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Arato I, Grande G, Barrachina F, Bellucci C, Lilli C, Jodar M, Aglietti MC, Mancini F, Vincenzoni F, Pontecorvi A, Calafiore R, Oliva R, Luca G, Mancuso F, Milardi D. " In vitro" Effect of Different Follicle-Stimulating Hormone Preparations on Sertoli Cells: Toward a Personalized Treatment for Male Infertility. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2020; 11:401. [PMID: 32625170 PMCID: PMC7314925 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), a major regulator of spermatogenesis, has a crucial function in the development and function of the testis and it is extensively given as a fertility treatment to stimulate spermatogenesis. We analyzed the effects of different FSH preparations (α-follitropin, β-follitropin, and urofollitropin) in combination with testosterone on porcine pre-pubertal Sertoli cells. To study the effect of the different FSH treatments in the Sertoli cell function we performed Real Time PCR analysis of AMH, inhibin B, and FSH-r, an ELISA assay for AMH and inhibin B, and a high-throughput comparative proteomic analysis. We verified that all three preparations induced a reduction of AMH in terms of mRNA and secreted proteins, and an increase of inhibin B in terms of mRNA in all the FSH formulations, while solely α-follitropin produced an increase of secreted inhibin B in the culture medium. Comparative proteomic analysis of the three FSH preparations identified 46 proteins, 11 up-regulated and 2 down-regulated. Surprisingly, the combination of testosterone with β-follitropin specifically induced an up-regulation of eight specific secreted proteins. Our study, showing that the three different FSH preparations induce different effects, could offer the opportunity to shed light inside new applications to a personalized reproductive medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iva Arato
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Grande
- Research Unit on Human Reproduction, International Scientific Institute Paul VI, Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli”, Rome, Italy
| | - Ferran Barrachina
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Catia Bellucci
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Cinzia Lilli
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Meritxell Jodar
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Francesca Mancini
- Research Unit on Human Reproduction, International Scientific Institute Paul VI, Rome, Italy
| | - Federica Vincenzoni
- Biochemistry and Clinical Biochemistry Institute, School of Medicine, Catholic University of Rome, Rome, Italy
- Department of Laboratory Diagnostic and Infectious Diseases, Fondazione Policlinico “A. Gemelli” IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Alfredo Pontecorvi
- Research Unit on Human Reproduction, International Scientific Institute Paul VI, Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli”, Rome, Italy
| | - Riccardo Calafiore
- Department of Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Division of Medical Andrology and Endocrinology of Reproduction, University of Perugia and Saint Mary Hospital, Terni, Italy
| | - Rafael Oliva
- Molecular Biology of Reproduction and Development Research Group, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics Service, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Giovanni Luca
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
- Division of Medical Andrology and Endocrinology of Reproduction, University of Perugia and Saint Mary Hospital, Terni, Italy
- *Correspondence: Giovanni Luca
| | - Francesca Mancuso
- Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Domenico Milardi
- Research Unit on Human Reproduction, International Scientific Institute Paul VI, Rome, Italy
- Division of Endocrinology, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario “Agostino Gemelli”, Rome, Italy
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Patel SK, Singh SK. Ontogeny of QRFP and its receptor expression in mouse testis during post-natal development. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 122:1217-1223. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2018.09.073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/12/2018] [Accepted: 09/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
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3
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Samitas K, Poulos N, Semitekolou M, Morianos I, Tousa S, Economidou E, Robinson DS, Kariyawasam HH, Zervas E, Corrigan CJ, Ying S, Xanthou G, Gaga M. Activin-A is overexpressed in severe asthma and is implicated in angiogenic processes. Eur Respir J 2016; 47:769-82. [PMID: 26869672 DOI: 10.1183/13993003.00437-2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 12/04/2015] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Activin-A is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates allergic inflammation. Its role in the regulation of angiogenesis, a key feature of airways remodelling in asthma, remains unexplored. Our objective was to investigate the expression of activin-A in asthma and its effects on angiogenesis in vitro.Expression of soluble/immunoreactive activin-A and its receptors was measured in serum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and endobronchial biopsies from 16 healthy controls, 19 patients with mild/moderate asthma and 22 severely asthmatic patients. In vitro effects of activin-A on baseline and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced human endothelial