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Fang X, Nie L, Putluri S, Ni N, Bartholin L, Li Q. Sertoli Cell-Specific Activation of Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptor 1 Leads to Testicular Granulosa Cell Tumor Formation. Cells 2023; 12:2717. [PMID: 38067144 PMCID: PMC10706251 DOI: 10.3390/cells12232717] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) superfamily, consisting of protein ligands, receptors, and intracellular SMAD transducers, regulates fundamental biological processes and cancer development. Our previous study has shown that sustained activation of TGFβ receptor 1 (TGFBR1) driven by anti-Mullerian hormone receptor type 2 (Amhr2)-Cre in the mouse testis induces the formation of testicular granulosa cell tumors (TGCTs). As Amhr2-Cre is expressed in both Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, it remains unclear whether the activation of TGFBR1 in Sertoli cells alone is sufficient to induce TGCT formation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine whether Sertoli cell-activation of TGFBR1 drives oncogenesis in the testis. Our hypothesis was that overactivation of TGFBR1 in Sertoli cells would promote their transdifferentiation into granulosa-like cells and the formation of TGCTs. To test this hypothesis, we generated mice harboring constitutive activation of TGFBR1 in Sertoli cells using anti-Mullerian hormone (Amh)-Cre. Disorganized seminiferous tubules and tumor nodules were found in TGFBR1CA; Amh-Cre mice. A histological analysis showed that Sertoli cell-specific activation of TGFBR1 led to the development of neoplasms resembling granulosa cell tumors, which derailed spermatogenesis. Moreover, TGCTs expressed granulosa cell markers including FOXL2, FOXO1, and INHA. Using a dual fluorescence reporter line, the membrane-targeted tdTomato (mT)/membrane-targeted EGFP (mG) mouse, we provided evidence that Sertoli cells transdifferentiated toward a granulosa cell fate during tumorigenesis. Thus, our findings indicate that Sertoli cell-specific activation of TGFBR1 leads to the formation of TGCTs, supporting a key contribution of Sertoli cell reprogramming to the development of this testicular malignancy in our model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Fang
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Linfeng Nie
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Satwikreddy Putluri
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Nan Ni
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Laurent Bartholin
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, F-69000 Lyon, France
- Centre Léon Bérard, F-69008 Lyon, France
| | - Qinglei Li
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
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Zhou C, Zheng L, Teng H, Yang Y, Ma R, Wang S, Yang Y, Jing J, Li M, Wu R, Chen L, Yao B. Maternal RNA binding protein with multiple splicing 2 (RBPMS2) is involved in mouse blastocyst formation through the bone morphogenetic protein pathway. Reprod Biomed Online 2023; 47:103238. [PMID: 37573751 DOI: 10.1016/j.rbmo.2023.05.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
RESEARCH QUESTION Is early embryo development in mice influenced by RNA binding protein with multiple splicing 2 (RBPMS2), a maternal factor that accumulates and is stored in the cytoplasm of mature oocytes? DESIGN The expression patterns of RBPMS2 in mouse were analysed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT PCR) and immunofluorescence staining. The effect of knockdown of RBPMS2 on embryo development was evaluated through a microinjection of specific morpholino or small interfering RNA. RNA sequencing was performed for mechanistic analysis. The interaction between RBPMS2 and the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) pathway was studied using BMP inhibitor and activator. The effect on the localization of E-cadherin was determined by immunofluorescence staining. RESULTS Maternal protein RBPMS2 is highly expressed in mouse oocytes, and knockdown of RBPMS2 inhibits embryo development from the morula to the blastocyst stage. Mechanistically, RNA sequencing showed that the differentially expressed genes were enriched in the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signalling pathway. BMPs are members of the TGF-β superfamily of growth factors. It was found that the addition of BMP inhibitor to the culture medium led to a morula-stage arrest, similar to that seen in RBPMS2 knockdown embryos. This morula-stage arrest defect caused by RBPMS2 knockdown was partially rescued by BMP activator. Furthermore, the localization of E-cadherin to the membrane was impaired in response to a knockdown of RBPMS2 or inhibition of the BMP pathway. CONCLUSION This study suggests that RBPMS2 activates the BMP pathway and thus influences the localization of E-cadherin, which is important for early mouse embryo development during blastocyst formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Lu Zheng
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medicine School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Hui Teng
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ye Yang
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Gynaecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Rujun Ma
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medicine School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Shuxian Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medicine School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Basic Medical Laboratory, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jun Jing
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medicine School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meiling Li
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medicine School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Ronghua Wu
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medicine School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Chen
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Medicine School of Nanjing University, Nanjing, China..
| | - Bing Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Jinling Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China..
