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Ali W, Deng K, Bian Y, Liu Z, Zou H. Spectacular role of epididymis and bio-active cargo of nano-scale exosome in sperm maturation: A review. Biomed Pharmacother 2023; 164:114889. [PMID: 37209627 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopha.2023.114889] [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: 03/17/2023] [Revised: 04/30/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The epididymis is responsible for post-testicular sperm maturation as it provides a favorable environment for spermatozoa to gain the ability for movement and fertilization. The recent evidence has shown that, the spermatozoa are vulnerable to dynamic variations driven by various cellular exposure mechanisms mediated by epididymosomes. Exosomes provide new insight into a mechanism of intercellular communication because they provide direct evidence for the transfer of several important bio-active cargo elements (proteins, lipid, DNA, mRNA, microRNA, circular RNA, long noncoding RNA) between epididymis and spermatozoa. In broad sense, proteomic analysis of exosomes from epididymis indicates number of proteins that are involved in sperm motility, acrosomal reaction, prevent pre-mature sperm capacitation and male infertility. Pinpointing, how reproductive disorders are associated with bio-active cargo elements of nano-scale exosome in the male reproductive tract. Therefore, the current review presents evidence regarding the distinctive characteristics and functions of nano-scale exosome in the male reproductive tract in both pathological and physiological developments, and argue that these vesicles serve as an important regulator of male reproduction, fertility, and disease susceptibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Waseem Ali
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China
| | - Kai Deng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China
| | - Yusheng Bian
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China
| | - Zongping Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China
| | - Hui Zou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Jiangsu Co-innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety of the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu 225009, PR China.
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2
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Surface protein profiling of prostate-derived extracellular vesicles by mass spectrometry and proximity assays. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1402. [PMID: 36550367 PMCID: PMC9780212 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04349-x] [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: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are mediators of intercellular communication and a promising class of biomarkers. Surface proteins of EVs play decisive roles in establishing a connection with recipient cells, and they are putative targets for diagnostic assays. Analysis of the surface proteins can thus both illuminate the biological functions of EVs and help identify potential biomarkers. We developed a strategy combining high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) and proximity ligation assays (PLA) to first identify and then validate surface proteins discovered on EVs. We applied our workflow to investigate surface proteins of small EVs found in seminal fluid (SF-sEV). We identified 1,014 surface proteins and verified the presence of a subset of these on the surface of SF-sEVs. Our work demonstrates a general strategy for deep analysis of EVs' surface proteins across patients and pathological conditions, proceeding from unbiased screening by HRMS to ultra-sensitive targeted analyses via PLA.
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3
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Lange-Consiglio A, Capra E, Monferini N, Canesi S, Bosi G, Cretich M, Frigerio R, Galbiati V, Bertuzzo F, Cobalchini F, Cremonesi F, Gasparrini B. Extracellular vesicles from seminal plasma to improve fertilizing capacity of bulls. REPRODUCTION AND FERTILITY 2022; 3:RAF-22-0037. [PMID: 36374278 PMCID: PMC9782411 DOI: 10.1530/raf-22-0037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Seminal plasma contains extracellular vesicles (EVs) that vehicle RNA, proteins, and other molecules able to influence the biological function of sperm. The aim of this study was to improve the fertilizing capacity of male gametes of low-fertility bulls using EVs isolated by ultracentrifugation from the seminal plasma of a bull of proven fertility. After dose-response curve, 10×106 sperm of low-fertility bulls were co-incubated for an hour with 400×106 EVs/ml. In addition, it has been verified that the incorporation of EVs, which takes place in the sperm midpiece, is maintained for 5 hours and even after cryopreservation. Subsequently, the spermatozoa of low-fertility bulls, with EVs incorporated, were used for the in vitro production of embryos. The rate of blastocyst at seventh day yield in vitro, with the use of sperm with EVs incorporated, increased by about twice the yield obtained with the same sperm in the absence of EVs: bulls having an average embryonic yield of 6.41±1.48%, 10.32±4.34% and 10.92±0.95% improved their yield to 21.21±1.99%, 22.17±6.09% and 19.99±5.78%, respectively (P<0.05). These encouraging results suggest that it might be possible to keep breeding bulls with poor fertility. Further studies will be needed to evaluate the in vivo fertility of sperm treated with EVs and understand how the content of EVs is involve in the sperm-vesicle interaction and in the improved sperm performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Lange-Consiglio
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Emanuele Capra
- Istituto di Biologia e Biotecnologia Agraria, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche IBBA CNR, Lodi, Italy
| | - Noemi Monferini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Simone Canesi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Giampaolo Bosi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Marina Cretich
