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Masoudi M, Torabi P, Judson-Torres RL, Khodarahmi R, Moradi S. Natural resistance to cancer: A window of hope. Int J Cancer 2024; 154:1131-1142. [PMID: 37860922 DOI: 10.1002/ijc.34766] [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: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
As healthcare systems are improving and thereby the life expectancy of human populations is increasing, cancer is representing itself as the second leading cause of death. Although cancer biologists have put enormous effort on cancer research so far, we still have a long way to go before being able to treat cancers efficiently. One interesting approach in cancer biology is to learn from natural resistance and/or predisposition to cancer. Cancer-resistant species and tissues are thought-provoking models whose study shed light on the inherent cancer resistance mechanisms that arose during the course of evolution. On the other hand, there are some syndromes and factors that increase the risk of cancer development, and revealing their underlying mechanisms will increase our knowledge about the process of cancer formation. Here, we review natural resistance and predisposition to cancer and the known mechanisms at play. Further insights from these natural phenomena will help design future cancer research and could ultimately lead to the development of novel cancer therapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Masoudi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS), Zanjan, Iran
| | - Parisa Torabi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Reza Khodarahmi
- Medical Biology Research Center, Health Technology Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Sharif Moradi
- Department of Stem Cells and Developmental Biology, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, Tehran, Iran
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2
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Jang S, Yun C, Kim B, Kang S, Lee J, Jeong S, Cho Y, Kim SH, Lee CM, Moon C, Kim JS. Immunohistochemical analysis of extracellular signal-regulated kinase expression in mature and immature bulls' testes and epididymides. VET MED-CZECH 2023; 68:231-237. [PMID: 37982001 PMCID: PMC10581511 DOI: 10.17221/34/2023-vetmed] [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: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) has been implicated in mammalian testicular and epididymal development. This study aimed to investigate ERK expression in the immature and mature testes and epididymides of bulls. We evaluated ERK expression using immunoblot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Immunoblot analysis revealed that immature bull testes and epididymides had higher phosphorylated ERK (pERK) expression than mature bull testes and epididymides. pERK immunoreactivity was higher in immature epididymides than in immature testes. pERK was localised mostly in spermatogonia, undifferentiated sustentacular (Sertoli) cells, and interstitial (Leydig) cells in immature testes, as well as in some spermatocytes and spermatids in mature testes. In immature epididymides, the body and tail had higher pERK expression than the head, whereas pERK was broadly distributed throughout the stereocilia, basal cells, and connective tissues. pERK distribution in the head of mature epididymides was similar to that in immature epididymides, whereas few connective tissue cells were expressed in the body and tail of mature epididymides. Collectively, these results suggest that ERK is expressed in the testis and epididymis of immature and mature bulls with varying intensities, and the role of ERK in male reproductive organs may include the specific function of its development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sungwoong Jang
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Sungwoong Jang and Changjin Yun contributed equally to this work
| | - Changjin Yun
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Sungwoong Jang and Changjin Yun contributed equally to this work
| | - Bohye Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohi Kang
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jeongmin Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sohee Jeong
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Yongho Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung-Ho Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Min Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Changjong Moon
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Joong-Sun Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine and BK21 Plus Project Team, Chonnam National University, Buk-gu, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
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Kiyozumi D, Shimada K, Chalick M, Emori C, Kodani M, Oura S, Noda T, Endo T, Matzuk MM, Wreschner DH, Ikawa M. A small secreted protein NICOL regulates lumicrine-mediated sperm maturation and male fertility. Nat Commun 2023; 14:2354. [PMID: 37095084 PMCID: PMC10125973 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37984-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The mammalian spermatozoa produced in the testis require functional maturation in the epididymis for their full competence. Epididymal sperm maturation is regulated by lumicrine signalling pathways in which testis-derived secreted signals relocate to the epididymis lumen and promote functional differentiation. However, the detailed mechanisms of lumicrine regulation are unclear. Herein, we demonstrate that a small secreted protein, NELL2-interacting cofactor for lumicrine signalling (NICOL), plays a crucial role in lumicrine signalling in mice. NICOL is expressed in male reproductive organs, including the testis, and forms a complex with the testis-secreted protein NELL2, which is transported transluminally from the testis to the epididymis. Males lacking Nicol are sterile due to impaired NELL2-mediated lumicrine signalling, leading to defective epididymal differentiation and deficient sperm maturation but can be restored by NICOL expression in testicular germ cells. Our results demonstrate how lumicrine signalling regulates epididymal function for successful sperm maturation and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
- PRESTO, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 3320012, Japan.
| | - Kentaro Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
| | - Michael Chalick
- Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Chihiro Emori
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
| | - Mayo Kodani
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
| | - Seiya Oura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Endo
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Daniel H Wreschner
- Shmunis School for Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, 69978, Israel.
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka, 5650871, Japan.
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 1088639, Japan.
- CREST, Japan Science and Technology Agency, Kawaguchi, Saitama, 3320012, Japan.
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Alves MBR, Girardet L, Augière C, Moon KH, Lavoie-Ouellet C, Bernet A, Soulet D, Calvo E, Teves ME, Beauparlant CJ, Droit A, Bastien A, Robert C, Bok J, Hinton BT, Belleannée C. Hedgehog signaling regulates Wolffian duct development through the primary cilium†. Biol Reprod 2023; 108:241-257. [PMID: 36525341 PMCID: PMC9930401 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac210] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia play pivotal roles in embryonic patterning and organogenesis through transduction of the Hedgehog signaling pathway (Hh). Although mutations in Hh morphogens impair the development of the gonads and trigger male infertility, the contribution of Hh and primary cilia in the development of male reproductive ductules, including the epididymis, remains unknown. From a Pax2Cre; IFT88fl/fl knock-out mouse model, we found that primary cilia deletion is associated with imbalanced Hh signaling and morphometric changes in the Wolffian duct (WD), the embryonic precursor of the epididymis. Similar effects were observed following pharmacological blockade of primary cilia formation and Hh modulation on WD organotypic cultures. The expression of genes involved in extracellular matrix, mesenchymal-epithelial transition, canonical Hh and WD development was significantly altered after treatments. Altogether, we identified the primary cilia-dependent Hh signaling as a master regulator of genes involved in WD development. This provides new insights regarding the etiology of sexual differentiation and male infertility issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maíra Bianchi Rodrigues Alves
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Laura Girardet
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Céline Augière
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Kyeong Hye Moon
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Camille Lavoie-Ouellet
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Agathe Bernet
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Denis Soulet
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Neurosciences, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Ezequiel Calvo
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Maria E Teves
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Charles Joly Beauparlant
- Computational Biology Laboratory Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Arnaud Droit
- Computational Biology Laboratory Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Alexandre Bastien
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Claude Robert
- Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences, Department of Animal Sciences—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Jinwoong Bok
- Department of Anatomy, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Clémence Belleannée
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproduction, CHU de Québec Research Center (CHUL)—Centre de Recherche en Reproduction, Développement et Santé Intergénérationnelle—Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
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5
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Dufresne J, Gregory M, Pinel L, Cyr DG. Differential gene expression and hallmarks of stemness in epithelial cells of the developing rat epididymis. Cell Tissue Res 2022; 389:327-349. [PMID: 35590013 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-022-03634-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Epididymal development can be subdivided into three phases: undifferentiated, a period of differentiation, and expansion. The objectives of this study were (1) to assess gene expression profiles in epididymides, (2) predict signaling pathways, and (3) develop a novel 3D cell culture method to assess the regulation of epididymal development in vitro. Microarray analyses indicate that the largest changes in differential gene expression occurred between the 7- to 18-day period, in which 1452 genes were differentially expressed, while 671 differentially expressed genes were noted between days 18 and 28, and there were 560 differentially expressed genes between days 28 and 60. Multiple signaling pathways were predicted at different phases of development. Pathway associations indicated that in epididymides of 7- to 18-day old rats, there was a significant association of regulated genes implicated in stem cells, estrogens, thyroid hormones, and kidney development, while androgen- and estrogen-related pathways were enriched at other phases of development. Organoids were derived from CD49f + columnar cells from 7-day old rats, while no organoids developed from CD49f- cells. Cells cultured in an epididymal basal cell organoid medium versus a commercial kidney differentiation medium supplemented with DHT revealed that irrespective of the culture medium, cells within differentiating organoids expressed p63, AQP9, and V-ATPase after 14 days of culture. The commercial kidney medium resulted in an increase in the number of organoids positive for p63, AQP9, and V-ATPase. Together, these data indicate that columnar cells represent an epididymal stem/progenitor cell population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julie Dufresne
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, 245 boul. Des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 3B7, Canada
| | - Mary Gregory
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, 245 boul. Des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 3B7, Canada
| | - Laurie Pinel
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, 245 boul. Des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 3B7, Canada
| | - Daniel G Cyr
- Laboratory for Reproductive Toxicology, INRS-Centre Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Université du Québec, 245 boul. Des Prairies, Laval, QC, H7V 3B7, Canada. .,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada. .,Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproduction, Laval University, Québec, QC, Canada.
