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Yan Q, Li T, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Wang Q, Yuan L. Caveolin 1 Regulates the Tight Junctions between Sertoli Cells and Promotes the Integrity of Blood-Testis Barrier in Yak via the FAK/ERK Signaling Pathway. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:183. [PMID: 38254351 PMCID: PMC10812639 DOI: 10.3390/ani14020183] [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: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Yaks, a valuable livestock species endemic to China's Tibetan plateau, have a low reproductive rate. Cryptorchidism is believed to be one of the leading causes of infertility in male yaks. In this study, we compared the morphology of the normal testis of the yak with that of the cryptorchidism, and found dysplasia of the seminiferous tubules, impaired tightness of the Sertoli cells, and a disruption of the integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in the cryptorchidism. Previous studies have shown that CAV1 significantly contributes to the regulation of cell tight junctions and spermatogenesis. Therefore, we hypothesize that CAV1 may play a regulatory role in tight junctions and BTB in Yaks Sertoli cells, thereby influencing the development of cryptorchidism. Additional analysis using immunofluorescence, qRT-PCR, and Western blotting confirmed that CAV1 expression is up-regulated in yak cryptorchidism. CAV1 over-expression plasmids and small RNA interference sequences were then transfected in vitro into yak Sertoli cells. It was furthermore found that CAV1 has a positive regulatory effect on tight junctions and BTB integrity, and that this regulatory effect is achieved through the FAK/ERK signaling pathway. Taken together, our findings, the first application of CAV1 to yak cryptorchidism, provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of cell tight junctions and BTB. This paper suggests that CAV1 could be used as a potential therapeutic target for yak cryptorchidism and may provide insight for future investigations into the occurrence of cryptorchidism, the maintenance of a normal physiological environment for spermatogenesis and male reproductive physiology in the yak.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiu Yan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Tianan Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Xingxu Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Qi Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
| | - Ligang Yuan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China; (Q.Y.); (T.L.); (Y.Z.); (X.Z.); (Q.W.)
- Gansu Key Laboratory of Animal Generational Physiology and Reproductive Regulation, Lanzhou 730070, China
- College of Life Science and Technology, Gansu Agriculture University, Lanzhou 730070, China
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Yildirim OG, Guney C, Alcigir ME, Akar F. High-fructose consumption suppresses insulin signaling pathway accompanied by activation of macrophage and apoptotic markers in rat testis. Reprod Biol 2023; 23:100815. [PMID: 37839228 DOI: 10.1016/j.repbio.2023.100815] [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: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023]
Abstract
Dietary high-fructose may cause metabolic disturbances; however, its effect on the reproductive system is little understood. The insulin signaling pathway is critical in testicular development, maintenance of microcirculation and spermatogenesis. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the impact of dietary high-fructose on insulin signaling pathway as well as macrophage and apoptotic markers in testicular tissue of rats. Fructose was administered to male Wistar rats as a 20% solution in drinking water for fifteen-week. Gene expression of ir-β, irs-1, irs-2, pi3k, akt, mtor, and enos in the testicular samples was determined by real-time PCR. Protein expression of IR, IRS-1, IRS-2, PI3K, Akt, phospho-Akt (p-Akt), mTOR, eNOS, phospho-eNOS (p-eNOS), and GLUT5 was established by analysis of Western Blot. Testicular expression of occludin, CD163, CD68, caspase-8, and caspase-3 was analyzed by using immunohistochemical assay. Testicular level of fructose was measured by colorimetric method. Dietary high-fructose decreased mRNA expressions of irs-1, irs-2, pi3k, and mtor in the testicular tissue of rats. Also, this dietary intervention impaired protein expressions of IR, IRS-1, IRS-2, PI3K, p-Akt, mTOR, eNOS, and p-eNOS as well as p-Akt/Akt and p-eNOS/eNOS ratios in the testis of rats. However, a high-fructose diet increased the expression of CD163, CD68, caspase-8 and caspase-3, but decreased that of occludin, in the testicular tissue of rats. The high-fructose consumption in rats suppresses testicular insulin signaling but activates macrophages-related factors and apoptotic markers. These changes induced by dietary fructose could be related to male reproductive dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Gökhan Yildirim
- Department of Pharmacy Services, Vocational School of Health Services, Artvin Coruh University, Artvin, Turkey
| | - Ceren Guney
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mehmet Eray Alcigir
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kırıkkale University, Kırıkkale, Turkey
| | - Fatma Akar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey.
