microfilaments near the Sertoli cell plasma membrane. These actin microfilament bundles require rapid debundling to convert them from a bundled to branched/unbundled configuration and vice versa to confer plasticity to support the transport of 1) spermatids in the adluminal compartment and 2) preleptotene spermatocytes at the BTB while maintaining cell adhesion. Plastin 3 is one of the plastin family members abundantly found in yeast, plant and animal cells that confers actin microfilaments their bundled configuration. Herein, plastin 3 was shown to be a component of the apical and basal ES in the rat testis, displaying spatiotemporal expression during the epithelial cycle. A knockdown (KD) of plastin 3 in Sertoli cells by RNA interference using an in vitro model to study BTB function showed that a transient loss of plastin 3 perturbed the Sertoli cell tight junction-permeability barrier, mediated by changes in the localization of basal ES proteins N-cadherin and β-catenin. More importantly, these changes were the result of an alteration of the actin microfilaments, converting from their bundled to branched configuration when examined microscopically, and validated by biochemical assays that quantified actin-bundling and polymerization activity. Moreover, these changes were confirmed by studies in vivo by plastin 3 KD in the testis in which mis-localization of N-cadherin and β-catenin was also detected at the BTB, concomitant with defects in the transport of spermatids and phagosomes and a disruption of cell adhesion most notably in elongated spermatids due to a loss of actin-bundling capability at the apical ES, which in turn affected localization of adhesion protein complexes at the site. In summary, plastin 3 is a regulator of actin microfilament bundles at the ES in which it dictates the configuration of the filamentous actin network by assuming either a bundled or unbundled/branched configuration via changes in its spatiotemporal expression during the epithelial cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Li
- *The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA; Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Dolores D Mruk
- *The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA; Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chris K C Wong
- *The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA; Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Will M Lee
- *The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA; Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Daishu Han
- *The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA; Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- *The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, USA; Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China; School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; and Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Cheng CY. Toxicants target cell junctions in the testis: Insights from the indazole-carboxylic acid model. SPERMATOGENESIS 2015; 4:e981485. [PMID: 26413399 PMCID: PMC4581065 DOI: 10.4161/21565562.2014.981485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 10/23/2014] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
There are numerous types of junctions in the seminiferous epithelium which are integrated with, and critically dependent on the Sertoli cell cytoskeleton. These include the basal tight junctions between Sertoli cells that form the main component of the blood–testis barrier, the basal ectoplasmic specializations (basal ES) and basal tubulobulbar complexes (basal TBC) between Sertoli cells; as well as apical ES and apical TBC between Sertoli cells and the developing spermatids that orchestrate spermiogenesis and spermiation. These junctions, namely TJ, ES, and TBC interact with actin microfilament-based cytoskeleton, which together with the desmosomal junctions that interact with the intermediate filament-based cytoskeleton plus the highly polarized microtubule-based cytoskeleton are working in concert to move spermatocytes and spermatids between the basal and luminal aspect of the seminiferous epithelium. In short, these various junctions are structurally complexed with the actin- and microtubule-based cytoskeleton or intermediate filaments of the Sertoli cell. Studies have shown toxicants (e.g., cadmium, bisphenol A (BPA), perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS), phthalates, and glycerol), and some male contraceptives under development (e.g., adjudin, gamendazole), exert their effects, at least in part, by targeting cell junctions in the testis. The disruption of Sertoli–Sertoli cell and Sertoli–germ cell junctions, results in the loss of germ cells from the seminiferous epithelium. Adjudin, a potential male contraceptive under investigation in our laboratory, produces loss of spermatids from the seminiferous tubules through disruption of the Sertoli cell spermatid junctions and disruption of the Sertoli cell cytoskeleton. The molecular and structural changes associated with adjudin administration are described, to provide an example of the profile of changes caused by disturbance of Sertoli-germ cell and also Sertoli cell-cell junctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research; Center for Biomedical Research; Population Council ; New York, NY USA