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6
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Kim B, Breton S. The MAPK/ERK signaling pathway regulates the expression and localization of Cx43 in mouse proximal epididymis†. Biol Reprod 2022; 106:919-927. [PMID: 35156117 PMCID: PMC9113436 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to clarify the functional role of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK1/2)-signaling pathway in the expression and localization of connexin 43 (Cx43). Mice were treated with the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK1/2) inhibitor, PD325901, which induced a progressive decrease in ERK1/2 phosphorylation (pERK) in the proximal epididymis of the mice, without affecting total ERK level. Cx43 staining with punctuated reactive sites was observed in the basolateral membranes in the initial segment (IS) of mouse epididymis. However, PD325901 induced a significant decrease in Cx43 labeling in the basolateral membranes. Interestingly, Cx43, which was undetectable in the apical region of epididymis under control conditions, showed a significant increase in the apical region after PD 325901 treatment. To confirm whether Cx43 was present in tight junctions (TJs) after PD 325901 treatment, PD325901-treated epididymis samples were double-labeled with Cx43 and zonula occludens (ZO)-1 (a TJ protein marker). Thereafter, confocal microscopy showed the colocalization of Cx43 and ZO-1 in the epididymis after PD325901 treatment. Collectively, our results indicated that PD325901 treatment induced a significant increase in Cx43 localization on TJs, where it was colocalized with ZO-1. Therefore, the study suggested that ERK phosphorylation is essential for the proper expression and localization of the gap junction (GJ) protein, and that the relationship between GJs and TJs could play an important role in establishing and maintaining microenvironmental homeostasis for sperm maturation in the IS of mouse epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bongki Kim
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Animal Resources Science, Kongju National University, Yesan, Chungcheongnam-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Sylvie Breton
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Cedeño DL, Tilley DM, Vetri F, Platt DC, Vallejo R. Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Changes of MAPK-Related Inflammatory Response in an Animal Model of Neuropathic Pain by Differential Target Multiplexed SCS and Low-Rate SCS. J Pain Res 2022; 15:895-907. [PMID: 35392631 PMCID: PMC8983055 DOI: 10.2147/jpr.s348738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neuropathic pain initiates an interplay of pathways, involving MAP kinases and NFκB-signaling, leading to expression of immune response factors and activation and inactivation of proteins via phosphorylation. Neuropathic pain models demonstrated that spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may provide analgesia by modulating gene and protein expression in neuroinflammatory processes. A differential target multiplexed programming (DTMP) approach was more effective than conventional SCS treatments at modulating these. This work investigated the effect of DTMP and low rate SCS (LR-SCS) on proteins associated with MAP kinases and NFκB-signaling relevant to neuroinflammation. Methods Animals subjected to the spared nerve injury model (SNI) of neuropathic pain were treated continuously (48h) with either DTMP or LR-SCS. No-SNI and No-SCS groups were included as controls. Proteomics and phosphoproteomics of stimulated spinal cord tissues were performed via liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. Proteins were identified from mass spectra using bioinformatics. Expression levels and fold changes (No-SCS/No-SNI and SCS/No-SCS) were obtained from spectral intensities. Results Analyses identified 7192 proteins, with 1451 and 705 significantly changed by DTMP and LR-SCS, respectively. Eighty-one proteins, including MAP kinases, facilitating NFκB-signaling as part of inflammatory processes were identified. The pain model significantly increased expression levels of complement pathway-related proteins (LBP, NRG1, APP, CFH, C3, C5), which were significantly reversed by DTMP. Expression levels of other complement pathway-related proteins (HMGB1, S100A8, S100A9, CRP, C4) were decreased by DTMP, although not significantly affected by SNI. Other proteins (ORM1, APOE, NG2, CNTF) involved in NFκB-signaling were increased by SNI and decreased by DTMP. Expression levels of phosphorylated protein kinases involved in NFκB-signaling (including MAP kinases, PKC, MARK1) were affected by the pain model and reverse modulated by DTMP. LR-SCS modulated inflammatory-related proteins although to a lesser extent than DTMP. Conclusion Proteomic analyses support the profound effect of the DTMP approach on neuroinflammation via MAP kinases and NFκB-mediated signaling to alleviate neuropathic pain.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L Cedeño
- Neuroscience, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, USA
- Research and Development, SGX Medical, Bloomington, IL, USA
| | - Dana M Tilley
- Research and Development, SGX Medical, Bloomington, IL, USA
| | - Francesco Vetri
- Research Department, National Spine and Pain Centers, Bloomington, IL, USA
| | - David C Platt
- Neuroscience, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, USA
- Research and Development, SGX Medical, Bloomington, IL, USA
| | - Ricardo Vallejo
- Neuroscience, Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington, IL, USA
- Research and Development, SGX Medical, Bloomington, IL, USA
- Research Department, National Spine and Pain Centers, Bloomington, IL, USA
- Correspondence: Ricardo Vallejo; David L Cedeño, Email ;
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8
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Song Y, Yang X, Zhang X, Zhu J, Chen Y, Gao F, Zhang H, Han Y, Weng Q, Yuan Z. Seasonal expression of extracellular signal regulated kinases in the colon of wild ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus). Mol Biol Rep 2022; 49:2209-2215. [PMID: 35040005 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-021-07042-0] [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: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The purpose of the experiment was to explore the localization and seasonal expression of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) in the colonic tissue of wild ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus). METHODS AND RESULTS Hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemistry, real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used in this experiment. The histological results showed that the diameter of the colon lumen enlarged and the number of glandular cells increased in the non-breeding season. It was found in the immunochemical results that both ERK1/2 and pERK1/2 were expressed in the cytoplasm of goblet cells and intestinal epithelial cells, while pERK1/2 was also expressed in the nucleus of them. The immune localization of both was more obvious in the non-breeding season, especially in intestinal epithelial cells. Real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting showed that ERK1/2 and pERK1/2 were seasonally highly expressed in the non-breeding season. CONCLUSIONS The expression of ERK1/2 and pERK1/2 was seasonal changes and had significant increases in the non-breeding season. This study revealed that ERK1/2 had potential roles in the colon to the adaptation of seasonal changes in wild ground squirrels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Song
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoying Yang
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Xueying Zhang
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Jueyu Zhu
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Yixin Chen
- School of Information Science and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Fuli Gao
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Haolin Zhang
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Yingying Han
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiang Weng
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhengrong Yuan
- College of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, 100083, People's Republic of China.