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche ‘Giulio Natta’, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche SCITEC-CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Roberto Frigerio
- Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche ‘Giulio Natta’, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche SCITEC-CNR, Milan, Italy
| | - Valentina Galbiati
- Università degli Studi di Milano, Laboratory of Toxicology (DiSFeB), Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Bertuzzo
- Intermizoo National Bull Centre of Vallevecchia, Caorle, Venezia, Italy
| | | | - Fausto Cremonesi
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Scienze Animali (DIVAS), Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Bianca Gasparrini
- Dipartimento di Medicina Veterinaria e Produzioni Animali (DMVPA), Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II, Naples, Italy
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4
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Leathersich S, Hart RJ. Immune infertility in men. Fertil Steril 2022; 117:1121-1131. [PMID: 35367058 DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.02.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 01/30/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Male factors are implicated as the cause of roughly half of cases of infertility, and the presence of antisperm antibodies (ASA) may be responsible for some of these. Their presence is associated with a reduction in natural conception and live birth and impacts the success of assisted reproductive technologies. Interpretation of the data regarding ASAs and fertility is complicated by a lack of standardization in testing methodology and test thresholds and a lack of data on their prevalence in the healthy fertile population. Although their pathogenesis remains elusive, and many cases are idiopathic, a disruption in the immunologic blood-testis barrier (BTB) appears to contribute to the formation of ASA. As delineation of the specific antigen targets of ASA advances, it has been recognized that they may affect almost all aspects of sperm function, and ASA against different targets likely have specific mechanisms of impairing fertility. Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) appears to be the most reliable method by which to overcome fertility impairment due to ASA, achieving similar outcomes to ASA-negative patients with regard to fertilization rates, embryonic development, clinical pregnancy rates, and live birth rates. The lack of consistency in testing for and reporting ASA remains a substantial barrier to achieving clarity in describing their role in infertility and the optimal management approach, and future research should use a unified approach to the detection and description of ASA. Determination of the specific antigens targeted by ASA, and their function and clinical relevance, would contribute to improving the understanding of ASA-mediated impacts on fertility and tailoring treatment appropriately to achieve the best outcomes for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Leathersich
- King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, Claremont, Australia
| | - Roger J Hart
- King Edward Memorial Hospital, Perth, Australia; Fertility Specialists of Western Australia, Claremont, Australia; Division of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia.
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5
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Tamessar CT, Trigg NA, Nixon B, Skerrett-Byrne DA, Sharkey DJ, Robertson SA, Bromfield EG, Schjenken JE. Roles of male reproductive tract extracellular vesicles in reproduction. Am J Reprod Immunol 2020; 85:e13338. [PMID: 32885533 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted cell-derived membrane structures present in all organisms across animal, bacterial, and plant phyla. These vesicles play important roles in cell-cell communication in many processes integral to health and disease. Recent studies demonstrate that EVs and their cargo have influential and conserved roles in male reproduction. While EVs have been isolated from virtually all specialized tissues comprising the male reproductive tract, they are best characterized in the epididymis (epididymosomes) and seminal fluid (seminal fluid extracellular vesicles or prostasomes). Broadly speaking, EVs promote reproductive success through supporting sperm development and function, as well as influencing the physiology of female reproductive tract cells after mating. In this review, we present current knowledge on the composition and function of male reproductive tract EV populations in both normal physiology and pathology, and argue that their functions identify them as critical regulators of fertility and fecundity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cottrell T Tamessar
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Natalie A Trigg
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - Brett Nixon
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David A Skerrett-Byrne
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia
| | - David J Sharkey
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Sarah A Robertson
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Elizabeth G Bromfield
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.,Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - John E Schjenken
- Priority Research Centre for Reproductive Science, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, The University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.,Hunter Medical Research Institute, Pregnancy and Reproduction Program, New Lambton Heights, NSW, Australia.,The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
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6
