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Gayer FA, Klaus L, Reichardt SD, Fichtner A, Reichardt HM. Phenotype and gene signature of testicular tumors in 129.MOLF-Chr19 mice resemble human teratomas. Andrology 2024. [PMID: 39074032 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) is the most common type of tumor in young men. Type II germ cell tumors including postpubertal-type teratomas are derived from the germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS), whereas prepubertal-type teratomas arise independently of the GCNIS. The consomic mouse strain 129.MOLF-Chr19 (M19) is a suitable murine model of such tumors, but its characterization remains incomplete. OBJECTIVE Here, we interrogated the suitability of testicular tumors in M19 mice as a model of human TGCT by analyzing their histological features and gene expression signature. MATERIAL AND METHODS Testes collected from M19 mice of different ages were categorized by macroscopic appearance based on size and the degree of suspected tumorigenesis. Histological sections from selected tumors were stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin, and expression of genes associated with tumorigenesis was determined in frozen tissue samples from a large range of tumors of different subclasses using RT-qPCR and Fluidigm Dynamic Arrays. RESULTS Macroscopically, testicular specimens appeared very heterogeneous concerning size and signs indicating the presence of a tumor. Histological analysis confirmed the development of teratomas with areas of cells corresponding to all three germ cell layers. Gene expression analyses indicated upregulation of markers related to proliferation, vascular invasive potential and pluripotency, and revealed a strong correlation of gene expression with tumor size and a significant intercorrelation of individual genes. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION TGCT in M19 mice is reminiscent of human testicular teratomas presenting with areas of cells derived from all germ layers and showing a typical gene signature. We thus confirm that these mice can serve as a suitable murine model of pure teratomas for preclinical research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian A Gayer
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Clinic of Urology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lucas Klaus
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Sybille D Reichardt
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Alexander Fichtner
- Institute of Pathology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Holger M Reichardt
- Institute for Cellular and Molecular Immunology, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Aisha J, Sangeeta K, Yenugu S. Effect of Spag11a gene knockout on the epididymis in mice: A histopathological and molecular analyses. Cell Biochem Funct 2024; 42:e4096. [PMID: 39020527 DOI: 10.1002/cbf.4096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
The sperm-associated antigen 11a (Spag11a) gene is exclusively expressed in the caput epididymis. Our previous studies demonstrated that small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated ablation of this gene resulted in increased proliferation of epididymal epithelial cells. Further, active immunization-mediated ablation of SPAG11A protein increased the susceptibility of male reproductive tract tissues to diethylnitrosamine (DEN)-induced tumorigenesis. In this study, we report that the caput epididymis of Spag11a knockout mice displayed hyperplasia and inflammation, while the caput epididymis of wild-type mice exhibited normal anatomical structure. Global transcriptome analyses in the caput epididymis of knockout mice indicated differential expression of genes involved in a variety of cellular processes. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses suggested that the absence of Spag11a may activate microRNAs associated with cancer, chemical carcinogenesis-receptor activation, and chemical carcinogenesis-DNA adducts pathways; which may contribute to the promotion of tumorigenesis in the epididymis. The susceptibility of caput epididymis to chemically induced carcinogenesis in Spag11a knockout mice was analyzed. Histological analyses indicated that while the epididymis of wild-type mice did not show any signs of tumorigenesis, knockout mice displayed hyperplasia, anaplasia, dysplasia, neoplasia, and inflammation in the caput epididymis. Our results provide concrete evidence that deletion of Spag11a induces histopathological and molecular changes that contribute to tumorigenesis. It is possible that the expression of Spag11a gene could be one of the reasons for the rarity of epididymal cancers. The involvement of an epididymal gene in tumorigenesis is being demonstrated for the first time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamil Aisha
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Kumari Sangeeta
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
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3