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9
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Park YJ, Rahman MS, Pang WK, Ryu DY, Kim B, Pang MG. Bisphenol A affects the maturation and fertilization competence of spermatozoa. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 196:110512. [PMID: 32244115 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Although there are numerous studies on bisphenol A (BPA) on the testis and spermatozoa, the effect of BPA on the physiological link between the testis and maturation of spermatozoa has not been studied. To provide an optimal environment (acidic pH) for sperm maturation in the epididymis, clear cells secrete protons and principal cells reabsorb bicarbonate and the secreted proton. Because of its crucial role in sperm maturation and fertility, functional changes in the epididymis following BPA exposure must be considered to fully understand the mechanisms of BPA on male fertility. Here, we identified the adverse effects of BPA exposure during puberty in male mice. CD-1 male mice were gavaged daily with vehicle (corn oil) and 50 mg BPA/kg-BW for 6 weeks. We determined the changes in epididymis, functional sperm parameters including motility, capacitation status, tyrosine phosphorylation, and fertility-related protein expression and in vitro and in vivo fertility rate following BPA exposure. Expression of vacuolar-type H + -ATPase is necessary for the secretion of protons by clear cells of the caput epididymis and was directly down-regulated following BPA exposure, while there were no changes in the other epithelial cell types in the epididymis. Also, pERK 1/2 signaling pathway was increased significantly in the caput epididymis following BPA exposure. Consequently, the luminal pH slightly increased, resulting in premature capacitation of spermatozoa. Moreover, there was a significant loss of the acrosomal membrane following an increase of protein tyrosine phosphorylation, while PKA activity decreased during sperm capacitation. Fertility-related proteins also showed aberrant expression upon BPA exposure. These modifications resulted in decreased male fertility in vitro and in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoo-Jin Park
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chgroung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Md Saidur Rahman
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chgroung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Won-Ki Pang
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chgroung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Do-Yeal Ryu
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chgroung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea
| | - Bongki Kim
- Department of Animal Resources Science, Kongju National University, Yesan, Chungnam-do, 32439, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung-Geol Pang
- Department of Animal Science & Technology and BET Research Institute, Chgroung-Ang University, Anseong, Gyeonggi-do, 17546, Republic of Korea.
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10
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Kiyozumi D, Noda T, Yamaguchi R, Tobita T, Matsumura T, Shimada K, Kodani M, Kohda T, Fujihara Y, Ozawa M, Yu Z, Miklossy G, Bohren KM, Horie M, Okabe M, Matzuk MM, Ikawa M. NELL2-mediated lumicrine signaling through OVCH2 is required for male fertility. Science 2020; 368:1132-1135. [PMID: 32499443 PMCID: PMC7396227 DOI: 10.1126/science.aay5134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The lumicrine system is a postulated signaling system in which testis-derived (upstream) secreted factors enter the male reproductive tract to regulate epididymal (downstream) pathways required for sperm maturation. Until now, no lumicrine factors have been identified. We demonstrate that a testicular germ-cell-secreted epidermal growth factor-like protein, neural epidermal growth factor-like-like 2 (NELL2), specifically binds to an orphan receptor tyrosine kinase, c-ros oncogene 1 (ROS1), and mediates the differentiation of the initial segment (IS) of the caput epididymis. Male mice in which Nell2 had been knocked out were infertile. The IS-specific secreted proteases, ovochymase 2 (OVCH2) and A disintegrin and metallopeptidase 28 (ADAM28), were expressed upon IS maturation, and OVCH2 was required for processing of the sperm surface protein ADAM3, which is required for sperm fertilizing ability. This work identifies a lumicrine system essential for testis-epididymis-spermatozoa (NELL2-ROS1-OVCH2-ADAM3) signaling and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daiji Kiyozumi
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Taichi Noda
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Ryo Yamaguchi
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Tobita
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Takafumi Matsumura
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Kentaro Shimada
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Mayo Kodani
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Takashi Kohda
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Yamanashi, Kofu, Yamanashi 4008510, Japan
| | - Yoshitaka Fujihara
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Manabu Ozawa
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 1088639, Japan
| | - Zhifeng Yu
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Gabriella Miklossy
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Kurt M Bohren
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Masato Horie
- Department of CNS Research, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Kawauchi-cho, Tokushima 771-0192, Japan
| | - Masaru Okabe
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
| | - Martin M Matzuk
- Center for Drug Discovery and Department of Pathology and Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Masahito Ikawa
- Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan.
- Research Institute for Microbial Diseases, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka University, Suita, Osaka 5650871, Japan
- The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Minato-ku, Tokyo 1088639, Japan
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11
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Affiliation(s)
- Tessa Lord
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, Discipline of Biological Sciences, the University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia
| | - Jon M Oatley
- Center for Reproductive Biology, School of Molecular Biosciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA.
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12
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Hippo kinases MST1 and MST2 control the differentiation of the epididymal initial segment via the MEK-ERK pathway. Cell Death Differ 2020; 27:2797-2809. [PMID: 32332916 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-020-0544-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the roles of the Hippo pathway in organogenesis and tumorigenesis have been well studied in multiple organs, its role in sperm maturation and male fertility has not been investigated. The initial segment (IS) of the epididymis plays a critical role in sperm maturation. IS differentiation is governed by ERK1/2, but the mechanisms of ERK1/2 activation in IS are not fully understood. Here we show that double knockout (dKO) of mammalian sterile 20-like kinases 1 and 2 (Mst1 and Mst2), homologs of Hippo in Drosophila, in the epididymal epithelium led to male infertility in mice. Sperm in the cauda epididymides of mutant mice were immotile with flagellar angulation and severely disorganized structures. Loss of Mst1/2 activated YAP and increased proliferation and cell death in all the segments of epididymis. The mutant mice showed substantially suppressed MEK/ERK signaling in the IS and failed IS differentiation. Deletion of Yap restored the reduced MEK/ERK signaling, and partially rescued the defective IS differentiation and fertility in Mst1/2 dKO mice. Our results demonstrate that YAP inhibits the MEK/ERK pathway in IS epithelial cells, and MST1/2 control IS differentiation and fertility at least partially by repressing YAP. Taken together, the Hippo pathway is essential for sperm maturation and male fertility.
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13
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Yuan Z, Wang Y, Yu W, Xie W, Zhang Z, Wang J, Zhang H, Han Y, Weng Q. Seasonal expressions of oxytocin and oxytocin receptor in the epididymides in the wild ground squirrels (Citellus Dauricus Brandt). Gen Comp Endocrinol 2020; 289:113391. [PMID: 31917151 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2020.113391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2019] [Revised: 12/02/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to detect the seasonal expressions of oxytocin (OT), oxytocin receptor (OTR), extracellular signal-regulated kinase1 and 2 (ERK1/2) and phospho-ERK1/2 (pERK1/2) in the epididymis of the wild ground squirrels (Citellus Dauricus Brandt) during the breeding season and non-breeding season. Histological results showed that size, weight, cell number and lumen diameter of epididymis underwent acute seasonal changes, which were all peaked in the breeding season. Immunohistochemical results suggested that strong staining of OT, OTR, ERK1/2, and pERK1/2 were observed in the epithelial layer in the whole epididymis, along with intense OT and OTR signal in smooth muscle cell (Smc) in caudal epididymis in the breeding season. The protein expression levels of OTR, ERK1/2, and pERK1/2 in the epididymis were higher in the breeding season than those of the non-breeding season. Besides, hormone assay revealed that there was no significant serum concentration of OT in these two periods, while epididymal concentration showed higher value in the breeding season. In summary, the identified localization and local concentration of OT in the epididymis in the wild ground squirrel suggested that epididymis may assume as a source of OT, and OT could act via OTR to activate ERK1/2 signaling to regulate seasonal epididymal functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengrong Yuan
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yuhan Wang
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wenyang Yu
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Wenqian Xie
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ziwen Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Junjie Wang
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Haolin Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Yingying Han
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qiang Weng
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, College of Biological Sciences and Technology, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China.
