1
|
Valproate Targets Mammalian Gastrulation Impairing Neural Tissue Differentiation and Development of the Placental Source In Vitro. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23168861. [PMID: 36012122 PMCID: PMC9408494 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23168861] [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: 07/09/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The teratogenic activity of valproate (VPA), an antiepileptic and an inhibitor of histone deacetylase (HDACi), is dose-dependent in humans. Previous results showed that VPA impairs in vitro development and neural differentiation of the gastrulating embryo proper. We aimed to investigate the impact of a lower VPA dose in vitro and whether this effect is retained in transplants in vivo. Rat embryos proper (E9.5) and ectoplacental cones were separately cultivated at the air-liquid interface with or without 1 mM VPA. Embryos were additionally cultivated with HDACi Trichostatin A (TSA), while some cultures were syngeneically transplanted under the kidney capsule for 14 days. Embryos were subjected to routine histology, immunohistochemistry, Western blotting and pyrosequencing. The overall growth of VPA-treated embryos in vitro was significantly impaired. However, no differences in the apoptosis or proliferation index were found. Incidence of the neural tissue was lower in VPA-treated embryos than in controls. TSA also impaired growth and neural differentiation in vitro. VPA-treated embryos and their subsequent transplants expressed a marker of undifferentiated neural cells compared to controls where neural differentiation markers were expressed. VPA increased the acetylation of histones. Our results point to gastrulation as a sensitive period for neurodevelopmental impairment caused by VPA.
Collapse
|
2
|
Verhelst S, Van Puyvelde B, Willems S, Daled S, Cornelis S, Corveleyn L, Willems E, Deforce D, De Clerck L, Dhaenens M. A large scale mass spectrometry-based histone screening for assessing epigenetic developmental toxicity. Sci Rep 2022; 12:1256. [PMID: 35075221 PMCID: PMC8786925 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-05268-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Toxicoepigenetics is an emerging field that studies the toxicological impact of compounds on protein expression through heritable, non-genetic mechanisms, such as histone post-translational modifications (hPTMs). Due to substantial progress in the large-scale study of hPTMs, integration into the field of toxicology is promising and offers the opportunity to gain novel insights into toxicological phenomena. Moreover, there is a growing demand for high-throughput human-based in vitro assays for toxicity testing, especially for developmental toxicity. Consequently, we developed a mass spectrometry-based proof-of-concept to assess a histone code screening assay capable of simultaneously detecting multiple hPTM-changes in human embryonic stem cells. We first validated the untargeted workflow with valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor. These results demonstrate the capability of mapping the hPTM-dynamics, with a general increase in acetylations as an internal control. To illustrate the scalability, a dose–response study was performed on a proof-of-concept library of ten compounds (1) with a known effect on the hPTMs (BIX-01294, 3-Deazaneplanocin A, Trichostatin A, and VPA), (2) classified as highly embryotoxic by the European Centre for the Validation of Alternative Methods (ECVAM) (Methotrexate, and All-trans retinoic acid), (3) classified as non-embryotoxic by ECVAM (Penicillin G), and (4) compounds of abuse with a presumed developmental toxicity (ethanol, caffeine, and nicotine).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sigrid Verhelst
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart Van Puyvelde
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sander Willems
- Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, 82152, Martinsried, Germany
| | - Simon Daled
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Senne Cornelis
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Corveleyn
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ewoud Willems
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura De Clerck
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maarten Dhaenens
- ProGenTomics, Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Leydig Cells in Patients with Non-Obstructive Azoospermia: Do They Really Proliferate? Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11111266. [PMID: 34833142 PMCID: PMC8624241 DOI: 10.3390/life11111266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Revised: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is a form of male infertility caused by disorders of the testicular parenchyma and impaired spermatogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the nature of Leydig cell changes in patients with NOA, especially whether their actual proliferation occurred. Methods: 48 testicular biopsies from infertile patients with NOA and 24 testicular biopsies originating from azoospermic patients suffering from obstructive azoospermia (OA) were included in the study. Leydig cells and their possible proliferative activity were analysed by immunohistochemistry and morphometry (stereology). Results: Unlike in the OA group, Leydig cells in NOA patients were sometimes organised into larger clusters and displayed an abundant cytoplasm/hypertrophy. Moreover, significant fibrosis of the interstitial compartment was demonstrated in some NOA samples, often accompanied by inflammatory cells. Stereological analysis showed no increase/proliferation of Leydig cells; on the contrary, these cells decreased in number in the NOA group. Conclusions: The decrease in the number of Leydig cells can be explained by previous inflammatory changes within the testicular interstitium and consequent interstitial fibrosis. The interstitial fibrosis might have a deteriorating effect on Leydig cells.