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Ronquist G. Prostasomes: Their Characterisation: Implications for Human Reproduction: Prostasomes and Human Reproduction. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2015; 868:191-209. [PMID: 26178851 PMCID: PMC7120776 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-18881-2_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The prostate is a principal accessory genital gland that is vital for normal fertility. Epithelial cells lining the prostate acini release in a defined fashion (exocytosis) organellar nanosized structures named prostasomes. They are involved in the protection of sperm cells against immune response in the female reproductive tract by modulating the complement system and by inhibiting monocyte and neutrophil phagocytosis and lymphocyte proliferation. The immunomodulatory function most probably involves small non-coding RNAs present in prostasomes. Prostasomes have also been proposed to regulate the timing of sperm cell capacitation and induction of the acrosome reaction, since they are rich in various transferable bioactive molecules (e.g. receptors and enzymes) that promote the fertilising ability of sperm cells. Antigenicity of sperm cells has been well documented and implicated in involuntary immunological infertility of human couples, and antisperm antibodies (ASA) occur in several body fluids. The propensity of sperm cells to carry attached prostasomes suggests that they are a new category of sperm antigens. Circulating human ASA recognise prostasomes, and among 12 identified prostasomal antigens, prolactin- inducible protein (95 %) and clusterin (85 %) were immunodominant at the expense of the other 10 that were sporadically occurring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gunnar Ronquist
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, The University of Uppsala, 751 85, Uppsala, Sweden,
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7
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Carlsson L, Ronquist G, Nilsson BO, Larsson A. Dominant Prostasome Immunogens for Sperm-Agglutinating Autoantibodies of Infertile Men. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2013; 25:699-705. [PMID: 15292099 DOI: 10.1002/j.1939-4640.2004.tb02844.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The presence of naturally occurring anti-sperm antibodies (ASA) is a well-known cause of infertility in men and women, but the antigens for these antibodies are poorly characterized. We have previously shown that prostasomes adhere to sperm cells and that prostasomes are major targets for ASA associated with infertility. These autoantigens have not been characterized. We used 2-dimensional electrophoresis, immunoblotting, and mass-spectrometry to identify the prostasome antigens for these autoantibodies. By these techniques, we revealed that prolactin-inducible protein (PIP) and clusterin were dominant prostasome immunogens for sperm-agglutinating autoantibodies of 20 patients with immunological infertility. PIP was identified by 19 of 20 (95%) patient sera and clusterin by 17 of 20 (85%). In addition, 10 sporadically occurring prostasomal antigens were identified in this context, viz alcohol dehydrogenase [NADP+], annexin I, annexin III, BRCA1-associated ring domain protein 1, heat shock 27-kd protein, isocitrate dehydrogenase, lactoylglutathione lyase, NG,NG-dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase 1, peroxiredoxin 2, and syntenin 1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lena Carlsson
- Department of Medical Sciences, University Hospital, S-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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8
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Ronquist G. Prostasomes are mediators of intercellular communication: from basic research to clinical implications. J Intern Med 2012; 271:400-13. [PMID: 22112042 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.2011.02487.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 100] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Prostasomes are nanosized microvesicles secreted by acinar epithelial cells of the prostate gland. Furthermore, they are intracellular microvesicles inside another larger vesicle, a so-called storage vesicle, equivalent to multivesicular bodies of late endosomal origin. Prostasomes are thought to play an important role in intercellular communication by direct interaction primarily between the immobile acinar cells of the prostate gland and the mobile spermatozoa. Prostasomes transfer not only membrane components but also genetic material to spermatozoa. They are rich in various transferable bioactive molecules (e.g., receptors and enzymes) that promote the fertilizing ability of spermatozoa. In this review, the pleiotropic biological effects of prostasomes that are relevant for successful fertilization will be discussed. The ability to synthesize and export prostasomes to the extracellular space is observed not only in normal prostate epithelial cells but also in malignant prostate cells. Release of prostasomes by prostate cancer cells suggests a role in malignant cell growth and proliferation. These findings may provide new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Ronquist
- Department of Medical Sciences, Clinical Chemistry, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
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9
