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Sheibak N, Zandieh Z, Amjadi F, Aflatoonian R. How sperm protects itself: A journey in the female reproductive system. J Reprod Immunol 2024; 163:104222. [PMID: 38489929 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2024.104222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Sperm must pass a complex route in the female reproductive tract (FRT) to reach the fertilization site and join the oocyte. Thus, it should employ several mechanisms to survive against the female immune system, fertilize the oocyte, and successfully transmit paternal genes to the next generation. In addition to self-protection, sperm may be involved in the immune tolerance to the developing embryo and regulating the FRT for embryo implantation and subsequent pregnancy. Hence, this review intends to summarize the mechanisms that protect sperm in the FRT: including immunomodulatory factors that are carried by seminal plasma, cell-to-cell and molecular interaction of sperm with epithelial and immune cells of the FRT, high regulated secretions of inflammatory factors such as cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors, inducing immune tolerance to paternal antigens, and specialized expression of cell receptors and binding proteins. In most of these events sperm induces the FRT to protect itself by modulating immune responses for its own benefit. However, not all sperm in the semen are able to trigger the survival mechanisms and only high-quality sperm will overcome this challenge. A clear understanding of the molecular mechanisms that maintain sperm viability and function in the FRT can lead to new knowledge about infertility etiology and a new approach in assisted reproductive technologies for the preparation and selection of the best sperm based on the criteria that physiologically happen in-vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadia Sheibak
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Zandieh
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemehsadat Amjadi
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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2
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Zandieh Z, Govahi A, Aghamajidi A, Raoufi E, Amjadi F, Aghajanpour S, Golestan M, Aflatoonian R. TLR-1, TLR-2, and TLR-6 MYD88-dependent signaling pathway: A potential factor in the interaction of high-DNA fragmentation human sperm with fallopian tube epithelial cells. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2023; 50:44-52. [PMID: 36935411 PMCID: PMC10030203 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2022.05610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The DNA integrity of spermatozoa that attach to fallopian tube (FT) cells is higher than spermatozoa that do not attach. FT epithelial cells can distinguish normal and abnormal sperm chromatin. This study investigated the effects of sperm with a high-DNA fragmentation index (DFI) from men with unexplained repeated implantation failure (RIF) on the Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling pathway in human FT cells in vitro. METHODS Ten men with a RIF history and high-DFI and 10 healthy donors with low-DFI comprised the high-DFI (>30%) and control (<30%) groups, respectively. After fresh semen preparation, sperm were co-cultured with a human FT epithelial cell line (OE-E6/E7) for 24 hours. RNA was extracted from the cell line and the human innate and adaptive immune responses were tested using an RT2 profiler polymerase chain reaction (PCR) array. RESULTS The PCR array data showed significantly higher TLR-1, TLR-2, TLR-3, TLR-6, interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-12, interferon α (IFN-α), IFN-β, tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), CXCL8, GM-CSF, G-CSF, CD14, ELK1, IRAK1, IRAK2, IRAK4, IRF1, IRF3, LY96, MAP2K3, MAP2K4, MAP3K7, MAP4K4, MAPK8, MAPK8IP3, MYD88, NFKB1, NFKB2, REL, TIRAP, and TRAF6 expression in the high-DFI group than in the control group. These factors are all involved in the TLR-MyD88 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION The MyD88-dependent pathway through TLR-1, TLR-2, and TLR-6 activation may be one of the main inflammatory pathways activated by high-DFI sperm from men with RIF. Following activation of this pathway, epithelial cells produce inflammatory cytokines, resulting in neutrophil infiltration, activation, phagocytosis, neutrophil extracellular trap formation, and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Zandieh
- Reproductive Sciences and Technology Research Center, Department of Anatomy, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azam Govahi
- Endometriosis Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Azin Aghamajidi
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ehsan Raoufi
- Department of Medical Biotechnology, School of Allied Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemehsadat Amjadi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Aghajanpour
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoomeh Golestan
- Department of Advanced Medical Sciences & Technologies, School of Medicine, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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3
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Csöbönyeiová M, Varga I, Lapides L, Pavlíková L, Feitscherová C, Klein M. From a Passive Conduit to Highly Dynamic Organ. What are the Roles of Uterine Tube Epithelium in Reproduction? Physiol Res 2022. [DOI: 10.33549/physiolres.934954] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well known that the mammalian uterine tube (UT) plays a crucial role in female fertility, where the most important events leading to successful fertilization and pre-implantation embryo development occur. The known functions of these small intra-abdominal organs are: an uptake and transport of oocytes; storage, transportation, and capacitation of spermatozoa, and finally fertilization and transport of the fertilized ovum and early embryo through the isthmus towards the uterotubal junction. The success of all these events depends on the interaction between the uterine tube epithelium (UTE) and gametes/embryo. Besides that, contemporary research revealed that the tubal epithelium provides essential nutritional support and the most suitable environment for early embryo development. Moreover, recent discoveries in molecular biology help understand the role of the epithelium at the cellular and molecular levels, highlighting the factors involved in regulating the UT signaling, that affects different steps in the fertilization process. According to the latest research, the extracellular vesicles, as a major component of tubal secretion, mediate the interaction between gametes/embryo and epithelium. This review aims to provide up-to-date knowledge on various aspects concerning tubal epithelium activity and its cross-talk with spermatozoa, oocytes and preimplantation embryo and how these interactions affect fertilization and early embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - I Varga
- Institute of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovak Republic.