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14
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Kim B, Breton S. Androgens are essential for epithelial cell recovery after efferent duct ligation in the initial segment of the mouse epididymis†. Biol Reprod 2020; 102:76-83. [PMID: 31403160 PMCID: PMC7334622 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2019] [Revised: 06/16/2019] [Accepted: 08/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Efferent duct ligation (EDL) induces epithelial cell degeneration followed by regeneration in the epididymal initial segment. We tested here the role of androgens in the recovery phase. EDL was performed at post-natal weeks (PNW) 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, and apoptotic and proliferating epithelial cells were quantified 24 h, and at days 2 and 2.5 post-EDL, respectively. A progressive increase in the number of apoptotic basal cells (BCs) and principal cells (PCs) was detected from PNW3 to 6, 24 h after EDL. Two days after EDL, no increase in proliferating BCs and PCs was observed at PNW3 and 4, despite the induction of apoptosis by EDL. A progressive increase in the number of proliferating BCs was then observed from PNW5 to 6, while the number of proliferating PCs remained low. 2.5 days after EDL, the number of proliferating BCs and PCs remained low at PNW3, 4, and 5, but a marked increase in the number of proliferating PCs was observed at PNW6. Flutamide pretreatment for 3 weeks followed by EDL at PNW7 dramatically decreased the number of proliferating BCs on EDL day 2, and the number of proliferating PCs on EDL day 2.5, compared to controls. We conclude that (1) BCs are the first to show recovery after EDL, followed by PCs; (2) androgens are essential for BC and PC repair after injury in the postpubertal epididymis; and (3) the prepubertal epididymis lacks repair ability following injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bongki Kim
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sylvie Breton
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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15
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Sangeeta K, Yenugu S. siRNA-mediated knockdown of sperm-associated antigen 11a (Spag11a) mRNA in epididymal primary epithelial cells affects proliferation: a transcriptome analyses. Cell Tissue Res 2019; 379:601-612. [PMID: 31691005 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-019-03107-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Accepted: 09/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Differential expression of a variety of proteins in the four major regions of the epididymis contributes to maturation of spermatozoa and region-specific cellular functions as well. Proliferation of epithelial cells of the epididymis is highly controlled and thus is one of the major reasons for the nonoccurrence of cancers in this organ system. The molecular mechanisms and the contribution of region-specific genes in epithelial cell proliferation are not yet fully understood. In this study, for the first time, we analyzed the role of sperm-associated antigen 11a (Spag11a), a caput-specific beta-defensin-like antimicrobial gene in governing epididymal cell proliferation and global gene expression. siRNA-mediated knockdown of Spag11a mRNA in epididymal primary epithelial cells resulted in increased cell proliferation. Out of the 68,842 genes analyzed, 4182 genes were differentially expressed (2154 upregulated and 2028 downregulated). A variety of genes that participate in different cellular processes and pathways were differentially regulated. Genes that are important for epithelial cell proliferation were found to be differentially regulated and these changes were confirmed by real-time PCR. Overexpression of Spag11a in immortalized rat caput epididymal cells resulted in decreased proliferation capacity. Results of this study indicate that Spag11a plays a crucial role in governing epididymal epithelial cell proliferation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kumari Sangeeta
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500046, India
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, University of Hyderabad, Gachibowli, Hyderabad, 500046, India.
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16
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de Mello Santos T, Cavariani MM, Pereira DN, Schimming BC, Chuffa LGDA, Domeniconi RF. Maternal Protein Restriction Modulates Angiogenesis and AQP9 Expression Leading to a Delay in Postnatal Epididymal Development in Rat. Cells 2019; 8:cells8091094. [PMID: 31533210 PMCID: PMC6770568 DOI: 10.3390/cells8091094] [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: 06/25/2019] [Revised: 07/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The maternal nutritional status is essential to the health and well-being of the fetus. Maternal protein restriction during the perinatal stage causes sperm alterations in the offspring that are associated with epididymal dysfunctions. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor, VEGFr-2, as well as aquaporins (AQPs) are important regulators of angiogenesis and the epididymal microenvironment and are associated with male fertility. We investigated the effects of maternal protein restriction on epididymal angiogenesis and AQP expression in the early stages of postnatal epididymal development. Pregnant rats were divided into two experimental groups that received either a normoprotein (17% protein) or low-protein diet (6% protein) during gestation and lactation. At postnatal day (PND)7 and PND14, male offspring were euthanized, the epididymides were subjected to morphometric and microvascular density analyses and to VEGF-A, VEGF-r2, AQP1 and AQP9 expression analyses. The maternal low-protein diet decreased AQP9 and VEGFr-2 expression, decreased epididymal microvascularity and altered the morphometric features of the epididymal epithelium; no changes in AQP1 expression were observed at the beginning of postnatal epididymal development. Maternal protein restriction alters microvascularization and affects molecules involved in the epidydimal microenvironment, resulting in morphometric alterations related to a delay in the beginning of epididymis postnatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Talita de Mello Santos
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil.
| | - Marilia Martins Cavariani
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil.
| | - Dhrielly Natália Pereira
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil.
| | - Bruno César Schimming
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil.
| | | | - Raquel Fantin Domeniconi
- Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences, São Paulo State University-UNESP, Botucatu 18618-970, SP, Brazil.
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17
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Breton S, Nair AV, Battistone MA. Epithelial dynamics in the epididymis: role in the maturation, protection, and storage of spermatozoa. Andrology 2019; 7:631-643. [PMID: 31044554 PMCID: PMC6688936 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2019] [Revised: 03/07/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Epithelial cells line the lumen of tubular organs and are key players in their respective functions. They establish a unique luminal environment by providing a protective barrier and by performing vectorial transport of ions, nutrients, solutes, proteins, and water. Complex intercellular communication networks, specific for each organ, ensure their interaction with adjacent epithelial and non-epithelial cells, allowing them to respond to and modulate their immediate environment. In the epididymis, several epithelial cell types work in a concerted manner to establish a luminal acidic milieu that is essential for the post-testicular maturation and storage of spermatozoa. The epididymis also prevents autoimmune responses against auto-antigenic spermatozoa, while ensuring protection against ascending and blood pathogens. This is achieved by a network of immune cells that are in close contact and interact with epithelial cells. This review highlights the coordinated interactions between spermatozoa, basal cells, principal cells, narrow cells, clear cells, and immune cells that contribute to the maturation, protection, selection, and storage of spermatozoa in the lumen of the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Breton
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - A V Nair
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - M A Battistone
- Program in Membrane Biology, Nephrology Division, Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Center for Systems Biology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
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18
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Zhao F, Yao HHC. A tale of two tracts: history, current advances, and future directions of research on sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts†. Biol Reprod 2019; 101:602-616. [PMID: 31058957 PMCID: PMC6791057 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2019] [Revised: 04/12/2019] [Accepted: 05/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Alfred Jost's work in the 1940s laid the foundation of the current paradigm of sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts, which contends that testicular hormones drive the male patterning of reproductive tract system whereas the female phenotype arises by default. Once established, the sex-specific reproductive tracts undergo morphogenesis, giving rise to anatomically and functionally distinct tubular organs along the rostral-caudal axis. Impairment of sexual differentiation of reproductive tracts by genetic alteration and environmental exposure are the main causes of disorders of sex development, and infertility at adulthood. This review covers past and present work on sexual differentiation and morphogenesis of reproductive tracts, associated human disorders, and emerging technologies that have made impacts or could radically expand our knowledge in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fei Zhao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
| | - Humphrey Hung-Chang Yao
- Reproductive Developmental Biology Group, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, USA
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19
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Deep sequencing reveals microRNA signature is altered in the rat epididymis following bilateral castration. Genes Genomics 2019; 41:757-766. [DOI: 10.1007/s13258-019-00803-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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20
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Xing Y, Ming J, Liu T, Zhang N, Zha D, Lin Y. Decreased Expression of TRPV4 Channels in HEI-OC1 Cells Induced by High Glucose Is Associated with Hearing Impairment. Yonsei Med J 2018; 59:1131-1137. [PMID: 30328329 PMCID: PMC6192885 DOI: 10.3349/ymj.2018.59.9.1131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2018] [Revised: 07/21/2018] [Accepted: 08/10/2018] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous reports have shown that hyperglycemia-induced inhibition of transient receptor potential vanilloid sub type 4 (TRPV4), a transient receptor potential ion channel, affects the severity of hearing impairment (HI). In this study, we explored the role of TRPV4 in HI using HEI-OC1 cells exposed to high glucose (HG). MATERIALS AND METHODS HEI-OC1 cells were cultured in a HG environment (25 mM D-glucose) for 48 hours, and qRT-PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of TRPV4 at the mRNA and protein level. TRPV4 agonist (GSK1016790A) or antagonist (HC-067047) in cultured HEI-OC1 cells was used to obtain abnormal TRPV4 expression. Functional TRPV4 activity was assessed in cultured HEI-OC1 cells using the MTT assay and a cell death detection ELISA. RESULTS TRPV4 agonists exerted protective effects against HG-induced HI, as evidenced by increased MTT levels and inhibition of apoptosis in HEI-OC1 cells. TRPV4 overexpression significantly increased protein levels of phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p-p38 MAPK), while TRPV4 antagonists had the opposite effect. Our results indicated that TRPV4 is a hyperglycemia-related factor that can inhibit cell proliferation and promote cell apoptosis by activating the MAPK signaling pathway in HEI-OC1 cells. CONCLUSION Our results show that the overexpression of TRPV4 can attenuate cell death in HEI-OC1 cells exposed to HG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Xing
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disease, Xijing Hospital, Forth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Jie Ming
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disease, Xijing Hospital, Forth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disease, Xijing Hospital, Forth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Nana Zhang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism Disease, Xijing Hospital, Forth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China
| | - Dingjun Zha
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Forth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
| | - Ying Lin
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xijing Hospital, Forth Military Medical University, Xi'an, China.
