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Pacini ESA, de Paula Moro R, Godinho RO. Extracellular cAMP elicits contraction of rat vas deferens: Involvement of ecto-5'-nucleotidase and adenosine A 1 receptors. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2024; 491:117070. [PMID: 39151807 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2024.117070] [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: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 08/01/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/19/2024]
Abstract
AIMS It is well established that intracellular cAMP contributes to the relaxation of vas deferens smooth muscle. In many tissues, intracellular cAMP is actively transported to the extracellular space, where it exerts regulatory functions, via its metabolite adenosine. These actions take place through the cAMP conversion to adenosine by ectoenzymes, a process called "extracellular cAMP-adenosine pathway". Herein, we investigated whether, in addition to ATP, extracellular cAMP might be an alternative source of adenosine, influencing the contraction of vas deferens smooth muscle. MAIN METHODS The effects of cAMP, 8-Br-cAMP and adenosine were analyzed in the isometric contractions of rat vas deferens. cAMP efflux was analyzed by measuring extracellular cAMP levels after exposure of vas deferens segments to isoproterenol and forskolin in the presence or absence of MK-571, an inhibitor of MRP/ABCC transporters. KEY FINDINGS While 8-Br-cAMP, a cell-permeable cAMP analog, induced relaxation of KCl-precontracted vas deferens, the non-permeant cAMP increased the KCl-induced contractile response, which was mimicked by adenosine, but prevented by inhibitors of ecto-5'-nucleotidase or A1 receptors. Our results also showed that isoproterenol and forskolin increases cAMP efflux via an MRP/ABCC transporter-dependent mechanism, since it is inhibited by MK-571. SIGNIFICANCE Our data show that activation of β-adrenoceptors and adenylyl cyclase increases cAMP efflux from vas deferens tissue, which modulates the vas deferens contractile response via activation of adenosine A1 receptors. Assuming that inhibition of vas deferens contractility has been proposed as a strategy for male contraception, the extracellular cAMP-adenosine pathway emerges as a potential pharmacological target that should be considered in studies of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enio Setsuo Arakaki Pacini
- Division of Cellular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM/Unifesp), São Paulo, SP 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Raíssa de Paula Moro
- Division of Cellular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM/Unifesp), São Paulo, SP 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Rosely Oliveira Godinho
- Division of Cellular Pharmacology, Department of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina - Universidade Federal de São Paulo (EPM/Unifesp), São Paulo, SP 04044-020, Brazil.
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Iguchi K, Nagashima K, Mochizuki J, Yamamoto H, Unno K, Miyoshi N. Enokitake Mushroom and Its Active Component, Adenosine, Which Restores Testosterone Production in Impaired and Fatigued Mouse Models. Nutrients 2023; 15:2142. [PMID: 37432279 DOI: 10.3390/nu15092142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Several studies have reported the effects of the consumption of various mushroom species on the testes in animal experimental models. Mushrooms, including enokitake mushrooms (Flammulina velutipes), and vegetables contain adenosine may affect testosterone production. Here, we aimed to elucidate the effects of enokitake and its active component, adenosine, on testosterone production in primary cultures of testicular cells in vivo using mice models and in vitro. The administration of enokitake ethanolic extract increased testosterone production in the cisplatin-impaired mouse model. The direct effect of mushroom extracts on testicular cells was examined and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis confirmed that the mushroom- and vegetable-induced increase in testosterone production mainly involved adenosine. Additionally, the administration of enokitake extract or adenosine to wet floor fatigue model mice promoted testicular testosterone production and enhanced Leydig cell function through insulin-like peptide three level upregulation. Structurally related compounds, including cordycepin, showed lower bioactivity than adenosine. This study showed that the ingestion of adenosine-containing mushrooms and vegetables may effectively increase testicular testosterone production. We conclude that mushrooms with a relatively high adenosine content, such as enokitake, may be useful against aging and fatigue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazuaki Iguchi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Koji Nagashima
- TechnoSuruga Laboratory Co., Ltd., Shizuoka 424-0065, Japan
| | - Jun Mochizuki
- TechnoSuruga Laboratory Co., Ltd., Shizuoka 424-0065, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Yamamoto
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Cell Biology, Nihon Pharmaceutical University, Saitama 362-0806, Japan
| | - Keiko Unno
- Tea Science Center, Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
| | - Noriyuki Miyoshi
- Laboratory of Biochemistry, Graduate School of Integrated Pharmaceutical and Nutritional Sciences, University of Shizuoka, Shizuoka 422-8526, Japan
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Liebich A, Schmid N, Koupourtidou C, Herrmann C, Dietrich KG, Welter H, Ninkovic J, Mayerhofer A. The Molecular Signature of Human Testicular Peritubular Cells Revealed by Single-Cell Analysis. Cells 2022; 11:cells11223685. [PMID: 36429113 PMCID: PMC9688777 DOI: 10.3390/cells11223685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Peritubular cells of the human testis form a small compartment surrounding the seminiferous tubules. They are crucial for sperm transport, and they emerge as contributors to the spermatogonial stem cell niche. They are among the least known cell types of the human body. We employed single-cell RNA sequencing of cultured human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs), which had been isolated from testicular samples of donors with normal spermatogenesis. The significant overlap between our results and recently published ex vivo data indicates that HTPCs are a highly adequate cellular model to define and study these cells. Thus, based on the expression of several markers, HTPCs can be classified as testicular smooth muscle cells. Small differences between the in vivo/in vitro expressed genes may be due to cellular plasticity. Plasticity was also shown upon addition of FCS to the culture medium. Based on transcriptome similarities, four cellular states were identified. Further analyses confirmed the presence of known stem cell niche-relevant factors (e.g., GDNF) and identified unknown functions, e.g., the ability to produce retinoic acid. Therefore, HTPCs allow us to define the signature(s) and delineate the functions of human testicular peritubular cells. The data may also serve as a resource for future studies to better understand male (in)fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika Liebich