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4
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Alipour R, Sereshki N, Rafiee M, Ahmadipanah V, Pashoutan Sarvar D, Rahimian K, Wilkinson D. The effect of probiotic bacteria on toll-like receptor-2 and -4 expression by spermatozoa in couples with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion. Biochem Biophys Rep 2022; 33:101390. [PMID: 36504703 PMCID: PMC9732116 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrep.2022.101390] [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: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The disturbance of microbiota composition in the female reproductive tract (FRT) can result in several reproductive disorders. Spermatozoa express toll like receptors (TLRs) and may encounter many types of microbiota in the FRT, however no study has been performed regarding the interaction between spermatozoa TLRs and FRT microbiota in unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) and fertile couples. In this study, we investigate the interaction of vaginal lactobacillus casei probiotic as a representative of FRT microbiota with TLR2 and 4 on spermatozoa. Ten fertile couples and ten URSA couples were involved in this study. Untreated and lactobacillus casei probiotic treated purified spermatozoa were evaluated for TLR2 and 4 expression by flow cytometry. Vaginal lactobacillus casei probiotic treatment of spermatozoa led to increased expression of TLR4 and decreased expression of TLR2 on spermatozoa in both URSA and fertile couples. Vaginal lactobacillus casei probiotic led to an increase in TLR4 expression and a decrease in TLR2 expression on spermatozoa in fertile and URSA groups. However, the disturbed expression of TLR2 and 4 was not completely correct, and further studies with other types of vaginal lactobacilli are needed. In contrast to our expectation, vaginal lactobacillus casei probiotic could not improve the disturbed expression of TLR2 and TLR4 in the RSA group. This could be due to small sample size and the use of one type of lactobacillus. Therefore, further study needs to be performed with other types of lactobacilli to determine the effect of microbiota and probiotics on spermatozoa function such as motility, acrosome reaction, sperm capacitation, sperm and egg fusion and spermatozoa motility and apoptosis and etc. Nevertheless, this study can provide a first step to investigate the effectiveness of vaginal microbiota on spermatozoa, and consequently design new strategies for RSA couples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Razieh Alipour
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Nasrin Sereshki
- Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran,Corresponding author. Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Mitra Rafiee
- Department of Immunology, Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
| | | | | | - Kourosh Rahimian
- Medical Laboratory Sciences, Pasteur Clinical Laboratory, Sanandaj, Iran
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5
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Mohammadi R, Mousavi SO, Sheibak N, Amjadi F, Zandieh Z, Aghajanpour S, Aflatoonian K, Sabbaghian M, Eslami M, Aflatoonian R. Sperm-oviduct interaction: Differential gene expression of growth factors induced by sperm DNA fragmentation. Andrologia 2022; 54:e14378. [PMID: 35274330 DOI: 10.1111/and.14378] [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: 10/15/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effects of DNA fragmentation of spermatozoa on the growth factors expression by a human oviduct epithelial cell line (OE-E6/E7). Two separate groups were examined in this study. The cell line was cultured in the presence of spermatozoa with normal DNA fragmentation index (DFI) or abnormal DFI. Total RNA from the cell line in each group was isolated, and relative expression of objective genes was analysed using PCR array. Also, the concentration of VEGF, BMP-2, BMP-7 and MSTN in the supernatant of cell culture was analysed by the ELISA method. The PCR array analysis revealed that most of the growth factors had been upregulated in the abnormal group. However, the differences between groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05) for five genes, including VEGF-A, BMP-2, BMP-6, BMP-7 and OSM. Furthermore, MSTN was the only gene that down-regulated significantly under the influence of the spermatozoa with abnormal DFI. Moreover, the results of ELISA analysis were in agreement with the data of the PCR array. It has been concluded that DNA fragmentation in human spermatozoa can probably change regular events throughout the oviducts. Consequently, the genes of interest may change sperm function and probably its fate in the female reproductive tract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roudabeh Mohammadi
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyed Omidreza Mousavi
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nadia Sheibak
- Department of Anatomical Science, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemehsadat Amjadi
- Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Zandieh
- Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Aghajanpour
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Science, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Marjan Sabbaghian
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Eslami