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Stewart AB, Delves GH, Birch BR, Cooper AJ, Lwaleed BA. Antiprostasome antibodies are not an appropriate prognostic marker for prostate cancer. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2009; 43:104-8. [PMID: 18979375 DOI: 10.1080/00365590802502103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Antiprostasome antibodies (APAs) have been identified in serum of patients with prostate cancer and have been proposed as a new marker for metastatic disease. This study reassesses the role of APAs as a prognostic indicator for prostate cancer. MATERIAL AND METHODS Serum samples from healthy controls (n=7) and patients with prostate cancer (n=22) were assayed for APAs using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS APAs in varying amounts were present in healthy individuals as well as in men with prostate cancer. Higher levels were inversely and significantly associated with prostate-specific antigen (PSA). No significant relationships were noted between APA levels and other parameters such as age, time since diagnosis, metastatic status, Gleason histological score and hormonal treatment. CONCLUSIONS The presence of serum APA is unlikely to be a strong prognostic indictor for prostate cancer on an individual basis as false positives will occur. However, such immune reactions which may be associated with PSA in cancer patients are in any case of interest in both the biology of prostate cancer and male fertility. The source of prostasomal antigen may be of critical importance to the outcome of the assay. However, immune reactions to prostasomes may be of considerable interest and warrant continued investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair B Stewart
- Department of Urology, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
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10
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Veaute C, Furlong LI, Bronson R, Harris JD, Vazquez-Levin MH. Acrosin antibodies and infertility. I. Detection of antibodies towards proacrosin/acrosin in women consulting for infertility and evaluation of their effects upon the sperm protease activities. Fertil Steril 2009; 91:1245-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2007.12.072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2007] [Revised: 12/27/2007] [Accepted: 12/27/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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11
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Duncan MW, Thompson HS. Proteomics of semen and its constituents. Proteomics Clin Appl 2007; 1:861-75. [DOI: 10.1002/prca.200700228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2007] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
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12
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Burden HP, Holmes CH, Persad R, Whittington K. Prostasomes--their effects on human male reproduction and fertility. Hum Reprod Update 2005; 12:283-92. [PMID: 16373403 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmi052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The prostate is a glandular male accessory sex organ vital for normal fertility. It provides the prostatic component of seminal plasma which nourishes and protects sperm following ejaculation. Prostasomes are small (40-500 nm) membrane-bound vesicles produced by epithelial cells lining the prostate acini and are a component of prostatic secretions. Although the existence of these particles has been known for many years, their full function and relevance to reproductive health are largely unknown. Proteomic studies have shown a wide range of proteins (enzymes, structural proteins and novel, unannotated proteins) present in or on the surface of prostasomes providing them with a diverse nature. Interestingly prostasomes are able to fuse with sperm, this event and the associated transfer of proteins lies at the heart of many of their proposed functions. Sperm motility is increased by the presence of prostasomes and their fusion prevents premature acrosome reactions. Prostasomes have been shown to aid protection of sperm within the female reproductive tract because of immunosuppressive, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Clinically these functions imply a role for prostasomes in male factor infertility. However, the very functions that promote fertility may have negative connotations in later life; recent work has suggested that prostasomes are involved in prostate cancer. Clearly more work is needed to clarify the role of these novel particles and their impact on men's health.
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Affiliation(s)
- H P Burden
- Clinical Sciences South Bristol, Henry Wellcome Laboratories for Integrated Neuroendocrinology, Dorothy Hodgkin Building.
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13
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Carlsson L, Larsson A, Ronquist G, Nilsson BO. Prostasome antigens as targets for sperm agglutinating antibodies demonstrated by 1-D gel electrophoresis and immunoblottings. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2004; 27:360-7. [PMID: 15595955 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2605.2004.00468.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Many immunoinfertile men have sperm agglutinating antibodies that are directed against prostasome-derived antigens, but these antigens have not been defined so far. We selected serum samples with high ELISA titres against prostasomes from a group of immunoinfertile patients with sperm agglutinating antibodies and used the sera for immunoblottings on 1-D SDS-PAGE of prostasomes and sperm cells. The immunoblottings with individual antiprostasome antisera on 1-D SDS-PAGE of prostasomes, revealed three to 10 bands for each serum. Eighty-five per cent of the serum samples contained bands in the 70-75 kDa region and 80% of the samples contained bands in the 50-55 kDa region. Immunoblottings of extracted sperm cells, revealed one to six bands in the molecular weight range 25-82 kDa and two of the samples recognized two bands with molecular weights (50 and 43 kDa) similar to immunoblottings of prostasomes. The prostasomal antigens recognized by the high titre-antisera of immunoinfertile men were generally different from the sperm antigens recognized by the same sera. This suggests that prostasomes offer a new set of antigens available for research on male immunoinfertility and immunocontraception.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Carlsson
- Department of Medical Cell Biology, Biomedical Center, University of Uppsala, S-751 85 Uppsala, Sweden
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