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Pu S, Zhang J, Ren C, Zhou H, Wang Y, Wu Y, Yang S, Cao F, Zhou H. Montelukast prevents mice against carbon tetrachloride- and methionine-choline deficient diet-induced liver fibrosis: Reducing hepatic stellate cell activation and inflammation. Life Sci 2023; 325:121772. [PMID: 37178864 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2023.121772] [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: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
AIMS Montelukast is an antagonist of cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 (CysLTR1) that protects against inflammation and oxidative stress. However, the function of montelukast in liver fibrosis remains unknown. In this study, we examined whether the pharmacological inhibition of CysLTR1 could protect mice against hepatic fibrosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and methionine-choline deficient (MCD) diet models were used in this study. The expression of CysLTR1 in liver were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis. Liver hydroxyproline levels, fibrotic genes expression, serum biochemical indexes and inflammatory factors were used to evaluate the effect of montelukast on liver fibrosis, injury, and inflammation. In vitro, we used the RT-qPCR and Western blot analysis to assess CysLTR1 in mouse primary hepatic stellate cell (HSC) and human LX-2 cell line. The role of montelukast on HSC activation and the underlying mechaisms were determined using RT-qPCR analysis, Western blot and immunostaining assays. KEY FINDINGS Chronic stimulation from CCl4 and MCD diet upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of CysLTR1 in the liver. Pharmacological inhibition of CysLTR1 by montelukast ameliorated liver inflammation and fibrosis in both models. Mechanistically, montelukast suppressed HSC activation by targeting the TGFβ/Smad pathway in vitro. The hepatoprotective effect of montelukast was also associated with reduced liver injury and inflammation. SIGNIFICANCE Montelukast suppressed CCl4- and MCD-induced chronic hepatic inflammation and liver fibrosis. CysLTR1 might be a therapeutic target for treating liver fibrosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyun Pu
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China.
| | - Jingyi Zhang
- TCM Regulating Metabolic Diseases Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Changyu Ren
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Hongjing Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Yuanli Wu
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Shuangyu Yang
- Center for Medicine Research and Translation, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Fangyin Cao
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Houfeng Zhou
- Department of Pharmacy, Chengdu Fifth People's Hospital, The Second Clinical Medical College, Affiliated Fifth People's Hospital of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
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Ortiz B, Driscoll A, Menon R, Taylor BD, Richardson LS. Chlamydia trachomatis antigen induces TLR4-TAB1-mediated inflammation, but not cell death, in maternal decidua cells. Am J Reprod Immunol 2023; 89:e13664. [PMID: 36495029 PMCID: PMC10436189 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13664] [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: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During gestation, the decidua is an essential layer of the maternal-fetal interface, providing immune support and maintaining inflammatory homeostasis. Although Chlamydia (C.) trachomatis is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes the pathogenic effects on maternal decidua contributing to adverse events are not understood. This study examined how C. trachomatis antigen affects cell signaling, cell death, and inflammation in the decidua. METHODS Primary decidua cells (pDECs) from term, not-in-labor, fetal membrane-decidua were cultured using the following conditions: (1) control - standard cell culture conditions, (2) 100 ng/ml or (3) 200 ng/ml of C. trachomatis antigen to model decidual cell infection in vitro. Differential expression of Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4 (receptor for C. trachomatis antigen), signaling pathway markers phosphorylated TGF-Beta Activated Kinase 1 (PTAB1), TAB1, phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (Pp38 MAPK), and p38 MAPK (western blot), decidual cell apoptosis and necrosis (flow cytometry), and inflammation (ELISA for cytokines) were determined in cells exposed to C. trachomatis antigen. T-test was used to assess statistical significance (p < 0.05). RESULTS C. trachomatis antigen significantly induced expression of TLR4 (p = 0.03) and activation of TAB1 (p = 0.02) compared to controls. However, it did not induce p38 MAPK activation. In addition, pDECs maintained their stromal cell morphology when exposed to C. trachomatis antigen showing no signs of apoptosis and/or necrosis but did induce pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-6 (100 ng/ml: p = 0.02 and 200 ng/ml: p = 0.03), in pDECs compared to controls. CONCLUSION Prenatal C. trachomatis infection can produce antigens that induce TLR4-TAB1 signaling and IL-6 inflammation independent of Pp38 MAPK and apoptosis and necrosis. This suggests that C. trachomatis can imbalance decidual inflammatory homeostasis, potentially contributing to adverse events during pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Briana Ortiz