cell angiogenesis, signalling and cytokine release were compared with BALF concentrations of these cytokines in vivo.Activin-A expression was significantly elevated in serum, BALF and bronchial tissue of the asthmatics, while expression of its protein receptors was reduced. In vitro, activin-A suppressed VEGF-induced endothelial cell proliferation and angiogenesis, inducing autocrine production of anti-angiogenic soluble VEGF receptor (R)1 and interleukin (IL)-18, while reducing production of pro-angiogenic VEGFR2 and IL-17. In parallel, BALF concentrations of soluble VEGFR1 and IL-18 were significantly reduced in severe asthmatics in vivo and inversely correlated with angiogenesis.Activin-A is overexpressed and has anti-angiogenic effects in vitro that are not propagated in vivo, where reduced basal expression of its receptors is observed particularly in severe asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Samitas
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece These authors contributed equally
| | - Nikolaos Poulos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece These authors contributed equally
| | - Maria Semitekolou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece These authors contributed equally
| | - Ioannis Morianos
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Tousa
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Erasmia Economidou
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Douglas S Robinson
- Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre for Mechanisms of Allergic Asthma, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK
| | - Harsha H Kariyawasam
- Medical Research Council and Asthma UK Centre for Mechanisms of Allergic Asthma, National Heart and Lung Institute, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College, London, UK Department of Allergy and Medical Rhinology, Royal National Throat, Nose and Ear Hospital, University College, London, UK
| | - Eleftherios Zervas
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece
| | - Christopher J Corrigan
- Department of Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Science, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Sun Ying
- Department of Asthma, Allergy and Respiratory Science, King's College London School of Medicine, London, UK
| | - Georgina Xanthou
- Cellular Immunology Laboratory, Division of Cell Biology, Centre for Basic Research, Biomedical Research Foundation of the Academy of Athens, Athens, Greece Both authors contributed equally
| | - Mina Gaga
- 7th Respiratory Medicine Department and Asthma Centre, Athens Chest Hospital "Sotiria", Athens, Greece Both authors contributed equally
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Hedger MP, Winnall WR. Regulation of activin and inhibin in the adult testis and the evidence for functional roles in spermatogenesis and immunoregulation. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 359:30-42. [PMID: 21964464 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2011.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2011] [Revised: 09/16/2011] [Accepted: 09/16/2011] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Activin A provides a unique link between reproduction and immunity, which is especially significant in the adult testis. This cytokine, together with inhibin B and follistatin acting as regulators of activin A activity, is fundamentally involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis and testicular steroidogenesis. However, activin A also has a much broader role in control of inflammation, fibrosis and immunity. In the Sertoli cell, activin A is regulated by signalling pathways that normally regulate stress and inflammation, signalling pathways that intersect with the classical hormonal regulatory pathways mediated by FSH. Modulation of activin A production and activity during spermatogenesis is implicated in the fine control of the cycle of the seminiferous epithelium. The immunoregulatory properties of activin A also suggest that it may be involved in maintaining testicular immune privilege. Consequently, elevated activin A production within the testis during inflammation and infection may contribute to spermatogenic failure, fibrosis and testicular damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark P Hedger
- Monash Institute of Medical Research, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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Barakat B, Itman C, Mendis SH, Loveland KL. Activins and inhibins in mammalian testis development: new models, new insights. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2012; 359:66-77. [PMID: 22406273 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2012.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2011] [Revised: 02/20/2012] [Accepted: 02/21/2012] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
The discovery of activin and inhibins as modulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis has set the foundation for understanding their central importance to many facets of development and disease. This review contains an overview of the processes and cell types that are central to testis development and spermatogenesis and then provides an update focussed on information gathered over the past five years to address new concepts about how these proteins function to control testis development in fetal and juvenile life. Current knowledge about the interactive nature of the transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) superfamily signalling network is applied to recent findings about activins and inhibins in the testis. Information about the regulated synthesis of signalling components and signalling regulators in the testis is integrated with new concepts that demonstrate their functional significance. The importance of activin bioactivity levels or dosage in controlling balanced growth of spermatogonial cells and their niche at different stages of testis development is highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Barakat
