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Abstract
Mammalian spermatogenesis is a carefully orchestrated male germ cell differentiation process by which spermatogonia differentiate to spermatozoa in the testis. A highly organized testicular microenvironment is therefore necessary to support spermatogenesis. Regarding immunologic aspects, the testis adapts a specialized immune environment for the protection of male germ cells and testicular functions. The mammalian testis possesses two immunologic features: (1) it is an immunoprivileged organ where immunogenic germ cells do not induce deleterious immune responses under physiologic conditions; and (2) it creates its own effective innate defense system against microbial infection. Various pathologic conditions may disrupt testicular immune homeostasis, thereby resulting in a detrimental immune response and perturbing testicular functions, one of the etiologic factors of male infertility. Understanding the mechanisms underlying immunoregulation in the testis can aid in establishing strategies for the prevention and therapy of immunologic testicular dysfunction and male infertility. This chapter focuses on the mechanisms underlying immune privilege, local innate immunity, and immunologic diseases of the testis.
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Gong M, Wang F, Liu W, Chen R, Wu H, Zhang W, Yu X, Han R, Liu A, Chen Y, Han D. Pattern recognition receptor-mediated innate immune responses in seminal vesicle epithelial cell and their impacts on cellular function†. Biol Reprod 2020; 101:733-747. [PMID: 31350848 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioz136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2019] [Revised: 05/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The seminal vesicles can be infected by microorganisms, thereby resulting in vesiculitis and impairment in male fertility. Innate immune responses in seminal vesicles cells to microbial infections, which facilitate vesiculitis, have yet to be investigated. The present study aims to elucidate pattern recognition receptor-mediated innate immune responses in seminal vesicles epithelial cells. Various pattern recognition receptors, including Toll-like receptor 3, Toll-like receptor 4, cytosolic ribonucleic acid, and deoxyribonucleic acid sensors, are abundantly expressed in seminal vesicles epithelial cells. These pattern recognition receptors can recognize their respective ligands, thus activating nuclear factor kappa B and interferon regulatory factor 3. The pattern recognition receptor signaling induces expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (Tnfa) and interleukin 6 (Il6), chemokines monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (Mcp1) and C-X-C motif chemokine 10 (Cxcl10), and type 1 interferons Ifna and Ifnb. Moreover, pattern recognition receptor-mediated innate immune responses up-regulated the expression of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase and cyclooxygenase 2, but they down-regulated semenogelin-1 expression. These results provide novel insights into the mechanism underlying vesiculitis and its impact on the functions of the seminal vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maolei Gong
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Fei Wang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Weihua Liu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ran Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Han Wu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wenjing Zhang
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoqin Yu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Ruiqin Han
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Aijie Liu
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yongmei Chen
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Daishu Han
- Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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Bryan ER, Kim J, Beagley KW, Carey AJ. Testicular inflammation and infertility: Could chlamydial infections be contributing? Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 84:e13286. [DOI: 10.1111/aji.13286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/05/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Emily R. Bryan
- School of Biomedical Sciences Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Jay Kim
- School of Biomedical Sciences Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Kenneth W. Beagley
- School of Biomedical Sciences Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Qld Australia
| | - Alison J. Carey
- School of Biomedical Sciences Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Qld Australia
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Otani Y, Ichii O, Masum MA, Kimura J, Nakamura T, Elewa YHA, Kon Y. BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mouse model of systemic autoimmune disease shows increased apoptotic germ cells in stage XII of the seminiferous epithelial cycle. Cell Tissue Res 2020; 381:203-216. [PMID: 32248303 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03190-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