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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Taraschi A, Cimini C, Colosimo A, Ramal-Sanchez M, Moussa F, Mokh S, Valbonetti L, Capacchietti G, Tagaram I, Bernabò N, Barboni B. Human Immune System Diseasome Networks and Female Oviductal Microenvironment: New Horizons to be Discovered. Front Genet 2022; 12:795123. [PMID: 35154249 PMCID: PMC8829125 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.795123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human hypofertility and infertility are two worldwide conditions experiencing nowadays an alarming increase due to a complex ensemble of events. The immune system has been suggested as one of the responsible for some of the etiopathogenic mechanisms involved in these conditions. To shed some light into the strong correlation between the reproductive and immune system, as can be inferred by the several and valuable manuscripts published to date, here we built a network using a useful bioinformatic tool (DisGeNET), in which the key genes involved in the sperm-oviduct interaction were linked. This constitutes an important event related with Human fertility since this interaction, and specially the spermatozoa, represents a not-self entity immunotolerated by the female. As a result, we discovered that some proteins involved in the sperm-oviduct interaction are implicated in several immune system diseases while, at the same time, some immune system diseases could interfere by using different pathways with the reproduction process. The data presented here could be of great importance to understand the involvement of the immune system in fertility reduction in Humans, setting the basis for potential immune therapeutic tools in the near future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Taraschi
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise “G. Caporale”, Teramo, Italy
| | - Costanza Cimini
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Alessia Colosimo
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Marina Ramal-Sanchez
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Fadl Moussa
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Doctoral School of Science and Technology Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Samia Mokh
- National Council for Scientific Research (CNRS), Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission (LAEC), Laboratory for Analysis of Organic Compound (LACO), Beiru, Lebanon
| | - Luca Valbonetti
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (CNR-IBBC/EMMA/Infrafrontier/IMPC), National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Capacchietti
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Israiel Tagaram
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
| | - Nicola Bernabò
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
- Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (CNR-IBBC/EMMA/Infrafrontier/IMPC), National Research Council, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Nicola Bernabò,
| | - Barbara Barboni
- Faculty of Biosciences and Technology for Food, Agriculture and Environment, University of Teramo, Teramo, Italy
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7
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Mousavi SO, Mohammadi R, Amjadi F, Zandieh Z, Aghajanpour S, Aflatoonian K, Sabbaghian M, Eslami M, Madani T, Aflatoonian R. Immunological response of fallopian tube epithelial cells to spermatozoa through modulating cytokines and chemokines. J Reprod Immunol 2021; 146:103327. [PMID: 34052728 DOI: 10.1016/j.jri.2021.103327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spermatozoa interactions with fallopian tubes may influence fertilization. The purpose was to investigate cytokines, chemokines and growth factors expression from human fallopian tube epithelial cells (OE-E6/E7) exposed to spermatozoa. METHODS Fresh semen samples were obtained from 10 healthy normozoospermic men. Sperms were prepared and co-cultured with OE-E6/E7. The cell line without spermatozoa was considered as the control group. Afterwards, Expression of 84 cytokines from OE-E6/E7 cell line in the presence and absence of spermatozoa were measured using PCR-array. Quantitative PCR was performed on seven genes to confirm the results of PCR-array analysis. Differentially expressed genes were subjected to www.geneontology.org and www.pantherdb.org to perform GO enrichment and panther pathway analysis. The concentration of IL-8, IL-10, IL-1B and BMP-4 in culture medium were analyzed by ELISA. RESULTS Sperm interaction with the epithelial cells resulted in a significant increase in expression of TGF-β2, BMP-4, IL-10, IL-9, and CD40LG markers. Moreover, expression of IL-16, IL-17F, SPP-1, CXCL-13, MSTN, IL-1A, IL-1B, IL-8, BMP-7, CSF-2, CSF-3, VEGF-A, OSM, LTA, TNF, TNFRSF11B, TNFSF11, CCL-11, CCL-20, CCL-24, CCL-3, CCL-8, CX3CL1 and CXCL-9 were considerably reduced in presence of spermatozoa. Panther pathway analysis discovered 3 pathways for upregulated genes including gonadotropin-releasing hormone receptor, TGF-beta and interleukin signaling pathways. Furthermore, 9 pathways were detected for down-regulated genes. Inflammation signaling pathway which is mediated by chemokine and cytokine contains the most number of genes. CONCLUSION This study indicates that sperm modifies expression of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors from OE-E6/E7. Moreover, altered genes expression are toward higher survival chance of the spermatozoa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Omidreza Mousavi
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roudabeh Mohammadi
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemehsadat Amjadi
- Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Zandieh
- Shahid Akbarabadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU), Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Samaneh Aghajanpour
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Marjan Sabbaghian
- Department of Andrology, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Maryam Eslami
- Applied Biotechnology Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh Madani
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.