- School of Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Ashley Driscoll
- School of Medicine, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Ramkumar Menon
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
| | - Brandie D. Taylor
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
| | - Lauren S. Richardson
- Division of Basic Science and Translational Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston, 301 University Blvd., Galveston, TX 77555-1062, USA
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Ultrastructural and Immunohistochemical Characterization of Maternal Myofibroblasts in the Bovine Placenta around Parturition. Vet Sci 2023; 10:vetsci10010044. [PMID: 36669044 PMCID: PMC9863730 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci10010044] [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: 12/01/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Myofibroblasts are contractile cells that exhibit features of both fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. In the synepitheliochorial placenta of the cow myofibroblasts are found in the maternal stroma. However, a deeper understanding of the structure and function of the stromal myofibroblasts in the developed bovine placenta is still missing. Thus, immunohistochemical and ultrastructural analyses in bovine term placentomes, compared to non-pregnant caruncle samples, were conducted. To investigate functional aspects, contractility of placentomal caruncle slices was assessed in an in vitro contraction assay. Additionally, a three-dimensional reconstruction of a bovine placental myofibroblast was created. Immunofluorescent staining revealed a characteristic pattern, including cytoplasmic expression of α-smooth muscle actin, strong perinuclear signal for the intermediate filament vimentin and nuclear progesterone receptor staining. Ultrastructurally, stress fibers, extended cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and perinuclear intermediate filaments were observed. Moreover, in vitro stimulation with angiotensin-II, but not with prostaglandin F2α, induced contraction of placental caruncle tissue. Altogether, these results indicate that progesterone-responsive myofibroblasts represent a mesenchymal phenotype that is involved in the contractile properties of bovine placental stroma. Therefore, the present findings suggest a potential involvement of myofibroblasts in post-partum events of cattle, i.e., expulsion of fetal membranes and uterine involution.
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Ni N, Fang X, Mullens DA, Cai JJ, Ivanov I, Bartholin L, Li Q. Transcriptomic Profiling of Gene Expression Associated with Granulosa Cell Tumor Development in a Mouse Model. Cancers (Basel) 2022; 14:cancers14092184. [PMID: 35565312 PMCID: PMC9105549 DOI: 10.3390/cancers14092184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Ovarian granulosa cell tumors (GCTs) are rare sex cord-stromal tumors, accounting for ~5% ovarian tumors. The etiology of GCTs remains poorly defined. Genetically engineered mouse models are potentially valuable for understanding the pathogenesis of GCTs. Mice harboring constitutively active TGFβ signaling (TGFBR1-CA) develop ovarian GCTs that phenocopy several hormonal and molecular characteristics of human GCTs. To determine molecular alterations in the ovary upon TGFβ signaling activation, we performed transcriptomic profiling of gene expression associated with GCT development using ovaries from 1-month-old TGFBR1-CA mice and age-matched controls. RNA-sequencing and bioinformatics analysis coupled with the validation of select target genes revealed dysregulations of multiple cellular events and signaling molecules/pathways. The differentially expressed genes are enriched not only for known GCT-related pathways and tumorigenic events but also for signaling events potentially mediated by neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, relaxin signaling, insulin signaling, and complements in TGFBR1-CA ovaries. Additionally, a comparative analysis of our data in mice with genes dysregulated in human GCTs or granulosa cells overexpressing a mutant FOXL2, the genetic hallmark of adult GCTs, identified some common genes altered in both conditions. In summary, this study has revealed the molecular signature of ovarian GCTs in a mouse model that harbors the constitutive activation of TGFBR1. The findings may be further exploited to understand the pathogenesis of a class of poorly defined ovarian tumors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Ni
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (N.N.); (X.F.); (J.J.C.)
| | - Xin Fang
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (N.N.); (X.F.); (J.J.C.)
| | - Destiny A. Mullens
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.A.M.); (I.I.)
| | - James J. Cai
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (N.N.); (X.F.); (J.J.C.)
| | - Ivan Ivanov
- Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (D.A.M.); (I.I.)