In mammals, the reproductive system and autoimmunity regulate mutual functions. Importantly, systemic autoimmune diseases are thought to cause male infertility but the underlying pathological mechanism remains unclear. In this study, the morpho-function of the testes in BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mice was analyzed as a representative mouse model for systemic autoimmune diseases to investigate the effect of excessive autoimmunity on spermatogenesis. At 12 and 24 weeks of age, BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mice showed splenomegaly and increased levels of serum autoantibodies, whereas no controls showed a similar autoimmune condition. In histological analysis, the enlarged lumen of the seminiferous tubules accompanied with scarce spermatozoa in the epididymal ducts were observed in some of the BXSB/MpJ-Yaa and BXSB/MpJ mice but not in C57BL/6N mice. Histoplanimetrical analysis revealed significantly increased residual bodies and apoptotic germ cells in the seminiferous tubules in BXSB/MpJ-Yaa testes without apparent inflammation. Notably, in stage XII of the seminiferous epithelial cycles, the apoptotic germ cell number was remarkably increased, showing a significant correlation with the indices of systemic autoimmune disease in BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mice. Furthermore, the Sertoli cell number was reduced at the early disease stage, which likely caused subsequent morphological changes in BXSB/MpJ-Yaa testes. Thus, our histological study revealed the altered morphologies of BXSB/MpJ-Yaa testes, which were not observed in controls and statistical analysis suggested the effects of an autoimmune condition on this phenotype, particularly the apoptosis of meiotic germ cells. BXSB/MpJ-Yaa mice were shown to be an efficient model to study the relationship between systemic autoimmune disease and the local reproductive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Otani
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Osamu Ichii
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan.,Laboratory of Agrobiomedical Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Md Abdul Masum
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Junpei Kimura
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan
| | - Teppei Nakamura
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan.,Section of Biological Science, Chitose Laboratory, Japan Food Research Laboratories, 2-3, Bunyo, Chitose, Japan
| | - Yaser Hosny Ali Elewa
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan.,Department of Histology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt
| | - Yasuhiro Kon
- Laboratory of Anatomy, Department of Basic Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, Kita 18 Nishi 9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Japan.
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Wu P, Sun Z, Lv X, Pei X, Manthari RK, Wang J. Fluoride Induces Autoimmune Orchitis Involved with Enhanced IL-17A Secretion in Mice Testis. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2019; 67:13333-13343. [PMID: 31703480 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b05789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Fluoride (F) widely exists in the water and food. Recent studies reported that F induced testicular toxicity via inflammation reaction. This study was aimed to explore the mechanism of F-induced inflammation in testis. 100 healthy male mice (BALB/cJ strain) were randomly divided into five groups including: control, experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO), and three F groups (25, 50, and 100 mg/L sodium fluoride (NaF)). After 150 d, the results showed a significant increase in testicular cytokines levels including of IL-17A, IL-6, IFN-γ, and TNF-α in NaF and EAO groups compared with control group. Interestingly, the presence of specific antisperm autoantibodies in antitesticular autoantibodies and the notable recruitment of immunocyte (T cells and dendritic cells) were also observed in NaF and EAO groups. In addition, findings showed that in NaF and EAO groups macrophages and T cells both significantly secreted IL-17A, and the protein and mRNA levels of cytokines (IL-6 and TGF-β) were significantly increased. From these results, it can be concluded that autoimmune orchitis and IL-17A are implicated in F-induced testicular inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panhong Wu
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
| | - Zilong Sun
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
| | - Xiaoqian Lv
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
| | - Xuejing Pei
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
| | - Ram Kumar Manthari
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
| | - Jundong Wang
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Ecological Animal Science and Environmental Veterinary Medicine, College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine , Shanxi Agricultural University , Taigu , Shanxi 030801 , China
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Munipalli SB, Mounika MR, Aisha J, Yenugu S. Tlr1-13, Nod1/2 and antimicrobial gene expression in the epididymis and testis of rats with alloxan-induced diabetes. Andrologia 2019; 51:e13437. [PMID: 31637753 DOI: 10.1111/and.13437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 09/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) such as toll-like receptors (TLRs) and nuclear oligomerization domain (NOD) receptors along with antimicrobial proteins and peptides (AMPs) are crucial for innate immunity. The pathology of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is associated with the disrupted expression of TLRs, NODs and AMPs in the kidney, lungs and other organs. However, such a relation in the male reproductive tract is not yet investigated. In this study, we analysed the expression pattern of Tlr1-13, Nod1/2 receptors and AMPs (β-defensins and defensin-like proteins of the Sperm-Associated Antigen 11 (Spag11) family) in the male reproductive tissues (caput, cauda and testis) obtained from diabetic or insulin-treated diabetic or untreated control rats. Alterations in the expression pattern of Tlr1-13, Nod 1/ 2, Defb1, 2, 21, 24, 27, 30 and Spag11a/ c/ t were observed under diabetic conditions. Administration of insulin to diabetic rats could modulate the expression pattern of only some these genes. Results of our study indicate perturbed gene expression profile of Tlrs, Nod1/2, Defbs and Spag11 isoforms in the epididymis and testis of diabetic rats, and this could be one of the important reasons for the increased risk of infections in the male genital tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suresh Babu Munipalli