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8
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Ajdary M, Ashrafi M, Aflatoonian R, Mehdizadeh M. The role of sperm in inducing genomic changes in the implantation: An experimental study. Andrologia 2021; 53:e14077. [PMID: 33909315 DOI: 10.1111/and.14077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 04/02/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Endometrial receptivity and implantation are important topics in reproductive sciences. No evidence was found to support sperm involvement in endometrial receptivity and its associated factors. This study aimed to explore the effect of the normal human spermatozoa-endometrium cell interaction in regulating genes in the endometrial receptivity pathway. Semen samples were collected from a healthy and fertile man; then, they were incubated with endometrial cells for 24 hr and considered as the sperm group. A group was cultured without spermatozoa and considered as a control group. About 24 hr later, cells were collected from the bottom of the culture dish. The expressions of the VEGF, FGF2, HBEGF, LIFR, EGF, LIF, MUC1, HOXA10, CSF and PGR genes were evaluated in the two groups. Statistical analysis was performed using an independent sample test. Compared with the control group, in the sperm group, the mRNA levels of PGR (p = .0451), VEGF (p = .0101), HBEGF (p = .0163), EFG (p = .0339), FGF2 (p = .012), LIF (p = .0324), LIFR (p = .0321) and HOXA10 (p = .0098) were significantly upregulated. The results showed that there is a need for the interaction between spermatozoa and endometrium for implantation and can be used for preparing uterine in in vitro fertilisation cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marziyeh Ajdary
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahnaz Ashrafi
- Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi Mehdizadeh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Anatomical Science, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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9
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Batra V, Dagar K, Nayak S, Kumaresan A, Kumar R, Datta TK. A Higher Abundance of O-Linked Glycans Confers a Selective Advantage to High Fertile Buffalo Spermatozoa for Immune-Evasion From Neutrophils. Front Immunol 2020; 11:1928. [PMID: 32983120 PMCID: PMC7483552 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The glycans on the plasma membrane of cells manifest as the glycocalyx, which serves as an information-rich frontier that is directly in contact with its immediate milieu. The glycoconjugates (GCs) that adorn most of the mammalian cells are also abundant in gametes, especially the spermatozoa where they perform unique reproduction-specific functions e.g., inter-cellular recognition and communication. This study aimed to implicate the sperm glycosylation pattern as one of the factors responsible for low conception rates observed in buffalo bulls. We hypothesized that a differential abundance of glycans exists on the spermatozoa from bulls of contrasting fertilizing abilities endowing them with differential immune evasion abilities. Therefore, we investigated the role of glycan abundance in the phagocytosis and NETosis rates exhibited by female neutrophils (PMNs) upon exposure to such spermatozoa. Our results indicated that the spermatozoa from high fertile (HF) bulls possessed a higher abundance of O-linked glycans e.g., galactosyl (β-1,3)N-acetylgalactosamine and N-linked glycans like [GlcNAc]1-3, N-acetylglucosamine than the low fertile (LF) bull spermatozoa. This differential glycomic endowment appeared to affect the spermiophagy and NETosis rates exhibited by the female neutrophil cells (PMNs). The mean percentage of phagocytizing PMNs was significantly different (P < 0.0001) for HF and LF bulls, 28.44 and 59.59%, respectively. Furthermore, any introduced perturbations in the inherent sperm glycan arrangements promoted phagocytosis by PMNs. For example, after in vitro capacitation the mean phagocytosis rate (MPR) rate in spermatozoa from HF bulls significantly increased to 66.49% (P < 0.01). Likewise, the MPR increased to 70.63% (p < 0.01) after O-glycosidase & α2-3,6,8,9 Neuraminidase A treatment of spermatozoa from HF bulls. Moreover, the percentage of PMNs forming neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) was significantly higher, 41.47% when exposed to spermatozoa from LF bulls vis-à-vis the spermatozoa from HF bulls, 15.46% (P < 0.0001). This is a pioneer report specifically demonstrating the role of O-linked glycans in the immune responses mounted against spermatozoa. Nevertheless, further studies are warranted to provide the measures to diagnose the sub-fertile phenotype thus preventing the losses incurred by incorrect selection of morphologically normal sperm in the AI/IVF reproduction techniques.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vipul Batra
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Komal Dagar
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Samiksha Nayak
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Arumugam Kumaresan
- Theriogenelogy Laboratory, SRS of National Dairy Research Institute, Bengaluru, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
| | - Tirtha K Datta
- Animal Genomics Laboratory, Animal Biotechnology Centre, National Dairy Research Institute, Karnal, India
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10