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Schraw JM, Sok P, Desrosiers TA, Janitz AE, Langlois PH, Canfield MA, Frazier AL, Plon SE, Lupo PJ, Poynter JN. Associations between birth defects and childhood and adolescent germ cell tumors according to sex, histologic subtype, and site. Cancer 2023; 129:3300-3308. [PMID: 37366624 DOI: 10.1002/cncr.34906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Studies have reported increased rates of birth defects among children with germ cell tumors (GCTs). However, few studies have evaluated associations by sex, type of defect, or tumor characteristics. METHODS Birth defect-GCT associations were evaluated among pediatric patients (N = 552) with GCTs enrolled in the Germ Cell Tumor Epidemiology Study and population-based controls (N = 6380) without cancer from the Genetic Overlap Between Anomalies and Cancer in Kids Study. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of GCTs according to birth defects status were estimated by using unconditional logistic regression. All defects were considered collectively and by genetic and chromosomal syndromes and nonsyndromic defects. Stratification was by sex, tumor histology (yolk sac tumor, teratoma, germinoma, and mixed/other), and location (gonadal, extragonadal, and intracranial). RESULTS Birth defects and syndromic defects were more common among GCT cases than controls (6.9% vs. 4.0% and 2.7% vs. 0.2%, respectively; both p < .001). In multivariable models, GCT risk was increased among children with birth defects (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.3-2.4) and syndromic defects (OR, 10.4; 95% CI, 4.9-22.1). When stratified by tumor characteristics, birth defects were associated with yolk sac tumors (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.3-5.0) and mixed/other histologies (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.5) and both gonadal tumors (OR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.0-2.7) and extragonadal tumors (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 2.1-6.5). Nonsyndromic defects specifically were not associated with GCTs. In sex-stratified analyses, associations were observed among males but not females. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest that males with syndromic birth defects are at an increased risk of pediatric GCTs, whereas males with nonsyndromic defects and females are not at an increased risk. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY We investigated whether birth defects (such as congenital heart disease or Down syndrome) are linked to childhood germ cell tumors (GCTs), cancers that mainly develop in the ovaries or testes. We studied different types of birth defects (defects that were caused by chromosome changes such as Down syndrome or Klinefelter syndrome and defects that were not) and different types of GCTs. Only chromosome changes such as Down syndrome or Klinefelter syndrome were linked to GCTs. Our study suggests that most children with birth defects are not at an increased risk of GCTs because most birth defects are not caused by chromosome changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeremy M Schraw
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Pagna Sok
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Tania A Desrosiers
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Amanda E Janitz
- Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, Hudson College of Public Health, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Peter H Langlois
- Division of Epidemiology, Human Genetics and Environmental Sciences, University of Texas School of Public Health, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - Mark A Canfield
- Birth Defects Epidemiology and Surveillance Branch, Texas Department of State Health Services, Austin, Texas, USA
| | - A Lindsay Frazier
- Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Sharon E Plon
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Philip J Lupo
- Section of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Jenny N Poynter
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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Sangeeta K, Yenugu S. Ablation of the sperm-associated antigen 11A (SPAG11A) protein by active immunization promotes epididymal oncogenesis in the rat. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 389:115-128. [PMID: 35438340 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03623-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/02/2022]
Abstract
Incidence of cancer in the epididymis is very rare. It is proposed that proteins specific to this organ may contribute to this unique property. We previously demonstrated that siRNA-mediated knockdown of SPAG11A mRNA resulted in increased proliferation of epididymal epithelial cells, whereas overexpression of this gene caused reduced proliferation in immortalized cell lines. In this study, we evaluated the oncogenesis-related anatomical and transcriptome changes in the epididymis of SPAG11A-immunized rats challenged with a low dose of diethyl nitrosamine (DEN). DEN treatment or SPAG11A immunization alone did not cause any histopathological changes in the epididymis. Interestingly, indications of oncogenesis were observed in SPAG11A-immunized + DEN-treated rats. Using high throughput sequencing, we observed that 3549 transcripts that were differentially expressed in the caput epididymis of DEN only-treated rats displayed similar differential expression in the caput epididymis of SPAG11A-immunized rats, indicating that the microenvironment that contributes to oncogenesis sets in when SPAG11A protein is ablated. Differential expression of genes that are involved in 10 major cancer related pathways was also analyzed. Majority of the genes related to these pathways that were differentially expressed in the caput epididymis of DEN only-treated rats also showed similar pattern in the caput epididymis of SPAG11A-immunized rats. For the first time, results of our study demonstrate that ablation of SPAG11A by active immunization renders the epididymis susceptible to oncogenesis and that this protein may be one of the factors that contributes to the rarity of epididymal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Sangeeta
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad - 500046, India
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad - 500046, India.