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Nguyen HT, Martin LJ. Classical cadherins in the testis: how are they regulated? Reprod Fertil Dev 2023; 35:641-660. [PMID: 37717581 DOI: 10.1071/rd23084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Cadherins (CDH) are crucial intercellular adhesion molecules, contributing to morphogenesis and creating tissue barriers by regulating cells' movement, clustering and differentiation. In the testis, classical cadherins such as CDH1, CDH2 and CDH3 are critical to gonadogenesis by promoting the migration and the subsequent clustering of primordial germ cells with somatic cells. While CDH2 is present in both Sertoli and germ cells in rodents, CDH1 is primarily detected in undifferentiated spermatogonia. As for CDH3, its expression is mainly found in germ and pre-Sertoli cells in developing gonads until the establishment of the blood-testis barrier (BTB). This barrier is made of Sertoli cells forming intercellular junctional complexes. The restructuring of the BTB allows the movement of early spermatocytes toward the apical compartment as they differentiate during a process called spermatogenesis. CDH2 is among many junctional proteins participating in this process and is regulated by several pathways. While cytokines promote the disassembly of the BTB by enhancing junctional protein endocytosis for degradation, testosterone facilitates the assembly of the BTB by increasing the recycling of endocytosed junctional proteins. Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are also mediators of the BTB kinetics in many chemically induced damages in the testis. In addition to regulating Sertoli cell functions, follicle stimulating hormone can also regulate the expression of CDH2. In this review, we discuss the current knowledge on regulatory mechanisms of cadherin localisation and expression in the testis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ha Tuyen Nguyen
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
| | - Luc J Martin
- Biology Department, Université de Moncton, Moncton, NB E1A 3E9, Canada
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Falvo S, Minucci S, Santillo A, Senese R, Chieffi Baccari G, Venditti M. A short-term high-fat diet alters rat testicular activity and blood-testis barrier integrity through the SIRT1/NRF2/MAPKs signaling pathways. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1274035. [PMID: 38027181 PMCID: PMC10643185 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1274035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Overweight/obesity are metabolic disorder resulting from behavioral, environmental, and heritable causes. WHO estimates that 50% of adults and 30% of children and adolescents are overweight or obese, and, in parallel, an ongoing decline in sperm quality and male fertility has been described. Numerous studies demonstrated the intimate association between overweight/obesity and reproductive dysfunction due to a highly intricate network of causes not yet completely understood. This study expands the knowledge on the impact of a short-term high-fat diet (st-HFD) on rat testicular activity, specifically on steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis, focusing on the involved molecular mechanisms related to mitochondrial dynamics, blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity, and SIRT1/NRF2/MAPKs pathways. Methods Ten adult Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups of five and treated with a standard diet or an HFD for five weeks. At the end of the treatment, rats were anesthetized and sacrificed by decapitation. Blood was collected for serum sex hormone assay; one testis was stored at -80ÅãC for western blot analysis, and the other, was fixed for histological and immunofluorescence analysis. Results Five weeks of HFD results in reduced steroidogenesis, increased apoptosis of spermatogenic cells, and altered spermatogenesis, as highlighted by reduced protein levels ofmeiotic and post-meiotic markers. Further, we evidenced the compromission of the BTB integrity, as revealed by the downregulation of structural proteins (N-Cadherin, ZO-1, occludin, connexin 43, and VANGL2) other than the phosphorylation of regulative kinases (Src and FAK). At the molecular level, the impairment of mitochondrial dynamics (fission, fusion, andbiogenesis), and the dysregulation of the SIRT1/NRF2/MAPKs signaling pathways, were evidenced. Interestingly, no change was observed in the levels of pro-inflammatory markers (TNFα, NF-kB, and IL-6). Conclusions The combined data led us to confirm that overweight is a less severe state than obesity. Furthermore, understanding the molecular mechanisms behind the association between metabolic disorders and male fertility could improve the possibility of identifying novel targets to prevent and treat fertility disorders related to overweight/obesity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Falvo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Sergio Minucci
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Napoli, Italy
| | - Alessandra Santillo
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Rosalba Senese
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Gabriella Chieffi Baccari