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Massa E, Pelusa F, Lo Celso A, Madariaga MJ, Filocco L, Morente C, Ghersevich S. Lactoferrin levels in cervical fluid from in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients - correlation with IVF parameters. Biochem Cell Biol 2020; 99:91-96. [PMID: 32476453 DOI: 10.1139/bcb-2020-0098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Since our previous results suggest that lactoferrin (LF) might have roles in the reproductive process and that its levels might change in the female tract as a response to various factors, the aim of this investigation was to assess whether LF levels in cervical secretions correlate with reproductive parameters from in vitro fertilization (IVF) patients. Cervical fluid samples were obtained from 34 women under 40 years old enrolled for assisted reproduction techniques, and LF concentration was measured. The mean total protein concentration in all cervical fluid samples was 842.8 ± 116.9 µg/mL. The mean concentration of LF was 0.73 ± 0.06 ng LF/µg of total proteins. We observed that higher LF levels in cervical fluid correlated with lower IVF rates when all patients were analyzed; this negative correlation was also sustained when only patients ≥35 years were studied. The mean LF concentration in cervical fluid was significantly lower among patients with normal IVF rates than in those with values 50% or less. Using a LF cutoff value of 0.83 ng/μg of total proteins, the study revealed a significant association between the LF levels below 0.83 ng/µg of total proteins and IVF rates above 50%. LF levels in cervical mucus could potentially be used as a marker of fertilization outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Estefanía Massa
- Area of Clinical Biochemistry, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2000 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Fabián Pelusa
- Area of Clinical Biochemistry, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2000 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Agustina Lo Celso
- Area of Clinical Biochemistry, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2000 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - María José Madariaga
- Area of Morphology, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2000 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Luciana Filocco
- PROAR - Programa de Asistencia Reproductiva de Rosario, Güemes 2349, S2000 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Carlos Morente
- PROAR - Programa de Asistencia Reproductiva de Rosario, Güemes 2349, S2000 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Sergio Ghersevich
- Area of Clinical Biochemistry, Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas, Universidad Nacional de Rosario, Suipacha 531, S2000 Rosario, Santa Fe, Argentina
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11
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Xu JZ, Kumar R, Gong H, Liu L, Ramos-Solis N, Li Y, Derbigny WA. Toll-Like Receptor 3 Deficiency Leads to Altered Immune Responses to Chlamydia trachomatis Infection in Human Oviduct Epithelial Cells. Infect Immun 2019; 87:e00483-19. [PMID: 31383744 PMCID: PMC6759307 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00483-19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Reproductive tract pathology caused by Chlamydia trachomatis infection is an important global cause of human infertility. To better understand the mechanisms associated with Chlamydia-induced genital tract pathogenesis in humans, we used CRISPR genome editing to disrupt Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3) function in the human oviduct epithelial (hOE) cell line OE-E6/E7 in order to investigate the possible role(s) of TLR3 signaling in the immune response to Chlamydia Disruption of TLR3 function in these cells significantly diminished the Chlamydia-induced synthesis of several inflammation biomarkers, including interferon beta (IFN-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-6 receptor alpha (IL-6Rα), soluble interleukin-6 receptor beta (sIL-6Rβ, or gp130), IL-8, IL-20, IL-26, IL-34, soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1 (sTNF-R1), tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 13B (TNFSF13B), matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), MMP-2, and MMP-3. In contrast, the Chlamydia-induced synthesis of CCL5, IL-29 (IFN-λ1), and IL-28A (IFN-λ2) was significantly increased in TLR3-deficient hOE cells compared to their wild-type counterparts. Our results indicate a role for TLR3 signaling in limiting the genital tract fibrosis, scarring, and chronic inflammation often associated with human chlamydial disease. Interestingly, we saw that Chlamydia infection induced the production of biomarkers associated with persistence, tumor metastasis, and autoimmunity, such as soluble CD163 (sCD163), chitinase-3-like protein 1, osteopontin, and pentraxin-3, in hOE cells; however, their expression levels were significantly dysregulated in TLR3-deficient hOE cells. Finally, we demonstrate using hOE cells that TLR3 deficiency resulted in an increased amount of chlamydial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) within Chlamydia inclusions, which is suggestive that TLR3 deficiency leads to enhanced chlamydial replication and possibly increased genital tract pathogenesis during human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerry Z Xu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ramesh Kumar
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Haoli Gong
- Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Luyao Liu
- Xiangya Second Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China
| | - Nicole Ramos-Solis
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Yujing Li
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Wilbert A Derbigny
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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12
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Tecle E, Reynoso HS, Wang R, Gagneux P. The female reproductive tract contains multiple innate sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) that facilitate sperm survival. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:11910-11919. [PMID: 31201275 PMCID: PMC6682739 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.008729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