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Shen F, Chao Q, Cai Z, Zhang H, Wu J, Zhang J. Expression, localization, and a regulated target gene (ccnd1) of miR-202-5p in the Japanese flounder gonads. AQUACULTURE AND FISHERIES 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aaf.2021.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Sun J, Li H, Lv C, Draz E, Liu Y, Lin Z, Hu W, Mo K, Lin J, Xu W, Wang S. Trps1 targets Ccnd1 to regulate mouse Leydig cell proliferation. Andrology 2021; 9:1923-1933. [PMID: 34185441 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2021] [Revised: 06/02/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The tricho-rhino-phalangeal syndrome-1 gene (Trps1) is an atypical GATA family member. Although current studies of Trps1 mainly focus on tumors, whether Trps1 plays a role in the male reproductive system remains unknown. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to elucidate the function of Trps1 in Leydig cells, indicating its regulatory mechanism on the cell cycle. METHODS Gene-silencing technology, RNA-seq, RT-qPCR, and western blotting were used to evaluate the function of Trps1 in mouse primary Leydig cells and MLTC-1 cells. In addition, ChIP-base sets and ChIP-qPCR were employed to further assess the regulatory mechanism of Trps1 in MLTC-1 cells. RESULTS Knockdown of Trps1 in Leydig cells significantly suppressed phosphorylation of Src and Akt and expression of Ccnd1, which was accompanied by impairment of cell proliferative ability. Trps1 may affect the cell cycle through the Src/Akt/Ccnd1 signaling pathway. In addition, Trps1 may bind to the promoter of Srcin1 to regulate its transcription, thus influencing Src phosphorylation levels and the proliferation of Leydig cells. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION Src increases in Leydig cells during pubertal development, suggesting its functional involvement in differentiated adult Leydig cells. Inhibition of the Src/Akt pathway would reduce Ccnd1 expression. In the present study, we found that Trps1 may regulate the phosphorylation level of Src and Akt through Srcin1, targeting Ccnd1 to influence mouse Leydig cell proliferation. These findings shed light on the regulation of Trps1 on cell proliferation and differentiation of mouse Leydig cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiandong Sun
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Hua Li
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China.,Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Chengyu Lv
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Eman Draz
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China.,Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Yue Liu
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China.,Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Zihang Lin
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Weitao Hu
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Kaien Mo
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Jianmin Lin
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Weiwei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
| | - Shie Wang
- Key Laboratory of Stem Cell Engineering and Regenerative Medicine of Fujian Province University, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China.,Department of Anatomy, Histology, and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, P. R. China
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7
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Webster NJ, Maywald RL, Benton SM, Dawson EP, Murillo OD, LaPlante EL, Milosavljevic A, Lanza DG, Heaney JD. Testicular germ cell tumors arise in the absence of sex-specific differentiation. Development 2021; 148:260592. [PMID: 33912935 DOI: 10.1242/dev.197111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
In response to signals from the embryonic testis, the germ cell intrinsic factor NANOS2 coordinates a transcriptional program necessary for the differentiation of pluripotent-like primordial germ cells toward a unipotent spermatogonial stem cell fate. Emerging evidence indicates that genetic risk factors contribute to testicular germ cell tumor initiation by disrupting sex-specific differentiation. Here, using the 129.MOLF-Chr19 mouse model of testicular teratomas and a NANOS2 reporter allele, we report that the developmental phenotypes required for tumorigenesis, including failure to enter mitotic arrest, retention of pluripotency and delayed sex-specific differentiation, were exclusive to a subpopulation of germ cells failing to express NANOS2. Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that embryonic day 15.5 NANOS2-deficient germ cells and embryonal carcinoma cells developed a transcriptional profile enriched for MYC signaling, NODAL signaling and primed pluripotency. Moreover, lineage-tracing experiments demonstrated that embryonal carcinoma cells arose exclusively from germ cells failing to express NANOS2. Our results indicate that NANOS2 is the nexus through which several genetic risk factors influence tumor susceptibility. We propose that, in the absence of sex specification, signals native to the developing testis drive germ cell transformation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas J Webster
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Rebecca L Maywald
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Susan M Benton
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Emily P Dawson
- Department of Cell Biology, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Oscar D Murillo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Emily L LaPlante
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | | | - Denise G Lanza
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jason D Heaney
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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8
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Wang JH, Li Y, Deng SL, Liu YX, Lian ZX, Yu K. Recent Research Advances in Mitosis during Mammalian Gametogenesis. Cells 2019; 8:cells8060567. [PMID: 31185583 PMCID: PMC6628140 DOI: 10.3390/cells8060567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2019] [Accepted: 06/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Mitosis is a highly sophisticated and well-regulated process during the development and differentiation of mammalian gametogenesis. The regulation of mitosis plays an essential role in keeping the formulation in oogenesis and gametogenesis. In the past few years, substantial research progress has been made by showing that cyclins/cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) have roles in the regulation of meiosis. In addition, more functional signaling molecules have been discovered in mitosis. Growing evidence has also indicated that miRNAs influence cell cycling. In this review, we focus on specific genes, cyclins/Cdk, signaling pathways/molecules, and miRNAs to discuss the latest achievements in understanding their roles in mitosis during gametogenesis. Further elucidation of mitosis during gametogenesis may facilitate delineating all processes of mammalian reproduction and the development of disease treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia-Hao Wang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Yan Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Shou-Long Deng