- Monash Institute of Reproduction and Development, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
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Kim MN, Park MN, Jung HK, Cho C, Mayo KE, Cho BN. Changes in the reproductive function and developmental phenotypes in mice following intramuscular injection of an activin betaA-expressing plasmid. Reprod Biol Endocrinol 2008; 6:63. [PMID: 19077325 PMCID: PMC2639581 DOI: 10.1186/1477-7827-6-63] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2008] [Accepted: 12/16/2008] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The TGF-beta family protein activin has numerous reported activities with some uncertainty in the reproductive axis and development. The precise roles of activin in in vivo system were investigated using a transient gain of function model. METHODS To this end, an expression plasmid, pCMV-rAct, with the activin betaA cDNA fused to the cytomegalovirus promoter, was introduced into muscle of the female adult mice by direct injection. RESULTS Activin betaA mRNA was detected in the muscle by RT-PCR and subsequent Southern blot analysis. Activin betaA was also detected, and western blot analysis revealed a relatively high level of serum activin with correspondingly increased FSH. In the pCMV-rAct-injected female mice, estrus stage within the estrous cycle was extended. Moreover, increased numbers of corpora lutea and a thickened granulosa cell layer with a small antrum in tertiary follicles within the ovary were observed. When injected female mice were mated with males of proven fertility, a subset of embryos died in utero, and most of those that survived exhibited increased body weight. CONCLUSION Taken together, our data reveal that activin betaA can directly influence the estrous cycle, an integral part of the reproduction in female mice and activin betaA can also influence the embryo development as an endocrine fashion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mi-Nyeu Kim
- Department of Life Science/Research Center for Biopharmaceutical Lead Molecule, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 420-743, Korea
| | - Moon Nyeo Park
- Department of Life Science/Research Center for Biopharmaceutical Lead Molecule, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 420-743, Korea
| | - Hoi Kyung Jung
- Department of Life Science/Research Center for Biopharmaceutical Lead Molecule, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 420-743, Korea
| | - Chunghee Cho
- Department of Life Science, Kwangju Institute of Science and Technology (K-JIST), Kwangju, Korea
| | - Kelly E Mayo
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology and Cell Biology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, USA
| | - Byung-Nam Cho
- Department of Life Science/Research Center for Biopharmaceutical Lead Molecule, The Catholic University of Korea, Bucheon, 420-743, Korea
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7
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Barakat B, O'Connor AE, Gold E, de Kretser DM, Loveland KL. Inhibin, activin, follistatin and FSH serum levels and testicular production are highly modulated during the first spermatogenic wave in mice. Reproduction 2008; 136:345-59. [DOI: 10.1530/rep-08-0140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 105] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Testicular development is governed by the combined influence of hormones and proteins, including FSH, inhibins, activins and follistatin (FST). This study documents the expression of these proteins and their corresponding mRNAs, in testes and serum from mice aged 0 through 91 dayspost partum(dpp), using real-time PCR,in situhybridisation, immunohistochemistry, ELISA and RIA. Serum immunoactive total inhibin and FSH levels were negatively correlated during development, with FSH levels rising and inhibin levels falling. Activin A production changed significantly during development, with subunit mRNA and protein levels declining rapidly after 4 dpp, while simultaneously levels of the activin antagonists, FST and inhibin/activin βC, increased. Inhibin/activin βAand βBsubunit mRNAs were detected in Sertoli, germ and Leydig cells throughout testis development, with the βAsubunit also detected in peritubular myoid cells. The α, βA, βBand βCsubunit proteins were detected in Sertoli and Leydig cells of developing and adult mouse testes. While βAand βBsubunit proteins were observed in spermatogonia and spermatocytes in immature testes, βCwas localised to leptotene and zygotene spermatocytes in immature and adult testes. Nuclear βAsubunit protein was observed in primary spermatocytes and nuclear βCsubunit in gonocytes and round spermatids. The changing spatial and temporal distributions of inhibins and activins indicate that their modulated synthesis and action are important during onset of murine spermatogenesis. This study provides a foundation for evaluation of these proteins in mice with disturbed testicular development, enabling their role in normal and perturbed spermatogenesis to be more fully understood.