Collapse
|
4
|
Krasic J, Skara L, Ulamec M, Katusic Bojanac A, Dabelic S, Bulic-Jakus F, Jezek D, Sincic N. Teratoma Growth Retardation by HDACi Treatment of the Tumor Embryonal Source. Cancers (Basel) 2020; 12:cancers12113416. [PMID: 33217978 PMCID: PMC7698704 DOI: 10.3390/cancers12113416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 11/09/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Testicular germ cell tumors are the most common neoplasms in young male populations, with a rising incidence. Among them, teratomas may often be very aggressive and resistant to therapy. Our aim was to investigate the impact of two potential anti-tumor epigenetic drugs (Valproate and Trichostatin A) in a mammalian model of teratoma development from an early trilaminar mouse embryo. Both drugs applied to the embryonic tissue had a significant negative impact on the teratoma growth in a three-dimensional in vitro culture. However, Trichostatin A did not diminish some potentially dangerous features of teratomas in contrast to Valproate. This research is an original contribution to the basic knowledge of the origin and development of teratomas. Such knowledge is necessary for envisioning therapeutic strategies against human testicular tumors. Abstract Among testicular germ cell tumors, teratomas may often be very aggressive and therapy-resistant. Our aim was to investigate the impact of histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi) on the in vitro growth of experimental mouse teratoma by treating their embryonic source, the embryo-proper, composed only of the three germ layers. The growth of teratomas was measured for seven days, and histopathological analysis, IHC/morphometry quantification, gene enrichment analysis, and qPCR analysis on a selected panel of pluripotency and early differentiation genes followed. For the first time, within teratomas, we histopathologically assessed the undifferentiated component containing cancer stem cell-like cells (CSCLCs) and differentiated components containing numerous lymphocytes. Mitotic indices were higher than apoptotic indices in both components. Both HDACi treatments of the embryos-proper significantly reduced teratoma growth, although this could be related neither to apoptosis nor proliferation. Trichostatin A increased the amount of CSCLCs, and upregulated the mRNA expression of pluripotency/stemness genes as well as differentiation genes, e.g., T and Eomes. Valproate decreased the amount of CSCLCs, and downregulated the expressions of pluripotency/stemness and differentiation genes. In conclusion, both HDACi treatments diminished the inherent tumorigenic growth potential of the tumor embryonal source, although Trichostatin A did not diminish the potentially dangerous expression of cancer-related genes and the amount of CSCLC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jure Krasic
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (J.K.); (L.S.); (A.K.B.); (F.B.-J.)
- Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Lucija Skara
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (J.K.); (L.S.); (A.K.B.); (F.B.-J.)
- Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Monika Ulamec
- Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Department of Pathology and Cytology, Sestre Milosrdnice University Hospital Center, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Katusic Bojanac
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (J.K.); (L.S.); (A.K.B.); (F.B.-J.)
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Sanja Dabelic
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy and Biochemistry, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Floriana Bulic-Jakus
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (J.K.); (L.S.); (A.K.B.); (F.B.-J.)
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
| | - Davor Jezek
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nino Sincic
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia; (J.K.); (L.S.); (A.K.B.); (F.B.-J.)
- Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Centre of Excellence for Reproductive and Regenerative Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, 10 000 Zagreb, Croatia;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +385-1-45-66-806; Fax: +385-45-960-199
| |
Collapse
|