| | - Laurent Bartholin
- INSERM U1052, CNRS UMR5286, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, Université Lyon 1, F-69000 Lyon, France;
- Centre Léon Bérard, F-69008 Lyon, France
| | - Qinglei Li
- Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (N.N.); (X.F.); (J.J.C.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-979-862-2009
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He JP, Tian Q, Zhu QY, Liu JL. Single-cell analysis of mouse uterus at the invasion phase of embryo implantation. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:13. [PMID: 35123575 PMCID: PMC8817544 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00749-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Embryo implantation into the uterus is a crucial step for human reproduction. A hypothesis has been proposed that the molecular circuit invented by trophoblasts for invasive embryo implantation during evolution might be misused by cancer cells to promote malignancy. Unfortunately, our current understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying embryo implantation is far from complete. Results Here we used the mouse as an animal model and generated a single-cell transcriptomic atlas of the embryo implantation site of mouse uterus at the invasion phase of embryo implantation on gestational day 6. We revealed 23 distinct cell clusters, including 5 stromal cell clusters, 2 epithelial cell clusters, 1 smooth muscle cell cluster, 2 pericyte clusters, 4 endothelial cell clusters, and 9 immune cell clusters. Through data analysis, we identified differentially expression changes in all uterine cell types upon embryo implantation. By integrated with single-cell RNA-seq data from E5.5 embryos, we predicted cell–cell crosstalk between trophoblasts and uterine cell types. Conclusions Our study provides a valuable resource for understanding of the molecular mechanism of embryo implantation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00749-y.
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Osokine I, Siewiera J, Rideaux D, Ma S, Tsukui T, Erlebacher A. Gene silencing by EZH2 suppresses TGF-β activity within the decidua to avert pregnancy-adverse wound healing at the maternal-fetal interface. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110329. [PMID: 35108527 PMCID: PMC8833843 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 10/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A little-appreciated feature of early pregnancy is that embryo implantation and placental outgrowth do not evoke wound-healing responses in the decidua, the specialized endometrial tissue that surrounds the conceptus. Here, we provide evidence that this phenomenon is partly due to an active program of gene silencing mediated by EZH2, a histone methyltransferase that generates repressive histone 3 lysine 27 trimethyl (H3K27me3) histone marks. We find that pregnancies in mice with EZH2-deficient decidual stromal cells frequently fail by mid-gestation, with the decidua showing ectopic myofibroblast formation, peri-embryonic collagen deposition, and gene expression profiles associated with transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-driven fibroblast activation and fibrogenic extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling. Analogous responses are observed when the mutant decidua is surgically wounded, while blockade of TGF-β receptor signaling inhibits the defects and improves reproductive outcomes. Together, these results highlight a critical feature of reproductive success and have implications for the context-specific control of TGF-β-mediated wound-healing responses elsewhere in the body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivan Osokine
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue Medical Sciences, S-1057B, San Francisco, CA 94143-0451, USA
| | - Johan Siewiera
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue Medical Sciences, S-1057B, San Francisco, CA 94143-0451, USA
| | - Damon Rideaux
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue Medical Sciences, S-1057B, San Francisco, CA 94143-0451, USA
| | - Stephany Ma
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue Medical Sciences, S-1057B, San Francisco, CA 94143-0451, USA
| | - Tatsuya Tsukui
- Lung Biology Center, Department of Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA
| | - Adrian Erlebacher
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of California San Francisco, 513 Parnassus Avenue Medical Sciences, S-1057B, San Francisco, CA 94143-0451, USA; Center for Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Biomedical Sciences Program, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA; Bakar ImmunoX Initiative, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143, USA.
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Functional similarity between TGF-beta type 2 and type 1 receptors in the female reproductive tract. Sci Rep 2021; 11:9294. [PMID: 33927274 PMCID: PMC8084965 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-88673-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 04/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) signaling plays critical roles in reproductive development and function. TGFβ ligands signal through the TGFβ receptor type 2 (TGFBR2)/TGFBR1 complex. As TGFBR2 and TGFBR1 form a signaling complex upon ligand stimulation, they are expected to be equally important for propagating TGFβ signaling that elicits cellular responses. However, several genetic studies challenge this concept and indicate that disruption of TGFBR2 or TGFBR1 may lead to contrasting phenotypic outcomes. We have shown that conditional deletion of Tgfbr1 using anti-Mullerian hormone receptor type 2 (Amhr2)-Cre causes oviductal and myometrial defects. To determine the functional requirement of TGFBR2 in the female reproductive tract and the potential phenotypic divergence/similarity resulting from conditional ablation of either receptor, we generated mice harboring Tgfbr2 deletion using the same Cre driver that was previously employed to target Tgfbr1. Herein, we found that conditional deletion of Tgfbr2 led to a similar phenotype to that of Tgfbr1 deletion in the female reproductive tract. Furthermore, genetic removal of Tgfbr1 in the Tgfbr2-deleted uterus had minimal impact on the phenotype of Tgfbr2 conditional knockout mice. In summary, our results reveal the functional similarity between TGFBR2 and TGFBR1 in maintaining the structural integrity of the female reproductive tract.
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