- CAS Key Laboratory of Genome Sciences and Information, Beijing Institute of Genomics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Yi-Xun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Zheng-Xing Lian
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Kun Yu
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Animal Genetic Improvement, National Engineering Laboratory for Animal Breeding, Key Laboratory of Animal Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, College of Animal Science and Technology, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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9
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Dawson EP, Lanza DG, Webster NJ, Benton SM, Suetake I, Heaney JD. Delayed male germ cell sex-specification permits transition into embryonal carcinoma cells with features of primed pluripotency. Development 2018; 145:dev156612. [PMID: 29545285 PMCID: PMC6514421 DOI: 10.1242/dev.156612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2017] [Accepted: 02/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Testicular teratomas result from anomalies in embryonic germ cell development. In 129 inbred mice, teratoma initiation coincides with germ cell sex-specific differentiation and the mitotic-meiotic switch: XX and XY germ cells repress pluripotency, XX germ cells initiate meiosis, and XY germ cells activate male-specific differentiation and mitotic arrest. Here, we report that expression of Nanos2, a gene that is crucial to male sex specification, is delayed in teratoma-susceptible germ cells. Decreased expression of Nanos2 was found to be due, in part, to the Nanos2 allele present in 129 mice. In teratoma-susceptible germ cells, diminished expression of genes downstream of Nanos2 disrupted processes that were crucial to male germ cell differentiation. Deficiency for Nanos2 increased teratoma incidence in 129 mice and induced developmental abnormalities associated with tumor initiation in teratoma-resistant germ cells. Finally, in the absence of commitment to the male germ cell fate, we discovered that a subpopulation of teratoma-susceptible germ cells transition into embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells with primed pluripotent features. We conclude that delayed male germ cell sex-specification facilitates the transformation of germ cells with naïve pluripotent features into primed pluripotent EC cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily P Dawson
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Denise G Lanza
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Nicholas J Webster
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Susan M Benton
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Isao Suetake
- Institute for Protein Research, Osaka University, 3-2 Yamadaoka, Suita, Osaka 565-0871, Japan
| | - Jason D Heaney
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Dan L Duncan Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Center For Reproductive Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, 1 Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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10
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Gu W, Mochizuki K, Otsuka K, Hamada R, Takehara A, Matsui Y. Dnd1-mediated epigenetic control of teratoma formation in mouse. Biol Open 2018; 7:bio032318. [PMID: 29378702 PMCID: PMC5829515 DOI: 10.1242/bio.032318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2017] [Accepted: 01/02/2018] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Spontaneous testicular teratoma develops from primordial germ cells (PGCs) in embryos; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying teratoma formation are not fully understood. Mutation of the dead-end 1 (Dnd1) gene, which encodes an RNA-binding protein, drastically enhances teratoma formation in the 129/Sv mouse strain. To elucidate the mechanism of Dnd1 mutation-induced teratoma formation, we focused on histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27) trimethylation (me3), and found that the levels of H3K27me3 and its responsible methyltransferase, enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (Ezh2), were decreased in the teratoma-forming cells of Dnd1 mutant embryos. We also showed that Dnd1 suppressed miR-26a-mediated inhibition of Ezh2 expression, and that Dnd1 deficiency resulted in decreased H3K27me3 of a cell-cycle regulator gene, Ccnd1 In addition, Ezh2 expression or Ccnd1 deficiency repressed the reprogramming of PGCs into pluripotent stem cells, which mimicked the conversion of embryonic germ cells into teratoma-forming cells. These results revealed an epigenetic molecular linkage between Dnd1 and the suppression of testicular teratoma formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Gu
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
| | - Kentaro Mochizuki
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (AMED-CREST), Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Kei Otsuka
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Ryohei Hamada
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
| | - Asuka Takehara
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
- The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (AMED-CREST), Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
| | - Yasuhisa Matsui
- Cell Resource Center for Biomedical Research, Institute of Development, Aging and Cancer (IDAC), Tohoku University, 4-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
- Laboratory of Germ Cell Development, Graduate School of Life Sciences, Tohoku University, 2-1-1 Katahira, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8577, Japan
- The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development-Core Research for Evolutional Science and Technology (AMED-CREST), Tokyo 100-0004, Japan
- Center for Regulatory Epigenome and Diseases, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 2-1 Seiryo-machi, Aoba-ku, Sendai, Miyagi 980-8575, Japan
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11