A sperm that fertilizes an egg has successfully survived multiple checkpoints within the female reproductive tract, termed pre-fertilization events. The leukocytic response is a pre-fertilization event in which sperm trigger an immune response that promotes homing of circulating leukocytes to the uterine lumen to destroy most sperm. Various glycoconjugates decorate the sperm surface, including sialic acids, which are abundant at the sperm surface where they cap most glycan chains and regulate sperm migration through cervical mucus, formation of the sperm oviductal reservoir, and sperm capacitation. However, the role of sperm-associated sialic acids in the leukocytic reaction remains unknown. The cognate endogenous binding partners of sialic acids, sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectins (Siglecs) play a pivotal role in regulating many immune responses. Here we investigated whether sperm-associated sialic acids inhibit activation of neutrophils, one of the major immune cells involved in the leukocytic reaction. We used in vitro interactions between sperm and neutrophils as well as binding assays between sperm and recombinant Siglec-Fc chimeric proteins to measure interactions. Moreover, we examined whether Siglecs are expressed on human and mouse endometria, which have a role in initiating the leukocytic reaction. Surprisingly less sialylated, capacitated, sperm did not increase neutrophil activation in vitro However, we observed expression of several Siglecs on the endometrium and that these receptors interact with sialylated sperm. Our results indicate that sperm sialic acids may interact with endometrial Siglecs and that these interactions facilitate sperm survival in the face of female immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eillen Tecle
- Department of Pathology, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093
| | - Hector Sequoyah Reynoso
- Department of Pathology, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093
| | - Ruixuan Wang
- Department of Pathology, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093
| | - Pascal Gagneux
- Department of Pathology, Glycobiology Research and Training Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California 92093
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13
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Zandieh Z, Ashrafi M, Aflatoonian K, Aflatoonian R. Human sperm DNA damage has an effect on immunological interaction between spermatozoa and fallopian tube. Andrology 2019; 7:228-234. [DOI: 10.1111/andr.12574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2018] [Revised: 10/24/2018] [Accepted: 11/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Z. Zandieh
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center School of Medicine Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
- Anatomy Department School of Medicine Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - M. Ashrafi
- Shahid Akbar Abadi Clinical Research Development Unit (ShACRDU) Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - K. Aflatoonian
- School of Medicine Iran University of Medical Sciences Tehran Iran
| | - R. Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine ACECR Tehran Iran
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14
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Zandieh Z, Amjadi F, Vakilian H, Aflatoonian K, Amirchaghmaghi E, Fazeli A, Aflatoonian R. Sex hormones alter the response of Toll-like receptor 3 to its specific ligand in fallopian tube epithelial cells. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2018; 45:154-162. [PMID: 30538945 PMCID: PMC6277672 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2018.45.4.154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2018] [Revised: 09/27/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The fallopian tubes play a critical role in the early events of fertilization. The rapid innate immune defense is an important part of the fallopian tubes. Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), as a part of the innate immune system, plays an important role in detecting viral infections. In this basic and experimental study, the effect of sex hormones on the function of TLR3 in the OE-E6/E7 cell line was investigated. Methods The functionality of TLR3 in this cell line was evaluated by cytokine measurements (interleukin [IL]-6 and IL-1b) and the effects of sex hormones on TLR3 were tested by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Additionally, TLR3 small interfering RNA (siRNA) and a TLR3 function-blocking antibody were used to confirm our findings. Results The production of IL-6 significantly increased in the presence of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly(I:C)) as the TLR3 ligand. Using a TLR3-siRNA-ransfected OE-E6/E7 cell line and function-blocking antibody confirmed that cytokine production was due to TLR3. In addition, 17-β estradiol and progesterone suppressed the production of IL-6 in the presence and absence of poly(I:C). Conclusion These results imply that sex hormones exerted a suppressive effect on the function of TLR3 in the fallopian tube cell line when different concentrations of sex hormones were present. The current results also suggest that estrogen receptor beta and nuclear progesterone receptor B are likely to mediate the hormonal regulation of TLR3, as these two receptors are the main estrogen and progesterone receptors in OE-E6/E7 cell line.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Zandieh
- Shahid Akbar Abadi Clinical Research Development Unit, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemehsadat Amjadi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Cellular and Molecular Research Center, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Haghighat Vakilian
- Department of Nanobiotechnology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Elham Amirchaghmaghi
- Department of Regenerative Biomedicine, Cell Science Research Center, Royan Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Technology, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Alireza Fazeli
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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15