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Gungor-Ordueri NE, Celik-Ozenci C, Cheng CY. Fascin 1 is an actin filament-bundling protein that regulates ectoplasmic specialization dynamics in the rat testis. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2014; 307:E738-53. [PMID: 25159326 PMCID: PMC4216949 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00113.2014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
In the testis, spermatids are polarized cells, with their heads pointing toward the basement membrane during maturation. This polarity is crucial to pack the maximal number of spermatids in the seminiferous epithelium so that millions of sperms can be produced daily. A loss of spermatid polarity is detected after rodents are exposed to toxicants (e.g., cadmium) or nonhormonal male contraceptives (e.g., adjudin), which is associated with a disruption on the expression and/or localization of polarity proteins. In the rat testis, fascin 1, an actin-bundling protein found in mammalian cells, was expressed by Sertoli and germ cells. Fascin 1 was a component of the ectoplasmic specialization (ES), a testis-specific anchoring junction known to confer spermatid adhesion and polarity. Its expression in the seminiferous epithelium was stage specific. Fascin 1 was localized to the basal ES at the Sertoli cell-cell interface of the blood-testis barrier in all stages of the epithelial cycle, except it diminished considerably at late stage VIII. Fascin 1 was highly expressed at the apical ES at stage VII-early stage VIII and restricted to the step 19 spermatids. Its knockdown by RNAi that silenced fascin 1 by ~70% in Sertoli cells cultured in vitro was found to perturb the tight junction-permeability barrier via a disruption of F-actin organization. Knockdown of fascin 1 in vivo by ~60-70% induced defects in spermatid polarity, which was mediated by a mislocalization and/or downregulation of actin-bundling proteins Eps8 and palladin, thereby impeding F-actin organization and disrupting spermatid polarity. In summary, these findings provide insightful information on spermatid polarity regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Ece Gungor-Ordueri
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York; and
| | - Ciler Celik-Ozenci
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York; and
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Tang EI, Xiao X, Mruk DD, Qian XJ, Mok KW, Jenardhanan P, Lee WM, Mathur PP, Cheng CY. Microtubule affinity-regulating kinase 4 (MARK4) is a component of the ectoplasmic specialization in the rat testis. SPERMATOGENESIS 2014; 2:117-126. [PMID: 22670221 PMCID: PMC3364792 DOI: 10.4161/spmg.20724] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
During the seminiferous epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis, the ectoplasmic specialization (ES, a testis-specific adherens junction, AJ, type) maintains the polarity of elongating/elongated spermatids and confers adhesion to Sertoli cells in the seminiferous epithelium, and known as the apical ES. On the other hand, the ES is also found at the Sertoli-Sertoli cell interface at the blood-testis barrier (BTB) known as basal ES, which together with the tight junction (TJ), maintains Sertoli cell polarity and adhesion, creating a functional barrier that limits paracellular transport of substances across the BTB. However, the apical and basal ES are segregated and restricted to the adluminal compartment and the BTB, respectively. During the transit of preleptotene spermatocytes across the BTB and the release of sperm at spermiation at stage VIII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle, both the apical and basal ES undergo extensive restructuring to facilitate cell movement at these sites. The regulation of these events, in particular their coordination, remains unclear. Studies in other epithelia have shown that the tubulin cytoskeleton is intimately related to cell movement, and MARK [microtubule-associated protein (MAP)/microtubule affinity-regulating kinase] family kinases are crucial regulators of tubulin cytoskeleton stability. Herein MARK4, the predominant member of the MARK protein family in the testis, was shown to be expressed by both Sertoli and germ cells. MARK4 was also detected at the apical and basal ES, displaying highly restrictive spatiotemporal expression at these sites, as well as co-localizing with markers of the apical and basal ES. The expression of MARK4 was found to be stage-specific during the epithelial cycle, structurally associating with α-tubulin and the desmosomal adaptor plakophilin-2, but not with actin-based BTB proteins occludin, β-catenin and Eps8 (epidermal growth factor receptor pathway substrate 8, an actin bundling and barbed end capping protein). More importantly, it was shown that the expression of MARK4 tightly associated with the integrity of the apical ES because a diminished expression of MARK4 associated with apical ES disruption that led to the detachment of elongating/elongated spermatids from the epithelium. These findings thus illustrate that the integrity of apical ES, an actin-based and testis-specific AJ, is dependent not only on the actin filament network, but also on the tubulin-based cytoskeleton.
