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Mi X, Chen C, Feng C, Qin Y, Chen ZJ, Yang Y, Zhao S. The Functions and Application Prospects of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Reproduction. Curr Gene Ther 2024; 24:347-355. [PMID: 39005061 DOI: 10.2174/0115665232291010240221104445] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is expressed in multiple systems and mediates a variety of biological activities, such as mitosis, motility, and morphogenesis. A growing number of studies have revealed the expression patterns and functions of HGF in ovarian and testicular physiology from the prenatal to the adult stage. HGF regulates folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis by modulating the functions of theca cells and granulosa cells in the ovary. It also mediates somatic cell proliferation and steroidogenesis, thereby affecting spermatogenesis in males. In addition to its physiological effects on the reproductive system, HGF has shown advantages in preclinical studies over recent years for the treatment of male and female infertility, particularly in women with premature ovarian insufficiency. This review aims to summarize the pleiotropic functions of HGF in the reproductive system and to provide prospects for its clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Mi
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Caiyi Chen
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Chen Feng
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yingying Qin
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zi-Jiang Chen
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
- Research Unit of Gametogenesis and Health of ART-Offspring (No.2021RU001), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Jinan, China
- Shanghai Key Laboratory for Assisted Reproduction and Reproductive Genetics, Shanghai, China
- Center for Reproductive Medicine, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yajuan Yang
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Shidou Zhao
- Institute of Women, Children and Reproductive Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine and Offspring Health, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Endocrinology of Ministry of Education, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, 250012, China
- Shandong Technology Innovation Center for Reproductive Health, Jinan, Shandong, China
- National Research Center for Assisted Reproductive Technology and Reproductive Genetics, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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Zhang ZY, Xing XY, Ju GQ, Zhong L, Sun J. Mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord ameliorate testicular dysfunction in a male rat hypogonadism model. Asian J Androl 2018; 19:543-547. [PMID: 27586027 PMCID: PMC5566847 DOI: 10.4103/1008-682x.186186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Androgen deficiency is a physical disorder that not only affects adults but can also jeopardize children's health. Because there are many disadvantages to using traditional androgen replacement therapy, we have herein attempted to explore the use of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells for the treatment of androgen deficiency. We transplanted CM-Dil-labeled human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into the testes of an ethane dimethanesulfonate (EDS)-induced male rat hypogonadism model. Twenty-one days after transplantation, we found that blood testosterone levels in the therapy group were higher than that of the control group (P = 0.037), and using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, we observed that some of the CM-Dil-labeled cells expressed Leydig cell markers for cytochrome P450, family 11, subfamily A, polypeptide 1, and 3-β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. We then recovered these cells and observed that they were still able to proliferate in vitro. The present study shows that mesenchymal stem cells from human umbilical cord may constitute a promising therapeutic modality for the treatment of male hypogonadism patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhi-Yuan Zhang
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Xiao-Yu Xing
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Guan-Qun Ju
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Liang Zhong
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
| | - Jie Sun
- Department of Urology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200127, China
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Chen H, Wang Y, Ge R, Zirkin BR. Leydig cell stem cells: Identification, proliferation and differentiation. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2017; 445:65-73. [PMID: 27743991 PMCID: PMC5346484 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2016.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2016] [Revised: 10/03/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Adult Leydig cells develop from undifferentiated mesenchymal-like stem cells (stem Leydig cells, SLCs) present in the interstitial compartment of the early postnatal testis. Putative SLCs also have been identified in peritubular and perivascular locations of the adult testis. The latter cells, which normally are quiescent, are capable of regenerating new Leydig cells upon the loss of the adult cells. Recent studies have identified several protein markers to identify these cells, including nestin, PDGFRα, COUP-TFII, CD51 and CD90. We have shown that the proliferation of the SLCs is stimulated by DHH, FGF2, PDGFBB, activin and PDGFAA. Suppression of proliferation occurred with TGFβ, androgen and PKA signaling. The differentiation of the SLCs into testosterone-producing Leydig cells was found to be regulated positively by DHH (Desert hedgehog), lithium-induced signaling and activin; and negatively by TGFβ, PDGFBB, FGF2, Notch and Wnt signaling. DHH, by itself, was found to induce SLC differentiation into LH-responsive steroidogenic cells, suggesting that DHH plays a critical role in the commitment of SLC into the Leydig lineage. These studies, taken together, address the function and regulation of low turnover stem cells in a complex, adult organ, and also have potential application to the treatment of androgen deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haolin Chen
- Center for Scientific Research, Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Yiyan Wang
- Center for Scientific Research, Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Renshan Ge
- Center for Scientific Research, Second Affiliated Hospital & Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325027, China