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nina Schmid
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Christina Koupourtidou
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Helmholtz Center Munich, Institute of Stem Cell Research, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Carola Herrmann
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Kim-Gwendolyn Dietrich
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Harald Welter
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Jovica Ninkovic
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Helmholtz Center Munich, Institute of Stem Cell Research, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Artur Mayerhofer
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-89-2180-75859
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4
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Belardin LB, Brochu K, Légaré C, Battistone MA, Breton S. Purinergic signaling in the male reproductive tract. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2022; 13:1049511. [PMID: 36419764 PMCID: PMC9676935 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.1049511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Purinergic receptors are ubiquitously expressed throughout the body and they participate in the autocrine and paracrine regulation of cell function during normal physiological and pathophysiological conditions. Extracellular nucleotides activate several types of plasma membrane purinergic receptors that form three distinct families: P1 receptors are activated by adenosine, P2X receptors are activated by ATP, and P2Y receptors are activated by nucleotides including ATP, ADP, UTP, UDP, and UDP-glucose. These specific pharmacological fingerprints and the distinct intracellular signaling pathways they trigger govern a large variety of cellular responses in an organ-specific manner. As such, purinergic signaling regulates several physiological cell functions, including cell proliferation, differentiation and death, smooth muscle contraction, vasodilatation, and transepithelial transport of water, solute, and protons, as well as pathological pathways such as inflammation. While purinergic signaling was first discovered more than 90 years ago, we are just starting to understand how deleterious signals mediated through purinergic receptors may be involved in male infertility. A large fraction of male infertility remains unexplained illustrating our poor understanding of male reproductive health. Purinergic signaling plays a variety of physiological and pathophysiological roles in the male reproductive system, but our knowledge in this context remains limited. This review focuses on the distribution of purinergic receptors in the testis, epididymis, and vas deferens, and their role in the establishment and maintenance of male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larissa Berloffa Belardin
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - Research Centre and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Kéliane Brochu
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - Research Centre and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Christine Légaré
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - Research Centre and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
| | - Maria Agustina Battistone
- Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Sylvie Breton
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec - Research Centre and Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec, QC, Canada
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Stepanov YK, Speidel JD, Herrmann C, Schmid N, Behr R, Köhn FM, Stöckl JB, Pickl U, Trottmann M, Fröhlich T, Mayerhofer A, Welter H. Profound Effects of Dexamethasone on the Immunological State, Synthesis and Secretion Capacity of Human Testicular Peritubular Cells. Cells 2022; 11:cells11193164. [PMID: 36231125 PMCID: PMC9562650 DOI: 10.3390/cells11193164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The functions of human testicular peritubular cells (HTPCs), forming a small compartment located between the seminiferous epithelium and the interstitial areas of the testis, are not fully known but go beyond intratesticular sperm transport and include immunological roles. The expression of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) indicates that they may be regulated by glucocorticoids (GCs). Herein, we studied the consequences of the GC dexamethasone (Dex) in cultured HTPCs, which serves as a unique window into the human testis. We examined changes in cytokines, mainly by qPCR and ELISA. A holistic mass-spectrometry-based proteome analysis of cellular and secreted proteins was also performed. Dex, used in a therapeutic concentration, decreased the transcript level of proinflammatory cytokines, e.g., IL6, IL8 and MCP1. An siRNA-mediated knockdown of GR reduced the actions on IL6. Changes in IL6 were confirmed by ELISA measurements. Of note, Dex also lowered GR levels. The proteomic results revealed strong responses after 24 h (31 significantly altered cellular proteins) and more pronounced ones after 72 h of Dex exposure (30 less abundant and 42 more abundant cellular proteins). Dex also altered the composition of the secretome (33 proteins decreased, 13 increased) after 72 h. Among the regulated proteins were extracellular matrix (ECM) and basement membrane components (e.g., FBLN2, COL1A2 and COL3A1), as well as PTX3 and StAR. These results pinpoint novel, profound effects of Dex in HTPCs. If transferrable to the human testis, changes specifically in ECM and the immunological state of the testis may occur in men upon treatment with Dex for medical reasons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jan Dominik Speidel
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Carola Herrmann
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Nina Schmid
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Rüdiger Behr
- Platform Degenerative Diseases, German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | | | - Jan Bernd Stöckl
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis LAFUGA, Gene Center, LMU München, 81377 München, Germany
| | | | | | - Thomas Fröhlich
- Laboratory for Functional Genome Analysis LAFUGA, Gene Center, LMU München, 81377 München, Germany
| | - Artur Mayerhofer
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (H.W.); Tel.: +49-89218075859 (A.M.); +49-89218071882 (H.W.)