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Ambientali, Biologiche e Farmaceutiche, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Caserta, Italy
| | - Massimo Venditti
- Dipartimento di Medicina Sperimentale, Sez. Fisiologia Umana e Funzioni Biologiche Integrate, Università degli Studi della Campania ‘Luigi Vanvitelli’, Napoli, Italy
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Guney C, Bal NB, Akar F. The impact of dietary fructose on gut permeability, microbiota, abdominal adiposity, insulin signaling and reproductive function. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18896. [PMID: 37636431 PMCID: PMC10447940 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
The excessive intake of fructose in the regular human diet could be related to global increases in metabolic disorders. Sugar-sweetened soft drinks, mostly consumed by children, adolescents, and young adults, are the main source of added fructose. Dietary high-fructose can increase intestinal permeability and circulatory endotoxin by changing the gut barrier function and microbial composition. Excess fructose transports to the liver and then triggers inflammation as well as de novo lipogenesis leading to hepatic steatosis. Fructose also induces fat deposition in adipose tissue by stimulating the expression of lipogenic genes, thus causing abdominal adiposity. Activation of the inflammatory pathway by fructose in target tissues is thought to contribute to the suppression of the insulin signaling pathway producing systemic insulin resistance. Moreover, there is some evidence that high intake of fructose negatively affects both male and female reproductive systems and may lead to infertility. This review addresses dietary high-fructose-induced deteriorations that are obvious, especially in gut permeability, microbiota, abdominal fat accumulation, insulin signaling, and reproductive function. The recognition of the detrimental effects of fructose and the development of relevant new public health policies are necessary in order to prevent diet-related metabolic disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fatma Akar
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
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Cai Z, Zhang Y, Yang L, Ma C, Fei Y, Ding J, Song W, Tong WM, Niu Y, Li H. ALKBH5 in mouse testicular Sertoli cells regulates Cdh2 mRNA translation to maintain blood-testis barrier integrity. Cell Mol Biol Lett 2022; 27:101. [PMID: 36418936 PMCID: PMC9682758 DOI: 10.1186/s11658-022-00404-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is involved in mammalian spermatogenesis. In both germ cells and Leydig cells, ALKBH5 regulates spermatogenesis and androgen synthesis in an m6A-dependent manner. However, it is unclear whether ALKBH5 plays a role in testicular Sertoli cells, which constitute the blood-testis barrier (BTB) through cell junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells. METHODS ALKBH5 expression in the testes of humans and mice was detected by immunohistochemical staining and immunofluorescence staining. BTB integrity was evaluated by BTB assay. m6A-seq was performed to screen for BTB-related molecules regulated by ALKBH5. m6A immunoprecipitation-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR, western blot, coimmunoprecipitation, and polysome fractionation-qPCR analyses were performed to explore the mechanisms of ALKBH5 in BTB. Transmission electron microscopy was applied to observe the BTB ultrastructure. RESULTS ALKBH5 in Sertoli cells is related to the integrity of the BTB. Subsequently, the m6A level on Cdh2 mRNA, encoding a structural protein N-cadherin in the BTB, was found to be regulated by ALKBH5. IGF2BP1/2/3 complexes and YTHDF1 promoted Cdh2 mRNA translation. In addition, we found that basal endoplasmic specialization, in which N-cadherin is a main structural protein, was severely disordered in the testes of Alkbh5-knockout mice. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed that ALKBH5 regulates BTB integrity via basal endoplasmic specialization by affecting Cdh2 mRNA translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonglin Cai
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China ,grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China ,grid.16821.3c0000 0004 0368 8293Department of Urology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China
| | - Yao Zhang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Lin Yang
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Chunhui Ma
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yi Fei
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Ding
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Song
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Wei-Min Tong
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China ,grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Yamei Niu
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Pathology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China ,grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Molecular Pathology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjun Li
- grid.506261.60000 0001 0706 7839Department of Urology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
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