| | - Barry R Zirkin
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
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Wen Q, Cheng CY, Liu YX. Development, function and fate of fetal Leydig cells. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2016; 59:89-98. [PMID: 26968934 PMCID: PMC5016207 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2016.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 85] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2016] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
During fetal testis development, fetal Leydig cells (FLCs) are found to be originated from multiple progenitor cells. FLC specification and function are under tight regulation of specific genes and signaling proteins. Furthermore, Sertoli cells play a crucial role to regulate FLC differentiation during fetal testis development. FLC progenitor- and FLC-produced biomolecules are also involved in the differentiation and activity of rodent FLCs. The main function of FLCs is to produce androgens to masculinize XY embryos. However, FLCs are capable of producing androstenedione but not testosterone due to the lack of 17β-HSD (17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase), but fetal Sertoli cells express 17β-HSD which thus transforms androstenedione to testosterone in the fetal testis. On the other hand, FLCs produce activin A to regulate Sertoli cell proliferation, and Sertoli cells in turn modulate testis cord expansion. It is now generally accepted that adult Leydig cells (ALCs) gradually replace FLCs during postnatal development to produce testosterone to support spermatogenesis as FLCs undergo degeneration in neonatal and pre-pubertal testes. However, based on studies using genetic tracing mouse models, FLCs are found to persist in adult testes, making up ∼20% of total Leydig cells. In this review, we evaluate the latest findings regarding the development, function and fate of FLCs during fetal and adult testis development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qing Wen
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - C Yan Cheng
- The Mary M. Wohlford Laboratory for Male Contraceptive Research, Center for Biomedical Research, Population Council, New York, New York 10065, United States.
| | - Yi-Xun Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
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Teerds KJ, Huhtaniemi IT. Morphological and functional maturation of Leydig cells: from rodent models to primates. Hum Reprod Update 2015; 21:310-28. [PMID: 25724971 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmv008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2014] [Accepted: 01/15/2015] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Leydig cells (LC) are the sites of testicular androgen production. Development of LC occurs in the testes of most mammalian species as two distinct growth phases, i.e. as fetal and pubertal/adult populations. In primates there are indications of a third neonatal growth phase. LC androgen production begins in embryonic life and is crucial for the intrauterine masculinization of the male fetal genital tract and brain, and continues until birth after which it rapidly declines. A short post-natal phase of LC activity in primates (including human) termed 'mini-puberty' precedes the period of juvenile quiescence. The adult population of LC evolves, depending on species, in mid- to late-prepuberty upon reawakening of the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular axis, and these cells are responsible for testicular androgen production in adult life, which continues with a slight gradual decline until senescence. This review is an updated comparative analysis of the functional and morphological maturation of LC in model species with special reference to rodents and primates. METHODS Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were searched between December 2012 and October 2014. Studies published in languages other than English or German were excluded, as were data in abstract form only. Studies available on primates were primarily examined and compared with available data from specific animal models with emphasis on rodents. RESULTS Expression of different marker genes in rodents provides evidence that at least two distinct progenitor lineages give rise to the fetal LC (FLC) population, one arising from the coelomic epithelium and the other from specialized vascular-associated cells along the gonad-mesonephros border. There is general agreement that the formation and functioning of the FLC population in rodents is gonadotrophin-responsive but not gonadotrophin-dependent. In contrast, although there is in primates some controversy on the role of gonadotrophins in the formation of the FLC population, there is consensus about the essential role of gonadotrophins in testosterone production. Like the FLC population, adult Leydig cells (ALC) in rodents arise from stem cells, which have their origin in the fetal testis. In contrast, in primates the ALC population is thought to originate from FLC, which undergo several cycles of regression and redifferentiation before giving rise to the mature ALC population, as well as from differentiation of stem cells/precursor cells. Despite this difference in origin, both in primates and rodents the formation of the mature and functionally active ALC population is critically dependent on the pituitary gonadotrophin, LH. From studies on rodents considerable knowledge has emerged on factors that are involved besides LH in the regulation of this developmental process. Whether the same factors also play a role in the development of the mature primate LC population awaits further investigation. CONCLUSION Distinct populations of LC develop along the life span of males, including fetal, neonatal (primates) and ALC. Despite differences in the LC lineages of rodents and primates, the end product is a mature population of LC with the main function to provide androgens necessary for the maintenance of spermatogenesis and extra-gonadal androgen actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katja J Teerds
- Human and Animal Physiology, Wageningen University, De Elst 1, 6709 WD, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ilpo T Huhtaniemi
- Department of Surgery and Cancer, Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Biology, Imperial College London, Hammersmith Campus, Du Cane Road, W12 0NN London, UK Department of Physiology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Turku, Kiinamyllynkatu 10, 20520 Turku, Finland
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