| | - Harald Welter
- Biomedical Center, Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (H.W.); Tel.: +49-89218075859 (A.M.); +49-89218071882 (H.W.)
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Rahimi B, Aliaghaei A, Ramezani F, Behroozi Z, Nasirinezhad F. Sertoli cell transplantation attenuates microglial activation and inhibits TRPC6 expression in neuropathic pain induced by spinal cord injury. Physiol Behav 2022; 251:113807. [PMID: 35427673 DOI: 10.1016/j.physbeh.2022.113807] [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: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cell therapy is a promising treatment method for relieving neuropathic pain caused by spinal cord injuries (SCI). Sertoli cells (SCs) are an attractive choice given their demonstrated secretion of growth factors and immunosuppressant effect. This study mechanistically characterizes the analgesic effect of SCs transplantation. METHODS The clip compression SCI model was carried out on the T12-T13 level in male Wistar rats. One-week post-SCI, SCs were transplanted into the site of injury. Animals underwent Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan locomotor scoring, mechanical allodynia, and thermal hyperalgesia on a weekly basis for a duration of six weeks. Histological examination of the spinal cord and molecular evaluation of Iba-1, P2Y4, TRPC6, and P-mTOR were performed. SCs survival, measured by anti-Müllerian hormone expression in the spinal cord. RESULTS Animals that received SCs transplantation showed improvement in motor function recovery and pain relief. Furthermore, a cavity was significantly decreased in the transplanted animals (p = 0.0024), the expression level of TRPC6 and caspase3 and the number of activated microglia decreased compared to the SCI animals, and p-mTOR and P2Y4R expression remarkably increased compared to the SCI group. CONCLUSION SCs transplantation produces an analgesic effect which may represent a promising treatment for SCI-induced chronic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Behnaz Rahimi
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Abbas Aliaghaei
- Hearing Disorders Research Center, Loghman Hakim Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Biology and Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Ramezani
- Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Behroozi
- Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Farinaz Nasirinezhad
- Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Physiology Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Center for experimental and comparative study, Iran university of medical sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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7
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Riviere E, Rossi SP, Tavalieri YE, Muñoz de Toro MM, Calandra RS, Mayerhofer A, Matzkin ME, Frungieri MB. Pleiotropic actions of melatonin in testicular peritubular myoid cells of immature Syrian hamsters. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2022; 1866:130187. [PMID: 35691458 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130187] [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: 04/04/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Peritubular myoid cells are emerging as key regulators of testicular function in adulthood. However, little is known about the role of testicular peritubular myoid cells (TPMCs) in the development of the male gonad. We found that, compared to testes of young adult hamsters, gonads of 21 day-old animals show increased melatonin concentration, seminiferous tubular wall thickening and a heterogeneous packaging of its collagen fibers thus raising the question whether melatonin may be involved in the regulation of TPMCs. METHODS We established primary cultures of TPMCs from immature hamsters (ihaTPMCs), which we found express melatonergic receptors. RESULTS Exogeneous melatonin decreased the levels of inflammatory markers (NLRP3 inflammasome, IL1β) but increased the expression of cyclooxygenase 2 (COX2, key enzyme mediating prostaglandin synthesis) and of the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) in ihaTPMCs. Melatonin also stimulated ihaTPMCs proliferation and the expression of extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen type I and IV. Furthermore, collagen gel contraction assays revealed an enhanced ability of ihaTPMCs to contract in the presence of melatonin. CONCLUSION Melatonin regulates immune and inflammatory functions as well as contractile phenotype of the peritubular wall in the hamster testis. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE If transferable to the in vivo situation, melatonin-dependent induction of ihaTPMCs to produce factors known to exert paracrine effects in other somatic cell populations of the gonad suggests that the influence of melatonin may go beyond the peritubular wall and indicates its contribution to testicular development and the establishment of a normal and sustainable spermatogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugenia Riviere
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IBYME-CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Soledad P Rossi
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IBYME-CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina; Cátedra de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Yamil E Tavalieri
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL, UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Mónica M Muñoz de Toro
- Instituto de Salud y Ambiente del Litoral (ISAL, UNL-CONICET), Facultad de Bioquímica y Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad Nacional del Litoral, Santa Fe 3000, Argentina
| | - Ricardo S Calandra
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IBYME-CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina
| | - Artur Mayerhofer
- Cell Biology, Anatomy III, Faculty of Medicine, Biomedical Center Munich (BMC), Ludwig-Maximilian-University (LMU), 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - María E Matzkin
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IBYME-CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina; Cátedra de Bioquímica Humana, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1121ABG, Argentina
| | - Mónica B Frungieri
- Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental, IBYME-CONICET, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1428ADN, Argentina; Cátedra de Química, Ciclo Básico Común, Ciudad de Buenos Aires C1405CAE, Argentina.