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21
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Xu J, Yao G, Ru Y, Xie S. Expression of tamoxifen-inducible CRE recombinase in Lcn5-CreER T2 transgenic mouse caput epididymis. Mol Reprod Dev 2017; 84:257-264. [PMID: 28029195 DOI: 10.1002/mrd.22772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 12/22/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
The epididymis, which connects the testis to vas deferens, plays a crucial role regulating sperm maturation and fertilization. Here, a tamoxifen-inducible CreERT2 recombinase transgenic mouse was generated to study the function of genes in the caput epididymis using the Cre/LoxP system, which is driven by the 1.8-kb Lcn5 promoter (Lcn5-CreERT2 ). Both CRE recombinase and ERT2 mRNA were specifically expressed in the caput epididymis, beginning at postnatal Day 30 and increasing thereafter. Crossing these Lcn5-CreERT2 transgenic mice with Rosa26; mT/mG reporter mice, which express membrane-bound GFP (mGFP) only after CRE is active at its genetic locus, resulted in the presence of GFP only in the middle/distal caput epididymis after tamoxifen induction. Efficiency of the CRE recombinase production in the caput epididymis was dose- and time-dependent. These tamoxifen-inducible caput epididymis-specific CRE recombinase transgenic mice thus provides a simple approach to modulate epididymal principal cells in vivo, allowing for the genetic investigation of caput epididymis-specific gene functions during sperm maturation. 84: 257-264, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Xu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Nanjing Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital, Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, P. R. China
| | - Guangxin Yao
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Yanfei Ru
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Molecular Andrology, State Key Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, P. R. China.,Shanghai Institute of Planned Parenthood Research, Shanghai, P. R. China
| | - Shengsong Xie
- Key Laboratory of Agricultural Animal Genetics, Breeding, and Reproduction of the Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Swine Genetics and Breeding of the Ministry of Agriculture, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P. R. China.,The Cooperative Innovation Center for Sustainable Pig Production, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, P. R. China
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22
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Breton S, Ruan YC, Park YJ, Kim B. Regulation of epithelial function, differentiation, and remodeling in the epididymis. Asian J Androl 2016; 18:3-9. [PMID: 26585699 PMCID: PMC4736353 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.165946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The epididymis is a single convoluted tubule lined by a pseudostratified epithelium. Specialized epididymal epithelial cells, the so-called principal, basal, narrow, and clear cells, establish a unique luminal environment for the maturation and storage of spermatozoa. The epididymis is functionally and structurally divided into several segments and sub-segments that create regionally distinct luminal environments. This organ is immature at birth, and epithelial cells acquire their fully differentiated phenotype during an extended postnatal period, but the factors involved in this complex process remain incompletely characterized. In the adult epididymis, the establishment of an acidic luminal pH and low bicarbonate concentration in the epididymis contributes to preventing premature activation of spermatozoa during their maturation and storage. Clear cells are proton-secreting cells throughout the epididymis, but principal cells have distinct acid/base transport properties, depending on their localization within the epididymis. Basal cells are located in all epididymal segments, but they have a distinct morphology depending on the segment and species examined. How this structural plasticity of basal cells is regulated is discussed here. Also, the role of luminal factors and androgens in the regulation of epithelial cells is reviewed in relation to their respective localization in the proximal versus distal regions of the epididymis. Finally, we describe a novel role for CFTR in tubulogenesis and epithelial cell differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Breton
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology/Nephrology Division, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114 and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA,
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Xu B, Washington AM, Hinton BT. Initial Segment Differentiation Begins During a Critical Window and Is Dependent upon Lumicrine Factors and SRC Proto-Oncogene (SRC) in the Mouse. Biol Reprod 2016; 95:15. [PMID: 27281706 PMCID: PMC5029432 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.138388] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Without a fully developed and functioning initial segment, the most proximal region of the epididymis, male infertility results. Therefore, it is important to understand the development of the initial segment. During postnatal development of the epididymis, many cellular processes of the initial segment are regulated by lumicrine factors, which are produced by the testis and enter the epididymis with testicular luminal fluid. In this report, we showed that prior to Postnatal Day 15 (P15), the initial segment was lumicrine factor independent in the mouse. However, from P19 onward, lumicrine factors were essential for the proliferation and survival of initial segment epithelial cells. Therefore, P15 to P19 was a critical window that established the dependency of lumicrine factors in the initial segment epithelium. The initial segment-specific kinase activity profile, a marker of initial segment differentiation, was also established during this window. The SFK (SRC proto-oncogene family kinases), ERK pathway (known as the RAF/MEK/ERK pathway) components, and AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinases) pathway components had increased activities from P15 to P19, suggesting that lumicrine factors regulated SFK/ERK/AMPK signaling to initiate differentiation of the initial segment from P15 to P19. Compared with litter mate controls, juvenile Src null mice displayed lower levels of MAPK3/1 (mitogen-activated protein kinase 3/1) activity and a reduced level of differentiation in the initial segment epithelium, a similar phenotype resulting from inhibition of SRC activity within the window of P15 to P19. Therefore, lumicrine factor-dependent SRC activity signaling through MAPK3/1 is important for the initiation of initial segment differentiation during a critical window of development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingfang Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Angela M Washington
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
| | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
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Murashima A, Xu B, Hinton BT. Understanding normal and abnormal development of the Wolffian/epididymal duct by using transgenic mice. Asian J Androl 2016; 17:749-55. [PMID: 26112482 PMCID: PMC4577584 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.155540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The development of the Wolffian/epididymal duct is crucial for proper function and, therefore, male fertility. The development of the epididymis is complex; the initial stages form as a transient embryonic kidney; then the mesonephros is formed, which in turn undergoes extensive morphogenesis under the influence of androgens and growth factors. Thus, understanding of its full development requires a wide and multidisciplinary view. This review focuses on mouse models that display abnormalities of the Wolffian duct and mesonephric development, the importance of these mouse models toward understanding male reproductive tract development, and how these models contribute to our understanding of clinical abnormalities in humans such as congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT).