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Xiao X, Mruk DD, Tang EI, Massarwa R, Mok KW, Li N, Wong CKC, Lee WM, Snapper SB, Shilo BZ, Schejter ED, Cheng CY. N-wasp is required for structural integrity of the blood-testis barrier. PLoS Genet 2014; 10:e1004447. [PMID: 24967734 PMCID: PMC4072540 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1004447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2013] [Accepted: 05/02/2014] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, the blood-testis barrier (BTB) segregates the adluminal (apical) and basal compartments in the seminiferous epithelium, thereby creating a privileged adluminal environment that allows post-meiotic spermatid development to proceed without interference of the host immune system. A key feature of the BTB is its continuous remodeling within the Sertoli cells, the major somatic component of the seminiferous epithelium. This remodeling is necessary to allow the transport of germ cells towards the seminiferous tubule interior, while maintaining intact barrier properties. Here we demonstrate that the actin nucleation promoting factor Neuronal Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein (N-WASP) provides an essential function necessary for BTB restructuring, and for maintaining spermatogenesis. Our data suggests that the N-WASP-Arp2/3 actin polymerization machinery generates branched-actin arrays at an advanced stage of BTB remodeling. These arrays are proposed to mediate the restructuring process through endocytic recycling of BTB components. Disruption of N-WASP in Sertoli cells results in major structural abnormalities to the BTB, including mis-localization of critical junctional and cytoskeletal elements, and leads to disruption of barrier function. These impairments result in a complete arrest of spermatogenesis, underscoring the critical involvement of the somatic compartment of the seminiferous tubules in germ cell maturation. Mammalian spermatogenesis takes place within a sheltered environment, whereby somatic Sertoli cells protect and guide germ cells as they mature and differentiate. A key structure generated by the protective Sertoli cell epithelium is the blood-testis barrier (BTB), a composite of junctional and cytoskeletal elements, which prevents exposure of post-meiotic spermatids to the immune system. The BTB is a highly dynamic structure, which needs to be dismantled and rapidly rebuilt, in order to allow passage of maturing preleptotene spermatocytes, without compromising their isolation. Here we show that N-WASP, a conserved facilitator of formation of branched actin microfilament arrays, provides a function that is essential for maintenance of an intact BTB. Genetic disruption of N-WASP in mouse Sertoli cells leads to loss of BTB impermeability, resulting in a complete arrest of spermatogenesis at early and post-meiotic stages. Based on the localization patterns of key elements, we propose that branched-actin filaments participate in recycling of BTB materials to ensure the dynamic and efficient maintenance of this structure, one of a series of blood-tissue barriers that preserve privileged organ environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiang Xiao
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Dolores D. Mruk
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Elizabeth I. Tang
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - R'ada Massarwa
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Ka Wai Mok
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Nan Li
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Chris K. C. Wong
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Will M. Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Scott B. Snapper
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Ben-Zion Shilo
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | - Eyal D. Schejter
- Department of Molecular Genetics, The Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
- * E-mail: (EDS); (CYC)
| | - C. Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York, United States of America
- * E-mail: (EDS); (CYC)
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Abstract
The transport of germ cells across the seminiferous epithelium is composed of a series of cellular events during the epithelial cycle essential to the completion of spermatogenesis. Without the timely transport of spermatids during spermiogenesis, spermatozoa that are transformed from step 19 spermatids in the rat testis fail to reach the luminal edge of the apical compartment and enter the tubule lumen at spermiation, thereby arriving the epididymis for further maturation. Step 19 spermatids and/or sperms that remain in the epithelium beyond stage VIII of the epithelial cycle will be removed by the Sertoli cell via phagocytosis to form phagosomes and be degraded by lysosomes, leading to subfertility and/or infertility. However, the biology of spermatid transport, in particular the final events that lead to spermiation remain elusive. Based on recent data in the field, we critically evaluate the biology of spermiation herein by focusing on the actin binding proteins (ABPs) that regulate the organization of actin microfilaments at the Sertoli-spermatid interface, which is crucial for spermatid transport during this event. The hypothesis we put forth herein also highlights some specific areas of research that can be pursued by investigators in the years to come.