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Amjadi F, Zandieh Z, Salehi E, Jafari R, Ghasemi N, Aflatoonian A, Fazeli A, Aflatoonian R. Variable localization of Toll-like receptors in human fallopian tube epithelial cells. Clin Exp Reprod Med 2018; 45:1-9. [PMID: 29662819 PMCID: PMC5897241 DOI: 10.5653/cerm.2018.45.1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2017] [Revised: 09/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/14/2017] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective To determine the localization, expression, and function of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in fallopian tube epithelial cells. Methods The localization of TLRs in fallopian tube epithelial cells was investigated by immunostaining. Surprisingly, the intensity of staining was not equal in the secretory and ciliated cells. After primary cell culture of fallopian tube epithelial cells, ring cloning was used to isolate colonies of ciliated epithelial cells, distinct from non-ciliated epithelial cells. The expression of TLRs 1–10 was examined by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and protein localization was confirmed by immunostaining. The function of the TLRs was determined by interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 production in response to TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, and TLR9 ligands. Results Fallopian tube epithelial cells expressed TLRs 1–10 in a cell-type-specific manner. Exposing fallopian tube epithelial cells to TLR2, TLR3, TLR5, TLR7, and TLR9 agonists induced the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-8. Conclusion Our findings suggest that TLR expression in the fallopian tubes is cell-type-specific. According to our results, ciliated cells may play more effective role than non-ciliated cells in the innate immune defense of the fallopian tubes, and in interactions with gametes and embryos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemehsadat Amjadi
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Zandieh
- Department of Anatomical Sciences, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ensieh Salehi
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Anatomy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Jafari
- Department of Immunology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nasrin Ghasemi
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Abbas Aflatoonian
- Research and Clinical Center for Infertility, Shahid Sadoughi University of Medical Sciences, Yazd, Iran
| | - Alireza Fazeli
- Academic Unit of Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, Department of Oncology and Metabolism, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
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16
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Zandieh Z, Vatannejad A, Doosti M, Zabihzadeh S, Haddadi M, Bajelan L, Rashidi B, Amanpour S. Comparing reactive oxygen species and DNA fragmentation in semen samples of unexplained infertile and healthy fertile men. Ir J Med Sci 2017; 187:657-662. [DOI: 10.1007/s11845-017-1708-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2016] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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17
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Salehi E, Aflatoonian R, Moeini A, Yamini N, Asadi E, Khosravizadeh Z, Tarzjani MD, Harat ZN, Abolhassani F. Apoptotic biomarkers in cumulus cells in relation to embryo quality in polycystic ovary syndrome. Arch Gynecol Obstet 2017; 296:1219-1227. [PMID: 28988321 DOI: 10.1007/s00404-017-4523-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Accepted: 09/06/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate associations between gene expression pattern of apoptotic biomarkers in cumulus cells of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients and the quality of oocytes and embryos. METHODS 40 intracytoplasmic sperm injection patients, of whom 20 were PCOS and 20 were healthy women, were included in this study. Serum hormone levels were measured using Radioimmunoassay for each patient. The expression of survivin, caspase-3, and caspase-7 in 200 cumulus complexes surrounding mature oocytes (100 in PCOS versus 100 in control groups) collected individually at pick up was examined by real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). RESULTS The expression levels of survivin were significantly lower in PCOS patients than those of normal women while caspase-3 and caspase-7 expression levels were higher in PCOS patients (p < 0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between the levels of these genes and embryo quality. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals that the measurement of survivin, caspase-3, caspase-7 levels in cumulus cells of PCOS patients could be used as genetic biomarkers for oocyte and embryo selection under an ART program. However, further prospective studies are required to elucidate this issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ensieh Salehi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, 16 Azar Avenue, Poor Sina Street, Tehran, Iran
| | - Reza Aflatoonian
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Number 12, East Hafez Avenue, Bani Hashem Street, Resalat Highway, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ashraf Moeini
- Department of Endocrinology and Female Infertility, Reproductive Biomedicine Research Center, Royan Institute for Reproductive Biomedicine, ACECR, Number 12, East Hafez Avenue, Bani Hashem Street, Resalat Highway, Tehran, Iran.,Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, 16 Azar Avenue, Poor Sina Street, Tehran, Iran.,Vali-e-Asr Reproductive Health Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nazila Yamini
- Department of ART, Embryology Laboratory, Arash Women's Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Science, Resalat Highway, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ebrahim Asadi
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, 16 Azar Avenue, Poor Sina Street, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zahra Khosravizadeh
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, 16 Azar Avenue, Poor Sina Street, Tehran, Iran
| | - Masoumeh Dehghan Tarzjani
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, 16 Azar Avenue, Poor Sina Street, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zhila Naghibi Harat
- Department of ART, Embryology Laboratory, Southern California Center, New Port Beach, CA, USA
| | - Farid Abolhassani
- Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, 16 Azar Avenue, Poor Sina Street, Tehran, Iran.