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8
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Herrid M, O'Shea T, McFarlane JR. Ontogeny of leptin and its receptor expression in mouse testis during the postnatal period. Mol Reprod Dev 2008; 75:874-80. [DOI: 10.1002/mrd.20796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
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9
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Furland NE, Zanetti SR, Oresti GM, Maldonado EN, Aveldaño MI. Ceramides and sphingomyelins with high proportions of very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in mammalian germ cells. J Biol Chem 2007; 282:18141-18150. [PMID: 17392276 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m700708200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Very long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLCPUFA) have previously been shown to be components of sphingomyelin (SM) of mammalian testis and spermatozoa. Here we examined the fatty acids of testicular ceramide (Cer) in comparison with those of SM in some mammals with a special focus on the rat testis. In bull, cat, dog, rabbit, mouse, and rat, VLCPUFA were found in both testicular lipids, Cer having a higher percentage of VLCPUFA than SM. Rat testis had the highest percentage of VLCPUFA in both lipids, the major ones being 28:4n-6 and 30:5n-6. VLCPUFA-containing SM and Cer occurred in cells located in the seminiferous tubules, where germ cells had a higher percentage of these species than Sertoli cells. Seminiferous tubule fractionation showed that SM and Cer of mitochondria and lysosomes had mostly saturates and negligible VLCPUFA, the latter being important in the SM and Cer of microsomes and other membrane fractions. VLCPUFA were absent from the SM and Cer of rat prepuberal testis, increased with the onset of spermatogenesis to account for nearly 15 and 40% of the total fatty acids of testicular SM and Cer, respectively, remained at those levels throughout the adult life of fertile rats and tended to decrease at advanced ages. Four conditions that lead to selective death of germ cells in vivo, namely experimental cryptorchidism, post-ischemic reperfusion, focalized x-ray irradiation and treatments with the antineoplasic drug doxorubicin, caused the VLCPUFA to disappear from the testicular SM and Cer of adult fertile rats, showing that these lipids are specific traits of spermatogenic cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia E Furland
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas y Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000-Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Samanta R Zanetti
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas y Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000-Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Gerardo M Oresti
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas y Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000-Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Eduardo N Maldonado
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas y Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000-Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Marta I Aveldaño
- Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de Bahía Blanca, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas y Universidad Nacional del Sur, 8000-Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
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Gold EJ, O'Bryan MK, Mellor SL, Cranfield M, Risbridger GP, Groome NP, Fleming JS. Cell-specific expression of betaC-activin in the rat reproductive tract, adrenal and liver. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2004; 222:61-9. [PMID: 15249126 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2004.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2003] [Accepted: 05/06/2004] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
betaC-activin expression was assessed in rat tissues, using reverse transcription and real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry with a specific monoclonal antibody. betaC-activin mRNA was predominantly expressed in liver, but significant amounts were found in rat whole pituitary extracts (n = 5), and in three of five extracts of ovary, testis, and adrenal gland. Specific betaC-activin immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes, neurosecretory cell terminals in posterior pituitary, ovarian primordial follicles, theca interna, large luteal cells and rete ovarii, spermatogonia, pachytene spermatocytes and Leydig cells of the testis, uterine endometrium, oviduct epithelium and zona glomerulosa of the adrenal. The observation of stage-specific expression in gonadal cells suggests this activin subunit has specific roles, different from those of other activin/inhibin subunits. Small amounts of mRNA in the presence of significant betaC-activin protein highlights the importance of examining betaC-activin expression at both the mRNA and protein level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elspeth J Gold
- Department of Anatomy and Structural Biology and Centre for Gene Research, University of Otago, School of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box 913, Dunedin, New Zealand
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Florio P, Ciarmela P, Toti P, Maguer-Satta V, Rimokh R, Buonocore G, Rossi M, Gioffrè W, Petraglia F. Human endometrium and decidua express follistatin-related gene (FLRG) mRNA and peptide. Mol Cell Endocrinol 2004; 218:129-35. [PMID: 15130517 DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2003.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2003] [Revised: 12/06/2003] [Accepted: 12/08/2003] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Activin-A is expressed by human endometrium, and the actions are counteracted by follistatin, its binding protein. We evaluated the endometrial mRNA and peptide expression of follistatin-related gene (FLRG), a protein that binds activin-A, preventing its interaction. By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry, FLRG expression was evaluated in tissues collected at early proliferative (EP; n = 8) and late proliferative (LP; n = 8); early secretory (ES; n = 9) and late secretory (LS; n = 10); and in pregnancy, maternal decidua (MD; n = 12). FLRG mRNA was expressed by all samples, and semi-quantitative analysis showed that FLRG expression was significantly ( P < 0.001) higher in MD. FLRG was strongly immunolocalized in epithelial cells of glands and vessel walls (cytoplasma and nucleus), but only in the stromal cells nucleus. In MD, FLRG immunostaining was found in the nucleus and cytoplasm of vessel endothelium, gland epithelial, and decidualized stromal cells. In conclusion, FLRG is expressed by the human endometrium, and the different cellular localization suggests novel putative functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Florio
- Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, viale Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy
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Oren A, Toporik A, Biton S, Almogy N, Eshel D, Bernstein J, Savitsky K, Rotman G. hCHL2, a novel chordin-related gene, displays differential expression and complex alternative splicing in human tissues and during myoblast and osteoblast maturation. Gene 2004; 331:17-31. [PMID: 15094188 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2004.01.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2003] [Revised: 12/01/2003] [Accepted: 01/08/2004] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Chordin-like cysteine-rich repeats (CRs) are conserved domains present in an expanding family of secreted proteins that associate with members of the TGF beta superfamily. In this study, we report the molecular cloning and characterization of CHL2 (chordin-like 2), a novel protein closely related to CHL (chordin-like). Both are members of the chordin family of proteins, and contain a signal peptide and three CR domains. We found that recombinant human CHL2 (hCHL2) protein is secreted and binds activin A, but not BMP-2, -4, or -6. Expression of hCHL2 mRNA and protein was detected in a variety of human tissues and is particularly abundant in the uterus. Extensive and complex alternative splicing of hCHL2 was observed in different tissues, resulting in several distinct protein isoforms that vary substantially in the presence of a signal peptide and their content of CR domains. Differential expression of CHL2 variants was observed during myoblast and osteoblast differentiation, implying a role for this gene in these physiological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Oren
- Compugen Ltd., 72 Pinchas Rosen St., Tel Aviv 69512, Israel
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13
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Matsuzaki S, Cruzana MB, Budipitojo T, Hondo E, Watanabe G, Taya K, Sasaki M, Kitamura N, Yamada J. Immunohistochemical localization of inhibin subunits in the testis of the bull. Anat Histol Embryol 2001; 30:375-8. [PMID: 11820408 DOI: 10.1046/j.1439-0264.2001.00350.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
The differential localization of the inhibin beta subunits betaA and betaB in the testis of adult bull was studied using specific monoclonal and polyclonal primary antibodies. Inhibin betaA- and betaB-subunits were localized only in the Sertoli cells. The inhibin betaA-subunit was observed in the cytoplasm while the betaB-subunit was localized in the nucleus. No specific findings depending on spermatogenic stages were observed among the seminiferous tubules. Moreover, the inhibin alpha-subunit was not detected in the testis of the bulls. In addition, no inhibin subunits were detected in the Leydig cells and spermatogenic cells. These findings indicate the presence of betaA- and betaB-subunits in the bull, which may suggest a possibility that activin is produced and/or stored in the Sertoli cells and regulates spermatogenesis in an autocrine/paracrine manner. Moreover, the inhibin betaB-subunit may be produced in the nucleus but the functional meaning of this is not yet clear.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Matsuzaki
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Obihiro University of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Japan
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Tortoriello DV, Sidis Y, Holtzman DA, Holmes WE, Schneyer AL. Human follistatin-related protein: a structural homologue of follistatin with nuclear localization. Endocrinology 2001; 142:3426-34. [PMID: 11459787 DOI: 10.1210/endo.142.8.8319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Follistatin-related protein is a recently discovered glycoprotein that is highly homologous in both primary sequence and exon/intron domain structure to the activin-binding protein, follistatin. We explored their potential for functional redundancy by investigating the relative affinities and kinetics of their interactions with activin, bone morphogenic protein-6, and bone morphogenic protein-7 and by exploring their expression and distribution in human tissues and cells. Follistatin and follistatin-related protein mRNA were ubiquitous by Northern analyses, although their sites of peak distribution differed, with follistatin-related protein and follistatin predominating in the placenta and ovary, respectively. Follistatin-related protein, like follistatin, preferentially bound activin with high affinity and in an essentially irreversible fashion. Although follistatin-related protein, like follistatin, possesses a signal sequence and no known nuclear localization signals, its secretion was undetectable in most cell lines by RIA. Intriguingly, follistatin-related protein was identified as a nuclear protein in human granulosa cells and all human cell lines tested. Furthermore, Western analyses of CHO cells transfected with human follistatin-related protein revealed this protein to reside within the insoluble nuclear protein fraction. We conclude that despite its remarkably high level of similarity to follistatin with regard to structure and activin binding kinetics, follistatin-related protein is a nuclear as well as a secretory protein that may perform distinct intracellular actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D V Tortoriello
- Reproductive Endocrine Unit and National Center for Infertility Research, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts 02144, USA.
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Abstract
Activin A is a pluripotent growth factor with important roles in development, erythropoiesis and the local regulation of many tissues. At the post-translational level, the amount of activin A produced by cells may be modulated through the diversion of activin A subunits into the formation of inhibin or other activins containing heterodimeric forms. Once assembled, activin interacts with various low- and high-affinity binding proteins, such as follistatin and alpha(2)-macroglobulin, that have consequences for receptor availability. In common with other TGFbeta family members, activin signals through pairs of type I and II receptor kinases and the Smad intracellular signalling cascade. Other checkpoints have been identified such as the recently identified pseudoreceptor, BAMBI. These emerging findings point to a tightly coordinated regulation of the exposure of a cell or tissue to activin, consistent with the low amounts of this potent factor that are necessary to modulate cellular responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- D J Phillips
- Monash Institute of Reproduction & Development, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia.
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