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Wan HT, Mruk DD, Tang EI, Xiao X, Cheng YH, Wong EWP, Wong CKC, Cheng CY. Role of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases in spermatid transport during spermatogenesis. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2014; 30:65-74. [PMID: 24727349 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2014.04.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2014] [Accepted: 04/04/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases are cytoplasmic kinases that activate proteins by phosphorylating tyrosine residues, which in turn affect multiple functions in eukaryotic cells. Herein, we focus on the role of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases, most notably, FAK, c-Yes and c-Src, in the transport of spermatids across the seminiferous epithelium during spermatogenesis. Since spermatids, which are formed from spermatocytes via meiosis, are immotile haploid cells, they must be transported by Sertoli cells across the seminiferous epithelium during the epithelial cycle of spermatogenesis. Without the timely transport of spermatids across the epithelium, the release of sperms at spermiation fails to occur, leading to infertility. Thus, the molecular event pertinent to spermatid transport is crucial to spermatogenesis. We provide a critical discussion based on recent findings in this review. We also provide a hypothetical model on spermatid transport, and the role of non-receptor protein tyrosine kinases in this event. We also highlight areas of research that deserve attention by investigators in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- H T Wan
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Dolores D Mruk
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Elizabeth I Tang
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Xiang Xiao
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Yan-Ho Cheng
- Richmond University Medical Center, Staten Island, NY 10301, United States
| | - Elissa W P Wong
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States
| | - Chris K C Wong
- Department of Biology, Hong Kong Baptist University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, United States.
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Li MWM, Cheng CY, Mruk DD. Sertolin mediates blood-testis barrier restructuring. Endocrinology 2014; 155:1520-31. [PMID: 24467744 PMCID: PMC3959606 DOI: 10.1210/en.2013-1850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2013] [Accepted: 01/14/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Two important events that occur during mammalian spermatogenesis are the release of elongated spermatids at late stage VIII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle and the restructuring of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) during stages VIII-XI. Still, it is not completely understood how these cellular events are accomplished within the seminiferous epithelium. In the present study, we investigate how sertolin, a protein that was initially identified, cloned, and partially characterized by our laboratory, functions in these critical events. Sertolin was found at the BTB, as well as at the apical ectoplasmic specialization and apical tubulobulbar complex, where it colocalized with epidermal growth factor receptor kinase substrate 8 and actin-related protein 3, two actin-regulatory proteins. Knockdown of sertolin by RNA interference showed Sertoli cell barrier function to be enhanced when assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance measurements and immunolocalization experiments. By contrast, the integrity of the BTB was disrupted when sertolin was overexpressed in vitro and in vivo. Sertolin overexpression also prompted germ cell loss from the seminiferous epithelium. Taken collectively, these results suggest that sertolin may be involved in coordinating spermatid release and BTB restructuring during spermatogenesis in the rat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle W M Li
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York 10065
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Mok KW, Mruk DD, Cheng CY. Regulation of blood-testis barrier (BTB) dynamics during spermatogenesis via the "Yin" and "Yang" effects of mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTORC2. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 301:291-358. [PMID: 23317821 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-407704-1.00006-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In mammalian testes, haploid spermatozoa are formed from diploid spermatogonia during spermatogenesis, which is a complicated cellular process. While these cellular events were reported in the 1960s and 1970s, the underlying molecular mechanism(s) that regulates these events remained unexplored until the past ∼10 years. For instance, adhesion proteins were shown to be integrated components at the Sertoli cell-cell interface and/or the Sertoli-spermatid interface in the late 1980s. But only until recently, studies have demonstrated that some of the adhesion proteins serve as the platform for signal transduction that regulates cell adhesion. In this chapter, a brief summary and critical discussion are provided on the latest findings regarding these cell-adhesion proteins in the testis and their relationship to spermatogenesis. Moreover, antagonistic effects of two mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complexes, known as mTORC1 and mTORC2, on cell-adhesion function in the testis are discussed. Finally, a hypothetic model is presented to depict how these two mTOR-signaling complexes having the "yin" and "yang" antagonistic effects on the Sertoli cell tight junction (TJ)-permeability barrier can maintain the blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity during the epithelial cycle while preleptotene spermatocytes are crossing the BTB.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Wai Mok
- Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, USA
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Li SY, Mruk DD, Cheng CY. Focal adhesion kinase is a regulator of F-actin dynamics: New insights from studies in the testis. SPERMATOGENESIS 2013; 3:e25385. [PMID: 24381802 PMCID: PMC3861170 DOI: 10.4161/spmg.25385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2013] [Revised: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 06/08/2013] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
During spermatogenesis, spermatogonia (2n, diploid) undergo a series of mitotic divisions as well as differentiation to become spermatocytes, which enter meiosis I to be followed by meiosis II to form round spermatids (1n, haploid), and then differentiate into spermatozoa (1n, haploid) via spermiogenesis. These events take place in the epithelium of the seminiferous tubule, involving extensive junction restructuring at the Sertoli-Sertoli and Sertoli-germ cell interface to allow the transport of developing germ cells across the epithelium. Although structural aspects of these cell-cell junctions have been studied, the underlying mechanism(s) that governs these events has yet to be explored. Earlier studies have shown that a non-receptor protein tyrosine kinase known as focal adhesion kinase (FAK) is a likely regulator of these events due to the stage-specific and spatiotemporal expression of its various phosphorylated/activated forms at the testis-specific anchoring junctions in the testis, as well as its association with actin regulatory proteins. Recent studies have shown that FAK, in particular its two activated phosphorylated forms p-FAK-Tyr407 and p-FAK-Tyr397, are crucial regulators in modulating junction restructuring at the Sertoli cell-cell interface at the blood-testis barrier (BTB) known as the basal ectoplasmic specialization (basal ES), as well as at the Sertoli-spermatid interface called apical ES during spermiogenesis via its effects on the filamentous (F)-actin organization at the ES. We herein summarize and critically evaluate the current knowledge regarding the physiological significance of FAK in regulating BTB and apical ES dynamics by governing the conversion of actin filaments at the ES from a “bundled” to a “de-bundled/branched” configuration and vice versa. We also provide a molecular model on the role of FAK in regulating these events based on the latest findings in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Yt Li
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research; Center for Biomedical Research; Population Council; New York, NY USA
| | - Dolores D Mruk
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research; Center for Biomedical Research; Population Council; New York, NY USA
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research; Center for Biomedical Research; Population Council; New York, NY USA
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Wan HT, Mruk DD, Wong CKC, Cheng CY. The apical ES-BTB-BM functional axis is an emerging target for toxicant-induced infertility. Trends Mol Med 2013; 19:396-405. [PMID: 23643465 DOI: 10.1016/j.molmed.2013.03.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2013] [Revised: 03/27/2013] [Accepted: 03/29/2013] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Testes are sensitive to toxicants, such as cadmium and phthalates, which disrupt a local functional axis in the seminiferous epithelium known as the 'apical ectoplasmic specialization (apical ES)-blood-testis barrier (BTB)-basement membrane (BM)'. Following exposure, toxicants contact the basement membrane and activate the Sertoli cell, which perturbs its signaling function. Thus, toxicants can modulate signaling and/or cellular events at the apical ES-BTB-BM axis, perturbing spermatogenesis without entering the epithelium. Toxicants also enter the epithelium via drug transporters to potentiate their damaging effects, and downregulation of efflux transporters by toxicants impedes BTB function such that toxicants remain in the epithelium and efficiently disrupt spermatogenesis. These findings support a novel model of toxicant-induced disruption of spermatogenesis that could be interfered with using small molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hin-Ting Wan
- Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, 1230 York Ave, New York, NY 10065, USA
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