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18
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Liu T, Yang P, Chen H, Huang Y, Liu Y, Waqas Y, Ahmed N, Chu X, Chen Q. Global analysis of differential gene expression related to long-term sperm storage in oviduct of Chinese Soft-Shelled Turtle Pelodiscus sinensis. Sci Rep 2016; 6:33296. [PMID: 27628424 PMCID: PMC5024102 DOI: 10.1038/srep33296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 08/24/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Important evolutionary and ecological consequences arise from the ability of female turtles to store viable spermatozoa for an extended period. Although previous morphological studies have observed the localization of spermatozoa in Pelodiscus sinensis oviduct, no systematic study on the identification of genes that are involved in long-term sperm storage has been performed. In this study, the oviduct of P. sinensis at different phases (reproductive and hibernation seasons) was prepared for RNA-Seq and gene expression profiling. In total, 2,662 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) including 1,224 up- and 1,438 down-regulated genes were identified from two cDNA libraries. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that many genes were predominantly involved in the immune response, apoptosis pathway and regulation of autophagy. RT-qPCR, ELISA, western blot and IHC analyses showed that the expression profiles of mRNA and protein in selected DEGs were in consistent with results from RNA-Seq analysis. Remarkably, TUNEL analysis revealed the reduced number of apoptotic cells during sperm storage. IHC and TEM analyses found that autophagy occurred in the oviduct epithelial cells, where the spermatozoa were closely attached. The outcomes of this study provide fundamental insights into the complex sperm storage regulatory process and facilitate elucidating the mechanism of sperm storage in P. sinensis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tengfei Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Hong Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Yufei Huang
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Yasir Waqas
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Nisar Ahmed
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Xiaoya Chu
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
| | - Qiusheng Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and Embryology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210095, China
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19
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Li Q, Hu L, Yang P, Zhang Q, Waqas Y, Liu T, Zhang L, Wang S, Chen W, Le Y, Ullah S, Chen Q. Expression of TLR2/4 in the sperm-storing oviduct of the Chinese soft-shelled turtle Pelodiscus sinensis during hibernation season. Ecol Evol 2015; 5:4466-79. [PMID: 26664692 PMCID: PMC4667826 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.1726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2015] [Revised: 08/22/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The initiation of innate immunology system could play an important role in the aspect of protection for sperms long-term storage when the sperms got into oviduct of turtles and come into contact with epithelium. The exploration of TLR2/4 distribution and expression in oviduct during hibernation could help make the storage mechanism understandable. The objective of this study was to examine the gene and protein expression profiles in Chinese soft-shelled turtle during hibernation from November to April in the next year. The protein distribution of TLR2/4 was investigated in the magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina of the turtle oviduct using immunohistochemistry, and the gene expression of TLR2/4 was analyzed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed positive TLR2 protein expression primarily in the epithelium of the oviduct. TLR4 immunoreactivity was widely observed in almost every part of the oviduct, particularly in the epithelium and secretory gland membrane. Analysis of protein, mRNA expression revealed the decreased expression of TLR2/4 in the magnum compared with the isthmus, uterus, and vagina during hibernation. The protein and mRNA expression of TLR2 in the magnum, isthmus, uterus, and vagina was decreased in April compared with that in November. TLR4 protein and mRNA expression in the magnum, isthmus, uterus and vagina was decreased in November compared with that in April. These results indicated that TLR2/4 expression might protect the sperm from microbial infections. In contrast to the function of TLR2, which protects sperm during the early stages of hibernation, TLR4 might play a role in later stages of storage. The present study is the first to report the functions of TLR2/4 in reptiles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quanfu Li
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Lisi Hu
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Ping Yang
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Qian Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yasir Waqas
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Tengfei Liu
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Linli Zhang
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shuai Wang
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Wei Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Yuan Le
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Shakeeb Ullah
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Qiusheng Chen
- Laboratory of Animal Cell Biology and EmbryologyCollege of Veterinary MedicineNanjing Agricultural UniversityNanjingChina
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