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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Domeniconi RF, Souza ACF, Xu B, Washington AM, Hinton BT. Is the Epididymis a Series of Organs Placed Side By Side? Biol Reprod 2016; 95:10. [PMID: 27122633 PMCID: PMC5029429 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.116.138768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2016] [Accepted: 04/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian epididymis is more than a highly convoluted tube divided into four regions: initial segment, caput, corpus and cauda. It is a highly segmented structure with each segment expressing its own and overlapping genes, proteins, and signal transduction pathways. Therefore, the epididymis may be viewed as a series of organs placed side by side. In this review we discuss the contributions of septa that divide the epididymis into segments and present hypotheses as to the mechanism by which septa form. The mechanisms of Wolffian duct segmentation are likened to the mechanisms of segmentation of the renal nephron and somites. The renal nephron may provide valuable clues as to how the Wolffian duct is patterned during development, whereas somitogenesis may provide clues as to the timing of the development of each segment. Emphasis is also placed upon how segments are differentially regulated, in support of the idea that the epididymis can be considered a series of multiple organs placed side by side. One region in particular, the initial segment, which consists of 2 or 4 segments in mice and rats, respectively, is unique with respect to its regulation and vascularity compared to other segments; loss of development of these segments leads to male infertility. Different ways of thinking about how the epididymis functions may provide new directions and ideas as to how sperm maturation takes place.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel F Domeniconi
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia
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Xu B, Washington AM, Domeniconi RF, Ferreira Souza AC, Lu X, Sutherland A, Hinton BT. Protein tyrosine kinase 7 is essential for tubular morphogenesis of the Wolffian duct. Dev Biol 2016; 412:219-33. [PMID: 26944093 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.02.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2015] [Accepted: 02/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The Wolffian duct, the proximal end of the mesonephric duct, undergoes non-branching morphogenesis to achieve an optimal length and size for sperm maturation. It is important to examine the mechanisms by which the developing mouse Wolffian duct elongates and coils for without proper morphogenesis, male infertility will result. Here we show that highly proliferative epithelial cells divide in a random orientation relative to the elongation axis in the developing Wolffian duct. Convergent extension (CE)-like of cell rearrangements is required for elongating the duct while maintaining a relatively unchanged duct diameter. The Wolffian duct epithelium is planar polarized, which is characterized by oriented cell elongation, oriented cell rearrangements, and polarized activity of regulatory light chain of myosin II. Conditional deletion of protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7), a regulator of planar cell polarity (PCP), from mesoderm results in loss of the PCP characteristics in the Wolffian duct epithelium. Although loss of Ptk7 does not alter cell proliferation or division orientation, it affects CE and leads to the duct with significantly shortened length, increased diameter, and reduced coiling, which eventually results in loss of sperm motility, a key component of sperm maturation. In vitro experiments utilizing inhibitors of myosin II results in reduced elongation and coiling, similar to the phenotype of Ptk7 knockout. This data suggest that PTK7 signaling through myosin II regulates PCP, which in turn ensures CE-like of cell rearrangements to drive elongation and coiling of the Wolffian duct. Therefore, PTK7 is essential for Wolffian duct morphogenesis and male fertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingfang Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA
| | - Angela M Washington
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA
| | - Raquel Fantin Domeniconi
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA; Department of Anatomy, Institute of Biosciences - UNESP, Botucatu, Brazil
| | - Ana Cláudia Ferreira Souza
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA; Department of General Biology, Federal University of Viçosa, Viçosa, Brazil
| | - Xiaowei Lu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA
| | - Ann Sutherland
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA
| | - Barry T Hinton
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville, USA.
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Tyrosine kinase-mediated axial motility of basal cells revealed by intravital imaging. Nat Commun 2016; 7:10666. [PMID: 26868824 PMCID: PMC4754344 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms10666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Epithelial cells are generally considered to be static relative to their neighbours. Basal cells in pseudostratified epithelia display a single long cytoplasmic process that can cross the tight junction barrier to reach the lumen. Using in vivo microscopy to visualize the epididymis, a model system for the study of pseudostratified epithelia, we report here the surprising discovery that these basal cell projections--which we call axiopodia--periodically extend and retract over time. We found that axiopodia extensions and retractions follow an oscillatory pattern. This movement, which we refer to as periodic axial motility (PAM), is controlled by c-Src and MEK1/2-ERK1/2. Therapeutic inhibition of tyrosine kinase activity induces a retraction of these projections. Such unexpected cell motility may reflect a novel mechanism by which specialized epithelial cells sample the luminal environment.
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Kim B, Breton S. The MAPK/ERK-Signaling Pathway Regulates the Expression and Distribution of Tight Junction Proteins in the Mouse Proximal Epididymis. Biol Reprod 2016; 94:22. [PMID: 26658708 PMCID: PMC4809559 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.115.134965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2015] [Revised: 09/18/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The initial segment (IS) in rodents is functionally and structurally distinct from other epididymal segments and plays an important role in sperm maturation. The MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway is maintained active in the IS by testicular luminal factors and plays crucial roles in the maintenance and differentiation of the IS epithelium. Tight junctions (TJs) are constituents of the blood-epididymis barrier, which mediates the paracellular transport of ions, solutes, and water and controls epithelial cell differentiation, thereby contributing to the establishment of a unique luminal environment. We examine here the role of the MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway in the regulation of TJ proteins in the IS. Inhibition of mitogen activated protein kinase kinase (MAPKK or MEK1/2) with PD325901, followed by reduction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation (pERK), decreased zonula occludens (ZO)-2 expression and increased ZO-3 expression in TJs but had no effect on ZO-1 expression. In control mice, in addition to being located in TJs, claudin (Cldn)-1, Cldn-3, and Cldn-4 were detected in the basolateral membrane of epithelial cells, with enriched expression of Cldn-1 and Cldn-4 in basal cells. PD325901 reduced the expression of Cldn-1 and Cldn-4 at all locations without affecting Cldn-3. Occludin was undetectable in the IS of control mice, but PD325901 triggered its expression in TJs. No effect was observed for any of the proteins examined in the other epididymal regions. Our results indicate the participation of the MAPK/ERK1/2 pathway in the regulation of cell-cell events that control the formation and maintenance of the blood-epididymis barrier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bongki Kim
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sylvie Breton
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Cavalcanti FN, Lucas TFG, Lazari MFM, Porto CS. Estrogen receptor ESR1 mediates activation of ERK1/2, CREB, and ELK1 in the corpus of the epididymis. J Mol Endocrinol 2015; 54:339-49. [PMID: 26069273 DOI: 10.1530/jme-15-0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Expression of the estrogen receptor ESR1 is higher in the corpus than it is in the initial segment/caput and cauda of the epididymis. ESR1 immunostaining in the corpus has been localized not only in the nuclei but also in the cytoplasm and apical membrane, which indicates that ESR1 plays a role in membrane-initiated signaling. The present study investigated whether ESR1 mediates the activation of rapid signaling pathways by estradiol (E2) in the epididymis. We investigated the effect of E2 and the ESR1-selective agonist (4,4',4''-(4-propyl-(1H)-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)trisphenol (PPT) on the activation of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2), CREB protein, and ETS oncogene-related protein (ELK1). Treatment with PPT did not affect ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the cauda, but it rapidly increased ERK1/2 phosphorylation in the initial segment/caput and corpus of the epididymis. PPT also activated CREB and ELK1 in the corpus of the epididymis. The PPT-induced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, CREB, and ELK1 was blocked by the ESR1-selective antagonist MPP and by pretreatment with a non-receptor tyrosine kinase SRC inhibitor, an EGFR kinase inhibitor, an MEK1/2 inhibitor, and a phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase inhibitor. In conclusion, these results indicate that the corpus, which is a region with high expression of the estrogen receptor ESR1, is a major target in the epididymis for the activation of rapid signaling by E2. The sequence of events that follow E2 interaction with ESR1 includes the SRC-mediated transactivation of EGFR and the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, CREB, and ELK1. This rapid estrogen signaling may modulate gene expression in the corpus of the epididymis, and it may play a role in the dynamic microenvironment of the epididymal lumen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda N Cavalcanti
- Section of Experimental EndocrinologyDepartment of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Três de maio 100, INFAR, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Thais F G Lucas
- Section of Experimental EndocrinologyDepartment of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Três de maio 100, INFAR, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Maria Fatima M Lazari
- Section of Experimental EndocrinologyDepartment of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Três de maio 100, INFAR, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
| | - Catarina S Porto
- Section of Experimental EndocrinologyDepartment of Pharmacology, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Rua Três de maio 100, INFAR, Vila Clementino, São Paulo, São Paulo 04044-020, Brazil
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Smooth muscle 22α facilitates angiotensin II-induced signaling and vascular contraction. J Mol Med (Berl) 2014; 93:547-58. [PMID: 25515236 DOI: 10.1007/s00109-014-1240-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Revised: 11/23/2014] [Accepted: 11/25/2014] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Smooth muscle 22α (SM22α) is involved in stress fiber formation and enhances contractility in vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). In many cases, SM22α acts as an adapter protein to assemble signaling complexes and regulate signaling, but whether SM22α regulates contractile signaling induced by angiotensin II (AngII) remains unclear. To address this issue, we established a hypertension model of Sm22α(-/-) mice, and demonstrated that hypertension induced by AngII was attenuated in Sm22α(-/-) mice. A decreased vasoconstriction was observed in aortic rings from Sm22α(-/-) mice. Furthermore, loss of SM22α resulted in a reduced contractile response to AngII in VSMCs in vitro. The phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) induced by AngII was impaired following depletion of SM22α, in parallel with a reduced contractility. The decay of ERK1/2 activity was associated with increased expression of mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase 3 (MKP3). Inhibition of MKP3 activity rescued ERK1/2 activity. SM22α depletion caused an enhanced interaction of MKP3 with ERK1/2, and a reduced ubiquitination and degradation of MKP3. Knockdown of SM22α extended the half-life of MKP3. In conclusion, SM22α promotes AngII-induced contraction by maintenance of ERK1/2 signaling cascades through facilitating ubiquitination and degradation of MKP3. KEY MESSAGE The vasoconstriction is attenuated in aortic rings from Sm22α(-/-) mice. MKP3 mediates dephosphorylation of ERK1/2 in AngII-induced VSMC contraction. SM22α inhibits the interaction of ERK1/2 with MKP3. SM22α promotes ubiquitination and degradation of MKP3. SM22α facilitates AngII-induced contraction by maintenance of ERK1/2 signaling.