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Marri Reddy Mounika
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Jamil Aisha
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
| | - Suresh Yenugu
- Department of Animal Biology, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, India
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Fijak M, Pilatz A, Hedger MP, Nicolas N, Bhushan S, Michel V, Tung KSK, Schuppe HC, Meinhardt A. Infectious, inflammatory and 'autoimmune' male factor infertility: how do rodent models inform clinical practice? Hum Reprod Update 2018; 24:416-441. [PMID: 29648649 PMCID: PMC6016649 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmy009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2016] [Revised: 03/02/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2018] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Infection and inflammation of the reproductive tract are significant causes of male factor infertility. Ascending infections caused by sexually transmitted bacteria or urinary tract pathogens represent the most frequent aetiology of epididymo-orchitis, but viral, haematogenous dissemination is also a contributory factor. Limitations in adequate diagnosis and therapy reflect an obvious need for further understanding of human epididymal and testicular immunopathologies and their contribution to infertility. A major obstacle for advancing our knowledge is the limited access to suitable tissue samples. Similarly, the key events in the inflammatory or autoimmune pathologies affecting human male fertility are poorly amenable to close examination. Moreover, the disease processes generally have occurred long before the patient attends the clinic for fertility assessment. In this regard, data obtained from experimental animal models and respective comparative analyses have shown promise to overcome these restrictions in humans. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This narrative review will focus on male fertility disturbances caused by infection and inflammation, and the usefulness of the most frequently applied animal models to study these conditions. SEARCH METHODS An extensive search in Medline database was performed without restrictions until January 2018 using the following search terms: 'infection' and/or 'inflammation' and 'testis' and/or 'epididymis', 'infection' and/or 'inflammation' and 'male genital tract', 'male infertility', 'orchitis', 'epididymitis', 'experimental autoimmune' and 'orchitis' or 'epididymitis' or 'epididymo-orchitis', antisperm antibodies', 'vasectomy'. In addition to that, reference lists of primary and review articles were reviewed for additional publications independently by each author. Selected articles were verified by each two separate authors and discrepancies discussed within the team. OUTCOMES There is clear evidence that models mimicking testicular and/or epididymal inflammation and infection have been instructive in a better understanding of the mechanisms of disease initiation and progression. In this regard, rodent models of acute bacterial epididymitis best reflect the clinical situation in terms of mimicking the infection pathway, pathogens selected and the damage, such as fibrotic transformation, observed. Similarly, animal models of acute testicular and epididymal inflammation using lipopolysaccharides show impairment of reproduction, endocrine function and histological tissue architecture, also seen in men. Autoimmune responses can be studied in models of experimental autoimmune orchitis (EAO) and vasectomy. In particular, the early stages of EAO development showing inflammatory responses in the form of peritubular lymphocytic infiltrates, thickening of the lamina propria of affected tubules, production of autoantibodies against testicular antigens or secretion of pro-inflammatory mediators, replicate observations in testicular sperm extraction samples of patients with 'mixed atrophy' of spermatogenesis. Vasectomy, in the form of sperm antibodies and chronic inflammation, can also be studied in animal models, providing valuable insights into the human response. WIDER IMPLICATIONS This is the first comprehensive review of rodent models of both infectious and autoimmune disease of testis/epididymis, and their clinical implications, i.e. their importance in understanding male infertility related to infectious and non-infectious/autoimmune disease of the reproductive organs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Fijak
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
| | - Adrian Pilatz
- Clinic of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Germany
| | - Mark P Hedger
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nour Nicolas
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sudhanshu Bhushan
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
| | - Vera Michel
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
| | - Kenneth S K Tung
- Departments of Pathology and Microbiology, Beirne Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia, 345 Crispell Drive, Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Hans-Christian Schuppe
- Clinic of Urology, Pediatric Urology and Andrology, Justus-Liebig University of Giessen, Germany
| | - Andreas Meinhardt
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Unit of Reproductive Biology, Aulweg 123, Giessen, Germany
- Hudson Institute of Medical Research, 27-31 Wright Street, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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