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Xia GQ, Cai JN, Wu X, Fang Q, Zhao N, Lv XW. The mechanism by which ATP regulates alcoholic steatohepatitis through P2X4 and CD39. Eur J Pharmacol 2022; 916:174729. [PMID: 34973190 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2021.174729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Alcoholic liver disease caused by chronic excessive drinking has become one of the most common types of liver disease. Alcohol-induced inflammatory immune responses play a central role in the development of alcohol-associated steatohepatitis. The content and expression of ATP and P2X4 in the livers of alcoholic steatohepatitis mice are significantly increased. The content of ATP increased by 20 percent and the expression of P2X4 receptor protein was 1.3 times higher than that in the livers of normal mice. Treatment with 5-BDBD, a P2X4 receptor-specific inhibitor, significantly reduced alcohol-induced liver inflammation and lipid deposition. In RAW264.7 cell experiments, 5-BDBD inhibited the expression of P2X4 and alleviated alcohol-induced inflammation, while the CD39-specific inhibitor POM-1 reduced extracellular ATP degradation and promoted the expression of P2X4, thereby exacerbating inflammation. After treatment with 5-BDBD, P2X4 receptor protein expression decreased by 0.2 times and after treatment with POM-1, P2X4 receptor protein expression increased by 0.1 times compared to the alcohol-stimulated group. In addition, inhibition of P2X4 expression in RAW264.7 cells reduced calcium influx in RAW264.7 cells. P2X4 may induce the activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes by mediating calcium influx, thus exacerbating the inflammatory response, and inhibition of P2X4 expression can effectively block this process. Conclusion: These results suggest that the ATP-P2X4 signaling pathway promotes the inflammatory response in alcoholic steatohepatitis and that CD39 may play a protective role in regulating P2X4 expression by hydrolyzing ATP. In conclusion, the CD39 and ATP-P2X4 signaling pathways may be potential therapeutic targets for alcoholic steatohepatitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guo-Qing Xia
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, China
| | - Jun-Nan Cai
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, China
| | - Xue Wu
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, China
| | - Qian Fang
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, China
| | - Ning Zhao
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, China
| | - Xiong-Wen Lv
- Institute for Liver Diseases of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China; The Key Laboratory of Anti-inflammatory and Immune Medicines, Ministry of Education, Hefei, China; Inflammation and Immune-Mediated Diseases Laboratory of Anhui Province, Anhui Institute of Innovative Drugs, School of Pharmacy, Anhui Medical University, China.
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9
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Abstract
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) serves as the essential source of cellular energy. Over the last two decades, however, ATP has also attracted increasing interest as an extracellular signal that activates purinergic plasma membrane receptors of the P2 family. P2 receptors are divided into two types: ATP-gated nonselective cation channels (P2X) and G protein-coupled receptors (P2Y), the latter being activated by a broad range of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides (ATP, ADP, UTP, and UDP, among others). Purinergic signaling mechanisms are involved in numerous physiological events and pathophysiological conditions. Here, we address the growing body of evidence implicating purinergic signaling in male reproductive system functions. The life-long generation of fertile male germ cells is a highly complex, yet mechanistically poorly understood process. Given the relatively sparse innervation of the testis, spermatogenesis relies on both endocrine control and multi-directional paracrine communication. Therefore, a detailed understanding of such paracrine messengers, including ATP, is crucial to gain mechanistic insight into male reproduction..
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Mundt
- Department of Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Chemosensation, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Research Training Group 2416 MultiSenses – MultiScales, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- *Correspondence: Nadine Mundt,
| | - Lina Kenzler
- Department of Chemosensation, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
| | - Marc Spehr
- Department of Chemosensation, Institute for Biology II, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
- Research Training Group 2416 MultiSenses – MultiScales, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany
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