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PTEN signaling through RAF1 proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (RAF1)/ERK in the epididymis is essential for male fertility. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2014; 111:18643-8. [PMID: 25512490 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1413186112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Without a fully developed initial segment, the most proximal region of the epididymis, male infertility results. Therefore, it is important to understand the development and regulation of this crucial region. In addition to distinctively high activity levels of the components of the ERK pathway, which are essential for initial-segment differentiation, the initial segment exhibits high protein and activity levels of phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN). To understand the role of PTEN in the regulation of the initial segment, we generated a mouse model with a conditional deletion of Pten from the epithelial cells of the proximal epididymis from postnatal day 17 (P17) onward. Shortly after Pten deletion, hypertrophy of the proximal epididymis became evident. Loss of Pten resulted in activation of the AKT (protein kinase B) pathway components from P28 onward, which in turn gradually suppressed RAF1 proto-oncogene serine/threonine kinase (RAF1)/ERK signaling through the interaction between AKT and RAF1. Consistent with progressive changes in RAF1/ERK signaling, loss of Pten progressively altered cell shape, size, organization, proliferation, and survival in the initial-segment epithelium and resulted in dedifferentiation and extensive epithelial folding. Most importantly, knockout males progressively lost fertility and became infertile from 6 to 12 mo. Spermatozoa from older knockout mice showed a lower percentage of motility and a higher percentage of flagellar angulation compared with controls, suggesting compromised sperm maturation. Therefore, under normal physiological conditions, PTEN suppresses AKT activity to maintain activation of the RAF1/ERK signaling pathway, which in turn maintains normal function of the initial segment and therefore, normal sperm maturation.
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Kim B, Roy J, Shum WWC, Da Silva N, Breton S. Role of testicular luminal factors on Basal cell elongation and proliferation in the mouse epididymis. Biol Reprod 2014; 92:9. [PMID: 25411392 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.114.123943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
A subset of basal cells (BCs) in the initial segment (IS) of the mouse epididymis has a slender body projection between adjacent epithelial cells. We show here that these projections occasionally cross the apical tight junctions and are in contact with the luminal environment. Luminal testicular factors are critical for the establishment of the IS epithelium, and we investigated their role in the regulation of this luminal sensing property. Efferent duct ligation (EDL) was performed to block luminal flow from the testis without affecting blood flow. Cytokeratin 5 (KRT5) labeling showed a time-dependent reduction of the percentage of BCs with intercellular projections from 1 to 5 days after EDL, compared to controls. Double labeling for caspase-3 and KRT5 showed that a subset of BCs undergoes apoptosis 1 day after EDL. Ki67/KRT5 double labeling showed a low rate of BC proliferation under basal conditions. However, EDL induced a marked increase in the proliferation rate of a subset of BCs 2 days after EDL. A 2-wk treatment with the androgen receptor antagonist flutamide did not affect the number of BCs with intercellular projections, but reduced BC proliferation. Flutamide treatment also reduced the increase in BC proliferation induced 2 days after EDL. We conclude that, in the adult mouse IS, 1) luminal testicular factors play an important role in the ability of BCs to extend their body projection towards the lumen, and are essential for the survival of a subset of BCs; 2) androgens play an important role in the proliferation of some of the BCs that survive the initial insult induced by EDL; and 3) the formation and elongation of BC intercellular projections do not depend on androgens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bongki Kim
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jeremy Roy
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Winnie W C Shum
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Nicolas Da Silva
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sylvie Breton
- Center for Systems Biology, Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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Jun HJ, Roy J, Smith TB, Wood LB, Lane K, Woolfenden S, Punko D, Bronson RT, Haigis KM, Breton S, Charest A. ROS1 signaling regulates epithelial differentiation in the epididymis. Endocrinology 2014; 155:3661-73. [PMID: 24971615 PMCID: PMC4138574 DOI: 10.1210/en.2014-1341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The initial segment (IS) of the epididymis plays an essential role in male fertility. The IS epithelium is undifferentiated and nonfunctional at birth. Prior to puberty, the epithelium undergoes differentiation that leads to the formation of a fully functional organ. However, the mechanistic details of this program are not well understood. To explore this further, we used genetic engineering to create a kinase dead allele of the ROS1 receptor tyrosine kinase in mice and studied the effects of ROS1 tyrosine kinase activity on the differentiation of the IS epithelium. We show that the expression and activation of ROS1 coincides with the onset of differentiation and is exclusively located in the IS of the maturing and adult mouse epididymides. Here we demonstrate that the differentiation of the IS is dependent on the kinase activity of ROS1 and its downstream effector MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling axis. Using genetic engineering, we show that germ line ablation of ROS1 kinase activity leads to a failure of the IS epithelium to differentiate, and as a consequence sperm maturation and infertility were dramatically perturbed. Pharmacological inhibition of ROS1 kinase activity in the developing epididymis, however, only delayed differentiation transiently and did not result in infertility. Our results demonstrate that ROS1 kinase activity and the ensuing MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signaling are necessary for the postnatal development of the IS epithelium and that a sustained ablation of ROS1 kinase activity within the critical window of terminal differentiation abrogate the function of the epididymis and leads to sterility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Jung Jun
- Molecular Oncology Research Institute (H.J.J., S.W., D.P., A.C), Tufts Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02111; Center for Cancer Research (K.L., A.C.), Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139; Program in Membrane Biology and Division of Nephrology and Center for Systems Biology (J.R., T.B.S., S.B.) and Molecular Pathology Unit (L.B.W., K.M.H.), Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02114; Department of Pathology (R.T.B), Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115; and Department of Neurosurgery and Program in Genetics (A.C), Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
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Xu B, Yang L, Hinton BT. The Role of fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2 (FRS2) in the regulation of two activity levels of the components of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway in the mouse epididymis. Biol Reprod 2013; 89:48. [PMID: 23782834 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.107185] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The components of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway are involved in the regulation of epididymal cellular processes. Interestingly, our previous studies showed that there are two different activity levels of the ERK pathway components in the epididymal epithelium: a basal level in most regions and a higher level in the differentiated initial segment (IS). In this study we analyzed the role of fibroblast growth factor receptor substrate 2 (FRS2) in the regulation of these two levels. Two mouse models were generated. In the first model, Frs2 was deleted from epithelial cells of most epididymal regions except for the IS from the embryonic period onward. Loss of Frs2 dampened the basal activity level of the ERK pathway components, which resulted in an increase in apoptosis along the epididymal duct. This was observed during the period when FRS2 expression level was highest in wild-type epididymides. In the second model, Frs2 was deleted from the proximal epididymal epithelium from Postnatal Day 17 onward. Most of the epididymides in this model exhibited normal morphology. Loss of Frs2 in these epididymides did not affect the high activity level of the ERK pathway components in the IS. However, a subgroup of epididymides in the second model showed increased apoptosis which resulted in an abnormally shaped proximal region or development of granulomas. Therefore, data from these two models showed that FRS2 played different roles in the regulation of two activity levels of the ERK pathway components in the epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingfang Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
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Pkd1 is required for male reproductive tract development. Mech Dev 2013; 130:567-76. [PMID: 23933588 DOI: 10.1016/j.mod.2013.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2013] [Revised: 06/28/2013] [Accepted: 07/23/2013] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Reproductive tract abnormalities and male infertility have higher incidence in ADPKD patients than in general populations. In this work, we reveal that Pkd1, whose mutations account for 85% of ADPKD cases, is essential for male reproductive tract development. Disruption of Pkd1 caused multiple organ defects in the murine male reproductive tract. The earliest visible defect in the Pkd1(-/-) reproductive tract was cystic dilation of the efferent ducts, which are derivatives of the mesonephric tubules. Epididymis development was delayed or arrested in the Pkd1(-/-) mice. No sign of epithelial coiling was seen in the null mutants. Disruption of Pkd1 in epithelium alone using the Pax2-cre mice was sufficient to cause efferent duct dilation and coiling defect in the epididymis, suggesting that Pkd1 is critical for epithelium development and maintenance in male reproductive tract. In-depth analysis showed that Pkd1 is required to maintain tubulin cytoskeleton and important for Tgf-β/Bmp signal transduction in epithelium of male reproductive tract. Altogether, our results for the first time provide direct evidence for developmental roles of Pkd1 in the male reproductive tract and provide new insights in reproductive tract abnormalities and infertility in ADPKD patients.