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Salz HK, Dawson EP, Heaney JD. Germ cell tumors: Insights from the Drosophila ovary and the mouse testis. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:200-211. [PMID: 28079292 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Ovarian and testicular germ cell tumors of young adults are thought to arise from defects in germ cell development, but the molecular mechanisms underlying malignant transformation are poorly understood. In this review, we focus on the biology of germ cell tumor formation in the Drosophila ovary and the mouse testis, for which evidence supports common underlying mechanisms, such as blocking initiation into the differentiation pathway, impaired lineage progression, and sexual identity instability. We then discuss how these concepts inform our understanding of the disease in humans. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 84: 200-211, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen K Salz
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Emily P Dawson
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Jason D Heaney
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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12
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Ding JY, Wang ZH, Zhang ZZ, Cui XR, Hong YY, Liu QQ. Effects of three IL-15 variants on NCI-H446 cell proliferation and expression of cell cycle regulatory molecules. Oncotarget 2017; 8:108108-108117. [PMID: 29296227 PMCID: PMC5746129 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.22550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2016] [Accepted: 07/06/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Interleukin 15 (IL-15) is a cytokine exhibiting antitumor characteristic similar to that of IL-2. However, in human tissues and cells, IL-15 expression and secretion is very limited, suggesting IL-15 functions mainly intracellularly. In the present study, we assessed the effects of transfecting NCI-H446 small cell lung cancer cells with genes encoding three IL-15 variants: prototypical IL-15, mature IL-15 peptide, and modified IL-15 in which the IL-2 signal peptide is substituted for the native signal peptide. NCI-H446 cells transfected with empty plasmid served as the control group. We found that IL-15 transfection effectively inhibited NCI-H446 cell proliferation and arrested cell cycle progression, with the modified IL-15 carrying the IL-2 signal peptide exerting the greatest effect. Consistent with those findings, expression each of the three IL-15 variants reduced growth of NCI-H446 xenograph tumors, and the modified IL-15 again showed the greatest effect. In addition, IL-15 expression led to down-regulation of the positive cell cycle regulators cyclin E and CDK2 and up-regulation of the negative cycle regulators p21 and Rb. These findings suggest IL-15 acts as a tumor suppressor that inhibits tumor cell proliferation by inducing cell cycle arrest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Ying Ding
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Basic Study on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Infectious Diseases, Beijing Hospital of TCM, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of TCM, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Hua Wang
- Hebei Key Laboratory of Metabolic Disease, Hebei General Hospital, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Zheng-Zheng Zhang
- Department of Immunology and Key Laboratory of Immune Mechanism and Intervention on Serious Disease, Hebei Medical University, Shijiazhuang, China
| | - Xu-Ran Cui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Basic Study on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Infectious Diseases, Beijing Hospital of TCM, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of TCM, Beijing, China
| | - Yan-Ying Hong
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Basic Study on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Infectious Diseases, Beijing Hospital of TCM, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of TCM, Beijing, China
| | - Qing-Quan Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Basic Study on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Infectious Diseases, Beijing Hospital of TCM, Capital Medical University, Beijing Institute of TCM, Beijing, China
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13
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Kelly GM, Gatie MI. Mechanisms Regulating Stemness and Differentiation in Embryonal Carcinoma Cells. Stem Cells Int 2017; 2017:3684178. [PMID: 28373885 PMCID: PMC5360977 DOI: 10.1155/2017/3684178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2016] [Revised: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Just over ten years have passed since the seminal Takahashi-Yamanaka paper, and while most attention nowadays is on induced, embryonic, and cancer stem cells, much of the pioneering work arose from studies with embryonal carcinoma cells (ECCs) derived from teratocarcinomas. This original work was broad in scope, but eventually led the way for us to focus on the components involved in the gene regulation of stemness and differentiation. As the name implies, ECCs are malignant in nature, yet maintain the ability to differentiate into the 3 germ layers and extraembryonic tissues, as well as behave normally when reintroduced into a healthy blastocyst. Retinoic acid signaling has been thoroughly interrogated in ECCs, especially in the F9 and P19 murine cell models, and while we have touched on this aspect, this review purposely highlights how some key transcription factors regulate pluripotency and cell stemness prior to this signaling. Another major focus is on the epigenetic regulation of ECCs and stem cells, and, towards that end, this review closes on what we see as a new frontier in combating aging and human disease, namely, how cellular metabolism shapes the epigenetic landscape and hence the pluripotency of all stem cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregory M. Kelly
- Department of Biology, Molecular Genetics Unit, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Collaborative Program in Developmental Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Child Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Ontario Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mohamed I. Gatie
- Department of Biology, Molecular Genetics Unit, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Collaborative Program in Developmental Biology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen K Salz
- a Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences ; Case Western Reserve University ; Cleveland , Ohio 44106-4955
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