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Xie S, Xu J, Ma W, Liu Q, Han J, Yao G, Huang X, Zhang Y. Lcn5 Promoter Directs the Region-Specific Expression of Cre Recombinase in Caput Epididymidis of Transgenic Mice1. Biol Reprod 2013; 88:71. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.112.104034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
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Elo T, Sipilä P, Valve E, Kujala P, Toppari J, Poutanen M, Härkönen P. Fibroblast Growth Factor 8b Causes Progressive Stromal and Epithelial Changes in the Epididymis and Degeneration of the Seminiferous Epithelium in the Testis of Transgenic Mice1. Biol Reprod 2012; 86:157, 1-12. [DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.111.097352] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
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Yeung CH, Wang K, Cooper TG. Why are epididymal tumours so rare? Asian J Androl 2012; 14:465-75. [PMID: 22522502 DOI: 10.1038/aja.2012.20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Epididymal tumour incidence is at most 0.03% of all male cancers. It is an enigma why the human epididymis does not often succumb to cancer, when it expresses markers of stem and cancer cells, and constitutively expresses oncogenes, pro-proliferative and pro-angiogenic factors that allow tumour cells to escape immunosurveillance in cancer-prone tissues. The privileged position of the human epididymis in evading tumourigenicity is reflected in transgenic mouse models in which induction of tumours in other organs is not accompanied by epididymal neoplasia. The epididymis appears to: (i) prevent tumour initiation (it probably lacks stem cells and has strong anti-oxidative mechanisms, active tumour suppressors and inactive oncogene products); (ii) foster tumour monitoring and destruction (by strong immuno-surveillance and -eradication, and cellular senescence); (iii) avert proliferation and angiogenesis (with persistent tight junctions, the presence of anti-angiogenic factors and misplaced pro-angiogenic factors), which together (iv) promote dormancy and restrict dividing cells to hyperplasia. Epididymal cells may be rendered non-responsive to oncogenic stimuli by the constitutive expression of factors generally inducible in tumours, and resistant to the normal epididymal environment, which mimics that of a tumour niche promoting tumour growth. The threshold for tumour initiation may thus be higher in the epididymis than in other organs. Several anti-tumour mechanisms are those that maintain spermatozoa quiescent and immunologically silent, so the low incidence of cancer in the epididymis may be a consequence of its role in sperm maturation and storage. Understanding these mechanisms may throw light on cancer prevention and therapy in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ching-Hei Yeung
- Shandong Stem Cell Engineering and Technology Research Centre, YuHuangDing Hospital, Yantai, China
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Wang H, Kumar TR. Segment- and cell-specific expression of D-type cyclins in the postnatal mouse epididymis. Gene Expr Patterns 2012; 12:136-44. [PMID: 22289519 DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2012.01.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Revised: 01/13/2012] [Accepted: 01/14/2012] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Sperm transport, maturation and storage are the essential functions of the epididymis. The epididymis in the mouse is structurally characterized by regional and segmental organization including caput, corpus and cauda epididymis that are comprised of 10 segments. Although several growth factor signaling pathways have been discovered in the epididymis, how these converge onto the cell cycle components is unknown. To begin to elucidate the growth factor control of cell cycle events in the epididymis, we analyzed the expression of D-type cyclins at different postnatal ages. At 7d, cyclin D1 was mainly expressed in the cauda epithelium, by 14d its expression occurred in the epithelium of caput, corpus and cauda that persisted up to 21d. By 42d, cyclin D1 was mostly detectable in the principal cells of the caput and corpus (segments 1-7) but not in the cauda epididymis. Expression of cyclin D2, unlike that of cyclin D1, was evident only at 42d but not earlier, and was mostly confined to corpus and cauda epithelium. In contrast to both cyclins D1 and D2, cyclin D3 was expressed primarily in the interstitium at 7d and by 21d its expression was localized to the epithelium of the corpus and cauda epididymis. By 42d, expression of cyclin D3 peaked in segments 6-10 and confined to basal and principal cells of the corpus and apical cells of the cauda epithelium. Ki67 immunoreactivity confirmed absence of cell proliferation despite continued expression of D-type cyclins in the adult epididymis. Collectively, on the basis of our immunophenotyping and protein expression data, we conclude that the D-type cyclins are expressed in a development-, segment-, and cell-specific manner in the postnatal mouse epididymis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huizhen Wang
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States
| | - T Rajendra Kumar
- Department of Molecular and Integrative Physiology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States
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Xu B, Abdel-Fattah R, Yang L, Crenshaw SA, Black MB, Hinton BT. Testicular lumicrine factors regulate ERK, STAT, and NFKB pathways in the initial segment of the rat epididymis to prevent apoptosis. Biol Reprod 2011; 84:1282-91. [PMID: 21311037 DOI: 10.1095/biolreprod.110.090324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
The initial segment of the epididymis is vital for male fertility; therefore, it is important to understand the mechanisms that regulate this important region. Deprival of testicular luminal fluid factors/lumicrine factors from the epididymis results in a wave of apoptosis in the initial segment. In this study, a combination of protein array and microarray analyses was used to examine the early changes in downstream signal transduction pathways following loss of lumicrine factors. We discovered the following cascade of events leading to the loss of protection and eventual apoptosis: in the first 6 h after loss of lumicrine factors, down-regulation of the ERK pathway components was observed at the mRNA expression and protein activity levels. Microarray analysis revealed that mRNA levels of several key components of the ERK pathway, Dusp6, Dusp5, and Etv5, decreased sharply, while the analysis from the protein array revealed a decline in the activities of MAP2K1/2 and MAPK1. Immunostaining of phospho-MAPK3/1 indicated that down-regulation of the ERK pathway was specific to the epithelial cells of the initial segment. Subsequently, after 12 h of loss of lumicrine factors, levels of mRNA expression of STAT and NFKB pathway components increased, mRNA levels of several genes encoding cell cycle inhibitors increased, and levels of protein expression of several proapoptotic phosphatases increased. Finally, after 18 h of loss of protection from lumicrine factors, apoptosis was observed. In conclusion, testicular lumicrine factors protect the cells of the initial segment by activating the ERK pathway, repressing STAT and NFKB pathways, and thereby preventing apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingfang Xu
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, USA
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